@OldRomanTV #TheOldRoman
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Mark the Evangelist
According to the legend, St Philip preached in different parts of Asia and Southern Russia and was crucified in Hierapolis. St James, the author of the Epistle, was a relative (‘brother’) of Our Lord and Bishop of Jerusalem. He was thrown down from the Temple in 62 or 63. Their relics are kept in the Church of the Apostles (SS. Apostoli) in Rome. This feast has been celebrated for over a Millennium on May 1st, the anniversary of the Dedication of this church.
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Peter of Verona, Martyr
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Peter of Verona, Martyr
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: SS Cletus and Marcellinus
Carissimi; Today’s Mass: St Mark the Evangelist
This Sacrament of the Eucharist, above all others, inflames our souls with Divine love. God is love (l John iv. 8). And He is a fire which consumes all earthly affections in our hearts. He is a consuming fire (Heb. xii. 29). It was for this very purpose, namely, to enkindle this fire, the Son of God came upon earth. I am come to cast fire on the earth; and He added that He desired nothing but to see this fire enkindled in our souls: And what will I but that it be kindled-(Luke xii. 49}. And oh, what flames of love does not Jesus Christ light up in the heart of everyone who receives Him devoutly in this Sacrament!
The second occasion on which Mary became our spiritual Mother, and brought us forth to the life of grace, was when she offered to the “Eternal Father the life of her beloved Son on Mount Calvary, with so hitter sorrow and suffering. So that St. Augustine declares that “as she then co-operated by her love in the birth of the faithful to the life of grace, she became the spiritual Mother of all who are members of the one Head, Christ Jesus.”
Any who love Me love what I love, said Jesus to St. Catharine of Genoa. Now, as there never was and never will be anyone who loved God as much as Mary loved Him, so there never was and never will be anyone who loved her neighbour as much as she did. Great was the mercy of Mary towards the wretched when she was an exile here on earth, but far greater is it now that she reigns in Heaven.
In order to excite us to receive Him in the Holy Communion, Jesus not only exhorts us to do so by many invitations-Come, eat my bread; and drink the wine which I have mingled for you-(Prov. ix. 5); Eat, O friends, and drink-(Cant. v. I)-speaking of this Heavenly Bread and Wine-but He even gives us a formal precept: Take ye, and eat; this is my body. And more than this; that we may go and receive Him, He entices us with the promise of Paradise.