Beautiful Martyrs

Today's the Feast day of St. Anthony Mary Claret, tomorrow's the Feast day of one (of the 3) of the 7 archangels whose names we know: St. Raphael, who appeared to Tobias. Raphael means Medicine of God in the hebrew.

And I was reading this just the other day, its so beautiful, the way the martyrs lived and died. Here is the link to the District of Asia's most recent newsletter with a huge dossier on Japanese Catholicism, including a letter by St. Francis Xavier himself. Here's a beautiful excerpt from an article from the newsletter: A Pilgrim's Diary of a very Memorable Japanese Pilgrimage.

"Then, after an intense walk in a light rain, while reciting the Rosary for Asian and especially Japanese vocations, we arrived on the bank of the Kamo river which crosses Kyoto, and were shown, inserted in the hedge on the side of the road, a simple stone-monument, with some Japanese inscription on it. This monument which was put up in spite of much opposition only a few ten years ago, recalls the martyrdom of 55 Catholics, on October 6, 1619. That day is called “The Great Kyoto Martyrdom”.

(When I came home I found the following details on that event:)

There were more than 300,000 Catholics in Japan at that time. That is why the Shogun (highest military commander), fearing his authority was seriously in danger, decided, under the influence of his Buddhists advisers, to eliminate the Christians.
In The Christian century in Japan (1951), one can read of an Englishman who was there, on that very day of October 6, 1619, and who describes how he saw ‘fifty-five persons of all ages and both sexes burnt alive on the dry bed of the Kamo River, and among them little children of five or six years old in their mothers’ arms, crying out, ‘Jesus, receive their souls!’ ” Here is the description of one of these executions:

“The ordeal was witnessed by 150,000, according to some writers, or 30,000 according to other and in all probability more reliable chroniclers. When the fagots were kindled, the martyrs said sayonara (farewell) to the onlookers who then began to entone the Magnificat, followed by the psalms Laudate pueri Dominum and Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, while the Japanese judges sat on one side ‘in affected majesty and gravity, as in their favorite posture’. Since it had rained heavily the night before, the faggots were wet and the wood burnt slowly; but as long as the martyrdom lasted, the spectators continued to sing hymns and canticles. When death put an end to the victims’ suffering, the crowd intoned the Te Deum.” (C.R. Boxer, The Christian Century in Japan, University of California Press, 1951, pp.342,343, 349)

These 55 Martyrs are among the 188 Martyrs that were declared Venerable last June 1, 2007, and should be beatified in the very near future. And among them is this heroic family of John Hashimoto Tahyôe, his wife Thecla and their five children, Catharina 13, Thomas 12, Franciscus 8, Petrus 6 and Ludovica 3. During the execution, the fire actually freed Catharina who was tied to a separate cross at a short distance from the cross where her mother and the 3 youngest children were tied together. She ran to her mother saying, ‘Mother, I can’t see!’ Her mother replied, ‘pray to Jesus and Mary’. The last thing bystanders saw of the mother was that she was drying tears from her 3 year old baby who was in her arms. After the flames and the smoke abided, the mother was still seen holding her youngest, tight in her arms, both dead.

The image of them offering their lives along with those of their children became a symbol of the martyrdom of the Japanese Church. (cf. The Great Kyoto Martyrdom: October 6, 1619, Yūki Ryōgo, 1987)"

Certainly very beautiful and most admirable! Deo gratias et Mariae. I am reminded of something I read in the Epistle that St. Paul wrote to the Hebrews, Chapter 13.

Divers admonitions and exhortations.

1 Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you. 2 And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels. 3 Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body. 4 Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.

4 "Marriage honourable in all"... Let marriage be honourable in all-- That is, in all things belonging to the marriage state. This is a warning to married people, not to abuse the sanctity of their state, by any liberties or irregularities contrary thereunto. Now it does not follow from this text that all persons are obliged to marry, even if the word omnibus were rendered, in all persons, instead of in all things: for if it was a precept, St. Paul himself would have transgressed it, as he never married. Moreover, those who have already made a vow to God to lead a single life, should they attempt to marry, they would incur their own damnation. 1 Tim. 5. 12.

6 So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me. 7 Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, 8 Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today; and the same for ever. 9 Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them. 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. 14 For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.

13 "Bearing his reproach"... That is, bearing his cross. It is an exhortation to them to be willing to suffer with Christ, reproaches, persecutions, and even death, if they desire to partake of the benefit of his suffering for man's redemption.

16 And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained. 17 Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you. 18 Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well in all things. 19 And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting testament,

21 Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen. 22 And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words. 23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you. 24 Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from Italy salute you. 25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori

Jesus, Mary, I love Thee; Save Souls!

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)

What is Faith?

God, Church and Soul

I stole this video from The Sleepless Eye's blog. Do watch it. It's so beautiful and plus its way cool. Way way cool. =) God Bless the person who did this ;)

And from Joyce's blog, I got the link to H.E. Bishop Williamson's blog. Here's the link. It's Dinoscopus for you.

And from the Sacred Heart Choir blog, there's some beautiful news, coming from the Vatican...

Pope Ratzinger seems to be stepping up the tempo. The curia will have a new office with authority in the field of sacred music. And the choir of the Sistine Chapel is getting a new director...

by Sandro Magister

ROMA, October 18, 2007 – In the span of just a few days, a series of events have unfolded at the Vatican which, taken all together, foretell new provisions – at the pope's behest – to foster the rebirth of great sacred music. ... (Click here to read more)

Absolutely beautiful. Deo gratias et Mariae.

And now, my dear blog readers, What is Faith?

As St. Thérèse my dearest patron said:

And, here's what St. Paul writes, so beautifully, in his epistle to the Hebrews, Chapter 11, on Faith:

What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the fathers.

1 Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. 2 For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him. 7 By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith. 8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. 10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.

8 "He that is called Abraham"... or, Abraham being called.

11 By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised, 12 For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. 14 For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. 15 And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.

16 But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son; 18 (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.) 19 Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable. 20 By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

19 "For a parable"... That is, as a figure of Christ, slain and coming to life again.

21 By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents; because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter; 25 Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time,

21 "Adored the top of his rod"... The apostle here follows the ancient Greek Bible of the seventy interpreters, (which translates in this manner, Gen. 47. 31.,) and alleges this fact of Jacob, in paying a relative honour and veneration to the top of the rod or sceptre of Joseph, as to a figure of Christ's sceptre and kingdom, as an instance and argument of his faith. But some translators, who are no friends to this relative honour, have corrupted the text, by translating it, he worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff; as if this circumstance of leaning upon his staff were any argument of Jacob's faith, or worthy the being thus particularly taken notice of by the Holy Ghost.

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible. 28 By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days.

31 By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets: 33 Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection.

36 And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. 37 They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: 38 Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caved of the earth. 39 And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; 40 God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.

Jesus, Mary, I love Thee; Save Souls!

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)

Our Faith, It is the Victory that overcometh the world

"For whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world, and this is the victory, which overcometh the world, our
FAITH"

- 1 John 5:4

"Love not the world, nor the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world is the (1)concupiscence of the flesh, and the (2)concupiscence of the eyes, and the (3)pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof."

- 1 John 2:15-17

And that world is powerful; it offers man immediate tangible enjoyment, it stimulates his ambition, his thirst for power. Once Satan tried to make use of these three allurements against Jesus Himself, but he was ignominiously defeated. Now the fight continues in this world around us, and in the heart of every man.

BUT, take heart! For it was Jesus who Himself said:

"In this world you shall have distress; but have confidence I have overcome the world."

- John 16: 33

We know how He has overcome the world: by suffering and death He entered upon His glory. We have a High Priest who knows our infirmities, and has compassion on them; His Heart also was troubled and He was afraid in the hour of His agony, but He offered up prayers and supplications and was heard for His reverence (Hebrews 5:7), and so He overcame, by the tree of the Cross.

Until the end of time Christ will suffer affliction in His Church, but against her the gates of hell shall not prevail: they may persecute her, close or "disaffect" her sacred edifices, torture her children (and this we have seen happening in our own day on a vaster scale than ever before), but never shall they destroy her.

Whether they refer to the struggle between the "Two Cities", which is raging throughout the world, or to the fierce duel between good and evil which is being fought within our own soul, these words of Jesus must always comfort us: "Have confidence, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). "Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4), "He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing." (John 15:5-6).

(Adapted from Alone with God, by Fr. Heyrmann SJ)

and it is HIM - Dearest Jesus, that we receive in Holy Communion. He IS present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. It is Him alone that desires us (desidero desideravi), giving Himself to us so wholeheartedly, so lovingly, so mind-boggling (that a God would give Himself as food - all for love) since Deus caritas est, infinitus!, and we, inately - though sometimes we feel otherwise, desire Him too, as captured so nicely in St. Augustine's (d. 430 AD) exclamation: "Our Hearts were made for Thee, O Lord, and it finds no rest till it rests in Thee."

Jesus, Mary, I Love Thee, Save Souls!

Regina Caeli, Laetare, Alleluia!