Category: Feast Days

13 Jun 2015 (Based on The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

There is a well-known incident in the life of St Francis de Sales…

During the period from December 1586 to January 1587, St Francis underwent a terrible crisis, a temptation, a trial.

There were several causes:
• His natural tendency to anxiety
• The problem of predestination (a Calvinist position which says that God has determined the eternal destiny of every human being. He has chosen some to eternal life and foreordained others to everlasting punishment) keenly discussed in theological circles in those days.
• A mystical dimension to the trial: an unselfish, pure love of God and total surrender to Him, in which lay the answer to his problems as he was being tempted to despair of his salvation.

One day in January 1587, St Francis went into the church of St. Etienne des Grès.
He went to the chapel of our Lady and knelt down in front of the statue.

He was inspired to make an unconditional surrender of his salvation to God, using the words: “O God, Just Judge and Merciful Father, at least in this life will I love You, if it is not given to me to love You in life everlasting”.

Then he saw there a card with the prayer – The Memorare:  “Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary …”
He took it and earnestly prayed it.

He was instantly healed.
The temptation vanished.
Strength and confidence returned to him.

He consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity.

The Gentleman Saint, St Francis de Sales found consolation and encouragement by dwelling on the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother Mary, and consecrated himself to Her maternal care.

Today, on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we too are invited to admire and venerate the deep love and affection of our Blessed Mother and to seek Her help and intercession to lead a life in closer union with the Lord.

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mary is celebrated on the following day of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of the Lord.

Both these devotions are intricately linked.
The Catechism of the Church says, :
“Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it.” (CCC # 964)

“This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”. (CCC #1172)

It was in 1942, in the context of the devastating Second World War, that Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Gospel of the Day gives a glimpse into this Blessed Heart of our Mother.
St Luke testifies that “… Jesus’ Mother kept all these things in Her Heart” (Lk 2: 51b)

What does the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother teach us?

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “everything in life is not understood”.

Mother Mary had to face a lot of things in life, which went beyond the grasp of Her reason and understanding.

Right from the moment of the Annunciation
… to the misunderstandings in her marital life
… the hardships of giving birth to Her Child
…the grievances of post-birth and care
… the loss of Her Spouse, Joseph
… the misunderstandings Her Little Child had to face in His ministry
… the cruel death meted out to Her Beloved Child

None of these would have been understood by Mary.

Yet, even when life handed on situations that was not understood, She remained trustful and obedient.

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “sorrow and pain are an integral part of everyone’s life”

The Heart of our Blessed Mother faced a lot of pain and agonies…
… sacrificing of a promising life ahead, for the sake of giving birth to God’s Child
… facing crisis in the family and possibilities of misunderstanding with her to-be-husband Joseph
… uncertainty during and after the birth of the Child
… living life as a widow and alone with Her Son away in a risky mission
… undergoing the deepest pain of seeing One’s Own Child facing a harrowing death

• The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that ” being focussed on doing God’s Will brings the greatest joy and happiness”

The Heart of our Blessed Mother was ever focussed on doing God’s Will.

Just as Her Son would tell later on in life, “My food is to do the Will of the One who sent me” (Jn 4:34), Mary also would sustain Her life on doing the Will of the Father at all times.

This would therefore turn out to be the source of strength and joy, even in the midst of the deep pain that Her Heart underwent.

The Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother is a model and example and inspiration for all of us too….
• Do I realise that “not everything in life can be understood”; yet life is still worth living and making it beautiful for others and for God?
• Do I accept that “pains and problems” are part and parcel of life; yet, holding on to the Father’s Hands will assure us of a spiritual joy and heavenly peace?
• Do I seek to constantly seek and do God’s Will in my life, and be committed and faithful to the tasks that are entrusted to me, as part of my vocation?

Today as we honour the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mamma, let us also seek the intercession of the great St Antony of Padua.

He was full of veneration to our Blessed Mother, and speaks of the glories that God worked through Her: “She possessed within Her the compactness of love—for nine months She carried Love Incarnate in Her womb.”

May we consecrate our lives to the Maternal Care of our Blessed Mother Mary and find consolation and comfort in Her Immaculate Heart!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, may we rest in You!

Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

12 Jun 2015 (Based on The Solemnity of The Sacred Heart of Jesus)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

Here is a simple story, familiar to many of us…

A young man displayed his heart, one day.

It was a sight to behold – without a single flaw.
“The most beautiful heart in town” he proclaimed and attracted the crowds to admire it.

Then an aged man joined the big crowd.
“Why, my heart is beautiful too”, he said quietly.

All eyes turned to see his heart…

It was beating strongly, but had a number of scars, patches, deep gouges and several jagged edges.

The people stared at that heart!
How could he claim to have a “beautiful” heart, they wondered!

The young man remarked, “You must be joking. My heart is perfect, whereas yours is a mess of scars and patches!”

“Well”, said the old man, “The heart’s worth is measured by love!”
“In giving love, you tear out a piece of your heart – that leaves a gouge – which is patched when you receive love.
If you give more than you receive, then the gouges remain.
They can be painful – but that is the risk you take…”

The young man realised the worth of love.

Inspired by the true symbol of the heart, the young man, ripped of a piece of his heart, and offered it, with trembling hands to the old wise man.
Then he patched the gauged with the large piece that the old man gave him!

As the crowd watched in amazement, the two embraced each other!

Love, by its nature, gives away…
The heart, which is deep-rooted in love, thus bears wounds and patches.

Today on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we contemplate in adoration and meditation on the Heart of our Blessed Lord – pierced and broken and shared – in love for each one of us.

In the year 1673, Our Blessed Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary and made her to rest her head upon His Heart; and during which He revealed to her the wonders of His love.

He revealed to her, His Sacred Heart and requested her to establish the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Friday after the Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, in order to make reparation for sins which offend His Sacred Heart.

In her vision, she saw His wounded heart, on fire with love, saying, “Behold this Heart which has loved men so much and has received such little love in return.”

It was on June 11, 1899 Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated the whole mankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Gospel of the day presents the account of how the Heart of our Blessed Lord was pierced with a lance, on Mount Calvary.
“But one soldier thrust his lance into His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (Jn 19: 34)

The Catholic tradition identifies the water as the symbol of Baptism and the Blood as the symbol of the Holy Eucharist.
• The Water symbolizes purification.
• The Blood symbolizes atonement.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is today one of the most recognizable symbols of the Christian faith.
• The picture consists of the Heart, with the wound of the lance in its side, a crown of thorns about it, a cross above it and flames surrounding it.
This Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart but His love for all humankind.

This Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of the Lord teaches us many things…

• It teaches us the immense love that the Lord possesses for each one of us, personally.

Have I experienced the tremendous love that the Lord has for me?

 I may feel myself low.
 I may consider myself to be not very good.
 I may think that my life is just not worth living.
 I may deem that my past has ruined my life very badly.
 I may judge that situations around me can never be changed.

Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus loves me”, still… and that He will take me through, by the power of His love?

• It teaches us the pain and the agony that the Lord still undergoes as a result of our sin and the sins of the world

Do I realize that a sinful life brings tears to the Lord and causes more wounds to the Precious Heart of the Lord?
 There is nothing which pains the Lord more than sin.
 It was for our salvation that He shed even the last drop of His blood.
 He not just wants but insists and demands and commands us to live in holiness.

Do I give heed to this “passionate and sincere” call of the Lord to live our lives in sanctity and in accordance to God’s Will in my life?

• It teaches us the need to be part of the process of redemption that Christ has won for us and to be shareholders in His mission of bringing God’s love to all

Do I become aware that Christ is calling me to be part of His redemptive work of salvation?
 Christ still suffers and undergoes pains.
 From the Cross, He cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28)
 He desires that people who have known and experienced His love become effective agents of bringing His love to others.
 By a life of sacrifices (tiny or great…little or huge), by simple acts of love, compassion and mercy and by greater participation in the Sacramental Life of the Church, the love of the Sacred Heart can be brought to many more people.

Am I willing to take up this responsibility that the Lord is handing on to us?

The Heart of the Lord is pierced, broken and shared for each one of us.
• In the Holy Eucharist, we have the privilege to receive this greatest treasure.
In turn, we are to break our hearts and share it with others, to bring the love and compassion of the Lord to the world.

May this Solemnity of the Precious Symbol of True Love stir the flames of God’s Love in our hearts and inspire us to set ablaze the world on fire, with His Love and Compassion!

Sacred Heart of Jesus, may we ever remain close to You!

Happy Feast of the Most Blessed Heart of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

07 Jun 2015 (Based on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

It was the 14th century in Bologna, Italy

A little girl was deeply in love with Jesus!
Her parents were devout Catholics, known for their charity and generosity to the underprivileged of Bologna.

So intense was her love for the Lord, that at the age of 9 (which was extremely unusual), she entered the cloistered Dominican community.

To receive Our Lord in Holy Communion became the burning desire of her heart.

But the custom of the place and time had fixed twelve as the earliest age for reception of first Holy Communion.

This pious girl kept begging for an exception to the rule, but the chaplain of the community refused.

Her prayers were miraculously answered on the Feast of the Ascension in 1333.

After Mass, she stayed in her place in the chapel, where one of the nuns was putting away the sacred vessels.
Suddenly, the nun heard a noise and turned towards Imelda.

Hovering in mid-air, as the little girl was knelt in prayer, was a Sacred Host, the Blessed Eucharist, shining with a bright and forceful light.
The frightened nun ran to find the chaplain.

By the time the chaplain arrived, the rest of the nuns and other onlookers had crowded, awe-struck, into the chapel.

When the priest saw the shining, hovering host, he put on his vestments, went over to the girl, took the miraculous host in his hands, and gave her Holy Communion.

Some minutes later, after the crowd had dispersed, the mother superior came over to call her for breakfast.
She found the girl still kneeling, with a smile on her face.

But the girl was dead!
She had died of love, in ecstasy and bliss, after receiving Christ in the Eucharist.

The name of the girl was Imelda Lambertini.

Today she is Blessed Imelda, the Patron of the First Holy Communicants. Her incorrupt body, interred in a Church in Bologna.

Imelda had discovered the greatest treasure on the earth – the Most Holy Eucharist.
Have we?

Today we solemnly celebrate the Great Feast of the Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Jesus.

The Catechism of the Church teaches, “In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (#1374).

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus with His chosen disciples, celebrated the Passover Meal, taking the bread and wine, solemnly declaring, “This is my Body” (Mk 14: 22) and “This is my Blood” (Mk 14: 24)

The following day, Jesus would carry out this sacrifice of offering Himself for the expiation of the sins of the world, on  Mount Calvary.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.
• The Holy Mass is not another sacrifice.
• The Holy Mass is not a repetition of the sacrifice of Calvary.
• The Priest at the Holy Mass is not offering a different sacrifice.

Instead,
• The Holy Mass is the same sacrifice of Jesus.
• The Holy Mass is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.
• The Priest at the Holy Mass is Jesus Himself, the High Priest and Victim of the Sacrifice.

What is our understanding, love and commitment to the Holy Mass?

In the Holy Eucharist, we have the promise of the Emmanuel God, “I am with you always, till the end of the age” (Mt 28: 20) being fulfilled.
Do we also cultivate the growth and longing to be with our Saviour Lord?

We live in times when…
…  there is a lot of indifference growing
… there are several newer problems and crisis cropping up

We live in a situation of faith where…
… there is a tendency to dilute many of the spiritual values
… there is a strong opposition to living holy and sanctified lives

For all such struggling moments and trying situations, we have an answer and solution in the Holy Eucharist.

 The Eucharist is the story of a God who longs to dwell with us and in us.
 The Eucharist is the saga of a God who is madly and passionately in love with us.

He longs for us..
He craves for us….
He desires for us…

From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28b)
Shall we not respond, with a positive affirmation, to this cry of the Lord?

May this Feast day…
… be  a reminder for us of the deep, unconditional and exciting love of the Lord
… be an occasion for us to revive our spiritual lives and to renew our commitments
… be a day to resolve to be more zealous and passionate with respect to the Holy Eucharist
… be an opportunity to renew our lives to be a “Eucharist”- broken & shared – to one another

Blessed Imelda would sometimes exclaim, “Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?”
This ought to be the ideal in our passion and love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

• In the Holy Eucharist, we have a treasure that is unparalleled and unmatched
• In the Holy Eucharist, we have a promise to eternal and a joy that knows no bounds.

May we grow in the love of the Holy Eucharist, for, as Bishop Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host”!

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Eucharist!
May our Blessed Mamma of the Holy Eucharist, help & intercede for us, to love the Lord more!

God Bless! Live Jesus!