Saint Mary Magdalene

Mary of Magdala was a woman of character and of independent means, and like many women she was also tormented by the lifestyle she had embraced, fiercely driven on by the seven demons who seduced her senses and tempted her beyond her endurance.

This woman like many women with strong characters would have been rejected by the elite in her own society as she lived brazenly and openly but also with great inner loneliness which no amount of money nor dissolute company could assuage. Though Mary would have probably shown a bravado to the outside world, within her own soul she was tormented day and night, where was her release? Who could save one such as she?

"Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources."

The meeting between Jesus and Mary would change her life forever as she not only listened but lived what she heard from the Master, though no longer tormented or at the mercy of the demons which had possessed her soul, Mary still was a woman of commendable substance and character. Just as Mary Magdalene followed her Lord and Master, she also looked towards Mary Mother of Jesus and drew strength from the purity of heart and the humility of spirit shown by Mary most Holy. Through their love of Jesus one as Mother and the other as disciple, both Mary's would come to love and support the other as they journeyed alongside Jesus during his Ministry.

The Mother of Jesus would have been crucial factor in the developing character of Mary Magdalene, as she learnt to embrace humility, meekness and to serve others through love rather than be on the receiving end of those who had served her because she had employed them to do so. For when Jesus healed Mary He also started a revolution of love within the soul of Mary, a flame that burned with zealous love for the Truth espoused by Jesus, her Master and Messiah! This altered Mary's entire being and changed her lifestyle completely as she followed the one who had freed her from her torments, her beloved Master. Because Mary Magdalene was independently wealthy this also helped Jesus and his Apostles to continue His Ministry as Mary offered her support both spiritually and monetary as Jesus preached His Salvific message from village to village.

Mary Magdalene was also a woman of fierce courage, but like the mother of Jesus she too would have heard the rumours concerning her beloved Lord and Master as the tempest grew and those in high places plotted to destroy this man Jesus! Mary's unwavering devotion to Jesus never faltered, nor did Mary question her Savior as He spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven, she accepted all for she knew that God did not lie, and unlike many others Mary did not question Jesus Divinity but accepted all on Faith.

Just as she had been healed Mary Magdalene witnessed all those who had been healed by the Master, and with great joy she rejoiced in their freedom just as she too had been freed. Though Mary rejoiced she also sensed the dark shadow which pursued her beloved Lord as the storm clouds gathered around Him, though her body trembled at what would happen to her beloved Jesus, yet her spirit was strong and unwavering.

Mary's courage would be tested to the limits as one of the twelve with deceit in his heart betrayed her beloved Lord into the hands of the despotic Sanhedrin. As Jesus wept alone and sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, both Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of Jesus kept vigil that long and lonely night at their place of lodging as morning dawned, while dark clouds enclosed around Jesus. Both Mary's arose and strode forth one to be with her beloved Son the other to stand alongside her beloved Lord.

Mary Magdalene's love and devotion for Jesus never faltered nor did self interest intercede Mary stood firm to the end irrespective of her personal safety. This unfaltering and total commitment to her Lord and Savior shows the true nature of Mary Magdalene a love so fierce that nothing would dispel it, not suffering, pain or even death...nothing would come between Mary and her beloved Master.

It was with horror and true anguish of heart as Mary Magdalene, alongside the Mother of Jesus and those closest to Jesus followed him as He was made to carry his own Cross to Golgotha. Mary would have heard the taunts thrown at her beloved Lord, she would have seen the spittle directed towards the Son of God, as she tried to protect and help Jesus beloved Mother while witnessing the dreadful journey of the one she loved with all her heart and soul....A love so pure that to this day it is misunderstood.

A woman who only a few years ago had been kept prisoner by her sinful lifestyle yet Jesus saw through her pain of heart and exorcised the demons that was demolishing her very being. Though not a prostitute Mary of Magdala had led a loose life. This woman knew she was witnessing the Crucifixion of her Lord and Savior the one who had lit a light of such spiritual depth that it would never be extinguished not by torture or death.

Mary Magdalene was a woman of immense fortitude, as she followed the path of blood left by her Lord as he reached Golgotha and nails were driven into his flesh. Mary's anguish of heart would have been almost undendurable if it were not for the fact that her love outweighed her pain and her fear. As Jesus was lifted upon the Cross to the derision of the crowds and the guards as they mocked him, one can imagine the immense strength it took for Mary a woman of uncommon valor to remain silent beneath the bloodied Cross of her Lord and Savior. As His life emptied and a sword pierced the soul of His beloved Mother, Mary most Holy.

As Jesus cried his last words, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; Mary's grief at the loss of her friend, Lord and Savior can never be expressed suffice to say that theirs was a friendship of such purity as to be untarnished by anything of a worldly nature. For upon being released from the seven demons Mary's entire being was also freed from the constraints of uninhibited passions as she embraced and lived Jesus Message in her own life.

Upon Jesus body being lowered into the loving embrace of his mournful and sorrowing Mother, Mary Magdalene and those who had stood beneath the Cross comforted each other as best they could, as they beheld the sight of the Mother as she held the bloodied and ravaged body of her beloved Son in her loving arms.

Just as Mary Magdalene had wept when she anointed our Lord's feet with her tears, now her tears were those of the heartbroken as she beheld the tortured body of her beloved friend and Savior. These tears would not be shed for long as Mary Magdalene followed the body of her Lord as he was laid in a borrowed tomb. Once the Sabbath was over Mary Magdalene with friends went once again to the tomb of Jesus in order to anoint His Body only to find his body gone!

It was to Mary his devoted friend and disciple that Jesus revealed himself as Risen and it was to Mary Magdalene who had the responsibility to inform the other disciples which she did. And so the words ring out through eternity...."I have seen the Lord,"....

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Nicodemus & Saint Joseph of Arimathea

"Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.He came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him."Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother's womb and be born again, can he?" Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, 'You must be born from above.'"

Nicodemus was a studious and careful man and not given to flights of fancy, this is one of the reasons he was a respected body of the Sanhedrin, a well learned Pharisee. Which is why this man Jesus troubled him, perplexed him and soon enough, Nicodemus had to meet this mysterious man.

Though Nicodemus was curious to meet this man, Jesus, who had enacted amazing miracles, who preached that through Him sins are forgiven, who told of the Kingdom to come, and had embraced the downcasts and outcasts of society, still Nicodemus had his reputation to consider, what if he were seen to be speaking to a blasphemer, the repercussions would tarnish his good name perhaps beyond redemption?

Therefore Nicodemus played it careful, he went to see this man Jesus under cover of darkness in order to see for himself the claims that Jesus was making, could this be the Son of God? Though Nicodemus managed to speak with Jesus without being noticed he was left feeling even more confused than before upon listening to what Jesus had to say to his queries. Nicodemus probably spent the rest of the time studying the Torah and also watching and listening to Jesus from a distance, for what separated Jesus and Nicodemus was not distance but belief.

What Nicodemus was hearing meant an enormous revolution, a revolution of ultimate love and redemption not through our means but through God. Nicodemus was also a man torn apart as he realised that in order to embrace Jesus as the Son of God, he must leave his old safe life, a life he had built up over many years which had gained the respect of his contemporaries. How could he leave all that he had accrued over the years, the friends he had made within the Sanhedrin, and all for what exactly?

Nicodemus was a troubled man, for though he was a learned Pharisee he was not a hypocrite and he knew within his heart of hearts what he saw and heard, and slowly he began to live the Word he heard, 'born again'.

"Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, for the Sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down....After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by."

Like Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea had built up a solid reputation and had become a respectable Pharisee, well learned and just like Nicodemus, he too had a lot to lose if this man Jesus was simply yet another puff of wind, here today and gone tomorrow. So Joseph also followed Jesus in secret so as to observe this man and to then study the Torah seeking answers to the question lodged within his heart of hearts. What drove Joseph most though was fear of his contemporaries, as the whispers within the Sanhedrin would soon become a roar for the blood of Jesus, Son of God. So Joseph listened in secret to the Words of Jesus as he drew closer and closer to Jesus in the safe cocoon of anonymity. Like Nicodemus, Joseph knew that to openly support Jesus would bring down all the work he had spent a life time building, and to also be deserted by his 'friends' within the Sanhedrin, what was Joseph to do? Just as with Nicodemus, Joseph was not a hypocrite, but he was a careful man who had acquired vast wealth through shrewd and honest business dealings.

Though Jesus spent three years in Ministry to preach the Kingdom of God to all who would listen, working alongside his twelve Apostles, yet at the end of His life as Jesus breathed his last breath only one Apostle stood beneath the Cross. All the others had deserted their beloved Lord and God, but not Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea.

Upon the death of Christ, Joseph with great courage approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus so he could bury him in his own tomb before the Sabbath began. These two men who had kept their distance through fear of the crowds found their courage as the crowds fled their beloved Master. It was Joseph and Nicodemus who alongside Jesus most Holy Mother buried him in a borrowed tomb, Josephs own place of rest. Throughout the Ministry of Jesus both Joseph and Nicodemus had kept their distance through fear, now at the death of the Son of God, both men found that their love of God surpassed their fear of man.

While the Apostles were in disarray Nicodemus and Joseph stepped forward, and lived what they had heard, seekers of the Truth, and understood a religion that kept men enchained by Law was no religion at all but a prison of the soul.

Through the death of Christ, Nicodemus and Joseph found God, for as Jesus had told Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." These two men became mighty in spirit through love of the one sent to save all of mankind.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Veronica

Veronica's Veil

There has always been much speculation about who exactly is Veronica and how she became so well known within the Catholic Church and its Traditions. Even though there is not much information about this gracious woman let us remember the compassion she showed to our Lord as He was led to his Crucifixion.

According to Catholic legend Veronica may have been the woman who Jesus healed when she touched his cloth as her suffering was intense. Veronica never forgot Jesus tender mercy in showing her such love in the face of stigmatization which she was subjected to for many years by her contemporaries who wanted nothing to do with her.

Upon hearing of this man Jesus and the outcome of his trial, Veronica journeyed into the streets so she could follow this man of sorrows. The sight that Veronica saw truly shocked and angered her as she witnessed the outright cruelty shown to this most merciful man, Jesus. Veronica continued to follow him as she wept openly at his cruel treatment, and remembered his tender words spoken to her as he healed her of her own pain and anguish.

It was when Jesus fell that Veronica moved to compassion and irrespective of her own safety or the thoughts of others, ran forward to assist this most tragic figure the bloodied body of our Saviour. Veronica through her own tears handed Jesus her cloth so he could wipe his face of the sweat, blood and spittle where many had spat their malice at Him. Veronica was heartbroken at the state of her beloved Lord and tried her hardest to aid Jesus in His need as He turned and looked at her with intense love and gratitude, before once again being whipped to keep moving. Veronica was thrown out of the way as our Lord continued his torturous path to Golgotha!

Veronica could not believe the hatred she saw amongst those who only a short while ago had thrown palms before his feet, how could such a thing happen to such a one as her beloved Lord. Veronica followed her Lord till she could bear no more and holding the cloth close to her heart she grieved the loss of this man, her beloved Lord and Saviour.

At a later time, Veronica who had kept the cloth which had the imprinted face of our Lord and Saviour upon it was told to go to Rome in order to help the Emperor Tiberius who was seriously ill. Upon placing the cloth upon his body Tiberius was instantly healed of his infirmity. The healing of Tiberius may have led to the political downfall of Pilate as he was sent into exile.

Eventually Veronica gave the most Holy veil with the imprint of our Lords face to Pope Clement to keep for the Faithful. But the painful memories of our Lords most cruel death would help Veronica to speak to all she met of the momentous Crucifixion of her Lord and Saviour, who died so that all men may be saved.

Though Veronica kept the cloth in which she wiped the face of our Lord, it is Jesus who captured her heart, and whom she loved till the end, as she spread the Gospel message of Salvation to all who would listen.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

Caterina de Pazzi was born into the nobility in the year 1566, her parents were deeply devout and passed this on to their beloved daughter.

From an early age Caterina loved Jesus and displayed this by her longing to receive Him in the Eucharist, she would often approach others and beseech them to tell her what it was like to receive our Lord in Communion, her devotion was outstanding when one considers how very young she was.

Caterina though born wealthy was drawn to lead an ascetic life from an early age she also practiced acts of mortification which was common in that era for those who had a great longing to become closer to God. Even though she practiced these mortifications she was not a dour person and was known for her charm and simplicity of manner which draw admiration from all who met her.

This young girl also had a great love of prayer and of a love for the poor, in whom she tried to help by practicing the corporal works of mercy but her greatest love was reserved for Jesus especially in the Blessed Sacrament upon which she would spend hours contemplating this deep mystery and love. Finally at the age of 10 years her dream came true as she made her first Communion, this so touched her heart that she near wept for joy to be so closely connected to her Lord and Savior in the Eucharist, it was around this time that she vowed herself to God and God alone!

Upon reaching 14 years of age, Caterina was sent to school at the Convent of Cavalaresse, where her obvious holiness, humility and penances impressed the Sisters who were instructing her, many of whom noted that if the young Caterina continued to live in this way she would become a Saint, they would prove to be correct!

It was while she was living and learning at the Convent that Caterina decided she too would enter the Religious life, in order to spend her life entirely centered on her beloved Lord, most especially in the Blessed Sacrament. Caterina was blessed in that both her parents were truly devout people and after a little persuasion Caterina managed to convince her parents that this is where God wished her to be, serving Him through her Religious Community.

Caterina's dream came true in 1582 when she entered the Carmelite Convent of Santa Maria degl Angeli, what drew Caterina to this particular Order was its austere penances and lifestyle, this suited Caterina's own manner of living. Another factor was its ability to receive daily Communion a fact which pleased Caterina greatly and was the deciding factor.

Once Caterina entered the Order as so happens with many Religious who are Graced with extraordinary experiences, Caterina's soul entered the 'dark night' her physical condition also decorated, so she took her Vows as she lay seriously ill, as her religious name she chose Sister Mary Magdalen.

Though Sister Mary Magdalen suffered greatly she also began to experience the Mystical events which would continue throughout the rest of her life and though in ill health she also undertook her duties as a Sister within her community faultlessly.

During this period though Sister Mary Magdalen would be constantly plagued by the temptations and other forms of attack as God brought her closer to Himself and Satan was left to fume in impotent rage at Sister Mary Magdalena's obvious holiness. Through all her mystical experiences, this did not make the other Sisters jealous of her, for many of them had come to love Sister Mary Magdalen's personable character and her deep sense of humility.

It was also due to the fact that in herself Sister Mary Magdalen was always common sensical and not given to hysteria or whimsy, as she with great consideration fulfilled her daily obligations within the Religious community. This most holy Sister also never complained of the great aridity of soul nor of her sufferings as she lived her daily life, content in the knowledge that God loved her and had not abandoned her, for Sister Mary Magdalena did not rely on her feelings but on God's Promise.

Through all her hardships Sister Mary Magdalen was also privileged by God to be the recipient of miraculous gifts and events, some of which she would speak out loud while continuing her work, through this many Sisters in her Community noted down Sister Mary Magdalen's words which were kept for prosperity. She also had the Gift of reading peoples hearts within and outside of her community which brought in many visitors who sought her wisdom. One of the miracles attributed to this most holy Sister was that she kept up a correspondence with Catherine de Ricci who would become another great Saint of the Church. Though both these Sisters corresponded they never met, but Sister Mary Magdalen did see as in a vision, that holy Sister Catherine de Ricci answer one of her letters.

Sister Mary Magdalen's great legacy to all who read about her, is her great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, may we also develop such a high love for our God of Love, Divine.

Sister Mary Magdalen of Pazzi died in 1607.

Saint Mary Magedalen was canonized in 1669 by Pope Clement IX.

Some Quotes.

"Come Holy Spirit Spirit of truth, you are the reward of the saints, the comforter of souls, light in the darkness, riches to the poor, treasure to lovers, food for the hungry, comfort to those who are wandering; to sum up, you are the one in whom all treasures are contained."

"Come! As you descended upon Mary that the Word might become flesh, work in us through grace as you worked in her through nature and grace."

"Come! Food of every chaste thought, fountain of all mercy, sum of all purity."

"Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you."

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Sister Consolata Betrone-Victim Soul

Pierina Betrone was born in the year 1903 in Italy to a family of bakers who also ran a restaurant, nothing in her attitude or background could foretell that this young girl would become one of Jesus beloved victim souls.

The Lord first moved within the soul of this young and studious girl when she was only 13 years old. It was as she was busy running errands for her hectic parents that Pierina first felt our Lord touched her heart which filled the young girl with such fervour that she exclaimed "My God, I love you!"The young Pierina also held a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and made a personal vow to promise herself to the service of our Lord and our Lady.

It was after she received Communion that Pierina would hear an interior voice request of her, "Do you want to be mine?" Pierina was awestruck that our Lord would speak with someone as unimportant as she, so she replied with her heart full of tender love and reverence, "Jesus, yes". Though the young Pierina gave her consent, it would still be many years before she could fulfill it.

During this time of waiting, Pierina also struggled an intense battle within her soul as doubts filled her mind and soul as she tried to live a holy and dedicated life. Finally after many trials, temptations and spiritual dryness, Pierina entered the Order of the Poor Clares taking as her name, Sister Consolata. This humble Nun lived a humble life of prayer, her duties and mortifications, done to console her Beloved for the souls of unrepentant sinners, for as our Lord confided to Sister Consolata, "Do not make me a harsh God while I am no less than the God of love!".

Though Sister Consolata was Graced with the Presence of God within her soul, still she felt small and saw herself as the smaller one which Saint Therese of Lisieux had referred to in her diary. This certainty that Consolata felt within her soul was confirmed by our Lord in these words, "well, I have found that still weaker soul who has abandoned herself with complete faith to My infinite mercy: it is you, Consolata, and through you I will perform marvels which will far exceed your fondest desires." When our Lord chooses a soul He with infinite wisdom and tenderness chooses those who though they be weak within themselves only further His Power to move within and transform that weak soul into a living reflection of Himself.

As always though the chosen souls go through many area's of the spiritual life including aridity of soul and temptations of the evil one, but as our Lord consoled Sister Consolata with these words to her vocation in life, "Since I am the Most Holy it is my thirst to communicate it to souls ... You only love. You are too small to climb to the summit: I will carry you on my shoulders". In her diary Sister Consolata wrote an impassioned plea to those who would one day come to read this source of spiritual enlightenment, "Jesus reveals to me the intimate sufferings of His Heart caused by the faithlessness of souls consecrated to Him".

Our Lord also inspired Sister Consolata with this universal prayer, " Jesus, Mary, I love you! Save souls!" Sister Consolata would repeat this one prayer during all her waking hours and in every form of work as she went about her daily tasks. Sister Consolata lived a holy and humble life and did as our Lord requested of her as He revealed her mission in life with these words, "Among the youngest members of Catholic action there are the Little Ones, and among the Little souls there are the Littlest Ones. You belong to these; and to them will belong all those souls who will follow you in offering Me the unceasing act of love."

There was also this interior inspiration which she noted in her diary, "For many days my soul has halted on this divine phrase - 'Sacrificial victim for sacrificial victim'". So it was to be for Sister Consolata became gravelly ill with no chance for recovery.

Sister Consolata Betrone died in 1946.

Here are some of the revelations given to her by Jesus.

"You must think only of loving Me! I will think of everything else, even to the smallest details!"

"You see, Consolata, sanctity means self-forgetfulness in everything, in thoughts, desires, words....Allow Me to do it all! I will do everything; but you should, at every moment, give Me what I ask for with much love!"

"I delight to work in a soul. You see, I love to do everything Myself; and from this soul I ask only that she love Me."

"You see, even in good thoughts which creep in, there is always a bit of self-love, of complacency; and it is easy to see how they will spoil the act of love. But if you will complete trust in Me, that I am attending to everything and will continue to do so, and if you will not permit even one other thought to enter, then your act of love will possess a virginal purity."

"Consolata, place no limits on your confidence in Me, then I will place no limits on My graces for you!"

"Trust always in Jesus! If you only knew how much pleasure that gives Me! Grant Me this solace to trust in Me even in the shadow of death."

"If you are in Me and we are one then you will bring forth much fruit and will become strong, for you will disappear like a drop of water in the ocean; My silence will pass into you, and My humility, My purity, My charity, My gentleness, My patience, My thirst for suffering, and My zeal for souls whom I wish to save at all costs!"

Sister Consolata's cause for Beatification is before Rome.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.