blank'/> SHARING THE REAL TRUTH: October 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

DECEMBER 1 - SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD - PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT - Missier, f’idejk nintelaq jiena --- in Maltese & in English - Father, I abandon myself into Your Hands





Malta Diocese Archbishop Mgr Charles J. Scicluna concelebrated Holy Mass at St John's co-Cathedral in Valletta Malta on December 1st, 2016, on the commemoration of the day when Blessed Charles De Foucauld was killed, hundred years ago, today - his feast day.
Quddiesa fil‑festa tal‑Beatu Charles de Foucauld

>>> click over video to start <<<


 

 

"Id-demokrazija qiegħda tevolvi f'kerdokrazija" - L-Arċisqof

L-Arċisqof jiċċelebra Quddiesa f'għeluq il-mitt sena mill-mewt tal-Beatu Charles de Foucauld

"Democracy is evolving in kerdocracy" - The Archbishop

http://thechurchinmalta.org/mt/posts/64596/id-demokrazija-qieghda-tevolvi-fkerdokrazija---l-arcisqof




Charles de Foucauld, A Story of Trust




Saint Charles De Foucauld - http://www.charlesdefoucauld.org/en/biographie.php


     


Missier, f’idejk nintelaq jiena.
Agħmel minni dak li jogħġbok.
Niżżikħajr għal dak kollu li tagħmel bija:
Jien lest għal kollox, nilqa’ kollox.
Agħmel biss li r-rieda tiegħek isseħħ fija,
u fil-ħlejjaq kollha tiegħek.
Ma nixtieq xejn aktar Mulej.
F’idejk jien nitlaq ruħi;
nagħtihielek bl-imħabba kollha ta’ qalbi,
għax jien inħobbok, Mulej,
u għalhekk inħoss il-ħtieġa
li nagħti lili nnifsi lilek,
li nintelaq f’idejk għal kollox
u b’kunfidenza bla tarf,
għax int Missieri.









Is-Sejħa għall-Aħħar Post. Ħajjet Charles de Foucauld.






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Prayer of Abandonment

Father, I abandon myself into Your Hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You may do I thank You.
I am ready for all. I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me
and in all Your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your Hands I commend my soul.
I offer it to You with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into Your Hands,
without reserve and
with boundless confidence,
for You are my Father.



Charles De Foucauld was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 13, 2005, and is listed as a martyr in the liturgy of the Catholic Church.
Feast day - 1 December



Charles de Foucauld - Wikipedia












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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday Gospel of week 29 in Ordinary Time --- Lk 12:49-53 -- Not Peace but Division - Firda minħabba Ġesù



Pope at Santa Marta: The limitless language of God’s love - 2014-10-23 Vatican Radio
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-at-santa-marta-the-limitless-language-of-gods


Lk 12:49-53 -- Not Peace but Division - Firda minħabba Ġesù


Firda minħabba Ġesù
(Mt 10, 34-36)


[Lq:12:49] "Nar ġejt inqiegħed fuq l-art, u kemm nixtieq li diġà qabad! [Lq:12:50] Iżda hemm magħmudija li biha għandi nitgħammed, u x'diqa għandi sa ma dan iseħħ! [Lq:12:51] Taħsbu intom li jien ġejt inġib il-paċi fid-dinja? Le, ngħidilkom, imma l-firda; [Lq:12:52] għax mil-lum 'il quddiem ħamsa minn nies f'dar waħda jkunu mifruda bejniethom, tlieta kontra tnejn u tnejn kontra tlieta; [Lq:12:53] jinfirdu l-missier kontra  l-iben u l-iben kontra l-missier, l-omm kontra l-bint u l-bint kontra l-omm, omm ir-raġel kontra mart binha u mart l-iben kontra omm żewġha."



Pope Francis at Santa Marta explains why leave everything for God  







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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

OCTOBER 22 - MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE --- 22 ta' OTTUBRU - TIFKIRA TA' SAN ĠWANNI PAWLU II, PAPA


The top ten achievements of John Paul II - Published on Apr 22, 2014






“To believe in Jesus is to accept what he says, even when it runs contrary to what others are saying. It means rejecting the lure of sin, however attractive it may be, in order to set out on the difficult path of the Gospel virtues.” (Pope St. John Paul II; WYD Toronto Welcoming Ceremony; July 25, 2002)
 
 

“Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!”


Catholic Church celebrates feast day of St. John Paul II, for the first time - Published on 22 Oct 2014








Pope Francis on St. John Paul II during his weekly general audience - 22 Oct. 2014 





Hope and Joy - Published on 21 Oct 2014










Relikwija ta' San Ġwanni Pawlu II, Papa



San Ġwanni Pawlu II - 22 ta' Ottubru






PARIRI SPIRITWALI TA’ SAN GWANNI PAWLU II, PAPA:


 
Il-Ħolqien Mera tal-Kobor t’Alla:

 
Ø Alla għamilna għall-ferħ, u l-ferħ tal-ħajja jirrifletti l-ferħ oriġinali li ħass Alla meta ħalaqna.

Ø Is-silenzju tal-muntanja u l-abjad tas-silġ ikellmuna dwar Alla. Juruna t-triq li twassal għall-kontemplazzjoni, mhux biss bħala mod mill-aqwa kif wieħed jesperjenza dan il-misteru, imma wkoll bħala kundizzjoni biex wieħed jumanizza ħajtu u r-relazzjonijiet tiegħu m’għajru.

Ø Kull ħaġa kbira teħtieġ paċenzja.

 

Ġesù fl-Ewkaristija:

 
Ø Ippruvaw ġibu ruħkom ma’ Ġesù fl-Ewkaristija bħalma hu jġib ruħu magħna. Hu jagħti lilu nnifsu bla ma jistenna ħlas.

Ø Tgħallmu kif tibqgħu ma’ Kristu sabiex tkunu tistgħu tħobbu bħalu. Meta tistgħu, matul il-ġimgħa, ħudu sehem mill-Ewkaristija. Li nkunu fidili lejn it-tqarbin ta’ matul il-ġimgħa jgħinna nimxu wara Kristu fil-ħajja tagħna ta’ kuljum, u jagħtina d-dawl u s-saħħa biex nimxu wara l-vokazzjoni tagħna.

Ø Fl-intimità tat-tabernaklu, il-valuri li jridu jsaltnu fid-djar jirċievu saħħa ġdida biex jagħmlu mill-familja post fejn wieħed jiltaqa’ m’Alla, ċentru li jirradja l-fidi, skola għall-ħajja nisranija.

 

Marija:

 
Ø Marija għexet kontinwament l-Ewkaristija; hi baqgħet dejjem marbuta b’mod intimu ma’ Ġesù u dejjem imxiet warajh fedelment.

Ø Marija tgħallimna kif nisimgħu il-Kelma ta’ Alla u nipprattikawha fil-ħajja tagħna ta’ kuljum.

Ø Fit-tama ta’ Marija f’riġlejn is-salib jinsab dawl li hu aqwa mid-dlamijiet li jsaltnu f’ħafna qlub; fil-preżenza tas-sagrifiċċju tal-fidwa, it-tama tal-Knisja u tal-umanità twieldet f’Marija.

Ø Marija hi l-għalliema tal-ħajja tat-talb u tal-ispiritwalità inkarnata fin-natura umana.

 

Il-Knisja:

 
Ø Il-Knisja dejjem tħabbat wiċċha ma’ diffikultajiet; ħafna drabi tisfa attakkata u mfixkla. Imma hi dejjem tibqa’ żagħżugħa, dejjem aktar ħajja.


Ø Huwa importanti ħafna li l-komunità nisranija tippreżenta ruħha bħala ġisem wieħed, b’diversi funzjonijiet u servizzi, imqassma fi gruppi u movimenti, imma magħquda fil-motivi, l-oġġettivi u fl-istil tal-Vanġelu. Din hi t-tagħlima tat-Trinità Qaddisa.

 

TALBA

Omm qaddisa tar-Redentur,

bieb tal-ġenna, kewba tal-baħar,

ieqaf mal-poplu tiegħek li tant jixtieq li jerġa’ jdur lejk.

Għal darb’oħra nirrikorru lejk, omm ta’ Kristu u tal-Knisja,

kif ninsabu taħt riġlejk fil-grotta ta’ Iria,

nirringrazzjawk għal dak kollu

li int għamilt matul dawn is-snin diffiċli,

kemm għall-Knisja, għal kull wieħed u waħda minna

u għall-umanità kollha. Ammen.

                                                                                                            San Ġwanni Pawlu II Papa - Fatima 1991

https://signumfideimalta.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ktejjeb-10-ottubru-2014-2.pdf





Who Was The MYSTERIOUS Nun That Saved Pope John Paul ll From Being Assassinated? Who was the mysterious Nun that threw herself at hitman, Mehmet Ali Agca, as he tried to assassinate Pope John Paul ll on the 13th May, 1981 in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City.



The BLOOD-stained vest venerated as a holy relic of Saint John Paul II
http://medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-blood-stained-vest-is-venerated-as.html

       

Pope Francis answers millions of Catholic's prayers by making former pope a saint. - Published on 5 Jul 2013













Preghiera alla Madre del Divino Amore - Papa San Gwanni Paolo II --- Saint John Paul II, Pope.
http://medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com.mt/2012/03/preghiera-alla-madre-del-divino-amore.html






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Monday, October 20, 2014

Iraqi Christian politician: The Islamic State can't take away Christ...



Published on 20 Oct 2014
Click here to receive the latest news: http://smarturl.it/RomeReports
Visit or website to learn more: http://www.romereports.com/
 
Iraqi Christian politician: The Islamic State can't take away Christ  



Pope on Islamic State: We're witnessing unimaginable terrorism  




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Friday, October 17, 2014

Pope Francis at Santa Marta: REDISCOVER THE JOY OF PRAISING GOD ... He is our strength ... even in difficult, suffering, horrible times

 
 




Pope Francis at Santa Marta: Rediscover the joy of praising God  - Published on 17 Oct 2014




How beautiful YOU are my love - Song by Orsoline Sisters, Malta





Pope Francis at Santa Marta: The joy of the Lord is our strength - Published on Oct 1, 2015




Litany of Praise..by Linda Schubert from Miracle Hour
 


Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving - Father Benedict Groeschel



THE 7 SECRETS OF THE EUCHARIST by Vinny Flynn (based on his 'must read' book by the same name)






Pope Francis: The joy of the Christian does not anesthetize pain - Published on May 6, 2016






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IR-RIT TAL-QUDDIESA - THE ORDER OF MASS




Pope: Prepare for Mass in silence




Listen also to the report:

General Audience: Holy Mass is the prayer "par excellence"

Reading: Luke 11,1-4
[1] He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” [2]He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. [3] Give us each day our daily bread [4] and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis resumed his catechesis on the Holy Mass.
The Mass, the Pope said, is prayer – or rather, it is “the prayer par excellence, the highest, the most sublime, and at the same time, the most ‘concrete’ … it is an encounter with the Lord.”
“But what is prayer, really?” Pope Francis asked. “it is first of all dialogue, a relationship with God.” Man, he continued, “was created as a being in personal relationship with God, who finds his full realization only in the encounter with His Creator.”
God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is Himself “a perfect relationship of love that is unity.” Because we are created in “the image and likeness of God,” we too are called to enter into a perfect relationship of love. And it is the Mass, the Eucharist, that is “the privileged moment to be with Christ, and, through Him, with God and with our brothers.”
But dialogue also means knowing how to remain silent, in the presence of the other. The Holy Father emphasized the importance of moments of silence when we go to Mass – the liturgy, he said, is not a time for chatting, but a time to recollect ourselves, to prepare our hearts for the encounter with Jesus.
Jesus Himself often went off to “a place apart” in order to pray; and His disciples, seeing His intimate relationship with the Father, asked Him how to pray. “Jesus says that the first thing necessary for prayer” is to be able to call God “Father.” Pope Francis said, “If I cannot say ‘Father’ to God, I can’t pray. We have to learn to say ‘Father,’ that is, to put ourselves into His presence with filial confidence.”
In this sense, he continued, we must be like children, able to entrust ourselves entirely to God, as children do with their parents. And, like children, we must also have a sense of wonder, we must “allow ourselves to be surprised.” When we speak to God in prayer, the Pope said, it is not talking to God “like parrots.” Instead it means “entrusting ourselves and opening our hearts to allow ourselves to wonder.” The encounter with God in Mass, he said, “is always a living encounter, it is not a meeting in a museum.”
Pope Francis recalled the Gospel account of Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus. In their encounter, Jesus spoke about the need to be born again. But how is this possible, the Pope asked? “This is a fundamental question of our faith,” he said, “and this is the desire of every true believer: the desire to be reborn, the joy of beginning anew.” Pope Francis asked his audience, “Do we have this desire? Does each one of us have the desire to always be reborn in order to encounter the Lord? Do you have this desire?”
In fact, the Pope concluded, “the Lord surprises us by showing us that He loves us even in our weakness.” In the Mass, in our encounter with Jesus, “the Lord encounters our fragility in order to bring us back to our first calling: that of being in the image and likeness of God.” This, Pope Francis said, “is the environment of the Eucharist, this is the prayer.”

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2020 --- PARROĊĊA BURMARRAD, MALTA -  Katekeżi qasira li tgħinna nifhmu aħjar il-Quddiesa
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSnYc2xbcm8MlMG25rxpj8iLk3HHx3EXr



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Lift up our hearts, not the mobile to take photos


Nerfgħu qlubna ’l fuq, mhux nerfgħu l-mowbajl biex nieħdu ritratt







PARAMENTI  SAGRI; IL-ĦWEJJEĠ LI JUŻA S-SAĊERDOT; IL-QUDDIESA






Keys to the importance of the Mass







2017-2018 - CATECHESIS ON HOLY MASS FROM POPE FRANCIS - Katekeżi dwar il-Quddiesa - videos subtitles - Frank Darmanin; from Vatican News; Romereports





  

Teaching the Mass (with narration)








ORDER OF MASS --- & --- BASIC TEXTS for the CATHOLIC MASS





Ftit mill-mumenti waqt...    -----------------------    Some of the moments during...  







In a Daily Mass, the Priest, here the Pope, as soon as he comes out from the sacristy, he first bows down in front of the Tabernacle, where JESUS is present in the consecrated Host.
In a solemnity or feast, the ceremony is more solemn, with the blessing of incense and more




  

 
 








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The Order of Mass - in Maltese
http://www.laikos.org/Rit-tal-Quddiesa.pdf


IS-SAGRIFIĊĊJU TA' L-EWKARISTIJA --- IL-QUDDIESA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa58Vv6jmn2ALWlsI88dSYk7izVY3IzWJ


IL-QUDDIESA - spjegazzjoni  ---  explaining - HOLY MASS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa58Vv6jmn2CL2WcL5MiPYlYoC6VgTWoT



VATICAN - GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html#I._THE_GENERAL_STRUCTURE_OF_THE_MASS_



or


This webpage contains the new English translation of the third edition of The Roman Missal, in use as of 11/27/11.
http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass-RM3.htm         
















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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Il-Kappella tal-Madonna ta’ Lourdes, Floriana --- Il-Kurunella, it-Talba u s-Salve Reġina lill- Madonna ta' Lourdes

Il-Kappella tal-Madonna ta’ Lourdes, Floriana 
Il-Grotta


 
 
 
ID-DEHRIET - THE APPARITIONS
 

 
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Salve  Regina (in Maltese language)
Sliem għalik Sultana, Omm tal-ħniena, ħajja, ħlewwa u tama tagħna, sliem għalik lilek ingħajtu għaliex aħna tturufnati ulied Eva, lilek nitniehdu aħna u nibku u nolfqu f’dan il-wied tad-dmugh. Ejja mela avukata tagħna, dawwar lejna dawk l-għajnejn tiegħek tal-ħniena, urina wara dan it-turufnament, lil Ġesu`, frott imbierek tal-ġuf tiegħek. O ħanina, O pija, O ħelwa Verġni Marija

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LOURDES - O Vierge Marie - Salve Regina
 
Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae,
 
Vita dulcedo et spes nostra salve. 

Ad te clamamus,  exsules filii Hevae. 

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,

In hac lacrimarum valle. 

Eja, ergo, advocata nostra,

illos tuos, misericordes oculos, ad nos converte. 

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, 
 
Nobis, post hoc exsilium, ostende.
 
O Clemens, O Pia, O Dulcis, Virgo Maria


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 FEBRUARY 11 - OUR LADY OF LOURDES, First Apparition - WORLD DAY OF THE SICK --- 11 ta' Frar - Il-Madonna ta' Lourdes, L-Ewwel Dehra - JUM DINJI TAL-MORDA






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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Is-Sinjal Qaddis tas-Salib ta' Kristu --- The Holy Sign of the Cross of Christ --- & --- Abba Pater - Padre Nostro

 
 Pope Francis: Make prayer a priority - Published on 26 Aug 2015 




In the NAME of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen

Fl-ISEM  tal-Missier u ta' l-Iben u ta' l-Ispirtu s-Santu, Ammen.



Ir-Radd tas-Salib







Nistgħu nsibu ftit ħin u naħsbu fuq din is-silta dwar IS-SINJAL TAS-SALIB, tradotta mill-ktieb THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY, tal-Papa Benedittu XVI.
 
IS-SINJAL TAS-SALIB
 
L-aktar ġest bażiku fit-talb nisrani hu, u dejjem ser jibqa’, is-sinjal tas-Salib. Hu mod kif wieħed jistqarr lil Kristu, imsallab ma’ ġismu stess, skond il-kliem programmatiku ta’ San Pawl: “Aħna nxandru Kristu msallab, tfixkil għal-Lhud u bluha għall-pagani, imma għal dawk li huma msejħin, Lhud u Griegi, Kristu, qawwa u għerf t’Alla.” (1 Kor 1: 23f) Jgħid ukoll: “Għax ma ridt naf xejn fostkom ħlief Ġesù Kristu u Ġesù Kristu msallab.” (2:2) Li wieħed jissiġilla ruħu bis-sinjal tas-Salib hi bħal ‘iva’ viżibbli u pubblika lil dak li bata għalina, lil dak li f’ġismu għamel tidher l-imħabba t’Alla, imħabba li ma kellhiex fejn tasal aktar; lil dak Alla li jsaltan mhux bil-qerda imma bl-umiltà tat-tbatija u l-imħabba, li hija aktar qawwija mis-setgħa kollha tad-dinja u aktar għarfa mill-intelliġenza kollha kalkoli tal-bnedmin. Is-sinjal tas-Salib hu stqarrija ta’ fidi: Nemmen f’dak li bata għalija u qam mill-mewt; f’dak li bidel is-sinjal tal-mistħija f’sinjal ta’ tama u ta’ l-imħabba t’Alla li tinsab magħna. L-istqarrrija tal-fidi hi stqarrija ta’ tama: Nemmen f’dak li fid-dgħufija tiegħu hu s-Setgħani; f’dak li jista’ u li se jsalvani, mqar meta jidher qisu mhux hemm u bla ebda qawwa. Meta rroddu s-Salib, inkunu nqiegħdu lilna nfusna taħt il-ħarsien tas-Salib; inżommuh quddiemna bħal tarka li tħarisna fit-twegħir kollu tal-ħajja ta’ kuljum u tagħtina l-kuraġġ biex nibqgħu mexjin. Naċċettawh bħala sinjal li jurina t-triq li rridu nsegwu: “Min irid jimxi warajja, jiċħad lilu nnifsu, jerfa’ salibu u jimxi warajja.” (Mk 8:34). Is-Salib jurina t-triq tal-ħajja, l-imitazzjoni ta’ Kristu.
Aħna norbtu s-sinjal tas-Salib ma’ l-istqarrija tal-fidi f’Alla fi Tliet Persuni - il-Missier, l-Iben u l-Ispirtu s-Santu. B’dan il-mod is-Salib isir tifkira tal-Magħmudija, ħaġa li tidher ċara b’mod partikulari meta miegħu nużaw l-ilma mbierek. Is-Salib hu sinjal tal-Passjoni, imma fl-istess ħin hu sinjal tal-Qawmien. Biex ngħidu hekk, hu l-ħatar li Alla jnewlilna biex isalvana, il-pont li bih nistgħu ngħaddu minn fuq l-abbiss tal-mewt u tat-theddid kollu tal-}ażin u naslu għand Alla. Hu preżenti fil-Magħmudija li fiha aħna nsiru kontemporanji mas-Salib u mal-Qawmien ta’ Kristu (cf. Rum 6:1-14). Kull meta rroddu s-Salib, aħna nerġgħu naċċettaw il-Magħmudija tagħna; mis-Salib Kristu, biex ngħidu hekk, iressaqna lejh (cf. Ġw 12:32) u b’hekk idaħħalna f’komunjoni m’Alla l-ħaj. Għax il-Magħmudija u s–sinjal tas-Salib, li hu bħal ġabra u l-aċċettazzjoni mill-ġdid tal-Magħmudija, huma fuq kollox ġrajja divina: l-Ispirtu s-Santu jmexxina lejn Kristu, u Kristu jiftaħ il-bieb għal għand il-Missier. Alla m’għadux aktar l-‘alla mhux magħruf’; għandu isem. Aħna nistgħu nsejħulu u Hu jsejħilna.
Għalhekk nistgħu ngħidu li fis-sinjal tas-Salib u l-invokazzjoni tat-Trinità hemm miġbura l-essenza kollha tal-kristjaneżmu; huwa (is-Salib) jurina biċ-ċar x’inhu dak li hu tassew nisrani. Madankollu, jew aħjar għal din ir-raġuni, huwa jiftħilna wkoll it-triq biex nidħlu fl-istorja aktar wiesgħa tar-reliġjon u l-messaġġ divin tal-ħolqien. Fl-1873 fuq Ġebel iż-Żebbuġ instabu xi oqbra bi skrizzjonijiet bil-grieg u l-lhudi li kienu jmorru lura sa żmien Ġesù. Dawn kellhom fuqhom is-sinjal tas-Salib u għalhekk l-arkeoloġi ma setgħux ma jassumux li l-oqbra kienu ta’ l-insara tal-bidu. Madwar is-sena 1945 bdew jinstabu f’numru dejjem akbar oqbra lhud bis-salib imnaqqax fuqhom li l-esperti kkonkludew kienu ta’ l-ewwel seklu w.K.. Dawn is-sejbiet ikkonfermaw illi dawn ma kinux ta’ l-insara ta’ l-ewwel ġenerazzjoni. Bil-maqlub kellu jiġi aċċettat il-fatt illi dawn is-sinjali tas-salib kienu ġew stabbiliti fil-kultura lhudija. . Kif nistgħu naslu biex nifhmu dan? It-tweġiba tinsab fil-ktieb ta’ Eżekjel 9:4f. Fid-dehra rrakkuntata fih, Alla jgħid lill-messaġġier liebes l-għażel li kien iġorr il-kaxxa tal-kitba fuq ġenbejh: “Għaddi minn nofs il-belt, minn nofs Ġerusalemm, u għamel sinjal (Tav ) fuq ġbin l-irġiel li jnewħu u jitniehdu minħabba l-mistkerrħiet kollha li jsiru fiha.” Fil-qerda tal-biża’ li kellha sseħħ ma ddumx, dawk li ma jeħdux sehem fid-dnub tad-dinja iżda jsofru għal Alla minħabba fih, dawk li jsofru bla ma jistgħu jagħmlu xejn u b’danakollu jżommu ruħhom ‘il bogħod mid-dnub, kellhom jiġu mmarkati bl-aħħar ittra ta’ l-alfabett lhudi, it-Tav, li kienet tinkiteb forma ta’ salib (T jew + jew X). ). It-‘Tav’ , li fil-fatt veru kellu forma ta’ salib, issir is-siġill tal-pussess t’Alla. Dan jiġi jaqbel max-xenqa tal-bniedem għal Alla, mat-tbatija tiegħu għal Alla li għalhekk tpoġġih taħt il-ħarsien speċjali tiegħu. E. Dinkier kien kapaċi juri li l-għoti tal-pjagi fuq l-idejn jew fuq il-ġbin xi kultant kien isir bħala parti mill-kult fit-Testment il-Qadim u din id-drawwa kienet magħrufa sew fit-Testment il-Ġdid. Il-ktieb ta’ l-Apokalissi (kapi 1-8) jerġa’ jaqbad din l-idea bażika fid-dehra ta’ Eżekjel. Is-sejba ta’ l-oqbra, flimkien mal-kitbiet ta’ l-epoka, jixhdu li fost uħud mill-gruppi tar-reliġjon ġudajka t-‘Tav’ kien simbolu sagru mxerred ħafna, sinjal ta’ l-istqarrija tal-fidi mnaqqax fil-kosmos kollu. Platun, waqt li jkompli miexi fuq tradizzjonijiet aktar antiki, jorbot das-simbolu max-xbieha ta’ wieħed mill-allat: id-Demijurgu (il-ħallieq tad-dinja) ‘wessa’’ ruħ id-dinja ‘ma’ l-univers kollu’. S. Ġustinu, li miet martri madwar is-sena 165 w.K. u li kien l-ewwel filosfu mwieled fil-Palestina fost Missirijiet il-Knisja, ġie f’idejh dan it-test platoniku u ma qagħadx lura milli jorbtu mad-duttrina t’Alla Trinità u s-sehem tiegħu fl-istorja tas-salvazzjoni fil-persuna ta’ Ġesù Kristu. L-idea tad-Demijurgu u ruħ id-dinja jaraha bħala teħbir tal-misteru tal-Missier u l-Iben - teħbir li hu fl-bżonn ta’ korrezzjoni imma li jista’ wkoll jikkorreġi. Dak li Platun jgħid fuq ruħ id-dinja jidher li għalih (għal S.Ġustinu) ifisser il-miġja tal-Logos, l-Iben t’Alla. U għalhekk hu issa jista’ jgħid li l-forma tas-Salib hi l-aqwa simbolu tas-setgħa tal-Logos li mingħajru xejn ma jibqa’ magħqud fil-ħolqien (cf. 1 Apol. ss). Is-Salib tal-Golgota hu mħabbar minn qabel fl-istruttura ta’ l-univers innifsu; l-istrument tat-tortura li fuqu miet il-Mulej hu miktub fl-istruttura ta’ l-univers. Il-kosmos ikellimna fuq is-Salib, u s-Salib isolvilna l-enigma tal-kosmos. Dan hu l-muftieħ veru ta’ kull realtà. L-istorja u l-kosmos jappartienu lil xulxin. Meta niftħu għajnejna aħna nistgħu naqraw il-messaġġ ta’ Kristu fil-lingwaġġ ta’ l-univers, u bil-maqlub Kristu jagħtina li nifhmu l-messaġġ tal-ħolqien.
Minn Ġustinu ’l quddiem, din ‘il-profezija tas-Salib’ li nsibu fi Platun, flimkien mar-rabta bejn il-kosmos u l-istorja li fuqha tixħet dawl, saret waħda mill-ideat fundamentali fit-teoloġija patristika. Żgur li kienet kixfa tal-għaġeb għall-Padri meta sabu li l-filosfu li kien ġabar u interpreta l-eqdem tradizzjonijiet kien tkellem dwar is-Salib bħala s-siġill stampat fuq l-univers. San Irinew ta’ Lyons (miet c 200), il-veru fundatur tat-teoloġija sistematika fil-forma kattolika tagħha, jsostni fil-kitba apoloġetika tiegħu ‘Dimostrazzjoni tal-Predikazzjoni Appostolika’ li l-Imsallab huwa “l-Kelma nnifisha t’Alla li jista’ kollox, li jippenetra l-univers tagħna bi preżenza li ma tidhirx. U għalhekk huwa jħaddan id-dinja kollha, bil-wisa’ u t-tul, il-għoli u l-fond tagħha, għax bil-Kelma t’Alla kollox jitmexxa fl-ordni. U l-Iben t’Alla huwa msallab fihom għax, fil-għamla tas-Salib, huwa stampat fuq il-ħwejjeġ kollha” (x, 3). It-test ta’ dan il-Missier kbir tal-Knisja jostor fih kwotazzjoni biblika li għandha importanza kbira fit-teoloġija biblika tas-Salib. L-ittra lill-Efesin tħeġġiġna nxenxlu għeruqna u nfasslu l-pedament ta’ ħajjitna fl-imħabba, biex “tistgħu tifhmu, flimkien mal-qaddisin kollha, il-wisa’ u t-tul, il-għoli u l-fond ta’ l-imħabba ta’ Kristu u tagħrfu kemm din l-imħabba tgħaddi lil kull għerf.” (3:18-19) Ftit jista’ jkun hemm dubju li din l-ittra, ħierġa mill-iskola ta’ San Pawl, qiegħda tirreferi għas-Salib kosmiku u b’hekk tingħaqad ma’ tradizzjonijiet oħra dwar is-siġra dinjija f’għamla ta’ salib li torbot kollox flimkien - idea reliġjuża li kienet ukoll magħrufa sewwa fl-Indja. Santu Wistin għandu interpretazzjoni sabiħa ta’ din is-silta importanti ta’ San Pawl. Huwa jaraha tirrappreżenta d-dimensjonijiet tal-ħajja tal-bniedem u tirreferi għall-forma ta’ Kristu msallab, li dirgħajh iħaddnu d-dinja u li l-mogħdija tiegħu tilħaq ‘l isfel f’qiegħ l-abissi ta’ l-art u ’l fuq fil-għoli sa ħdejn Alla nnifsu (cf. De doctrina christiana 2, 41, 62; Corpus Christianorum 32, 75f). Hugo Rahner ġabar l-isbaħ testi patristiċi li għandhom x’jaqsmu mal-misteru kosmiku tas-Salib. Nixtieq inżid biss tnejn oħra. F’Lattanzju (miet c 325) naqraw: “Fil-Passjoni Alla fetaħ dirgħajh u hekk ħaddan il-globu bħala sinjal li ‘l quddiem kellu jinġabar poplu taħt ġwenħajh, minn tlugħ ix-xemx sa nżulha.” (8, 1) Kittieb grieg mhux magħruf tas-seklu 4, hu u jikkuntrasta s-Salib mal-kult tax-xemx, jgħid li Helios (ix-xemx) issa ngħelbet mis-Salib. “Araw, il-bniedem li x-xemx maħluqa fis-smewwiet ma setgħetx tgħallmu, issa qed jintlaħaq mir-raġġi tax-xemx tas-Salib u (fil-Magħmudija) jiddawwal.” Imbagħad l-awtur anonimu jinqeda bi kliem San Injazju ta’ Antijokja (miet c 110) li ddeskriva s-Salib bħala t-taljola (mëchanë) kosmika li biha nitilgħu fis-sema, u jgħid: “O, x’għerf divin tassew huwa dan! O Salib, int it-taljola li ttellagħna lejn is-sema! Is-Salib twaqqaf fl-art u, ara, il-qima ta’ l-idoli nqerdet. Mhux injam komuni dan, imma l-injam li Alla nqeda bih għar-rebħa.” (87f)
Fid-diskors eskatoloġiku tiegħu, Ġesù kien ħabbar li fi tmiem iż-żmien għad jidher fis-sema “s-sinjal ta’ Bin il-bniedem” (Mt 24:30). Il-għajn tal-fidi issa setgħet tagħraf li dan is-sinjal kien tnaqqax fil-kosmos sa mill-bidu u hekk tara l-fidi fil-Feddej Imsallab imwettqa mill-kosmos. Fl-istess ħin l-Insara b’hekk għarfu li l-mogħdijiet ta’ l-istorja reliġjuża jieħdu lejn Kristu, li l-aspettattivi tagħhom, espressi f’ħafna xbihat differenti, kienu jwasslu għandu. Min-naħa l-oħra dan kien ifisser li l-filosofija u r-reliġjon taw lill-fidi x-xbihat u l-kunċetti li bihom biss setgħet tasal biex tifhem b’mod sħiħ lilha nnifisha.
“Inti tkun barka,” kien qal Alla lill-Abraham fil-bidu ta’ l-istorja tas-salvazzjoni (Ġen 12:2). Fi Kristu, il-}amrija ta’ Abraham, dawn il-kelmiet seħħu fil-milja tagħhom. Huwa barka, barka għall-ħolqien kollu kif ukoll għall-bnedmin kollha. Għalhekk is-Salib, li hu s-sinjal tiegħu fis-sema u fl-art, kien destinat biex ikun il-ġest karatteristiku ta’ barka għall-insara. Nagħmlu s-sinjal tas-Salib fuqna nfusna, u hekk nidħlu fil-qawwa tal-barka ta’ Ġesù. Nagħmlu s-sinjal tas-Salib fuq dawk li lilhom nixtiequ li nagħtu l-barka tagħna, u nagħmluh ukoll fuq oġġetti li jagħmlu parti minn ħajjitna u li aħna rridu bħallikieku nirċevuhom mill-ġdid minn idejn Ġesù Kristu. Permezz tas-Salib aħna nistgħu nkunu għajn ta’ barka għal xulxin. Ma ninsa qatt id-devozzjoni u l-kura mill-qalb li bihom ommi u missieri kienu jaghmlu s-sinjal tas-Salib fuq il-moħħ, il-fomm u s-sider tagħna t-tfal kull meta konna noħorġu mid-dar, speċjalment meta konna nkunu ser indumu. Il-barka tagħhom kienet bħal ħabib li aħna konna nafu li ser jiggwidana fit-triq tagħna. Kienet tagħmel viżibbli t-talba tal-ġenituri tagħna li kienet takkumpanjana, u tiżgurana li din it-talba kienet megħjuna bil-barka tas-Salvatur. Il-barka kienet ukoll sfida għalina li ma noħorġux ’il barra mill-isfera tal-barka. Il-barka hi sinjal saċerdotali u għalhekk fis-sinjal tas-Salib konna nħossu s-saċerdozju tal-ġenituri tagħna, id-dinjità speċjali u l-qawwa tiegħu. Nemmen li din il-barka, li hi espressjoni perfetta tas-saċerdozju komuni ta’ l-imgħammdin, għandha terġa’ tidħol fostna b’mod iktar qawwi fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum u tippenetraha bil-qawwa ta’ l-imħabba li ġejja minn Alla.
Joe Galea
 

 






Altaration -- Fr. Mike Schmitz -- “3 Things to Know About The Sign of the Cross”


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 













Abba Pater - Juan Pablo II

 

Attende, Domine, et miserere, quia peccavimus tibi.
Non enim accepistis Spiritum servitutis
sed accepistis spiritum adoptionis filiorum
in quo clamamus: Abba Pater.
(Romani 8,15)
Tu sei mio figlio, io oggi ti ho generato.
(Salmo 2,7)
Io gli saro Padre, Egli mi sara Figlio.
(2 Sam 7,14)
Sono parole profetiche: esse parlano di Dio, che é Padre nel senso piu alto e piu autentico della parola. Dice Isaia: 
"Signore, tu sei nostro Padre: noi siamo argilla e tu Colui che ci da forma; tutti noi siamo opera delle tue mani".
(Isaia 64,8)
Shema Israel!
Sion ha detto: "Il Signore mi ha abbandonato, il Signore mi ha dimenticato". Si dimentica forse una donna del suo bambino? Anche se ci fosse una donna che si dimenticasse, Io invece non ti abbandonero mai.
(Isaia 49,14-15)
Shema Israel!
É significativo che nei brani del profeta Isaia la paternità di Dio si arricchisca di connotazioni che si ispirano alla maternità.
Gesù annuncia molte volte la paternità di Dio nei riguardi degli uomini riallacciandosi alle numerose espressioni contenute nell'Antico Testamento.
Per Gesù, Dio non é solamente il Padre d'Israele, il Padre degli uomini, ma il Padre suo, il Padre mio.
 
(Udienza generale, Citt del Vaticano, 16 ottobre 1985)
 
Pater noster qui es in coelis,
sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Adveniat regnum tuum,
fiat voluntas tua,
sicut in coelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie,
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostri,
et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.
(Matteo 6,9-13)
(San Pietro, Roma, 22 marzo 1995)
 
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PADRE NOSTRO
 
Papa Francesco conversa con don Marco Pozza, Teologo e Cappellano del carcere di Padova. Il programma, nato dalla collaborazione tra la Segreteria per la Comunicazione della Santa Sede e Tv2000 nel corso delle puntate, introdotte dalle parole del Papa, ha ospitato anche noti personaggi laici del mondo della cultura e dello spettacolo: Silvia Avallone, Erri De Luca, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Simone Moro e Tamara Lunger, Carlo Petrini, Flavio Insinna, Umberto Galimberti, Pif. Nell’ultima puntata viene trasmesso il colloquio integrale di Francesco con il cappellano del carcere di Padova. “Diciamo di essere cristiani, diciamo di avere un padre, ma viviamo come, non dico come animali, ma come persone che non credono né in Dio né nell’uomo, senza fede, e viviamo anche facendo del male, viviamo non nell’amore ma nell’odio, nella competizione, nelle guerre. È santificato nei cristiani che lottano fra loro per il potere? È santificato nella vita di quelli che assoldano un sicario per liberarsi di un nemico? È santificato nella vita di coloro che non si curano dei propri figli? No, lì non è santificato il nome di Dio”. Così Papa Francesco nella conversazione con don Marco. Le parole insegnate da Gesù entrano in risonanza con episodi della vita di Jorge Mario Bergoglio, con la sua missione apostolica e con le inquietudini e le speranze delle donne e degli uomini d’oggi, fino a diventare la guida per una vita ricca di senso e di scopo. “Ci vuole coraggio – ha aggiunto il Papa – per pregare il Padre nostro. Ci vuole coraggio. Dico: mettetevi a dire «papà» e a credere veramente che Dio è il Padre che mi accompagna, mi perdona, mi dà il pane, è attento a tutto ciò che chiedo, mi veste ancora meglio dei fiori di campo. Credere è anche un grande rischio: e se non fosse vero? Osare, osare, ma tutti insieme. Per questo pregare insieme è tanto bello: perché ci aiutiamo l’un l’altro a osare”. “Da bambini, a casa, quando il pane cadeva, – ha proseguito il Pontefice – ci insegnavano a prenderlo subito e baciarlo: non si buttava mai via il pane. Il pane è simbolo di questa unità dell’umanità, è simbolo dell’amore di Dio per te, il Dio che ti dà da mangiare. Quando avanzava, le nonne, le mamme cosa facevano (e fanno)? Lo bagnavano con il latte e ci facevano una torta, qualunque cosa: ma il pane non si butta”. “Una volta – ha raccontato Papa Francesco – è venuta a Buenos Aires l’immagine della Madonna di Fatima e c’era una Messa per gli ammalati, in un grande stadio pieno di gente. Io ero già vescovo, sono andato a confessare e ho confessato, confessato, prima della Messa e durante. Alla fine non c’era quasi più gente e io mi sono alzato per andarmene, perché mi aspettava una cresima da un’altra parte. È arrivata però una signora piccolina, semplice, tutta vestita di nero come le contadine del Sud d’Italia quando sono in lutto, ma i suoi splendidi occhi le illuminavano il viso. «Lei vuole confessarsi» le ho detto, «ma non ha peccati.» La signora era portoghese e mi ha risposto: «Tutti abbiamo peccati…». «Stia attenta, allora: forse Dio non perdona.» «Dio perdona tutto» ha sostenuto con sicurezza. «E lei come fa a saperlo?» «Se Dio non perdonasse tutto» è stata la sua risposta, «il mondo non esisterebbe». Avrei voluto dirle: «Ma lei ha studiato alla Gregoriana!». È la saggezza dei semplici, che sanno di avere un padre che sempre li aspetta”.
 
 
 
 
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(from the Morning Prayer (Lauds), for Monday of the 4th week of Easter)
PRAYER   
Lord God, when our world lay in ruins, you raised it up again on the foundation of your Son’s Passion and Death. Give us grace to rejoice in the freedom from sin which he gained for us, and bring us to everlasting joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  
 


 
 (Mit-Tifħir ta' Sbieħ il-Jum (Lawdi), għat-Tnejn tar-raba' ġimgħa, fi żmien il-Għid
TALBA 

 O Alla, inti rġajt waqqaft id-dinja mġarrfa billi Ibnek ċekken lilu nnifsu: imla lill-fidili tiegħek b’ferħ qaddis u agħti hena bla tmiem lil dawk li int ħlist mill-jasar tad-dnub. B’Ibnek Ġesù Kristu Sidna, li miegħek jgħix u jsaltan flimkien ma’ l-Ispirtu s-Santu, Alla, għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Ammen.

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meditating on - WHAT HELD YOU ON THE CROSS JESUS ?



WHAT HELD YOU ON THE CROSS
by Michael O'Brien and Hamm

I know You--I've seen You all my life
A Figure on a crucifix, a Death without a fight
You're hanging there upon a cross just by Your hands and feet
The picture's clear, but the story is incomplete…

So what was it, that led You to that tree?
What made You lay Your body down to save someone like me?
So though it's true, I know that You were God inside a man…
So I guess sometimes it's hard to understand…
What held You on the cross when You could have walked away?
I see what You have done, and I just have to say
What held You on the cross was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering, and all that You had lost…
Your love for me could only be what held You on the cross

 
You saw me--I guess You must have known

My life would be in darkness, so You and You alone would bear the stripes,
 
 

The crown of thorns, and all humility…

Lord, I see myself, but it's hard for me to see
 
What held You on the cross when You could have walked away?
I see what You have done, and I just have to say
What held You on the cross was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering, and all that You had lost
Your love for me could only be what held you on the cross.

I don't deserve Your mercy, still You loved me just the same
You died for me, and yet, and yet it's hard to know…

What held You on the cross when You could have walked away?
I see what You have done, and I just have to say
What held You on the cross was more than just the nails
With all the pain and suffering, and all that You had lost
Your love for me could only be what held you on the cross.
Your love for me could only be what held you on the cross.
 
 
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... GOD, MY GOD, YOU LOVE   

                                                            me, as if I were the only one       

                                                                                                                                 to love !

Song of St Francis


Sunlight, moon glow, bright stars
God, my God what an artist You are
The sky, the earth, the sea
How could You notice me

Father, I am too small
To be seen on Your canvas at all
An incidental speck
A grain of dust and yet
You love me
You love me
As if I were the only one to love

You have lavished on me
All Your kindness so unsparingly
My honour, wealth, and skill
Are worthlessness yet still
You love me
You love me
As if I were the only one to love.

How can You see me, how can You hear me
How can You feel, how can You reach
How can You touch, how can You love me ?

You love me
As if I were the only one to love.


 
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https://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/SACRSIGN.TXT

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

WHEN we cross ourselves, let it be with a real sign of the cross. Instead of a small cramped gesture that gives no notion of its meaning, let us make a large unhurried sign, from forehead to breast, from shoulder to shoulder, consciously feeling how it includes the whole of us, our thoughts, our attitudes, our body and soul, every part of us at once. how it consecrates and sanctifies us.

It does so because it is the Sign of the universe and the sign of our redemption. On the cross Christ redeemed mankind. By the cross he sanctifies man to the last shred and fibre of his being. We make the sign of the cross before we pray to collect and compose ourselves and to fix our minds and hearts and wills upon God. We make it when we finish praying in order that we may hold fast the gift we have received from God. In temptations we sign ourselves to be strengthened; in dangers, to be protected. The cross is signed upon us in blessings in order that the fulness of God's life may flow into the soul and fructify and sanctify us wholly.

Think of these things when you make the sign of the cross. It is the holiest of all signs. Make a large cross, taking time, thinking what you do. Let it take in your whole being,--body, soul, mind, will, thoughts, feelings, your doing and not-doing,--and by signing it with the cross strengthen and consecrate the whole in the strength of Christ, in the name of the triune God.


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EDUKAZZJONI LITURĠIKA

Jekk għadek ma tafx, hemm ħafna nies fid-dinja llum li qed jinqatlu minħabba li huma n-nies tas-Salib. Meta trodd is-salib ftakar fihom, u rodd is-salib fuqek kif jixraq.


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Is-Sinjal Qaddis tas-Salib ta' Kristu --- The Holy Sign of the Cross of Christ




 
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) in his Catechetical Lectures stated, "Let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in our goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are travelling, and when we are at rest" (Catecheses, 13).
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[Mt:28:18-19] --- Fl-Evanġelju ta' San Mattew kapitlu 28 versi 18-19  
Ġesù resaq ikellimhom u qalilhom: "Lili ngħatat kull setgħa fis-sema u fl-art. Morru, mela, agħmlu dixxipli mill-ġnus kollha, u għammduhom fl-isem tal-Missier u ta' l-Iben u ta' l-Ispirtu  s-Santu,
 

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Matthew 28:18-19 --- New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
18Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
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Ir-radd tas-salib huwa stqarrija, u fl-istess ħin, talba. Bis-sinjal tas-salib nistqarru li l-mewt kienet mirbuħa bil-mewt u l-qawmien ta’ Kristu. Għalhekk is-salib mhuwiex sinjal ta’ mewt imma ta’ ħajja għax jgħaqqad tabilħaqq lill-fidili ma' l-għajn tal-ħajja nfisha. Is-sinjal tas-salib huwa wkoll talba li biha nitolbu li nieħdu sehem minn issa f’dik il-ħajja mibdula tal-qawmien ta’ Kristu – ħajja li ma għandhiex tmiem.
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Pope at Santa Marta: The Trinity is real and not a 'vague idea in the clouds' - Published on 9 Oct 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVo0Ml0Wq3I



 
 
FROM EWTN --- Where is that in the Bible? - The Holy Trinity 

 

The Sign of the Cross reminds us of the Trinity that dwells in us, of God's Name and of our commitment to the faith from the moment of baptism with the priest's words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" [Mt 28:19]. Entered into the divine life through the sacraments, we are called daily to be open to the action of Grace, to progress in love towards God and neighbour.

Let us treasure the essential role of the priest in bringing the “Spirit of Truth” to us: He welcomes the human soul to the world, strengthens it and prepares it for its return to God. 
Despite the inadequacy of human thought and language to explain the One and Triune God, the Church Fathers sought to illustrate His mysteries through their lives and deep faith: Trinity Sunday, "recapitulates" God's revelation concerning the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Paschal mysteries

Theologian Romano Guardini taught that the sign of the cross puts us "spiritually in order" both before prayer and afterwards "so that what God has donated to us remains in us. 

Prayer of St. Hilary of Poitiers for loyalty to the faith which is professed on the day of our baptism - "Obtain, O Lord that I may keep ever faithful to what I have professed in the symbol of my regeneration, when I was baptized in the Father, in the Son and in the Holy Spirit. That I may worship you, our Father, and with you, your Son; that I may deserve your Holy Spirit, who proceeds from you through your Only Begotten Son... Amen" (De Trinitate 12, 57).

Let us invoke the protection of the Virgin Mary, "the first creature fully inhabited by the Most Holy Trinity," for our continued pilgrimage on earth.

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FIVE EASY STEPS FOR YOUR FAMILY TO BECOME A DOMESTIC CHURCH
  

You were made to be a part of a family because you were created in the image and likeness of the Holy Trinity. Furthermore, you are called by your creation to make your families places that reflect the profound relationships of life and love that exists between the three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you do this, your family becomes a domestic church, a place where God is worshipped and adored, and where His will is sought and acted upon.


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THE HOLY SIGN OF THE CROSS, AS CATHOLICS


 

 

 
The prayer of the Sign of the Cross is memorized quickly; but to learn how to make the sign of the Cross correctly, it is better for the children to look at the Sign of the Cross image explained below, so that they do not get mixed up especially when they look at others to learn it !



   While looking at the cross below, raise your right hand up to your forehead = 1 and follow...2, 3 and 4.

Now make the sign of the Cross while reciting the prayer - IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
 

To print:
 

in Maltese    
                   
 
 








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In WORD doc. - To put words in other language, write the words then insert image; right click over it and choose Wrap Text - Behind Text; and adjust the Words to the right position.

 
 "By the Sign of the Cross, deliver me from my enemies, O Lord." [by St Benedict]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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