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Angels--Their Duties

To behold the face of God in Heaven is the noblest and happiest occupation of which His creatures are capable. It is enough and more than enough to satiate them with unspeakable delight through all eternity. This is the essential joy of the Holy Angels. Everywhere and at all times they behold the face of God, and drink in continually fresh draughts of love as they gaze on His infinite perfections.

They also find unceasing satisfaction in falling on their faces and adoring the Most High, as if, thereby, to express their self-annihilation in the presence of God. They forget themselves in God. He is all in all to them. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, because Thou hast created all things, and for Thy will they were and have been created." Is God thus all in all to me?

They also sing aloud: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," and to this song melody their celestial harmonies. This is to them of all songs the sweetest, because to publish aloud the holiness of God is the end of all rational creatures, and therefore the source of all true happiness. There is always a sweet music going up to the throne of God from the beautiful harmony of the lives of His saints, and from their adoration of His Infinite Holiness. Do I love and adore the holiness of God, and meditate on the contrast of my unholiness?


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May 31st - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin

Formally celebrated on July 2nd. The Archangel Gabriel, at the time of the Annunciation, informed the Mother of God that Her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived and was soon to be the mother of a son, the destined precursor of the Messiah. The Blessed Virgin in Her humility concealed the wonderful dignity to which She Herself was raised, through the Incarnation of the Son of God in Her womb, but in the transport of Her holy joy and gratitude, determined to go to congratulate and assist the mother of the Baptist. "Mary therefore arose" Saint Luke says, "and with haste went into the hill country into a city of Judea, and entering into the house of Zachary, greeted Elizabeth."

What a blessing did the presence of the God-Man bring to this house, the first which He in His humanity honored with His visit! But it is Mary who is the instrument and means by which He imparts His divine blessing. He intends to show us that She is the channel through which He delights to communicate to us His graces, and encourages us to ask them of Him through Her intercession.

At the voice of the Mother of God, by the power and grace of Her divine Son in Her womb, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and the infant in her womb, sanctified at that moment, conceived so great a joy as to leap and exult. By the infused light of the Spirit of God Elizabeth understood the great mystery of the Incarnation which God had wrought in Mary, whose humility prevented Her from disclosing it, even to a Saint and an intimate friend. In raptures of astonishment Elizabeth pronounced Mary blessed above all other women, and cried out, "How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" The Virgin, hearing Her own praise, sank yet lower in the abyss of Her nothingness, and melting in an ecstasy of love and gratitude to God, She burst into Her admirable canticle, the Magnificat: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and My spirit rejoices in God, My Saviour." What marvels of grace and light God reveals to us in the souls of His Saints! Mary stayed with Her cousin almost three months, after which She returned to Nazareth.

Reflection: While with the Church we praise God for the mercies and wonders which He wrought in this mystery, we must apply ourselves to imitating the virtues of which Mary sets us a perfect example. Let us pay particular attention to our visits and conversation, acts which are to many Christians the sources of innumerable dangers and sins. Let us meditate on the holy conversations of the cousins, and the services Mary rendered to Elizabeth, and think how we may imitate Her prudent charity.


Saint Quote:
Obedience is a short cut to perfection. They who are living under obedience, if they really wish to advance in the ways of God, must give themselves up always and in all things into the hands of their superiors; and they who are not living under obedience must subject themselves to some learned and discreet confessor, whom they may obey in the place of God, disclosing to him, with perfect candor and simplicity, the affairs of their soul; and they should never come to any resolution without his advice. Nothing gives greater security to our actions, or more effectually cuts the snares the devil lays for us, than to follow another person's will, rather than our own, in doing good.
--St. Philip

Bible Quote:
We thank the Father who has made it possible for us to share in the saints’ inheritance of light. He has taken us out of the power of darkness and created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves. In him, we gain our freedom and the forgiveness of our sins.  (Colossians 1:12-14) 


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A MOTHER'S PRAYER TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL OF 
HER CHILDREN 

I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly Friends of 
my children! I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and 
goodness you show them. At some future day I shall, with 
thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care 
for them, and before the whole heavenly court 
acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and 
protection. Continue to watch over them. Provide for all 
their needs of body and soul. Pray, likewise, for me, for my 
husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day 
rejoice in your blessed company. Amen.