On some OLD myth

We often think of sanctity in a following manner:

''It is beyond my strength, besides I am too young to think about it at this moment. Perhaps later, as I get older it would be possible''.

But sanctity is not related to one's age,experience, position, strength etc. at all. It only has to do with a courageous maturity . The one that helps us to develop a real ( in other words sacrificial) bond and intimate relation with loved persons (among them- what is obvious- God shall be placed at the first place) regardless of bad times, moods, persecutions...

Such bond led bl. José Luis Sánchez(14-year-old) and bl. Isidore Bakanja, Martyr of the Brown Scapular(14-year-old) to pay the greatest price for the Person they loved so much – that is for Virgin Mary.

So next time as you will be tempted to ask: ''How old is he?There is nothing he can teach me about...'', stop and ask instead:''How mature is he?'' and ''does he really love?''.

For only the sacrificial love is a proper measure of sanctity in a world we live in

...The one full of childish adults and brave children...

--
Tomasz, Racibórz

Ave Crux, Spes unica

The 3rd part of Chapter III (named: At the Foot of the Cross) from the Collected Works of bl. Edith Stein( Vol. IV) begins with words "Hail, Cross, our only hope!''.

This great Carmelite nun is also widely known for Her work Science of the Cross.

You may ask: where exactly these hope and wisdom can be traced? And why are they coming from the cross? Isn't it an absurd? For nobody  likes to suffer, moreover one's suffering seems to be pointless.

Above-mentioned gifts come directly from Jesus. Without His transforming power the cross would have no meaning at all, or rather would be a scandal(as it was stated in Ancient Times). But Jesus' Cross gives us the real hope and the real wisdom: the first one tells us that our pain is useful; the second teaches us how to use it, and what is more important – why to use it.

St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us!

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Tomasz, Racibórz

Life sentence

Your child suffers from a cerebral palsy... For many parents of newborns, these words are even worse than a life sentence.
Yet, they will be your sentence for THE LIFE if you think and pray deeply over them. The ONE thay you can spend with Trinitary God, Mary, Angels. Just listen to J.M. Escriva. I have got nothing to add at this moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzvQtZFm90c

SS. J.M Escriva, J.M Vianney - pray for us.

--
Tomasz, Racibórz

On two ''simple'' words ( wisdom of St. Francis)

''Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words" (Saint Francis of Assisi)

This statement of Saint Francis seems to be simple and easy to understand at first glance.
Yet it is not easy to put it into action, to really live in accordance with these words.

Where is the point of such proposal?

We are obliged to be "true practitioners of Christianity" for one simple reason:
there will be no future believers in the world devoid of true love for Jesus.
And the true love can only be defined as a sacrificial action.

Now we reach the conclusion : mere words have nothing to do neither with action nor with sacrifice.

Pray for me, please.


--
Tomasz, Racibórz

The wedding time will come

''We should always be disposed to believe that that which appears white is really black, if the hierarchy of the Church so decides'' ( I. Loyola- founder of the Society of Jesus)

Above-mentioned quotation is often presented as a so-called proof for Jesuits' fideism and fanaticism. In fact, only a short-sighted person can spread such harmful opinions. For the greatest wisdom can be found in these words; Look: if the Church has been authorised by the Power of Jesus, is not She infallible ( at least in the matter of faith an moral issues) by a definition?

Besides, Our Lord knew that Devil is a liar and deceiver – that is why He gave us Saint I. Loyola. This brave man realised that the only sure norm and provision for our salvation is a firm obedience to the Church.

For only if a servant is obedient to the Bride-to-be, the future Bridegroom will pay him abundantly at the wedding time.

Saint Ignatius, pray for us!

--
Tomasz, Racibórz

Her Grace, our Hope ( on the importance of one "fiat")

Is the Brown Scapular only a piece of cloth? Some people of course say so. And they are almost right. Almost, for there is one important thing that they seemingly do not remember about:
Above-mentioned piece of cloth has been given and blessed by Mary, the Flower of Carmel herself. From that time on it is the Cloth of Grace. For everything can be changed due to Her ideal "FIAT".

Thus try hard to be as humble and good as She is, and - as a proud holder of the Brown Scapular (even if you are a sinner as well)- never doubt in Her own words, directed to St. Simon Stock:

"Receive, my beloved son, this habit of thy order: This shall be to thee and to all Carmelites a privilege, that whosoever dies clothed in this shall never suffer eternal fire".
  
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 Tomasz, Racibórz

And Carmel means the Garden of God

Our Lady of Mount Carmel is often described as the Mother, the Sister and the Patroness of the whole Carmelite Order.

Understanding seems to be some kind of unifying value here: this word is related to all above-mentioned functions and qualities of  Her. Yet, where is a practical dimension of such discovery?

Sister helps us, mother guides us, and the patroness knows all about us.

All we -as the pilgrims on this earth- have to do is...Trust that She will always be at our side during our way to Mount Carmel.

Mary, pray for us and show us the way!

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Tomasz, Racibórz