Augustine). The next day he celebrated his first Mass at the abbey. Night of January 26, 1912: a fire reduced to ashes a large part of the monastery. Disheartened, Dom Martin returned to Aiguebelle. Augustine [...] silence and contemplation. History: August 28, 1850: The founding monks of Aiguebelle took possession of a place called "La Felgère," given by two priests, the Chalbos brothers, to Dom Orsise, then abbot of [...] Modestine. At the beginning of November of 1880 the community escaped the anticlerical expulsions thanks to a providential snowfall. June 24, 1882: Resignation of Dom Polycarpe, who left for Syria in April with
Maria or “Land of Saint Mary”. When the city of Santarem was taken back from the Moors, a few years later, Alphonse had a monastery built, which he dedicated to the Virgin and called Santa Maria de Alcobaça [...] the kingdom and the first king of Portugal, placed his country under the protection of Our Lady by a vow, made with the consent of his vassals and signed at the Cathedral of Lamego on April 28, 1142. This [...] taken back from the Moors was christened with the Virgin as Godmother, while the people built there a church named after her: such as the oldest churches of Lisbon, for instance Our Lady of Martyrs and
decision, as the Apostle Paul recalls, to link forever the Son of God's human identity with a woman, Mary of Nazareth. The mystery of the divine motherhood and of Mary's co-operation in the work of Redemption [...] women.... And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord" (Lk 1:42, 45). Traces of a veneration already widespread among the first Christian community [...] exalted above all angels and men to a place second only to her Son, as the most holy Mother of God who was involved in the mysteries of Christ: she is rightly honoured by a special cult in the Church" (Lumen
led. In substance, they arrived at baptism through a true and real conversion, and thus for them baptism was a real washing, a personal renewal, and a rebirth in the Holy Spirit. The favorable circumstances [...] substituted instead by a decision by intermediary parents or godparents. When a child grew up in a totally Christian environment, this faith still could flourish. even though at a slower rate. Now, however [...] manner of this grace, we may speak of a new coming of the Holy Spirit, of a new mission by the Father through Jesus Christ, or a new anointing corresponding to a new degree of grace. Fr. Cantalamessa has
of Golgotha served as a stone quarry from the 8th to the 1st century before Christ. “The archaeological results show that the tomb of Jesus was hewn in a pilaster (a rocky pillar, a massive boulder) isolated [...] about Golgotha: “They came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull)” (Mt 27:33). “They brought Him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull)” (Mk 15:22). “When they [...] had begun to prepare a family tomb in this projecting rock. This new tomb had a low entrance (one almost had to kneel down to be able to enter through it), which was closed by a large stone slab. Beyond
passage, Mary makes a request of her Son on behalf of some friends in need. At first sight, this could appear to be an entirely human conversation between a Mother and her Son and it is indeed a dialogue rich [...] humanity. Yet Mary does not speak to Jesus as if he were a mere man on whose ability and helpfulness she can count. She entrusts a human need to his power to a power which is more than skill and human ability [...] whatever he tells you" ( Jn 2:5). Jesus is not a wonder-worker, he does not play games with his power in what is, after all, a private affair. No, he gives a sign, in which he proclaims his hour, the hour
her generosity towards God, and her life in the Holy Spirit. He became a fervent ascetic, living a deep spiritual life. He had a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ, in glory, in the church of the Prophet [...] was sent to a farm in Kalamareia, then he was named constructions book-keeper and manager of the workmen. He held this last post until his death (except for the year and a half he spent as a hermit at the [...] he gave prayer a prominent place and he prayed for all human beings. Canonization Despite being appreciated as a monk, he wasn't particularly sought after by the other monks, since he was a simple man. However
soiling it A laborer who was walking by pulled him out of the water with his goad. Later, his mother, a poor widow, sent him to a school of Christian doctrine. There, he fell into the well of a waterwheel [...] hand Little John, aged about 4, fell into a pond while throwing sticks in it. His hand got dirty when he touched the muddy bottom. Back on the surface, he saw a "beautiful lady," (the Virgin Mary, he would [...] attend the University of Salamanca, where he received a rigorous yet open-minded education. The year of his noviciate, in Medina, John of the Cross wrote a poem (now lost) called: "In thanksgiving for the grace
books to read as a distraction. He was given a "Life of Jesus" and a "Life of the Saints". At first, he read distractedly, but soon he felt a deep emotion within. He was obliged to fight a violent inner battle [...] the castle of Loyola. He first was a page-boy for King Ferdinand V. Later on, he began a career in the army. He was considered to be very brave - no one could get a grip on his courage - but on account [...] virtues. Out of a mundane knight God shaped one of the greatest Christian knights of all times At the siege of Pamplona, the young officer's right leg was broken by canon ball. In a matter of a few days, Ignatius
Father Evangelist. On their return journey, a man came to meet them. He was rather tall, with a pale, pink complexion, white hair, looked about 50 years old, and wore a black cloak, which made him look venerable [...] pleasing to Our Lord. His Majesty has a lot of esteem for them, and the order will continue to grow." Then he asked again: "Fathers, why does your order have such a strong devotion to Saint Joseph?" "Our [...] let me ask another favor," the man answered. "Look at my face and have a great devotion for the saint that you see; there won't be a thing you cannot obtain if you ask him." Then the man disappeared from
