Holy Week Contemplation by saint Josemaria Escriva

The tragedy of the passion brings to fulfilment our own life and the whole of human history. We can't let Holy Week be just a kind of commemoration. It means contemplating the mystery of Jesus Christ as something which continues to work in our souls. The Christian is obliged to be alter Christus, ipse Christus: another Christ, Christ himself. Through baptism all of us have been made priests of our lives, "to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Everything we do can be an expression of our obedience to God's will and so perpetuate the mission of the Godman.
Once we realize this, we are immediately reminded of our wretchedness and our personal failings. But they should not dishearten us; we should not become pessimistic and put our ideals aside. Our Lord is calling us, in our present state, to share his life and make an effort to be holy. I know holiness can sound like an empty word. Too many people think it is unattainable, something to do with ascetical theology — but not a real goal for them, a living reality. The first Christians didn't think that way. They often used the word "saints" to describe each other in a very natural manner: "greetings to all the saints"; "my greetings to every one of the saints in Jesus Christ."
Take a look now at Calvary. Jesus has died and there is as yet no sign of his glorious triumph. It is a good time to examine how much we really want to live as Christians, to be holy. Here is our chance to react against our weaknesses with an act of faith. We can trust in God and resolve to put love into the things we do each day. The experience of sin should lead us to sorrow. We should make a more mature and deeper decision to be faithful and truly identify ourselves with Christ, persevering, no matter what it costs, in the priestly mission that he has given every single one of his disciples. That mission should spur us on to be the salt and light of the world.
Saint Josemaria Escriva, Christ is Passing By, 96

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Between wearing green so not to get pinched and putting food dye in beer, the actual feast day has gotten lost in an ever growing list of secular traditions. Today, the real St. Patrick has taken a back seat to leprechauns. If you are curious about the Saint behind the day, here are some well known quotes from St. Patrick so you may get to know him a little better:

"Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall."

"Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me."

"I am Patrick, a sinner, most uncultivated and least of all the faithful and despised in the eyes of many."

"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me."

"No one should ever say that it was my ignorance if I did or showed forth anything however small according to God's good pleasure; but let this be your conclusion and let it so be thought, that - as is the perfect truth - it was the gift of God."

"That which I have set out in Latin is not my words but the words of God and of apostles and prophets, who of course have never lied. He who believes shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be damned. God has spoken."

"The Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins."

If you would like to learn more about Saint Patrick's life, go to: http://www.catholicadventure.com/2010/03/facts-about-st-patricks-day-and-real-st.html

Great Catholic Saint Quote - St. Louis de Montfort on the Rosary

"If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins 'you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory.' Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if-- and mark well what I say-- if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins."

-St. Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”


For daily Saint quotes see http://twitter.com/catholicadvent