Blessed Christmas

Behold the dear Infant Jesus, and adore Him fervently. Contemplate His poverty, and humility, in imitation of His most holy Mother and of Saint Joseph. Repose near Him as sweetly as you can, He will not fail to love your heart, void as you find it of tenderness and feeling. Nothing will be wanting to you, since you will be in the presence of that holy Infant. Abide there, and learn of Him how meek and humble He is, how simple and amiable. See how lovingly He has written your name in the depth of His Divine Heart, which beats on that couch of straw from the impassioned zeal it has for our advancement, and heaves not one single sigh unto His Father in which you have not a part, nor a single movement of His spirit except for your happiness. 

--Saint Francis de Sales 

Heilige Adventszeit, Thoughts from Padre Pio's letters, St Francis de Sales

Poverty, humility, degradation, contempt surround the Word made flesh. But from the darkness in which this Word made flesh is enveloped, we understand one thing, we hear a voice, we catch a glimpse of a sublime truth. All this He has done out of love, and He does nothing but invite us to love; He speaks of nothing else but love; He gives nothing but proof of love. (Letters IV, pp. 972 – 973)

Ich wünsche Euch einen gesegneten und heiligen Advent

Our Expectant Mother Mary this Adventide, eagerly expecting Our Lord

It is indeed very special indeed this Advent, as I contemplate Our Dearest Mother, soon-to-be on donkey-back, making her way to Bethlehem, huge lump and all in front of her - and how arduous the journey (!), in piercing cold and rocky paths, with the donkey going up and done. How must St Joseph have felt, trying to protect Our Dearest Mother and guide her safely so that they could have the census done. And ... How must Our Lady have felt, to know how St Joseph was feeling and the suffering She, too, had to undergo on this journey. In this day and age, no travel is advised for huge pregnant women in their 8th and 9th month, unless absolutely necessary ... 

Deo gratias et Mariae (sehr sehr much!!!) It is indeed a very wonderful grace for a mother to be expecting at the time when Our Lady did. 

St Gerard Maria Majella, please take care of this child and, together with her Guardian Angel, guide her safely into this world so that she can receive the saving grace from the waters of Baptism. 

Awaiting Our Little Baby Jesus after the 4th Sunday of Advent

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

Happy feast of the beautiful Immaculate Conception! The Immaculate who housed Our Lord (the Most Sacred Heart) in her womb (a very precious thought during Advent, especially, Mother Mary walking around and (travelling even to Bethlehem!!) very pregnant with Our Lord!!!). 

Prayer of St Maximilian to the Immaculate

This is very beautiful.  It burrows deep into my heart. ❤️

Prayer of St. Maximilian to the Immaculate: 

Allow me to praise you, O, Most Holy Virgin. 

Allow me to praise you at my own expense. 

Allow me to live, work, suffer, expire and die for you and only for you. Allow me to bring the whole world to you. 

Allow me to contribute even more greatly to the greatest exaltation of you. 

Allow me to bring you such glory as has never been brought to you. 

Allow others to outdistance me in fervency of your exaltation, and me them, so that your glory will grow, in noble competition, deeper and deeper, faster and faster, more powerfully, as He wishes, He, Who so inexpressibly exalted you above all beings. 

In only you, incomparably, God became more glorified than in all His saints. For you, God created the world. For you also, God has called me into existence. Whence is this happiness for me? 

O, allow me to praise you, O, Most Holy Virgin.

Amen.