FEAST
OF THE HOLY PENITENT MARY MAGDALEN
1 Samuel, Chapter 23, Verse 1-4
1 David was informed that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and plundering the threshing floors. 2 So he consulted the LORD, asking, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The LORD answered, Go, attack them, and free Keilah. 3 But David’s men said to him: “Even in Judah we have reason to FEAR. How much more so if we go to Keilah against the forces of the Philistines!” 4 Again David consulted the LORD, who answered: Go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your power.
Overcoming Fear[1]
Again
we see David protecting the people; even the people who are the friends of Saul.
The same Saul who; out of his envy, is seeking David and his follower’s deaths.
David’s faith makes his actions beyond those of rational fairness; and David’s
action show the very mercy of God.
Feast of the Holy
Penitent Mary Magdalen[1]
MARY MAGDALEN, a sister of Lazarus and of Martha, of Bethany, was
a notorious sinner in Jerusalem. Moved by the preaching of Jesus, she did
public penance. She went openly into the house of the Pharisee with whom Jesus
was sitting at table, threw herself at His feet, anointed them with precious
ointment, washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Jesus,
knowing her contrite heart, forgave her, her sins (Luke vii. 37, 38), and from
that time forward she became the most zealous and faithful of the women who
were disciples of Our Lord. She followed Him, always ministered unto Him of her
substance (Luke viii. 3), and when He died was standing under the cross.
Prayer. We beseech Thee, O
Lord, that we may be helped by the intercession of blessed Mary Magdalen, at
whose prayers Thou didst raise up again to life her brother Lazarus, who had
been dead for four days.
EPISTLE. Cant. iii. 2-5; viii. 6, 7.
I will rise and will go about the city: in the streets and the
broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and I found him
not. The watchmen who keep the city found me: Have you seen him whom my soul
loveth? When I had a little passed by them, I found him whom my soul loveth. I
held him: and I will not let him go till I bring him into my mother’s house,
and into the chamber of her that bore me. I adjure you, O daughters of
Jerusalem, by the roes and the harts of the fields, that you stir not up, nor
awake my beloved till she please. Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal
upon thy arm, for love is strong as death; jealousy as hard as hell; the lamps
thereof are fire and flame. Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the
floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love,
he shall despise it as nothing. The soul that, following the direction of the
watchmen, that is, the priests, teachers, and rulers of the Church, seeks
Jesus, He goes to meet, gives Himself up to, takes up His abode in, with all
His love, with all His treasures. The soul which has found Christ for delight
forgets all outward things, and no longer has love or joy but for and in
Christ. How should it be otherwise? What can be wanting to him who truly
possesses Christ? This love for Him Who loved us unto death shows itself by
outward acts that are heroic. So, Mary Magdalen loved Jesus. Follow her
example.
GOSPEL. Luke vii. 36-50.
At that time:
One of the Pharisees desired Jesus to eat with him. And He went into the house
of the Pharisee, and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city,
a sinner, when she knew that He sat at meat in the Pharisee s house, brought an
alabaster box of ointment, and standing behind, at His feet, she began to wash
His feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His
feet, and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited
Him, seeing it, spoke within himself, saying: This man, if He were a prophet,
would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him, that
she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to
say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors,
the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not
wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which, therefore, of the two loveth him
most? Simon answering, said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And He
said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, He said unto
Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest Me no
water for My feet; but she with tears hath washed My feet, and with her hairs
hath wiped them. Thou gavest Me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not
ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with
ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven
her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less.
And He said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with
Him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And
He said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace.
Magdalen, who had sinned openly, openly did penance. In like
manner, he who has given public scandal must seek to make
amends for it by public good example. Magdalen confessed her sins, says St.
Ambrose, not with words, but with abundant tears of penitence. To tell her sins
to Christ, the All-knowing, was not necessary but what a confession was there
in the posture of humiliation, and in the tears that flowed from the contrite
sinner. Would you obtain forgiveness? Confess with contrition, like Magdalen.
The words, “Thy faith hath made thee safe,” denote a faith active as love.
Faith and love are in truth never separated, for the only truly believes who
also loves; and he only loves according to God’s will who believes in Him.
Therefore, believe in truth, love, and show your love by earnest hatred of
every sin, by flying from occasions of sin, by fighting against your passions,
by change of your life, and by humble confession, and as true as God lives you
will be saved, as was Magdalen the peace of God will enter into your heart.
Patron: Apothecaries; Casamicciola, Italy;
contemplative life; contemplatives; converts; druggists; glove makers;
hairdressers; hairstylists; penitent sinners; penitent women; people ridiculed
for their piety; perfumeries; perfumers; pharmacists; reformed prostitutes;
sexual temptation; tanners; women.
Highlights and Things
to Do[2]
- From
the Catholic Culture library:
- Who
Really Was Mary Magdalene? by Father William Saunders
- The First Liturgical Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene:
Witness of Divine Mercy by Cardinal Sarah
- Listen
to the Catholic Culture Audiobook St. Robert Southwell—Mary Magdalene’s Complaint at Christ’s
Death read by James Majewski.
- Read
Jennifer Gregory Miller's posts on St. Mary Magdalen's feast:
- Read
more about St. Mary Magdalen:
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- Catholic Ireland 1
- Catholic Ireland 2
- Saints Stories for All Ages
- St.
Mary Magdalen
- Anastpaul
- Tradition
has it that St. Mary Magdalene spent the last 30 years of her life in
France. Read Saints in Rome for the location of her relics.
- Read the book Witnesses to Calvary:
Reflections on the Seven Last Words of Jesus by Fr. Richard C. Antall
is an interesting and thoughtful look at St. Mary Magdalene's place at the
foot of the cross. He contrasts her deliverance from seven demons with the
symmetry of the Seven Words.
Redeemed
Sexuality[3]
As Christians we should be grateful beyond words for the
gift of our redemption. We believe that Christ’s action on the cross has
changed all things, for all time. We should seek to relate every aspect of our
lives to how Christ has redeemed us and our world. When we consider the mystery
and contemporary confusion of human sexuality, it is even more urgent for
Christians to ask, ―How has Christ redeemed human sexuality?
Today our media features topics that not long ago would
have been labeled science fiction, or pornography. Cloning, ―casual sex,
getting pregnant by means of reproductive technologies, frozen embryos,
adultery — the list goes on. Does anyone in the public square relate these issues
to the spiritual?
When those of us try to bring God into the equation, we are
often told that ―individual morality must not be ―imposed on the public. But
that should not deter the Christian. Christ’s work on the cross has restored
all of human life, even human sexuality. That means that human sexuality is not
tinged with sin, nor is it morally neutral. Although we can misuse even the
best of God’s gifts, that does not change the fact that sex is God’s gift of
life and love to us. Specifically, sexual intercourse was never meant to be
directed to the individual. It’s not a sport or game to be enjoyed on its own.
Sexual intercourse is a powerful event of interpersonal communion — it is a
sacramental event. This makes more sense when we realize that Christian
marriage is a sign of Christ’s presence in the world. As Christians we accept
on faith that human sexuality is caught up in Christ, uniting a man and woman
in a union which reflects God’s love in the world and is directed to others.
With that starting point, it makes excellent sense to keep sex in marriage.
The redeemed nature of marriage was understood by the
Church from our earliest history. Following up on Jesus’ own words on the
indissolubility of marriage, St. Paul likened Christian marriage to Christ’s
relationship with His Church. ―As Christ loved the Church . . . so the husband
should love and cherish his wife as he cherishes his own body; for husband and
wife are one body, as Christ and the Church are one body. This is a great
mystery. St. John Chrysostom (347-407) taught that the ―one flesh of the
spouses is ―not an empty symbol. ―They have not become the image of anything on
earth, but of God Himself‖ (Homily 12).
The love of spouses, says the Catechism, ―requires of its
very nature, the unity and indissolubility of the spouses’ community of
persons, which embraces their entire life (#1644). The root of this
indissolubility is found in God Himself, who taught us of His fidelity through
His covenant with Abraham. It is found finally in Christ, who united Himself
with His Church. In this age of continuous assaults on God’s design for life
and love, it would do the world good if Christians reclaimed our rich heritage.
Before we can do this, we need to return to the mystery of our faith and
meditate on who Jesus is, what He did for us, and how this has changed all life
for all ages.
Novena
of St. Ann[4]
Daily Prayer to Saint Ann
O
glorious St. Ann, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and
with love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my
troubles, I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present
intention which I recommend to you in your special care.
Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it
before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue
to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me
the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the
saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen.
Our Father, . . . Hail Mary . . .
O Jesus, Holy Mary, St. Ann, help me now and at
the hour of my death. Good St. Ann, intercede for me.
SIXTH DAY
Good St. Ann do not allow my soul, a
masterpiece of God’s creative power, to be lost forever. Free my heart of
pride, vanity, self-love. May I know myself as I really am and learn meekness
and simplicity of heart.
God’s great love for me leaves me cold and
unresponsive. I must reflect this love through works of mercy and charity
toward my neighbor.
In your boundless charity, good St. Ann, help
me to merit the glorious crown which is given to those who have fought the good
fight against the world, the devil and the flesh. Assist me to preserve purity
of heart and body. With Mary and her divine Son, protect me always.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION
OF FAITH
SECTION
TWO-I. THE CREEDS
CHAPTER THREE-I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
ARTICLE 8-"I BELIEVE
IN THE HOLY SPIRIT"
687 "No one comprehends the
thoughts of God except the Spirit of God." Now God's Spirit, who
reveals God, makes known to us Christ, his Word, his living Utterance, but the
Spirit does not speak of himself. the Spirit who "has spoken through the
prophets" makes us hear the Father's Word, but we do not hear the Spirit
himself. We know him only in the movement by which he reveals the Word to us
and disposes us to welcome him in faith. the Spirit of truth who
"unveils" Christ to us "will not speak on his own." Such
properly divine self-effacement explains why "the world cannot receive
(him), because it neither sees him nor knows him," while those who believe
in Christ know the Spirit because he dwells with them.
688 The Church, a communion living
in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know
the Holy Spirit:
- in the Scriptures he inspired;
- in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
- in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
- in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy
Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
- in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
- in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
- in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
- in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues
the work of salvation.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Increase
of Vocations to the Holy Priesthood.
· Saturday Litany of the Hours
Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary
·
Let
Freedom Ring Day 16 Freedom from Godlessness
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
[1]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.
[3]http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/natural-family-planning/awareness-week/upload/Redeemed-Sexuality.pdf
[4]Blessed Sacrament
Fathers, ST. ANN’S SHRINE, Cleveland, Ohio
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