How we should declare our needs to Christ, and ask Thine grace [3]

How we should declare our needs to Christ, and ask Thine grace [3]=20

Let Thy presence wholly inflame me, consume and transform me into
Yourself, that I may become one spirit with Thee by the grace of
inward union and by the melting power of Thy ardent love. Suffer me
not to go from Thee fasting and thirsty, but deal with me mercifully
as Thou have so often and so wonderfully dealt with Thine saints. What
wonder if I were completely inflamed by Thy dying, a love purifying
the heart and enlightening the understanding
--Thomas =C3=A0 Kempis--Imitation of Christ Book 4 Ch. 16

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
25 February =E2=80=93 Blessed Avertano of Lucca O.Carm

 ( 1320-c 1366 )
Lay Brother of the Order of Carmel, miracle-worker, Avertano had a
great devotion to the Passion of Christ. Born in c 1320 in the Diocese
of Limoges, France and died in c 1380 ub Lucca, Tuscany, Italy of the
Plague. Also known as =E2=80=93 Aventanus. Additional Memorial =E2=80=93 4 =
March
(Carmelites).

Avertano was born in Limoges, France in the 12th Century. In his
youth, Avertano had resolved to live a life closest to the teachings
of the Gospel. The desire for holiness was always in his mind and
soul.

Thus, when Avertano witnessed the exemplary way of life of the
Carmelites, who had just returned from the East to their homeland, he
expressed his intention of joining the Order. It did not take long for
him to become a Carmelite.

Wherever he was assigned, Avertano was a model of virtue. Many, who
came in contact with him, were edified by his reputation for and
examples of holiness. He was also known as a miracle-worker who was
blessed with many mystical gifts.

He desired to visit the Land of our Saviour but on his way home from
his travels, he died of the Plague in c 1366. So many miracles were
reported at his grave in the Church of San Pietro, that a series of
paintings depicting some of them, were created for the San Pietro
Church and the Cathedral of Lucca but then enshrined in the Church of
Sts Paolino and Donato in 1806. He was Beatified in 1828 by Pope
Gregory XVI,

https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/25/


Fervour and Tepidity

=E2=80=9CThe ONLY choice in the life of a Catholic is between fervour and s=
in!
The tepid or negligent soul cannot remain long in the grace of God
and, when God=E2=80=99s grace is removed, it means the death of the soul.
The spiritual life resembles a steep hill.
A man cannot stay still.
He must keep going upwards or begin to slip downwards.
Whoever struggles on, up the hill is approaching perfection and
Heaven; whoever slips backwards, is approaching sin, a dead soul and
Hell.
There us NO MIDDLE WAY!
Those who are lukewarm are an object of DISGUST to their Creator, Who
casts them away from Himself =E2=80=93 =E2=80=9CBecause thou art lukewarm a=
nd neither
cold nor hot,=E2=80=9D the Holy Spirit says, =E2=80=9CI am about to vomit t=
hee out of
my mouth=E2=80=9D (Apoc 3:16).
So, it is not enough to be mediocre Catholic.
The half-hearted and indifferent are already traveling along the
slippery path of sin and are on the waiting list for hell!
It is dangerous for anyone to remain thoughtlessly in this state of
spiritual ineptitude.
A man who never thinks of his own salvation, is suffering from a
serious illness.
He is running a very great risk of eternal damnation.
He has one foot in Hell here on this earth!=E2=80=9D
--Antonio Cardinal Bacci


=E2=80=9CMy child, it is indeed
the Voice of God you have heard.
He has given you a great grace
in thus calling you into His one true Church.
While you live,
never cease to thank Him
and bless Him for it.=E2=80=9D
--St John Francis R=C3=A9gis (1597-1640)


Bible Quote:
For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said to
them: My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. 7 The
world cannot hate you; but me it hateth: because I give testimony of
it, that the works thereof are evil.  (John 7:5-7)  DRB


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Beloved and Most Holy Word of God
By St James of the Marches (1391-1476)

Beloved and most holy Word of God!
You enlighten the hearts of the faithful,
You satisfy the hungry,
console the afflicted.
You make the souls of all,
productive of good
and cause all virtues to blossom.
You snatch souls
from the devil=E2=80=99s jaw.
You make the wretched holy
and men of earth,
citizens of heaven!  Amen