Volume IV, Issue 27, December 22, 2007

- A Christmas Blessing from Mother of All Peoples from the Editor, Mark Miravalle
- Holiness is Available to All who Venerate Me in the Eucharist by "Anne," a Lay Apostle
- Theological Defense of the Miraculous Birth by the Msgr. Arthur B. Calkins
- The Miraculous Birth of the Man-God by Maria Valtorta
- When Did Belief in the Virgin Birth Begin by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
- Through Mary the Father's Blessing Upon Mankind by St. Sophronius
- The Incarnation: The Virgin becomes the Co-redemptrix by Mark Miravalle
- In Defense of the Theotokos by St. Cyril of Alexandria
- Christmas Cake by Michael O'Brien
- The Seven Sorrows of China, Part VII by Mark Miravalle
- Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate a Traditional Catholic Hymn

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- A Christmas Blessing from Mother of All Peoples from the Editor, Mark Miravalle

The Miracle of the Second Person of the Trinity being born as a child was protected by yet another miracle: A virgin giving birth without physical harm to her virginal integrity. As one Patristic author comments: "He, who by a touch could heal the severed limbs of others, how much more could He, in His own birth, preserve whole that which He found whole? In this parturition, soundness of the Mother's body was rather strengthened than weakened, and her virginity rather confirmed than lost."
Pseudo-Augustine

May the miracles that should be expected when God becomes man and enters human history be the source of miraculous graces for you and your loved one during this most blessed of Christmas seasons.

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Dr. Mark Miravalle
Editor, Mother of All Peoples

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Holiness is Available to All who Venerate Me in the Eucharist by "Anne," a Lay Apostle

Dear readers,

The following presents the initial messages from Jesus to Anne regarding his own Eucharistic presence. The messages are both sublime and powerful, and we share them with you. Anne, a visionary from Ireland, has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, for the distribution of messages which she receives from Jesus, God the Father, Our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints (see article, "Discernment of Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King," Marian Private Revelation section).– Ed.

August 17, 2003

Jesus

My children, I am speaking to you from the depth of My Eucharistic heart. My dearest little souls of this world, you must come back to Me. I want your love now, as never before, and I want to protect you, as never before. Because Our time is not like your time, I can communicate with you in a timeless manner. This is what I wish to tell you. I am going to share My deepest secrets with you. I am going to remove the veil from the tabernacle as never before. I want you to know Me. I want you to know Me in My miraculous form of the consecrated host. I am the Bread of Life. Yes. And I am your Jesus, also. I was a humble Man, who walked your paths of difficulty, want, and hardship. Many treated Me badly, so I understand the pain of hurt. We had little money, so I understand the pain of hunger. I was different, so I understand the pain of isolation. Little ones, I am with you. I want to teach you things that souls of past times did not learn until they came to heaven. I am doing this because I am rising up a tidal wave of Christians to wash over the shore of badness that has taken control of this world, so lovingly created by My Father. This process will cleanse your world, making it safe once again for God's children. I am going to bring you knowledge, wisdom, and love. I am going to introduce you to the divine to make your hearts burn like furnaces of divine love. You will be given the opportunity to work with Me. Children, come with Me now. Walk this walk of the divine with Me, your Savior. Together, We call out to others to join us. In this way, We rise up against evil and reclaim goodness for the world, for its people, and for God in heaven. I am omnipotent. By cooperating with Me and working with Me, you share in My power. You will learn to love in a way you have never known before. I am revealing Myself in a new way, such as I have never done. Come, let us together pay homage and pledge obedience to God the Father. It is He who decrees this work. Thank Him often and deeply for these graces, for with these graces, you will help Me to save the world. http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1209 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Theological Defense of the Miraculous Birth by the Msgr. Arthur B. Calkins

In her interesting article "Reproductive Science and the Incarnation" (Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly Vol. 25, No. 4, Fall 2002, 11-25) Dr. Catherine Brown Tkacz offers a number of interesting correlations between the discoveries of reproductive science and the Church's belief in the mystery of the Incarnation. Just as the Holy Spirit has continued to bring forth deeper insights into the meaning of this mystery (cf. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum, #8), so also the data of biological science, evaluated in the light of Scripture and Tradition, can help us to marvel at the inexhaustible richness of the mystery. The point is, of course, that the mystery can never be simply explained either by theology or by modern science. At the end of her essay Dr. Tkacz appropriately comments that "the mystery of Jesus' Incarnation remains ineluctable and eternal" (p. 22).

Without taking away from the valuable insights which her article provides, I would nonetheless take issue with Dr. Tkacz's treatment of Mary's virginity in giving birth to Christ (commonly referred to as the virginitas in partu) on p. 21 and in endnotes #76 and #78 on p. 25. It must be admitted that the datum of the faith that Mary gave birth as a virgin, unfortunately, receives virtually no attention in contemporary catechesis or preaching.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1207

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Miraculous Birth of the Man-God by Maria Valtorta

We present this account of the birth of Our Lord, followed by a commentary on the account by Our Lady herself, from The Poem of the Man-God. The Poem of the Man-God remains a legitimate mystical/spiritual source for Christian meditation regarding the life of Jesus as recorded by the Italian mystic, Maria Valtorta (see article, In Response to Various Questions Regarding "The Poem of the Man-God" in the Marian Private Revelation section). – Ed.

I still see the inside of the poor stony shelter, where Mary and Joseph have found refuge, sharing the lot of some animals.

The little fire is dozing together with its guardian. Mary lifts Her head slowly from Her bed and looks round. She sees that Joseph's head is bowed over his chest, as if he were meditating, and She thinks that his good intention to remain awake has been overcome by tiredness. She smiles lovingly and making less noise than a butterfly alighting on a rose, She sits up and then goes on Her knees. She prays with a blissful smile on Her face. She prays with Her arms stretched out, almost in the shape of a cross, with the palms of Her hands facing up and forward, and She never seems to tire in that position. She then prostrates Herself with Her face on the hay, in an even more ardent prayer. A long prayer.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1206 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- When Did Belief in the Virgin Birth Begin by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

In the study of law one of the most important subjects is evidence. One of the reasons why so few have arrived at a truth in which they believe absolutely is that they have forgotten the importance of proof. Evidence is one of the important divisions of theology. No belief can be accepted without proof or a "motive of credibility." One might say that the greatest skeptics are the Christians, for they will not believe in the Resurrection until they see the crucified and dead Man arise from the grave by the Power of God Himself. One could take any doctrine of Christianity as an example of proof and of evidence, but we will take one that the modern world has rejected for the last three hundred years (after believing in it for the first sixteen hundred years), namely, the virgin birth of Jesus from His Mother, Mary, who is a virgin.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1205 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Through Mary the Father's Blessing Upon Mankind by St. Sophronius

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. What joy could surpass this, O Virgin Mother? What grace can excel that which God has granted to you alone? What could be imagined more dazzling or more delightful? Before the miracle we witness in you, all else pales; all else is inferior when compared with the grace you have been given. All else, even what is most desirable, must take second place and enjoy a lesser importance.

The Lord is with you. Who would dare challenge you? You are God's mother; who would not immediately defer to you and be glad to accord you a greater primacy and honor? For this reason, when I look upon the privilege you have above all creatures, I extol you with the highest praise: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. On your account joy has not only graced men, but is also granted to the powers of heaven.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1203

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Incarnation: The Virgin becomes the Co-redemptrix by Mark Miravalle

"Incarnatio redemptiva redemptio inchoativa" (the redemptive Incarnation is the Redemption begun). This patristic concept of the miracle of miracles in which the Second person of the Most Holy Trinity deigned to become flesh for us correctly conveys that the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is truly the "Redemption begun." And yet, it was the Father's perfect plan that such redemptive Incarnation take place only through the consent of a human, a woman, a virgin.

Perhaps St. Bernard describes it best when he states that the whole world waited to hear the response of the Virgin, upon whom salvation was dependent: "The angel awaits an answer; . . . We too are waiting O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us . . . We shall be set free at once if you consent… This is what the whole earth waits for…" (1).

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1201

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- In Defense of the Theotokos by St. Cyril of Alexandria

I see this joyful assembly of holy bishops who, at the invitation of the blessed Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, have gathered here with enthusiasm. And although I am sad, the presence of these holy Fathers fills me with joy. Among us is fulfilled the sweet words of the psalmist David: "Behold how good and sweet it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity."

Hail Mary Theotókos, venerable treasure of the whole world, star who never sets, crown of virginity, scepter of the orthodox law, indestructible Mother and Virgin, for the sake of the one who is called "blessed" in the holy Gospels, the one who "comes in the name of the Lord."

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1200 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Christmas Cake by Michael O'Brien

Suppose you live in a small town in the hill country, far from the big cities. And suppose that just down the road from you there lives a quiet sort of family about whom there isn’t anything outstanding, except that they are devoted to each other and are very devout in the practice of their faith. The dad is a carpenter who makes furniture in his shop beside their small house. The mother is a "home-maker," a lovely person really. Their ten-year-old son is a polite sort of lad, helps his dad in the shop, is serious by nature, never says much but is ever-ready to smile at the drop of a hat. You meet him sometimes while walking along the country road or tromping through the bush; you turn a corner or step over a log and there he is kneeling beside a pond watching a beaver build a dam, or there he is gazing up into a tree branch listening to newborn robins chirping in their nest. That’s him—just listening, just looking. He notices you, smiles, bows a little, then seems to gaze at you as if you were as wonder-full as the world. He’s not shy, just quiet. Like his dad, he carves small wooden toys as gifts for the other children in the neighborhood. There’s something special about him, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1199

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- The Seven Sorrows of China, Part VII by Mark Miravalle

The Seventh Sorrow: The Western Response to China’s Plight

Upon my return, an extended family member asked me, "So how was your trip to China?" I responded, "Intense." She then asked, "Will you give me some details?" I began to describe to her the First Sorrow, with Yi Wei, and informed her of the common practice of a woman going to the hospital nine months pregnant, ready to deliver, only to have her abdomen injected with a lethal poison that killed the baby.

My family member immediately responded, "That must be propaganda." I was aghast as she continued, "Human rights activists and the U.N. would never allow such a gross violation of human rights."

My heart felt pierced as I came into direct contact with one of the reasons why the gross violations of the Chinese people and of the Chinese Church continues. Much of the West has rationalized this away as simply "propaganda," and in this way have allowed what are truly gross violations of human rights to continue.

Later that day the family member came to me and said, "I owe you an apology. I wasn’t ready for that. I was looking forward to hearing about something like an excursion to the Forbidden City. I just wasn’t ready to hear that things like that are still going on. I’m sorry."

In truth, things like this will continue to go on unless our consciences convince us to do something about it.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1204

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate a Traditional Catholic Hymn

Praise to Mary, Heaven’s Gate,
Guiding Star of Christians’ way,
Mother of our Lord and King,
Light and hope to souls astray.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1198

---------------------------------------------------------------------------