- 1 Peter 1:15-16 -
- From: Weedy <richarra@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 09:57:04 -0700 (PDT)
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 -
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
__________________________
After people commit their lives to Christ, they usually still feel a pull back to their old ways. Peter tells us to be like our heavenly Father - holy in everything we do. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for his special use and set apart from sin and its influences. We're to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different for the sake of being different. What makes us different are God's qualities in our lives. Our focus and priorities must be his. We cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us his Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin. Don't use the excuse that you can't help slipping into sin. Call on God's power to free you from sin's grip.
May 2nd – Bl. Mafalda
d. 1252
IN the year 1215, at the age of eleven, Princess Mafalda (i.e. Matilda), daughter of King Sancho I of Portugal, was married to her kinsman King Henry I of Castile, who was like herself a minor. The marriage was annulled the following year on the ground of the consanguinity of the parties, and Mafalda returned to her own country, where she took the veil in the Benedictine convent of Arouca. As religious observance had become greatly relaxed, she induced the community to adopt the Cistercian rule. Her own life was one of extreme austerity. The whole of the large income bestowed upon her by her father was devoted to pious and charitable uses. She restored the cathedral of Oporto, founded a hostel for pilgrims, erected a bridge over the Talmeda and built an institution for the support of twelve widows at Arouca. When she felt that her last hour was approaching she directed, according to a common medieval practice, that she should be laid on ashes. Her last words were, “Lord, I hope in thee”. Her body after death shone with a wonderful radiance, and when it was exposed in 1617 it is said to have been as flexible and fresh as though the holy woman had only just died. Mafalda’s cultus was confirmed in 1793.
A notice of Mafalda, compiled mainly from late Cistercian sources, will be found in the appendix to the first volume for May in the Acta Sanctorum. An account of her, with her sisters SS. Teresa and Sanchia, is also contained in Portugal glorioso e illustrado, etc., by J. P. Bayao (1727).
More information:
May 2nd – Bl. Mafalda of Portugal, Queen, OSB Cist. (AC)
(also known as Matilda)
Born 1203; died 1257; cultus approved in 1793. Mafalda, daughter of King Sancho of Portugal, was married at the age of 11 or 12 to her young cousin King Henry I of Castile. The following year her marriage was declared null by the Holy See because of consanguinity. At once she returned to Portugal, entered the convent of Arouca and, in 1222, professed the Benedictine Rule. At her suggestion, the convent joined the Cistercians. She did not simply enter the monastery as the only alternative, but because she desired to give herself totally to God. She slept on the bare ground or spent the night in prayer. Her fortune was used to restore the beautiful cathedral of Oporto, found a hospice for pilgrims and a hospital for twelve widows, and build a bridge over the Talmeda River. Mafalda died in sackcloth and ashes. When her body was exhumed in 1617, it was found to be flexible and incorrupt (Attwater2, Benedictines, Coulson, Farmer).
On June 27, 1793 she was beatified.
From:
http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0502.shtml
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THIRTY-ONE DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS
FROM THE PURGATORIAN MANUAL
(Imprimatur 1946)
Thirtieth Day
THE HEROIC ACT OF CHARITY FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
This heroic act, in behalf of the souls in Purgatory, consists in a voluntary offering made in their favor to the Divine Majesty, by any one of the faithful, of all works of satisfaction done by him in his life, as well as of all the suffrages which shall be offered for him after his death. By this offering he foregoes in their behalf only that special fruit which belongs to himself, so that he is not hindered thereby in praying for his own necessities, or those of others.
This act of charity, therefore, will not deprive us of any merit. Besides, by resigning our own claims on all works of satisfaction in favor of the souls departed, we shall gain for ourselves the special love of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints, according to the promise of Christ: "With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matt. vii. 2.) Furthermore, the gratitude of the holy souls will induce them, in turn, to pray for us in Heaven, so that we may either escape Purgatory, or be blessed by a speedy deliverance therefrom.
This heroic act of charity has been enriched with many indulgences. (No. 547.) They are as follows:
I. The Indult of a Privileged Altar, personally, every day in the year to all priests who shall have made this offering.
II. A Plenary Indulgence daily, applicable only to the departed, to all the faithful, who shall have made this offering, whenever they go to Holy Communion, provided they visit a church or public oratory, and pray there for some time for the intention of his Holiness.
III. A Plenary Indulgence, every Monday, to all who hear Mass in aid of the souls in Purgatory, provided they fulfill the other conditions mentioned above. (No. 547.)
Prayer: We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord! graciously accept our prayers, with the indulgences attached, for the suffering souls. We offer Thee, in their behalf, the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Redeemer, and His infinite merits united with the merits of His most holy, immaculate Virgin Mother Mary, her ever-glorious spouse, St. Joseph, the holy Apostles, and all the spirits of Heaven, that by virtue of these merits our devotion may be to them a source of consolation, and open to them the portals of Heaven, there to love, praise, and glorify Thee, world without end. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls, who, while on earth, made the Heroic Act of Charity.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Endeavor, every day, to perform an act of charity for the suffering souls.
Invocation. My Jesus, mercy!
Also see entire 31day prayer at:
http://www.faithfuldeparted.net/prayers.html
.
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