Beatitudes

“ By means of these gifts the soul is excited and encouraged to seek after and attain the evangelical beatitudes, which, like the flowers that come forth in the spring time, are the signs and harbingers of eternal beatitude. ”

“ We find in St Luke an abridgment of the Beatitudes reduced to four: — to poverty, hunger, mourning, and being hated and persecuted for love of the Son of God. [1] To these four Beatitudes Jesus Christ adds four denunciations on men of the world: — ' Woe to you that are rich, for you have your consolation. Woe to you that are filled, for you shall hunger. Woe to you that now laugh, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when men shall bless you. ”

“ The two first of our Lord's Beatitudes, as they are called, are 'Blessed are the poor in spirit,' and 'Blessed are they that mourn.' These two carry the conditions of entrance on the Christian life. There must be consciousness of our own emptiness, weakness, and need; there must be penitent recognition of our own ill-desert and lamentation over that. These two things, the consciousness of emptiness, and the sorrow for sin, make—I was going to say—the two door-posts of the narrow gate through which a man has to press. ”

“ Thus, those who hunger and thirst after justice not only discharge their obligations, but they do so with the greatest willingness; the merciful bestow their bounty, not only on their friends and relatives, but on those who are most in need. (c) Still other Beatitudes are concerned with the acts that most fit one for the contemplation of divine things, namely, that in oneself one be pure or heart or free from the defilements of passion, and that one be peaceful with reference to others. (d) The final Beatitude is the crown of the others ”

“ I hope not only for the pardon of my sins, but also for all that may promote thy glory, and the good of my soul, as a holy life and a happy death, the accomplishment of thy merciful designs upon me, and that thou wilt be pleased to form my heart according to thy own. All this I ask purely that I may become more pleasing in thy sight. Imprint thy law upon my heart; grant me grace to observe it faithfully. Look favourably on thy people; bless them, and give them all that thy mercy has designed for them. ”

“ Then, holy and loving thoughts toward God or toward man seemed to me to be as beautiful as those fleecy islets along the west at sunset, crowned with glory; and the gentler aspirations for goodness and nobleness and knowledge seemed to me like silver mists through which the morning is striking, wafting them gently and in wreaths and films heavenward. Great deeds, heroism for worthy objects, for God, or for one’s fellows, or for one’s own purity, seemed not only natural but as things without which a soul could not live. ”

“ How beautiful is the world to come, and how splendid will be the crown of heavenly glory that will be given to the chaste and devout soul, which in this world often and sadly meditates upon the Crown of Thorns of Jesus, and ever keeps in mind and mourns over his cruel Wounds. I believe, O Lord, that at the hour of death such a soul will, when quitting this weary life, have great hope of forgiveness and feel sure of obtaining mercy, if it keep ever in remembrance Thy sacred Passion. ”

“ Permit me to feel Thy sacred presence, to be immersed in Thy pure light, and to be comforted by it, so that I may always, but especially on this day, serve Thee faithfully, and bear the trials which Thou sendest me with love and courage. In consideration of the tears and the precious blood of Thy divine Son, by Whom I knock at the gates of Thy mercy and kindness, grant that all misfortunes of body and soul may be averted from me, through Christ Our Lord, Who is ever praised with Thee and the Holy Ghost, for all eternity. ”

“ The God of mercy prepared their hearts to pray, and his ear to hear, and the answer did not tarry. Behold, my husband prayeth; confesses sin; applies to the Saviour; pleads for forgiveness for his sake; receives comfort; blesses God for Jesus Christ, and dies with these words on his tongue, 'I hold fast by the Saviour,' Behold another wonder; the idolatress in an ecstasy of joy. She who never could realize a separation for one single minute during his life, now resigns her heart's treasure with praise and thanksgiving. ”

“ All these slender forms, delicate and drooping as lily-buds, these grave and noble attitudes for receiving a flower offered by an angel, placing the fingers on an open book, bending over the Holy Infant, or supporting the body of Christ; in the act of blessing, of agonising, of ascending into Heaven—all these things, so pure, so sincere, so profoundly touching, affect the soul to its depths and imprint themselves for ever on the memory. ”

“ Faith, hope, and charity were met in her dusky, shrunken bosom,—more at home there, perhaps, than in a finer dwelling.
A sneering philosophy was never yet challenged to contemplate a piety more complete than that which made this venerable "nigger" a lady on earth, and a saint in heaven; but on her knees she found it, and on her knees she held it fast,—watching, praying, trembling. ”

“ For what else is this world but a school to train up souls, and fit them for the other; and how are they fitted but by an eager desire of enjoying God, their only end?
Break my froward spirit, O Jesus, make it humble and obedient. Grant me grace to depart hence with a contempt of this world, and a heart filled with joy at my going to thee.
Let the memory of thy passion make me cheerfully undergo all temptations here, for thy love: whilst my soul breathes after that blissful life and immortal glory which thou hast prepared in heaven for thy servants. ”

“ Intercede for me with the loving Hearts of Jesus and Mary, that the Holy Spirit may assist me to understand your teaching on "Joy in Suffering" and may grant me the gift of fortitude, that fired with a burning love of God and souls, I may eagerly follow you in joyous suffering and one day share in your glorious triumph. I promise to show my heartfelt gratitude by doing whatever I can to promote your honor and to make you ever more widely known and loved throughout the world for the greater glory of the most Holy Trinity. ”

“ As the past of Christian life was reviewed so seriously, penitence sprang up within the heart, and then the gratitude to God, and then the consecration, and then the delightful swelling love and peace, and then the faith that seemed to hide itself in God’s own heart, and there was a mingling of the emotions as if the ocean of God’s presence was receiving them to its own deep love, and they were taking the first baptism of the Spirit. ”

“ JESUS, our admirable Redeemer, humbly prostrate at thy feet, we adore thee with our whole mind and with the most profound veneration. To testify the grief which we feel for our past insensibility to all the outrages and sufferings which thy most loving Heart made thee endure for our salvation, in thy bitter passion and death, we unite in sincerity of heart with all those who love thee, in order that we may thank thee with our whole soul. ”

“ I enjoyed much of God in secret prayer: felt an uncommon resignation, to be and do what God pleased. Some days past, I felt great perplexity on account of my past conduct: my bitterness, and want of Christian kindness and love, has been very distressing to my soul: the Lord forgive me my unchristian warmth, and want of a spirit of meekness!
Saturday, September 18. I felt compassion for souls, and mourned I had no more. I feel much more kindness, meekness, gentleness, and love towards all mankind than ever. ”

“ If your venerable foundress could in bodily presence be here to-day to rejoice with us in all that God has wrought through the handmaidens of the Sacred Heart, she would crave not laudatory utterance, but elevation of soul, thoughts that breathe faith and hope, courage and love. ”

“ Where I my Saviour shall behold,
And sing the wonders of His grace
To harp of shining gold.
What sorrows can our patience move
While still remain Faith, Hope, and Love?
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Love draws my heart towards my kind,
Makes me in each a brother (or sister) see,
To cheer the sad, to help the blind,
Are joys still left to me.
Bless my companions, heavenly Dove,
Fill them with Faith, and Hope, and Love.
There is no pain or sorrow here,
For those who will God’s lesson learn,
But Faith may brighten, Hope may cheer,
And Love to blessing turn ”

“ Finally, O most amiable Jesus, we beseech thee, by the sweetness of thy most Sacred Heart, to convert sinners, to comfort the afflicted, to assist the agonising, and to afford relief to the holy souls suffering in purgatory. Unite our hearts in the bonds of true peace and charity, deliver us from an unprovided death, and grant that we may die in holiness and tranquillity of mind. ”

“ O God, Who, under this wonderful Sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant us the grace, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest. ”

“ Piety that, in lifting up the grateful soul to God, heightens our joys, and renders that pure and lasting which would otherwise be evanescent and fleeting. Piety, whose soft and mildly-burning torch continues to enlighten life, long, long after the lustre of worldly pleasures has passed away. ”

“ I resolve to amend my life; and though I am unworthy to obtain mercy, yet the sight of Thy holy cross, on which Thou didst die, inspires me with hope and consolation. I will therefore meditate on Thy sufferings, and visit the stations of Thy passion in company with Thy sorrowful Mother and my guardian angel, with the intention of promoting Thy glory and saving my soul. ”

“ And then suddenly, now and again, a light flashes, and a glory is made manifest to you. Some touch of Divine benediction will break out of the secret silence, some sudden joy, some gift of power. It is as at Cana with you when the water ran into wine.
Yet this when it comes, remember, is not the end. It is but a pledge. You may not cling to the blessings and the gifts of faith. They flash and disappear, and you will not be surprized to find that you have yet a long road to travel—a road of disappointment, of increasing failure, of gathering pain, of enlarging doubt—doubt! ”

“ He is our ever-reliable guide. Unto Him we turn this day, turn that we may, by His grace, be granted the vision to glimpse light through gloom, to receive comfort through tears, to hear messages of hope through wailings of grief, to taste the sweetness of love amidst the bitterness of parting, and to hold by unshakable faith despite the tearing, convulsive groans of bereavement. ”

“ How can we fail to honor the exposition of the Divine Word, the lessons of public worship, and those various ministrations that take such hold upon life as it is, whether to consecrate childhood into the privileges of the Divine kingdom, to implore upon human love the Divine blessing, to comfort the mourning, to rejoice with the happy, to strengthen the dying with an immortal hope, or set forth the Resurrection and the Life above the dust of the grave? ”

“ Teach us, we beseech Thee, to realise Thee, to receive Thee, to embrace Thee, to make the heart of each one of us an abode vast enough, a home sweet enough, a shrine sacred enough unto Thy Holy Spirit. ”

“ And so shall a man also, that is strong in temptations, obtain much consolation; ' according to our tribulations,' says St. Paul, ' shall be the recompense,' and the crown of eternal life that shall be given to us. But not only shall the reward in heaven be given to them who withstand temptations, but even in this life also, as the Psalmist says: ' Lord, according to the multitude of my temptations, and of my sorrows, thy consolations have delighted my soul:' therefore the greater the temptation and the combat, the more glorious shall be the crown. ”

“ Give me, O gracious Saviour, speedy and efficacious feelings of thy divine succour and comfort, who, according to the accustomed sweetness of thy tender heart, art wont to grant the requests of them who really fear and love thee, even to their own soul’s desire and satisfaction. ”

“ I beg of thee, by all the love thou hast ever felt for man; and in particular, by that infinite charity which invites me to approach thy altars, that thou wouldst give me, as the fruit of this meditation, the most lively and ardent charity. I resolve most seriously, to endeavour on my part to obtain that most precious gift, by making henceforward frequent acts of thy love — by performing all my actions through a motive of love — by detesting and avoiding, for thy love, all that displeases thee. ”

“ But we must note, that in the passion of our blessed Saviour, six things chiefly are to be meditated upon. First, the bitterness of his sorrow, that we may compassionate with him. Secondly, the greatness of our sins, which were the cause of his torments, that we may abhor them. Thirdly, the greatness of the benefit, that we may be grateful for it. Fourthly, the excellency of the divine charity and bounty therein manifested, that we may love him more fervently. Fifthly, the conveniency of the mystery, that we may be drawn to admiration of it. ”

“ One look at our loving and living Saviour will do more towards softening the heart than hours spent in the scrutiny of feeling, or whole books of self-examination. If you want to grow in grace, in tenderness of conscience, in holy abhorrence of sin, in purity of heart, in lowliness of spirit, and in thankful love for your blessed Saviour,—then look on Him, keep your eyes on Him. ”

“ Long on vain idols its devotion shed;
Some have forsaken whom I loved the best,
And some deceived, and some are with the dead.
But thou, my Saviour! thou, my hope and trust,
Faithful art thou when friends and joys depart ”

“ But vainly thus, in hymns of praise,
⁠We bear a joyful part,
If, while our voice aloud we raise,
⁠We lift not up the heart.
We by a holy life alone,
⁠Our Saviour's laws fulfil;
By those his glory best is shewn,
⁠Who best performs his will. ”