“I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible”
-St. Ignatius of Antioch
“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort me and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
-St. Patrick
Welcome to the Springtime of the Soul cleaning party. We are so fortunate that Holy Mother Church thinks about the “cleaning up” of our spiritual life as well as our physical surroundings. There are so many special graces available to each of us during this time of the year that it would be “sinful” (generally speaking) if we did not take advantage of the graces of Lent.
This is the time to put “back in order” all those little idiosyncracies that have taken us off the straight and narrow path to salvation. I keep all of you in prayer as you begin to think about what exactly God is leading you to improve in your life. Taking small steps is the best way to go so we do not get discouraged when we fall off the path. But remember we can pick up again where we left off and the Good Lord will be soooooo happy we did 🙂
May your Springtime of the soul fill you with renewed vim and vigor for the things above! Happy Lent, Sr. Margaret Mary
“Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.”
-St. Gregory Nazianzen
“We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing more profitable.”
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Hello dear friends of the Pious Union of St. Joseph. I have just returned from the Canonization of our Founder and am most pleased to share our excitement with you! It was a wonderful experience being in St. Peter’s Square with His Holiness Benedict XVI. The ceremony was beautiful and we were all pleased to hear Fr. Guanella referred to as a “Champion for the defense of life.” What a wonderful New Saint for the Pro-Life Movement to take ahold of! Fr. Guanella believed in the dignity of life for All persons normal or disabled, young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor. He taught us that everyone is entitled to be loved by others and can love back regardless of their frailty.
Each one of you and your special intentions were remembered in my prayers during the pilgrimage in Italy. I even had the privilege to visit the original Pious Union of St. Joseph Shrine that was built in 1912 in Rome by Saint Louis Guanella. And by the grace of God 4 of our Sisters made their Perpetual Profession that same day. Two were from Brazil, one from India, and one from Romania. How Good God is!!!
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers and be assured of a remembrance in my daily prayers also.
In Joseph and his Son, Sr. Margaret Mary
“’Eat my flesh,’ [Jesus] says, ‘and drink my blood.’ The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutrients, he delivers over his flesh and pours out his blood, and nothing is lacking for the growth of his children”
-St. Clement of Alexandria
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”
-St. Francis
“On the question of relating to our fellowman – our neighbor’s spiritual need transcends every commandment. Everything else we do is a means to an end. But love is an end already, since God is love.”
-St. Teresia Benedicta (Edith Stein)
“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux
