From the Book: "The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics"
     Compiled by Raphael Brown
     TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

     Posted on Usenet by Marida Ignacio

               C O N T E N T S
               ---------------

   Foreword
   Introduction
1.  St. Ann and St. Joachim
2.  The Nativity of Mary
3.  Infancy
4.  Presentation
5.  In the Temple
6.  The Espousals
7.  Preparation for the Annunciation
8.  The Annunciation
9.  The Visitation
10. Trials
11. Mary and Joseph in Nazareth
12. The Journey to Bethlehem
13. The Nativity
14. The Adoration of the Shepherds
15. The Circumcision
16. The Adoration of the Magi
17. The Purification
18. The Flight to Egypt
19. The Holy Family in Egypt
20. The Return to Nazareth
21. The Boy Jesus in the Temple
22. Hidden Life in Nazareth
23. The Death of St. Joseph
24. Preparation for the Public Life
25. The Wedding at Cana
26. Mary During the Public Ministry
27. Judas
28. Prelude to the Passion
29. Holy Thursday
30. The Passion
31. The Crucifixion
32. The Resurrection
33. The Ascension
34. Pentecost and the Early Church
35. Mary's Last Years
36. The Dormition
37. The Assumption and Crowning
   Bibliography
   Supplement to the Bibliography (as of 1975)

... the following is given after the introduction.

 OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
 is reported to have said to

 ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN:
 "Know that it is not for your own sake alone that I speak
 to you, but also for the salvation of all Christians...know
 too that when it pleases Me, men shall come who will take up
 the words of 'The Heavenly Revelations' with joy and
 consolation."

 VEN. MOTHER OF AGREDA:
 "Many mysteries pertaining to My Mother... are still hidden,
 especially the interior secrets of her life, and these I wish
 now to make known.  I desire to make known to mortals how much
 her intercession is worth.  If men would now seek to please Me
 by reverencing, believing, and studying the wonders which are
 intimately connected with This Mother of Piety, and if they
 would all begin to solicit her intercession from their whole
 heart, the world would find some relief."

 SIS. ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH:
 "I give you these visions, not for yourself; they are given to
 you in order that they may be recorded, I give you these visions -
 and I have ever done so -  to prove that I shall be with My Church
 till the end of days.  But visions alone sanctify no one; you
 must practice charity, patience, and all other virtues."


Subject: Part 1 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/23
Message-ID: <9602231113.ZM13883

comments: To: SPIRIT-L@American.edu


newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap.1.  St. Ann and St. Joachim

Before the beginning of time, the Holy Trinity decreed that after
creation, the fall of man and several years after it, the Son of
God would be born of a virgin and this virgin was to be miraculously
exempt from all stains of original sin.
The Blessed Trinity then chose some Jews and guided them to live their
lives as peaceful, charitable, prayerful, austere, detached and much
endurance of the scorn by others who failed to achieve such type of
devotion to the Lord.
The grandparents of Mary descended from this devote, chosen people.
St. Ann, Mary's mother, was born of rich parents in Bethlehem and after
her birth, they moved to Sephoris near Nazareth.  They regularly gave,
to the poor, a large part from their possessions and earnings.
St. Ann was a pious and a model daughter that other mothers tell their
daughters to be like her.  After knowing about the coming of the Redeemer,
she always included in her prayers that God would hasten His plan.
Before Ann's mother died, she told her daughter that she was a chosen
vessel and that she should pray for a husband who would be worthy of
her.
While Ann prayed for somebody who would help her live according to
Divine Law, St. Joachim, a pious, middle-aged man, knew Ann and admired
her but dared not think she was to be his wife.
The angels saw and presented St. Ann's and St. Joachim's prayers to
the throne of the Blessed Trinity and God decided that they pleased Him
and so they should be married.
The Archangel Gabriel was sent to announce to:
- St. Ann, while she was praying, thatt she should continue to pray for
  the coming of the Savior and also accept Joachim to be her husband.
- St. Joachim, that he should take Annn to be his wife.
So, St. Joachim, age 42 then, asked St. Ann's father for his daughter's
hand in marriage (St. Ann was 24 yrs. old).
Once married, though they were wealthy, they lived very economically
and charitably.
Each year they divided all their rents and income into 3 parts: 1/3 to
the Temple of God's services, 1/3 to the poor and kept only what was
left.
They frequently talked together about God and prayed for the coming
of the Redeemer.
Neither told the other about the message of the angel.
God purified them still by giving them a cross that grew heavier to
bear as the years passed: they remained childless through these years.
They received insults from neighbors because it was such a misfortune
and disgrace to remain childless in those days.
After 7 years, without answer to their prayers, they moved to a smaller
farm near Nazareth.
They thought it was their fault that they remained childless and so
they increased their charity and gifts to the poor.
And they trained themselves to continence for they aspired for greater
purity.
They made a vow to God that they would dedicate their child, if God
gave them one, to His service in the Temple.
Thirteen years passed and still no child.
Once when Joachim was offering his sacrifices to the Temple, the
priest rebuked and insulted him saying that his offerings are not
acceptable to the Lord.
This hurt and put him more to shame.  He prayed at a corner of the Temple
but he could not contain such shame anymore and so he took some of his
flocks to a distant slopes of Mt. Hermon.  He stayed there for several
months without communicating to St. Ann.
St. Ann, through friends, learned of the insults by the priest to St.
Joachim and she too was deeply hurt and this added to her sufferings.
She was then 44 years old and while praying fervently for the coming
of the Redeemer and for whomever the holy mother chosen by God,
Archangel Gabriel appeared before her in resplendent human form. He
told her that her petitions were heard by God and the delay was in order
to prepare her and be worthy for God's plans.
He told her that she would give birth to a daughter who would be the
mother of the Redeemer.  Joachim was not to know that their daughter
were to give birth to the Redeemer, though.
Joachim was also visited by Archangel Gabriel while he slept among
his flock and he told St. Joachim that Ann was going to have a blessed
child and must be consecrated to the Temple.
Both St. Ann and St. Joachim were told by the Archangel to meet at the
Temple's Golden Gate.
Reunited, together they renewed their vow to offer their child to His
Temple.
While they were praying, they were infolded by heavenly light and angels
hovered above them.  The Blessed Trinity further purified them and
gave them special blessings.
With overwhelming happiness and gratitude, St. Ann and St. Joachim wept
tears of joy and love.  They then gave alms to the poor more abundantly.
God did prepare and purify Mary's good parents until the glorious
mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God took place.

------

The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget:
"It is a truth that I was conceived without Original Sin and not in sin.
A golden hour was my conception.  My Son joined my father and mother
in a marriage of such chastity that a purer union has never been seen.
Sensuality was extinguished in them.  Thus, my flesh was formed through
Divine Charity."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 2 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/27
Message-ID: <9602271214.ZM19992




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap. 2.  The Nativity of Mary

(As from chapter 1:
 The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget:
 "...Sensuality was extinguished in them.  Thus, my flesh was formed
 through Divine Charity.")

God created Mary's immaculate soul with a unique beauty that the choir
of angels felt joyous upon seeing it.
St. Ann was filled by the Holy Ghost when Mary's soul was infused to
her body.
St. Ann received new graces and enlightenment concerning the mystery
of Jesus' Incarnation through these nine months and for the rest of her
life that she praised the Lord always in canticles of love.
In order to increased St. Ann's merit, God tried her during her
pregnancy.
Satan did not know that who she carries would be the Mother of the
Savior but Satan could feel some strong spiritual aura coming from
Ann.
Satan's temptations to St. Ann, all of which St. Ann handled with
perseverence, fortitude, patience and prayers, were: disturbance and
harm to her; attempted to bring down St. Joachim's house but angels from
heaven helped prevented this; insults from neighbors about her late
pregnancy.   In the end, because of St. Anns amiability, they all
converted and became her good friends.
Early September, the Lord internally informed St. Ann that her daughter's
birth was near.  St. Joachim, after knowing this, ordered finest lambs,
goats and bulls and prepared to offer these to the Temple.
St. Ann invited 3 closest relatives.  She prayed until nearly midnight
and then woke her relatives and they all went to her oratory.
Taking a box of relics of the Patriarchs of Israel, she knelt before
her little altar.  While she continued her prayers, a supernatural
light filled the room and surrounded Ann making her invisible.  Meanwhile,
the relatives, upon seeing the light, threw themselves onto the floor,
and hid their faces in awe.
In a moment, St. Ann was seen again and in her hands was a beautiful,
spotless, radiant baby.  She delivered her free from usual labor pains.
She prayed fervently, with love and joy, raising her eyes to heaven
and thanking God.  She also asked how was she to treat the child?
God made her understand that St. Ann should give all her motherly
love and care, no outward show of reverence but inwardly, venerate her
as the future Mother of the Messias.
St. Joachim was called in after St. Ann and the baby retired to her
room and lay down on her bed.  With tears flowing from the holy man's
eyes, he said, "Now, I am ready to die..."

On Mary's birth, the Almighty God gave her soul a mystical vision and
keen love for Him.  Like the saints, though far greater degree, thus,
she perceived with affection her parents the moment she opened her
eyes and she also saw the angels God assigned to guard and protect
her throughout her life.

The Archangel Gabriel was sent to Limbo to announce the great news
of the birth of Mary to all the Prophets, Patriarchs and souls there.
And so, they rejoiced and praised God for His mercy towards mankind.

An unusual spiritual joy was felt in All Nature that day.  Near the
Temple of Jerusalem, old Simeon was awakened by the shouts of an
evil-possessed man who cried, "I must flee - all must flee!  A Virgin
has been born...".  Simeon exorcised the devil from the man.

(A part I missed in chap. 1:
In the night of the day the Archangel Gabriel announced to St. Ann
that she would conceive the Mother of the Messias, she dreamt that
an angel wrote on a wall in her room, the name, MARY, in big
luminous letters.  She awakened and saw the name on the wall and so
she remembered that that is to be her name.)

The Blessed Trinity announced to the choir of angels, "Our Chosen
One shall be called Mary, and this name is to be powerful in grace."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 3 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/29
Message-ID: <9602291223.ZM23324




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap. 3.  Infancy

Naming of the baby was done eight days after birth as was the custom then.
The mother was not allowed to attend the ceremony.
St. Joachim placed his daughter in the hands of the richly robed priests
from Nazareth who lifted her up as if offering her to heaven.  Then this
leader wrote Mary's name on a parchment and placed it on her chest.  The
ceremony ended after singing of some psalms.

Part of the custom was purification of the mother after giving birth and
so St. Ann went through this ceremony.
St. Ann renewed her vow to offer Mary to God in services to the
Temple.  Mary, the baby, was impressed with the grandeur of the Temple
building when her mother brought her there during the purification
ceremony.  Mary wished to prostrate herself on the floor to kiss the
ground but since she couldn't as a baby, she just prayed to God to
accept her services in the Temple according to His will.
God granted their prayers and a bright beam of light shone down from
Heaven on both mother and baby while angels sang hymns of praise to
the Almighty God.
The holy man, Simeon, while watching the mother and baby, perceived
such light and asked himself if these women were perhapps the parents
of the Messias?
The Devil had been studying the actions of St. Ann in the Temple but
decided that she was just an ordinary pious woman after seeing that
St. Ann followed the usual procedures and regulations of the priests.

In the first 3 years of Mary's life, she was treated as other children
although she never cried or caused anybody any trouble.  She ate less,
slept less than the ordinary kids and whenever she could, she prayed
and meditated and performed interior acts of love for God.  She always
prayed for others such that God would reward them whenever she received
any benefit or service from anyone.

>From birth, Mary possessed all faculties to be able to talk clearly
and intelligibly but out of modesty and submission to the will of God,
she deliberately refrained from speaking until she was 1 1/2 years old.
In secret, when alone, she conversed with her guardian angels and also
prayed verbally to the Lord.

Although she was filled with light and mysteries from God, Mary judged
herself as the least of all His creations and to be the last place of all.
At 18 months, God told her that it was now time for her to converse with
others and urged her to pray many times every day.  Though Mary wished to
keep silent for all her life, God insisted and told her that He would
assist her in directing her words to His service and glory.
So, one day, she talked to her parents and also showed them that she
could walk by herself.

The next 1 1/2 years before she went to the Temple, Mary spoke very little.
St. Ann could only convince her to talk if they engaged in sweet
conversations about God and holy things.

St. Ann never told Mary the secret that she was to be the Mother of the
Redeemer.  Still, mother and daughter are joyous in thinking and praying
for the fortunate maiden who was to be the mother of the Savior of mankind.

Eager to express to God how she sees herself as the least, Mary always
helped in the household chores.
She asked her mother only for ash-gray cloth of cheap and coarse material
for her dress.  St. Ann yielded to the color but not the material.

God revealed to Mary how sins offend Him.  Mary would go to her room,
prostrate herself on the floor and beg for mercy for poor sinners.
She practised penances and mortifications so hard that she taxed her
bodily strength.

At the age of two, Mary began charity towards the poor.  She begged alms
from her parents and gave them to the poor.  She shared parts of her meals
to them.  She kissed their hands and if she was alone, their feet.
--------------

The Blessed Virgin said to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"At the first sight of the Highest Good, my heart was wounded with love
and I gave myself entirely to Him.
I underwent the hardships of infancy like other children.  I felt hunger,
thirst, sleepiness and other infirmities of the body.  In all the
difficulties which I endured after I was born into the world, I was
resigned and contented, since I had merited none of God's gifts.
Be very devout toward my most sweet name."


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 6 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/08
Message-ID: <9603081149.ZM14708




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 6.  The Espousals

At age 13, with Mary's intense love for chastity, she felt heavily
burdened as if feeling Abraham's pain when he offered his son's life
to God, when God commanded her to enter the state of matrimony.  She
was astonished and afflicted because of this decree from her Lord.
Submitting her faith and hope to God's will she hoped against hope
and meekly replied, "Eternal God, Thou, O Lord, canst dispose me,
Thy worthless worm, according to Thy pleasure, without making me fail
in what I have promised.  And if it be not pleasing to Thee, my good
Lord, I renew my desire to remain chaste during all my life."

With some human uneasiness and sadness, Mary obediently resigned
entirely to God's decree, though.  The Lord answered her: "Mary,
let not thy heart be disturbed, for thy resignation is acceptable
to Me.  And by My disposition, that will happen which is best for
thee."

Mary then tried to wash away her uncertainty by fervent prayers
and inner acts of love, faith, humility, obedience and chastity
as God intended.

God spoke to Simeon, the current high priest, in his sleep, and
told him to arrange marriage of Mary whom He had special love.
Simeon consulted the other priests and set up a day when bachelors
of the line of David, which was also Mary's, were assembled in
the Temple.

Nine days before the date, Simeon told Mary that since she was of
considerable age, orphaned and with inheritance, they were finding
her a husband.  Mary gave her consent with composure and modesty,
saying that, Simeon, being her master, would know God's will though
she explained honestly that she had no intensions to marry.

Mary's prayers during these 9 days were filled with tears and sighs
and God, upon seeing this, assured her that she should not worry and
that He would guide the priests in the selection to make sure that
whoever they choose would not hinder Mary's holy desires.

God already had somebody in mind to become the foster father of
the Word Incarnate.  It was St. Joseph, a humble, unmarried
carpenter who worked for a master in Galilee.  St. Joseph's holiness
began 7 months after his conception in his mother's womb.  At 7,
he attained perfect use of reason and a high degree of holiness.
As a boy, he was quite, likeable, humble, serious, solitary and
lacking in ambition.  Like Mary, he was prayerful and meditative.
He was also subjected to tease and hurt by his brothers.  He was
3rd of 6 brothers.  He was content with manual labor and learned
apprenticeship from a poor carpenter.  From the age of 12, he
had made and perfectly kept a vow of chastity.

One day while working on an oratory, an angel appeared to Joseph
and told him to stop work.  The angel said that as God gave the
Patriarch Joseph the superintendence of the grain of Egypt, he was
confided the granary of salvation.  Joseph did not understand this
message.  Later he heard news that he was called to the Temple
of Jerusalem, being an unmarried descendent of King David.  At that
time, Joseph was 33 years old.

The bachelors gathered to the Temple on Mary's 14th birthday.
Joseph, though renewed his vow of chastity, resigned himself to the
will of God.  A dry branch was given to each men and the priests
instructed them to pray fervently to God that whoever was worthy
would be singled-out by Him to be Mary's groom.  Joseph was the
last on the line and on his turn to place the branch to the altar,
his dry branch blossomed into a white lilylike flower and a dove of
purest and most dazzling whiteness descended and rested on his head
for a moment.  Joseph then heard God in his heart: "Joseph, My
servant, Mary shall be thy spouse.  Receive her with all care and
respect, for she is pleasing in My sight.  She is just and pure in
mind and body.  And thou shalt perform all that she shall ask."

The priest then summoned Mary and introduced her to Joseph as the
chosen spouse for her.  As the custom, the two parted until the
wedding.

In a rented house on Mt. Sion, Mary's teachers and friends from
the Temple, some relatives of her parents (who did her lovely
sky-blue wedding gown and cape), Mary and Joseph were married.

After the wedding, Mary thanked all her companions and teachers
in the Temple.  She offered her wish to remain in the Temple
and then with keen grief, she and Joseph set out to face the
life that God gave to them in Nazareth.





--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 8 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/14
Message-ID: <9603141104.ZM19384#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 8.  Annunciation

(This chapter contains events as related in the Bible: St. Luke's
gospel, chapter 1, Annunciation.  Therefore, I am excluding most of
those parts in this summary.)

Mary was 14 1/2 years old at the time of the Annunciation.  She was
taller than most girls her age, with brownish complexion, dark large
eyes, dark hair, a beautiful face and a perfectly proportioned body.

Archangel Gabriel's appearance was that of a handsome young man in
pleasing and majestic bearing.  After instructed by God on the exact
words to greet Mary, He proceeded to Mary's house and He was accompanied
by thousands of resplendid angels.

In her room, while praying, Mary thought Archangel Gabriel was one of
Heaven's noble envoy that she wished to bow before him, but he disallowed
it.  He instead bowed profoundly before her who he considered his Queen.

Mary heard the message from Archangel Gabriel and some interiorly
from God.  Then Mary, overwhelmed and fainthearted because of modesty,
gave her consent to the Lord.

(exact qoute follows)
Now a celestial light filled Mary's little room, dissolving the ceiling
and revealing the heavens.  In a dazzling beam could be seen a brilliant
figure of the Blessed Trinity.  The Holy Spirit appeared in a winged
form.  Masses of flame shot out like wings on His right and left.  Then
three intense rays flashed and darted into the right side of the Virgin,
and she became entirely suffused with a glowing light.

  (Blessed Virgin's qoute to mystic here omitted.)

In the same instant of this miraculous conception, Mary was rapt in a
marvelous vision in which the Holy Trinity revealed to her the mystery
of the hypostatic union of the divine and human nature in the person
of the Eternal Word (Mary, when God infused knowledge of the Creation,
was told about this but she did not understand it then.  Could be Heaven's
definition of __ensoulment at conception__?) and confirmed her in the title
and rights of Mother of God.  She was also shown in this vision the future
mysteries of the life and death of her Son, the Redeemer of mankind.
(end qoute)

Mary, with love and humility, offered her thanks to the Lord and she
prayed for new graces and enlightenment on the rearing of and service to
her Son throughout her life on earth.

When all these visions ended, a number of closed white roses showered
Mary who remained oblivious to everything around her.

As when Mary was conceived, All of Nature was filled with joy and
inspiration at the conception of the Son of God in Mary's womb.

Mary prayed until dawn while standing before her little altar and
only towards sunrise that she rested.
---

Speaking of the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin said to St.
Elizabeth of Schoenau:
"Do you know why God did this?  I had believed in Him and because
I had humbled myself."


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 9 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/14
Message-ID: <9603141105.ZM19389#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 9.  The Visitation

Mary's angels, knowing that she carried in her womb the Almighty King
of kings, which make her truly the Ark of the Testament, helped her
in all her household chores.  This is in honor anad services to the
King.

Sometimes, birds were sent by God to His Mother.  They sang and
chirped in harmonious choirs and sometimes Mary sang with them.

Three days after the Annunciation, the Lord revealed to Mary in a
vision that the child in Elizabeth's womb was to be a great
prophet and forerunner of the Messias.  Thus, God told Mary to
give Elizabeth a visit.  Mary told this as her plans to St.
Joseph and she asked for his blessings.  This trip would once
again expose Mary publicly.

St. Joseph and Mary set out in 4 tiring days with a borrowed donkey,
some food, for this journey.

Mary spiritually conversed to her angels during this journey.  She
also talked to St. Joseph a lot about knowledge and prophecies of
the coming of the Redeemer.  Joseph's understanding filled him
with joy and wonderment.  It was like unusual new divine graces
were given to him.

St. Joseph and Mary never failed to provide charity to the poor
they encountered along the way to Zacharias's house on the
mountains of Judea.  They stayed in inns.  One time, in Mary's
presence, a sick girl was healed of fever.

Once they reached their destination, events found in Luke 1:39-80
took place.

St. Joseph only stayed for 3 days and went back to Nazareth while
Mary planned to stay for 3 months.

Mary first recited the Magnificat in the presence of Elizabeth.
Other times, she and Elizabeth recited it together while adoring
God.

Elizabeth begged Mary to stay beyond her plan.  At least until
the baby was born because Elizabeth wanted to see her baby in Mary's
arms.

The Lord instructed Mary during her prayer to stay up to the
circumcision of the child.  That would be 8 days after birth.

A few days later, St. Elizabeth gave birth with only moderate labor
pains.

Once the baby was in Mary's hands, she raised him to God and prayed
to Him for his future ministry.  Mary did not kiss him, though,
because she reserved her chaste lips for her own Divine Son.

On the circumcision, when the custom was also to give the child
his name, Zacharias ws able to talk again and he said that "His
name is John".  Then, through Mary's prayers, Zacharias was
inspired to recite the Benedictus.

When St. Joseph arrived to accompany Mary back home, Mary asked
blessings from Zacharias.  Obliging, Zacharias said, "In thee
let all nations know their God, and through thee, let the name
of the Lord of Jacob be glorified."

Finally, before they left, Mary gave the babe, St. John, many
blessings and graces.  The babe amazingly whispered to her,
"You are the Mother of God Himself - may your intercession
never fail me.".  Then he kissed her hand 3 times.

Along the way back home, Mary healed a partly evil-possessed
poor woman and she converted an innkeeper's life.

At this time, Mary had not told St. Joseph that she carries
in her womb a babe, the Son of God.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 10 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/15
Message-ID: <9603151057.ZM21393




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 10.  Trials

Back home, Lucifier and his devils were puzzled by Mary's extraordinary
holiness.  But they did not suspect that she could be the Mother of God
because besides having a husband, they were also extremely poor.
Nevertheless, Lucifer sent 7 legions of devils to tempt Mary in each
of the 7 capital sins.

The Lord in her womb knew this and warned Mary, "My spouse and My dove,
I will be with thee in the battle, since I am in thy virginal womb. I
wish that thou confound these enemies before I appear in the world, and
I trust this victory to thy fidelity and thy love.".  Mary replied with,
"My Lord, I belong entirely to Thee.  Thou hast condescended to be my
Son.  Do with Thy servant whatever shall be to Thy greater glory.
For if Thou art in me, and I in Thee, who shall be powerful enough to
resist Thy will?  Give me strength."

Pride: The devils tried to stop her from praying.  They appeared as
resplendid angels but they gave themselves away when they promised
to make her the mother of God.  Mary prostrated herself and continued
praying and reciting words of the Psalms.

Greed: The devils gave her jewels and gold to give to the poor as what
God wanted.  Mary did not resist but instead she said to God, "I have
acquired for my heritage and for my riches the keeping of Thy testimonies
and Thy Laws, my Lord."

Impurity: Mary renewed her vow of chastity and the devils were driven
away from her like cannonballs.

Anger:  Mary calmly never gave-in to anger as she confronted the women
enticed by the devils to shout insults at her.  But because Mary did
not shout back, instead talked to them humbly and kindly, they were
all converted and they apologized to her.

Gluttony:  The devils did not have a chance on tempting Mary on this.

Envy: The spirits showed her a list of other people with corresponding
blessings and favors that Mary did not have.  Mary only gave more thanks
for what they have and judged herself unworthy to have any other such
favors.

Idleness: The devils made her feel tired and dejected for her to postpone
prayers and good deeds.  Other poeple were sent to bother her and occupy
her time with their concerns.  But Mary prudently detected this and she
never allowed anything to prevent her from praying and doing good deeds.

Lucifer was angered and so he confronted Mary himself for he thought that
even if she were not the mother of God, anybody born of her would
definitely be his enemy.  Lucifer came to her as a monster but that did
not bother Mary.  Then the Father of Lies heretically claimed that there
were falsehood in God's Truths but Mary firmly gave truthful oppositions
that exposed his errors then she sang hymns of praised to the Lord.
Mary fervently prayed to God to prevent spreading falsehood around the
world and so God indeed narrowed down the demon's opportunities on such
activities.  Another attempt by the devil was to cause quarrels among
Mary's neighbors and made them think that Mary caused them these troubles.
Mary faced these angry neighbors who went to her and she apologized if
she offended them.  Then she settled any dispute and proved to them that
there were actually no cause for quarrels among them at all.

Then God allowed Mary to cast the devils away that they returned to Hell.
The Lord rewarded Mary by letting His angels honor her while Mary joyfully
and modestly praised Him.

In the fifth month of her pregnancy, St. Joseph could not help noticing
this difference in Mary as he saw her walked out of her oratory.  He
was confused as to what was going on while Mary did not once try to
conceal the evidence.  Since St. Joseph was a holy man, he dared not
judge Mary but he was worried that he would have to give her up to
the authorities to be stoned according to the Law of Moses.  St. Joseph
did not speak to her about this either.  He just prayed to God what
is just and what to do about this.

Mary knew what was affecting St. Joseph and felt compassionate towards
him for his suffering.  Since she had not have the permission from God,
she did not reveal God's great secret to anyone about her condition.
With wisdom and confidence, she resigned the whole matter to God.

Mary prayed fervently to God to console her unhappy, emaciated husband.
She thus increased her services and thoughtfulness to Joseph.

Two more months passed and St. Joseph sadly decided to go away from the
whole situation and he planned to leave his home that midnight.  He prayed
to God: "O Lord, I find no other way to restore my peace...I do not
believe my wife an adulteress.  So I will withdraw from her and pass
my life in a desert.  Do not forsake me, my Lord!"  Then he prostrated
himself on the ground and vowed to go to the Temple and offer sacrifices
for Mary's help and protection.

Mary, knowing his plan, prayed: "I beseech Thee, Lord, not to permit
him to carry out this decision and leave me!"

God told Mary that He would console Joseph and reveal to him the mystery.
Then she would be free to tell him all the reality on what God did with
her.

St. Joseph decided to sleep before he left at midnight.  In his sleep,
Archangel Gabriel told him: "Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David,
to take to thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is
of the Holy Spirit.  And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt
call His name Jesus.  For He shall save His people from their sins."

St. Joseph awoke with the realization that Mary was actually the
Mother of the Messias.  He humbly gave thanks to the Lord for knowing
this.  Then he unwrapped the bundle of belongings that he planned to
bring and prayed some more for strength in asking forgiveness from
Mary.

The next morning, St. Joseph did the chores and after Mary was done
praying in her room, he went to her.  He knelt down before her to ask
for her forgiveness for doubting her faithfulness.

Mary raised St. Joseph to his feet and she knelt before him and asked
pardon for the sorrow and bitterness she caused him.  Mary continued:
(exact qoute follows)
"The Lord has not made me His Mother in order that I should be served
in this life, but in order that I should be the servant of all and
your slave.  That is my duty."

As St. Joseph raised her from her knees, the pure and humble Mother
of God was filled with the Holy Spirit.  All aflame and transfigured
in a mystical ecstasy, she recited the Magnificat.  Seeing her
surrounded by a bright radiance of heavenly light, St. Joseph with
profound humility and reverence bowed his head and adored his Lord
in her womb.  And God looked down upon good St. Joseph with kindly
favor and accepted him as His foster father, filling his pure heart
with holy graces. (end qoute)



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 11 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/15
Message-ID: <9603151058.ZM21397




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 11.  Mary and Joseph in Nazareth

Ever since Joseph new that Mary carries the Son of God in her womb, he
would not allow her to serve him.  Mary prayed to God in protest of
this.  And so God sent an angel who told St. Joseph to let Mary serve
him and interiorly give her the reverence as the Mother of the Lord of
all creation.  They will do this so as to teach to world the value of
humility.

Their house had 3 rooms: one for St. Joseph, one for his workshop, and
one for Mary.  Whenever St. Joseph came to talk with Mary in her room,
he often found her either in ecstasy raised above ground, conversing
with her angels or prostrated on the floor in the form of a cross.
And he would hear heavenly melodies as well as smell sweet fragrance
that filled him with deep spiritual joy.

They often talked about the prophecies in Holy Scripture of the coming
of the Redeemer.  St. Joseph with tears flowing from his eyes because
of joy and awe, regrets that they are poor.  Mary explained that the
Lord was coming to redeem the world and guide all men to eternal life
and this had to be done by means of humility and poverty.  He had to
be born to live and to die, to break the chains of greed and pride in
the hearts of men.

Mary taught St. Joseph on the various virtues and in the love of God.
She guided him to accept his manual labor as a way to practise and
apply these virtues.  They worked and gave services to others and
their employees but they asked minimal pay in exchange.  Often they
gave services out of charity.

Due to poverty, sometimes Joseph and Mary did not have food on their
table to eat at mealtime.  Mary prayed not for herself but for her
husband Joseph that she asked supply from God.  God let their neighbors
sometimes give them gifts and food.  St. Elizabeth sometimes send them
gifts which Mary always gave something in return.

Mealtime, one day that they had no food to eat, they decided to retire
in each of their room to pray.  While they were there, God sent His
angels who prepared a bountiful meal for them on their table.  St. Joseph
and Mary saw this and they sang hymns of praise to God for thanks.

When the pregnancy was far advanced, Mary prepared the swaddling clothes
and she asked St. Joseph to find woolen cloth of soft texture for the
other coverings she would like to prepare for their Son.  St. Joseph
worked on his trade and one day, in exchange for his services, he was
given two woolen cloths of best quality.

While St. Joseph and Mary prayed for guidance in treating and rearing
Him worthily, they heard Him say: "I have come from Heaven to earth
in order to exalt humility and discredit pride, to honor poverty and
scorn riches, to destroy vanity and establish truth, and to enhance
the value of labor.  Therefore, it is My will that exteriorly, you
treat Me according to the humble position which I have assumed, as if
I were your natural child, and that interiorly you love and revere Me
as the Man-God, Son of My Eternal Father."

One day, St. Joseph heard a proclamation of a Roman edict that ordered
all heads of the family to be registered on the tax lists in their
native cities.

St. Joseph told this to Mary and felt sad to tell her that he would
not want to be away from her especially that the baby's delivery
would come any time soon and at the same time, he is troubled by
the idea of bringing her with him and the Nativity would occur that
may cause inconvenience he may fail to alleviate.

Mary prayed to God on what to do and God told Mary to come with
Joseph to Bethlehem.  God said that He would assist her in any
sufferings and other secrets that would come with the birth of the
Redeemer.  And so, setting out on this journey, Mary simply said to
Joseph: "My master, I will accompany you with great joy.  And we will
make this journey as poor people, in the name of the Lord, for He will
not despise poverty, which He has come to seek with so much love.
Relying on His help, we will go with confidence to Bethlehem."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 12 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201050.ZM16869#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 12.  The Journey to Bethlehem

Ten thousand angels marched along with St. Joseph and Mary (visible only
to their Queen), on their journey to Bethlehem.  It was at six o'clock
on a cold, wet, mid-winter morning, when they started the journey.

St. Joseph built a tent under a great old turpentine tree, on an uninhabited
valley, on the first evening of their journey.  Mary was cold.  God
miraculously warmed her and she placed her hands in her husband's to share
the warmth with him.

In an inn where they stayed on a Sabbath day, some women and their children
came to Mary and they were impressed by her wisdom and reserve.  St. Joseph
spent time with his host, in his garden.  St. Joseph greatly edified him
with his simple piety.

The next day they traveled 12 miles and spent the night with some hospitable
sheperds.

They detoured around the city of Jerusalem to the east even if this took them
much longer.

Along the way, they met a heartless man who refused to open the door for them
when they knocked.  They spent the last night of the journey in a farmhouse
though the hostess treated them coldly because she was jealous of Mary's
beauty (30 years later, the Lord found her all bent over and blind and after
reproaching her for her vanity and heartlessness, He healed her.).

The trip was very trying to Mary but because she knew the secrets of those
they met, she prayed for them and assisted the sick and afflicted by her
special request from her Holy Son.

They arrived at 4 o'clock in Bethlehem.  After St. Joseph finished
registration, he went about knocking at his friends and relatives' doors
but his efforts were in vain.  He was refused and others were harsh with
insults.  All the while, Mary waited for him at the end of the street.

All other efforts were unsuccessful even when Mary accompanied her husband.
Afterwards Mary followed her husband through the crowds and at one end of the
village, they found a big tree.  Mary settled there patiently and humbly in
her long white dress and veil while St. Joseph tried again to look for a
lodging for that night.

Finally, around 9 o'clock, Joseph returned, crying and trembling with
heartbreaking sorrow and so Mary consoled him.  He then informed her of a
shepherd's stable outside the town.

Mary obliged saying, "That will be perfectly satisfactory to me.  Let us
lovingly embrace poverty, dear Joseph, and go gladly wherever the Lord
guides us."
(exact qoute follows)
Upon entering the bare grotto which the shepherds used as a stable, they
both knelt anad thanked the Lord, and Mary was filled with joy at being at
last in this holy place.  She immediately set about cleaning the cave with
her own hands, out of humility and reverence.  St. Joseph hastened to do
likewise, and angels helped them.  Next, he started a fire, as it was very
cold, and they ate a frugal supper.  Their souls overflowed with happiness
at the thought of the impending Incarnation. (end qoute)



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 13 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201052.ZM16881#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 13.  The Nativity

Mary and St. Joseph recited prayers together.  Then St. Joseph filled the
manger with straw and moss and placed a cloth over it.  St. Joseph withdrew
to the entrance of the cave and upon seeing that Mary, who continued praying,
was surrounded by flames of dazzling supernatural light, he threw himself
to the ground with reverent fear.  Then he fell into an ecstatic sleep.

Toward midnight, a channel of brilliant light came down from heaven and
settled in a sparkling fire at the Blessed Virgin who was transfigured and
spiritualized that she did not seem any longer human or an earthly creature.
Then the infant-God was born, glorious and transfigured as on Mount Thabor.

The angels sang canticles in adoration to the God-Man who lay, naked
utterly clean and pure, radiating in marvelous light and splendor.

Mary perceived that she just delivered the Babe but without pain or injury
to her.  So she immediately bowed her head in His honor and covered His tiny
body with clothing.  She adored Him respectfully, saying, "Welcome, my God,
and my Lord, and my Son."

(exact quote follows)
Then the divine Child suspended the effects of His transfiguration and
assumed the appearance of one capable of suffering.  The Babe now moved,
shivered with cold, and stretching forth His little arms, cried out.

Bending down, Mary tenderly clasped Him to her heart and with great joy
warmed Him against her cheek and breast, while thousands of angels knelt
and adored their Incarnate Creator.  (end qoute)

Mary called St. Joseph nearly one hour after the birth.  St. Joseph perceived
his Savior in Mary's arms and so he prostrated himself on the ground to adore
Him.  When Mary bidded him to rise, he kissed the Babe's feet and held Him
in his arms while tears of joy flowed from his eyes.

Some sheperds' animals came and knelt before the manger after Mary wrapped
Him carefully in the swaddling clothes she prepared for Him.  This scene
caused more tears to flow from St. Joseph's and Mary's eyes upon seeing it.

Then St. Joseph took some blankets and placed them near the manger so Mary
could rest on them.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 14 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201054.ZM16891




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 14.  The Adoration of the Shepherds

All nature, plants and animals, caught the wave of rejoicing, life, bloom,
flow, and abundance at the holy hour of our Savior's Nativity.

Some chosen souls received the thrilling and consoling news announced by
holy angels.  The holy old priest Simeon and Mary's former teacher at
the temple, Anna, were both given the news of the birth of the Savior.

Archangel Michael brought the good news to patriarchs and prophets in
Limbo.  Mary's parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim, who were there, rejoiced
with the others upon knowing this great news.

St. Elizabeth, with her son, St. John the Baptist were also given the news
of the Nativity and St. Elizabeth immediately sent out one of her servants
to bring some money and linens to the holy family.

The 3 Magi were also given the news and they perceived the mystic star
above the holy place.  After confiding each one's private revelation to one
another, the 3 set out on pilgrimage to the Savior's birth place.

Meanwhile, some poor shepherds minding their flocks a mile from the grotto,
observed a strange, luminous cloud hovering right above the hill of the
Infant Lord's birth site.  Then Archangel Gabriel came to them to reveal
the good news to this poor, humble and devout shepherds.  Then more angels
came and sang hymns of praise in His glory.

Near dawn, the shepherds, with some chickens and goats as presents, arrived
at the grotto-stable.  St. Joseph openly received them after hearing them
say that an angel told them of the news of the birth of the divine Child.

St. Joseph led them to the cave where the Babe was lying with His lovely
and Blessed Mother sitting beside His crib.  The shepherd looked down upon
the beautiful Infant and He looked up to them.  Then a mystical current
of divine love streamed forth from Him and touched the sincere hearts of
these poor but fortunate men.  This Love spiritually changed and renewed
them as well as filled them with a new grace and understanding of the mystery
of the Incarnation and of the Redemption.  The shepherds then humbly
prostrated themselves on the ground weeping tears of joy and they honored
their Infant God.  The shepherds finally sang together the words and melody
they heard the angels sang after Archangel Gabriel gave the news to them.

Mary observed all these.  After they sang, since she felt and knew what's
in their hearts, she urged them to persevere in the love and service of
the Lord.

At noon, Mary graciously serve the shephered something to eat.

Before they left, Mary let each of them hold the divine Babe and each in
turn wept tears of joy and gratitude.  Then they left with this in their
hearts: "glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen,
even as it was spoken to then."

The next day they returned with their wives and children.  They brought
gifts of eggs, honey and cloth.  The men helped St. Joseph make the grotto
somewhat more habitable while some of the women who knew him from childhood
did some cooking and washing for the Holy Family.

Once alone, Mary and Joseph contemplated on the happiness in their hearts
on having the Infant Lord, the Savior.
(exact qoute follows)
Most of the time the loving Mother of God held her divine Son in her arms.
Whenever she took Him up, she first made 3 genuflections and humbly kissed
the ground before kneeling at the crib and touching the tiny Jesus.  And
when she thought that she should nurse Him, she first asked His permission.
All her angels remained present and visible to her until the Flight to Egypt,
and on rare occasions she gave her Baby into the hands of the Archangel
Gabriel and Michael.  She would not sleep except when the Lord Himself
commanded her to do so.  With her angels and with St. Joseph, she often
composed and sang beautiful hymns in honor of the holy Child.  And she often
gave her good husband the intense pleasure of hearing her refer to Jesus
as "our Son".

Many times in caressing her beloved Son, she humbly kissed His feet, and
she always asked His consent before kissing His sacred face.  And often He
returned her affection by putting His little arms around her neck.  At such
times Mary said to Him: "O my Love, sweet Life of my soul, who art Thou, and
who am I?  What return shall I make for the great things which Thou has done
to me?"
(end qoute)

--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 15 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/27
Message-ID: <9603271115.ZM6839




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap.  15.  The Circumcision

(exact qoute follows)
During the first days after the Nativity, whenever Mary thought of the
painful ceremonial operation known as Circumcision, which the Law of Israel
prescribed for every male child on the 8th day after birth, she suffered
intensely.  Although she had received no intimation of God's will, in her
humility and prudence she refrained from asking either the Lord or her
angels whether her divine Son had to submit to this purifying rite.  When
she spoke of it to St. Joseph, they both wept tears of compassion.

Then one day, while Mary was kneeling in prayer, the Lord said to her,
"My Daughter, do not let your heart be afflicted because your Son is to
be subjected to the pains of circumcision.  I have sent Him into the world
as an example.  Therefore resign yourself to the shedding of His Blood."

Whereupon the Blessed Virgin prayed, "Supreme Lord and God, I offer to Thee
this most meek Lamb.  But if His pains may be mitigated at the expense of
my suffering, Thou hast the power to effect this exchange..."
(end qoute)

Mary talked to St. Joseph to tell him that since so far there was no
objection from God, they should comply with the Law.  She conformed to the
usual rite except that she would hold her Son herself instead of the usual
practice of not having the mother present during the operation.

About the name to give the Child, St. Joseph remembered what Archangel
Gabriel told him and that is they should name the Babe, Jesus.  Mary
confirmed that this was the same as revealed to her on His conception in
her womb.

While they conversed more about this, Mary and Joseph saw several angels
descended from Heaven wearing breast shields that had the name Jesus engrove
on them and their two leaders, Archangel Michael and Gabriel announced:
"This is the Name of your Son, which the Blessed Trinity has given Him
as the sign of salvation for the whole human race.  But now, He is to shed
His Blood in receiving it, since it is that of the Savior.  This will be
the beginning of His sufferings in obedience to His Father's Will.  We
have come to accompany Him and to minister to Him until He ascends into
Heaven."

On the 8th day, Joseph, arrived from Bethlehem and brought with him
an elderly priest with his 2 assistants.  The priest was shocked at the
primitiveness and poverty of their home but Mary's grace and modesty
in welcoming them changed such astonishment to deep respect and devotion
towards her.

The circumcision was then performed by the priest while St. Joseph recited
the ritual prayer:
"Blessed be Jehovah the Savior.  He hath sanctified His well-beloved
from the womb of His Mother and hath written the Law in our flesh.  He
hath signed His Son with the sign of His Covenant, that He may impart to
Him the blessings of Abraham our father."  To which the assistants responded,
"Blessed be He whom Thou hast chosen for Thy child!"

(exact qoute follows)
Now, with infinite love, the divine Son of God offered up to His Father
in Heaven the sacrifice of this first shedding of His Precious Blood as
a pledge that He would one day give it all for the Redemption of mankind.
True to His human nature, the tiny Babe of Bethlehem cried as other children
do, though His tears were caused more by supernatural sorrow over the
hardheartedness of men than by His physical pain, which was intense.

As usual His holy Mother perceived and felt all that He was doing and
suffering, and she too wept.  When the rite was over, in mutual love
and compassion, the Child clung to His Mother while she tenderly caressed
and comforted Him as she wrapped Him again in His swaddling clothes.
(end qoute)

Then the priest named Him Jesus while an angel revealed to him the name
written on a piece of wood.  The priest shed tears of supernatural joy
as he inscribed this name on a parchment register.  Then he exclaimed
under inspiration: "I am convinced that this child is to be a Prophet
of the Lord!  Take great care in raising Him, and let me know how I
can relieve your needs."

These 3 priests were good and devout men and so they later obtained
salvation.

The Infant Jesus cried often because of the pain and Mary sometimes soothed
Him by nursing Him.  Other times, St. Joseph walked up and down the grotto
with the Babe in his arms.

St. Elizabeth with a servant, came to visit and the cousins exchanged long,
intimate talks about all that happened.

Some people came to visit and give gifts.  Other times, there were beggars
and Joseph and Mary gave alms to them in as much as they could.

After St. Elizabeth left, more visitor came with gifts.  Mary asked one
woman's help in distributing most of these gifts to poor families in
Bethlehem.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 16 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/27
Message-ID: <9603271116.ZM6843




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap.  16.  The Adoration of the Magi

The Lord had given Mary, the Mother of God, supernatural enlightenment
on lot of things and events that occurred during the Nativity.  She
knew that the news was revealed to 3 Magi kings from the East and that
they are on their way to Bethlehem to visit and honor the King of kings.

Mary knew so but she did not tell St. Joseph.  That's why when St. Joseph
asked that they move to a much more comfortable dwelling place, Mary simply
responded, "My husband and master, wherever you wish to go, I will follow
with great pleasure."

But then Archangel Michael and Gabriel appeared to them both and said,
"Divine Providence has ordained that 3 kings of this world shall come from
the East in search of the King of Heaven, and shall adore the Word Incarnate
in this very place.  They are already ten days on the way and will shortly
arrive."

The following days Mary and St. Joseph spent the time cleaning and preparing
the grotto-stable for the arrival of the said visitors.  Also Mary saw in
visions, the Magi traveling together across the desert east of the Holy land.

The 3 kings, Gaspar, Baltazar, and Melchior, ruled over what is now Irag and
Iran.  They had knowledge of old Testament prophecies, certain practices of
their people and they believed in the coming of the Savior of mankind.

Each perceived the birth of their King separately.  The 3 awoke in the same
hour of the night and were filled by extraordinary joy because of this news.
They humbly thanked and adored the Almighty God by prostrating themselves
on the ground.  Then, they immediately set out on pilgrimage to the Land of
Israel (the first place that came to mind) with some servants, gifts and
provisions for their journey.

As each king journeyed, he perceived the beautiful mystic star, prepared by
angels, and in this star was a symbolic vision of a Virgin and a Child with
a cross.  This same star guided these 3 kings such that in a few days they
came together, with Melchior having traveled more rapidly as being from a
more distant kingdom.  These kings were already intimate friends before this
and after conferring about their revelations, they all set out on this
journey together.

They arrived before the walls of Jerusalem and thought that being the capital
of Israel, that's the place where the King was born.  They were bewildered as
to why they did not see any major celebration inside Jerusalem.  A guard they
asked did not know of any such reports.  So, they requested a meeting with
King Herod.

That night prior to their meeting with Herod, the 3 Magi could not sleep.
They speculated that Herod was hiding the Child from them.  They looked
at the sky in search of the mystic star which disappeared once they entered
Jerusalem.

Herod was troubled and could not sleep that same night pondering about this
aleged news.  He met with high priests and doctors of the Law and they,
unrolling their scriptures, pointed out in the Book of Michaes, "In Bethlehem
of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet".  This made Herod more
disturbed and fearful for his throne.

When the 3 Magi met with Herod after dawn the next day, the Magi told him
the details of the visions revealed to them. They also talked about the
mystic star with the vision of the Virgin and the Child.

And so Herod hypocritically pretended that he too wished to adore the Infant
King and he said to the Magi: "Go and make careful inquiry concerning the
Child, and when you found Him, bring me word, that I too may go and worship
Him."

And so, the 3 Magi set out with their caravan towards Bethlehem.  Amazingly,
they perceived the mystic star again as soon as they had passed out of the
the city gate of Jerusalem.  In the city of David, the mystic star disappeared
again.  They were then directed to the Valley of the Shepherds as a suitable
place for the caravan to camp overnight.

Once settled, the kings suddenly perceived the star shining with extraordinary
brightness over a nearby hill.
(exact qoute follows)
Then a beam of fiery light descended from the star onto the grotto, and in
this ray the Magi saw a vision of the holy Child.  Reverently taking off their
headdress, they slowly walked over to the hill and found the entrance to the
stable.  Gaspar pushed the door open and caught sight of the humble Mother
of God sitting with the Infant Jesus at the far end of the cave, which was
filled with a heavenly light.  Both Mother and Child were just as the kings
had seen them in the vision a month before. (end qoute)

The 3 kings told St. Joseph about their mission in coming there.  They too
perceived the multitude of resplendent angels who were attending to the King
of kings.  Then they humbly prostrated themselves on the ground and fervently
worshipped the divine Infant.  They acknowledged Him as their Lord and Master
and as the Savior of all mankind.

When they arose, they approached the Mother to give their customary practice
of kissing the hands as they did to the queens of their land.  But the Queen
of Heaven and earth modestly withdrew her hand and said, "My spirit rejoices
in the Lord, because among all the nations He has called you to behold the
Eternal Word Incarnate.  Let us therfore praise His Name!"

Upon viewing the Infant God, they again adored Him fervently and they humbly
begged Him to rule over their souls and thoughts and all their actions to
enlighten them and to give happiness, peace and charity to the world.

Then they each presented their gifts before their Lord.  After 3 hours passed,
they then let their servants honor the Babe.  They came in groups of five.

Once the Holy Family was alone, Mary and Joseph felt overflowing joy for
this great honors and gifts given to Jesus and which where due to the Infant
King.

While asleep at midnight on the last night of the 3 kings' stay, an angel
warned them to leave at once for the East without passing by Jerusalem.

In less than an hour upon knowing this, the 3 kings gave their touching
farewell to St. Joseph and the Magi with their caravan silently vanished into
the night, guided by an angel.


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 17 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/29
Message-ID: <9603291310.ZM25729




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 17.  The Purification

Mary said to St. Joseph, "My master, dispose of all these offerings of the
kings as belonging to my Son and to yourself - I deserve nothing."

Together, they divided the gifts into 3 parts: for the Temple (incense,
myrrh and some of the gold), for the priest who did the Circumcision, and
the rest for the poor.

The holy family accepted the invitation of a devout woman who humbly asked
them to move to her modest home.

The next days before the Purification, the Infant Jesus often murmered to
His Beloved Mother: "My Dove, My Chosen One, My dearest Mother, make thyself
like unto Me!"

Mary gave gifts to poor women and their children when they came to visit.
She also tactfully instructed them in the knowledge of God, the mysteries
concerning the coming of the Messias, and the practice of virtues in everyday
life.  She was very firm and patient in guiding those who discussed these
matters superficially.

The Hebrew Law required all mothers to be purified on the 40th day after
delivering a child.  This also included presenting their first-born sons
in the Temple of Jerusalem.
(exact qoute follows)
For she saw in the soul of her divine Son that He wished to offer Himself
as a living victim to the eternal Father in the Temple.

Consequently, Mary and Joseph gratefully took leave of the good woman who had
sheltered them, and went with Jesus to the cave of the Nativity for a last
visit.  Having gently placed the Christ Child on the ground at the very spot
where He was born, they both knelt and prayed fervently together, and they
did the same where He had been circumcised.

Then, as usual before a journey, Mary asked her husband for his blessing, and
on this special occasion, for his permission to make the trip on foot and
with bare feet (Mary used to ride the donkey).  But St. Joseph replied kindly
yet firmly, "May the Son of the eternal Father, whom I hold in my arms, give
you His blessings.  You may travel to Jerusalem on foot, but not barefoot,
because of the weather."

Prostrating herself on the ground for the last time in the grotto of the
Nativity, with all her heart, Mary thanked the Infant Jesus for the marvelous
blessings which He had given to Joseph and herself and to all mankind in the
stable of Bethlehem and she prayed to God that his holy place might always
be revered by Christians.

Rising to her feet, she covered herself with her cloak and took her Baby into
her arms, pressing Him to her breast to protect Him from the cold winter
wind.  Then, after the Infant God had visibly given them His blessings,
Joseph and Mary, set out for Jerusalem, accompanied by a donkey bearing their
few belongings and the gifts for the Temple.  Some of the good shepherds bade
them a sad and touchingly affectionate farewell.
(end qoute)

The travel was 5 miles of unusually severe weather - cold with sleety winds -
that the Babe shivered and wept.

The night before the Purification, Mary prayed fervently to God for the
following day's blessings, for all mankind, for the afflicted and for the
needy.

In the Temple, the holy priest Simeon also prayed that night.  It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he was not to die until he had seen
the promised Messias.  Then an angel appeared to him and told him to observe
carefully the first child presented to the priests the next morning for that
Child would be the Savior he had waited for.  The same information was given
to Anna, the prophetess, who was Mary's teacher during her stay in the Temple.

Simeon eagerly awaited the coming of Mary and Jesus that he waited long before
dawn the next the day.  When they arrived, he approached them.  The ceremonies
of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
progressesd and when these were over, Simeon who was one of the priests who
ministered finally prayed to God:
"Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace
because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the
face of all people: A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for
the people of Israel."

When Joseph joined the Mother and the Child who were listening to Simeon,
the old priest said to Mary who he perceived glowed luminously like a heavenly
rose: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many
in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted and they own soul a sword
shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts maay be revealed."

The Child bowed His head in approval of this prophecy and in acceptance of the
will of His Father while Mary felt sorrow for she saw the mysteries included
in the prophecy and she remembered these all in her heart.  Anna, who was
present, was inspired and thus proclaimed Mary as blessed.

So the Holy family returned to their lodging.

Not long afterwards, both Simeon and Anna passed away in peace.

---
The Blessed Virgin said to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"I did not need purification, like other women because my Son who was born
of me, made me clean.  Nevertheless, that the Law and the prophecies might be
fulfilled, I chose to live according to the Law.  Nor did I live like worldly
parents but humbly conversed with the humble.  Nor did I wish to show anything
extraordinary in me, but loved whatever was humble.
"On the day (of the Purification) my pain was increased.  For though by divine
inspiration, I knew that my Son was to suffer, yet this grief pierced my heart
more keenly at Simeon's words.  And until I was assumed in body and soul to
Heaven, this grief never left my heart, although it was tempered by the
consolation of the Spirit of God.  Let not, then, this grief leave thy
heart for without tribulation few would reach Heaven."

-and to Venerable Mother Mary of Agredda:
"My daughter, the doctrine and example contained in this mystery will teach
thee to strive after the constancy and expansion of heart which thou mayest
prepare thyself to accept blessings and adversity, the sweet and the bitter,
with equanimity.
"How persistenly the human heart forgets that its Teacher and Master has
first accepted suffering and has honored and sanctified them in His own
Passion!
"Remember the sorrow that pierced my heart at the prophecies of Simeon, and
how I remained in peace and tranquility, even though my heart and soul were
transfixed by a sword of pain.
"Seek ever to preserve inward peace.  Full of trust in me, whenever
tribulation comes over thee, fervently exclaim:
'The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?' "
---


More wonders, pains and sacrifices in the succeeding chapters for
Our Lady of Medjugorje does not just preach: prayers, peace, fasting,
conversion...
she, together with Jesus, also practised and lived these!!!
-Marida


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 18 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/29
Message-ID: <9603291312.ZM25733




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 18.  The Flight to Egypt

St. Joseph and Mary decided to stay for 9 days in Jerusalem after the
Purification.  They spent these days humbly praying ina nobscure corner
of the Temple from noon until midnight each day.  This was so as to
renew their offering of the Child Jesus and to give thanks to God
for all the blessings He had given them.

On the 5th day, the Lord said to Mary:
"My Spouse and My Dove, you cannot finish the nine days' devotion.
Herod is seeking the life of the Child.  In order to save your Son's
life, you must flee with Him and Joseph into the land of Egypt.  The
journey is long, hard and very tiring.  Suffer it all for My sake
for I am and always will be with you."

The Mother of God answered meekly:
"My Lord, dispose of me according to Thy Will.  I ask only that Thou
permit not my Son to suffer and that Thou turn all pains and hardships
upon me."

Mary, with the Babe, went home to their rented 2 rooms.  She was troubled
but she did not tell St. Joseph about this latest revelation for she did
not have permission from God.  Joseph noticed her apprehension but he
thought it was just because of Simeon's prophecy.

That night, in Joseph's sleep, an angel told him, "Arise, and take the
Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I
tell thee.  For Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him!"

The angel took St. Joseph's hand to raise him up from sleep.  St. Joseph
hurriedly dressed.  Then he went to knock at the door of his wife's
room and asked her if he could come in.  Once inside, He said to Mary,
"My Lady, God wills that we should be tried further for His holy angel
has announced to me that we must flee to Egypt with the Child, because
Herod is planning to take His life.  Prepare yourself, my dear wife,
to bear the hardships of the journey, and tell me what I can do to
alleviate them."  Mary replied, "My husband and master, if we have
received from God such great blessings and graces, it is fitting that
we should joyfullly accept temporal sufferings.  Wherever we go, we
carry our Lord with us, and He is our comfort and our country.  So
let us proceed to fulfill His holy Will."

Mary woke the sleeping Jesus in His crib at the foot of her bed.  The
holy Babe wept but when Mary and St. Joseph asked for His blessing on
this journey, He gave it to them visibly.

With their modest belongings all packed-up, the Holy Family left
Jerusalem before midnight and set out for Egypt.  The Holy Parents
were worried for the Child Jesus but they received encouragement
for when they exited the city gatae, the angels of Mary once again
becamse visible and appeared in bright human forms that changed
the night into day for them.

The 10 days of events and itinerary to Egypt included:
-Passing by Bethlehem where Mary longeed to visit the place of Nativity
but she was discouraged by an angel because its resulting delay would
cause trouble.
-Mary, concerned about St. Elizabeth aand her son, sent out one of her
angels to warn them.  St. Elizabeth took John and fled to the desert
around the town of Hebron which was were they then lived.
-On the first night, the Family was thhirsty and exhausted, and Mary
wept for feeling sorry for the Child.  Then a spring of clear water
miraculously gushed forth and a goat came to them and allowed St.
Joseph to milk it.
-across the desert near Hebron, St. Joohn felt that His Lord was suffering
nearby and he fell on his knees and prayed.  St. Elizabeth immediately
sent out one servant to bring them money, food and clothing.  The
servant overtook the Holy Family and gave them the provisions.  On their
rest stops, Mary shared these gifts to the poor and she healed some
sick and crippled.
-The Family came across a land filled  with snakes but these did not hurt
them.
-One night, Mary perceived that the Innfant Lord was offering their
sufferings to God and so Mary prayed fervently with Him.
-Food supply ran out again even if theey tried hard to minimize eating
during the day until 9 o'clock at night.
-All fatigued, thirsty and hungry, Marry prayed fervently for her Son and
her husband and so God sent out His angels to serve them nourishing food
and drinks.
-Mother and Son often conversed mysticcally with each other.
-She nursed the Babe at least three tiimes a day.
-The Family consoled and cheered one aanother with kindness and love
throughout this travel in the desert.
-Mary's friends, a great number of birrds, sometimes flew by while the
Holy Family rested.  They perched on Mary's hands and shoulders.
She urged them to thank God for their lovely plumage and the food they
get on the ground.
-One time, they got lost and Mary and  Joseph prayed fervently for help.
Then some wild animals arrived and in a friendly manner, ran off to
guide them in the direction which they perceived was right.
-They came across a camp of robbers.&nnbsp; At first the robbers were intent
on harming them.  But when their chief viewed the Infant Jesus' face,
he was converted and he told his people to treat them nicely.
After a while Mary asked for a large container with water from the wife
of the leader.  She obliged and Mary gave Baby Jesus a bath.
The leader observed and perceived that there was some kind of holiness
in Infant Jesus.
And so, he asked St. Joseph that his son, who had leprosy, be bathe
with the water Mary used on Jesus.
Mary, without being informed of the leader's request, told the wife to
wash her sick son in the water.  The robber's son had advanced leprosy
that covered his face and body.  After bathing in the water used for
Jesus, the son's leprosy miraculously disappeared and his skin turned
smooth and healthy.
This miraculous news spred across camp and people came to see the
miracle.
Later, Mary talked with the mother and the woman promised to turn from
crime as soon as she could.
The Holy Family left the camp the next morning with some provisions and
the chief gave his thanks and good-bye saying: "Remember me, wherever
you are."
[Thirty-three years later, his robber son said to the Man crucified
beside him on Calvary: "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy
Kingdom!"  And that time - again due to Mary's prayers - Jesus healed
his soul.]
-They experience a few more instances  of exhaustion and sufferings from
hunger and thirst but with Mary's fervent prayers, they were miraculously
provided for all the time.
Finally, they reached the fertile land of Egypt after these 10 days of
torture.

---

Our Lord said to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"By My flight to Egypt, I showed the infirmities of My Humanity and
fulfilled the prophecies.  I gave too an example to My disciples that
sometimes persecution is to be avoided for the greater future glory
of God.  That I was not found by My pursuers, the counsel of My Divinity
prevailed over the counsel of man, for it is not easy to fight against
God."

and the Blessed Virgin to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"I was not alarmed in my exile and prolonged journey.  Since I trusted
in the Lord, He provided for me in the time of my need.  Even when help
is somewhat delayed, it will always be at hand at a time when it will
do most good.  Thus it happened with me and my husband in the time of
our distitution and necessity."




--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 19 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/15
Message-ID: <9604151219.ZM27921




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



(The series resumes...)

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 19.  The Holy Family in Egypt

In Jerusalem, King Herod realized that he was deceived by the 3 Magi.
So, he ordered the "Slaughter of the Innocents".  In a large courtyard
of the palace, he summoned all mothers their infants.  The infants
were slaughtered right in front of the screaming and despaired mothers.

In Egypt, Mary and Jesus perceived what went on in Jerusalem.  They
prayed for the salvation of the children's soul and consolation for
the grieving parents.  This event signified the first fruit of
Jesus' Passion and He requested that St. Joseph reward such with the
crown of martyrdom.

Mary knew from Jesus that St. Elizabeth with her son escaped Herod.
She also obtained permission from Him to send her angels to bring
John and his mother some provisions in the cave where they stayed.

St. Elizabeth died when John was 4 years old.  He lived in the wilderness
and he was occasionally visited by a holy hermit.  He made friends with
wild animals in the desert and he lived his life in ever-increasing
prayers and mortifications.

Infant Jesus drove away the demons from the pagan idols in the temples
of Egypt.  He offered Egypt's people to God and asked for their salvation.

St. Joseph found a 3-room house for them not far from the town.  As
usual, Mary kissed the ground of the home with humility and prayed to
God.  Then she proceeded to clean it.

The Holy Family was destitute on the first 3 days of stay in this house.
Then St. Joseph found an employer of his carpentry trade.  This employer
treated him with discrimination as a foreigner and sometimes he did not
pay St. Joseph after a day's work.  St. Joseph made a couch for Mary
and a crib for Jesus as furnituress in their empty house.

One of the 3 rooms was Joseph's bedroom; another his workshop and the
last was Mary's and Jesus'.

Poverty was accepted calmly and with joy by the Holy Family and Jesus
was pleased to see this from Mary and Joseph.

Mary decided to help in earning for their living.  She did needlework
and her skills and good quality work became popular that she had lots
of offers.  She sewed during the day while Baby Jesus stayed in a crib
beside her.  She spent most of the night in prayers and meditation.

Jesus wished to lessen Mary's labor and so one day, He gave her a
schedule saying: "My Mother, I wish to make a rule for your daily life
and work.  From nightfall you will take some sleep and rest.  From
midnight until dawn We will praise the Eternal Father together.
Then prepare the necessary food for yourself and Joseph, and afterwards
give Me food and hold Me in your arms until noon, when you will place
Me in the arms of your husband, to give him some refreshment in his
labors.  Then retire and return to your work until it is time to prepare
the evening meal.  And pray continually to the Eternal Father for sinners."

Both Mary and St. Joseph were always consoled by Jesus, even just by
holding Him in their arms.  They gladly accepted all the trials that
accompanied their life because of love of Him.

The 1st anniversary of Annunciation and later the Nativity were
celebrated by the Holy Family.  Mary prayed and prostrated herself on
the ground in the form of a cross before the Infant Jesus, 9 days
prior to each anniversary.

All this time, Jesus only spoke to His Mother.  At one year of age,
He decided to break His silence to His foster father.  One day, when
Mary and St. Joseph were talking about the marvels of God, Jesus, who
was in Mary's arms spoke to Joseph: "My Father-"

Joseph was overwhelmed with joy, love and gratitude upon hearing this
that he fell on his knees before Jesus and prayed to Him to give him
more enlightenment and in all matters in fulfillment of God's Will.

So Jesus continued, "I have come from Heaven upon this earth in oder
to be the Light of the world and in order to rescue it from the
darkness of sin, to seek and to know My sheep, as a good shephered,
to give them the nourishment of eternal life, to teach them the
way to Heaven, and to open its gates, which had been closed by their
sins.  And I desire that you both be children of the Light which
you have so close to you."

As Mary placed Jesus in His cradle, she asked Him what garments might
she make for Him in place of His swaddling clothes.  Jesus responded:
"My Mother, on account of the love which I bear toward men, the
swattings of My childhood have not seemed irksome to Me, for when
I shall be grown up I shall be bound and delivered to My enemies
to be put to death.  I wish to possess only one garment during all My
life, for I seek nothing more than what is sufficient to cover Me.
Clothe Me, My Mother, in a tunic of a lowly and ordinary color.  This
alone will I wear and it shall grow with Me.  Over this garment, they
shall cast lots at My death...Men shall see that I was born and wish
to live poor and destitute of visible things which, being earthly,
oppress and darken the heart of man.  I shall not have anything to
do with visible things except to offer them up to the Eternal Father,
renouncing them for His love, and making use of only so much as
sufficient to sustain My natural life, which I will afterward yield
up for man's sake.  By this example, I wish to impress upon the
doctrine that I must love poverty and not despise it."  (of which
we mortals, go the other way in contrary to Jesus' example)

Mary replied,
"My Son and my Lord, Thy Mother has not the heart to allow Thee to
go barefoot at this tender age.  Permit me, my Love, to provide some
kind of covering to protect Thy feet.  I also fear that the rough
garment which Thou askest of me will wound Thy tender body if Thou
wearest no linen beneath."

Jesus said,
"My Mother, I will permit a slight and ordinary covering for My
feet until the time of My public preaching for I must do that
barefooted.  But I do not wish to wear linen."

Mary proceeded and wove the clothing material for Jesus' tunic and
a half tunic for undergarment.  She also made Him a pair of strong
sandals.

Afterwards, she asked Jesus' permission to clothe Him with what
she made.  They all fitted perfectly even if Mary did not make any
previous measurements.

(exact qoute follows)
...Our Lord never took off this robe until His executioners tore
it off at the Scourging and the Crucifixion, for by divine power
it continually grew with Him, adjusting itself to His body.
Nor did it even become worn in appearance or lose its color, and
it always remained spotlessly clean.

Then Mary gently placed the Infant God on His feet for the first
time, and He took His first steps on this earth.  He was by far,
the most beautiful Child who has ever lived.  Upon seeing him
standing there in His plain and humble robe, the angels marveled
while Mary and Joseph were filled with new love and joy.

The Mother of God continued to nurse her Son until He was a year
and a half old.  Then He began to take frugal meals of broth
mixed with oil, and some fruits and fish.  He never asked for food,
and later He ate all His meals with His Mother and foster father.
Then Mary always waited for Him to give the blessing at the beginning
and thanks at the end of each meal. (end qoute)

Jesus made a lot of friends in their neighborhood.  The children
were won by His kindness to them and His good sense of leadership.
Jesus also let them drink clear water from a fountain that Mary
discovered behind their house.

Jesus had been very thoughtful to Mary.  While Mary prayed, little
Jesus would bring a pitcher He filled with water from the fountain to
Mary without her telling Him to do so.

Jesus helped St. Joseph in his workshop by handing him his tools and
some pieces of wood.

When Jesus grew older, He brought His Mother's needlework to her
customers in town and he brought back some bread.  One time, Jesus
wept over the sufferings He saw in town.  Soon Mary and Jesus
visited the sick and poor in the hospitals to cheer and console
them.  They gave Jesus some gifts in return which He refused or
accepted only to be given to other poor.

Mary comforted the sick, changed the bandages of those with sores and
ulcers, and she healed the poor.  St. Joseph was also given power to
cure some of them.

The Holy Family helped the victims of a severe pestilence that devastated
the town.

(exact qoute follows)
As a result, the Holy Family became very popular among the people,
especially among the poor, and a large number of men and women came to
them for advice and instruction.  In order to honor His Mother, Jesus
told her to teach them the laws of the one true God.  Speaking therefore
to each individual in a waya suited to his or her personality and problems,
she urged them to give up their sinful ways for living in order to serve
and worship the Lord in purity and in truth.  Her gentle and modest
manner and her penetrating messages were so moving and inspiring that
many of her listeners were converted to a better life and eventually
became Christians.  St. Joseph also helped in instructing the men in his
own plain and sincere way.  Thus the Holy Family sowed in Egypt the
spiritual seed that was later to develop into many generations fo holy
Christians, saints, martyrs and hermits. (end qoute)

---

The Blessed Virgin to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"My daughter, I came into Egypt, where I knew no relations or friends,
in a land of foreign religion, where I could offer no home or protection
or assistance to my Son, whom I loved so much.  It can easily be
understood, then, what tribulations and hardships we suffered.
Thou canst not understand with what patience and resignation we accepted
then.  It is true, I grieved much to see my husband in such necessity
and want, but at the same time I blessed the Lord to be able to suffer
for Him.  In this noble patience and joy of spirit, I wish thee to
imitate me whenever the Lord offers thee an opportunity.  My most
holy Son chose poverty and taught it by word and by example.  This
same doctrince I taught, I practised during all my life.  I wish thee
to love and diligently to seek after this poverty."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 20 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/17
Message-ID: <9604171014.ZM783




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 20.  The Return to Nazareth

Mary and Jesus did not inform St. Joseph about God's decree they learned
while they prayed some time after King Herod's death that they can return
to Israel now.  St. Joseph was very sad lately because he had not been
paid for his work and he prayed hard to God for help.

One night, an angel told St. Joseph in his sleep: "Arise, and take the
child and His Mother and go into the Land of Israel, for those who
sought the Child's life are dead."

St. Joseph woke up and told Jesus and Mary about the command.  Without
delay, they distributed their furnitures among the poor, packed their
few belongings on their faithful donkey, and said sad good-byes to their
many Jewish and Egyptian friends.

Their trip was again long and burdening.  The Child Jesus miraculously
provided strengthening food for them occasionally.

Arriving at Palestine, St. Joseph learned of the new king's cruelty.
So, instead of his original plan of settling in Bethlehem, the Holy
Family proceeded to Nazareth in their former home.

Mary immediately prostrated herself on the ground of their old house.
Then she prayed and thanked God for His blessings throughout their long
exile and hard journeys.

In Nazareth, the Child Jesus became the most poppular boy.  Here, He
made good friends with His future Apostles, John and James the Elder.
Jesus always helped out in Mary and St. Joseph's works.  He made a
good impression and role model to the other kids that parents would say
to their kids, "What will little Jesus think of you?  How sorry He will
be!"  Parents sent their kids to Him for counseling and Jesus, simply
and kindly sent them back to apologize to their parents after advising
them not to hurt or disobey their parents anymore.  Jesus also encouraged
them to pray to the Lord with Him.

At this time, Jesus was tall for His age.  He was slender with a handsome,
clear-complexioned face and radiant health.  He had broad and high forehead
and His dark-brown hair parted in the middle, fell to His shoulders.

(exact qoute follows)
Soon after thier return from Egypt, the Lord resolved to test Mary's love
for Him by seeming to treat her coldly and impersonally for a while.
Therefore, without any warning, Jesus began to be very reserved with His
Mother, speaking to her only rarely and very gravely.  Most of the time
He avoided her company and when she came to Him or when they were at
meals together, He would neither speak to her nor even look at her.
Naturally, Mary was deeply disturbed, for with her usual humility she
feared that somehow she had offended God through some fault.  She therefore
examined her conscience minutely and racked her memory for some evidence
of ingratitude.  Although she could find not even one slight venial sin,
nevertheless she humbled herself more than ever and acknowledged that she
deserved such treatment.  Yet with ardent longing, she begged the Lord in
unceasing prayer to pardon her and restore her to His favor.  This trial
lasted 30 days.  Then one day as Mary knelt at the feet of Jesus, He
said to her with great tenderness:
"Arise, My Mother."
And His words had such a profound effect on her that she was rapt into a
prolonged ecstasy, in which many divine mysteries were revealed to her.
When she came out of her trance and adored her Son, she was again
privileged to contemplate His holy soul, as before.  Henceforth, until
the time of His public ministry, Jesus regularly taught her the truths
of the Christian religion which He was later to give to His Church.
(end qoute)


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 21 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/18
Message-ID: <9604181105.ZM2122




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 21.  The Boy Jesus in the Temple

The Holy Family, being Jews, went to the Temple in Jerusalem at least
once a year to celebrate the Pasch in April.  Jesus was 8 years old
when He first took the long trip with His parents.

In the Temple, Jesus prayed ardently to God for the whole human race.
Mary perceived this and she also thought of her Son's future sufferings
in that city and Jesus would turn to her to ask her to offer such
sufferings to God for the salvation of men.

Several times in the Temple, Mary heard God declare: "This is My Beloved
Son in whom I am well pleased."

When Jesus was twelve, as the Holy Family proceeded back to Nazareth after
their yearly pilgrimage to the Temple, He slipped away from His parents
as they approached the exit of the city gate.  Jesus foresaw what was to
happen and He offered it up to His Eternal Father for the benefit of souls.

In 3 days, Jesus begged alms for the poor, visited the sick in the hospital,
consoling them and sharing the alms He begged for while He also secretly
cured some and restored spiritual strength of many.

Then He went with some boys to 3 schools, one each day.  He asked questions
and gave answers to teachers and priests who became surprised and irritated
that they decided on the 3rd afternoon to publicly test Him in the Temple.
Experts applauded the Boy's knowledge but they later felt envious and
jealous of Him.

Jesus awakened these old Israelites who were dressed as priests, and
brought them analogies from nature and art.  He spoke like a specialist in
the fields medicine, the human body, astronomy, architecture, agriculture,
geometry, mathematics and law.  His listeners were inwardly furious and
embarassed by His astounding knowledge.

The topic turned to the coming of the Messias.  Jesus taught with divine
conviction in contrary to the Hebrew scholars' belief.  He proved that
the Messias must be among them at this time with the situation of Israel
that time and with the same servitude as foretold.  Jesus' explanations
refuted the scholars interpretation of the Law that they were furious.

Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph were so anxious, feeling self-reproach for not
finding Jesus where they looked - among friends and relatives.  Although
Mary knew that His Passion was not yet due, she was afraid that the current
king, Archelaus, might have taken Him prisoner and was mistreating Him.
She also contemplated on a possibility that He went to the desert to live
with John the Baptist.

Mary did not eat nor sleep these 3 days.  Her angels whom she talked to
were not allowed to tell her where Jesus was.  In her humility and prudence,
she did not ask them.  Mary bore her anxiety with patience, resignation
and submission which she topped with exterior and interior peace.  She
continued to pray for the human race and the grace to find her Son.

A woman who gave alms to Jesus told Mary that she saw Him begging for
alms and that she felt compassion for such a beautiful Child in poverty
and need.

Then Mary learned at a city hospital that Jesus visited the poor there.
Now Mary deduced that since Jesus was not with the poor at that time,
then He would be in the House of God.  Her angels finally broke their
silence and told Mary: "Our Queen and our Lady, the hour of thy
consolation is at hand.  Soon thou wilt see the Light of thine eyes.
Hasten thy footsteps and go to the Temple."

St. Joseph who was searching for Jesus separately, joined Mary.  This
search had endangered St. Joseph's life for lack of food and rest but
God strengtened him.  They then arrived at the Temple and found Jesus just
as He was finishing His last explanation.

Mary and St. Joseph were overwhelmed with joy and did not first understand
the meaning of Jesus' response to Mary inquiry because during all these
times, Jesus' soul was again veiled from Mary's eyes.

(exact qoute follows)
For a moment it seemed as if several of the scholars who were so angry
at Jesus might do Him some harm.  But then the Holy Family quietly went
out through the crowd, which opened to let them pass.  Soon they had left
the city.

When they were alone on the road, Mary knelt before her Son and asked His
blessing.  With loving tenderness, the Boy Jesus raised her from the
ground, comforted her, and revealed to her all that He had done in those
3 days.  Later during the journey, He also explained to her that the
learned doctors had not recognized Him as the Messias because they were
inflated and arrogant in their own knowledge and that their understanding
was obscured by the loving desire to see the truth, His reasoning would
have sufficiently convinced them.
"And his mother kept all these things carefully in her heart."
(end qoute)

---

Our Lady said to Venerable Mary of Agreda

"The Lord absented Himself from me in order that by seeking Him in
sorrow and tears I might find Him again in joy and with abundant fruits
for my soul.  In my great love the uncertainty as to the cause of His
withdrawal gave me no rest until I found Him.

"In this I wish that thou imitate me, whether thou lose Him through
thy own fault or by the disposition of His will.  For to lose sight
of God for the purpose of being tried in virtue and love is not the
same as to lose sight of Him in punishment for sins committed.

"So strong are the bonds of His Love that no one can burst them,
except thy _own free will_."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 22 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/18
Message-ID: <9604181107.ZM2126




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 22.  The Hidden Life in Nazareth

Being gone for 3 days, Jesus was welcomed with a banquet prepared by 33
of His friends and their relatives.  During this meal of fruits and bread
rolls, Little Jesus told His companions about a wedding at which water
would be changed to wine and then about another wedding as a living
bond until the end of the world at which wine would be changed into blood
and bread into flesh.  Then he told His young cousin, Nathanael, who
was also present, that one day He would attend his wedding.

Jesus was acknowledged leader of these boys.  He spent much time talking
with them and teaching them many practical lessons including knowledge
about God and love for Him.

Jesus spent more time helping St. Joseph at his carpentry work.  At the
age of 18, He became His foster father's regular assistant and this consoled
and pleased St. Joseph.

St. Joseph made Jesus a wooden couch for a bed.  Jesus used only one blanket
and a small woolen pillow made by Mary.  He rested by sitting on it.  He
never stretched out on this bed and His reply to His mother who asked Him
was that the only couch He was to be stretched out would be His Cross.

Mary and St. Joseph seldom caressed Jesus now that He had become older.
Jesus also began to show seriousness, majesty and divinity in His conduct
and conversation with them.  Yet, He still maintains His humility,
obedience and love for them.

The Holy Family prayed together everyday in Mary's plain and poorly
furnished holy room, where the Annunciation had taken place.

Young Jesus continued to visit the poor and the sick and He also secretly
helped many both physically and spiritually.

(exact qoute follows)
Throughout these years of His hidden life, Jesus spent much time teaching
His Mother all that she must know and do later for His Church.  Soon after
the return from Jerusalem when He was twelve, the eternal Father said to
Mary: "We have resolved to make you the closest image and likeness of My
only-begotten Son.  Be mindful therefore that a great preparation is
required of you."

Henceforth, Jesus instructed his Mother thoroughly in the new Law of His
Gospel and all the mysteries and doctrines of the Catholic religion.  Day
after day, he taught her the meaning and value of the Sacraments and dogmas
of the Church, and He described to her the whole history of His Church
until the end of the world, together with all its saints and martyrs and
doctors and prelates.  He also showed her how to apply this knowledge
in a practical way to her daily life, so that she might be well prepared
to serve Him and his Mystical Body the Church as Divine Providence planned.
Mary received these inspiring instructions with profound humility, reverence,
gratitude and fervent love, which reached a climax when Jesus explained to
her the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist and the Mass.  Then she exclaimed:
"My Lord and Life of my soul, shall I be so fortunate as to bear Thee once
more within my body and soul?"
And Jesus answered:
"My beloved Mother, you shall receive Me many times in the Blessed Sacrament
and after My death and Ascension it will be your consolation, for I shall
choose your sincere and loving heart as My most pleasing and delightful
resting place."

>From that hour, Mary humbly and gratefully began to prepare herself in all
her thoughts and actions for the time when she could receive Holy Communion,
and she prayed fervently that all men might know and appreciate this
greatest of all the Sacraments.

By a special privilege granted to the Blessed Virgin by God, after she
reached the age of 33 - during the hidden life in Nazareth, Jesus being
18 - her beautiful physical appearance and perfection remained unchanged
during all the rest of her long life.  She now strikingly resembled in
features and complexion the unique beauty of Christ during His last years
on earth, and the Lord allowed Mary to keep that perfection in order that
His likeness might be preserved in her as long as she lived. (end qoute)

---

Speaking of the Hidden Life, The Blessed Virgin told St. Bridget of Sweden:

"As the Gospel says, my Son was subject to His parents and He acted like
other children until He grew up.  Nothing unclean ever touched Him nor was
the least disorder even seen in His hair.  When he grew older, He was
constantly in prayer.  His features and His words were so wonderful
and so pleasing that many persons when in trouble used to say, "Let us
go to Mary's Son.  He will console us!'  As He grew in age, He worked with
His hands, and He talked with us so inspiringly about God that we were
continually filled with indescribable joy.  And when we were in fear,
in poverty, and in trouble, He did not produce gold and silver for us, but
urged us to be patient and we were marvelously protected.  What we needed
was sometimes given to us by compassionate and devout persons, and sometimes
came from our work, so that we had what we needed to live on, but nothing
superfluous, for we sought only to serve God.  At home, with friends, who
visited us, He talked familiarly about the Law of God and its meanings
and types.  He also openly disputed with learned men so that they were
astonished and used to say, 'Joseph's Son instructs the scribes - there
is a great spirit in Him!'

"He was also so obedient that when Joseph said to Him: 'Do this' or 'Do
that', He did it at once, for He concealed the power of His Divinity in
such a way that it could only be perceived by myself and at times by
Joseph.  Very often we saw Him surrounded by a wonderful light and heard
angels' voices singing over Him. We also observed that unclean spirits,
which could not be cast out by official exorcists, fled at the sight
of my Son's presence.  Keep this always in your memory, my daughter,
and offer sincere thanks to God that He chose to reveal His childhood
to others through you."


--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 23 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/25
Message-ID: <9604251111.ZM25287




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 23.  The Death of St. Joseph

Though not very old, St. Joseph was worn out in strength and health
after 20 years of hard work for his family.  Thus, in order to increase
his sanctity through practice of patience and resignation, the Lord
ordained that he would spend the 8 years of the rest of his life in
illness and suffering.  (I guess, all would-be saints are required this.)

Now, Mary voluntered to support the family as when they were in Egypt
by doing some spinning and weaving of linen and wool with a loyal
woman friend.  Jesus sometimes miraculously made her accomplish a lot
of work in a day.

St. Joseph suffered fevers, violent headaches and painful rheumatism
which incapacitated him.  Mary served him faithfully and prepared the
food of his specific choice.  St. Joseph remained humble and patient
in enduring his sufferings.

In the last 3 years of his life, St. Joseph's sufferings became worst.
Mary prayed to Jesus that St. Joseph's pains be given to her.  Jesus
would then let them cease for a while.  Whenever Jesus was not doing
His public ministry, He also helped and encouraged His foster father.

Near the time of St. Joseph's death, Mary said to Jesus, "My Lord,
I beseech Thee, let Thy servant Joseph's death be as precious in Thy
sight as the uprightness of his life has been pleasing to Thee."
And Jesus replied, "My Mother, your request is granted for the merits
of Joseph are great.  I will now assist him and will assign him so
high a place among My people that he will be the admiration of angels
and of men.  With no other human being shall I do as with your husband."

(exact qoute follows)
Then for nine days, St. Joseph enjoyed the company of Mary or Jesus
without interruption, and three times each day, the angels comforted
him of celestial music and invigorating fragrances.

On the eighth day he fell into an ecstasy that lasted 24 hours, during
which he was shown clearly many divine mysteries which he had believed
by faith concerning the Incarnation and the Redemption, and he was
formally commissioned as the messenger of the Savior to the patriarchs
and prophets in Limbo.

When St. Joseph came out of this ecstasy, his face was shining with
heavenly light, and he asked Mary to give him her blessing.  But
instead she indicated tthat Jesus should bless him, which He did.  Then
Mary fell on her knees and begged her dying husband to bless her,
and after he had done so she kissed his hand tenderly and affectionately.
St. Joseph also implored her pardon for all his deficiencies in serving
her and requested her prayers in this hour of his death.

Then he spoke these last words to her: "Blessed art thou among all
women, Mary!  Mary angels and men praise thee! And may the Name of the
Lord be known, adored and exalted in thee through all the coming ages.
I hope to see thee in our heavenly home..."

And turning toward Jesus with profound reverence, St. Joseph tried in
vain to kneel, but the Savior gently took him in His arms, while
Joseph said:
"My Lord and my God, give Thy blessing too Thy servaant and pardon the
faults I have committed in Thy service.  I give Thee my heartfelt thanks
for having chosen me to be the husband of They Mother!  May Thy glory
be my thanksgiving for all eternity..."
Jesus then lovingly blessed St. Joseph and said:
"My father, rest in peace and in the grace of My eternal Father, and
bring to the saints in Limbo the joyful news of the approach of their
redemption."

At these words, in the arms of Jesus, with Mary kneeling and weeping
at his feet, in a room brightly lighted by hosts of angels, St. Joseph
died a happy and peaceful death.

After Jesus had closed His foster father's eyes, Mary prepared his
body for burial with the help of her angels, and as she did so, God
enveloped it in a wonderful light so that she could see only Joseph's
lifelike face.  The body was wrapped in a white shroud and placed
in a narrow bier which was then carried to a fine tomb given to
St. Joseph by a rich man.  Only Jesus and a few friends formed the
funeral procession, together with a great number of resplendent angels.
(end qoute)

---

The Blessed Virgin said to Ven. Mary of Agreda

"The whole human race has much undervalued the privilege and prerogatives
conceded to my blessed husband, St. Joseph.  I assure you that he is
one of the greatly favored personages in the Divine Presence, and he
has immense power to stay the arms of divine vengeance.  That which
my husband asks of the Lord in Heaven is granted upon earth, and on his
intercession depend many extraordinary favors for men."



--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 24 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/25
Message-ID: <9604251113.ZM25293




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 24.  Preparation for the Public Life

Mary did not have to work in the four years after St. Joseph's death,
so she spent more time in prayers.  Jesus and Mary only ate once a day
at about 6 o'clock in the evening.  Their meals usually are just bread
but sometimes Mary added some fish, fruits or vegetables.

In the privacy of their home, Mary would adore Jesus by prostrating on
the ground until Jesus told her to rise.  Then with tears of reverence
and love, and humility she would kiss His feet or hands.  She served
Him with joy and zeal and she would do the tasks herself telling her
angels who would begin them: "My friends, permit me to do this work,
since I can thereby gain merits which you do not need.  I know the
value of such works which the world despises, and the Lord has given
me this knowledge in order that I may perform it myself and not let
it be done by others."

Jesus revealed to His Mother still deeper understanding of the mystery
of sin and redemption, His predestined Apostles and saints of the Church,
His preaching and how she was to co-operate with Him and help Him found
His Church.

Jesus was offered a cottage near Capharnaum on the northern shore of
the Lake of Galilee by a man named Levi who lived in Capharnaum.  So Mary
and Jesus moved all their modest belongings to this cottage and closed
up their house in Nazareth only staying there when Jesus preached in
Nazareth or its surroundings.

When Jesus turned 27 years old, He went with men to go on trips of
preaching that lasted 2-3 days.  He prayed on the hills of Galilee.
Mary missed Him so keenly.  Upon His return, Jesus gave His Mother
His hand and greeted her with affection but also with grave restraint.
Mary then lovingly prepared refreshing meals for Him.

One day Jesus told Mary to assist Him in His teaching.  Mary obliged
and she often walked behind Jesus in the villages of Galilee and she
stood beside Him during His conversations with men and women telling
them that the Messias was already in the Land of Israel.  Many
decidedly gave up their sinful ways of life upon hearing Jesus'
teaching and thus they are capable of believing that the Messias had
already began His reign.

Jesus and Mary visited the poor, the sick and grief stricken, giving
them peace, good health in body, mind and spirit.

Often, Jesus and Mary begged for their food and the angels who accompany
them brought it to them.

When St. John the Baptist reached the age of 30, He was commanded by
the Lord to come forth from the desert where he lived and prepare the
way for the Messias.  He was intensely devoted to Mary for she regularly
sent her angels to bring him food and some news about his Lord whom
he worshipped from afar.

St. John preached penance and baptized people of Israel on the banks
of the River Jordan.  He wore camel skin, leather belt and was barefooted.
Although his manner was graceful, modest and kind, he was terrifying
to the proud, the hard-hearted and the greedy.

One day, when Jesus was 30 years old, God told Mary:
"Mary, My Daughter and My Spouse, offer your Son to Me as a sacrifice."
(exact qoute follows)
Realizing that the time had at last come for the redemption of mankind
through the Public Life and Death of Christ, she replied generously:
"Eternal King and Almighty God, Lord of all, He is Thine and so am I.
What then can I offer Thee that is not more Thine then mine?  Yet
because He is the life of my soul and the soul of my life, to yield
Him into the hands of His enemies at the cost of His life is a great
sacrifice.  However, let not my will but Thine be done.   I offer
up my Son in order that He may pay the debt contracted by the children
of Adam."

The Blessed Trinity immediately rewarded and consoled her by a vision
in which she was shown the glory and the good that would result from
Jesus' sacrifice and hers.  When she came out of this rapture, Mary
was prepared to endure the pain of being separated from her beloved
Son and Lord.

Jesus therefore called her and said:
"My Mother, give Me your consent to accomplish the will of My Eternal
Father, for the time has come when I must begin My work for men.
Although I must now leave you alone for a while, My blessing and
powerful protection will remain with you.  Later I will return and
claim your help and company in my task."

Both Jesus and Mary were so deeply moved in this moment of parting
that they were weeping quietly and the Lord tenderly placed His
arms around His Mother's shoulders.  Among other things He told
her that He would still go to Jerusalem, 3 times for the Passover,
and that the third time her heart would suffer cruelly.  Then
Mary fell at His feet and said with intense sorrow and reverence:
"My Lord, I offer Thee my own will as a sacrifice.  And as Thy
Mother I ask only that I may be allowed to share Thy labors and
Thy Cross."

They went to the door together, and Mary kissed her Son's feet as
He gave her His blessing.  Then Jesus set out on His journey to
the River Jordan, where John was baptizing. (end qoute)

The Lord commanded Mary's angels to attend to her in visible
form while she spent most of her life alone shut up in her house
praying and prostrated on the ground.

Her angels informed her of Jesus' actions and prayers that she
imitated His posture and the same words.

Mary was given visions of Jesus as He was baptized by St. John,
His fasting and prayers for 40 days in the desert, the temptations
by the devils and Jesus' success over them.  Mary also spent these
40 days fasting and praying allso that after it wasa over, the angels
gave her the miraculous food that Jesus sent so they ate the same
and at the same time.

Then Jesus spent time preaching in public and Mary imitated Him by
visiting on foot some sick and poor women and children, instructing,
healing and consoling them.

Then Mary accepted the Apostles that Jesus called: Andrew, John,
Peter, Philip, and Nathanael as her spiritual children in the Lord
and prayed fervently for them.

Jesus talked about His mother to them that they revered and admired
her.  St. John conceived a holy love and esteem for her and all the
Apostles begged Jesus to let them meet and honor His Mother.  And
so, Jesus led them northward to the Lake of Galilee.

Mary perceived that they were coming and so she set the cottage in
order and prepared food for them.  Mary waited for Jesus at the door
and when He entered, she prostrated herself on the floor, kissed
His feet and asked for His blessings.  The Apostles were awed and
filled with devotion to Jesus upon seeing this humility and
reverence shown by Mary to her Son.

All Apostles felt a mystical attraction toward the holy Mother of
God and they knelt before her and begged her to accept them as her
sons and servants with St. John initiating the gesture.  Then she
personally served them the meal she prepared.

After the disciples had retired that night, Jesus and Mary prayed
in her oratory then he talked to her about the Mystery of Baptism.
Jesus promised her before that she would be baptized and so He
administered the Sacrament to her Himself.
(exact qoute follows)
Then, in the presence of a multitude of visible angels, Jesus
baptized his Immaculate Mother, and immediately the Voice of the
Eternal Father was heard saying:
"This is My beloved Daughter in whom I take delight."
Next, the Incarnate Word declared:
"This is My beloved Mother whom I have selected and who will assist
Me in all My works."
And lastly, the holy Spirit added:
"This is My Spouse chosen among thousands."
(end qoute)

---
The Blessed Virgin said to St. Bridget of Sweden:

"You are not able to see my Son as He is in Heaven, but
let me describe to you His physical appearance as He was in the
world.  His features were so beautiful that no one looked at His
Face without feeling filled with joy and consolation, even when
depressed.  Yes, even the wicked were free from worldly gloom
while looking at Him.  Consequently, persons suffering from sorrow
used to say: 'Let us go and see Mary's Son, and we shall be without
our grief at least that long.'

"When He was twenty years old, He reached His full growth in manly
stature and strength.  He had no superfluous flesh.  His muscles
were well-developed.  And He was powerfully built.  His hair,
eyebrows and beard were light brown.  His beard measured the width
of a hand.  His forehead was neither prominent nor retreating,
but straight and erect.  His nose was well-proportioned, neither
large nor small.  His eyes were so clear and pure that even His
enemies enjoyed looking at Him.  His lips were not thick but
light red.  His chin did not jut out and was not overlong, but
pleasing and finely proportioned.  His cheeks were moderately
full and His complexion was clear white mixed with fresh red.
He held Himself straight and erect, and there wasnot a spot on His
whole body."



--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 25 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/25
Message-ID: <9604251115.ZM25297




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 25.  The Wedding at Cana

Jesus and Mary accepted an invitation to attend a wedding at Cana
of His cousin, Nathanael.

Besides being responsible for some of the arrangements and for the
supply of wine, Jesus took this opportunity to initiate His public
ministry by sanctifying and blessing the institution of marriage.
He intended to perform a public miracle to strengthen and unit
His disciples and also He wished to refute the criticisms against
Him which spred while he was away that He was neglecting His work,
His Mother, and His relatives.

Mary traveled along a narrow and shorter path to Cana with some
women friends.  Jesus on the other hand, took a longer path with
25 of His followers making stops at certain villages to instruct
some of the villagers.

When Jesus arrived, he planned all the details of the wedding
festivities and entertainments topped with serious considerations
and spirituality.  He announced to the guests that they go and
enjoy but they should take into account growing in wisdom as a
result of their recreation.

On the next day after Jesus' arrived, the festivities continued
outside in a lovely meadow.  Jesus organized a game among the
men who were gathered on one side while the women on the other
side of the field played a game with fruits as prizes.  Mary
watched sitting between the bride and the aunt of the groom.

(exact qoute follows)
That evening, Jesus preached in the Temple before all the guests,
who now numbered over one hundred.  He spoke of pleasures which
are permissible, of the motives with which one might indulge in
them of their limitations, and of the caution and restraint that
must accompany them.  Then he spoke of marriage, of the mutual
obligations of husband and wife, of continence and chastity, and
also of spiritual marriage.  When he was through and all the guests
had left, the bride and groom remained with Him, and He gave them
some private instructions.  (end qoute)

Later in the evening, there was a banquet and a dance.  First the
couple danced alone then some of the guests joined them.  None of
the Apostles danced nor did the married women, but some of the
disciples did.

The wedding ceremony took place at 9 o'clock the next morning in
the Temple.  The ceremony included the couple exchanging rings
that Jesus blessed, the priest making a light cut of the ring
finger of the bride and groom letting flow 2 drops of the groom's
blood and one drop of the bride's into a cup filled with wine.
Then they destroyed the cup after drinking the wine.  After the
ceremony, clothes and other objects were distributed to the many
poor persons who gathered to see the wedding. Jesus greeted the
married couple upon their return to the festival hall with,
"The Peace of the Lord and His Light be with you."

(exact qoute follows)
Before the banquet, Jesus organized another remarkable game for
the men in the garden.  He placed various flowers, plants and fruits
around a large table on which there was a pointer that rotated on
a pivot until it stopped before the prize of the person who had
twirled it.  In this game, which the men now began to play, nothing
occurred by mere chance.  Each prize somehow had a definite significance
related to the qualities and faults of its winner.  And as each of
the players in turn won his particular prize, Jesus made a brief
and profound comment.  Yet the personal application of His words
was grasped only by the man to whom they were directed.  The others
found in them merely some broadly edifying teaching.  But the
individual himself was deeply moved and felt that Jesus had
indeed seen into the most secret thoughts of his heart and conscience.

When the bridegroom won a very strikingly exotic fruit, Jesus
spoke about marriage, chastity and the hundredfold fruit which purity,
produces.  And as the Master handed him his prize, the young man
was stirred to the depts of his soul.  He turned pale and without
anyone noticing it, he underwent a mystical purification in which
he was supernaturally liberated from the unclean lusts of the flesh.
At the same time, the bride who was sitting among the women at some
distance, had a fainting spell and experienced something similar,
while the Blessed Virgin held her in her arms and helped her to
revive.  Thereafter, both the boy and the girl seemed definitely
brighter and purer in appearance.  The other disciples, after they
had eaten the fruit which they won, felt their predominant passion
awake and struggle for master within them, but when they used
their will power and resisted the impulse, they conquered it and
thereby became greatly strengthened against future temptations
...
Jesus gave an instructive talk while carving the lamb.  He spoke
of the lamb being sepparated from the flock and led to be killed.
Then he explained how in the process of roasting the flesh was
purified by fire.  The carving up of the parts, He said, symbolized
the way in which the followers of the Lamb of God must leave those
to whom they are attached by bonds of flesh and blood.  While
distributing the pieces of meat to the guests, who were eagerly
listening to His instructions, He said that just as the lamb had
been taken from its companions and had been put to death in order
to provide food for many persons, so too he who wished to follow
the Lamb of God must leave his home and neighborhood and family,
and put his passion to death, for then he could become, through
the Lamb of God, a source of spiritual food by which he could unite
his fellow men with one another and with the Father of all in
Heaven.
...
During the festivities, the Blessed Virgin had spoken only when she
was asked a question or when it was really necessaray.  At all times,
she gave a good example to the women around her by remaining perfectly
recollected and composed.  In her Son's presence she listened
attentively to all that He said, and then she meditated on His words.

During the banquet Jesus and His Mother ate some of the food though
with great moderation and without showing outwardly their unusual
abstinence.  Then, as the second course, consisting of bird meat,
fish, honey, fruit and pastry was being served, Mary noticed that
there was no more wine.  She therefore immediately went to Jesus,
who was instructing the guests, and whispered to Him:
"They have no wine."  She reminded Him that He had promised to
supply the wine.

The divine Savior, who had just been speaking of His heavenly Father
replied aloud, with calm and loving, yet impersonal majesty:
"What is that to you and to Me, woman?  My hour has not yet come."
Then Mary understood that Jesus was waiting for His Eternal Father's
permission to perform His first great public miracle.  Feeling
entirely relieved of her anxiety for the guests and trusting
that Almight God would reveal the Lord's power at the right moment,
she went to the worried servants and said to them with quiet
modesty and confidence: "Do whatever He tells you."
...
He said that the world gives the strong wine first and then the
poorer, but it was not so in the Kingdom.  There pure water was
changed into excellent wine to demonstrate that negligence and
lukewarmness should give place to love and zeal.
...
His new followers and His relatives were now suddenly convinced
of His powers, His dignity and His divine mission.  Henceforth,
they believed with frim faith that Jesus wasa indeed the promised
Messias.
...
After the banquet, the young bridegroom went to Jesus and spoke
to Him very humbly in private.  He saaid that he now felt himself
dead to all carnal desires, and that if  his bride consented he
wished to live in continence with her.  His wife then came to Jesus
and said the same thing.

The Master took them both aside and spoke to them about marriage
and chastity in terms of sowing and reaping supernatural merit.
He explained the rich fruit of the life of the spirit and mentioned
the prophets and saints who had lived in continence and made of
their bodies a pleasing sacrifice to the Father in Heaven.  Thus,
they had brought many sinners back to God and had inspired numerous
followers who in turn formed holy spiritual families and communities.

The young bride and groom now decided to take a vow of continence,
and they resolved to live as brother and sister for three years.
Then they knelt before Our Lord, and He gladly gave them His blessings.
(end qoute)


--
___  ___





*


From: Marida Ignacio <MDMiguel@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: PASSION against satan[1]
Date: 1997/03/26
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19970326055553.006b685c@popd.ix.netcom.com>

X-Sender: MDMiguel@popd.ix.netcom.com
Comments: ********************************************************
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Hello, I did this during Lent.  I hope Charles don't mind me posting
the series during this Holy Week.  Around 5-6 parts total (plus some on
His resurrection and ascension).   This came from a compilation of accounts
from mystics regarding the "Life of Mary".  For this series, I'll only post
the "lenten" part about Christ.
And I have copyright permission to post it here from TAN books.

NOTE: Since this is from visionaries and mystics who saw Christ and
Mary in apparitions, the reader is not bound to believe everything that
was privately revealed here.


[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown]
Chap. 26.  Mary During the Public Ministry]

----
         TRANSFIGURATION

....
(exact qoute follows)
During the last year of his public ministry, the Savior decided to prepare
His three closest followers, Peter, James, and John, for the shock of His
Passion by revealing to them beforehand the divine glory of their Master
whom they were soon to see scourged and crucified.  Almighty God decreed
that Mary also deserved to share this privilege, because she was destined
to share her Son's Passion in a spiritual way and then to become the guide
of the Infant Church.  Therefore, while some of the angels brought the
souls of Moses and Elias to the Mount of the Transfiguration, others were
commissioned to carry the Blessed Virgin there.

Unlike the Apostles, Mary witnessed the dazzling glory of Christ's
Transfiguration without the least fear or disturbance.  On the contrary,
she was profoundly strengthened and enlightened while contemplating the
glorious divinity of her Son.  As long as she lived, she never lost the
inspiring impression caused in her soul by that vision of His glory, and
this memory greatly consoled her whenever she was separated from Him,
especially during the years after His Ascension.  On the other hand, it
also made her feel all the more intensely the terrible sufferings that
He experienced in His Passion, which was slowly approaching. (end qoute)


[from Chap. 27.  Judas in the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown]

(exact qoute)
It was the Savior's custom to introduce His newly converted disciples
to His Mother, for there was a tacit understanding between Jesus and
Mary that she would take His followers into her heart and into her prayers
as her own children and as the brothers of Christ, thus becoming their
spiritual Mother just as she was His natural Mother.  Because this mystical
adoption was holy and supernatural, Jesus always performed the introduction
with great solemnity, and the Blessed Virgin accepted His Apostles with
touching seriousness and affection.

Among the new disciples whom the Master introduced to His Mother during the
second year of his public ministry was a good-looking young man with black
hair and a reddish beard, whose name was Judas Iscariot.  This charming
and clever 25-year-old businessman was the illegitimate son of a dancer and
any army officer.  He was always well-dressed and eager to oblige.  However,
he talked too much and liked to make himself appear important.  He was
intensely ambitious for fame, wealth and honors.  Seeing that the people
were beginning to accept Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah and future
Ruler of Israel, and noticing that the wealthy Lazarus was providing for the
growing new movement, Judas became interested in the teaching of the Master,
and one day he asked to be admitted as one of the followers of Jesus.

Looking at Judas kindly, yet with indescribable sorrow, the Savior replied
prophetically:
"You may have a place among My disciples - unless you prefer to leave it to
another..."
(end qoute)

Judas earned his place among the 12 Apostles and Jesus and Mary treated him
kindly and with love even though they knew he would betray the Master later.

Later Judas began to find faults among his associates and he became jealous
of the popularity of John.

Mary perceived that Judas was giving way to sinful feelings, so she talked
to him privately, very tactfully and gently.  But Judas hypocritically
denied it and he then felt reproach towards Mary for correcting him.  Soon
because he lost reverence to the Master's holy Mother, he committed a
grave sin of ingratitude which seriously offended God, and so Judas fell
from the state of grace.  One thing led to another and so Judas also yielded
to a growing dislike for both Jesus and Mary and the hardships of
Apostleship.

The merciful Mother of God again spoke to him to restrain himself and humbly
ask the Lord for forgiveness.  Mary also offered to intercede for him if
only he would repent and amend his life.  In spite of Judas' denial, Mary
still continued her friendly love for him.

Jesus announced that they needed a treasurer who would take charge of the
alms donated for the poor.  Judas got interested on this position and asked
John to interced with Mary for him.  Mary did not tell Jesus when John told
her about Judas' interest for she detected his greed and ambition.
Persistent, Judas went directly to Mary and so she said to him:
"Consider well what you are asking, Judas, and examine your intentions.
The Master loves you more than you love yourself.  Seek to grow rich in
humility and poverty.  Rise from your fall, and I will give you a helping
hand, and my Son will show you His loving mercy."

(exact qoute follows)
But Judas turned away, feeling enraged and insulted, and resolved to ask
Jesus to make him the group's treasurer.  When he did so, the Savior said
to him:
"Judas, do not be so cruel to yourself as to seek the poison which may
cause your death!"

However, as the ambitious Apostle insisted, the Lord let him have what
he wanted.  But contrary to his expectations, Judas did not receive
considerable amounts of money, because the Master and His disciples
accepted only very small sums.  When Judas saw the Savior refuse several
large donations, and when he noticed that the Blessed Virgin continually
gave generous gifts to the poor, he became so angry and resentful that he
began to be tempted with the idea of abandoning Jesus and even betraying
Him to His powerful enemies, who seemed increasingly determined to destroy
the new movement by doing away with its Leader. (end qoute)

---
___  ___





*                         http://www.netcom.com/~mdmiguel/simonpure.html



Subject: [2]Passion of Christ against satan; Part 27 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/02
Message-ID: <9604021336.ZM29199




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" next week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

[from Chap. 27.  Judas in the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown]

(exact qoute)
It was the Savior's custom to introduce His newly converted disciples
to His Mother, for there was a tacit understanding between Jesus and
Mary that she would take His followers into her heart and into her prayers
as her own children and as the brothers of Christ, thus becoming their
spiritual Mother just as she was His natural Mother.  Because this mystical
adoption was holy and supernatural, Jesus always performed the introduction
with great solemnity, and the Blessed Virgin accepted His Apostles with
touching seriousness and affection.

Among the new disciples whom the Master introduced to His Mother during the
second year of his public ministry was a good-looking young man with black
hair and a reddish beard, whose name was Judas Iscariot.  This charming
and clever 25-year-old businessman was the illegitimate son of a dancer and
any army officer.  He was always well-dressed and eager to oblige.  However,
he talked too much and liked to make himself appear important.  He was
intensely ambitious for fame, wealth and honors.  Seeing that the people
were beginning to accept Jesus of Nazareth as the promised Messiah and future
Ruler of Israel, and noticing that the wealthy Lazarus was providing for the
growing new movement, Judas became interested in the teaching of the Master,
and one day he asked to be admitted as one of the followers of Jesus.

Looking at Judas kindly, yet with indescribable sorrow, the Savior replied
prophetically:
"You may have a place among My disciples - unless you prefer to leave it to
another..."
(end qoute)

Judas earned his place among the 12 Apostles and Jesus and Mary treated him
kindly and with love even though they knew he would betray the Master later.

Later Judas began to find faults among his associates and he became jealous
of the popularity of John.

Mary perceived that Judas was giving way to sinful feelings, so she talked
to him privately, very tactfully and gently.  But Judas hypocritically
denied it and he then felt reproach towards Mary for correcting him.  Soon
because he lost reverence to the Master's holy Mother, he committed a
grave sin of ingratitude which seriously offended God, and so Judas fell
from the state of grace.  One thing led to another and so Judas also yielded
to a growing dislike for both Jesus and Mary and the hardships of
Apostleship.

The merciful Mother of God again spoke to him to restrain himself and humbly
ask the Lord for forgiveness.  Mary also offered to intercede for him if
only he would repent and amend his life.  In spite of Judas' denial, Mary
still continued her friendly love for him.

Jesus announced that they needed a treasurer who would take charge of the
alms donated for the poor.  Judas got interested on this position and asked
John to interced with Mary for him.  Mary did not tell Jesus when John told
her about Judas' interest for she detected his greed and ambition.
Persistent, Judas went directly to Mary and so she said to him:
"Consider well what you are asking, Judas, and examine your intentions.
The Master loves you more than you love yourself.  Seek to grow rich in
humility and poverty.  Rise from your fall, and I will give you a helping
hand, and my Son will show you His loving mercy."

(exact qoute follows)
But Judas turned away, feeling enraged and insulted, and resolved to ask
Jesus to make him the group's treasurer.  When he did so, the Savior said
to him:
"Judas, do not be so cruel to yourself as to seek the poison which may
cause your death!"

However, as the ambitious Apostle insisted, the Lord let him have what
he wanted.  But contrary to his expectations, Judas did not receive
considerable amounts of money, because the Master and His disciples
accepted only very small sums.  When Judas saw the Savior refuse several
large donations, and when he noticed that the Blessed Virgin continually
gave generous gifts to the poor, he became so angry and resentful that he
began to be tempted with the idea of abandoning Jesus and even betraying
Him to His powerful enemies, who seemed increasingly determined to destroy
the new movement by doing away with its Leader. (end qoute)


--
___  ___





*

Subject: [3]Passion of Christ against satan; Part 28 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/02
Message-ID: <9604021338.ZM29205




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" next week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================
[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
Chap.
28.  Prelude to the Passion]

----
Jesus told Mary that the time was near for Him to go to Jerusalem and
suffer His Passion.  Mary wept quietly and Jesus comforted her telling
her that this was the will of His Father and that as His Mother she
must therefore continue to be strong and brave as an example to strengthen
followers and edify them.  Then they prayed together to God and Mary
thought:
"Oh, if only I could receive the pains and sorrow that await Him, and
suffer death so as to save His life!  Accept, Heavenly Father, the
sacrifice of my grief and affection, which I offer in union with Him,
in order that Thy holy will may be fulfilled.  O, children of Adam, begin
at last to take heed of the harm caused by your sins!"

Soon, knowing that their separation in this world was near, Jesus
and Mary each felt more intense longing for each other.  They also
increased their conversion and healing towards the poor and suffering.

Later, when Mary and Jesus were staying at the home of Lazarus, after
raising Lazarus from the tomb, Judas was angered and he hated Jesus
when He defended Mary Magdalen for washing His feet.  Judas plotted
with the Pharisees for Jesus' arrest.

Mary perceived Judas' plan that on the night before Palm sunday, she
called Judas aside.  She tried to persuade him to turn away from
his evil intentions by explaining to him its threat to his soul.
She asked him to give his vengeance upon her instead of towards Jesus.
She offered him gifts from Mary Magdalen.  But nothing changed Judas'
mind.

Mary went to Jesus weeping and together they prostrated themselves
on the ground and prayed for sinners, offering themselves as willing
victims for the salvation of mankind.

Thus, before midnight, God the Father and the Holy Spirit, accompanied
by multitude of angels, accepted the sacrifice of the Son and the Eternal
Father addressed the Blessed Virgin with:
"Mary, Our Daughter and Spouse, I desire that you ratify this sacrifice
of you Son for the redemption of men."  The Mother of God replied:
"O Lord, I offer Him and myself entirely as a sacrifice to Thy divine
will, but I beseech Thee to permit me to suffer with Thy Son and mine!"

The heavenly Father raised them both from the ground and said:
"This is the fruit of the blessed earth which I have desired."

Then He exalted the Savior of humanity and placed Him in Heaven on His
right while Mary reverently uttered the first words of 109th Psalm:
"The Lord said unto my Lord: 'Sit thou at My right hand...'"  And
God intoned the rest of the Psalm's mystic prophecies, which were
now about to be fulfilled.

The next day while Mary remained in Lazarus' home in Bethany, Jesus
traveled Jerusalem on a donkey and Mary saw in visions His triumph
as His followers received enthusiastic acclamations.

A few days after, Judas gave way to evil and made arrangements with
Pharisees to betray his Master.  He inquired about the Apostles,
Mary and Jesus and their plans for the next days.  When he asked
Mary, she replied, "Who can penetrate, O Judas, the secret judgement
of the Most High?"  So Mary did not warn or stop him anymore.  She
just prayed for him.  Jesus also informed His Apostles of His imminent
Passion that they became profoundly sad.

The Apostles asked Jesus if He would take His Mother with Him when
He left.  Jesus told them that she would remain with them for some
more years and He said more things in praise of her.

(exact qoute follows)
The next day, while instructing about 30 of His disciples in Bethany,
he revealed to them that His Holy mother would suffer with Him in her
compassionate heart all the cruel torture of His Passion, that she
would mystically die His bitter death with her, but that she would
still have to survive Him for about 15 years.

During these days between Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday, the Savior
passed every moment He could spare with His Mother, who was inexpressibly
sad.  He disclosed to her many divine mysteries concerning the Redemption,
and He told her all that she was to do during His Passion and death.
In these talks, He spoke to her with a new reserve and majesty, for now
the tenderness and caresses of a son toward his mother had ceased.
(end qoute)




--
___  ___





*

Subject: [4]Passion of Christ against satan; Part 29 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/03
Message-ID: <9604031330.ZM13871




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" next week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
from Chap. 29.  Holy Thursday]

Holy Thursday dawn, Jesus said to Mary: "My Mother, the hour decreed by
My Father for the salvation of the human race has now arrived, and we must
subject our wills to His.  As My true Mother, give Me your permission to
enter upon My suffering and death.  Just as you consented of your own free
will to My Incarnation, so I now desire that you also consent to My death
on the Cross.  This sacrifice is the return which I ask of you for having
made you My Mother."

Mary, with sharp pain in her heart which she remember forever, lovingly
prostrated herself before Him and kissed His feet replying:
"My lord, I offer myself and resign myself, in order that in me, just
as in Thee, the will of the Eternal Father may be fulfilled.  The greatest
sacrifice that i can make is that I cannot die with Thee.  O my son and Lord,
give Thy afflicted Mother strength and courage.  Admit her as Thy companion
so that she may share Thy Passion and Cross and so that the Eternal Father
may receive the sacrifice of Thy Mother in union with Thine."

Jesus promised to secretly give Himself to her in Holy Communion when He
instituted it as the Most Blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood before
his death.  Jesus instructed Mary to bring the Holy Women with her to
Jerusalem so as to prepare them for the shock of His death.  Jesus also
told Mary when exacly He would first appear to her after His Resurrection.
Then with deep sorrow in His Sacred Heart and her Immaculate Heart, they
parted while at Jesus' command, Mary's guardian angels comforted her in this
overwhelming grief.

In the afternoon, Mary instructed the Holy Women so inspiringly on their way
to Jerusalem that they showed more courage and faithfulness to the Master
than His Apostles.  The converted Mary Magdalen resolved to be with the
Blessed Virgin much more than ever.

The women arrived at the hall where the Last Supper would take place and
Mary, upon seeing her Son, prostrated herself on the floor and adored Him.
Then Jesus told her that she and the Holy Women occupy an adjoining room.
Mary Magdalen sat opposite the Blessed Virgin Mary around a low table.
Mary saw in visions the events that went on in the hall where Jesus and
the Apostles were - As St. John reclined on Jesus' bosom, Jesus revealed
to him privately that he would be commissioned to take care of Mary;  Jesus
washing the feet of His Apostles including Judas.  Mary frequently urged
the women around her to persever in faith and prayer.

(exact qoute)
Then, knowing that the moment of her First Holy Communion was near, the
Mother of God became absorbed in meditation as she contemplated the sacred
drama of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist, in close spiritual union
with her Son's prayers and actions.  At the climax of this beautiful
and moving ceremony, immediately after the consecration, while Mary was
reverently adoring her divine Son in the Blessed Sacrament, in the presence
of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, Our Lord took a particle of the
consecrated bread and gave it to the invisible Archangel Gabriel, who
brought it to Mary without anyone else being aware of what was happening.
When she saw Gabriel approach, she humbly received her Eucharist
Lord with reverence and fear and joy, giving thanks to God with all her
heart.

Later, when Jesus was about to leave the Cenacle with the Apostles, Mary
rose and went to meet Him at the door.  Magdalen and another woman begged
Jesus not to go to the Mt. of Olives, for it was reported that He would be
arrested there.  The Master comforted them with a few words.  Then He came
face to face with His sorrowful Mother, who threw herself at His feet and
worshipped Him.

Looking down at her with divine majesty and also with the overflowing love
of a son, the Lord said to her: "My Mother, I shall be with you in
tribulation.
Let us accomplish the will of the Eternal Father and the salvation of men!"

Then, as Mary made a silent offering of her grieving heart to God, He gave
her His blessing, and stepping quickly pass her, He set out for Gethsemani.
(end qoute)


--
___  ___





*

Subject: [5]Passion of Christ against satan; Part 30 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/03
Message-ID: <9604031333.ZM13893




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" next week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================
[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
Chap.  30.  The Passion]

Our Blessed Virgin not only saw in visions everything that happen to her
Son during His Passion, she also experienced in her Immaculate Heart all
the hurt and sufferings.  Our Lord's Sacred Heart was consoled by His
Mother's love, prayers and in sharing the sacrifice with Him.

On the way to Mary Mark's place, the Blessed Virgin together with Magdalen
and other Holy Women met Lazarus, Nicodemus and Joseph Armathea and Mary
told the men that Judas' sudden departure from the Cenacle and her fear
that he would betray his Master, show that there are plans against Jesus
in the immediate future.  Actually, Mary had witnessed the plot by Judas
and the Pharisees in a vision.

Mary retired to a private room and prayed that she might be allowed to
feel all physical and spiritual pain and torture that Jesus was about to
undergo and the Holy Trinity granted her prayer.

Jesus, praying in the Garden of Gethsemani, acknowledged the grant by
mystically turning to her mother and they exchanged mutual sympathy and
encouragement.

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and Mary immediately interceded for the
conversion of Judas and the soldiers who arrested Him.  The soldiers accepted
the grace and later became christians but Mary wept over Judas' tragic fate
for refusing this grace.

In His Apostles' abandonment of Him, Mary was alone in her valiant faith,
holiness and worship of the Christian Church for she was the only one who
had perfect hope, love and adoration for the Incarnate Word.  For His
enemies' mistreatments and insults, she countered these with increase in
praise of the suffering Son of God thus making reparation for the
sacriligious
sins of evil men.

All the pains, blows, kicks and falls that Jesus experienced while being
dragged to the palace of the High Priest were experienced by His Blessed
Mother.

The procession of the guards with the captured Jesus passed by, and Mary
who came out with some friends, saw it and followed it.  These women received
insults from these men passing by while they cursed and slander Jesus.

The women followed the procession until they stopped at the house of Lazarus'
sister, Martha and this was where they all met with the curious neighbors
and messengers came to bring discouraging news.

In the hall of Jesus' first trial, John the Beloved Disciple gained
admittance
and when he heard Caiaphas declare that Jesus deserved death, he gave His
Master a compassionate look which meant, "Lord, You know why I am leaving."
So John brought the sad news to the Blessed Mother.

Mary and the Holy Women, upon hearing this distressing news, yearned to be
as close to their suffering Master and so they begged John to accompany them
to the judgement hall.

Mary Magdalen sobbed and wringed her hands in sorrow as they walked on the
moonlit streets.  The Blessed Virgin endured it all in silence while she
experienced all her Son's intense sufferings that occasionally, her
companions
had to support her in their arms.  Mary thanked a friendly group of folks
they met who greeted the Blessed Virgin with, "the most unhappy and afflicted
Mother of the Holy One of Israel".

Mary prayed with grieving heart for the wretched and cursing men that they
saw making the Cross of the condemned Criminal.

Mary saw the 3 denials of Peter and she prayed for him.  Peter earned the
grace of almost immediate repentance because of Mary's prayers.

Once the group settled behind the door of the judgement hall, Peter suddenly
rushed out weeping bitterly as he just saw the penetrating look that Jesus
gave him.  He couldn't stand the question that the Blessed Virgin asked
him, "O Simon, what about my Son?  What about Jesus?", so he turned away.

But Mary approached him and gently asked, "Simon, are you not going to
answer me?".  Then Peter exclaimed, "Mother, do not speak to me!  Your Son
is suffering cruelly.  They have condemned Him to death - and I have
shamefully denied Him three times!"  As John approached, Peter ran away and
went to a cave on Mount Olivet.  Because of his perfect contrition, Mary
obtained that God should soon forgive him, and she sent one of her angels
to console him invisibly.

John warned the Blessed Virgin that seeing her Son so defiled and disfigured
would break her heart.  But Mary bravely replied, "Let us follow my Son to
Pilate.  My eyes must see Him again."

The Blessed Virgin prayed for those hardhearted person she heard on the
street
who uttered curses and cruel remarks about the Redeemer.  Then at a sharp
turn in the street, Mary saw Jesus, all bruised, in ropes and staggering
along although He remained meek and silent.  In Mary's shock, she gasped,
"Is this my Son?  Oh Jesus, my Jesus!"  Then, she prostrated herself on the
ground and worshipped Him with more fervor than before to uplift His
desecrated Divinity.

At Pilate's palace, Mary witnessed the first Roman trial.  Quietly weeping
tears of blood due to the furious accusations thrown upon her Son, she
prayed to be with Him all throughout His Passion and that Pilate might find
Jesus innocent of such accusations.

A rumor spred that Pilate was trying to release Jesus and the Blessed Virgin
was torn between her motherly concern upon her Son and her complete surrender
to the Will of God.  Nevertheless, Pilate yielded to the accusations and he
let Barabbas free while commanded the scourging of the Galilean.

At the scourging, Mary fainted in the arms of her companions as Jesus turned
to Him, seemingly saying, "O My Mother, turn your eyes from Me!"

Nevertheless, for 45 minutes, our Lord was scourged by 3 successive Egyptian
slaves and the Mother of God felt on her body all the torture of the blows
with the same intensity as her Son's that sometimes low moans burst from
her lips.  With Christ, she offered up all this suffering to atone for
mankind's sins of sensuality.

After the scourging, Jesus was driven to the praetorioum for the crowning
with thorns and He wiped off the blood from His eyes in order to see His
afflicted Mother.  Mary gazed upon Him and His bloodstained footsteps then
she lifted her hands toward Him in agony.  Then the Blessed Virgin and
Magdalen knelt down before the pillar to which Jesus was scourged and
reverently soaked up all the Precious Blood of the Savior with some cloths.

Upon hearing the formal condemnation of death on the Cross, Mary prayed
and comforted John and 3 of her companions who had swooned away.

Mary asked John to bring her to a place where the carrying of the Cross
procession would pass by.  So at the entrance of a certain place they
went to, Mary knelt and prayed fervently then she turned to John saying,
"Shall I stay here?  Oh how can I bear it?"  John answered, "If you
do not stay, you will always bitterly regret it."

The carrying of the Cross procession approached and when Jesus saw with His
bloody deep-sunken eyes, the suffering Mother of God, He fell on His hands
and knees under the Cross He had carried, due to exhaustion.

The loving Mother rushed to her Son's side, forgetting about the guards,
and embraced Him lovingly and tenderly.

With the confusion that broke, John and the Holy Women tried to draw Mary
back, while an executioner remarked to her:
"If you had brought Him up better, He would not be here now."

When finally, the procession continued on towards Calvary, Mary prayed with
even greater fervor and God granted that in a few minutes, someone would be
asked to carry Jesus' Cross for Him.  Mary, John and their friends, all in
sorrow, followed the procession to Calvary.

---

The Blessed Virgin said to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"At the first blow (of the scourging), I feel as if dead, and on recovering
my senses, I beheld His Body, bruised and beaten to the very ribs, so that
His ribs could be seen.

"As my son was going to the place of His Passion, some men struck Him on
the back and others hit Him in the the face.  And He was struck so violently
and so brutally that although I did not see the person striking Him, I
distinctly heard the sounds of the blows."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: [6]Passion of Christ against satan; Part 31 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/03
Message-ID: <9604031336.ZM13907




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" next week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================
[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
from Chap. 31.  The Crucifixion]

[WARNING: all exact qoute with omission of some sections that
are TOO "graphic".]

As Described by the Mother of Sorrows to St. Bridget of Sweden.

"When I came with Him to the place of the Passion, I saw there all the
instruments prepared for His death.

"He was ordered to take off His robe, and He immediately did so.  And after
He had undressed Himself, the soldiers said to one another: 'These clothes
belong to us, because He who is condemned to death will not use them again.'
 ...

"When the first nail was driven into Him, through the shock of the first
blow, I lost consciousness and fell down as though dead.  Everything turned
black before my eyes.  My hands began to tremble.  And my anguish was so
bitter that I could not look up again until He was completely attached to
the Cross.

"When I came to myself and arose again, I saw my Son hanging crucified in
misery.  And I, His deeply grieving Mother, felt such a shock through
and through my whole being that I could hardly stand.

"I also heard men saying to one another that my Son was a robber, others
that He was a liar, and other that no one deserved death more than my Son
and when I heard such words, my grief was renewed.

"Now the crown of thorns, which covered half of His forhead was pressing
down onto His head so strongly that His blood was running down over His
face and filling His eyes, hair and beard.  His whole head seemed to be
nothing but one stream of blood, and in order to see me, as I stood by
the Cross, He had to press the blood away from His eyes by contracting
His lids and brows.

"Because I was very close to Him during His Passion and did not allow myself
to be separated from Him, for I stood right next to His Cross, and because
the nearer something is to the heart the keener is its stab, so His suffering
was more powerful to me than the others.  And when He looked down at me from
the Cross and I looked up at Him, tears streamed from my eyes like blood
from veins.  And when He saw me so overwhelmed with grief, my sorrow made
Him suffer so much that all the pains which He felt from His wounds were
surpassed by the sight of the grief in which He beheld me.  Therefore I
boldly assert that His suffering became my suffering, because His Heart
was mine.  And just as Adam and Eve sold the world for an apple, so in a
certain sense my Son and I redeemed the world with one Heart.

"While He was hanging there, bleeding and pierced with nails, He had
compassion for my suffering as I stood near Him, sobbing.  With His blood-
filled eyes He looked down at John and commended me to his care.

"Then after He had entrusted me to the care of His Beloved Disciple, He
saw me and His friends weeping inconsolably, and from the depth of His Heart
He cried out in an overpowering voice, raising His head and His tear-filled
eyes toward Heaven: 'My God, My God, why has Thou abandoned Me?'

"I was never able to forget that cry until my Assumption into Heaven.  And
yet He uttered it more out of compassion for me than because of His own
suffering.

"His Heart was still vigorous, for it was of the best and strongest quality.
At His birth He had acquired from my flesh an extraordinary pure body and an
excellent constitution.  His skin was so fine and delicate that the
slightest blow caused the blood to flow at once.  And His blood was so red
that it could be seen coursing under His clear skin.

"And because His constitution was so very excellent, now death struggled
fiercely with life in His pierced body.

...

"And yet, though He was in the midst of such suffering when He looked down
at His weeping friends who, rather than see Him suffer thus, would have
wished to undergo the same pains themselves, the sorrow which the suffering
of His friends caused Him was far greater than all the bitter pain which
He had to endure in His body and His Heart for He loved them tenderly.

"Then in the excessive anguish of His humanity He cried to His Father:
'Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit!'

"When I, His Most Sorrowful Mother, heard these words, in my keen grief
of heart all my limbs trembled - and indeed as often as I later thought
of that cry, I would hear it again in my ears.

"...Finally, His head dropped and His beard rested on His chest.

"Then my hands became numb.  Darkness appeared before my eyes.  My face
turned as white as a corpse.  My ears could no longer hear and I could not
utter a word.  My feet gave way.  And I sank to the ground.

"But when I arose again and saw my Son more despised than a person afflicted
with leprosy, I directed my will completely toward Him.  Then I fully
understood that everything had happened in accordance with His Will and that
it could not have happened unless He had permitted it.  And I thanked Him
for everything.  A certain joy was even mingled with my grief, for I
perceived how He, who had never sinned had willed to suffer so much for
sinners, out of His great love.

...

"Then some persons who were present said in a mocking way: 'Mary, your Son
is dead now.'

"Others, who were more considerate, said: 'Woman, now the agony of your Son
has come to an end in eternal glory.'

"And still others said: 'Though He is dead, He will rise again!'

"And while they were saying this, a man came up and drove a spear so
forcefully into His side that it almost came out on the other side.  And as
soon as he drew it out, its point was all red with blood.  The Heart of my
beloved Son was so violently and mercilessly pierced that the spear split
His Heart into two.

...
"When they lowered the body near the ground one supported it at the head and
the other at the feet.  But I, who was His Mother, held Him in the middle.
Then we three carried Him to a stone which I had covered with clean linens.

"All my Son's limbs had become stiff and cold in death, and the blood which
had flowed over them during His Passion adhered to them.  But I was indeed
consoled that I could touch His body and take Him onto my lap, examine His
wounds and dry up the blood.

...
"Then they laid Him out on some clean linen, and with my cloth I washed
His wounds and His limbs.  And with my fingers I closed His eyes and His
mouth which were open when He died.

"But I did not sew up the cloth, for I knew for sure that He would not
decay in the tomb.

"Then Magdalen and other Holy Women came up, and also there were many holy
angels present, like bright sunbeams, to render honor to their Creator.

"...I also rejoiced in my soul, because I knew that my Son would not die
again, but would live forever.  And thus some joy was mingled with my
sorrow.

"Then they placed Him in the tomb.

"Oh, how gladly would I have allowed them to entomb me alive with my Son,
if it had been His will!  I can truly say that when my Son was entombed,
there were two Hearts in one sepulcher.  Is there not the saying:'where
your treasure is, there is your heart?' Therefore my thoughts and my heart
were always in the Tomb of my Son.

"After all these things had been accomplished, the good John came and led
me to his house.

"So you see, my daughter, what my Son suffered for you.

"Consider therefore how great was my suffering at the Death of my Son, and
it will not be so hard for you to give up the world!"



--
___  ___





*

Subject: [1]Risen Christ; Part 32 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/08
Message-ID: <9604081359.ZM21622




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion of
our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" middle this week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
from Chap. 32.  The Resurrection]

At sunset on Good Friday, the Blessed Virgin, St. John and the Holy Women
returned to the Cenacle in Jerusalem.

In the hall of the Last Supper, Mary thanked them all for having remained
with her throughout the Passion of her Son.  Then she offered herself to all
the women as their lifelong servant and friend and they kissed her hands in
acknowledgement.  The he gave them the blessing they asked for.  The Holy
Women begged her to take some rest and food but Mary replied: "My rest and
consolation shall be to see my Son and Lord arisen from the dead.  Yet you,
my dear friends, must satisfy your needs, while I retire alone with my son
John."

Alone with John in her room, Mary fell on her knees and said to John: "Do not
forget the words which my Son spoke to us on the Cross.  You are my master
and
a priest of God.  Henceforth, all my joy shall be to serve you until my
death,
and my consolation shall be to obey you as my superior."  John humbly yielded
to her wishes then he left Mary who spent several hours in her room,
meditating
sadly on the Passion of her divine Son.

At about 4 o'clock in the morning of the Sabbath, St. John came to console
Mary.  Mary then asked thim to find Peter and bring him to see her.
Obliging,
St. John looked for the Apostles and he friendly greeted them and hoped for
their pardon for abandoning the Masater during His Passion.

Peter came to see Mary and falling at her feet with sobs of intense sorrow,
he said: "I have sinned, Lady.  I have sinned before my God, and I have
offended my Master and you!"  Mary knelt beside Him and said, "Let us ask
pardon for your guilt from my Son and your Master."

Mary prayed for Peter then she reminded him of Jesus' mercy and forgiveness
towards sinners and of his own obligation to be an example of strength in
faith being assigned the head of the Apostles.

Then the other Apostles wept and asked pardon from Mary.  The Mother of God
promised her intercession for their forgiveness and when the Apostles left
her,
they were more inflamed with new fervor and sthrength by new grace given to
them.

They felt special reverence to St. John for taking his stand at Calvary and
all throughout Christ's Passion.  Still, St. John humbly showed love and
kindness to them without putting himself any more special than the other
Apostles.

Throughout that Sabbath day, Mary and the Holy Women prayed, mourned and
fasted.  The Blessed Virgin saw in visions when the Lord went to Limbo and
took all the Patriarchs and souls with Him.  They all hovered above the Holy
City and when the company passed by the Cenacle where Mary was, He said to
them: "There is Mary, My Mother."

Early on the day the Lord's soul re-entered His body, the Blessed Virgin
experienced a mystical ecstacy which transmutted her grief and sorrow into
joy and bliss that St. John, upon entering her oratory, saw her transfigured.
Thus, he perceived that Jesus then arisen from the tomb.

The Redeemer, shining with brilliance of His divinity, immediately showed
Himself to His Blessed Mother, together with all the saints and patriarchs
of the Old Testament.  Mary prostrated herself on the ground and humbly
adored her resurrected Son.  Then Jesus gently raised her gave her a mystical
embrace.  Mary then heard a Voice: "My beloved, ascend higher!" and she was
given a profound and intimate vision of the Divinity moreover what she had
before.

Next, Mary turned to the Holy Patriarchs and the souls of the blessed.  Mary
saw her beloved parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim and her husband, St. Joseph.
They all together sang hymns of praise to the Lord until Jesus left them to
show Himself to Mary Magdalen.

Later, the Blessed Virgin listened quietly and humbly as Mary Magdalen told
her that she saw the risen Lord.  Mary strengthened their faith by qouting
some of the scriptural prophecies concerning the Resurrection of the Messias.

During the week that followed, the Apostles came to Mary complaining about
the disbelief of Thomas.  Mary calmed their anger by assuring them that
Thomas' hesitation and disbelief would in the end bring great benefit to
others and glory to God.  Mary told them to be hopeful and the Lord had
granted Mary's prayers when Jesus enlightened Thomas by letting him touch
His wounds.





--
___  ___





*

Subject: [2]Risen Christ; Part 33 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/08
Message-ID: <9604081402.ZM21627




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



Please note that for this Holy Week, I'll be skipping chapters/parts
19 thru 25 on the "Life of Mary" series to jump to chapter/part
26 in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord.  These parts 26 thru
33 are still from the same book but is more focused on the Passion and
Resurrection of our Lord.


I'll continue with "regular programming" middle this week, starting right back
on chapter/part 19.

-Marida

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================


[from the book:
  The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
 Chap.  33.  The Ascension]

The Blessed Virgin remained in seclusion in the Cenacle during the 40 days
between the Resurrection and the Ascension.

She spent these days in prayer and contemplation particularly praying for
St. Peter as the head of the Church and St. John as her adopted Son.

While Mary was meditating a few days before the Ascension, the Blessed
Trinity said to her: "Beloved, ascend higher!"

God the Father declared: "My Daughter, I entrust and consign to you the
Church founded by My only-begotten Son, the new Law of Grace which He has
established in the world and the people which He has redeemed."

Next was the Holy Spirit, who said: "My Spouse, I communicated to you My
Wisdom, and in  your heart shall be deposited the mysteries and teachings
and all that the Incarnate Word has accomplished in the Word."

Then the Son announced to her: "My beloved Mother, I go to My Father and I
leave you in My stead.  I charge you with the care of My Church.  I commend
its children and My brethren to you as the Father has consigned them to Me."

Finally, the Holy Trinity made the declaration about the Blessed Virgin as:
"This is the Protectress of the Church and the Intercessor of the faithful.
In her are contained all the mysteries of Our Omnipotence for the salvation
of mankind.  Whoever shall call upon her from his heart and obtain her
intercession, shall secure for himself eternal life.  What she asks of Us
shall be granted."

The Blessed Virgin felt even more humility on top of this exaltation given
to her by the Holy Trinity.  Thus, the Mother of God was given these gifts
in love and care for the Mystical Body of Jesus and its members until the
end of times.

Everyone knew that the Resurrected Jesus would soon leave them but only Mary
knew it would be the day after that night when a grand festival meal and
celebration was held in the Cenacle.

After the meal, Jesus said: "It is now time that as true and faithful
disciples you become teachers of the Faith to all men.  I am about to ascend
to My Father.  But I leave with you in My stead, My own Mother as your
Protectress, Consoler, and Advocate, and as your Mother whom you are to hear
and obey in all things.  He who knows My Mother knows Me.  He who hears her
hears Me.  And who honors her honors Me.

"As a supremed head of the Church, you will have Peter, for I leave him as
My Vicar, and you shall obey him as the chief High Priest."

The Son of God left the Cenacle accompanied by His Mother, the 11 Apostles,
the Holy Women and about 100 disciples, for the the Mt. of Olives.

Reaching the top of the hill, the Blessed Virgin knelt before Jesus and
requested that He give them all His last blessing.  Thus, the Savior raised
His right arm and gave His blessing upon mankind on all 4 compass-points of
the world.

Then He raised His hand and turned His gazed toward Heaven.  When His
body shone luminously while His wounds were brightest, a multicolored circle
descended from the heavens and enveloped His body.  Then His whole transfigured
Body rose higher while its luminousity increased and His white garments
shimmered.  Everyone was awed while they gazed after Him until a cloud took
Him out of their sight.

Even when the light became normal in the surroundings, the crowd who just
witnessed such a spectacle stared at the sky until they heard a voice.  It
came from two angels in the form of young men dressed in white, each with a
staff in his hand and they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking
up to heaven?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you to heaven, will
come in the same ways as you have seen Him going up to Heaven" and they both
vanished.

After remaining silent for a few moments, they finally come to realized that
the Savior had just returned to His Father in Heaven.  Except for Mary, Peter
and John who remained serene and calm, everyone else had mixed feelings of
grief, broken-heartedness, silence and meditation and others still were
skeptical about the truth of what they just witnessed.

After a while the crowd dispersed with a change of heart and they comprehended
that although their Savior now occupied His throne at the right hand of His
Father, He would watch over them and be always with them as He promised.

The disciples assembled in the Cenacle again later that day.  Everyone keenly
missed Jesus and they observed that the Blessed Virgin was perfectly calm and
confident.  Thus they remembered what Jesus told them and that was to turn to
His Mother for protection in times of trouble.  The disciples then came to
Mary for inspiration and encouragement.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: The SAVIOR's Ascension
Date: 1997/05/04
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19970504181026.0070ae08@popd.ix.netcom.com>

X-Sender: MDMiguel@popd.ix.netcom.com
Comments: ********************************************************
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic




THE ASCENSION

>A chapter from the book:
   The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
   ISBN: 0-89555-436-4
   Nihil Obstat: John A. Schulien, S.T.D.
             Censor Librorium
   Imprimatur: Moses E. Kiley
           Archbishop of Milwaukee


[from Chap.  33.  The Ascension]

The Blessed Virgin remained in seclusion in the Cenacle during the 40 days
between the Resurrection and the Ascension.

She spent these days in prayer and contemplation particularly praying for
St. Peter as the head of the Church and St. John as her adopted Son.

While Mary was meditating a few days before the Ascension, the Blessed
Trinity said to her: "Beloved, ascend higher!"

God the Father declared: "My Daughter, I entrust and consign to you the
Church founded by My only-begotten Son, the new Law of Grace which He has
established in the world and the people which He has redeemed."

Next was the Holy Spirit, who said: "My Spouse, I communicated to you My
Wisdom, and in  your heart shall be deposited the mysteries and teachings
and all that the Incarnate Word has accomplished in the Word."

Then the Son announced to her: "My beloved Mother, I go to My Father and I
leave you in My stead.  I charge you with the care of My Church.  I commend
its children and My brethren to you as the Father has consigned them to Me."

Finally, the Holy Trinity made the declaration about the Blessed Virgin as:
"This is the Protectress of the Church and the Intercessor of the faithful.
In her are contained all the mysteries of Our Omnipotence for the salvation
of mankind.  Whoever shall call upon her from his heart and obtain her
intercession, shall secure for himself eternal life.  What she asks of Us
shall be granted."

The Blessed Virgin felt even more humility on top of this exaltation given
to her by the Holy Trinity.  Thus, the Mother of God was given these gifts
in love and care for the Mystical Body of Jesus and its members until the
end of times.

Everyone knew that the Resurrected Jesus would soon leave them but only Mary
knew it would be the day after that night when a grand festival meal and
celebration was held in the Cenacle.

After the meal, Jesus said: "It is now time that as true and faithful
disciples you become teachers of the Faith to all men.  I am about to ascend
to My Father.  But I leave with you in My stead, My own Mother as your
Protectress, Consoler, and Advocate, and as your Mother whom you are to hear
and obey in all things.  He who knows My Mother knows Me.  He who hears her
hears Me.  And who honors her honors Me.

"As a supremed head of the Church, you will have Peter, for I leave him as
My Vicar, and you shall obey him as the chief High Priest."

The Son of God left the Cenacle accompanied by His Mother, the 11 Apostles,
the Holy Women and about 100 disciples, for the the Mt. of Olives.

Reaching the top of the hill, the Blessed Virgin knelt before Jesus and
requested that He give them all His last blessing.  Thus, the Savior raised
His right arm and gave His blessing upon mankind on all 4 compass-points of
the world.

Then He raised His hand and turned His gazed toward Heaven.  When His
body shone luminously while His wounds were brightest, a multicolored circle
descended from the heavens and enveloped His body.  Then His whole transfigured
Body rose higher while its luminousity increased and His white garments
shimmered.  Everyone was awed while they gazed after Him until a cloud took
Him out of their sight.

Even when the light became normal in the surroundings, the crowd who just
witnessed such a spectacle stared at the sky until they heard a voice.  It
came from two angels in the form of young men dressed in white, each with a
staff in his hand and they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking
up to heaven?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you to heaven, will
come in the same ways as you have seen Him going up to Heaven" and they both
vanished.

After remaining silent for a few moments, they finally come to realized that
the Savior had just returned to His Father in Heaven.  Except for Mary, Peter
and John who remained serene and calm, everyone else had mixed feelings of
grief, broken-heartedness, silence and meditation and others still were
skeptical about the truth of what they just witnessed.

After a while the crowd dispersed with a change of heart and they comprehended
that although their Savior now occupied His throne at the right hand of His
Father, He would watch over them and be always with them as He promised.

The disciples assembled in the Cenacle again later that day.  Everyone keenly
missed Jesus and they observed that the Blessed Virgin was perfectly calm and
confident.  Thus they remembered what Jesus told them and that was to turn to
His Mother for protection in times of trouble.  The disciples then came to
Mary for inspiration and encouragement.


---
___  ___





*                         http://www.netcom.com/~mdmiguel/simonpure.html



Subject: Part 34 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/05/08
Message-ID: <9605080956.ZM19844




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic




=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap.  34.  Pentecost and the Early Church - 1

During the Ascension of Christ, with God's will and power, Mary's soul was
raised with her Divine Son in Heaven.  There, God gave Mary two choices:
Remain in Heaven then or return to the world to guide and assist the new
Church.  Mary saw the pitiful and bewildered condition of the Apostles just
after the Lord's Ascension and so prostrating herself before the Blessed
Trinity and with deep compassion for the Apostles and all of mankind, she
said:
"Eternal God, I accept this task, and for the time being I renounce the
peace and the joy of Thy presence.  I sacrifice it to further the love which
Thou hast for men.  Accept this sacrifice, my Lord, and let faith in Thee
be spread, and let Thy holy Church be enlarged!"
Thus in her own free choice, Mary returned to earth to help in founding the
Church Militant.

In the next 9 days prior to the Pentecost, Mary retreated in the Cenacle with
the Apostles.  She prepared with them for the coming of the Holy Spirit by
explaining for one hour to each of the Apostles the great mysteries of the
Christian religion as Jesus taught her before.  The Apostles gradually
realized that their Master left them an ideal guide in His modest and holy
Mother.  Mary and the Apostles were united in heart, soul and mind during
this 9-day novena.

About 120 people, comprised by the Apostles, disciples and Holy Women
together with Mary, gathered very early on Pentecost morning.  They did not
know how the Holy Spirit of God would manifest Itself to them.  Mary and
the Apostles stayed in the Last Supper hall while the disciples and Holy
Women stayed in the other rooms of the Cenacle.  They all engaged in fervent
prayers and soon all the rooms were filled with silence.

(exact qoute follows)
Toward dawn, yet before sunrise, a luminous silvery cloud descended from
Heaven and covered the entire city of Jerusalem, particularly Mt. Sion and
the Cenacle, over which an enormous mass of light seemed to condense and
become transparent, like a sun throwing out its flames in all directions.
Suddenly the sound of a violent wind arose, as though a cyclone were
approaching from above and the air resounded with a tremendous roaring that
filled the whole house.  Then this disturbance gave way to a display of light
a soft murmur, and a warm, healing breeze.  From out of the cloud appeared
rays which intercrossed seven times a fiery rainbow and fell like burning
drops onto the Cenacle.

At this moment, the building and everything in it was flooded with a dazzling
light.  The Apostles and especially the Blessed Virgin seemed to be blazing
with a mystical transparent luminosity.  In the rapture of their ecstasy,
they simultaneously raised their heads and opened their mouths as though
thirsting for heavenly grace.  Then into each mouth there fell a jet of fire,
a small parted tongue of live flame of varying degrees of intensity and
color, in which the Holy Spirit came to them, filling each person with
divine inspiration and grace and wisdom.

In the holy Mother of God these effects were altogether supernatural.  She
was utterly transformed and exalted in God.

The Apostles were also filled with a marvelous increase of grace, which they
were never to lose.  Into all of them, according to each individual's
condition, were infused the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost: Wisdom, Understanding,
Knowledge, Piety, Counsel, Fortitude and Fear.  By this wonderful blessing,
the 12 were transformed into truly apostolic founders and missionaries of
the Church of Christ. (end qoute)

Within that day after the Pentecost nearly 3,000 people heard the word and
were converted by the Apostles while the Blessed Virgin stayed in her room
in the Cenacle and prayed for this.

St. Peter introduced the new converts to the Mother of God as he said: "My
brethren, this is the Mother of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, whose faith you
have received.  She bore Him, remaining a Virgin before, during and after His
birth.  Receive her as your Mother and Intercessor, for through her we shall
receive light, guidance and release from our sins and miseries.

Mary also revealed and instructed the new converts on the mysteries of this
new religion and she became a good example to the women in the practice of
charity to the poor and sick.

On the 7th day after the Pentecost, there were 5,000 additional new converts
and Mary prayed to her divine Son that all of them might receive the
purifying Sacrament of Baptism and celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass by the Apostles in order that the Bread of Life might be distributed to
these new children of the Church.  And the Lord said to her: "My beloved Dove
let what thou wishest be done."



--
___  ___





*


Subject: Part 35 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/05/15
Message-ID: <9605151353.ZM15746




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic




=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 35.  Mary's Last Years

Mary grew thin and pale in the last 15 years of her life after the Ascension
because she slept only about half an hour each night and only ate meals
consisting of just plain bread and occasionally a little fish.  Yet she
remained beautiful and without signs of aging since she reached the age
of 33.

The Virgin grew in gravity and only smiled occasionally.  She usually wore
a simple white robe and veil and when she regularly went on pilgrimage to
the Way of the Cross, she wore a black veil.

St. John and Mary were cautioned by the Lord to flee from the Holy City
since Christians were about to be persecuted there.  He also said that they
should stay in Ephesus instead of St. John's first decision of going to
Asia Minor.

They traveled on ship northwarad across the Mediterranean sea and upon
reaching Ephesus, St. John and Mary settled in an isolated home of some
poor women.  The Blessed Virgn continued to pray for the Christians
persecuted by Herod in the Holy Land.

St. James, in missionary work, passed by Ephesus and Mary encouraged him
in strength to face his approaching death in Jerusalem.  She requested that
he intercede for the Church once he reached Heaven.

The brother of St. John, St. James, was special to Mary due to his
extraordinary generosity and fervor of which led him to extensive missionary
journies.  He was also the first Apostle to suffer martyrdom.  His missionary
route went from Jerusalem, Granada, Spain, Saragossa then back to Jerusalem
where he was martyred.  Within this missionary route, the Blessed Virgin
saved him once from execution in Granada and she again appeared to him in
Saragossa to tell him that God wanted a shrine in her name be built there.

Back in Jerusalem, St. Jamaes preached fearlessly until he was arrested.
He prayed fervently for Mary's help and before he was beheaded, Mary
appeared to him with her angels.  St. James said, "Mother of my Lord, I beg
you to offer the sacrifice of my life to your Son!"

Mary accompanied the soul of the first martyred Apostle to Heaven and God
said to her: "My Daughter, for the exaltation of My Holy Name, for thy
glory and for the benefit of mortals, I now give thee My royal word that
if men, at the hour of their death, call upon thee with affection, like my
servant James, I will look upon them with fatherly mercy."

Meanwhile, St. Peter was also arrested by the Christian persecutors.
>From Ephesus, Mary saw this in a vision and she prayed for his acquittal.
The Lord finally instructed Mary to cast to Hell all the devils that were
causing hatred towards Christians in Jerusalem and because of Herod's
hardheartedness and injustice, He was stricken with death by God.  St. Peter
was freed.

The Blessed Virgin converted some people in Ephesus and she prayed specially
for the pagan priestesses of the Temple of Diana.  Mary succeeded and
brought 9 of them to the belief in the only One True God.

St. John and Mary went back to Jerusalem in a 14-day trip with which the
devils tried in vain to sink the boat until Jesus appeared and calmed the
sea in response to Mary's prayers.  St. John and the Blessed Virgin came
back because of Peter's request in a letter that He needed the Blessed
Virgin's help in deciding on applying the Law of Moses to the Gentile
converts.

Mary went first to the Cenacle in spite of her desire to go on pilgrimage
to the Way of the Cross.  She met St. Paul and St. Barnabas who both thanked
her for interceding in prayers for their conversion, as what Jesus told them.
The Mother of God knelt and kissed St. Paul's hand and he was given mystical
insight into Mary's role in the Church of Christ.

Mary attended the first meeting of the Apostles upon St. Peter's request and
He announced that they should pray for 10 days such that the Holy Spirit
might help them in this difficult decision at hand.  During these 10 days,
the Mother of God retired in her room without eating and speaking to anyone.

On the 10th day, the council decided not to impose the ancient Jewish
practices on the Gentile Converts.

(exact quote follows)
Later, when Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in turn began to write the Gospels,
the Blessed Virgin not only prayed for them, but also appeared to each and
requested him not to mention her except when absolutely necessary.  Only
St. Luke received her permission to write somewhat more freely about her,
and he drew much of his information from her direct inspiration.  Even when
St. John wrote his Gospel some years after Mary's death, she appeared to him
and told him that it was still not opportune for him to reveal the mysteries
which he knew concerning her part in the plan of the Redemption, in order
that many of the new Christians who had been idolators should not make a
goddess of the Holy Mother of God. (end qoute)

After the first historic council, the Apostles and disciples left Jerusalem.
Mary gave St. Paul and St. Barnabus some relics as what she gave to Peter
and the other Apostles before their journey.

Mary watched over the Apostles and disciples in their preaching and sometimes
she appeared to them or send her angels to warn them of dangers so they could
go alternative ways.

Mary wrote letters to the Apostles and in the Apostles' prayers, she
sometimes appeared to them.  She appeared to St. Peter when he was in Antioch
then also when he was in Rome.

The Apostles celebrated Mass in different parts of the world they were in
and the Blessed Virgin helped prepared the items and materials needed for the
celebration.

The Blessed Virgin had not forgotten her charity to the poor and the sick in
Jerusalem.

Satan observed all the marvels and conversions that the Blessed Virgin had
accomplished and he planned to destroy her by one concerted attack.  There
was an intense spiritual battle and God gave Lucifer a vision of the Blessed
Mother as "a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet,
and upon her head was a crown of twelve stars".  This put forth the devils'
defeat and the Savior said to the Blessed Virgin: "My Beloved, thou hast
given Me human form.  Thou hast followed and imitated Me above all My
creatures.  Be thou therefore the protectress of My Church.  Command the
infernal dragon that as long as thou shalt live in the Church, he shall not
sow the seed of error and heresy, for during the days of thy life and desire
that the Church derive this advantage from thy presence."

As the Blessed Virgin commanded, "that great dragon was cast down to the
earth, and with him his angels..."

Mary realized that her attention was being divided between attachment to
the Church of mankind and longing to be with God in Heaven.  God resolved
this dilemma by allowing Mary to receive mystical wisdom and unity of her
mind, heart and soul to God even while she continued her work in the Church.

The Blessed Virgin performed acts of mortification in reparation for all the
insults given to Jesus during His Passion, while she devoutly went on
pilgrimages and prayers to the Way of the Cross.

St. John celebrataed Mass and the Blessed Virgin received the Holy Communion
every day then she would retire to her room in meditation and prayers that
sometimes St. John witnessed rays of light dart from the Mother of God's
body.

Mary's longing to be liberated from her mortal life so as to be with God in
Heaven increased even more.  Being an invaluable guide to the Church was the
only reason that the Lord had not taken her to Heaven even though she merited
it greatly.

To make her persevere in staying, the Lord had given her special grace of
celebrating the Resurrection in a mystical way every Sunday as well as
intimate union with Him upon receiving the Holy Eucharist by manifesting
Himself to her in resplendent Human form everyday.

The Mother of God commemorated all the great feast days: Annunciation,
Nativity, Incarnation, the Redemption which has since been instituted by the
Church.  Every year on the Ascension feast day, the Lord asked Mary if she
would want to remain on earth and she humbly answered each time: only if it
was the Will of God.
---

The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"After the Ascension of my Son, I still lived a long time in the world.
Such was the Will of God, in order that by seeing my patience and my conduct,
many more souls might be converted to Him, and in order that the Apostles
and other elect souls of God might be strengthened.  Also the natural
constitution of my being required that I should live longer and that thereby
my crown might be increased.

"During all the time that I lived after my Son's Ascension, I visited the
places where He had suffered and where He had performed His miracles.  Thus,
the memory of His Passion became so imprinted on my heart that it ever
remained quite fresh in my mind, whether I happened to be eating or working.

"My senses were so completely withdrawn from worldly things that I constantly
alternated between new supernatural yearnings and sorrows.  Yet I controlled
my grief and my joy in such a way that I did not neglect any of my duties
toward God.  My way of life among people was such that apart from my scanty
meals, I paid no attention to what human beings thought of me or expected me
to do."


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 36 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/05/17
Message-ID: <9605171025.ZM18654@rs743.tr.comm.mot.com>
sender: Free Catholic Mailing List <CATHOLIC@AMERICAN.EDU>
comments: ********************************************************
content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
mime-version: 1.0
newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
x-mailer: Z-Mail (3.2.1 15feb95)



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 36. The Dormition

After her 60th birthday, the Holy Trinity, wishing to reward the Blessed
Virgin's perfect generosity in doing the will of God throughout her life,
sent Archangel Gabriel to reveal to her when she was destined to die.

While Mary was praying prostrated in the form of a cross on the floor of
her oratory, the Archangel Gabriel, with many other angels came.  When
Mary saw them, Gabriel greeted her with: "The Lord sends us to announce to
thee in His name the happy end of thy pilgrimage upon earth.  Exactly 3
years from today, thou shalt be taken up and received into the everlasting
joy of Heaven.

The Blessed Virgin replied gratefully: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to they word."

Mary kept this secret but she incresed her devotion more than ever.  She
wrote more inspiring words to the Apostles to strengthen them and zealously
instruct new converts on the teachings of the new Church.

Mary told her secret to St. John a few days later after its announcement
as: "My son and master, in His condescending mercy, the Lord has revealed to
me that there remain only 3 more years until my passage into eternal life.
I beseech you, my son, to help me during this short space of time to give
the Almighty some return for the immense blessings which I have received
from His generous love.  And from the bottom of my heart I beseech you to
pray for me."

Unable to restrain his tears, John answered: "My Mother and my Lady, help
your poor child who is going to be left an orphan..."

Mary consoled his stricken heart by assuring him that she would remain his
Mother and Advocatae in Heaven.

St. John was only permitted to reveal the secret to St. James the Less, the
other Apostles and disciples received by divine inspiration that the Mother
of their Savior would not be with them much longer.

(exact qoute follows)
In fact, Almighty God filled the whole of creation with a mysterious sorrow
over the prospective death of its Queen.  The light of the sun and stars
and planets lost some of its brightness during the last days of her life.
The birds of the air seemed to be especially affected, for often in the
presence of St. John, they surrounded Mary's oratory in great numbers and
sang sorrowful notes until she ordered them to praise their Creator with
joy as usual.  And once while she was visiting the holy places, some wild
animals from the hills around Jerusalem came up to her, bowed their heads,
and uttered mournful sounds.

St. John became so grief-stricken that often he was unable to hide his
sorrow.  Several times some of the Holy Women saw him weeping and in the end
- for the Lord did not wish to take Hiis Mother from them without warning -
they persuaded John to disclose to them the cause of his grief.  Thus the
tragic impending loss of the Church eventually became known to Mary's
closest friends, who henceforth begged her to take them with her or not to
forget them in Heaven. (end qoute)

Mary again increased her charity towards the poor and interceded for those
who needed strength or any help in the Church.

She promised the members of the Church, all the poor and new converts that
she would continue to help all Christians until the end of time.

The Lord visited His Mother often during the last days before her death, to
console her and assuring her that He would soon place her on a royal throne
in Heaven.

When the 3 years were nearly over, the Blessed Virgin asked St. John's
permission to visit the holy places for the last time.  She sorrowfully went
along the Way of the Cross, and stayed long on Calvary that she would have
died then and there due to weakness if she had not been sustained by divine
power.  The Savior appeared to her and said: "My Mother and Helper in the
work of human Redemption, I promise thee that I shall be most liberal with
men.  In Heaven thou shalt be their Mediatrix and Advocate.  And I shall

bestow My mercy on all those who obtain thy intercession."

Then He gave her His blessing upon her request before He went back to Heaven
She was so weak while St. John led her back to the Cenacle that he decided
to prepare a tomb for her.  Mary herself selected a grotto in the valley
near the Garden of Gethsemani.

Alone in her oratory, the Mother of God sadly but gratefully bade a last
farewell in a prayer to the Church which she dearly loved and served as the
Mystical Body of Christ.

Then the Blessed Virgin, in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, made her
humble last will and testament as: "Highest Lord, Father, Son and Holy Ghost
of the goods of mortal life and of the world, I posses none that I can leave
for I have never possessed or loved anything besides Thee.  Two tunics and
a cloak, I leave to John for disposal.  My body I ask the earth to receive
again.  My soul I resign into Thy hands, O my God.  My merits I leave to the
Holy Church.  I offer these merits for the Apostles and priests of the
present and future ages and for all those who turn to me in order to obtain
Thy protection.  From this hour, I desire to continue my prayers for all the
sinning children of Adam as long as the world shall last."

The Mother of God's last will was ratified by the Savior as: "Let it be done
as thou wishest and ordainest."

The Blessed Virgin added, after thanking the Lord, that the Apostles might
be present at her death, such that they might give her their blessings and
prayers for her.  Jesus replied that all of them are on their way to back to
Jerusalem as He sent angels to tell them of the Blessed Virgin's impending
death.

On the morning of Mary's death, all the Apostles, disciples and the Holy
Women were present around her in the Cenacle.  The Mother of God was as poor
humble and lovely as ever while a celestial light seemed to enfold her.

Mary knelt and kissed St. Peter's feet then she asked each of the Apostles'
blessing and each gave it to her with sad farewell.  The Blessed Virgin
asked St. John to give her few clothes to a servant and a poor girl who
often helped her.

Then Mary said to everyone present: "Dearest children, I have loved you with
that tender love and charity which was given to me by my divine Son, whom I
have seen in you, His chosen friends.  My children, love the Church and love
one another."

Turning reverently to St. Peter, Mary said: "I commend my son John and all
the rest to thee, Peter."

And again to all: "I promise you that in Heaven, I will ever look upon you
as a Mother."

Everyone was weeping as Mary finished speaking.  Then she asked everyone to
pray with her and for her in silence while St. Peter celebrated Mass at a
small altar in an adjoining room.

Absorbed in her contemplation, Mary saw Jesus accompanied by many saints
and angels and so she prostrated herself before Him and kissed His feet -
her last and most intense act of faith, love and humility in all her life.

Jesus blessed her and said to her: "My dearest Mother, the hour has come in
which thou art to pass into the glory of My Father.  And since, by My power
and as My Mother, I have caused thee to enter the world exempt from sin,
therefore also death shall have no right to touch thee at thy exit from this
world.  If thou wishest not to pass through it, come with Me now to partake
of My glory, which thou hast merited."

Mary replied joyfully: "My Son and my Lord, Thou didst suffer death without
being obliged to do so.  It is proper therefore that as I have tried to
follow Thee in life, so I follow Thee also in death."

And so Jesus aproved her last, generous sacrifice.

While the angels softly sang verses of the Canticles of Canticles, St. Peter
gave Mary her last Holy Communion then annointed her with the oils of
Extreme Unction.

Then the presence of the Lord was revealed to the Apostles and the singing
of the angels were heard by many while the Cenacle was filled with marvelous
light and fragrance that everyone perceived.

(exact qoute follows)
Now the Mother of God had reclined on her couch.  Her plain mantle and tunic
were neatly folded about her.  Joining her hands in prayer, she kept her
eyes fixed on her divine and glorious Son.  The intensity of her love for
Him and the fervor of her longing to be with Him completely transfigured her
radiant features.  She seemed to become utterly inflamed with the fire of
her seraphic charity.  On her beautiful face appeared an expression of
heavenly joy, and her lips parted in the sweet, gently smile of her youth.

Then, while a number of cherubic little angels hovered about her, and the
choir of angels and archangels were singing the verses of the Canticle:
"Behold, my beloved speaketh to me: 'Arise, make haste, my love, my dove,
my beautiful one, come, the winter has passed...' ",  Mary whispered:
"Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."

Then the eyes of the Mother of God gently closed and her soul, without
effort, left her body.

She died of love. (end qoute)

---

The Blessed Virgin to Ven. Mother Mary of Agreda:
"My daughter, I wish to inform thee of another privilege which was conceded
to me in the hour of my glorious Transition.  It was this: that all those
devoted to me who shall call upon me at the hour of death, making me their
Advocate in memory of my happy Transition and of my desiring to imitate my
divine Son in death, shall be under my special protection in that hour and
shall experience my intercession.

"And since death follows upon life and ordinarily corresponds with it, the
surest pledge of a good death is a good life, a life in which the heart is
freed and detached from earthly love."


--
___  ___
(__ \/   ) His Peace through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,  Marida
* )XxXx/
*   |  /   "Human-kind: Where protection of valuable life starts and
*  ) /    takes off."
*  \/     Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..."
*


From: Marida Ignacio <maridai@TR.COMM.MOT.COM>
Subject: Part 37 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/05/20
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  The last and final chapter from the book is here.

  This is as a tribute to Mary's Month that I end it
  in this week of May.  I hope you've enjoyed the series
  and here now is Mama Mary's Assumption and Coronation.

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 37.  The Assumption and Crowning

The Apostles, disciples and the Holy Women present realized that the Mother
of God had indeed left them that they felt intense sorrow and for some time
they prayed and wept silently.  Then they arose and sang hymns in honor of
their departed Queen.

The radiant body of the Blessed Virgin was surrounded by her thousand
invisible angels.

Two servants were instructed to annoint and wrap her body in a shroud but
this did not take place because a supernatural light surrounded her body
that it could not be seen.  St. Peter and St. John was summoned back to the
room and they heard angels singing: "A Virgin before the Nativity, during
the Nativity, and after the Nativity..." then they heard a Voice said:
"Let not this virginal body be touched!"

Thus, they carefully placed her light body in a plain wooden bier by
lifting her up at the ends of her robe.  Then around the bier, they lit
numerous candles which stayed lit without being consumed.

The procession from the Cenacle to the tomb in the valley of Josaphat, near
the Garden of Gethsamani, was accompanied by all Christians, as well as
invisible angels, patriarchs, prophets and saints.  Numerous miraculous
cures and conversions of Jewish and Gentile onlookers took place and people
perceived delicious fragrance and heavenly music following the passage of
her remains.

After the entombment, the mourners gradually dispersed except for the
Apostles and Holy Women who remained watching and praying before the closed
sepulcher wherein singing of angels continued to be heard.

In Heaven, the Lord conducted His Mother's pure soul at His right hand then
He said before the Blessed Trinity: "Eternal Father, it is right that to My
Mother be given the reward of a Mother.  And since during all her life and
in all her works she was as like to Me as it is possible for a creature to
be, let her also be like to Me in glory and on the throne of Our Majesty."

God the Father approved this decree and so the Blessed Virgin's soul was
raised to the right hand of her divine Son and placed beside the throne of
the Holy Trinity.

The Lord then accompanied His Mother's soul to the sepulcher of her body and
her soul re-entered her body.

>From the tomb to Heaven, a triumphant procession preceded by angels, saints,
patriarchs...comprised the Assumption.  When the Lord with His Mother at His
right side were back in Heaven, all angels seemingly chanted: "Who is this
that cometh up from the desert, flowing with delight, leaning upon her
Beloved?"

The Blessed Virgin, attired in a marvelous, sparkling robe, was welcomed by
the Blessed Trinity with a mystical embrace.

Then the Eternal Father announced to all those in Heaven: "Our Daughter Mary
has been chosen by Our will from among all creatures as the first in Our
favor and she has never fallen from the position of a true Daughter.
Therefore, she has a claim to Our Kingdom of which she is to acknowledge.
I crown thee lawful sovereign Queen.

The Incarnate Word declared: "To My true and natural Mother belong all the
creatures that I have created and redeemed.  And of all things over which I
am King, she too shall be the rightful Queen."

Then the Holy Ghost said: "By the title of My only chosen Spouse, to which
she has faithfully corresponded, the crown of Queen is also due to her for
all eternity."

During the Queen's Coronation, a Voice from the throne said: "Our Beloved
and Chosen One among creature, Our Kingdom is yours.  You are the Queen and
Sovereign of the Seraphim and of all ministering angels and of all the
created universe.  We give you power, majesty, and dominion over it.  While
filled with grace beyond all others, you humbled yourself to the lowest
place in your own estimation.  Receive now the supreme honor which you
deserve, and participate in the sovereign power exercised by the Divinity
over all that Our Omnipotence has created.  From your royal throne you shall
rule over Hell and earth and nature.  Our own will shall ever be ready to
accomplish your will.  You shall be the Protectress, Advocate and Mother of
the Church Militant.  Whenever any of the children of Adam call upon you
from their hearts or serve you, you shall relieve them and help them in
their labors and necessities.  You shall be the Friend and Defender of the
just and of Our friend.  All of them you shall comfort, console, and fill
with blessings according to their devotion to you.  Therefore We make you
the treasury of all Our graces.  In you hands, We place the distribution of
Our grace and blessings.  For We wish nothing to be given to the world that
does not pass through your hands.  And We will refuse nothing that you wish
to grant.  Whatever is Ours shall be yours, just as you have ever been Ours.
And you shall reign with Us forever."

All inhabitants of the Kingdom of Heaven, in compliance to this decree, paid
homage and obedience to their glorious new Queen and Sovereign.  These
included St. Ann, St. Joachim and St. Joseph who were so joyous of the
righteous merits that Mary received.

Meanwhile...
St. Peter and St. John, who were still praying outside the sepulcher with
others, noticed that the heavenly music from inside ceased and the Holy
Spirit enlightened them to guess that the Blessed Virgin's body was taken up
to Heaven.

They debated whether to open up the tomb which they finally did upon consent
to St. Thomas's tears and begging, for having missed the funeral since he
just arrived from the Orient.

And so the three Apostles found out that the Blessed Virgin's body was not
there any longer and all that was left was her robe and mantle.  St. Peter
announced this to those outside and everyone wept joyous tears upon the
realization that their Mother of God was given this special privilege.
St. Peter carefully folded her mantle and robe and took them with him.

After singing hymns of praise to the Lord and His Mother, they closed the
sepulcher.  Having stood in silence while gazing at the sepulcher, an angel
appeared to them and said:
"Men of Galilee, why do you tarry here? Your Queen and ours is now living
body and soul in Heaven and reigning in it forever with Christ.  She has
sent me to confirm you in this truth.  And she recommends to you again the
Church, the conversion of souls and the spread of the Gospel.  She wishes
you now to return to your ministry.  From her throne, she will watch over
you and protect you."

---

The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget of Sweden:

"One day while I was admiring the Love of God in a spiritual ecstasy, my
soul was filled with such joy that it could hardly contain itself.  And
during that contemplation, my soul departed from my body.  You cannot
imagine what splendor my soul perceived then, and with what honor the Father,
the Son and the Holy Ghost welcomed it, and with what a multitude of angels
it was carried upward.

"But those persons who were in my house with me when I gave up my spirit
fully understood what divine mysteries I was then experiencing, because of
the unusual light which they saw.

"Therefore, those friends of my Son who had been brought together by God
buried my body in the Valley of Josaphat.  Countless angels accompanied it
then.

"My body lay entombed in the ground.  Then it was taken up to Heaven with
infinite honor and rejoicing.  There is no other human body in Heaven
except the glorious Body of my Son and my body."