ITS LIGHT IS THE LAMB

DIVINE MERCY

2010-01-08T06:24:00.000-08:00

Recently, I have started studying the THE DIARY OF SAINT MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA, whom Jesus calls the "secretary of My Mercy." In the Diary, Our Lord seems to be trying to explain to us in every way humanly possible what His Divine Mercy entails. He tells St. Faustina to write all this information down.

In this new age of Divine Mercy, wherein God is offering us the "New and Divine Holiness" referred to by Pope John Paul II, I often ask myself the eternal question, "why?" Why would Jesus offer us union with the Godhead? And why would He now be offering us a "New State of Mystical Union" reserved for our times?

Jesus gives us an answer to this question in St. Faustina's Diary. The answer is that it is because of His Divine Mercy. Jesus says: "Know my daughter, that between Me and You there is a bottomless abyss, an abyss which separates the Creator from the creature. But the abyss is filled with My mercy. I raise you up to myself, not that I have need of you, but it is solely out of mercy that I grant you the grace of union with Myself." (p. 559) And it seems to me that it is solely out of His Mercy that He now offers us this "New State of Mystical Union."

Herald of the Fatima Apparitions: John M. Haffert by Edna McGrew

2009-08-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

The first biography of the late John M. Haffert is now available from BuyBooksOnTheWeb.com. For information and/or, to purchase the biography CLICK HERE. Or phone Infinity Publishing toll free at: (877)-289-2665.

For more information, including excerpts from the biography, go to my website: http://www.EdnaMcGrew.com

NEW AND DIVINE HOLINESS

2009-07-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

In his book, The Splendor of Creation, the Rev. Joseph Iannuzzi refers to it as "A New State of Mystical Union." Dr. Iannuzzi is a theologian and author of four books on mystical and dogmatic theology. He has lectured internationally on the gift of the Divine Will. He calls it the "eternal mode" of mystical contemplation. I have been wondering how this eternal mode relates to what Abbot Thomas Keating calls "The Night of Self." Do any of my readers have any ideas on this subject?

HERALD of the FATIMA APPARITIONS: JOHN M. HAFFERT

2009-06-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

I have just finished writing, what I believe is, the first (soon to be published) biography of John Haffert. V. Rev. Canon Galamba di Oliveira, D.D. of Leiria, Portugal wrote of John in 1961 in the Foreword of John's book, MEET THE WITNESSES of the Miracle of the Sun that: "there are three jewels of inestimable value which will immortalize his (John's) name in the noble gallery of illustrious lay Catholics of the United States of our age: His profound devotion to the Mother of God and to Holy Mother Church; the initiative of the great pilgrimage of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima (the Pilgrim Virgin) through Canada and the United States since October, 1947; and finally, that powerful and enthusiastic crusade of the Blue Army, which has spread through the entire world to bring all mankind the message and devotion of Our Lady of Fatima."

John M. Haffert's biography is now at the publishers. I expect it to be available sometime in July 2009.

Prayer and Pope John Paul II

2009-06-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

In CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE by Pope John Paul II, he is asked to describe how he prays. I love the answer that the Pope gives. He writes: "YOU WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT! The Pope prays as the Holy Spirit permits him to pray." To a contemplative like John Paul the Great, one has to wonder how literally these words of the Pope should be taken. The deeper meaning of this aspect of prayer is rarely addressed. Would any of my readers be willing to hazard an answer?

Holiday Greetings

2008-12-20T12:45:00.000-08:00

To the readers of my blog I would like to wish you a Happy Holiday, and to the Christians I pray that you will have a very blessed and special Christmas, and to all a New Year filled with Hope.

I have been very busy writing my second book. As soon as I finish it next year I hope to resume regular postings on this blog.

Are There Distractions In Centering Prayer?

2008-08-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

Fr. Thomas Keating, former Cistercian Abbot, author of numerous religious books, and founder of Contemplative Outreach, wrote somewhere that “There are no distractions in Centering Prayer.” What I think he means is that distractions are a normal part of Centering Prayer and we should not be disturbed even if they dominate our prayer period as long as we keep employing our sacred word or equivalent. He uses the following analogy. He compares our thoughts to tightly packed boats sitting on a river. When we do something to reduce this number “space begins to appear between the boats. Up comes the reality on which they are floating.” (Open Mind, Open Heart, p. 110)

We reduce the number of boats by our centering practice. Each time we become aware of a thought we say our sacred word. The question arises as to what we mean by becoming aware of a thought? This can be confusing for some of us. For me I relate the boat to an idea or sentence passing through my mind. When I find that a single sentence or thought leads to another similar sentence or thought, that is they are connected in some specific way, I identify this as becoming aware of a thought in centering prayer terms.

However, this thought sequence could go on for awhile before I actually become aware that this has happened and that I need to use the sacred word. Then if I fail to use the sacred word or whatever it is that I do to ignore the boat, I am allowing myself to be distracted. The key point for me is that, the fact that I got hooked on some special thought and my mind wandered in that direction, is not a distraction even though it lasts for a few minutes. It is only a distraction if, when I realize what has happened I linger on the thought, (perhaps it so enticing or seems so important), instead of immediately invoking my sacred word.

Surprisingly, Centering Prayer can be particularly helpful when we attend Mass or perform other devotions such as the Rosary. Regular and consistent practice of Centering Prayer is similar to an athlete training for a sport. We are trained by Centering Prayer to be much more conscious of our thoughts and often, more importantly, our feelings. Consequently when we attend Mass and a sudden distraction or emotion overtakes us and draws us away from the Mass, the discipline/training involved in our Centering Prayer practice helps us to recognize this distraction much more quickly and recover our attention to the Mass more easily.

Another Definition of WORDLESS PRAYER

2008-04-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

In a private message to Dr. Gianna Sullivan on June 10, 2006, the Vigil of Trinity Sunday, Our Lady of Emmitsburg spoke of the love of the Holy Trinity for us and urged us that, with all our heart, we give "to the Holy Trinity every bit of Love within" us. The Mother of God then adds these priceless words:

"THERE IS NO PRAYER GREATER THAN THIS,
THAN TO LOVE SO MUCH THAT YOU CANNOT SPEAK."

'Safari in a Wordless Prayer'

2008-04-02T15:27:00.000-07:00

In reading the Contemplative Outreach News, Vol. 23 #1, on their website, I found the following poem under Reader's Reflections. It is titled Safari in a Wordless Prayer and was published in a book entitled Safari of the Spirit. This poem, which was anonymously written by a hermit living in the desert with the bushmen, beautifully expresses the prayer in which God prays in us. It is printed below:

After years of
daily practice
and devotions,

The many words
of prayers
begin to fail.

To continue as before
becomes so painful

that the sole solution
seems to be

Give up,
abandon prayer!

But listen
as the Spirit calls

Deep into the
wordless dark.

Make safari to the
silent heart,

Where the midday
mind is left behind.

Surrounded by the
stillness,

Awed by Presence in
the night,

Share the ever-living
Word of Christ,

And become his
never-ending prayer.

So unable to find
proper words to pray

Becomes a blessing,

For the spirit helps
using our weakness,

And speaks for us
before the
Father’s face,

In a wondrous
wordless way,

That only God can
understand

And prayers,
the words we try to say
or do

Become prayer,
the Word that
says it all for you.

POEM: Dark Night of the Soul

2008-03-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

On Nov.22, 2007 a reader posted this question on my blog dated Oct. 12, 2007 in which I discussed the dark nights of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He wrote: “I’m surprised at the apparently gloomy path through multiple dark nights one must traverse to reach spirituality. Why so difficult? How many nights? Night of Sense, Night of Spirit, is there a Night of the Soul? others?”

The question as to “Why so difficult? is an extremely complex one and is best answered by the mystical theologians of the Catholic Church. Interestingly enough, St. John of the Cross, Spanish mystic and Doctor of Mystical Theology, wrote of the Dark Night of the Soul which, originally, was the second part of his famous work, The Ascent of Mount Carmel. In it, he divides the Dark Night of the Soul into two parts: the Dark Night of Sense and the Dark Night of Spirit, which I briefly discussed in my Oct. 12, 2007 blog entry.

There seems to me to be a tendency in pious writings to stress the gloom and suffering which the great Saints underwent. This can have a very negative effect on people who are considering entering upon the spiritual journey or who are already consciously pursuing the spiritual life. That is one reason why I prefer reading the author’s original writings rather than commentaries and interpretations by others. For example, how many of us, when we think of the Dark Nights, ever think of the beautiful, mystical poem written by St. John of the Cross, which forms the very foundation for his treatise, The Ascent of Mount Carmel? Printed below is the eight verse poem as translated by E. Allison Peers. This mystical, nuptial poem is far from gloomy!

“Wherein the soul sings of the happy chance which it had in passing through the dark night of faith, in detachment and purgation of itself, to union with the Beloved.

“On a dark night,
Kindled in love with yearnings
–Oh, happy chance!–
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.

“In darkness and secure,
By the secret ladder, disguised
–Oh, happy chance–
In darkness and concealment,
My house being now at rest.

“In the happy night,
In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught,
Without light or guide,
Save that which burned in my heart.

“This light guided me,
More surely than the light of noonday,
To the place where he (well I knew who!)
Was awaiting me–
A place where none appeared.

“Oh, night that guided me,
Oh, night more lovely than the dawn.
Oh, night that joined
Beloved with lover.
Lover transformed in the Beloved!

“Upon my flowery breast,
Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping,
And I caressed him,
And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

“The breeze blew from the turret
As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand
He wounded my neck
And caused all my senses to be suspended.

“I remained, lost in oblivion:
My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself,
Leaving my cares
Forgotten among the lilies.”

Kudos for My Book, ITS LIGHT IS THE LAMB

2008-02-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

KEN WILBER, founder of the Integral Institute, featured Chapter 11, Physicists and Mystics, from my book, ITS LIGHT IS THE LAMB, on his blog on Feb. 1, 2008. In his invitation to potential Guest Bloggers, KEN WILBER writes “getting your material published on this site will really put you and your work on the forefront of the Integral revolution.” To see the selection criteria go to: http://www.kenwilber.com/blog/show/252

It is quite an honor to have my work singled out by KEN WILBER and published on his blog. To view my posting as Guest Editor on Ken's blog go to: http://kenwilber.com/blog/show/416

If you wonder "Who is KEN WILBER?" He is founder of the Integral Institute and is considered by many to be the most influential integral theorist today, as well as the most intelligent and self-critical voice coming out of the ‘Transpersonal Psychology’ movement. KEN WILBER is an American author of over twenty books on psychology, philosophy, mysticism, ecology, and spiritual evolution. For many years he has practiced a type of Buddhist meditation on a regular basis. He interviews on his website some of the world’s greatest thinkers, including Father Keating of Contemplative Outreach fame. According to Ken's website: “Integral Naked presents audio video dialog and art behind the scenes with the most provocative thinkers in today’s world.” DEEPAK CHOPRA says: "I read KEN WILBER every day so that I can be inspired by the most extraordinary mind of our times."

"THIS WORLD CAN BE DIFFERENT"

2008-02-10T15:57:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, my husband and I attended the monthly Marian Prayer Service at the Lynfield Event Complex situated off Route 15 between Frederick and Emmitsburg, MD. It is during this prayer service that Our Lady of Emmitsburg gives a “Public Message To the World”.

At the time we were there, we estimated that over 400 people attended. Everyone present was able to watch on a large screen, what was happening in the front row where Dr. Gianna Sullivan was sitting beside her husband, Dr. Michael Sullivan, and their daughters. Half way into the Marian Prayer Service we started to pray the rosary. During the fourth decade of the rosary, Gianna Sullivan suddenly sinks to her knees on the floor, and goes into ecstasy at the appearance of the Mother of God.

Our Lady is visible only to Gianna, whose face lights up with a beautiful smile. Then Gianna’s lips began to move, but you cannot hear her voice. Thereafter follows, what appears to be, an animated discussion between Gianna and her unseen visitor. After a short time, Gianna’s face changes, becomes more serious, and the microphone now picks up the sound of her voice as she recites aloud the message which Our Lady wishes to give to the world.

I was very pleased to hear Mary emphasize a point that impresses me relative to the many recent messages from Heaven. Our Lady said that her Son is inviting everyone “to live in Him, and to be Him.” To me, this means that Jesus is calling everyone to be contemplatives. She emphasizes the importance of humility on our walk with her Son. Our Lady then tells us what is required of us on this walk. She says: “You must be Jesus; and to be Jesus, you must receive His graces with humility and kindness and with love.”

Mary stresses that peace is what God desires. And she urges us: “Do not allow another day to go by without you working and cooperating to change interiorly and without you following God’s Divine Will.”

She tells us: “You can make the change, and this world can be different."

Mission of Mercy

2008-02-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

After attending the Marian Prayer Service, my husband and I stayed overnight in Frederick, MD. The next morning we went to the Frederick Church of the Brethren to view the mobile medical clinic used by Mission of Mercy to bring free medical and dental services and free prescriptions to the uninsured poor and the homeless. Mission of Mercy was founded in 1994 by Dr. Gianna Sullivan (Pharm D) with the help of her husband, Dr. Michael Sullivan, who had left a lucrative medical practice at the Geisinger Clinic, PA to move to Emmitsburg, MD at Our Lady’s invitation.

We also viewed the large facility which the Frederick Church of the Brethren had made available for use by the Mission of Mercy volunteers. The room was divided up into separate areas where the doctors, nurses and volunteers could interview and see patients, including a triage area and a prenatal examining area. There are seventeen such facilities, three in AZ, seven in MD, two in PA and five in TX which are serviced by the mobile medical clinics. Five of these facilities are Catholic and the remaining twelve include Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist and others. Since 1994 Mission of Mercy has provided for over 200,000 patient visits.

Pat Sajak of TV Wheel of Fortune fame is one of Mission of Mercy supporters. If you are interested in contributing or wish to learn more about Mission of Mercy go to: www.amissionofmercy.org.

Vacation Experiences

2008-01-26T06:33:00.000-08:00

We just got home last week from a vacation in the Bahamas. One experience I doubt I will ever forget was frolicking with a three-hundred pound dolphin named Andy on Blue Lagoon Island. There were about eight people in the pool, including two small children. One of the tricks the trainer had taught Andy was to jump into the air, since we were only up to our waists in the water, and rest his head on our shoulder as we put our arms around the dolphin. Then Andy kissed us a few times. It was fun to see how differently each one reacted to this. Each of us also danced with Andy, petted him both on the back and the stomach, fed him fish and finally put our finger into his gigantic mouth to touch one of his teeth!

But the most memorable part of the vacation, was sitting out on the patio overlooking the rocks and the incredible blues of the Atlantic ocean, as the palm trees' fronds swayed in the Trade Winds. The light and color in the sky and water was so beautiful and so delicate. It reminded me of Provence, France made famous by such artists as Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso. Much has been written about how the light in Provence appeares so different and how painters have always seemed to find the light and tranquility there inspiring. Hundreds of painters still live and paint in Provence. The view from our patio was unique, reminding me of what had been said about the light of Provence. Every time I looked at the lovely scene before me it was like Paradise, I was filled with such joy, such unbelievable joy as I became enveloped in God’s creation.

Marian Prayer Service at Emmitsburg, MD

2007-12-30T08:11:00.000-08:00

On the first Sunday of each month, a Marian Prayer Service is held at the Lynfield Event Complex, Frederick, MD. During this service, Our Lady of Emmitsburg gives a message for the whole world through the mystic, Dr. Gianna Sullivan. On Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 Wayne, Wieble will give a short talk after the prayer service on ‘Our Lady’s Urgent Call’ (~ 30 min.) And on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, Fr. Jack Spaulding is scheduled to give a short talk.

The information on the prayer service has CHANGED. Our Lady of Emmitsburg's Prayer Service is no longer held at the Lynfield Event Complex. It has been renamed the "World Wide Prayer Group of Our Lady of Emmitsburg." It takes place on the first Sunday of the month where groups gather in the homes of believers throughout the world as close to 3 pm Eastern time as is possible: http://www.prourladyofemmitsburg.org/worldwideprayergroup.html

HIDDEN LIFE of Our Lord

2007-12-25T10:29:00.000-08:00

On this Christmas day in the year 2007, which is the first Christmas since I started writing in this blog, I feel it is appropriate to mention something about the Hidden Life of Our Lord, Volume I, which Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan has allegedly received from Our Lord, covering the time from Jesus’ conception until He reached the age of eight years. This information is available on the Foundation’s website. (www.centeroftheimmaculateheart.org)

On the website there is also a Forward to the Hidden Life given by Fr. Kiernan Kavanaugh, OCD, who is a member of the Institute of Carmelite Studies, and who was vice postulator for the canonization of St. Edith Stein. In addition, Fr. Kavanaugh is well-known for his English language translations of the works, not only of St. John of the Cross, but also of St. Teresa of Avila.

Today, as we commemorate the birth of the child Jesus, it is a beautiful experience to read and ponder what Jesus has told Gianna about His thoughts and feelings all during that first stage of His life.

Words from God the Father to Dr. Gianna Sullivan

2007-12-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

In my last post made on Dec. 2, 2007, I included a list of classic spiritual themes that I discovered in the Lessons from Jesus contained in the first five volumes of the I am your JESUS of MERCY books. These Lessons were received by Dr. Gianna Sullivan from Our Lord while she was living in Scottsdale, AZ and also in Emmitsburg, MD. In my blog post of Nov. 23, 2007, I discussed how the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart was started. The main purpose of the Foundation "is to convey to the whole world the ‘Words of God the Father...’” that Dr. Gianna Sullivan has only recently started receiving.

At this point I thought that it might be appropriate to print some of the message God the Father gave to Gianna to be published to the world on Dec. 8, 2007. For me, there are two very important points that are addressed. The first, and certainly the most important point that any human being would like to know, is the passionate love that God’s Son, Jesus, feels for us. And not only that, but God the Father tells us His “desire is for Love.” The second point, and this is vital for anyone who reads and speaks of these messages, He says: “Too much emphasis is placed on the miraculous...” Here are the words of God the Father:

“My Son's Heart is aflame, reaching out to the entire world with Love for you. I am with you; and even as I am with you, My Son and the Holy Spirit are with you, for we are One in the Holy Trinity.

“Yet, so many differences! Even if there are differences, why is not there the possibility that as Christian people, children of Abraham whom I created, humanity cannot be blessed, give praise to their God Almighty, and form in unity and Love? How much longer will it be---day after day---that so many of you initially receive My Words, listen to them with your hearts aflame, and then, instead of practicing them, move forward and get enveloped in a different dimension which further divides the world.

“My desire is for Love, love of you, love for you, and the Love within you. This Love within you goes forth to meet everyone out in the world. Anyone who desires to receive it receives God! Too much emphasis is placed on the miraculous, the signs of the times, and the desires and hopes of private intentions.”

Classic Spiritual Themes

2007-12-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

In the previous post I discussed the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary and the visionary, Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan. My first introduction to this visionary's writings was the book, I am your JESUS of MERCY, volume 1. As described in the Table of Contents, Part I of this book is titled "Lessons from Jesus Christ Our Lord". These Lessons so impressed me that, when I had finished reading all five sets of Lessons in volume 1 through 5, I wrote and published the following article on my website, http://www.ednamcgrew.com/

CLASSIC SPIRITUAL THEMES

IN THE LESSONS FROM OUR LORD

It is interesting to study the progression of these Lessons. They begin with the basic truths of the Christian life explained in clear and forceful language. Yet each Lesson is permeated with words of love and concern for our well being and spiritual growth. As the Lessons continue they become longer and provide more detailed instruction on the spiritual journey and the fruits of spiritual maturity. To study these Lessons and how they reflect Holy Scripture seems to me to be a very sure way to proceed on the contemplative journey to God.

Down through the centuries the great spiritual themes have been food for many souls. In her Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich emphasized the tender motherliness of God. Theresa of the Child Jesus, a Doctor of the Church, writes of her "little way." Abbot Keating, in his classic, Open Mind, Open Heart emphasizes the need of the contemplative to "rest in God." J. P. Caussade, S.J. in his exquisite book, Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence brings together the Carmelite and the Salesian traditions of abandonment to Divine Providence and confidence in God. The great Doctor of Mystical Theology, John of the Cross, describes the Dark Nights and their culmination in Divine Union. Countless writers speak of living in the present moment. All of these themes are covered in these Lessons in an unusually beautiful manner. Some examples are provided below.

God's Motherliness:

"Today, I wish for My people to know My Father...He will comfort you,...He will cradle you like a newborn babe."₁
"Silently, gently, delicately and oh-so-tenderly is the way I work on the vast, many souls."₂

Littleness:

"When you are "little," the Father is able to embrace your soul ever so tightly and He will protect you."₃
"I love My little ones and invite all to follow the way of littleness as that of My Mother, so secure in Her fidelity to follow God at all costs without consolation or promises."₄
"Do not mistake littleness with lack of power. Littleness is detachment from possessions and is purity of heart."₅

Centering/Rest in God/Prayer of the Heart:

"Rest in My love. Rest in My peace. Rest in Me as I rest in you. Let us unite for we are ONE."₆
"If you will absorb My love and rest in My love, your heart, mind, and soul will be rejuvenated and will rise to an ecstasy of joy."₇
"If you centered on Me and allowed Me to love you, you would be filled with love, purity and goodness."₈
"I do not want their words, I want their hearts."₉
"It is necessary that my people begin to strive for an inner harmony of quiet and peace, allowing the way for the unity of the Trinity to enter and find rest."₁₀
"Be in union with Me by reserving quiet, private time where I can make My abode of love in you."₁₁
"Always take time for Me to rest in you. Invite Me."₁₂
"...one of the greatest gifts of My merciful love is silence of the heart..."₁₃

Trust in Divine Providence:

"SURRENDER TOTALLY, AND RECEIVE ABUNDANTLY!"₁₄
"Surrender unto Love against all self-comprehension."₁₅
"I am truly guiding you if you trust that I am. This is self-abandonment to the Providence of God."₁₆
"When you abandon unto Me, I ensure that your union with and in Me is complete."₁₇
"Nothing happens to you in life unless My Father will it so. Trust in Divine Providence and surrender to His consoling truths."₁₈

Dark Nights:

"...be at peace when God allows you to be chastised and pressed through the mill of sweet graces.₁₉
"These, My little ones, many times feel abandoned by God,...Why must it be so? Because, little ones, all who love as I love must die as I died."₂₀
"It is the walk of the night where the light is so strong it blinds you...My point of this lesson, My dear one, is to teach My people to be still, quiet, silent, in dryness of the soul. WAIT PATIENTLY for God to show His face to you."₂₁
"This is where union begins, knowing you are nothing and experiencing by the purification of desolation and nothingness, that you can become everything in Me."₂₂

Transforming Union:

"The soul then commences in the journey of light until it unites with its Master in an encompassing brillance of illumination, the union with God."₂₃
"The silence of union is essential for the life of the soul. Even though your life of ministry be active, silence and solitude is vital and is possible."₂₄
"When you sit quietly and contemplate My words of love, your soul is suspended high into the abyss of love."₂₅

Present Moment:

"Live the moment, and be aware of all the beauty I give you."₂₆
"Take each day as I have prepared it for you."₂₇
"Live in Me in each moment. Do not run ahead."₂₈
"Do not lose the moment by dwelling on a topic regarding yourself."₂₉
"See the beauty in the simplest of God's creation...Listen. Listen to silence. See the richness through solitude."₃₀

FOUNDATION OF THE SORROWFUL AND IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

2007-11-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

There are two chapters in my book, Its Light is the Lamb, where I discuss the apparitions of Dr. Gianna Talone-Sullivan at some length. One is Chapter Six titled: Apparitions in Scottsdale, AZ. The other is Chapter Sixteen, Our Lady of Emmitsburg. It was in Scottsdale that Dr. Gianna Sullivan, who has a Doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and who was pursuing a promising career in her profession, started to see Mary, the Mother of God. Since that time she has been graced with visions of Our Lady almost daily. In 1993 she moved to Emmitsburg, MD with her husband, Dr. Michael Sullivan, a medical doctor. It was the Virgin Mary who invited the newlyweds to move to Emmitsburg and it was the Virgin Mary who indicated that Emmitsburg was a very special place, that it was to be the 'Center of Her Immaculate Heart'.

In this post I would like to briefly discuss the Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary; how it began; and its import for me. From Dec. 2003 until May 2005, in her messages, Our Lady of Emmitsburg frequently indicated that she was pleading with God the Father to personally intervene in our world, which she kept repeating, was in dire need. Then, on May 21, 2005, Mary, the Mother of God, tells Dr.Gianna Sullivan that she wants a foundation established in Emmitsburg, titled the ‘Foundation of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary’. Our Lady continues, telling her that the Foundation is to belong to God the Father and that its purpose is to convey to the whole world the “Words of God the Father” and to make known the “Truth of my Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart.”

It has always been my understanding that it is the teaching of the Catholic Church that its flock is not required to believe in any private revelations. It is up to the Church officials to discern whether any private revelations, allegedly received from God or from Our Lady, are authentic. And even then, Catholics are not required to believe in these revelations. Recently, some articles that I have been reading, point out that when part of the revelation itself indicates that the message is public and is intended for everyone, everywhere, under these circumstances Catholics are required (I hesitate to use those two words: “are required”) to both investigate and prayerfully discern if these words are intended for them.

BUY BOOKS ON THE WEB

2007-11-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

In addition to BuyBooksontheWeb.com, my book, Its Light is the Lamb, is now available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and also from Borders.

ITS LIGHT IS THE LAMB

2007-11-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

My book, Its Light is the Lamb, An Unexpected Spiritual Journey, has just been published. CLICK HERE for more information.

'MOTHER TERESA: COME BE MY LIGHT'

2007-10-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Since I last wrote about Mother Teresa I have gathered enough information to write an in-depth article about her. However, that is not the purpose of this blog. Instead, I will restrict myself to the subject of the dark nights she experienced as part and parcel of her own special contemplative journey.

In an article titled ‘Atheists attempting a show of strength’ written by Jacqueline L. Salmon of the Washington Post, published by the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper of 9-23-2007, the writer quotes Christopher Hitchens as saying: “She (Mother Teresa) couldn’t bring herself to believe in God, but she wished she could.” And Jacqueline L. Salmon indicates that reading the book, Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, “has led some high-profile atheists to say her spiritual wavering was actually atheism.”

Reading this article reminded me of how I felt when I learned in Richard Dawkins’ book, The God Delusion, that he thought that Albert Einstein was basically a pantheist. And that “Pantheism is sexed-up atheism.” (P. 18) I had always thought that Einstein was religious by nature, but that he did not believe in a personal God. After reading Dawkins’ book I did not know what to think about Einstein and so I suspended my judgment until I got more information. After reading about what the modern atheists have to say about Mother Teresa, and deciding that what they said is very questionable, I now look back on Dawkins’ comments about Einstein with more skepticism.

My reading of the book, Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light, convinced me that, in no way whatsoever, was Mother Teresa an atheist. Yes, she did suffer from doubts about the existence of God. But who hasn’t? As a matter of fact, in his excellent article in Time magazine, dated 8-23-2007, David Van Biema quotes James Martin, S.J. as saying he feels that as a result of this book Mother Teresa will have a new legacy, and that “It may be remembered as just as important as her ministry to the poor. It would be a ministry to people who had experienced some doubt, some absence of God in their lives. And you know who that is? Everybody. Atheists, doubters, seekers, believers, everyone.”

As I thought about Mother Teresa, the one big question that kept coming to my mind was “Why did God allow her to suffer such a prolonged dark night?” One of the answers may well be in Fr. Martin’s reference to a new ministry.

The classic definition of the mystical night of the soul is given by John of the Cross in his book, The Dark Night. He divides the dark night into two spiritual purgations. He calls the first part the Night of Sense and says that those who undergo this night are no longer "beginners" in the spiritual journey. John of the Cross says that they are starting on the way of the "progressives" which is the beginning of the contemplative state.

He calls the second part, the Dark Night of the Spirit. John of the Cross indicates that the dark night of the spirit does not usually commence until some period of time has elapsed following the night of sense. He states that during this period the soul experiences "morsels" of this dark night but they do not last very long. He calls these morsels "dark contemplation" and says of them that they "are never as intense as is that terrible night of contemplation...into which, of set purpose, God brings the soul that He may lead it to Divine Union."

In the Introduction to the Ascent-Dark Night in the book, The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, translated by K. Kavanaugh, O.C.D. and O. Rodriguez, O.C.D., they outline the main aspects of the passive purification or dark night of the spirit. One point that they make gives us an insight into Mother Teresa's words that she felt "unwanted" and "unloved" by God. In the Introduction they write these profound words: "The knowledge this contemplation accords generates the feeling of being abandoned by God and by creatures and deprives the soul of the connatural satisfaction it ordinarily obtains in the actuation of its faculties."

The Spiritual Marriage between the soul and God, usually occurs when the dark night of the spirit is over. Based on my reading of Mother Teresa’s letters, I can only speculate about when this spiritual marriage/transforming union took place in her life. But I certainly think it did. To me, the most likely time would have been before she undertook her ministry to the poor in founding the Missionaries of Charity. The subsequent dark nights that she experienced for approximately 50 years, right up until her death in 1997, most likely were not the purgative nights of the spirit to which John of the Cross refers to as being preparatory for this transforming union with God. Rather, it seems to me that this almost continual dark night of the spirit served three primary functions. First, it had to increase the effectiveness of her mission to the very poor and needy of this world. And secondly, as I quoted above from James Martin, S.J., Mother Teresa's letters may well be the beginning of an equally important mission for her "to people who had experienced some doubt, some absence of God in their lives." Thirdly, I think God used this very prolonged spiritual night to raise Mother Teresa to an even more sublime state of union with Himself.

POPE JOHN PAUL II's WORDS ON CONTEMPLATION

2007-09-13T15:21:00.000-07:00

In my earlier post on 'Contemplation and the Active Apostolate' I quoted Pope John Paul II's statement that he believed that : "the future of mission depends to a great extent on contemplation. Unless the missionary is a contemplative he cannot proclaim Jesus in a credible way." Thinking about it, it seems to me that this is a pretty incredible statement! I simply had no idea that Pope John Paul felt so strongly about the role of contemplation in the mission of the Church.

I remember watching the Pope on TV at the many world youth conventions that he attended. It always amazed me how many young people were there and how enthusiastic they were. There seemed to be something about the Pope that was irresistible to the youth of the Church. Is it possible that he was a mystic, a contemplative? That this is what drew them? I remember the many times the camera panned to him, and his eyes were closed and he was holding his large crucifix in a tight grip. Was he in deep prayer?

I think he was! One of the reasons for my belief is because silence seems so important to me in establishing a relationship with Christ. If we don't listen to Him, if we don't pause in silence to let His Spirit inform us, how can we ever hope to be a contemplative? In his Apostolic Letter, Roasrium Virginis Mariae, Pope John Paul II says: "A discovery of the importance of silence is one of the secrets of practicing contemplation and meditation. One drawback of a society dominated by technology and the mass media is the fact that silence becomes increasingly difficult to achieve." The fact that Pope John emphasizes silence speaks eloquently to me of his appreciation of how to foster our relationship with Jesus.

HITCHENS ON MOTHER TERESA

2007-09-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

The first time I checked Amazon to see if Mother Teresa's book, Come Be My Light, was available on the internet, I came up empty. Today, I ordered the book through Amazon for delivery within a week or so! After reading Christopher Hitchens' article in Newsweek, and comparing it to the article in Time magazine which I mentioned last week on this blog, I am more interested than ever in reading Mother Teresa's letters!

I was fascinated to learn in Hitchens' article that he had been invited by certain Vatican dignitaries to testify at the Beatification hearings on Mother Teresa. To many of my readers this may be surprising. However, it is standard Catholic procedure to invite people to provide negative testimony at such hearings. And that is precisely what he does in this article, The Dogmatic Doubter. As far as I remember, aside from the first sentence of the article, it is negative from start to finish. Read it and see what you think!

The one statement he makes, that I would like to comment on at this time, is "She got what she wanted, and found it a crushing disappointment." How does Hitchen's know that it was a 'crushing disappointment?' One of the ideas that I frequently ponder, is "What goes on inside a person's mind and heart, particularly when it comes to their relationship with their God?" Comments?

MOTHER TERESA

2007-08-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

I have just finished reading the excellent article on Mother Teresa in Time magazine by David Van Biema. While I knew of Mother Teresa, the icon, I actually knew very little about her life. What an extraordinary woman! I plan to get the book, Come Be My Light, as soon as it is available. The interesting thing about the book's title is that it is taken from the words of Christ to Mother Teresa when He asked her to work in the slums with the poor. As I read this book of her letters I want to study how her faith progresses. What seems like going backwards, in actual fact, is probably just the opposite. After I read Come Be My Light, I plan to comment both on the book and on this article in Time magazine by David Van Biema.

CONTEMPLATION AND THE ACTIVE APOSTOLATE

2007-08-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

When I was a young girl, there were two convents of nuns in our Holy Child Jesus parish. One was for the Sisters of St. Joseph who taught in our parish elementary school. The other convent housed the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, or as we called them, the Trinitarians. They were missionaries, whose goal was to bring Christ to everyone. They had a special concern for the poor and needy of the parish.

My very first memory of the Trinitarians was the day they took me and some other kids to Rockaway Beach, NY. They paid our entrance fee into a swimming pool complex and I had the time of my life. It was wonderful. This was the first and only time I spent at that pool, for our family had few monetary resources. And the Sisters gave me a quarter, which was a lot of money at that time, to spend as I liked.

Recently, I have been reading about the Trinitarians in the book, God's Valiant Warrior, by Father Dennis Berry, S.T. My attention was caught by the emphasis Fr. Berry places on the role of contemplative prayer in missionary work. I was very pleasantly surprised by the words he quotes from an encyclical on the Church's missionary mandate written by Pope John Paul II. The Pope writes:

"Every member of the faithful is called to holiness and to mission . . . . The Church's missionary spirituality is a journey towards holiness . . . . [I believe] that the future of mission depends to a great extent on contemplation. Unless the missionary is a contemplative he cannot proclaim Jesus in a credible way."

These words from Pope John Paul II are strong indeed. I always wondered if the Pope was a mystic. It certainly seems that he was!

In his book mentioned above, Fr. Berry writes of the Missionary Cenacle family founded by Father Thomas Judge, a Vincentian priest. The congregation of Sisters was called The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, while the congregation of priests and Brothers was called by the same name, except that the word 'Blessed' was replaced by the word 'Holy' in the men's order. These two missionary congregations were founded in the twentieth century and both received Pontifical Status from Rome in 1985. It was the first time in over 400 years that the rule of a new religious community had been approved by Rome. Originally, the Sisters were considered somewhat revolutionary because they did not wear habits nor veils, but rather the dress of the day. They were pioneers not only in religious dress codes, but more importantly pioneers in emphasizing the important role the laity had in the Church.

As I indicated above, Fr. Berry places emphasis on mystical contemplation. He devotes Part IV of his book to ' Apostolic Spirituality in the Mystical Theology of the Church.' He relates how he use to identify mystical contemplation with parapsychological phenomena. He speaks of the 35 years he was associated with the Missionary Cenacle during which time he did not encounter such mystical phenomena in the lives of the members. This puzzled him. However, he did find the type of holiness and selflessness which is identified as being associated with the most advanced stages of the spiritual life in the mystical tradition. He concludes, as Father Thomas Keating has written in his classic book, Open Mind Open Heart, that mystical phenomena is not integral to mystical contemplation.

Fr. Berry believes that there were many saintly Sisters who were on the mystical path. And further, he concludes that the 'active' life does not prohibit an individual from embarking upon the mystical journey to the Spiritual Marriage and beyond. Fr. Berry proceeds to make his point that the missionary apostolate must be based on a contemplative spirit if it is to be fruitful. I was very pleased to see the importance that Fr. Berry places on mystical contemplation in the world.

CISTERCIAN (TRAPPIST) SAINT

2007-08-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

On this feast day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian monk and renowned mystic, I have asked St. Bernard to be, as it were, a patron of this blog and to help me manage and make posts on it in such a way that it supports Jesus' prayer that the Father's "Will be done on earth as it is in heaven."(Mt. 6:10)

MYSTICAL CONTEMPLATION

2007-08-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Mystical contemplation is the main subject of this blog.