OUR LADY'S INFLUENCE

As Cardinal Mercier said : "When prudence is everywhere, courage is nowhere." From Cardinal Sarah : "In order to avoid hearing God's music, we have chosen to use all the devices of this world. But heaven's instruments will not stop playing just because some people are deaf." Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

OUR LADY'S INFLUENCE

As the page turns, and August move into the autumn, we should keep in mind, most notably in these troubled and Godless times, the promise of Our Lady to be with us in all our troubles, as in our joys; a role She was given from the Cross, but which was Hers from Eternity.

These words are from His Eminence Charles Cardinal Journet, "Entretiens sur Marie - Éditions Parole et Silence, 2001"

"The mystery of the Virgin is the first repercussion of the mystery of the Incarnation. The mystery of the Virgin is like when a stone is thrown into water: a first ripple is produced which will be the cause of all the others.
"This first concentric circle is the Virgin Mary in relation to the Incarnation. And the ripples will continue until the end of time, and they will be the Church."

Our Holy Father Pope Francis spoke of ripples from a stone early in his pontificate, but his ripples seemed to be going the other way.

Which sort of ripple are we?

Translation: Grand Priory of England

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN