Day: July 21, 2020

The Crucifix (c) Mary TV   July 21, 2020 St. Lawrence of Brindisi Dear Family of Mary! I don’t think we realize the incredible power of the Crucifix. The Crucifix is the representation of our salvation. It depicts the God-Man dying in agony out of love for each one of us, taking our sins upon himself, and opening the doors to paradise for us to enter in. The Crucifix is the sign of the total defeat of the devil and all the fallen angels. It is the victory sign for all who believe! The Crucifix defeats the enemy in combat. In the Magnificat for today, St. Lawrence of Brindisi is introduced in this way: Lawrence was born in 1559 in Brindisi, Italy. He joined the Capuchins, becoming a masterful scholar of Scripture. To his first Capuchin superior, who wanted to impress upon him the severity of the religious life, he said, “Father, there will be nothing difficult here, provided we have a crucifix.” After reaching throughout Europe, Lawrence was made the chaplain of the imperial army under Rudulf II. At Stuhlweissenburg near Budapest, he rode into battle, clutching only a crucifix. On the final day of the battle, Lawrence wore out five horses. The Ottoman forces were defeated. Lawrence died in 1619. (Magnificat, Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – July 21,  2020) St. Lawrence was so strongly attached to the Crucifix and to the redemption and grace that are represented in it, that he was sure he could live a life of austerity as long as the Crucifix was present. And he went into battle armed with the Crucifix alone!! Victory!! Our Lady asks us to pray with the Crucifix, meditate on the wounds of Christ on the Crucifix, look at Jesus on the Cross, and let the Cross be the sign of victory and hope. The Cross must be central in our prayer. She has instituted Veneration of the Cross at St. James Parish every Friday after Holy Mass. She wants us to realize what a gift the Crucifix is. Like St. Lawrence, we need to realize that as long as there is a Crucifix present, we can do all things. Here are five messages in which Our Lady calls us to pray with and meditate on the Crucifix (or Cross). We might use them for the Sorrowful Mysteries today. March 25, 2015 “Dear children! Also, today the Most High permits me to be with you and to lead you on the way of conversion. Many hearts have shut themselves to grace and have become deaf to my call. You, little children, pray and fight against temptation and all the evil plans which the devil offers you through modernism. Be strong in prayer and with the cross in your hands pray that evil may not use you and may not conquer in you. I am with you and pray for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” March 25, 1997 “Dear children! Today, in a special way, I invite you to take the cross in the hands and to meditate on the wounds of Jesus. Ask of Jesus to heal your wounds, which you, dear children, during your life sustained because of your sins or the sins of your parents. Only in this way, dear children, you will understand that the world is in need of healing of faith in God the Creator. By Jesus’ passion and death on the cross, you will understand that only through prayer you, too, can become true apostles of faith; when, in simplicity and prayer, you live faith which is a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call.” March 25, 2013 “Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you to take the cross of my beloved Son Jesus in your hands and to meditate on His passion and death. May your suffering be united in His suffering and love will win, because He who is love gave Himself out of love to save each of you. Pray, pray, pray until love and peace begin to reign in your hearts. Thank you for having responded to my call.” February 25, 2016 “Dear children! In this time of grace, I am calling all of you to conversion. Little children, you love little and pray even less. You are lost and do not know what your goal is. Take the cross, look at Jesus and follow Him. He gives Himself to you to the death on the cross, because He loves you. Little children, I am calling you: return to prayer with the heart so as to find hope and the meaning of your existence, in prayer. I am with you and am praying for you. Thank you for having responded to my call.” March 25, 2018 “Dear children! I am calling you to be with me in prayer in this time of grace when darkness is fighting against the light. Pray, little children, confess and begin a new life in grace. Decide for God and He will lead you towards holiness; and the cross will be a sign of victory and hope for you. Be proud that you are baptized and grateful in your heart that you are a part of God’s plan. Thank you for having responded to my call.” In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2020 PS.  Just a reminder that you can help support the Cenacolo Community in Medjugorje during these difficult times by donating through the Arthur McCluskey Foundation.  Here is the link to their donation page:   https://arthurmc.com