On The Royal Road of the Holy Cross [IV]

On The Royal Road of the Holy Cross [IV]

See how in the Cross all things consist, and in dying on it all things
depend. There is no other way to life and to true inner peace, than
the way of the Cross and of daily self-denial. Go where you will, seek
what you will; you will find no higher way above or safer way below
than the road of the Holy Cross. Arrange and order all things to your
own ideas and wishes, yet you will still find suffering to endure,
whether you will or not; so you will always find the Cross. For you
will either endure bodily pain, or suffer anguish of mind and spirit.
--Thomas à Kempis ---Imitation of Christ Bk 2, Ch 12

Meditation for the Day
"And this is life eternal, that they may know Thee." It is the flow
of life eternal through spirit, mind, and body that cleanses, heals,
restores, and renews. Seek conscious contact with God more and more
each day. Make God an abiding presence during the day. Be conscious of
His spirit helping you. All that is done without God's spirit is
passing. All that is done with God's spirit is life eternal.


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August 11th - St. Clare of Assisi

When Francis of Assisi was preaching at St. George Church, a young
lady from a noble family was listening to him with her mother and
sister. Claire listened to those words and understood that St. Francis
should be the guide of her soul. She confided this desire to her aunt,
who went with her to St. Mary of the Angels to speak with St. Francis.
Who can say what happened in the soul of the Seraphic Father during
that first interview with the woman who would be his assistant in the
task Heaven had designed for him to accomplish?

Francis revealed to Clare the beauties of the Celestial Spouse and the
excellence of virginity. Then he described to her what he cherished
the most in his heart: the power and the charm of poverty and the need
for penance. Clare listened, astounded and enthused, and the divine
appeal touched her heart. In a short time her decision was made. She
would break all the bounds that linked her to earth and consecrate
herself to God.

On the evening of Palm Sunday, March 17, 1212, she secretly left her
father's house and with some companions headed toward St. Mary of the
Angels, the Church of the Portiuncula. St. Francis and his brothers
met them along their way with torches and led them into the church. On
that night the spiritual marriage of St. Clare took place. Francis
asked her what she wanted, and she answered: "I want the God of the
Manger and of Calvary. I desire no other treasure or inheritance."

While Francis was cutting her hair, she delivered over all her
precious jewelry and ornaments, and received the rude habit, cord, and
humble veil and consecrated herself entirely to God.


Comments of the late Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira: (died 1995)

One can admire the beauty of the scene. In the small medieval town of
Assisi, a cortege of young ladies flees the home of their families,
who want to impede their sacrifice. Silently and cautiously they walk
through the winding streets of Assisi so as not to raise any
attention. They leave the town and in the fields that separate Assisi
from the Monastery of St. Mary of the Angels they meet another
cortege. This second cortege is even more heavenly than the first. It
is St. Francis of Assisi, who was another Christ on earth, who was
even similar physically to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Carrying torches, St. Francis and some of those saints who helped him
found the Franciscan Order walk to receive those virgins. The corteges
unite and enter together into the Church of Our Lady. The group
gathers inside it in a circle. St. Claire renounces everything.

Then St. Francis cuts her hair as she takes the definitive step from
which the Order of Poor Clares would be born. Upon that step depended
the entire Second Order of Franciscans, which gave so many saints for
the Catholic Church and glory to God through the centuries.

St. Claire left everything to enter a convent at a time when, in many
respects, the Church was in her apogee. Today, we are witnessing the
House of God cracked, the dignity of the ministers of God dragged into
the mud, the veil of religious women gone, religious life
disintegrated. Does this tragic spectacle leave us indifferent? Are we
more concerned about our job, making money, buying a new car and new
clothes, or acquiring more comforts for our home? If so, where is our
faith? What do we believe in? What do we take seriously?

Only when a Catholic completely lacks seriousness can he place his
personal life on the same level with the extreme sorrow this religious
situation represents to the Catholic Church. Actually, it represents
another Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today the Church is
crucified. She does not die because she cannot die; otherwise she
would have already expired.

So, on this day of St. Clare, let us imitate her dedication and
confirm our commitment to offer our lives to fight against
Progressivism in the Church, which is the worst enemy she has ever had
throughout time. Never has a cause had so few persons to fight for it.
This is enough to characterize it as the most glorious fight in
History.

Speaking about those pilots who fought the Battle of London and saved
the city from the Nazi bombardments, Churchill said: "Never was so
much owed by so many to so few." On the Final Judgment, Our Lady will
certainly say something similar about those who fight for her now.

Let us ask Our Lady and St. Clare to imbue our souls with this spirit
of dedication to the cause of Holy Mother Church.

See Images at:
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j190sd_StClare_8-12.shtml


Saint Quote:
On her deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself. Go forth in peace,
for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who
created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you
as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
--Saint Clare of Assisi

Bible Quote:
"In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my
refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your
heart before him: God is a refuge for us." (Ps 62:7-8)


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Prayer to one's own Guardian Angel:

Heavenly Father, in Thine infinite love for me Thou hast chosen a
blessed Angel in heaven and appointed him my guide during this earthly
pilgrimage. Accept my deepest thanks for so great a blessing. Grant
that I may experience the assistance of my holy protector in all my
necessities.

And thee my Holy, loving Guardian Angel and guide; watch over me with
all the tenderness of thy angelic heart. Keep me always on that
narrow path that leads to heaven, and cease not to pray for me until I
have attained my final destiny, eternal salvation. There I shalt love
thee for all eternity, and I shall praise and glorify thee unceasingly
for all the good thou hast done for me while here on earth.

Be with me in my station of life, supplying me with what may be
wanting through my frailty, shortsightedness, or sinful neglect.
Lighten, O perfect servant of God, my yoke in this life; and
especially be a faithful and watchful protector of my family and
friends. Guide them, that they may become like unto Jesus, may imitate
Him faithfully, and persevere till they attain eternal life. Amen.

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