MAY THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST, BE ALWAYS IN OUR HEART TO KEEP US HUMBLE, GRATEFUL, MERCIFUL, FORGIVING --- O GOD, BLESS ALL THAT IS COMING FROM YOU AND BREAK ALL THAT IS NOT COMING FROM YOU, AMEN --- This site is just a drop from the immeasurable ocean in JESUS, THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, HOLY TRINITY ONE GOD - HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE - TEACHER, HEALER, REDEEMER --- The main purpose of this site is to make an easier access to Catholic Religion-related links.
--- Saint Benedict was named patron protector of Europe by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
--- In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared him co-patron of Europe, together with Saints Cyril and Methodius
The poisoned cup of wine
The Abbot inside his cell, where he witnesses the apparition of a globe held by three angels in the presence of the Holy Trinity.
TODAY 11th JULY, FEAST OF ST. BENEDICT - Father of Western Monasticism
Who is Saint Benedict?
Saint Benedict was born around the year 480 in the district of Nursia
(present-day Norcia), in Umbria, central Italy. He is regarded as the
"Father of Western Monasticism" and is "Co-patron of Europe" along with
Saints Cyril and Methodius. As a
young man, Benedict was sent to Rome for studies but left after a short
stay, desiring to dedicate his life to God. He went to live in an
isolated place near Subiaco, not far from the ruins of Emperor Nero's
summer villa, about fifty miles from Rome. Today the cave is the
celebrated shrine called "Sacro Speco" (The Holy Cave) and is one of
Europe's most beautiful sanctuaries. At Subiaco, Benedict lived a life
of solitude and prayer for about three years with the support from a
monk named Romanus. Benedict's time as a hermit was interupted for a
short period when he became the superior of a group of unruly monks.
Ultimately unhappy with his guidance, they tried to poison him. He then
withdrew to the cave at Subiaco once again.
Eventually,
Benedict's sanctity attracted disciples and in time, twelve small
monasteries were established around Subiaco, with Benedict as the
spiritual father of them all.
Around the year 530 Benedict left
Subiaco with some of his sisciples for Monte Cassino, halfway between
Rome and Naples, where he began a single, close-knit community on a
mountain top. There he remained until his death around the year 547. Is
was at Monte Cassino that Benedict completed his "Rule for Monks,"
basing it on earlier monastic literature as well as his own original
material. Today, the "Rule of Saint Benedict," as it is commonly called,
is considered one of the most important factors in the development of
Christian Europe. In time, the Rule became the norm for all monks and
nuns in the West. During his lifetime, the monastery at Monte Cassino
grew and a foundation was made south of Rome, at Terracina. The
monasteries at Subiaco continued as well.
Benedict had a
sister, Scolastica, who was consecrated to God from her youth and died
shortly before her saintly brother. Both of them were buried at Monte
Cassino in the oratory dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Saint
Scholastica's feast day is on February 10th and Saint Benedict's is on
March 21st and July 11th. The March date is generally considered to be
the date on which he died.
Santa Skolastika - 9 ta' Frar
The life of Saint Benedict is found
in "The Dialogues" written by Pope St. Gregory the Great some forty
years after Benedict's death. It is not a biography as we know the genre
today, but the details supply us with a basic outline of the life and
times of Saint Benedict. Among the titles given to Saint Benedict over
the centuries are the following: "Messenger of Peace, Architect of
Unity, Teacher of Culture and Civilization, Father of Western
Monasticism, Herald of the Christian Faith, and Father of the Whole of
Europe." Today, Benedict's disciples, both men and women, can be found
on every inhabited continent of the world, leading lives dedicated to
"Prayer and Work," as the holy father Benedict taught in his rule and by
his life. St. Benedict and His Order
San Benedittu twieled f’Norcia, l-Italja, fis-sena 480, minn familja sinjura ħafna, u aktarx li kien tewmi ma’ oħtu, Santa Skolastika.
Huwa mar jistudja f’Ruma, iżda meta ra l-ħajja ħażina ma’ dwaru ħalla kollox u mar jgħix waħdu fuq l-għoljiet ta’ Sabina, xi 65 km bogħod minn Ruma. Hawn iltaqa’ ma’ Romano, patri, li kien jgħix f’għar f’Subiaco, f’ħajja ta’ ġabra u talb. Biż-żmien xi rġiel u żgħażagħ bdew imorru jingħaqdu miegħu, u n-numru tagħhom baqa’ jikber kontinwament tant li sas-sena 525 kien ġa waqqaf tnax-il monasteru f’dawk l-inħawi.
Fis-sena 529 mar fuq Monte Cassino, bejn Napli u Ruma. Hawhekk ukoll ħafna marru jingħaqdu miegħu.
Fis-sena 530 waqqaf il-magħruf monasteru ta’ Monte Cassino. Ir-regola li kiteb għall-patrijiet tiegħu kienet mibnija fuq talb, studju u xogħol, swiet ta’ ġid enormi mhux biss għall patrijiet iżda għall Ewropa kollha. Il-monastiċiżmu ta’ San Benedittu ta’ patrijiet li għenu bis-sħiħ biex inbniet Ewropa ċċivilizzata u nisranija, billi bnew uħud mill-isbaħ knejjes fl-Ewropa, fetħu ħafna skejjel, għallmu lill-bdiewa jħaddmu l-art, għallmu s-snajja’, ippreservaw ħafna mill-klassiċi Griegi u Rumani, ġabu progress kbir fix-xjenza, fl-arti u fl-agrikultura. Fuq kollox l-Ordni tiegħu ta lill-Knisja 24 Papa, 4,600 isqof, u aktar minn 5,000 qaddis.
Miet fl-eta’ ta’ 67 sena f’Monte Cassino u difnuh fil-qabar ma’ oħtu Santa Skolastika li kienet mietet xi 40 jum qabel.
Ħsieb
”Itlob u aħdem” kien il-motto ta’ san Benedittu. Aħna għandna xi motto tagħna personali? Kemm jekk għandna u kemm jekk m’għandniex, naraw li t-talb ikollu postu fil-ħajja tagħna ta’ kuljum, jiġifieri li jkun hemm ħin ma’ tul il-jum li ngħadduh f’għaqda ma’ Alla.
Quddiesa mill-monasteru tas-sorijiet Benedittini, l-Imdina - 11 ta' Lulju 2023
Qari I
Proverbji 2:1-9
Ibni, jekk int tilqa’ kliemi, u
taħżen ġo fik il-kmandamenti tiegħi
billi tagħti widen għall-għerf,
u tħalli lil moħħok jifhem sewwa;
jekk issejjaħ l-għerf,
u tgħolli leħnek għall-fehma t-tajba;
jekk tfittex l-għerf bħall-fidda,
u tħaffer għalih bħal teżor moħbi;
imbagħad tifhem il-biża’ tal-Mulej,
u ssib it-tagħrif ta’ Alla.
Għax il-Mulej jagħti l-għerf,
minn fommu ġej it-tagħrif u d-dehen.
Hu jaħżen l-għajnuna għal min hu sewwa,
hu tarka għal min jimxi bla ħtija;
hu jħares it-triqat tal-ġusti,
u jgħasses it-triq tat-twajbin tiegħu.
Imbagħad int tifhem il-ħaqq u s-sewwa,
u timxi f’kull triq li hi tajba.
Il-Kelma tal-Mulej. R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla.
SALM RESPONSORJALI
Salm 15 (16), 1-2. 7-8. 9.11
R/. Mulej, Int is-sehem tal-wirt tiegħi.
Ħarisni, O Alla, għax fik jien nistkenn.
Jien għedt lill-Mulej: “Int Sidi,
m’għandix ġid ieħor ħliefek”. R/.
Imbierek lill-Mulej li tani l-fehma;
imqar billejl qalbi tgħallimni.
Inżomm il-Mulej dejjem quddiemi,
għax bih f’leminti qatt ma nitħarrek. R/.
Hekk tifraħ qalbi u tithenna ruħi,
u ġismi wkoll jistrieħ fil-kwiet.
Int tgħallimni t-triq tal-ħajja;
hemm il-milja tal-ferħ quddiemek,
hemm l-għaxqa għal dejjem f’lemintek. R/.
Qari II
Ilbsu l-imħabba.
Kol 3, 12-17
Qari mill-Ittra ta’ San Pawl Appostlu lill-Kolossin
Ħuti, intom il-magħżulin ta’ Alla, il-qaddisin u l-maħbubin tiegħu. Ilbsu mela sentimenti ta’ ħniena, tieba, umiltà, ħlewwa u sabar. Stabru b’xulxin, u, jekk xi ħadd minnkom ikollu xi jgħid ma’ ħaddieħor, aħfru lil xulxin; bħalma l-Mulej ħafer lilkom, hekk agħmlu intom ukoll.
U fuq kollox ilbsu l-imħabba, li hi l-qofol tal-perfezzjoni. Ħalli s-sliem ta’ Kristu jsaltan fi qlubkom, dak is-sliem li għalih kontu msejħa biex issiru ġisem wieħed. U ta’ dan roddu ħajr lil Alla!
Ħalli l-kelma ta’ Kristu tgħammar sħiħa fikom; għallmu bl-għerf kollu u widdbu lil xulxin b’salmi u innijiet u b’għana spiritwali, u b’radd il-ħajr kantaw f’qalbkom innijiet lil Alla. Kulma tagħmlu jew tgħidu, agħmlu kollox f’isem il-Mulej Ġesù, u roddu ħajr lil Alla l-Missier permezz tiegħu.
Il-Kelma tal-Mulej
R/. Irroddu ħajr lil Alla
SEKWENZA
F’dan il-għid tal-Missier tagħna, lil kulħadd nistiednu magħna, ħa jfaħħruh bil-fomm u l-qalb.
Nersqu ferħanin quddiemu, niżżuħajr għall-għerf ta’ kliemu u noffrulu ġieħ u talb.
Mis-smewwiet il-patriarka, jibgħat fuqna grazzja w barka ma’ kull ġid li jgħani r-ruħ.
Bħal Abraham li nislu kabbar, bħal xemx, id-dijja jħabbar, ta’ żmien ġdid fil-Knisja ‘l ftuħ.
Tajr is-sema bħal Elija mar jitimgħu, kif moħbi kien qed jgħaddi ħajtu f’għar.
U kif telgħet il-mannara, ‘l Eliżew fuq wiċċ ix-xmara, minnu wkoll dan l-għaġeb sar.
Bħal Ġużeppi, qatt imkabbar, bħal Ġakobb, minn qabel ħabbar il-ġejjieni u seħħ tassew.
Nitolbuh jibqa’ jdawwalna, lilna wliedu se jwassalna ħdejh fis-sema nitennew.
Ammen.
Akklamazzjoni qabel l-Evanġelju Kol 3: 15
R/. Hallelujah.
Ħalli s-sliem ta' Kristu jsaltan fi qlubkom,
dak is-sliem li għalih kontu msejjħa
biex issiru ġisem wieħed.
R/. Hallelujah.
Evanġelju
Lq 22, 24-27
Qari mill-Evanġelju skont San Luqa
F'dak iż-żmien [Lq:22:24] inqalgħet ukoll kwistjoni bejn id-dixxipli dwar min minnhom kellu jinżamm bħala l-akbar wieħed. [Lq:22:25] Imma Ġesù qalilhom: "Fost il-pagani s-slaten jaħkmu fuq in-nies, u dawk li jħaddmu s-setgħa fuqhom isejjħulhom benefatturi. [Lq:22:26] Intom mhux hekk, imma l-akbar fostkom għandu jġib ruħu ta' l-iżgħar wieħed, u min hu fuq l-oħrajn iġib ruħu ta' qaddej. [Lq:22:27] Għax min hu l-akbar, dak li jkun fuq il-mejda, jew dak li jkun qiegħed jaqdi? M'hux dak li jkun fuq il-mejda? Imma jien qiegħed fostkom nagħmilha ta' qaddej.
Il-Kelma tal-Mulej R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu.
July 11 - Lk 22:24-27 -- Who is the greatest - Min hu l-akbar fis-Saltna ta' Alla
===================================
LAIKOS - Qari tal-11 ta’ Lulju – Festa ta’ San Benedittu, Abbati, Patrun tal-Ewropa
Alternative Proper Gospel for the feast of St Benedict:
Mt 19:27-29 -- "you who have followed me" - "intom li ġejtu warajja"
[Mt:19:27] Imbagħad qabeż Pietru u qallu: "Tajjeb! Aħna ħallejna kollox u ġejna warajk; issa x'se jmissna?" [Mt:19:28] Ġesù qalilhom: "Tassew ngħidilkom, intom li ġejtu warajja, fid-dinja l-ġdida, meta Bin il-bniedem joqgħod fuq it-tron glorjuż tiegħu, intom ukoll toqogħdu fuq tnax-il tron u tagħmlu ħaqq mit-tnax-il tribù ta' Iżrael. [Mt:19:29] U kull min iħalli 'l daru jew 'il ħutu jew 'il missieru jew 'l ommu jew 'l uliedu jew ir-raba' tiegħu minħabba f'ismi, jerġa' jirċievi kollox għal mitt darba iktar, u jieħu b'sehmu l-ħajja ta' dejjem".
Glorja lill-Missier, u lill-Iben, u lill-Ispirtu
s-Santu.
Kif kien mill-bidu,
issa u dejjem, u jibqa’ għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.Ammen. Hallelujah.
Inti djamant
mill-egħżeż fil-kuruna
tar-Re glorjuż, xempju
ta’ ħajja ġusta
u Patrijarka kbir
tal-monasteri,
Missierna
Benedittu.
Maqdart id-dinja,
b’qalbek għext fis-sema
il-ġid ta’ niesek qistu
xkiel u ċħadtu,
u b’għaqal kbir reġġajt
fit-triq it-tajba
lil
dawk li ħarġu minnha.
Ħabbejt tinġabar
f’ħajja mwarrba u siekta,
raġel misjur fl-għerf
sa minn
żgħożitek,
erfajt it-toqol li
d-dgħajfin jistmerru,
u
b’ħeġġa qbadt triq iebsa.
Int fort bil-hena xħin
ruħ oħtok safja
rajtha tittajjar bħal
ħamiema bajda
lejn il-għamara
tas-smewwiet, fejn daħlet
titgħaxxaq
bl-Għarus tagħha.
U wara ħajja ta’
rebħiet glorjużi,
Sidek sejjaħlek fost
il-kwiekeb tiegħu,
li biex jilqgħuk
firxulek twapet għonja,
minsuġa b’dawl is-sema. Mit-tron li ksibt, Missier qaddis u ħelu,
kompli mexxina wrajk
fit-triq li wrejtna;
ibqa’ ħarisna u kattar
sliem u barka
fil-monasteru
tagħna.
Glorja ‘l Missier u ‘l
Ibnu mnissel minnu
u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu,
Alla wieħed,
li bil-għajnuna tiegħu
qed tithenna
fis-sebħ
tad-dawl ta’ dejjem. Ammen.
Ant 1: Il-missier qaddis tagħna
Benedittu, imbierek bil-grazzja u f’ismu, bniedem ta’ ħajja qaddisa, sa minn ċkunitu laħaq
il-kobor sħiħ tiegħu u qatt ma ħalla l-ħajriet tad-dinja jqarrqu bih.
Salm 14
Mulej, min jgħammar fid-dar tiegħek?*
Min joqgħod fuq l-għolja mqaddsa tiegħek?
Min igħix bla ħtija u jagħmel it-tajjeb,*
min jgħid is-sewwa f'qalbu;
min ma jqassasx bi lsienu,+
ma jagħmilx deni lil ġaru,*
u ma jgħajjarx lil għajru;
min ma jqisx lill-bniedem ħażin,*
imma jweġġaħ lil dawk li jibżgħu mill-Mulej;
min iwiegħed u jżomm kelmtu;+
min jislef u ma jitlobx imgħax,*
u ma jieħu xejn kontra min hu bla ħtija.
Min jagħmel dan*
qatt ma jitħarrek.
Glorja lill-Missier, u lill-Iben*
u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu.
Kif
kien mill-bidu, issa u dejjem*
u jibqa’ għal dejjem ta’ dejjem.Ammen.
Ant 1: Il-missier qaddis tagħna
Benedittu, imbierek bil-grazzja u f’ismu, bniedem ta’ ħajja qaddisa, sa minn ċkunitu laħaq
il-kobor sħiħ tiegħu u qatt ma ħalla l-ħajriet tad-dinja jqarrqu bih.
Ant. 2Ir-raġel ta’ Alla, Benedittu, flok it-tifħir tad-dinja għażel
it-tbatija, u flok il-ġieh tan-nies, il-ħidma għal Alla.
Salm 111
Ħieni l-bniedem li jibża mill-Mulej,*
li jitgħaxxaq ħafna
bil-kmandamenti tiegħu!
Kbar fuq l-art ikunu wliedu;*
nisel it-tajbin ikun imbierek.
Ġid u għana jkunu f’daru;*
għal dejjem tibqa’
l-ġustizzja tiegħu.
Dawl fid-dlam ifeġġ għat-tajbin;*
twajjeb u ħanin hu l-bniedem
sewwa.
Tajjeb il-bniedem li jħenn u jislef*
li jmexxi
ħwejġu bir-reqqa.
Għax il-bniedem ġust qatt ma jitfixkel,*
għal dejjem
tibqa t-tifkira tiegħu.
Xejn ma jibża minn aħbar ħażina;*
qalbu qawwija
bit-tama fil-Mulej.
Qalbu qawwija ma għandux mniex jibża;*
sa ma jara
mxejjen il-għadu tiegħu.
Iqassam u jagħti lill-foqra;+
għal dejjem
tibqa l-ġustizzja tiegħu*
rasu merfugħa
bil-ġieħ.
Jarah il-ħażin u jinkedd,+
iheżżeż snienu
u jtertaq qalbu*
imma x-xewqa
tal-ħżiena tibqa bla temma.
Glorja lill-Missier, u lill-Iben*
u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu.
Kif
kien mill-bidu, issa u dejjem*
u jibqa’ għal dejjem
ta’ dejjem.Ammen.
Ant. 2Ir-raġel ta’ Alla, Benedittu, flok it-tifħir
tad-dinja għażel il-tbatija, u flok il-ġieh tan-nies, il-ħidma għal Alla.
Ant.
3Benedittu, mimli bl-Ispirtu tal-Mulej, kien jiġbor fih il-virtujiet
tal-ġusti kollha: hu jitlob għal dawk kollha li, fl-iskola tiegħu, imxew warajh
fit-triq tal-ħajja monastika.
Kantiku
Kbar u tal-għaġeb l-egħmejjel tiegħek *
Mulej, Alla li tista’ kollox;
sewwa
u veri t-triqat tiegħek,*
Sultan tal-ġnus
Min,
Mulej, ma jibżax minn
ismek ?*
Min ma jsebbħux?
Għaliex int waħdek qaddis;+
u l-ġnus kollha jiġu jinxteħtu quddiemek,*
għax magħrufa saru l-ġudizzji tiegħek.
Glorja lill-Missier u
lill-Iben,*
u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu
Kif kien mill-bidu,
issa u dejjem,*
u jibqa’ għal dejjem ta’ dejjem. Ammen.
Ant.
3Benedittu, mimli bl-Ispirtu tal-Mulej, kien jiġbor fih il-virtujiet
tal-ġusti kollha: hu jitlob għal dawk kollha li, fl-iskola tiegħu imxew warajh
fit-triq tal-ħajja monastika.
Lezzjoni Qasira
Kien bħal siġra taż-żebbuġa li ħarġet il-frott, u bħal
siġra taċ-ċipress għolja sas-sħab; b’ħutu madwaru bħal kuruna, kien ikun qisu
ċedru żgħir tal-Libanu, u huma madwaru bħallikieku siġar tal-palm: ulied Aron
kollha fil-glorja tagħhom.
Responsorju qasir
R/. San Benedittu, missier tagħna.* Itlob għalina.
San Benedittu, missier tagħna.* Itlob għalina.
V/. Ħa jkun jistħoqqilna dak li wegħedna Kristu.
Itlob għalina.
Glorja lill-Missier u lill-Iben u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu.
San Benedittu, missier tagħna.* Itlob għalina.
Ant. Tal-kant. Ta’ Marija.O Missier qaddis tagħna Benedittu, mgħallem, mexxej u regola
ta’ ħajja tas-sema, int issa tithenna ma’ Kristu fil-glorja: ragħaj qaddis,
ħares ‘l uliedek, saħħaħhom fit-talb, mexxihom warajk sas-sema minn triqkollha dwal.
Ruħi tfaħħar il-kobor
tal-Mulej,*
u l-ispirtu tiegħi jifraħ f’Alla s-Salvatur tiegħi,
Għax hu xeħet għajnejh
fuq iċ-ċokon tal-qaddejja tiegħu.*
Iva, minn issa ‘l quddiem kull nisel
jibda jsejjaħli hienja.
Għax is-Setgħani għamel
miegħi ħwejjeġ kbar;*
qaddis hu l-isem tiegħu.
Il-ħniena tiegħu
tinfirex f’kull żmien*
fuq dawk li jibżgħu minnu.
Hu wera l-qawwa ta’
driegħu,*
xerred lil dawk li huma mkabbra f’qalbhom.
Niżżel is-setgħana minn
fuq it-tron tagħhom,*
u għolla ċ-ċkejknin.
Mela b’kull ġid lil min
hu bil-ġuħ,*
u l-għonja bagħathom ‘il barra b’xejn.
Ħa ħsieb Israel,
qaddej tiegħu,*
għax ftakar fil-ħniena
tiegħu.
Bħalma wiegħed lil missirijietna*
b’risq Abraham u nislu għal
dejjem.
Glorja lill-Missier, u lill-Iben*
u lill-Ispirtu s-Santu.
Kif kien mill-bidu,
issa u dejjem,*
u jibqa’ għal dejjem
ta’ dejjem.Ammen.
Ant. Tal-kant. Ta’ Marija.O Missier qaddis tagħna Benedittu, mgħallem, mexxej u regola
ta’ ħajja tas-sema, int issa tithenna ma’ Kristu fil-glorja: ragħaj qaddis, ħares
‘l uliedek, saħħaħhom fit-talb, mexxihom warajk sas-sema minn triqkollha dwal.
Preci
Nitolbu ‘l Alla li
b’Missierna San Benedittu ried iwassal mill-ġdid il-Bxara t-tajba tiegħu ta’
sliem u salvazzjoni lid-dinja mqallba u mħawda:
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha
fit-triq tas-sliem
Fi
żmien ta’ taqlib kbir int ankrajt lil Missierna San Benedittu u l-opra tiegħu
mal-blata tal-Kelma tiegħek:
-agħmel li l-popli kollha jsibu fl-Evanġelju tiegħek l-ordni,
il-ġustizzja u s-sliem li tant jixtiequ.
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha fit-triq tas-sliem.
Il-qaddej
tiegħek u d-dixxipli tiegħu ġeddu fid-dawl tal-fidi d-drawwiet tajba
tal-bnedmin:
- agħmel li nies tal-lum isibu
fl-Evanġelju l-aqwa garanzija għall-ħarsien tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem.
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha fit-triq tas-sliem.
Inti
għamilt ta’l-għaġeb lil Missierna San
Benedittu fl-għerf u l-għaqal li wera meta fassal ir-Regola tal-ħajja
monastika:
- agħti dehen u għaqal lir-rgħajja u
l-għassiesa ta’ ruħna u lill-mexxejja ta’ pajjiżna.
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha fit-triq tas-sliem.
Agħmel
li Missierna San Benedittu, bħala patrun ta’ l-Ewropa, iwassal il-ġnus kollha
ta’ l-Ewropa għall-għaqda sħiħa bejniethom fis-sliem għall-ġid u l-progress
tal-familja kollha tal-bnedmin:
- fil-ħarsien tal-liġi tiegħek u
f’kooperazzjoni sħiħa mal-Knisja tiegħek.
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha fit-triq tas-sliem.
Int
għamilt lil Missierna San Benedittu, Abraham ieħor, missier ta’ kotra kbira ta’
qaddisin:
- daħħal il-mejtin tagħna fil-għamara
tiegħek ta’ dejjem.
Mexxi, Mulej, il-popli kollha fit-triq tas-sliem.
Missierna….
Nitolbu.
O
Alla, int tajtna ‘l Missierna San Benedittu, abbati, b’għallem għaref fl-iskola
tas-servizz tiegħek; agħmel li nħobbu lilek fuq kollox u li nimxu b’qalb kbira
fit-triq tal-kmandamenti tiegħek. B’Ibnek Gesu’ Kristu Sidna, li hu Alla, u
miegħek igħix u jsaltan flimkien ma’ l-Ispirtu s-Santu, għal dejjem ta’
dejjem.Ammen.
(Waqt li nroddu s-Salib nitolbu...)
Il-Mulej
iberikna, iħarisna minn kull deni, u jwassalna għall-ħajja ta’ dejjem.Ammen.
O Lord, I place myself in your hands and dedicate myself to you. I pledge myself to do your will in all things: To love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Not to kill. Not to steal. Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honour all persons. Not to do to another what I would not wish done to myself. To chastise the body. Not to seek after pleasures. To love fasting. To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick. To bury the dead. To help in trouble. To console the sorrowing. To hold myself aloof from worldly ways. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ. Not to give way to anger. Not to foster a desire for revenge. Not to entertain deceit in the heart. Not to make a false peace. Not to forsake charity. Not to swear, lest I swear falsely. To speak the truth with heart and tongue. Not to return evil for evil. To do no injury: yes, even to bear patiently any injury done to me. To love my enemies. Not to curse those who curse me, but rather to bless them. To bear persecution for justice' sake. Not to be proud. Not to be given to intoxicating drink. Not to be an over-eater. Not to be lazy. Not to be slothful. Not to be a murmurer. Not to be a detractor. To put my trust in God. To refer the good I see in myself to God. To refer any evil in myself to myself. To fear the day of judgment. To be in dread of hell. To desire eternal life with spiritual longing. To keep death before my eyes daily. To keep constant watch over my actions. To remember that God sees me everywhere. To call upon Christ for defense against evil thoughts that arise in my heart. To guard my tongue against wicked speech. To avoid much speaking. To avoid idle talk. To read only what is good to read. To look at only what is good to see. To pray often. To ask forgiveness daily for my sins, and to seek ways to amend my life. To obey my superiors in all things rightful. Not to desire to be thought holy, but to seek holiness. To fulfill the commandments of God by good works. To love chastity. To hate no one. Not to be jealous or envious of anyone. Not to love strife. Not to love pride. To honour the aged. To pray for my enemies. To make peace after a quarrel, before the setting of the sun. Never to despair of your mercy, O God of Mercy. Amen.
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The Rule of St. Benedict (FULL Audiobook)
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Quddiesa mill-Monasteru ta' Santa Skolastika, il-Birgu - Il-Ħadd, 11 ta' Lulju 2021
Veronika twieldet Mercatello qrib Urbino fil-Marche fis-sena 1660 u ta’ sbatax-il sena dahlet fil-monasteru tal-Klarissi Kapuccini ta’ Città di Castello qrib Perugia, l-Italja tan-nofs. Ghaddiet hajjitha ta’ Klarissa fit-talb u l-kontemplazzjoni, waqt li thabtet kemm felhet biex dejjem issir tixbah lil Gesù msallab. Bi hlas ghal din l-imhabba taghha lejn il-misteru tas-salib, Alla ghogbu jaghtiha d-don tal-Pjagi mqaddsa. Kitbet l-esperjenzi mistici taghha fi “Djarju tal-Passjoni” li jghodd bosta u bosta pagni u li kitbitu biex tobdi lill-konfessur taghha. Mietet fl-1727 u kien il-Papa Girgor XVI li stqarrha b’qaddisa vergni fl-1839.
Il-konverzjoni tal-midinbin
mill-kitbiet tal-qaddisa
F’din il-pagna mehuda mid-djarju taghha, il-qaddisa tistqarr li ghall-konverzjoni tal-midinbin kienet tinsab lesta li taghti hajjitha.
Il-lum ergajt hassejt l-ugigh f’idejja, f’saqajja u f’qalbi, u ghaddejt lejl shih mimli bl-ugigh u t-turmenti. Ikun imfahhar il-Mulej! Dalghodu qerrejt u nahseb li l-qrara sahhitni ghal aktar tbatija. Waqt it-tqarbin kelli l-grazzja li nhoss f’qiegh qalbi l-prezenza ta’ Alla; ruhi hasset xi haga gdida tinbet go fiha. Minn xi zmien ’il hawn qed inhoss f’qalbi certa qawwa gejja mill-Ispirtu, izda ma nafx nghid x’inhi sew. Hawn sa nsemmi biss l-effetti li halliet fija.
L-ewwel haga: l-gharfien ta’ dnubieti u l-indiema minnhom; ix-xewqa li nxerred demmi u naghti hajti ghall-konverzjoni ta’ l-erwieh; tama qawwija fil-hniena ta’ Alla u fit-tjieba ta’ l-imqaddsa Vergni Marija.
It-tieni haga: ghalkemm inhoss ruhi wahdi nithabat f’bahar ta’ tigrib, dlonk inhoss fija qawwa misterjuza li ggib fuqi l-kalma u dak il-hin nimtela bi sliem li ma bhalu li jgaghalni nafda b’sahhti kollha fir-rieda ta’ Alla.
It-tielet haga: meta x-xitan jghakkisni b’hafna tigrib gewwieni, u fl-istess hin, minhabba dmiri, ikun jehtiegli ndur bl-ohrajn u naqdi bosta qadjiet ’l hawn u ’l hinn, dik il-qawwa misterjuza tghinni nehles il-qadjiet li jkolli minghajr biss ma nintebah. Fl-ahhar ninduna li dak li jkolli naghmel naghmlu minghajr ma nkun naf kif. Dan jigri l-aktar f’hinijiet mill-aktar importanti, bhal meta nersaq ghas-sagramenti, naghmel il-meditazzjoni jew nibda xi tahdita spiritwali ma’ xi hadd.
Jigu waqtiet li fihom inhoss dwejjaq kbar u nibda nhossni fiergha minn kull sentiment. Dak il-hin nibda nahseb li m’iniex sa nibqa’ hajja. Meta nkun f’dil-burdata nibda nhoss li anki meta nqerr inkun qed nitlef iz-zmien. Izda hekk kif f’qalbi nhoss tahrika mqar ckejkna ta’ dik il-qawwa misterjuza, nibda nhossni mibdula u mimlija bl-energija. Imbaghad kollox jibda jigini hafif, anki l-aktar hwejjeg tqal. Kif inkun f’riglejn il-konfessur nibda nhoss tikber fija l-kunfidenza ta’ bint; lehnu nibda nqisu lehen Alla diehel f’ruhi. Nibda nhossni qisni qieghda quddiem mera li fiha nara ’l Alla u lili nnifsi flimkien ma’ dak kollu li ghamilt. U nqerr b’indiema kbira.
Nahseb li dan gej minn dik il-qawwa misterjuza li nhoss f’qalbi. Imma ma nafx u lanqas nista’ nfisser sewwa x’inhi, anki jekk fil-qrar imqaddes hassejt li ghandi nghid kollox lil min qieghed minflok Alla. Ha jsir kollox ghall-glorja ta’ Alla!
Mt 16:24-27 -- "Whoever wants to be my disciple..." - "Jekk xi ħadd irid jiġi warajja..."
- JULY 10 - Proper Gospel - St Veronica Giuliani L-Evanġelju Mt 16, 24-27
F'dak iż-żmien, Ġesù qal lid-dixxipli tiegħu: "[Mt:16:24] Jekk xi ħadd irid jiġi warajja, għandu jiċħad lilu nnifsu, jerfa' salibu, u jimxi warajja. [Mt:16:25] Għax min irid isalva ħajtu, jitlifha, imma min jitlef ħajtu għall-imħabba tiegħi, isibha. [Mt:16:26] Għax xi jkun jiswielu l-bniedem jekk jikseb id-dinja kollha u mbagħad jitlef ħajtu? Jew xi prezz se jagħti l-bniedem biex isalva ħajtu? [Mt:16:27] Għax Bin il-bniedem għandu jiġi fil-glorja ta' Missieru flimkien ma' l-anġli tiegħu, u mbagħad irodd lil kull wieħed skond ma wieħed ikun għamel." Il-Kelma tal-Mulej R/. Tifħir lilek Kristu
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03 Marzu 2010 - Fr Hayden Williams - messaggi tal-Madonna miktubin min-nemel
Jewish tentmakers, who left Rome (Aquila was a native of Pontus) in the Jewish persecution under Claudius, 49 or 50, and settled in Corinth, where they entertained St. Paul, as being of their trade, on his first visit to the town (Acts 18:1 ff.). The time of their conversion to the Faith is not known. They accompanied St. Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19), instructed the Alexandrian Apollo, entertained the Apostle Paul at Ephesus for three years, during his third missionary journey, kept a Christian church in their house (1 Corinthians 16:19), left Ephesus for Rome, probably after the riot stirred up by the silversmith Demetrius (Acts 19:24-40), kept in Rome also a church in their house (Romans 16:3-5), but soon left that city, probably on account of the persecution of Nero, and settled again at Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19). The Roman Martyrology commemorates them on 8 July. It is not known why Scripture several times names Priscilla before Aquila; the different opinions are given by Cornely, (Rom., 772). A number of modern difficulties based on the frequent change of residence of Aquila and Priscilla are treated by Cornely, (Romans 16:3-5). http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01661b.htm
18. Pawlu f'Korintu
[Atti:18:1] Wara dan, Pawlu ħalla Ateni u mar Korintu. [Atti:18:2]
Hemm sab wieħed Lhudi minn Pontu, jismu
Akwila, li kien għadu kemm wasal mill-Italja ma' martu Prixxilla; għax
l-imperatur Klawdju kien ordna biex il-Lhud kollha jitilqu minn Ruma. Pawlu mar għandhom [Atti:18:3]
u, billi kellu l-istess sengħa tagħhom, qagħad jaħdem magħhom. Is-sengħa
tagħhom kienet li jagħmlu t-tined.
----------------------------------------------------- Apollu jippriedka f'Efesu [Atti:18:24] Wieħed
Lhudi minn
Lixandra, jismu Apollu, wasal Efesu. Kien raġel jinqala' biex jitkellem, u
għaref fl-Iskrittura. [Atti:18:25] Kien mgħallem fit-Triq tal-Mulej, u
kien jitkellem b'ħeġġa kbira u jgħallem fuq Ġesù, għad li kien jaf biss
bil-magħmudija ta' Ġwanni. [Atti:18:26] Dan beda jitkellem bi qlubija
kbira fis-sinagoga. Prixxilla u Akwila semgħuh; ħaduh magħhom u fissrulu t-Triq
ta' Alla iktar bir-reqqa. [Atti:18:27] Billi hu ried imur l-Akaja,
l-aħwa għamlulu l-qalb u kitbu lid-dixxipli biex jilqgħuh. Meta
wasal hemm, bis-saħħa tal-grazzja li kellu, kien ta' għajnuna kbira għal dawk
li kienu emmnu. [Atti:18:28] U bil-qawwa kollha kien jagħlaq ħalq
il-Lhud quddiem kulħadd billi jurihom mill-Iskrittura li Ġesù hu l-Messija. -----------------------------------------------------
mill-Ittra ta' San Pawl lir-Rumani [Rum:16:3] Selluli għal Priska u Akwila, li ħadmu miegħi fi
Kristu Ġesù, [Rum:16:4] għax huma wkoll issugraw ħajjithom għalija biex
isalvawni; u mhux jien biss għandi għax nirringrazzjahom iżda wkoll il-knejjes
kollha tal-Ġentili; [Rum:16:5] nselli wkoll għall-knisja li tiltaqa'
f'darhom.
---------------------------------------------------- mill-Ewwel Ittra ta' San Pawl lil-Korintin
[1Kor:16:19]
Isellmulkom il-knejjes ta' l-Asja. Isellmulkom ħafna fil-Mulej Akwila u Priska
u l-knisja li tiltaqa' f'darhom. [1Kor:16:20] Isellmulkom l-aħwa kollha.
Sellmu lil xulxin b'bewsa qaddisa.
(The 10 Resolutions that
lead us closer to the joy and peace overflowing from God)
1. Don't
gossip.
It's one of our hobbies. For Francis, it's also one of
the most evil activities. The Catholic leader denounces gossip as “murder.”
He feels so strongly about it that in less than a year
as pontiff, Francis has preached against gossip in at least 6 different
instances. He says when we gossip, we “are doing what Judas did,”
and “begin to tear the other person to pieces.” “Every time we judge our brother in our hearts or
worse when we speak badly of them with others, we are murdering Christians,”
Francis says. “There is no such thing as innocent slander.” 2. Finish your meals. No leftovers, please. Nearly 870 million people suffer from chronic
malnutrition. The Pope says: “We should all remember... that throwing food away
is like stealing from the tables of the poor, the hungry! I encourage everyone
to reflect on the problem of thrown away and wasted food to identify ways and
means that, by seriously addressing this issue, are a vehicle of solidarity and
sharing with the needy.”
3. Make time
for others.
Tending to 1.2 billion members, Francis seems too busy
for anything else.
That is, until he calls up strangers. Or entertains a
random biker; or sends a handwritten
letter to a Jesuit he has never met. The Jesuit who got the letter, Fr James Martin, says
Francis inspires him “to be more generous in my own life with my time.” Martin says: “If the Pope can find time to be kind to
others, if he can pause to say thank you, if he can take a moment to make
someone feel appreciated, then so can I. So can we.”
4. Choose the
'more humble' purchase.
Take it from the head of state who rides a 29-year-old
Renault.
In July, he warns against luxurious lives that seek
“the joy of the world in the latest smartphone, the fastest car.” “Cars are
necessary,” he says, “but take a more humble one. Think of how many children
die of hunger and dedicate the savings to them.” The Pope preaches against materialism. “Certainly,
possessions, money, and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of
being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have
more, never satisfied. ‘Put on Christ’ in your life, place your trust in him,
and you will never be disappointed!” 5. Meet the
poor 'in the flesh.'
Sure, we donate to charity. But this is not enough for
Francis. Commitment to the poor, he says, must be “person to person, in the
flesh.” “It is not enough to mediate this commitment through institutions,
which obviously help because they have a multiplying effect, but that is not
enough. They do not excuse us from our establishing personal contact with the
needy. The sick must be cared for, even when we find them repulsive and
repugnant. Those in prison must be visited.”
He calls for long-term commitment. “Hospitality in
itself isn't enough. It's not enough to give a sandwich if it isn't accompanied
by the possibility of learning to stand on one’s own feet. Charity that does
not change the situation of the poor isn't enough.”
6. Stop judging
others.
In the same way he denounces gossip, Francis condemns
prejudice.
He reminds “intolerant” Catholics, for one, to respect
atheists. “If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet
there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make
that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing
good.” He also says of gays: “If someone is gay and seeks the
Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” Francis urges us “to keep watch over
ourselves.” “Let us not forget that hatred, envy, and pride defile our lives!”
7. Befriend
those who disagree.
What can we do to our worst critics? We can take our
cue from Francis.
In November, Francis surprises Mario Palmaro, a
traditionalist who wrote the article, 'The Reason Why We Don't Like This
Pope.'” “He just wanted to tell me that he is praying for me,” says Palmaro who
is gravely ill, in an article by the Catholic News Agency. Francis does this in line with what he calls a
“culture of encounter.” He says in July: “When leaders in various fields ask
me for advice, my response is always the same: dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. It
is the only way for individuals, families, and societies to grow, the only way
for the life of peoples to progress, along with the culture of encounter, a
culture in which all have something good to give and all can receive something
good in return. Others always have something to give me, if we know how to
approach them in a spirit of openness and without prejudice.”
8. Make
commitments, such as marriage.
Don't be afraid
to say “forever.” Francis advises the youth, for instance, not to fear
marriage. The Pope says: “Today, there are those who say that marriage is out
of fashion; in a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the
importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a
life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever,’ because we do
not know what tomorrow will bring.”
“I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim
against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees
everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of
responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you
and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the
courage to be happy,” he says.
9. Make it a
habit to 'ask the Lord.'
Bothered about the future? Pray, the Pope urges us
especially the youth.
“Dear young people,” he says, “some of you may not yet
know what you will do with your lives. Ask the Lord, and he will show you the
way. You too can ask the Lord: What do you want me to do? What path am I to
follow?”
10. Be happy.
The true Christian, says the Pope, exudes great joy.
He says keeping this joy to ourselves “will make us sick in the end. Francis
says in a homily. “Joy cannot be held at heel: it must be let go. Joy is a
pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks, walks on the path of life that walks
with Jesus: preaching, proclaiming Jesus, proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens
that path.”
Francis says, “The Christian sings with joy, and
walks, and carries this joy." This joy, he reminds us, should translate to
love of neighbour.
=====================================
"IMITATE THE HUMILITY AND OBEDIENCE OF JESUS"
One year since Pope's visit to Lampedusa, tragedies at sea continue
Pope to priests: If you don't go out from yourselves, the holy oils become rancid...
"O Jesus, preserve the JOY of newly ordained priests; confirm the JOY of experienced priests; and make better known the JOY of elderly priests" - Pope Francis
Mt 11:25-30 --- The Father Revealed in the Son - Ejjew għandi, u jiena nserraħkom
Ejjew għandi, u jiena nserraħkom (Lq 10, 21-22)
[Mt:11:25] F'dak iż-żmien Ġesù qabad u qal: "Nfaħħrek, Missier, Sid is-sema u l-art, għax inti dawn il-ħwejjeġ ħbejthom lil min għandu l-għerf u d-dehen u wrejthom liċ-ċkejknin. [Mt:11:26] Iva, Missier, għax lilek hekk għoġbok.
[Mt:11:27] "Kollox kien mogħti lili minn Missieri, u ħadd ma jagħraf lill-Iben jekk mhux il-Missier, kif ħadd ma jagħraf lill-Missier jekk mhux l-Iben u dak li lilu l-Iben irid jgħarrafhulu.
[Mt:11:28] "Ejjew għandi, intom ilkoll li tinsabu mħabbtin u mtaqqlin, u jiena nserraħkom. [Mt:11:29] Ħudu fuqkom il-madmad tiegħi u tgħallmu minni, għaliex jiena ta' qalb ħelwa u umli, u intom issibu l-mistrieħ għal ruħkom. [Mt:11:30] Għax il-madmad tiegħi ħelu u t-toqol tiegħi ħafif."
Meek and Humble
Pope Confesses in St. Peter\'s Basilica, before confessing others...