TO FORGET ONESELF

(The following various passages are quoted from The Gift of Oneself by Father Joseph Schryvers C.S.S.R. Pg. 63 and 138-140.)

Whoever wishes to love God must have courage to forget self and to be surrendered to Him without calculating the cost, without reservation.

The soul that has given herself no longer belongs to herself.  In her own eyes she is consecrated.  She no longer has any interests save those of the Master.

To forget oneself – this is, therefore, the great law of the whole spiritual life.

To forget oneself is to exclude from one’s actions, sufferings and prayers all human calculations, all reservations for self-love, all egotistic intention.

To forget oneself is to accept simply from the hand of God, all crosses, all contradictions, without complaint, without examining their duration, their nature, regarding them as if they concerned someone else.

To forget oneself is to be moderate in seeking personal satisfactions, avoiding those that are unlawful and choosing only those which Providence offers.

To forget oneself is to estimate self at its just value, that is to say, a sinful nothingness; it is to turn one’s attention and the attention of others away from one’s own person, qualities and work; it is to avoid an anxious and unduly prolonged search into one’s own weaknesses.

To forget oneself is to disappear from one’s own sight by an act of the will and nevermore to find, in self or in others, in persons or in things, aught save Jesus and His Holy Will.

THE PRACTICE OF SURRENDER TO GOD

(The following various passages are quoted from The Gift of Oneself by Father Joseph Schryvers C.S.S.R. Pg. 59-66.)

The science of the spiritual life consists not so much in understanding the obligation of giving oneself to God, as in understanding the practice of this surrender. 

The act of giving must be renewed frequently.  This is the exercise of self-surrender.  It is practiced with the same simplicity, the same quiet sweetness, which the surrendered soul gives to all her duties.

In the morning, on awakening, the soul turns to God and gives Him her whole being, praying Him to dispose of her as He will.  For her, this act takes the place of long prayers.

During her occupations, she is mistress of herself, acting without slowness and without precipitation, letting herself be ruled neither by a wish to attract the esteem of others, nor by the pleasure she finds in her task.

She undertakes her task without passion, pursues it in a detached manner, as a past time which Jesus has allotted to her while she is waiting for Him coming.  She finishes without haste, knowing that after this duty another will come.  She often repeats, to prevent impatient activity: “While I am fulfilling this obligation, I do not need to fulfill another; while I am in this place by the Will of God, I need not be anywhere else.

Thus, in full possession of herself, she carries out her duties successively, with a disengaged heart.  This interior liberty permits her to undertake all with open mind and sustained attention, without weariness, precipitation, languor or slowness.

The men who are most active have the least air of being so.  Those who are agitated and bustling do almost nothing.  They begin, but do not finish.  After their work, they have troubled hearts, and minds preoccupied and incapable of thinking of God.

The simple soul on the contrary, imitates God who seems always in repose and is always active.

She has her own way of resisting temptations and of putting aside distractions.  When she perceives them, she does not drive them away in a direct manner as one chases away flies by a wave of the hand; she ignores them and is content with repeating: “Jesus, I am wholly Thine.  Help me.”  An ardent act of love is her response to all the suggestions of the demon.  Therefore, she is never tempted long.  The enemy know that each temptation causes a new lifting of her heart to Jesus.

THE GIFT OF ONESELF

 

I have recently finished an amazing spiritual book.  

For anyone who has not read it, I highly recommend getting a copy.  

It has transformed my life in ways which I could not have imagined possible. 

THE GIFT OF ONESELF

By: Father Joseph Schryvers, C.S.S.R.

Translated from the French by: 

A Religious of Carmel 

Original Copyright: 1934 The Carmelite Nuns, Bettendorf Iowa

Nihil Obstat: A Levatois S.S. D.D.

Imprimatur: +Michael J. Curley (Archbishop of Baltimore)

Many Thanks to L.M. who introduced this book to me.  May God bless you abundantly for bringing this shining light into my life!

THE ANCIENT CATHOLIC KNIGHTING CEREMONY

 

(Excerpt from The Mirror of True Womanhood, by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bernard O’Reilly, D.D., L.D. -Pg. 269. 1877.)

 

The forms of ancient knighthood, as blessed by the Church in the ages of faith, have passed away; but the spirit of chivalry has not and never will so long as the faith of Christ is a living reality on earth.  Hear, then, what is meant by that spirit, what virtues it supposes in the man who lives up to it, and what are its high practical obligations.  We take the lesson from authentic history.

 

We are in 1257, at Cologne, and assisting at the a solemn ceremony, the knighting by a papal legate of a young prince, elected by the king of the Romans, and soon to be crowned as emperor of Germany.  Mass has been celebrated, and William, Count of Holland, who has only reached the preparatory degree of squire, is presented to the legate in these words: “We place before you this squire, humbly beseeching that in your fatherly kindness you would accept his desires that he may become worthy of associating among knights.”

 

To which the cardinal-legate replies, addressing himself to the young prince: “What is a knight according to the meaning of the word?  Whoso desireth to obtain knighthood must be high-minded, open-hearted, generous, superior, and firm; -high-minded in adversity, open-hearted in his connections, generous in honor, superior in courtesy, and firm in manly honesty.  But before you make your vow, take this yoke of the order which you desire into mature consideration.

 

“These are the rules of chivalry:

1^st.  Before all, with pious remembrance, every day to hear the mass of God’s passion. 

2^nd.  To risk body and life boldly for the Catholic faith.

3^rd.  To protect holy Church, with her servants, from every one who will attack her.

4^th.  To search out widows and helpless orphans in their necessity.

5^th.  To avoid engaging in unjust wars.

6^th.  To refuse unreasonable (excessive) rewards.

7^th.  To fight for the vindication of innocence.

8^th.  To pursue warlike exercises only for the sake of perfecting warlike skill.

9^th.  To obey the Roman emperor, or his deputy, with reverence in all temporal matter.

10^th.  To hold inviolable the public good.

11^th. In no way to alienate the feudal tenures of the empire.

12^th.  And without reproach before God or man, to live in the world.

 

“When you shall have faithfully attended to these laws of chivalry, know that you shall obtain temporal honor on earth, and, this life ended, eternal happiness in heaven.”

 

When the solemn oath on the Gospels had been taken, the rank of knighthood was conferred on the kneeling suppliant in these words:

 

“For the honor of God Almighty I make you a knight, and do you take the obligation.  But remember how He was smitten in the presence of the high-priest Annas, how He was mocked by Pilate the governor, how he was beaten with scourges, crowned with thorns, and, arrayed in royal robe, was derided before King Herod, and how He, naked before all the people, was hanged upon the cross.  I counsel you to think upon His reproach, and I exhort you to take upon you His cross.”

DISCERNING ONE’S VOCATION BY DE-FAULT

INTRODUCTION

Back when the Church was flourishing almost every person had access to a priest who could be their confessor and help them to discern their vocation in life.  These days such is often not possible.  So, I would like to share what I have learned from the writings of the saints about how priests used to discern vocations for those under their guidance.

WHAT THE SAINTS AND HOLY WRITERS SAY

The saints say that “You shall be saved by doing the will of God” and that “This is the will of God: your salvation”.

The holy writers also say furthermore that “Every man has a primary fault which he is greatly inclined towards” and that “The overcoming of one’s predominate fault should be his primary concern in life”. 

By putting all of these precepts together we can conclude that a man’s calling and God's will in life is: To embrace whichever vocation will best help him to overcome his predominant fault and thus to gain eternal life.  It now remains to explain how diverse faults can indicate that a person should embrace the different states of life.

THE RELIGIOUS LIFE

Most nuns, monks, and priests make a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience.  To take such a vow, one should be at least somewhat certain and determined to fulfill these promises.  For, a person who frequently breaks profound vows to God will continuously build up sin upon his head for which he will have to make atonement either in this life or the next.

A person whose primary faults are pride, stubbornness, disrespectfulness and disobedience may have a hard time keeping a vow of obedience.

A person whose primary faults are gluttony, greed, and avarice may have a hard time making a vow of poverty.

A person whose primary faults are against the sin of purity may have a hard time keeping a vow of chastity.

On the other hand, he who is naturally inclined to be quiet, submissive, and whose primary fault is the need for constant guidance and discipline to keep them on track or accomplish anything will find the religious life as an unlimited source for growth in virtue and advancement in the spiritual life.

Also, it should be added that there is no harm, and perhaps much good, in visiting a convent or monastery for a while to discern a vocation and also whether one has the ability to make and keep such vows even if one will not join a religious order in the end.

THE MARRIED STATE

The married state requires a great deal of humility, charity, meekness and often forces these virtues upon those who might not already have them. 

A person whose primary fault is pride will find that this vocation will help them become more modest because of all the humiliating circumstances that come with it.  Some examples of this are: Not being able to keep a spotless house; being covered in excrement from leaky diapers, vomit from babies or other children throwing up; being blamed for any fault your child or spouse commits in public.

A person whose primary fault is selfishness and stubbornness will find that being faithful to the duties of the married life almost forces them to be less willful and be more charitable.  This is because of the fact that their lives and bodies no longer belong just to themselves and God and they must often put the needs of their spouse and children before themselves and their own wants.

A person whose primary fault is wrath may find that the matrimonial vocation helps give them many opportunities to fight against their anger.  Children can annoy and test the limit of even the most patient and gentle people by their bickering and screams.  Due to constant pestering from children and spouses one can also find the means to practice great meekness.

On the other hand, a person whose primary faults are laziness and timidity may find it hard to discipline their children and through marriage may run the risk of losing their souls by not fulfilling their duties properly.

THE SINGLE STATE

Originally the single state was taken up only by those who were had neither a religious vocation nor were able to marry.  Single people used to consist primarily of those who were infirm, disabled, or who had specific duties to their parents or families which obliged them not to pursue another vocation.  Such people usually made a vow of virginity and committed themselves to a vocation in the world and of performing acts of mercy towards those around them.

This vocation takes a strong mind and will.  However, it also requires a great deal of humility as one’s primary purpose is to serve those around them.

A person whose primary fault is laziness should not generally embrace this life as they might lose the incentive to do anything with their life at all.

A person whose primary fault is pride should generally not embrace this life as they may tend to think that the works they accomplish alone, without any help from a religious order, are very great and may easily become even more proud and puffed up.

A person whose primary fault is anger should not embrace this life as it will make it harder for them to serve those around them in kindness and charity as this vocation requires.

On the other hand, this vocation could be seen as useful for those whose primary faults are those of the flesh.  For, by keeping busy in the works of mercy required by their state of life they will likely be too preoccupied to overeat or overindulge. 

AFTERNOTE

There are always exceptions to the norm and it is not my intention to tell any particular person what their vocation is.  It is also important to note that a person who overcomes his predominant fault before embracing a particular state in life may find it easy to embrace almost any state of life.  Thus, much prayer, penance and patience is required to discern truly to which vocation one has been called to by God.  Parents should instill in their children from an early age the idea that they should pray daily to know the will of God for them in their lives.  Finally, until one knows their vocation, he should concentrate his time and efforts on conquering and overcoming his predominant fault so as to better accomplish the duties of his vocation once it is made known to him.

HONORING ONES PARENTS EVEN AT AN OLDER AGE

Dedication: To my sponsor girls: Rebecca N., Veronica S., Natalie S., Nina S., and their sister Cloe S. in honor of their Confirmation Anniversaries this year.  May Our Lord grant you the grace to always honor and respect your parents as He did His for as long as your parents shall live!

The 4th Commandment, "Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother" does not stop being an obligation for a person once he reaches the age of 18 years.  As a Catholic, and soldier of Christ, one is obliged to honor his parents, even until their deaths, in the following ways:

1.  As long as one abides in his Father's and/or Mother's house, he is obliged to obey and anticipate the wishes and rules of his parents in all that is not sinful or contradictory to the commandments of God.

2.  One should always listen patiently and attentively to what one's parents have to say and learn from them the wisdom they have to share.

3.  One must never raise his voice when speaking or replying to his parents and always show them the respect they deserve due to their position of authority given to them by God even if they are faulty in character or morals.

4.  One must learn to live a good Catholic life which will bring honor to one's parents rather than shame or dishonor.

5. To the eldest son (or daughter if there are sons) falls the duty to care for his parents in their old age unless another sibling claims the duty in their place.

6.  If one's parents come to live with a person, the parents are now obliged to honor the rules of the head of the household of their child who takes them in.  However, the children hosting their parents must still show them respect as much as is possible and treat them with reverence due to their age and position.

7.  If one's parents living with him become handicapped and need extra help managing their daily lives, it is the duty of their children caring for them to provide assistance as much as is possible.

HOMEMADE GIFTS 2018

INTRODUCTION

I know that it has been awhile since I have written a post here.  So, I will give you all a quick update.  Since my last post, my husband and I moved into our new house.  Our current location cuts his commute to work and our commute to Mass in half.  We have been quite busy between settling in, making repairs, and preparing for our little baby, who is due by April 5^th, to come into the world.  This past Christmas we also decided to have the majority of our gifts which we gave our friends and family to be homemade.  I will share with you below some pictures of our various creations.  God bless you all!

CHAPEL VEILS

(For my sister-in-law and our traditional Catholic friends)

HATS AND SCARFS

(For family and one of my sponsor girls)

COASTER SETS AND PLACE-MAT

(Coasters for my brother-in-law who has a new house)

(Also a coaster/place-mat set for a friend for her bridal shower)

FRAMES FOR HANGING EARRINGS

(For friends and family)

BBQ APRON 

(For my dad...with food quotes!)

PILLOWS

(For my husband and me as we needed some throw pillows for our couch)

BEADED NECKLACES

(For my nieces and other little girls)

(ABC NECKLACES)

(ABC NECKLACES)

(CROSS NECKLACES)

SPECIAL CUSTOMIZED WORD/BEADED JEWELRY

(For my sister-in-law and one of my sponsor girls)

(Says: I need some zzzzz)

(Says: Deus Ego Amo Te)

KNITTED SNOWBALL ORNAMENTS/TOYS

(For my nephews and other young boys)

NEW BEGINNINGS

INTRODUCTION

Every time a person begins a new profession or phase of life, he is faced with the tendency to be overcome by fear, frustration, and exhaustion.  It is easy to get distracted by the many challenges which can present themselves to an individual when he starts anything to which he is not accustomed.  It is good to remember; however, that God never gives a person more than they can handle.

A FEW EXAMPLES

When acquiring a new profession, a man may not be completely familiar with all the aspects of his new job.  It may require days or maybe even weeks for him to be able to comfortably accomplish all the wishes of his employer without feeling frustrated or discouraged.  He may also have to be patience with the older employees, who may not easily trust him, in order to gain their respect and confidence. 

When a woman is expecting for the first time, the struggles and trials she faces may scare her neigh to death.  Her normal physical, social and emotional ways of life change, she is easily susceptible to illness, and sometimes the pains of the little body growing within her may seem unbearable.  Many of her favorite foods may become untouchable or make her sick, and she may have to survive on a diet which she would never have considered as a possible.

When a young man or woman embraces the religious life, all of their past must normally be forgotten and they must live only for God and their neighbor.  They adopt a strict schedule and firm rules which they are bound under pain of sin to observe.  No longer are these professed men allowed to spend much time with women nor these avowed women generally permitted to associate with men.  They are also not allowed to claim anything as their own, but must now see all things they use as being on lease to them from God and their community. 

When a couple first marry, there is much about each other which usually remains unknown.  Each has their personal habits and imperfections which can cause their spouses to get annoyed with them, and constantly living with a person whom one does not fully understand can easily cause strife.  Many newly-weds often disagree on finances, how they want their house arranged, and how to raise their children.  Sometimes one of the spouses even abandons the Faith and the other spouse has to hang on with all of their strength in order to preserve the souls of himself and his children.

CONCLUSION

The list of possible new beginnings and the struggles that come with them could go on and on.  I think; however, that the point has been made clear enough.  Life is not easy, especially when we have to undertake anything new. 

In order to survive the new and difficult undertakings we may face, we should arm ourselves with prayer, courage, and the determination to persevere until the end no matter the pain and suffering we may have to endure along the way.  We must learn to be patient, humble and unselfish.  Many people give up the good fight when they are near achieving victory.  Let us instead place all of our trust in God and have complete Faith that He will assist us until the end of any difficult endeavor. 

Faith can move mountains and also calm the pain, anxiety, and feeling of helplessness we may experience in our minds, bodies and souls.  Our Lord frequently gives us a helping hand or a friend when we least expect it.  He arranges details of our lives so that our affairs succeed and so that we have the necessities of life.  He can also make the most unlivable burden an easier weight to bear.  If we sincerely ask for it, He will always give us the strength we need to persevere unto the end and find our salvation.  Let us learn to recognize anything good that happens to us as a gift from God and a reminder that He is always watching over us as long as we try our best to live a virtuous life and believe in Him.  Without the assistance of God hardly anything is achievable; yet, with God’s help anything is possible. 

HOW TO FIND PARADISE ON EARTH

THE ART OF BEING HAPPY

(*From the original French article written by: Rev. Matthew Russell)

I – What must we do to be happy?  The thing is not hard.  Much knowledge is not necessary for this, nor much talent, but only a real good will to do one’s duty.  Happiness, as far as it can exist here below, consists in peace, in the joy of a good conscience.  Our conscience will be joyous and peaceful if it know not remorse; it will not know remorse if we are careful not to offend God.  To fly from sin is, therefore, the chief source of happiness on earth.  If our conscience is pure, our life will be happy.  There are none happier than saints, for there are none more innocent.

II – What is it that secures happiness in a home?  Before everything, religion: let all love well our good God, let all say their prayers morning and night, let all put their trust in divine providence.  In the next place, union: let the members of the household be affectionate toward one another, having only one heart and one soul, not saying or doing anything that may pain any one of them.  Then again, the spirit of sacrifice: we must be ready to do without something in order to make another member of the family enjoy it, we must give up our own personal tastes to confirm to the tastes of others.  Finally, pliancy of character: not to be hard to deal with, touchy, sour, proud; not to be obstinately rooted in one’s ideas, not to grow impatient about mere nothings, but to have a large mind and a generous heart.  A family whose members possess these qualities is a paradise on earth.

III – There is a word which cannot be said too often to every Christian whom God has destined to live, converse and labor in the society of his fellow creatures: Be indulgent.  Yes, be indulgent; it is necessary for others, and it is necessary for your own sake.  Forget the little troubles that others may cause you; keep up no resentment for the inconsiderate or unfavorable words that may have been said about you; excuse the mistakes and awkward blunders of which you are the victim; always make out good intentions for those who have done you wrong by imprudent acts or speeches; in a word, smile at everything, show a pleasant face on all occasions; maintain an inexhaustible fund of goodness, patience, and gentleness.  Thus you will be at peace with all your brethren; your love for them will suffer no alteration, and their love for you will increase day by day.  But above all, you will practice in an excellent manner, Christian charity, which is impossible without this toleration and indulgence at every instant.

“I have sought for happiness in the brilliant haunts of society, in sumptuous banquets, in the glare of theatres.  I have sought it again in the possession of gold, in the excitement of the gaming-table, in the illusions of romance; but all in vain–whilst an hour passed in visiting a sick person, or in consoling some afflicted one, has been enough to give me enjoyment more delightful than all delights.” –Anon.

IV – Flattery is never worth anything; but to give a little praise at the right moment to some one under us is an excellent way of encouraging him and giving him a pleasure as sweet as it is salutary.  For a mere “thank you” is enough, an approving smile, a kind look, or even a simple word, such as these: “I am greatly pleased”–“that has succeeded very well”–“this is precisely what I wanted,” etc.  Why should we always keep up an air of indifference and coldness toward workmen, servants, children, opening our mouths only when we have some rebuke to give them?  Is this charitable?  Is this Christian?  Let us put ourselves in the place of these inferiors, and let us be happy in making them happy.  Let us show ourselves satisfied with their good will and make them understand that we love them.  Not only will they serve us much better and attach themselves to us with true devotedness, but we shall thus gain their hearts, and it will then be easy for us to secure their fidelity to the duties of religion and the fulfilment of the practices of Christian piety.

V – Economy is praiseworthy; stinginess is not: it contracts the heart of a man and makes him miserable.  Pious persons must be on their guard against this snare of the devil, for many are caught in it without knowing.  Some persons will give several dollars to a beggar, and an hour after they will haggle about three pennies with an honest workman, or go on bargaining about some worthless object.  Pious Catholics ought not to let it be said that they are harder and fonder of money than other people!  They ought not to be afflicted by or bewail any little losses that they may suffer.  Let us be economical when there is a question of our pleasures, of our table, or of our dress; but let us be large-hearted and generous in all our relations with others.

VI – A poet was gazing one day at a beautiful rose-tree.  “What a pity,” said he, “that these roses have thorns!”  Aman who was passing by said to him: “Let us rather thank our good God for having allowed these thorns to have roses.”  Ah!  How ought we also to thank Him for so many joys that He grants to us in spite of our sins, instead of complaining about the slight troubles that He sends us!

VII – Let us do good, let us avoid evil, and we shall be happy.  “There is but one way” said a man of genius, “of being happy, and it is to do well all one’s duties.”

VIII – How sweet and agreeable an occupation it is to give pleasure to those around us!  It is quite natural amongst Christians, but it becomes almost a duty amongst the members of a family or a community, especially toward persons who age or rank places above us.  And. To give pleasure, what is necessary?  Things the most insignificant, provided they be accompanied by amiable manners; what is necessary above all is to have habitually a smile on our lips.  Oh!  Who can tell the power of a smile?  For ourselves, it is the guardian of kindness, patience, tolerance, all the virtues that we have occasion to exercise in our relations with our neighbor.  There is, in fact, no danger of our being rude or severe so long as a smile rests on our lips.  For others, it is a source of contentment, joy, satisfaction and encouragement.  Without even uttering a single word we put those around us at ease; we inspire them with a sweet confidence, if we approach them with a smile.  Perhaps you will object that you cannot smile, that you are naturally serious or even severe.  Undeceive yourself: with real good will you will acquire this empire over yourself, you will soon do by custom what you at first did by constraint; and the interior joy that you taste will recompense you superabundantly for your trouble and your efforts.

IX – A great secret for preserving peace of heart is to do nothing with overeagerness, but to act always calmly, without trouble or disquiet.  We are not asked to do much, but to do well.  At the Last Day God will not examine whether we have performed a multitude of works, but whether we have sanctified our souls in doing them.  Now the means of sanctifying ourselves is to do everything for God and to do perfectly whatever we have to do.  The works that have as their motive vanity or selfishness make us neither better nor happier, and we shall receive no reward for them.

X – “I feel happy,” said a holy person, “in proportion as I do my action well.”  Let us meditate an instant on this luminous saying.  To do well what one has to do–here again is the secret of being happy.  Every man, then, can be happy; and, if we have not been happy hitherto, it is because we have not put this lesson into practice.  But what is necessary for this?  Oh, very little.  To do every action in the manner that God commands, either through Himself or through those who hold His place in our regard; to do every action as if we had nothing else to do but this, and as if we were to die after having done it.

XI – There are some who are affable and gracious to every one as long as things go according to their wishes; but if they meet with contradiction, if an accident, a reproach or even less should trouble the serenity of their soul, all around them must suffer the consequences.  They grow dark and cross; very far from keeping up the conversation by their good humor, they answer only in monosyllables to those who speak to them.  Is this conduct reasonable?  Is it Christian?  Let us always be kind and good-humored so as always to make our brethren happy, and we shall merit to be always happy by God.

XII – Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek, blessed are they that mourn, blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the clean of heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake.  Blessed are ye when they shall revile you and persecute you for My sake. -St. Matthew v, 3-11.

Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. -St. Luke xi, 28.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. -St. James I, 12.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.  -Apocalypse xiv, 13.