Volume IV, Issue 5, February 24, 2007

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- On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering by Pope John Paul II
- The Call to Sacrifice by Sister Lucia of Fatima
- Heaven Speaks About Divorce by "Anne," a Lay Apostle
- Fasting Is Necessary by Fr. Slavko Barbaric, O.F.M.
- Fasting and the Family by Mark Miravalle
- Mary as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate in the Contemporary Roman Liturgy by Msgr. Arthur B. Calkins
- "Do What Is Wanted of You!" by The Lady of All Nations

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On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering by Pope John Paul II

John Paul the Great’s Apostolic Letter, Salvific Doloris, "On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering," ranks among the greatest spiritual documents from the papal magisterium ever written. It is second to none in capturing the redemptive value of human suffering, and constitutes a quintessential spiritual meditation for our Lenten season. – Ed.

1. Declaring the power of salvific suffering, the Apostle Paul says: "In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (1).

These words seem to be found at the end of the long road that winds through the suffering which forms part of the history of man and which is illuminated by the Word of God. These words have as it were the value of a final discovery, which is accompanied by joy. For this reason Saint Paul writes: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake" (2). The joy comes from the discovery of the meaning of suffering, and this discovery, even if it is most personally shared in by Paul of Tarsus who wrote these words, is at the same time valid for others. The Apostle shares his own discovery and rejoices in it because of all those whom it can help—just as it helped him—to understand the salvific meaning of suffering.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=986 

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The Call to Sacrifice by Sister Lucia of Fatima

"Offer prayers and sacrifices constantly to the Most High."

This call to sacrifice, which God now addresses to us, is something which we find in many pages of Sacred Scripture. It may seem superfluous to repeat it again here; but it will not be in vain, because we are all so forgetful and lackadaisical about fulfilling this great duty.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=987 

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Heaven Speaks About Divorce by "Anne," a Lay Apostle

"Anne" has received permission from her local ordinary, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore, Ireland, for the spreading of her messages, and has also submitted all her writings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (see article, "Discernment of Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King," Marian Private Revelation section). – Asst. Ed.

August 5, 2005

Jesus

I speak today with such love in My heart. My love overflows. It is for this reason that I come to you to talk about the sad situation of holy marriages ending in divorce. I tell you why this grieves Me. There are many situations in which the marriage did not have to end. I am Jesus. I am God. I can heal many wounds if I am allowed to minister to the husband and wife in their difficulties. Every marriage will experience times when either one or the other is angry and would like to separate. This is to be expected and should not startle or frighten those involved. During these times, if the couple comes to Me and asks for My grace, I will send the grace necessary to preserve the family.

Dear children of God, there are many reasons why I wish to keep families together. I am speaking to you today in general terms, understanding that there are times when a union cannot be preserved. I do not sanction violence of any kind by one party against another. This is not from heaven and heaven does not prompt either a husband or a wife to abuse. This comes from the enemy of the marriage. In cases such as this, or in cases where one party has committed every effort to retain the union but to no avail, My Church enters, with all of her wisdom, and makes a decision. This is the way I have organized the resolution of these matters. My Church is given great wisdom and discernment, and you should understand that by My Church I am referring to the priests who work for Me in the Church and who are obedient to their Pontiff. Bring your difficulties to Me, dear brothers and sisters, and I will help you.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=988 

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Fasting Is Necessary by Fr. Slavko Barbaric, O.F.M.

The following article is an excerpt from the writings of the late Fr. Slavko Barbaric, parish priest from St. James parish, Medjugorje, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Fr. Slavko's treatment which articulates the "necessity of fasting" seems particularly appropriate and helpful as we begin our Lenten season. – Ed.

Time and time again, the Evangelists speak about fasting and report that Jesus recommended fasting to make progress in the spiritual life. What Jesus has said about fasting can be summed up in this way:

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=989 

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Fasting and the Family by Mark Miravalle

"I wish to tell you, dear children, to renew living the messages I am giving you. Especially live the messages regarding your fasting, because your fasting gives me joy, and by fasting you will attain the fulfillment of the whole plan which God is planning here at Medjugorje. Thank you for having responded to my call" (Our Lady of Medjugorje, September 26, 1985).

The Madonna tells us in this message that fasting is a foundation for bringing forth into full flowering the message of Medjugorje. Note also how fasting has an integral role in bringing about the whole plan of God at Medjugorje. In this article I would like to talk about three aspects of this call of fasting. First of all, the general Medjugorje call to fast by the Gospa. Secondly, the nature and profound fruits of fasting, with an emphasis on understanding fasting in a positive light. Too often we have a negative notion of fasting, much like the negative notion of the Sacrament of Penance which we discussed earlier. This is a great injustice to the spiritual gift that fasting is to the seekers of Christian holiness. Thirdly, and most importantly, I'll treat how fasting can be incorporated into our lives in a personal and family way, how we can prudentially, and in a way that sanctifies our family, incorporate this call to fasting.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=990 

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Mary as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate in the Contemporary Roman Liturgy by Msgr. Arthur B. Calkins

The topic of Our Lady's role as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate for the People of God in the Liturgy of the Catholic Church is a very broad one, one which requires a number of preliminary clarifications. For the purposes of our analysis, it is important to recognize at the outset that in the overall category of Marian mediation three distinct "moments" of the process may be differentiated: 1. that of Mary's collaboration in the redemption of the human race; 2. that of her distribution of the manifold graces won by the redemption and 3. that of her complementary intercession on behalf of the human race for the gift of redemption and all that flows from it. These three moments have been delineated by Dr. Mark I. Miravalle in terms of Our Lady's role as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate for the People of God. (1) Yet another way of clarifying these inter-related concepts is to say that Mary's mediation constitutes the general category while the specific categories may be further distinguished as coredemption, mediation and advocacy.

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=991

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"Do What Is Wanted of You!" by The Lady of All Nations

On March 25, 1974, Ida Peerdeman has a Eucharistic Experience (ecclesiastical approval, May 31, 2002, see "Church Approves Apparitions of the Lady of All Nations" article) in which Our Lord shows her the Blessed Mother, assumed body and soul into heaven, in indescribable glory. Our Lord also shows Ida His future victory over evil, exhorting the Church not to hesitate any longer but to "do what is wanted of you!" – Asst. Ed.

When the Creed was said, "the Light" came over the altar and the priests, and spread slowly over all present. It was again a "Threefold Light" turning into one great "Light." During the Consecration, at the Elevation of the Sacred Host and the Chalice, I saw a heavenly vision of "the Lord" in all His beauty and glory. In was just majestic! It cannot possibly be described. In the meantime I heard:

http://www.motherofallpeoples.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=992

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