A BEAUTIFUL EXPLANATION OF THE HOLY MASS BY FATHER HUGH THWAITES SJ

AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOLY MASS BY FATHER HUGH THWAITES




Father Hugh Thwaites SJ (1917-2010) RIP

PLEASE PRAY FOR BENEDICT XVI

CATHOLIC GLORIA TV NEWS IS REPORTING VIA THE SPANISH NEWSPAPER 'EL MUNDO' THAT BENEDICT XVI'S HEALTH HAS "DRAMATICALLY DIMINISHED IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS":

Benedict XVI is in very bad health

LITURGICAL PAUPERISM

Liturgical pauperism or minimalism has long been (40+ years!) an issue with me. I never understood the rather misguided notion that Almighty GOD deserved anything short of the very best in our worship and in the adornment of His priests and temples.  The spiritual lives of Catholics has suffered a very noticeable impoverishment in the past decades through this liturgical minimalism. No longer in most parish churches is it obvious upon entering that one has left the profane world outside and entered onto sacred ground.  The sanctuary or "holy of holies" is no longer a place of awe set aside for a most sacred purpose.... The bitter fruit of this minimalism is noticeable in the dress, decorum, piety & reverence (or more often lack thereof) among the faithful assisting at Holy Mass. One would have the impression that many (if not most) do not actually know what transpires upon the altar. One would have the impression that they no longer believe in the real presence of JESUS in the most Blessed Sacrament of the altar!  Lamentably, it is more often so that the Church has become a place that differs little from one's living room where guests are entertained.  Therefore, I was edified to read this quote this morning:

"Annalena Benini has already masterfully highlighted this in her “Benedictine Nostalgia” in Il Foglio [March 23]: “Benedict XVI was adorned in symbols and traditions showing everyone that he no longer belonged to himself, nor even to the world.” He was of Christ, he was “alter Christus” who is the Priest in the liturgy. With the vestments he is no longer a private man, but “prepares” (adorns) the place for someone else; and that someone else is the King of the Universe. Impoverishing the majesty of vestments signifies impoverishing Christ. And it is actually Christ Himself that separated personal poverty from that of the Church’s institution."

THE LITURGY CANNOT BE POOR

DEO GRATIAS!

I THANK MY DEAR FRIENDS FOR THEIR KIND BIRTHDAY WISHES BUT ABOVE ALL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SO GENEROUSLY OUT OF THEIR CHARITY OFFERED THEIR PRAYERS AND MASSES FOR ME! PLEASE OFFER OF YOUR CHARITY AN 'AVE' FOR MY DEAR MOTHER AND MYSELF!  

DEO GRATIAS! OREMUS PRO INVICEM!

AN ARTICLE BY DAVID MARTIN FROM CANADA FREE PRESS As Christ told Peter, Feed My sheep, and we pray Francis will be a courageous shepherd who will stand against the wolves and guard his sheep “Francis, Rebuild My Church”

By David Martin  Wednesday, March 20, 2013The pontificate of Pope Francis will likely be modeled after St. Francis of Assisi whose humble way of self denial was the foundation of a spiritual renewal that restored peace to the Church in his day. St. Francis is traditionally portrayed with a dove perched on his shoulder, symbolizing the Holy Spirit of peace that rested upon him, though peace today might have some difficulty in finding herself a suitable nest in Rome. Just two weeks before announcing his resignation, on the occasion of the annual Caravan of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI released the dove of peace from the Vatican balcony, but it was suddenly attacked by a resident Vatican seagull that normally perches on the Sistine Chapel smokestack. As thousands of pilgrims looked on, the fearsome gull, swooping down, chased and harried the terrified dove as it tried to escape among the ancient pillars and porticos. Pope’s dove of peace almost ends in pieces Could this providentially foreshadow how Benedict would give flight to the clerical dove of peace, Francis, who in turn would be attacked by Vatican vultures who mock his dove-like simplicity? Already he is being attacked by media inspectors going through his political “baggage”, but ultimately this attack will come from dissatisfied liberals within the Vatican. His Marian devotion sets him apart from the Vatican bureaucracy, as does his contempt for riches and worldly living, his staunch denunciation of gay rights, his love of the poor and rejected, and his regard for the Cross of Christ outside of which, according to him, we become nothing more than worldlings void of all spirit. He truly reflects the spirit of St. Francis in his voluntary poverty and contempt of the world, a cause sneered at by many of today’s religious leaders. But this humble cause will be the foundation of the coming restoration of the Church. Christ once told St. Francis, “Rebuild my Church”, which he did through the Franciscan Order whereby the Church laden with corruptive wealth was reformed. Will Pope Francis also hear the call of Christ to “rebuild my Church” and be another Francis during these days of extravagance and apostasy when the Church has been all but reduced to ruins? Popes know their calling and undertake what they do for reason. For example, Pope Benedict during his reign made two significant visits to the tomb of Pope St. Celestine V who was the first pontiff to decree that a pope could abdicate the throne for good cause, a move that he himself made for the good of the Church. Benedict followed suit and also made this move for the good of the Church. Similarly, Cardinal Bergoglio took on the name Francis for the good of the Church, and then the first thing he did after his election was to make a special visit to kneel before the altar-tomb of Pius V, the mega-reformer of the 16th century who cleaned up the Curia, excommunicated heretical bishops, cleansed out immorality and swept the church clean, paving the way for the Counter Reformation which restored peace and security to the Church. To seal the work of God, he placed a divine lock on the fort by mandating that the Mass of the Council of Trent be the only Mass used in the Roman Rite from that day forth. Is it any accident that Pope Francis laid his cause before the Altar of Pius V before proceeding another step with his pontificate? Even as a cardinal he was instant to implement the Tridentine Mass in his diocese in response to Summorum Pontificum* that Pope Benedict issued on July 7, 2007. [REPORT] And whereas his performance as a cardinal may not have been as staunchly conservative as some would like, let us not forget the example of Pope Pius IX, a former liberal, who after his coronation became the hammer of liberal heretics through the grace of state of the Petrine office. Note too, that Pope Francis carried the crosier of Pius IX at his first Mass at the Sistine Chapel, if that says anything. Another interesting point about Pope Francis is the reference made to him by a holy mystic and stigmatist, Antonio Ruffini, whose cause Pope Pius XII had blessed. Father Nicholas Gruner of the Fatima Center knew Ruffini and paid a visit to his home in the early 1990s. During the conversation he asked Ruffini point blank: “Is John Paul II the Pope who is going to do the Consecration of Russia?” He answered: “No, it’s not John Paul. It will not be his immediate successor either, but the one after that. He is the one who will consecrate Russia.” (see video upper right http://www.fatima.org) Too good to be true? When we consider his rare Marian devotion and dedication to the 15 decade Rosary, it is not far fetched to think that Pope Francis will be the instrument used by God to Consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. According to Fr. Gruner, Francis takes an active interest in Fatima and had even written to him on two occasions (as Cardinal Bergoglio) to tell him that he had two parishes in his diocese that were dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. What makes this even more impressive is that Fr. Gruner is exclusively a Tridentine Mass priest who many priests won’t even associate with because of his traditionalist profile, let alone bishops, yet Cardinal Bergoglio had no qualms about corresponding with Fr. Gruner on personal and down to earth terms. Down to earth is a term that describes Francis well. He is certainly loved by the common people and outcasts of society, and his humble beginnings coupled with his rich devotion to the Blessed Virgin no doubt will make him a suitable instrument in the hand of God to lift the people out of their miseries and attract them toward God. As Christ told Peter, Feed My sheep, and we pray Francis will be a courageous shepherd who will stand against the wolves and guard his sheep, unifying them with the sublime remedies of old wherewith God has inspired and edified His flock through the centuries.

David Martin  Bio David Martin Most recent columnsDavid Martin is the former moderator for St. Michaels Radio which is the one radio program of our time specializing in Catholic prophecy. He has also authored numerous articles on the Church and the Papacy which have appeared on various blogs and websites. David presently resides in Los Angeles, California where for thirty years he has coordinated a Catholic ministry. He is a daily communicant in his parish church and strongly supports Benedict XVI’s aspiration to see the Traditional Latin Mass returned to every Catholic parish of the world. *Regarding Cardinal Bergoglio's implementation of Summorum Pontificum

RENEWAL TOTAL CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

O Jesus, Living in Mary

O Jesus, living in Mary,
Come and live in Thy servants,
In the spirit of Thy holiness,
In the fullness of Thy might,
In the truth of Thy virtues,
In the perfection of Thy ways,
In the communion of Thy mysteries.
Subdue every hostile power
In Thy spirit, for the glory of the Father. Amen.

"And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me."  Galatians 2:20

Today the Monday after "Low Sunday" is the transferred feast of the Annunciation. I shall today on this feast of the Annunciation renew my consecration.  Every year since 2007, I have made the 30 day preparation to renew my total consecration to Jesus through Mary. I have been using Fr Helmuts Libietis' excellent and invaluable book for the preparation:

Consecration to Mary by Fr. Helmuts Libietis



The surest and shortest way to become more like JESUS is to be formed in the mold of MARY. I cannot recommend making this consecration (and renewing it yearly) highly enough.  You can listen to some of Fr Libietis' excellent talks on the consecration here:

Total Consecration Week 1 Fr Helmuts Libietis

Total Consecration Week 2 Fr Helmuts Libietis

Total Consecration Week 3 Fr Helmuts Libietis

Total Consecration Week 4 Fr Helmuts Libietis

Total Consecration Week 5 Fr Helmuts Libietis


Here you can find more information about making the 30 day preparation:

Total Consecration Age of Mary

The Enemy is Within,The Kiss of Judas Iscariot, by Fr. Michael Rodriguez

OUR LORD PROMISES COMPLETE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT FOR SINS

 The Divine Mercy promise for the Sunday following Easter (Low Sunday) given by Our Lord Jesus Christ to Saint Faustina:

Our Lord Jesus said, "The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet...Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy."  

- Saint Faustina, Diary, 699. 

How could anyone be indifferent to so generous a Saviour? 

 "Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you." Matthew 11:28 

The following is taken from the book, "The Way of Divine Love" these words of Our Lord to Sr. Josefa Menendez make clear how much He loves us and wants to forgive our sins if we will only let Him:

After the betrayal in the Garden of Olives, Judas wandered away, a fugitive, a prey to the reproaches of his conscience which taxed him with the most execrable of sacrileges. And when he heard that I was condemned to death, he gave himself up to despair and hanged himself.

Who can measure the deep and intense grief of My Heart when I saw this soul so long taught by love... the recipient of My doctrine, one who had so often heard from My lips words of forgiveness for the most heinous crimes, finally throw himself into hell fire?

Ah! Judas, why not throw yourself at My feet that I may forgive you too? If you are afraid to come near Me because of the raging mob that surrounds Me, at least look at Me... My eyes will meet yours, for even now they are lovingly intent upon you.

O all you who are steeped in sin, and who for a time more or less long have lived as wanderers and fugitives because of your crimes... if the offenses of which you have been guilty have hardened and blinded your hearts... if to grant satisfaction to one or other of your passions you have sunk into evil ways... Ah! When the motives or accomplices of your sin have forsaken you, and you realize the state of your soul, O then, do not yield to despair! For as long as a breath of life remains a man may have recourse to mercy and ask for pardon.

If you are still young, if already the scandals of your life have lowered you in the eyes of the world, do not be afraid... Even if there is reason to treat you as a criminal, to insult and cast you off... your God has no wish to see you fall into the flames of hell... On the contrary He ardently desires you to come to Him so that He may forgive you. If you dare not speak to Him, at least look at Him and let the sighs of your heart reach Him, and at once you will find His kind and fatherly hand stretched out to lead you to the springs of pardon and life.

Should it happen that you have spent the greater part of your life in impiety and indifference, and that the sudden approach of the hour of death fills you with blinding despair... Ah! Do not let yourself be deceived, for there is still time for pardon. If only one second of life remains to you, in that one second you can buy back eternal life!

If your whole life has been spent in ignorance and error... if you have been a cause of great evil to other men, to society at large, or to religion, and if through some set of circumstances you have come to realize that you have been deceived... do not allow yourself to be crushed by the weight of your sins and of the evil of which you have been the instrument; but with a soul penetrated with deep contrition throw yourself into an abyss of confidence, and hasten to Him who awaits your return only to pardon you.

The case is the same for a soul that has been faithful to the observance of My law from childhood, but who has gradually cooled off into the tepid and unspiritual ways of an easy life. She has so to say forgotten her soul and its higher aspirations. God was asking of her greater efforts, but blinded by habitual failings, she has fallen into tepidity worse than actual sin, for her deaf and drowsy conscience neither feels remorse nor hears the voice of God.

Then, perhaps, that soul awakens with a shock of realization: life appears to have been a failure, empty and useless for her salvation... She has lost innumerable graces, and the evil one, loath to lose her, makes the most of her distress, plunges her into discouragement, sadness and dejection... and finally casts her into fear and despair.

O soul whom I love, pay no heed to this ruthless enemy... but as soon as possible have recourse to Me, and filled with deepest contrition implore My mercy and have no fear. I will forgive you. Take up again your life of fervor, and you will have back your lost merits, and My grace will never fail you.

Finally, shall I speak to My chosen souls? Supposing that one has spent long years in the constant practice of the Rule and of her religious duties... a soul that I have favored with My grace and instructed by My counsels... a soul long faithful to My voice and to the inspirations of grace... and now this soul has cooled in her fervor on account of some petty passion... occasions of faults not avoided... some yielding to the claims of nature and a general relaxation of effort... and in consequence has fallen to a lower level... to a commonplace kind of life... then lastly, to give it its true name, tepidity. If, for one cause or another, you awake from this torpid state, the devil will instantly attack you in every way, jealous of a soul he hopes to claim. He will try to persuade you that it is too late, and that any effort is useless, he will accentuate your repugnance to make an avowal of your state of soul... he will, so to speak, throttle you to prevent you from seeking and accepting the light... he will do his best to stifle trust and confidence in your soul.

But listen rather to My voice, and let Me tell you how to act: As soon as your soul is touched by grace, and before the struggle has even begun, hasten to My Heart; beg of Me to let a drop of My Blood fall on your soul... Ah! Hasten to My Heart... and be without fear for the past; all has been swallowed up in the abyss of My mercy, and My love is preparing new graces for you. The memory of your lapses will be an incentive to humility and a source of merit, and you cannot give Me a greater proof of affection than to count on My full pardon and to believe that your sins will never be as great as My mercy, which is infinite.

Remain hidden, Josefa, in the abyss of My love, praying that souls may be filled with the same sentiments."

The young Spanish sister to whom these revelations were made died in the early 20^th Century after a short religious life of great suffering and great fidelity. ...this book is something more than an account of extraordinary graces granted to a humble soul; it is the Message which Our Lord Himself desired to be made known to the world. It is His own words. "Tell them... My Heart is not only an abyss of Love; it is also an abyss of Mercy." On November 13th, shortly before her death, Our Blessed Lord said to Sister Josefa: "My words will be light and life for an incalculable number of souls, and I will grant them special graces of conversion and illumination." (from the back cover)

Prayer not only obtains God's grace for ourselves but for others as well. Another quote from the same book ("The Way of Divine Love") expounds on this below:

Josefa writes, "How is it that when prayer is made for a soul month after month there seems to be no result? ... How is it that He who so longs for the conversion of sinners, leaves their hearts untouched, so that many prayers and sacrifices are lost? ... and I spoke to Him of three sinners and especially of two, for whom we have been praying so long!"

"When a soul prays for a sinner with an intense desire for his conversion," Our Lord answered graciously, "his prayer generally obtains the sinner's conversion, though sometimes only at the last moment, and the offense given to My Heart is repaired. But in any case, prayer is never lost, for on the one hand, it consoles Me for the pain sin has occasioned, and on the other, its efficacy and power are applied, if not to that sinner, then to others better disposed to profit by it."

- taken from the book, "The Way of Divine Love"

The following are more words spoken by Jesus to Sr. Josefa Menendez:

"Now, I want something more, for if I long for love in response to My own, this is not the only return I desire from souls: I want them all to have confidence in My mercy, to expect all from My clemency, and never to doubt My readiness to forgive. I am God, but a God of love! I am a Father, but a Father full of compassion and never harsh. My Heart is infinitely holy but also infinitely wise, and knowing human frailty and infirmity, stoops to poor sinners with infinite mercy. I love those who after a first fall come to Me for pardon . . . I love them still more when they beg pardon for their second sin, and should this happen again, I do not say a million times but a million million times, I still love them and pardon them, and I will wash in My Blood their last as fully as their first sin. Never shall I weary of repentant sinners, nor cease from hoping for their return, and the greater their distress, the greater My welcome. Does not a father love a sick child with special affection? Are not his care and solicitude greater? So is the tenderness and compassion of My Heart more abundant for sinners than for the just. This is what I wish all to know. I will teach sinners that the mercy of My Heart is inexhaustible.

Let the callous and indifferent know that My Heart is a fire which will enkindle them, because I love them. To devout and saintly souls I will be "The Way," that making great strides in perfection, they may safely reach the harbor of eternal beatitude. Lastly, of consecrated souls, priests and religious, My elect and chosen ones, I ask, once more, all their love and that they should not doubt Mine, but above all that they should trust Me and never doubt My mercy. It is so easy to trust completely in My Heart." (June 11, 1923).

Also spoken by Our Lord to Sr. Josefa: "As soon as a soul throws itself at My feet and implores My forgiveness, Josefa, I forget all her sins."

To Saint Faustina Jesus said, "My dear daughter, speak to the whole world about my unfathomable Mercy. ... Before coming as a Just Judge, I first come as the King of Mercy."

Also spoken by Jesus to St. Faustina:

"Human misery is not an obstacle to My mercy. My daughter, write that the greater the misery of a soul, the greater its right to My mercy: urge all souls to trust in the unfathomable abyss of My mercy, because I want to save them all."

"Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: "Jesus, I trust in You." I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish."

St. Francis de Sales writes, "Many people are tormented at death with the remembrance of their sins, and seeing that they have done no penance, are tempted to despair." He tells us that there is a perfect remedy - Namely, "to accept death and unite your death with that of Jesus Christ. And I do not at all doubt that he who is grieved for having offended God and accepts death willingly in satisfaction for his sins will immediately obtain pardon."

St. Alphonsus Liguori likewise notes, "To accept death in order that the will of God may be fulfilled, merits for us a reward similar to that of the martyrs, because they accepted death to please God. He who dies in union with the will of God makes a holy death; and the more closely he is united to it, the more holy death he dies. The Venerable Blosius declares that an act of perfect conformity to the will of God at the hour of death not only delivers us from Hell but also from Purgatory."

Pope recalls 'Church of Martyrs' and asks for courage.

Vatican: Pope recalls 'Church of Martyrs' and asks for courage.

Vatican City, April 6, 2013 ( Ecclesia ) - Pope Francisco evoked today in the Vatican "Church of martyrs" of the XXI century and urged Catholics to courageously show their faith without compromise in society.

"To find martyrs one need not go to the catacombs or the Colosseum (Rome): the martyrs still exist in many countries. Christians are persecuted for their faith, in some countries the use of the cross is forbidden, those who do so are punished if they do. Today, in the twenty-first century, our Church is a Church of martyrs, "he said in his homily during the Mass at which he presided in the chapel of Santa Marta, where he resides.

The Argentine Pope warned of the need not to "cut" or "negotiate the faith," as if one could "sell it to whoever makes the best offer", because that would be the beginning of the "road of apostasy, not of allegiance to the Lord. "

Francis questioned those who place their faith "in rose water" and are "lukewarm," emphasizing again that "faith cannot be negotiated."

"There has always been in the history of God's people, the temptation to compromise a bit of faith" and do "as they all do," he continued.

According to the Pope, we must live the faith as "a gift that the Lord makes to all people" and ask to be "strong and courageous", especially at times when you need to "make it (the faith) public".

"May the Lord help us to guard the faith, take it on, to be men and women of faith," he concluded.

The first canonization of the current pontificate, scheduled for May 12, include the Italian Antonio Primaldo and about 800 lay companions, killed "in hatred of the faith" in August 13, 1480, in the city of Otranto, during a raid carried out by Turkish troops.

The Pope also approved on the last day 28, the publication of the decrees that recognize the martyrdom of 62 Catholics killed in the twentieth century because of his faith.

Pope Francisco: witness the faith with courage

Vatican City ( RV )  - Witnessing with the full courage of faith: this is the invitation Francisco this morning by Pope presided at Mass in the chapel of Santa Marta. In celebration attended an Argentine family and some religious of the Daughters of St. Camillus and the Daughters of Our Lady of Charity.

In his brief homily, the Pope said the readings this Sunday of Easter: the first Peter and John boldly testify before the faith of the Jewish leaders despite threats, while the Gospel risen Jesus criticizes the apostles of unbelief who do not believe in that claim to have seen him alive.

The Pope then makes this question: "How are you, our faith? Is it strong? When difficulties come, "we are brave like Peter or a little touchy?". Peter - remarked, silent faith, because faith can not be negotiated. "There has always been - said the Pope - in the history of God's people this temptation: to do "as everyone else," not to be "too hard". "But when we started to negotiate faith, sell it to anyone who gives more, on the path of apostasy, not fidelity to the Lord."

"The example of Peter and John helps us, gives us strength" - also reveals the Pope - but in the history of the Church there are many martyrs today, "because to see them is not necessary to go to the catacombs or the Coliseum: the martyrs are now living in both countries.

Christians - Pope says Francisco - are persecuted for their faith. In some countries they are punished by the mere fact of carrying a cross. Today, in the twenty-first century, our Church is a Church of martyrs, those who say like Peter and John: "We can not silence what we saw and heard." And that - he continued - "gives us strength, give us the strength to bear witness to the life and faith that we receive is the gift that the Lord gives to all people."

But this is a grace. The grace of faith. We ask for it every day. "... Lord protect my faith, make it grow, that my faith becomes strong, courageous, and help me at times - as Peter and John - I make it public. Give me courage. This - he concluded - would be a beautiful prayer to this day: the Lord help us to protect the faith, takes it forward, to be women and men of faith. So be it. "

free translation from:

Fratres in Unum

AN OPEN LETTER OF WELCOME TO THE HOLY FATHER
        FROM BROTHER BRUNO BONNET-EYMARD

The Catholic Counter-Reformation in the 21^st Century

HE IS RISEN !

N° 127 – April 2013

Director : Brother Bruno Bonnet‑Eymard

---

Envoi

MOST Holy Father,

The announcement of your election to the sovereign pontificate on the evening of Wednesday, May 13, was a great surprise for our Community. Nevertheless, your simplicity, and your smile that reminded us of your predecessor, John Paul I, immediately won us over. Rapidly an inexpressible joy overcame us as your sound faith, your ardent piety, and your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin manifested themselves. It was then that a brother reminded me that in February 2003, our founder, Fr. Georges de Nantes, who departed this life three years ago, had your photograph in his hands and contemplated it at length saying to us : “ It is really the photograph of a saint. I do not grow tired of looking at it. ” Moreover, you correspond exactly to the longings of this beloved Father, of whom one of the maxims was that “ poverty will save the world, ” poverty that you, as it were, have espoused like your patron St. Francis.

If poverty and simplicity are two emblematic virtues of St. Francis of Assisi, they also make us think irresistibly of another Francis dear to our hearts, the blessed little shepherd of Fatima, who prayed so much and sacrificed himself “ for the Holy Father. ” You therefore have a very powerful intercessor close to the Most Blessed Virgin. Perhaps you are even Her chosen one, the person whom She has elected to consecrate Russia to Her Immaculate Heart, as She requested on June 13, 1929 ? Perhaps you are the one who was shown to Jacinta, Francisco’s little sister, in her prophetic visions ?

Be that as it may, you are the new Vicar of Jesus Christ, and I give utterance to the filial homage of all the religious Communities of which I am in charge. Please forgive me for doing it publically, but I do so in the hope that this token of our devoted and confident attachment may reach you more certainly than through “ private ” channels.

I dare ask of you, Most Holy Father, your cherished blessing, for myself and for all our Communities, which are yours, with the certainty that, as the true Vicar of Him Who said : “ Ask and it will be given to you, ” you will not fail to grant it.

I assure you of our prayers for the Church and for you, under the eyes of the Immaculate, Mother of every one of us, forever, in order that She may guard you and make you the diligent instrument of the desires of Her Immaculate Heart, which are none other than those of Her Divine Son.

Brother Bruno of Jesus-Mary 
On behalf of the Little Brothers and Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart,
and the lay members of the Phalange of the Immaculate.

The pope places his bouquet of flowers on the altar of the Most Blessed Virgin, in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

The Catholic Counter-Reformation in the 21st Century