From: richarra@gmail.com

Thoughts on the Misery of Man

    We have cause, therefore, because of our frailty and feebleness,
to humble ourselves and never think anything great of ourselves.
Through neglect we may quickly lose that which by God’s grace we have acquired only through long, hard labor. What, eventually, will become
of us who so quickly grow lukewarm?
   Woe to us if we presume to rest in peace and security when actually
there is no true holiness in our lives. It would be beneficial for us,
like good novices, to be instructed once more in the principles of a
good life, to see if there be hope of amendment and greater spiritual
progress in the future.
'A Kempis:--Imitation of Christ, Ch. 22

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August 4: - Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla

Today we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla (1981-1936), Martyr, Dominican tertiary, and first Gypsy to be
beatified by the Church. In his beatification homily, Pope John Paul
II proclaimed, "His life shows how Christ is present in the various
peoples and races, and that all are called to holiness which is
attained by keeping his commandments and remaining in his love

Ceferino Giménez Malla was born into a gypsy family of the Romani (a
nomadic people who moved from place to place). Born at Benevent de
Lérida, his parents practiced Catholicism and had him baptized at
Fraga. The family moved consistently throughout his childhood,
generally supporting themselves through selling baskets they weaved.
While he never received formal education, and was possibly illiterate, Ceferino’s intelligence, wisdom, and sound judgment was obvious to all
he encountered. He was valued by his community as a peacemaker and
wise arbiter, settling disputes and disagreements. He also
demonstrated a consistent faith, practicing charitable works, modeling
the love and patience of Christ.

In accordance with tradition, Ceferino married at a young age, and
together with his wife continued the nomadic life. He worked as a
horse trader, and was recognized by all for his honesty and fair
practices. The couple never had children, but took in a niece and
assumed responsibility for raising her. Ceferino attended Mass every
day, and received the Holy Eucharist as frequently as possible. On
many days, Ceferino would gather the local children he
encountered—gypsy and non-gypsy together—and teach them the Bible
through stories and basic prayers.

Ceferino’s wife died in 1922, and his niece married, leaving him in
solitude. At this time, Ceferino grew in his contemplation and love of
the Lord, and entered the Franciscan Order as a tertiary. He spent
most evenings in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and eventually
became a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

When the Spanish Civil War broke out, there was much anti-Catholic
sentiment, and many were being persecuted. Ceferino defended a priest
who was being taken to prison, and was arrested and imprisoned
alongside him. While in prison, Ceferino clung to his Rosary, praying constantly. Offered freedom if he would renounce his faith, he
declined and was eventually taken to a cemetery and executed by firing
squad. Even in death, he maintained his prayer, holding his Rosary
aloft and proclaiming, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”). His body was buried in a common, unmarked grave and never
recovered.

 by Jacob


Saint Quote:
Right reason, that is, reason rightly exercised, leads the mind to the
Catholic faith, and plants it there, and teaches it in all its
religious speculations to act under its guidance.
-- Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman

Bible Quote:
For My people have committed two evils. They have forsaken Me, the
fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken
cisterns that can hold no water.  [Jeremiah 2:13]


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[Excerpt from a sermon of St. John Vianney:]

   "All our religion is but a false religion, and all our virtues are
mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of
God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone -- for the
good, and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich, and for all
those who do us harm as much as those who do us good."
   "If people would do for God what they do for the world, what a
great number of Christians would go to Heaven!"
   "I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the Cross
than in serving the world and its pleasures."
   "You cannot please both God and the world at the same time. They
are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires,
and their actions."
   "We should consider those moments spent before the Blessed
Sacrament as the happiest of our lives."
   "My little children, ... If you pray and love, that is where a
man's happiness lies."
   "My little children, your hearts, are small, but prayer stretches
them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we receive a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us.
Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into
the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray  properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun."
     "Some men immerse themselves as deeply in prayer as fish in
water, because they give themselves totally to God. O, how I love
these noble souls! How unlike them we are! How often we come to church
with no idea of what to do or what to ask for. And yet, whenever we go
to any human being, we know well enough why we go. ... I often think
that when we come to adore the Lord, we would receive everything we
ask for, if we would ask with living faith and with a pure heart."
   "Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself."

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: www.darkrealms.ca (1:229/2)