Shed ...

April 30

 The path traced by the apostle to the Christian is to divest himself of the vices of the old man, or man's land, and clothed with the virtues taught by Jesus Christ. As for shedding the vices, he says, "mortify your members land." The sanctified Christian baptism is not free from rebellions of the senses and passions, hence arises the imperative to mortify our passions, while in this life.
The same holy apostle saw itself quite strongly the rebellion of the senses and passions, so they issued this lament: "I myself with my mind am serving God and the flesh I serve the law of sin (ie the law of lust). "As if to say, I myself am a servant of the law of God with the mind, but with the flesh I am subject to the law of sin. All of which goes to the spiritual consolation of so many poor souls, assaulted by anger or lust, feel in themselves a painful contrast: do not want to feel, or have these movements, these resentments, or such vivid imaginations, feelings sensual, poor things, without them wanting in them arise and are opposed, experience a violent propensity to evil itself in the act they want to do good.
These poor creatures are some who believe offend the Lord to feel itself the violent propensity to evil. Comfort, chosen souls, in this there is no sin, for the same holy apostle, vessel of election, itself experienced that horrible contrast: "I find in me - he says - in the act of wanting to do good, a force that I inclined to evil. "Feel the stimulus of the flesh, even violently, can not constitute a sin when the soul is determined to do so with the consent of the will.
(November 16, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 226)

Deshacer cambios

Signs

April 28
 
You say that you can tell if the rays of light that sometimes occur at the bottom of your spirit come from God or from others, fearing to be deceived at all because of your fine self.
Well, here are the signs to know if these rays of light from the Father of lights. These signs are limited to three. The first is that these lights produce more and more admirable knowledge of God, which, in so far revealed to us, gives us an idea of ever higher their incomprehensible greatness. In summary, this light leads us to love more and more to God our Father and sacrifice every day for his honor and his glory. The second sign is a growing awareness of ourselves, a deepening sense of humility at the thought of so vile a creature has had the audacity to offend, and yet dares to direct you look, to observe it. The third is that these celestial rays produced in the soul a growing disregard of all earthly things, exempted only those that may be useful for the service of his God.
Therefore, if these light rays produced by these three effects in the soul, as coming from God retenlos. These effects can not in any way produce in the soul or the enemy far from our imagination and our imagination.
(April 25, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 76)

World, devil, meat.

April 27

 Cheer, and go. God is with you, and hell, the world and the flesh should be to one day own confusion corner arms and confess again that they can do nothing against the soul that possesses and is possessed by God. [...].
The war against you, my dear, is declared and should be monitored at all times, oppose a strong resistance, always having the eyes of faith-oriented God of hosts, who fights with you and your favor, and have unlimited confidence in the goodness of God, because victory is absolutely certain. And how convinced otherwise? Is not our God more interested than ourselves in our salvation? Is he stronger than hell? Who can resist and overcome once the king of heaven? What are the world, the devil, the flesh, all our enemies, before the Lord? ...
(April 25, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 76)

Deshacer cambios

Love

April 26



Love makes us sprinting, fear makes us look instead wisely where you put the foot, leading us not to stumble on the path that never leads to heaven. I know the cross, dear sister, is painful, and for lovers is almost unbearable threatening to offend one who loves and adores, but Jesus, tempted in the desert and hanging on the cross, is a test very clear, bright and very comforting to what I assure you on behalf of the most tender Spouse of souls, that is, that the storms of this life to a soul that seeks God in everything, and desired above all things, who wants him alone in his heart that longs for him to reign as king in the center of his spirit, and earnestly desires to be wholly and completely owned by it alone, and that this is much more jealous than what usually happens between two lovers hopelessly devoted to love, I say all this is a very clear sign of the unique and exceptional love the loving mercy of God's providence, not all souls, even particularly privileged granted.

(April 25, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 76)

Temptations

April 25

 The temptations and storms that are around in your head are sure signs of divine favor. The fear of offending you God is the surest proof that does not offend.
Trust with unlimited confidence in the divine goodness, and the more intensified the enemy attacks, you should leave you more confidence in the breast of sweet heavenly bridegroom, who will never allow you to be defeated. The same God has solemnly proclaimed in Holy Scripture: "God is faithful who will not let you be tempted beyond your strength. Rather, with the temptation will give you strength to overcome it. "
Convinced of the contrary is an infidelity, and God save us from falling into such an aberration. Paul also was worried and asked to be released from the ordeal of the flesh, he also feared intensely succumb, but does not guaranteed that the assistance of grace will always be enough?
Our enemy, sworn to harm us, wants to persuade the contrary, but in Jesus' name desprécialo and laugh heartily of it. This is the best remedy to make retreat. He is strong with the weak, but with whom you will be faced with the gun in her hand becomes a villain. Fear not however, but with holy fear, I mean the fear is never separated from love. When both fear and love are linked together, give each other the hand, like two sisters, to keep users up and to walk safely along the paths of the Lord.
(April 25, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 76)

resolution deep

April 23

 Be guided by divine providence lovingly, whether you want to walk on land and deserts, either by the waters of the sensitive and spiritual consolations. Keep your hand in your "bouquet" (perfume), but if you have any other smell delicious, be sure to smell it, giving thanks, because the "bouquet" takes to not stay for long without some comfort and spiritual pleasure.
Stand firm in all the situations that Jesus wants to take your heart be totally for him there is nothing better than this. Shed, then, of all things that enslave you, based on continuous resignations your earthly affections, and be convinced that the king of heaven offer their gifts to draw you to His love.
I see in your heart a profound resolution to serve God, and this I guarantee that you will be faithful in the holy exercises of devotion and the constant effort to acquire the virtues. But I remember one thing, that you certainly do not ignore it. When you meet with failure because of illness, you should not miss in any way, but, hating the one hand that God gets the offense, must, on the other, get some humility joyful, to see and know our misery.
(January 12, 1917, Herminia Gargani - Letters. III, p. 669)

Deshacer cambios

Jesus has given me all

April 21

 How is it, father, that when I'm with Jesus, not all that strong will attempt to ask me comes to mind? In addition, I feel a great sorrow to this forgetfulness. How to explain? Nobody, so far, been able to convince me at all.
Listen, well, something even stranger. When I'm with Jesus, also occurs to me to ask things that Jesus had never crossed my mind, and also introduce people not only have never been on my mind, but also what leaves me in wonder, never I have known or heard of them.
And I want also to acknowledge that when this happens I do not in any case I know that Jesus has granted me what I asked for the good of those people.
(April 21, 1915, Fr Benedict of San Marco in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 569)

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Hymn to St. Conrad

Hymn to St. Conrad

The door of the convent beggar
Thanks to the altar of Mary
witnesses are of love and prayer,
who have seen every day Brother Conrad.

A seraph of love wanted to be
living your silence and your harmony
and everyone you invited candid
to join your loving symphony.

Holy Communion every morning
provoked your loving heart;
at the feet of Mother clement,
there by the lamp that burned.

In the land of distinguished theologians
Your holiness flourished simple,
and you were light, Sermon on the Mount,
and candor in your church you chose.

Conrad, charity of the Gospel,
the need for a faithful watchman,
you walked to meet him,
having membership in pain.

Sublime Trinity whom the angels
and the whole world pays homage,
glorify thy glory and holiness,
oh beautiful love, guilt atones. amen

St Conrad of Parzaham

April 21

St. Conrad of Parzham (1818-1894)Juan Evangelista Birndorfer (Conrad) was born on December 22, 1818 in Venushof (Parzham), near Passau (Bavaria).In 1832 he lost his mother, and two years later the father.In 1837 he tried to study with the Benedictines of Metten (Deggendorf), but progress in their education were minimal.On May 19, 1841 came and professed in the Secular Franciscan Order.The year 1849 was transferred to the convent as a postulant Altötting.The September 17, 1851 the Capuchin habit dressed as lay brother in the convent of Laufen, issuing religious profession on October 4, 1852.From 1852 until his death was a porter at the convent of Altötting.He died on April 21, 1894 in Altötting.The canonization process began without delay, concluding in 1930.Pius XI beatified on June 15, 1930, and included it in the catalog of Saints on May 20, 1934.I am always happy and content in God. I warmly thank all that is of beloved Father in heaven, whether pain or joy. He knows very well what is best for us, and so I am always happy in God. I strive to love him very much. Ah, this is very often my only uneasiness I love him so little. Yes, I would be just a seraph of love, I would like to invite all creatures to help me to love my God.(St. Conrad of Parzham)GOALKEEPER OF PROVIDENCEJohn the Evangelist, the second youngest of twelve children, was born in Venushof (Parzham) on December 22, 1818, his parents were Bartolome Birndorfer and Gertrude Nieder-Kindlbach Mayerinn of rich and pious peasants Rott Valley. After attending primary school in Weng, was orphaned at age 16. In this situation, together with the work in the field, sought to strengthen their spiritual life accommodating the pace that marked the Bavarian popular devotions. In fact he liked to participate in the popular missions, processions and pilgrimages, and was enrolled in many groups, fraternities and pious unions. Never ceased to attend Mass, I can get to travel a long distance. Also knew all the churches and shrines in the region.Devotion always accompanied him, being a true living synthesis of all forms of popular piety in Bavaria. Even while working in the field, while giving back to the grass with a rake or throw the I throw hay, prayers rose to heaven. As noted by the wife of a blacksmith Birnbach, "the young man had not been educated Birndorfer to be a farmer, he was not fact but of prayer, penance and almsgiving." But he was a responsible worker. However, little is known of his secular life, and almost nothing of his childhood, because, as he writes his earliest biographer Wolfgang Beyer, "he never spoke of himself." You will be remembered as the "angel of Venus." The sky shone through his eyes. His teammates avoided in his presence, conversations were ambiguous and when I approached said, "Shut up, Johnny coming".At the age of nineteen years tried unsuccessfully to study at the school of the Benedictines of Metten (Deggendorf). In 1841 he professed the rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. At age 31, in 1849, he became a Capuchin brother tertiary Altotting and in 1851 began his novitiate as a lay brother in the convent of Laufen. There was tasked to help the gardener and the gardener of the convent, but after a month, a cold, which became acute bronchitis forced him to bed. Thus began that annoying cough bronchial asthma tormented him for the rest of his life. In the ordeal left the novitiate already a cappuccino finish, so a witness could say, "It was a cappuccino with all your soul and with all the body."His commitment and ideal are well documented in the eleven purposes "made with reflection" in the novitiate, before the profession, inspired by the sense of a man strong and concrete, vivid portrait of the beloved Capuchin spirit and assimilated by Brother Conrad. Those purposes seek God's presence, silence, the meaning of the crosses, retirement, brotherly love, mortification of the tongue and eyes, punctuality in the choir, delicacy and discretion with women, and obedience and devotion to the Virgin inside. A pounding "want" refrain from holiness, reminded again and again the will of faith, obedience and service underlined retrospectively by the Poverello of Assisi in his Testament. It is bare and fleshless purposes that allow a correct reading of many facts and events in the life of Brother Conrad of Parzham after his religious profession (October 4, 1852), when he was sent back to Altötting with the office of porter the convent of Santa Ana (now called S. Conrad), where they remained until his death on April 21, 1894.Brother Conrad, goalkeeper for forty-one years next to the famous shrine of the Virgin, the destination of many pilgrimages, became the benchmark for all kinds of people, especially the poor, destitute, afflicted and children. At the sound of campanillo he ran, opened it, smiled and leaned on the misery. He gave without measure and without judgment, knowingly ignoring the smallest economic laws. He was because people were poor, and hoped the petitions of the poor as alms expects a calling. No one saw him sad or nervous. He was always ready and willing, at all hours of the day and at any time or season. People called him the "holy goalie" and his holiness, made heroic loyalty and a strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, the simplicity of everyday life, was wrapped in silent prayer and constant charity. So he, also influenced by nature shy and reserved, spoke little, short sentences, but so full of spirit and turned frequently compungían hearts. Their usual words were: "In Gottes Namen, on behalf of God," or "Wie der liebe Gott's will, as the good Lord willing." Brother Conrad's sentences could form a small anthology of short sentences.That was his way of preaching, advising and comforting. It applied to himself the words of the Rule of St. Francis, "with brevity of speech." But the silence was more eloquent than words. His treasure was his secret prayer and silence, as he wrote in a letter dated October 3, 1873: "Let us lead a life far in truly intimate and hidden in God, because it's so beautiful stop with the good God, if we We really picked up, nothing shall prevent, even in occupations that our vocation entails, and we will love much silence because a soul full of talk will never reach a truly life within. " Brother Conrad became methodical and orderly like clockwork: every day at the same time making the same gestures and gave the same steps. Fidelity steel. Always came first on the night prayer and got the privilege of helping Gnadenkapelle first Mass in the Chapel (thanks) and communicate every day, at a time when this was unusual.Brother Conrad was always moving. His face seemed transfigured as he left private prayer, preferably made under the staircase of S. Alejo, who was a small room where he could see the altar of the church and see the shrine. Similarly showed bright when it came time to distribute the food to the poor came to the kitchen and cook's brother, noting that Brother Conrad got the scoop on all the pots, complained jokingly, "lute pans, if not, take all ". He smiled and replied: "All that is given to the poor returns back inside with abundance." It was the best Capuchin tradition, reflecting the shining example of the Poverello.A Brother Conrad liked to read the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis or some other devotional book like The Meditations on the Passion of Christ Martin von Cochem cappuccino, or the Mirror of the virtues of Augustine Ilg. He used to say: "The cross is my only book, a glance at the cross teaches me at all times as I have to behave." His spirituality, clear and essential, it concentrates all autobiographical in these words: "My meaning of life consists mostly of suffering and love in contemplation and in worship, contemplate and admire the nameless love for us poor creatures. I was never the bottom of this love of my God, because nothing hinders me, so I'm always intimately united with my love, and my many occupations I am often so closely connected with it that I speak, and with the confidence that a child has with his father expose my needs, my prayers, that worries me ... I'm always happy and content in God. I warmly thank all that is of beloved Father in heaven, whether pain or joy. He knows very well what is best for us, and so I am always happy in God. I strive to love him very much. Oh, this is very often my only uneasiness I love him so little. Yes, I would be just a seraph of love, would like to invite all creatures to help me to love my God. "He was short in stature in recent years and crept all bent over, his head almost completely bald, except a thick white beard and a crown of hair at the nape. This is represented in the iconography, with the cross in hand or in the act of distributing charity to the poor. It was the second saint of Germany (the first was St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen) after the Protestant Reformation.His cause for canonization was extremely fast, despite all the documentation collected could only be sent to Rome in late 1919 because of the war. Pius XI, who in 1924 favored the process of "holy goalie", proclaimed him blessed in 1930 and 20 May 1934 he enrolled him in the catalog of saints. This trip so fast and straight processing of the case may have seemed the result of "political will" determined, but was, instead, as the Pope said, "The Divine Art of Our Lord to prepare, arrange or combine things so to draw out facts, events and meetings happiest. "But the miracle of the saint's humble figure Parzham brother remains: a life without drama, straight, simple, smooth, almost bottomless, like a wild flower to everyone. He is an imitable model, of course, very easy, no special reliefs. It's a good Bavarian peasant, but gaudy colors of the Bavarians, lean and without the complicated joy of baroque piety. Brother Conrad split with the Catholic Patriotic, it did not find any reference to the country, no nationalism. He represents the proposal of a simple message in the "terrible everyday", which acquires ever deeper tones and intimate and requires prolonged listening and piercing eyes.His feast is celebrated on April 21 and is copatrón Capuchin province of Bavaria and Hungary, and patron of youth organizations, the Seraphic Work of Charity and Catholic youth of Würzburg.

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heart conquered

April 20

 God wants to conquer for himself making us prove extremely abundant sweetness and consolations in all our devotions, in the will, as in the heart. But who does not discover the serious dangers threatening such love to God? It is easy for the poor soul clings to the accident of devotion and love of God, without worrying about nothing or almost nothing of that devotion and love that substantial, they are the only ones that make it beloved and pleasing to God.
Before this great danger, our sweet Lord come quickly with loving concern. When he sees that the soul is well grounded in love, and who has fallen and attached to it, seeing it as apart from earthly things and occasions of sin, and has attained sufficient basis to stay in his holy service without these rewards and those sweets of sense, wanting to take her to a greater holiness of life, takes away the sweetness of affection, which so far has seen in all his meditations, prayers and other devotions yours, and what is more painful for the soul in this situation is to lose the facility for prayer and meditation and being left in the dark in an overall dryness and painful. [...].
My God, how easy it has been deceived! What the poor soul called abandonment is not nothing but a singular and very special care with her heavenly Father. This step is only theirs the beginning of contemplation, dry at first, but soon, if faithful, for he shall be brought to the contemplative meditative state, you will become soft and tasty.
(January 9, 1915, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 291)

Love

April 19

 Let us pause a bit in the virtue of love of God. What is this love? Before giving an answer to this question, we must be aware that one is the substantial love of God and love another accidental, and the latter in turn is in love distinguished accidental accidental sensitive and spiritual love. Having made this distinction, we turn now to answer the above question.
The substantial love of God is plain and simple act of choice, with which God will put before all other reality, because of his infinite goodness. He who loves this way God loves with the love of charity substantial. But if this love God joins substantial softness, smoothness if it contains and keeps all of it at will, then we have accidental spiritual love. If this descends gently in addition to heart and feel with ardor, sweetness, we then love accidental sensitive.
(January 9, 1915, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 291)

Undo edits

Conceit

April 18



 Three things you must get away from you. The first of which you have to protect, is to litigate, to discuss, if you behave otherwise, peace goodbye, goodbye love! Wanting to remain clinging arrogantly own view is always the origin and source of discord. Before this cursed vice, St. Paul exhorts us to remain at one with the same affection.
Beware also of the love of vainglory, vice of the devout people. He pushes us, without us realizing it, to always appear more than others, to earn the esteem of all. Paul also warned his beloved Philippians when he said: "Do nothing from vainglory."
This great saint, filled with the Spirit of the Lord, saw the full extent of the evil that might entail for this damn service to those Christian saints, if they could penetrate their minds, and, therefore, wanted to warn them: "Do nothing from vainglory '.
In this accursed vice, true rottenness, real moth, the devout soul, you oponle contempt of that pride. Do not want to hear many things about you: low self esteem, considering all better, is the only remedy to preserve us from this vice.
Finally, we must take care of something else no less dangerous than this vice, because it contains within itself the germ unfortunate division. The last thing we need to guard against is that of always putting the very useful to others, because the advantage of putting himself to the others always and necessarily tends to rupture of the beautiful bond that is charity; link which must always unite Christian souls, and that charity, in the words of St. Paul, is "bond of perfection."
(November 4, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 217)

Accepting

April 17
All your life you will spend in accepting the will of the Lord in prayer, work, humility, thanking the good Lord. If you come back to feel that impatience is installed on you, immediately resorted to prayer, remember we are always in the presence of God, we must take account of each of our actions, good or bad. Above all, turn your thoughts to the humiliations that the Son of God suffered by our love. The thought of the sufferings and humiliation of Jesus I want the ordinary object of your meditations. If you practice this, as I'm sure you do, soon you will experience healthy fruit. Such meditation, done well, will serve as a shield to defend against impatience, but the sweet Jesus I command you work, you put in some distress, want to make you a target of contradiction.
(6 February 1915, Anita Rodote - Letters. III, p. 54)

Fusion of hearts

April 16


How can I tell the new victories of Jesus in my soul these days? I'm just telling what happened to me last Tuesday.What a great fire burning in my heart I felt that day! But I also felt that this fire was ignited by a friendly hand on the one hand divinely jealous. [...].
After Mass, I amused myself with thanking Jesus.Oh, how soft was the conversation I had with paradise that morning! Was such that even trying to tell all, could not get it, there are things that can not be translated into human language, without losing the deep sense and heavenly. The heart of Jesus and mine, allow me the expression, merged. There were already two hearts that beat, but one. My heart had disappeared like a drop of water that dissolves in the sea. Jesus was heaven, the king. The joy in me was so intense and so deep that I could not help more, tears filled my most delicious face.
Yes, my father, the man can not understand that when paradise is poured into a heart, this heart afflicted, exiled, weak and mortal, can not endure without mourn. Yes, I repeat, the joy that filled my heart was this that made me mourn length.
This visit, believe me, comforted me at all.
(April 18, 1912, Father Agustin de San Marco in Lamis - Ep. I, p. 272)

Alert!

April 13



 I ask you kindly do not waste time thinking about the past. If you were well spent, give glory to God, if I, detestémoslo and trust in the goodness of our heavenly Father. Furthermore, I urge you to quiet your heart with the comforting thought that your life in that part not well lived, and is forgiven by our sweet God.
Away from your heart with all your might the troubles and concerns, because otherwise all your pious practices will be little or nothing fruitful. Be assured that, if our spirit is troubled, are more frequent and direct assaults of the enemy, often take advantage of our natural weakness to achieve their goals. We are very alert at this point, of no small importance to us. Once we realize that we are falling into despair, us fan our faith and abandon ourselves in the arms of God the Father, always ready to welcome us if we turn to him with sincerity.
(9 February 1916, Father Basil of Mirabello Sannitico - Letters. IV, p. 191)