Simple and pure creativity during the corona virus pandemic - March 22, 2020 - 4th Sunday of Lent, LAETARE SUNDAY - Mass with Fr. Rob Galea at a Melbourne family home

 LAETARE SUNDAY IN YEAR A

A Mass at with Fr. Rob Galea at a Melbourne home on the 4th Sunday of Lent with Gary, Natasha and baby Joy Pinto.










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Sunday, March 15, 2020 - From the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis goes to visit the Church of San Marcello al Corso in Rome to pray in front of the venerated Crucifix of the XIV century

 FROM: VATICAN NEWS

15 March 2020, 18:21

 

Pope Francis' twin prayers for an "end to the pandemic"
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-mary-prayer-crucifix-coronavirus.html

Pope Francis left the Vatican on Sunday to visit two important pilgrimage sites in Rome to pray for the city and the world, in the midst of the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

By Vatican News

Two intense moments of prayer: one before the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the other at the foot of a wooden crucifix that protected Rome from a great plague.

Pope Francis spent his afternoon on the Third Sunday of Lent seeking to underline his closeness to those who suffer by imploring the special protection of Our Lady.

Mary before the Cross

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced the Pope’s visits in a communique on Sunday.

“This afternoon, just after 4 PM, Pope Francis left the Vatican and made a private visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, to offer a prayer to the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, where her icon is kept and venerated. Then, after taking a walk along the Via del Corso – as if making a pilgrimage – he visited the church of San Marcello on the Corso, where a miraculous crucifix is housed. In 1522 it was carried in procession throughout the neighborhoods of the city so that the “Great Plague” might cease in Rome. With his prayer, the Holy Father pleaded for an end to the pandemic that has struck Italy and the world. He also implored the healing of the many sick people, remembered the numerous victims of these past days, and asked that their families and friends might find consolation and comfort. His prayer intention was also extended to healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, and all those working in these days to guarantee the smooth functioning of society. The Holy Father returned to the Vatican around 5:30 PM.”

Devotion to the Marian icon

Pope Francis’ special devotion to Our Lady Salus Populi Romani is well-known. He visits her icon on major Marian feast days, and makes a point to stop in for a prayer both before and after his international Apostolic Journeys.

In 593 Pope St. Gregory the Great carried the icon in procession to stop a plague. And in 1837 Pope Gregory XVI invoked her to put an end to a cholera epidemic.

Miraculous crucifix

The Pope’s second stop on Sunday was also significant, considering the critical moment the world is going through.

The church of San Marcello on the Corso houses a venerated wooden crucifix from the 15^th century, which scholars hold is the most realistic in Rome. It even survived a fire, and saved the city from a plague. Pope St. John Paul II embraced that same crucifix to mark the culmination of the Day of Forgiveness during the Jubilee Year of 2000.

From the ashes

The numerous traditions of miracles attributed to the “Most Holy Crucifix” began on 23 May 1519.

On that night a large fire completely destroyed the church that bears Pope Marcel’s name. The entire building was found in ruins the next morning. But from the ashes emerged the crucifix of the main altar, untouched. A small oil lamp still burned at the Crucified’s feet.

The scene greatly touched the faithful of Rome, and several began to meet every Friday evening to pray. Pope Leo X ordered the rebuilding of the church in 1519.

To stop Rome’s great plague

Three years after the fire, Rome was hit by the “Great Plague”.

The faithful carried the crucifix in procession – despite the bans understandably put in place by the authorities to halt the spread of the contagion. The crucifix was carried through the streets of Rome toward St. Peter’s Basilica. The procession lasted 16 days: from 4 to 20 August 1522. As it progressed, the plague showed signs of retreating, and every neighborhood sought to keep the crucifix as long as possible.

Finally, as the crucifix reentered the church, the plague ceased altogether.

Since 1600, the procession from the church of San Marcello to St. Peter’s Basilica became a tradition repeated during Holy Years. The names of the Popes who called each Jubilee are inscribed on the back of the crucifix, along with the year.

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Pope Francis visited Santa Maria Maggiore and San Marcello al Corso

Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to pray for all affected by the pandemic. He went from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, along Via del Corso to the Church of St. Marcello al Corso, where there is a miraculous crucifix that, during the Plague of 1522, was carried in procession to stop the epidemic. 

Pope Francis invoked from God an end to the pandemic in Italy and all over the world, healing for the sick, and peace for those who have died and for their families. He also prayed for doctors, nurses and all the people who are still working for the good of the society.

Aleteia EN - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFzlPMQovao

 The facade of the Church of San Marcello al Corso

La visita di Papa Francesco nella chiesa di San Marcello al Corso a Roma per pregare ai piedi del crocifisso del XIV secolo. Parla il rettore.

TG2000 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0mO5sfAvkE

 

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The church of San Marcello al Corso hosts a wonderful, dark wooden crucifix by the fourteenth century Sienese school. The sculpture is covered with gold dust and it is considered by scholars to be the most realistic model of the crucifix. Many stories of miracles attributed to the statue by the Romans - the first dates back to 1519 when the crucifix hung in the nearby church of the Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso which caught fire on the night between 22 and 23 May and was completely destroyed. At dawn the people rushed to the church - the scene was of great desolation but the crucifix remained intact and remained above the altar, lit by oil lamps… Immediately a group of devotees began to gather every Friday night at dusk to pray and light lamps at the feet of the statue. The so called Confraternita del Santissimo Crocifisso still exists today.  

Another miraculous episode dates back to the time of the great plague of 1522. The plague struck Rome so violently as to cause concern that the city remained without inhabitants. Mindful of the miracle of the fire, the friars of the order of the “Servants of Mary” decided to take the crucifix in penitential procession from the church of San Marcello to St. Peter's Basilica. The authorities, fearing the risk of contagion tried to prevent the religious procession, but the collective despair did not accept the ban and the sculpture of the Saviour was carried through the streets of the city and followed by public acclaim. The chronicles of the time say that the procession lasted sixteen days, 4 to 20 August of that year. And that's because, as they proceeded, the plague receded, so that each district was trying to hold back as long as possible the sacred image. When it returned to San Marcello, the plague had completely ceased and Rome was saved. 

Since 1650, the venerated crucifix is ​​carried to St. Peter, on the occasion of Holy Years.

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Procession with the venerated Crucifix in 1931

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From the Sagrato of St Peter's Basilica, Moment of Prayer and the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, presided over by Pope Francis - March 27, 2020

https://medjugorjemalta.blogspot.com/2020/03/from-sagrato-of-st-peters-basilica.html

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Pope John Paul II on the Day of Pardon, March 12, 2000


 http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2000/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20000312_pardon.html

DAY OF PARDON MASS
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/cjl/texts/cjrelations/resources/documents/catholic/johnpaulii/day_of_pardon_mass.htm



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Exorcist Fr. Elias Vella OFM Conv. shares his insights on the New Age.

Explore the New Age 

from an Exorcist's Perspective 

with Fr. Elias Vella OFM Conv. 

 The New Age: An Exorcist's Perspective - Promo







#1. The New Age: What is the essence of New Age spirituality?








Isn't New Age relaxing and satisfying? What's wrong with that?
 

#2. The New Age: Is New Age Truly Satisfying?






Both the New Age and Jesus claim to give peace to people, but what is the difference?  

#3. The New Age: Does New Age Offer Lasting Peace?






#4. The New Age: What is The New Age Mentality?
and where does it lead to?

Do New Age practices such as Reiki, Crystal Therapy, Tai Chi, Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, Acupuncture etc. give us healing energy powers? 
 

#5. The New Age: An Exorcist's Perspective 

Exorcist Fr. Elias Vella OFM Conv shares his insights on the New Age.

What is the difference between the healing practices of New Age and those of Christianity? Didn’t Jesus command us to heal others?

 

#6. The New Age: Where does true healing come from?

Where do many of the New Age practices come from and what philosophical principles are behind them? 

#7. The New Age: What are the roots of New Age?








Is Yoga simply physical exercise? Can yoga be spiritually dangerous in any way? 
 

#8. The New Age: Is Yoga simply physical exercise?








Are we all divine beings, gods and goddesses? What’s the difference between the Christian concept of God abiding in us and the New Age belief?
#9. The New Age: Are we Gods?







Should we believe in ourselves? What is true and authentic Self-Affirmation? 

#10. The New Age: Is self-affirmation unlimited?







Being positive is beneficial, but should we think positively about everything? 

 
#11. The New Age: Should we always think positively?








Is nature a divine goddess to be worshiped, or is it a part of creation that declares the glory of God?

 
#12. The New Age: Is nature a goddess?






Reincarnation is a belief found in many religions including the New Age. But is it true and is it compatible with Christianity?

  #13. The New Age: Is Reincarnation True?








Is it possible to liberate ourselves from religious creeds and commandments, and instead make up our own spiritual rules?

#14. The New Age: Are we our own spiritual authority?

#15. The New Age: Acquiring true Spiritual “Energy”.

#16. The New Age: Acquiring true Spiritual “Energy”.

Is Jesus just an enlightened man who simply reached a higher consciousness, or is He the incarnate eternal Son of God?

#17. The New Age: Is Acupuncture Wrong? 

“The Western form of acupuncture, which is based on science and not Taoism, is acceptable for use by Christians. However, the traditional Chinese acupuncture belief system is not compatible with Christianity.” Read more about acupuncture here: https://tinyurl.com/rchh3uhd -

#18. The New Age: Are you seeking a New Age Spirituality?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8ePqAAq-AU

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FULL PLAYLIST
The New Age: An Exorcist's Perspective

Exorcist Fr. Elias Vella OFM Conv shares his insights on the New Age.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoqG6KAfijd6mueZFq1kt22oAMaM9AzK2





 

FEBRUARY 7 - Saint Colette of Corbie - Santa Koleta ta' Corbie

7 ta’ Frar

Tifkira Franġiskana ta'
Santa Koleta ta’ Corbie
(1381-1447)
Koleta twieldet Corbie, fi Franza, fl-1381. Meta sfat iltima qassmet ġidha kollu lill-fqar, libset il-libsa tat-Tielet Ordni Franġiskan u għexet magħluqa u maqtuggħa min-nies għal tliet snin. Imbagħad daħlet mal-Klarissi tat-Tieni Ordni minn fejn ħadmet kemm felħet biex igġġb lil xi kunventi tat-Tieni u ta’ l-Ewwel Ordni taħt dixxiplina aktar regolari u primittiva skond l-ispirtu tal-ħajja Franġiskana. Kienet tinsisti ħafna biex f’dawn il-kunventi tingħax ħajja iebsa l-aktar fejn jidħol il-faqar u t-talb. Ghħlhekk fl-istorja Franġiskana isimha tniżżel ma’ tar-riformaturi ta’ l-Ordni. Mietet f’Gand fis-6 ta’ Marzu 1447. Il-Papa Piju VII kitibha mal-qaddisin verġni.

 

 

 

Statue of Saint Colette of Corbie, along the road between Corbie and Albert, France

 

 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-colette/

 

 Saint Colette’s Story Colette did not seek the limelight, but in doing God’s will she certainly attracted a lot of attention. Colette was born in Corbie, France. At 21, she began to follow the Third Order Rule and became an anchoress, a woman walled into a room whose only opening was a window into a church.
After four years of prayer and penance in this cell, she left it. With the approval and encouragement of the pope, she joined the Poor Clares and reintroduced the primitive Rule of St. Clare in the 17 monasteries she established. Her sisters were known for their poverty—they rejected any fixed income—and for their perpetual fast. Colette’s reform movement spread to other countries and is still thriving today. Colette was canonized in 1807.

 

 

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