Excellent post from Vultus Christi: Thoughts of peace, and not of affliction

In case you missed it, here is an excellent post from Fr. Mark at Vultus Christi:

Thoughts of peace, and not of affliction

If you want me to

I will therefore go to meet Him with confidence and humility

God has taught me so much about confidence the past several years, especially through the words and intercession of St. Gertrude, my favorite Saint, whose feast day is today.  St. Gertrude has unlimited confidence in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His Love.  A little booklet about St. Gertrude that a friend gave me has been such a gift from God in my life, teaching me that self-confidence is nothing, but confidence in God is everything. 

The book says, "The Holy Fathers have always taught that the measure of our hope and confidence is the measure of the graces which we receive from heaven. They have realized that, through our unreserved confidence, God is most honored and glorified."  In these times of trial, let us not lose hope, and let us have unlimited confidence in our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I trust in His Mercy and Love laboring for good within my heart.  St. Gertrude, pray for us!

What will it avail me to hesitate? Even if a thousand years were given me, I could nevertheless not prepare myself fittingly. I will therefore go to meet Him with confidence and humility, and when my Lord sees me from afar, He will send in advance a garment wherein I may be fittingly clad to be presented to Him.
~St. Gertrude the Great
 

from Saint Gertrude the Great Herald of Divine Love (TAN Books):

TAN Books

 

 

The Breadbox Letters: Trust...

Beautiful words from St. Augustine via Nancy at The Breadbox Letters:

Trust the past
to God's mercy;
the present
to God's love;
and the future
to God's providence.

St. Augustine

Refreshment for Our Souls (originally posted 11/8/11)

Originally posted 11/8/11:

One of the many things I love about our Catholic faith is the beauty of the liturgical year and various liturgical seasons and special monthly devotions providing a prayerful rhythm for our daily lives. November is a month we especially remember our beloved dead. This past week was the first time I had ever offered special prayers during the first week of November for our beloved souls in purgatory. Our Lord revealed to St. Gertrude:

"I accept with highest pleasure what is offered to Me for the poor souls, for I long inexpressibly to have near Me those for whom I paid so great a price. By the prayers of thy loving soul, I am induced to free a prisoner from purgatory as often as thou dost move thy tongue to utter a word of prayer!"

Four centuries before devotion of Our Lord's Most Sacred Heart was given to the world, Our Lord revealed to St. Gertrude His adorable Heart,

"at one time as a treasury in which all riches are contained; at another time as a harp which is played upon by the Holy Spirit, the sweetness of whose tones ravished the Blessed Trinity and all the heavenly court. Once it was represented to her as a fountain, the delicious and plentiful waters of which refresh the souls in purgatory, strengthen and enrich the just on earth, and fill the blessed in heaven with inebriating delights."

I love the way He revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Gertrude, with the imagery of the fountain providing for the Church Suffering, Church Militant, and Church Triumphant. We are all one Body and what a beautiful gift we have to offer prayers through Christ for one another. It was a blessing to be able to pray with you, and with Our Lady, in a special way last week for indulgences for our beloved souls.


UPDATE: Remember Me is a beautiful remembrance book available for purchase here. Here is a description from the website:

Remember Me is a family heirloom that is sure to be used again and again. It serves as a constant reminder to pray for loved ones who have gone before you. It is our hope that Remember Me will become a focal point of prayer for you and your family each and every month. As you use it, you will be filled with comfort and special memories — so that the souls of our faithful departed will live on and never be forgotten.