The Pelianito Journal Blog

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 8, 2010, 9:45 pm

Dear Blessed Mother, I surrender into Your Fiat my entire life–from the moment Our Heavenly Father first conceived me in His Thought, throughout eternity…

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 8, 2010, 9:56 pm

“This is from Bonnie’s comment of June 5th:
‘I began saying a Rosary for Life (especially the Joyful Mysteries) and I read on another beautiful site that the Rosary for Life is like a “nuclear weapon against abortion” – and that EACH BEAD represents a life saved!!!’”

I have since embraced praying a Rosary for Life whenever I pray the Rosary. And I have said the “Hail Mary” with the new phrase added whenever prompted by the Holy Spirit. I am trying to say it all of the way through on each bead:

Hail, Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed are You among women and Blessed is the Fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, and flood the whole of humanity with the Blessings of Your Flame of Love, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I cannot tell you how happy I feel after doing this. I think that there is incredible power unleashed from heaven with this, and I thought you may want to try it as well…

Comment from Columbkille
Time: June 9, 2010, 1:46 pm

I don’t want to be a wet blanket here, but where does this idea of each bead saving a soul come from, and is this approved by the Magisterium and all?

Comment from Marianne
Time: June 9, 2010, 2:14 pm

For those who listen to the Rosary on an MP3 player or iPod, there is a beautiful one on EWTN that can be downloaded right into iTunes.

Link is:
http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=6688&T1=rosary

Comment from Jean
Time: June 9, 2010, 4:53 pm

This message today comes exactly at the right moment for me. Just before I read the message, I was sitting in a meeting at work thinking to myself about what a prison my job had become and lamenting the fact that I saw no way out. I was earnestly seeking a solution to this and yet could not even turn in prayer to the Lord for assistance. The reason is that I have been weighted down with the most overpowering depression (or spiritual dryness) which has been quite unbearable, coupled with unrelenting interior temptations. It’s been a tremendous struggle just to get motivated to get up out of bed and go through the motions of the day. Then I read this message, which begins with that beautiful quote from the Song of Songs. The Song of Songs has great significance to me in that it played a huge part in my conversion story when I experienced Christ tangibly during a weekend retreat where a musician played a beautiful song written from the verses in this Book. I believe it was St. Bernard who said the Song of Songs is the story of the union of God with a human soul. I experienced this union that weekend and was momentarily lifted up in a swoon of love which left me breathless and fearless. I was easily able to understand how it is that many early saints sang on their way to their deaths. Most certainly, they had experienced this union in a powerful way. Needless to say, I went to the Adoration Chapel during my lunch hour and offered my fiat again to the Lord through Mary. Since then, the weight has been lifted and the interior joy I once enjoyed has returned. Thank you Pelianito.

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 9, 2010, 7:46 pm

All glory and praise to our God, Jeanne! I once felt the same way as you Jeanne. In fact I had a dream at one time that I was being sent to prison for 10 year for something I did not do. I remember saying in the dream, “Maybe I’ll get time off for good behavior.” Then I heard a voice say, “There’s no time off for good behavior.” Ouch! As it turned out, my situation lasted exactly 10 years. I remember praying from Psalm 31: 9 “You will not abandon me into enemy hands, but will set my feet in a free and open space.” I finally realized that the only free and open space is the will of God. Two books that increased my understanding were: The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, and “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Fr. J.P. de Caussade.

Of course St. Paul knew all about being in prison. Yet he wrote his greatest works in those times. The Lord is with you dear sister. Trust him and be free.

Comment from Michael Patrick
Time: June 10, 2010, 12:51 am

Columbkille, your read would have given me pause as well, but I was looking at M.T.’s comments again and noticed that it was a reference to “a life saved” (the human life of the fetus in the case of a potential abortion) for each bead. That’s a big distinction, although I can’t say I’ve ever heard of this before. Still, it’s a wonderful idea and makes me want to say the Rosary 24/7 from now on if it spares even one life of the unborn.

Clearly, a soul’s salvation is a different matter. Any one of us who has prayed and sacrificed on behalf of a soul knows what a difficult trial it is. It takes the kind of faith that moves mountains, and even then it’s only Jesus that saves souls. If I thought it was as easy as reciting a prayer on one bead, I’d say that might constitute a real blasphemy against our only Savior, Jesus Christ. At the very least, I would say it would certainly expose some serious self idolatry on my part.

At any rate, I shudder at this latter scenario and find some hope and joy in the thought that saying the Rosary can be applied to sparing the unborn. More importantly, it’s another great prompt that I need to continue to improve my prayer life.

In the meantime I’ve been spending quite a bit of time reading the Bible and contemplating this Illumination topic since I earlier referenced it. Out on my run in 109 degree heat my earlier comment about “why the obstinancy” was repeating in my head when suddenly something eased into place. The Gospel of John. The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Everything leading up to and following that passage. The two clearly defined sides and how that great miracle affected them both. I think this story in the Life of Jesus is the foreshadowing of the Illumination in this day. Obviously just a snippet of my meditations, but I could expound on it if anyone is interested. Maybe just meditate on the Bible passage yourselves and see what you think.

God bless all.

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 10, 2010, 5:56 am

Expound, MP,please!

Comment from Mary-Louise
Time: June 10, 2010, 6:37 am

With all respect — I have heard that saying a rosary from the “Holy Love” site, a baby will be spared from abortion with each bead. However, “Holy Love” was banned by its bishop. I have not heard of the “save a baby with each prayer” from any other source. (If only it were that easy! Those people whose ministry it is to say rosaries in front of Planned Parenthood clinics could shut them down and go home…)

Comment from Rosemary
Time: June 10, 2010, 7:00 am

MP…I’m interested in your thoughts on the illumination. Please comment on your meditation. Thanks

Comment from Carolyn
Time: June 10, 2010, 9:36 am

Michael Patrick, please expound on your meditation on how the raising of Lazarus foreshadows the Illumination. I am so blessed by everyone on this blog.

Yesterday in the Adoration Chapel Marius popped into mind. Are you still out there, dear friend of this blog? You asked for our prayers the last time I recall. Is all well with you?

Comment from Bonnie
Time: June 10, 2010, 1:08 pm

There is SO MUCH promise in this message! Even our priest said to “open our hearts” to Jesus on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. I have some good news: We had our house blessed and we enthroned/consecrated our home (and our lives) to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary yesterday. I was so psyched last night that I couldn’t sleep. Usually the first thing to get me to sleep is to start praying. I finally decided that Jesus wanted me to offer these joy-filled prayers!

IN regards to rosaries for the unborn: I began the practice of the spiritual adoption of the unborn “who are in danger of abortion” a long time ago, then dropped it – and picked it up again in 2008. The prayer was written by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. It was on a prayer card.

Regarding the Rosary for LIfe on EWTNs website – downloadable – it is wonderful. Father Joseph Mary leads it.
http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=6688&T1=rosary+for+life

God bless you all.

Comment from Columbkille
Time: June 10, 2010, 4:36 pm

MP, I think you’re onto something!! (re, Illumination, Lazarus).

A while ago I did extensive research and meditation on that story for a music project I was working on, even down to the meanings in Greek. There’s a tremendous amount there, and I’m not sure what you found, but I’d like to know and hope you post more.

The lead-up, with the perfume being offered, was the tipping point for Judas. I think I recall that only John has that bit of info, but at the time I was much struck by the hatred that he had for all-out worship, and at that little rebuke, ‘Leave her alone’. I often wondered why. Was it pride, being told to lay off a woman who didn’t have a proper place there to begin with? Was it a visceral hatred for complete surrender? I had some insight setting that text, ‘and the house was filled with perfume’ because of the next logical commentary of a true worshiper on it: ‘here is MY perfume…my very hair, as I let down, I weave, a cloth to wipe the feet of God, of God…’ It’s that language of lovers Jean referenced and I gave it every bit of gorgeous, reverent, romantic harmony my poor skill afforded.

John tells us Judas, a model of all who refuse the Lord, stole from the money bag and the other Apostles obviously knew it. There’s no record of a confrontation, though…the stories raise more questions than they answer. The stock response that Judas betrayal was over Jesus’ refusal to set up an immediate kingdom melts in the light of his thievery – there was a huge holdout to complete surrender, and it took the form of money.

And I was again astounded that, instead of acknowledging a signal miracle in their midst, those who had seen Jesus and rejected Him opted for TWO deaths – kill Lazarus, too! Anything to maintain the status quo, anything. One thing is absolutely clear: when Jesus is presented in truth, there is no middle ground. People either run to Him (remember the prologue to John?) or they hate Him, and the longer it goes on the worse it gets. I don’t know why this is, but there seems to be a connection between multiple refusals and hardening of the heart to the point of hatred of Christ, and in places where the whole society has gone there, no problem with two deaths, or ten, or ten thousand.

I also noted that there is no record in the Bible of Jesus returning to any of the Pharisees or Scribes after His resurrection, appearing in glory and saying, ‘OK, you see I was telling the truth.’ Instead, they were left to go their own way, a way that ended terribly in 70 AD. Very sobering.

Thanks, also for your comment on the beads. As a relatively new Catholic I don’t always understand the language. Very helpful.

Jean, I’m so glad the Lord met you in your despair. I’ve been in that place and know it’s deadly hard. The whole lover/beloved theme between us and Jesus is something that is at the foundation of my relationship with Him, too. Check out Is. 54, too..’your maker is your husband’, incredibly, He does view us like that! Blessed be His Holy Name, and His Most Sacred Heart.

Comment from Jean
Time: June 10, 2010, 5:53 pm

Pelianito, Thank you for your comments and recommendations for reading. Your dream was interesting as was the quote from Psalm 31:9 which I read today just after having experienced an attack from my own ‘enemy’. God is quick to restore and repair us when the enemy attacks. However minor my wounds, it reminds me of of St Philomena who was repeatedly healed after having been tortured for her virtue. It seems to be an integral part of the Christian experience that our enemies attack us, then God restores us. I don’t really understand it but I can sense when the Spirit comes in to heal whatever damage is done. It’s the sweetest thing and I guess that is why the saints came to love their crosses. I’m not to that point, but at least I understand what is happening, whereas many do not.

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 10, 2010, 7:10 pm

I forgot to mention that after my situation ended, things actually got worse briefly, but that after that it was followed by several years of consolation; Our Lord brought me farther, faster than I would have dreamed possible. . All in God’s timing. Surrender. Jesus I trust in you.

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 10, 2010, 9:14 pm

I feel it is best not to be absolutely technical when it comes to prayer and that it is really important not to limit God…

Whatever Our Lady can do with my prayers–Halleluia! I hope to be in heaven one day and know then what was accomplished.

My prayers are anything but concise. I’m hoping that my prayers mesh perfectly when I enter eternity and that I can bring a crowd with me. I also hope that our raggamuffin band sings beautifully and that my poor voice becomes beautiful–a real miracle…

Life is very tough for most of us. Keeping things kind and loving–joyful–is what Our Lord desires and expects of us…

Blessings of Jesus Christ to all of my friends here.

Comment from eamonn
Time: June 11, 2010, 4:20 am

Columbkille.
There’s a Newly approved Devotion : The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.Imprimatur of Cardinal Peter Erdö given
to the Spiritual Diary of Elizabeth Kindelmann in 6th June 2009 and it has been approved by the Vatican,too. In the Diary it explains why the Holy Trinity has asked that the ‘Ave’ changes half way to the words given by Our Lady- to blind and bind Satan. For more info see: http://www.salvemaria.ca/index-en.html
http://www.theflameoflove.org/index.html
God Bless u all.

Comment from Angela
Time: June 11, 2010, 5:08 am

What does Jesus mean when He says “when you are released from this prison”? Our life on earth? Our bodies? Certainly God created the earth and us! I know we are just passing through here and earth is not our real home, but calling earth a “prison” strikes me as a little odd. Can you help me to understand a little better? Thanks!

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 11, 2010, 8:19 am

Michael Patrick, it came to me this morning that it is only idolatry or blasphemy if you separate what you are doing from the sacrifice of Christ. Nothing is impossible for God, so if he tells us that through one DM chaplet he will save a soul from damnation “though his sins be as scarlet”, then that becomes a miracle of mercy. We are in the age of mercy and it is drawing to a close. Our Lord is having us pull souls into the lifeboats and he is giving us supernatural strength to do it.

He told Luisa that each time the 24 Hours of the Passion is prayed, he will save one soul for each word of the prayer. There are over 60,000 words in that prayer. It seems he is pulling out all the stops and hitting the enemy with all he’s got. It is the battle of Gideon all over again. A rag-tag few winning a battle against a mighty enemy, using the power of God alone.

Of course, the promises he is making through various visionaries must be discerned, but let us not place limits where God does not. In faith we say, Jesus we trust in you, mighty, eternal, all-powerful, all good, all holy. Jesus we trust in your Sacred Heart, the fountain of mercy, pierced for us. Jesus, Mary Joseph, we love you save souls! Alleluia!

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 11, 2010, 8:26 am

Angela, I had to think about that word as well. But, no matter how much we love the earth and our bodies, our eternal souls are imprisoned in what is mortal. Jesus himself left the freedom of heaven to imprison himself here with us. After the Fall we were exiled from paradise. What is the punishment for the crime of disobedience? Imprisonment in the “Valley of Tears”. Of course, children who are born in prison do not know what they are missing. To them it is and has always been home. Just because we have comforts and beauty, doesn’t mean we aren’t in prison. When we get to heaven, we will see the difference and we will spend eternity being grateful to God for the free gift of salvation that brought us back to our true home.

Thanks for your question!

Comment from Michael Patrick
Time: June 11, 2010, 1:04 pm

Yes, I agree Peli, place no limits on God’s mercy and grace that saves souls.

I think a lot of times we suffer with the limits of this electronic form of communication and don’t always precisely express ourselves or finish every thought. My wife complains of this often with me in our communications, as I always assume that she knows everything I’m thinking whether or not I actually articulate it. Still, we love eachother deeply, and neither one of us ever has to worry about what’s most important.

I was pruning some palm trees the other day and it’s really a task because of the enormous thorns that grow at the base where you make the cut. My arms and hands are riddled with cuts, scratches and puncture marks. It really got me to wondering. What on earth would prompt this plant to develop those wicked spikes? I couldn’t think of a good reason, but maybe it’s some kind of defense feature or something. I kept trimming back deeper until I came upon a wonderful little bird nest hidden deep in the middle. Amazing. God’s creation has so many layers and so much to teach us. Often times I feel like a little gnat crawling around on a big stone. Because of my size, the stone that I’m contemplating seems so enormous, and yet, what an insignificant little part of the bigger picture. Or maybe I just feel like a stiff palm tree with six inch thorns on it.

There’s many other plants in my yard. All manner of cacti, desert pine, bushes and many that are flowering. Also some wonderful, delicate little flowers here and there that the bees and hummingbirds really like. Quite a diversity of life. All plants made by God according to His mysterious will. Much to contemplate.

I’m getting my thoughts and meditations down about the Gospel story of Lazarus. I really didn’t think anyone would be interested in hearing about that. It’s one thing to quote scripture… certainly another thing to comment about it. Honestly, I thought of a million reasons why not to share it, but it just won’t go away. There’s truly nothing easy about this faith journey we’re on. Sometimes it seems like the leaps just keeping getting bigger.

Jesus, we trust in You! You are the TRUTH, the Way and the Life. Please help us now and always in our puny little effort to immitate You.

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 11, 2010, 2:30 pm

eamonn,

This morning before I read Peli’s blog, it came to me exactly as you mentioned in your comment above. The Rosary, said with the embellished “Ave” both blinds (through the new “Ave”) and binds (through the delicate Rosary) the adversary…

Thank you for this, Most Blessed Mother!

All praise be to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory!!!

Comment from Columbkille
Time: June 11, 2010, 7:39 pm

Beautiful, MP, and so true. I’m convinced there would be fewer unbelievers if every young person had to spend some time in the real outdoors, with plants and animals, seeing how carefully and wonderfully it’s all put together. (BTW, I use kevlar gloves for those tasks – fishermen use them, so try sports aisle at store. Not expensive, really saves hands.)

MT and Eamonn: ‘ blinds’ and ‘binds’…much to think about. The Catholic tradition is full of riches. Thank you for helping me understand some!

Comment from anne
Time: June 11, 2010, 8:46 pm

i too had to ponder on words regarding”released from this prison”. i cannot help but see it on two levels.
the human body as encasement of the soul.
AND the human will has a prison. OUr Lady is conformed to the Divine WILL, and surrender is really allowing our human will to be put aside for the DIVINE WILL.
our human will is a prison with its attachments, demands, selfishness etc.
when we really surrender our human will we will “see the value of our surrender and your greatest regret will be…………life.

so for me i took it on two levels but I could be mistaken.

Comment from anne
Time: June 11, 2010, 8:50 pm

meant to share too that yesterday i realized at a greater depth that when we truly pray the rosary and carry our crosses as other Christs, we are connecting souls back to GOD. As Christ took on all sin and burden and brought us back to God the Father in redemption, we too connect souls through grace. and then i felt a need to truly pray the Sorrowful Mysteries as Christ in His Passion redeemed, we are asked to co redeem.
then suddenly the Divine Mercy Chaplet also became so extra meaningful to me for the same reason.
These two means which we can pray as intercessors truly are lifeboats for souls.

just a thoughtand hard to express on internet.

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 11, 2010, 9:33 pm

Such riches in your responses! What a blessing you all are to me! Thanks be to God!

Comment from Mary Therese
Time: June 11, 2010, 9:43 pm

5 new messages and much rich inspiration is found at Jennifer’s website tonight:
http://www.wordsfromjesus.com/2010.html

Comment from anne
Time: June 12, 2010, 4:35 am

and what a blessing you are to us Pelianito. !! honestly i cannot tell you how grateful i am to you all here.

Comment from Marianne
Time: June 12, 2010, 7:00 am

I have been praying the Mater Dolorosa – the Rosary of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows. It is a great reminder knowing that she suffered like we do, but gave it all to God’s will. She knows what we go through every day in our sufferings, big and small. We can give them all to her in this Rosary – such a beautiful meditation, and there are promises that go along with it! She and her son cannot be outdone in generosity.
This is a great way to join our fiat with hers, just as Jesus asks us to do in this message

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 12, 2010, 9:52 am

Marianne, please tell us where we can learn how to pray the Rosary of Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows.

Comment from anne
Time: June 12, 2010, 6:57 pm

yes please Marianne. my mother is called Dolores and was born on Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th and has had much sorrow in her life.

Comment from Marianne
Time: June 12, 2010, 8:57 pm

Here is the link to the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows. I learned about it from the Miles Christi order of priests when Rosemary and I went on a silent retreat. They are very devoted to the Mater Dolorosa (Mother of the Seven Sorrows) and are a wonderful group of young priests! If you can go on a silent retreat with them, I encourage you to do so. Without getting into it now (too tired!) I can honestly say that our lives were changed after attending this retreat.

http://www.7dolors.com/7dchapletprint.htm

Comment from adoremus
Time: June 16, 2010, 5:47 am

Yesterday, after reading your blog and while praying the glorious mysteries, my thoughts wandered to the power emitted onto the shroud of turin, and I immediately thought of our Lady of Guadalupe’s image, on St. Juan’s tilma, being a reflection of a soul perfectly surrendered to God. A reflection of that moment? Maybe we see a fragment?

Comment from pelianito
Time: June 16, 2010, 7:04 am

Makes sense, adoremus. Our Lord is revealing the true meaning of Mary to this age. The petals are unfolding.