|
FOURTEENTH
DOCUMENT:
SOLEMN BEATIFICATIONS AND CANONISATIONS, We, as Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of St. Peter, Servant of the Servants of God, Patriarch of Palmar de Troya. We,
as Universal Doctor of the Church, today raise to the Glory of the Altar,
by SOLEMN BEATIFICATION AND CANONISATION, the following servants of God,
members of the Mystical Body of Christ,
We,
as Universal Doctor and Common Father of the Church, assisted by the Holy
Ghost, and after historical study, give assurance of the life of sanctity
and heroic virtue of the Saints whom today We have raised to the Glory of
the Altar. We exhort the
whole Church to venerate these Saints, and to go to them in order to
entreat their intercession before the exalted Throne of the Mother of God,
Queen of all Saints. We
wish to point out for the faithful, the various paths that lead to God,
through the imitation of these Saints, examples and models of great
virtue. All these attained
holy perfection on the path that goes through this valley of tears, the
exile of the present life. All
these carried, loved and caressed the Cross that was theirs to carry. Let us not forget that Christ said; "Take up thy cross,
deny thyself and follow Me." It
is most clear and evident, that it is not possible to attain sanctity,
without carrying lovingly the cross which God places on the shoulder of
each and every one. Let us
not be afraid of the cross, because its yoke is sweet, and its burden
light. Each one of us carries
a cross, in imitation of the Divine Master.
In this way, we associate ourselves to the saving work of the
Redemption, adding our drop of water to the chalice of the Most Precious
Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, poured out during the Sacred Passion.
In this way, we all lovingly carry the cross, become mystically
other Christ. Most beloved children; do not despair; suffer lovingly the
cross which Christ places on each of you.
Most dear children, do not be afraid, do not be afflicted; you do
not carry your cross alone. Like
the Divine Master, you also have a Cyrenian.
This Cyrenian whom you have is very much stronger and more able
than Simon of Cyrene. Our
great and sublime Cyrenian is the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and
our Mother. She, the Mother,
lovingly with Her maternal hands, lightens our heavy cross.
We pledge Our word, in saying this; if, with docility and humility,
we carry our cross, having Mary as Cyrenian, eternal salvation is
certainly made sure. Very
beloved children, the cross you bear is certainly heavy; but do not lose
heart, keep going ahead, until you come to Golgotha.
Our cross is made to the measure of each one of us.
Our infinitely good Lord Jesus Christ, never places a cross heavier
than we can bear. Be certain,
when Christ places a heavy and oppressive cross, it is because we can bear
the weight, and because He is seeking our salvation.
Very beloved children, the weight of our cross, in itself, has no
merit or value; but it acquires infinite merit and value united to the
Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let
us offer to the Eternal Father our sufferings, united with the Sacred
Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer; and united with the Sorrows
and Tears of the Virgin Mary, as Co‑ Redeemer, Queen of Martyrs; and
united with the blood of the Martyrs and the love of all the Saints. We,
as Teacher in the Church, wish to exercise in the Church Our sacred right
to teach. Therefore,
elevating these new Saints to the Altar, We magisterially are teaching the
path of holiness. Consider
and meditate; these Saints were flesh and blood as we are.
If they attained sanctity, so can we.
God, in His Infinite Love, is disposed to our attaining sanctity;
however, what is needed is our own co‑operation and correspondence
with grace. We,
as Supreme Pastor of the Church, assisted by the Holy Ghost, are firmly
disposed, during Our Pontificate to canonize the sanctity and heroic
virtue of innumerable servants of God.
Very dear children, do not forget Our title, in accord with the
prophecies of St. Malachy, which is the 'Glory of the Olives'.
We interpret, that among the various meanings of this title, there
is without doubt, the holy cause of canonization; since, may We say,
speaking mystically, Christ is a lovely and beautiful olive tree; and the
Saints are the lovely and beautiful olives, that show the mystical meaning
of the tree which, without doubt, is the Mystical Body of Christ.
We give assurance, that during Our Pontificate, with the help of
God, by raising innumerable Saints to the Altar, We will show the world a
luxuriant olive tree. This great Olive Tree, Mystical Body of Christ, in triumphant
form, will be a most powerful beacon, lighting the darkness which is ours
to traverse in this Apocalyptic hour of the Church. Very dear children,
let us not forget that this beautiful and lovely Olive Tree has issued
from the mystical garden and estate which we call Mary, the exalted Queen
of the Olives, because She is Mother of the Olive Tree called Christ.
We desire to mention a few details regarding the Saints We today
have raised to the Glory of the Altar.
For We ardently desire that the faithful, as far as is possible,
know these Saints. Let us
bear in mind that a glorious epoch has commenced for the Church. We
desire to offer for your consideration and illumination, the following; Whereas
the Antipope of Rome, John Paul I, is accustomed in his discourses to give
as examples pagans, poets and heretics, atheists, and so forth; this
Antipope also, in one of his thoughts transmitted to the crowds, ridicules
great Biblical personages, like David, Solomon and Jonas, by making
comparisons and seeing likenesses with contemporary figures, such as the
heretic and mason Garibaldi, who caused such suffering to Our venerated
predecessor, Saint Pius IX, the Great.
Meanwhile, We are giving examples of great figures of the Church,
in order that you may be able to follow the right path. We teach as
infallible Doctrine the following; it is contrary to God and the Church,
to put forward non‑Catholic personages as models for the faithful;
because, outside of the True Church, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, it
is not possible to find the path of holiness.
If something good can be found outside the Church, it is simply
copied from examples in the Church. A
Pope has the sacred duty to acquaint the faithful with the great figures
of the Church. So there is no
need of having recourse to pagans. We desire to teach the following; to
point out the path of holiness, it suffices to offer Christ as example and
model. The Church as Mother
and Mistress, understanding the variety of mentality of mankind, also
offers as models innumerable Saints; because Christ is not only creature,
although true Man, He is also true God.
Therefore, He can seem to be a distant and unreachable example. Whereas, offering the Saints as examples, there results
greater comprehension, ‑ since these were creatures like ourselves,
who attained the heights of sanctity, ‑ and although they are so
high, they are close by, and they draw near to us men. We
declare as certain Doctrine the following; it is mistaken, confused and
equivocal, and it is a thing clothed in darkness, that one in a position
to pasture the Church, offers as model personages whose eternal salvation
is very dubious; a fact that indicates a logical doubt about the
authenticity of the one who is taken to be Pope. Most beloved children,
within the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church, is the place to
find models and examples for attaining holiness. We
mention as follows some passages about the Saints whom today We have
raised to the Glory of the Altar, in order to have light in the midst of
darkness: 1.
Saint Diego Jose de Cadiz. Capuchin
Priest, called Apostle of Spain. Our venerated predecessor Pope Saint Leo
XIII the Great, in the Bull of Beatification of this Saint, called him
'another James'; another Santiago. One reason for this was because he had
preached throughout all of Spain, cities, towns, villages, parish
churches, and so forth. There remained hardly a town or a village that had
not heard him preach. His apostolic zeal was great and ardent. God
confirmed his labours with great and notable Miracles. He was author of
innumerable works and devotions, the most famous of which is the 'Holy
Trisagion'. He was born in the city of Cadiz. He took the habit of a
Capuchin in Seville. He was an important and outstanding member of the
Brotherhood and Confraternity of Nazarenes of Our Father Jesus of Great
Power in Seville. 2.
Saint Joan of Aza. Mother
of Saint Dominic Guzman, Founder of the Order of Preachers. This Saint was
a most virtuous woman, who gave abundant proof of love for God, and love
for the poor, whom she continually assisted. God confirmed her works with
great Miracles and prodigies. She was born in Aza, a place under the
jurisdiction of the Archpresbyterate of Osma, in old Castile. 3.
Saint Manes Guzman. Brother of Saint Dominic. Receiving the
title of nobility, his it was to continue the noble line of the family of
Guzman. But he abandoned all, and consecrated himself to God, in the
Dominican Habit, joined his brother and undertook his apostolic life in
French territory. He founded the Convent of Santiago in Paris. 4.
Sant Anna Maria Taigi. She was born in the city of Sienna,
Italy. She was married and had eight children; exemplary wife, virtuous
woman, in imitation of the valiant woman of the Bible. She was favoured
with innumerable Visions, ecstasies, extraordinary and marvelous charisms.
She frequently experienced the Passion of Christ. Among the Messages she
received, there are many prophecies regarding the Last Times. Her body
rests in the Church of Saint Chrysogonous, of the Trinitarians in Rome.
She was a Trinitarian Tertiary, living during the 19th. century. 5.
Saint Nicholas Factor,
Franciscan Religious; was born in the year 1520, in Valencia. He died in
the same city in 1583. His Holiness Pope Pius VI Beatified him in 1786. He
was favoured with great charisms and Visions. He received important
prophecies about the Last Times. Outstanding are the prophecies about the
Great Pope and Great Monarch, who will crush the heretics and restore
great splendour to the Church. He speaks as well of the future grandeur of
Spain. The Spanish, obeying the orders of the Great Pope, will initiate a
great Crusade, and will renew the social reign of Jesus Christ. 6. Saint Thaddeus of Ireland. Bishop of Cork and Cloyne. He belonged to the royal family of McCarthy. He died on the 25th. of October, 1497, in the hospice of the Canons Regular of Saint Bernard of Montjoux, in Ivrea, at the foot of the Alps. He was Beatified In 1895 by Pope Saint Leo XIII the Great. He was very famous for his many Miracles. He had arrived at the Alps, the place of his death, coming from Rome, on foot and alone. 7. Saint Anthony Guzman. Older brother of Saint Dominic. On one occasion he spoke thus to his parents; "More than the glorious things of earth, I prefer those of Heaven. I wish to be the conqueror of souls. I wish to be a Priest." He was Chaplain in a Hospital of St. Dominic of Silos, on the way to Santiago, and attended the pilgrims and the sick, spiritually and physically. 8. Saint Felix Guzman. Father of Saint Dominic. He was known as a just and prudent man, of great virtue, like his spouse. 9. Saint Maria Coronel. As is known, she was first married to a man of virtue. It was during the time of the King Don Peter I, the Cruel, King of Castile, who, being very vicious, had a very bad reputation. This cruel king took as a prisoner the spouse of Saint Maria Coronel. She presented herself before the king to beg indulgence and clemency for her spouse. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty. The king became enamoured to her, and desired her to yield herself to him, for the freedom of her spouse. This virtuous Saint preferred prison for her spouse, rather than lose her chastity. Later her spouse was executed by order of the king, who was still captivated by the beauty of Saint Maria Coronel. The Saint desired at all costs to preserve her chastity, and took refuge in the Convent of Saint Clare in Seville. The king pursued her to the Convent, invaded the enclosure, desiring to abuse the Saint. At that moment Saint Maria Coronel was in the kitchen, where there was a pan of oil on the fire. Seeing the insistence of the king, and determined to be faithful to God and preserve her chastity, she took the pan of boiling oil, and poured it on her own face in order to lose her outward beauty, and preserve her spiritual beauty. The king did not molest her again. Two centuries after her death, from her sepulchre in the Convent of Poor Clares of St. Agnes in Seville, her body was moved to a more worthy part of the Convent. There occurred the following incident: Her body was incorrupt, the measurements faulty, and the coffin consequently too small. The Mother Superior of the Poor Clare, a woman of great faith, spoke thus to the dead Saint; "Sister, in the name of holy obedience, reduce your size." The dead Saint obeyed miraculously, and it became possible to place the body in the coffin. Innumerable are the testimonies of history, regarding the sanctity and heroic virtue of Saint Maria Coronel. Today, after six centuries, her incorrupt body is preserved in the Convent of St. Agnes in Seville. 10, Saint Michael de Manara y Vicentolo de Leca. This illustrious Saint was born in Seville and belonged to a Sevillan family of high nobility. He was wealthy, possessing a considerable fortune in gold, country estates and so forth. In his youth he was a great sinner, passing the time in worldly pleasures and delights. One day, strolling on the streets of Seville, he observed approaching, a funeral cortege with a great number of followers. He felt curiosity and approached the coffin to see who was the deceased, and was struck with amazement clearly to perceive that the dead man was himself. With the passing of the funeral, Saint Michael Manara understood that he was spiritually dead, walking on the path to eternal damnation. He was converted by this grace of prostration, like Saint Paul. As proof of authentic reparation for his past life, he abandoned everything, gave up his great fortune to the Church and to the poor. He founded the Hospital Asylum for the Aged of Holy Charity, and the Chapel of Saint George annexed to the Asylum. This Hospital still functions at its address on Temprado Street, near Santander Street, where We were born. From his conversion until his death, the Saint led a most pious life devoted to God and to the poor. Saint Michael Manara had the custom of speaking and writing frequently, commencing all his writings with these words; "Michael, servant of my lords the poor." In his testament, he asked that his body be buried under the very door of the Church, in order to be trampled upon by all men; and he ordered to be written on the stone these words; "Here lies the worst man in all the world." Declared Venerable, the Church had the body placed in a crypt under the High Altar. Interminable would be the list of heroic virtues of Saint Michael Manara. There are preserved in the gardens of the Hospital some rose bushes planted by the Saint. They are beautiful and abundant, and by their means, many there are who have received celestial graces. 11. Saint Madeline Porsat. Poor Clare of Lyon, France. She was born in 1773, and died in 1843. She was favoured with innumerable Visions and charisms. She received prophetic Messages regarding the future of the Church and the world, and she verified that many of them have already been fulfilled. 12. Saint Bartholmew Holzhauser. German Priest, who founded several Seminaries. He had great apostolic zeal, and undertook to restore spiritual life to Germany. A precious document about the Apocalypse of Saint John is attributed to him, amounting to a prophecy over the Church in six epochs, according to which our times are the 5th.and 6th. of these epochs. He died a saintly death in Biergen, Germany. 13. Saint Petra of Saint Joseph. She was born in the Province of Malaga in 1845. She founded the Congregation of Mothers of the Abandoned, as also the Sanctuary of Saint Joseph in Barcelona. This Religious Community is dedicated to the assistance of poor children, in homes, schools, and so forth. This Saint had a most special devotion to Saint Joseph, to whom she always went with her trials and problems. She gave assurance, that everything she asked of God through the intercession of Saint Joseph, she rapidly attained, above all in spiritual matters, and even in economic matters for the good of the Community. After her pious and holy death, there were innumerable Miracles and favours through her intercession. During the accursed and satanic Second Spanish Republic, the Communists invaded the Convent, and set fire to the sacred precincts. The incorrupt body of the Saint reposed in one of their Convents, and the Communists, burning with hate for Catholicism, put fire to the holy body, and reduced it to ashes. We know through sources worthy of belief, that most of those Communist profaners ended their days suffering great punishment from Heaven. 14. Saint Peter Urraca of the Most Holy Trinity, Priest of Our Lady of Ransom. He was born in Jadraque, in the Diocese of Siguenza, Spain, in 1583. At an early age, led by an apostolic zeal, he left Spain for Ecuador. In the city of Quito he made his Religious Profession in the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. Later he was sent to Peru, to the city of Lima, where he was ordained to the Priesthood. He spent the greater part of his Priesthood in the Confessional and in tireless preaching in the towns. For more than 30 years he used a penitential shirt made of chain, weighing about 15 lbs., wrapping his entire body. This penance he performed of his own desire. Later, under obedience, he was obliged to put aside the penitential shirt. God, Who wished to satisfy the Saint's desire to do penance, substituted for the chain shirt a skin disease that covered his body with scales and insects, devouring him without pity. He suffered paralysis for ten years, though the illness ceased when he celebrated Mass. In this way he would miraculously recover the movement of his body to be able to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He was outstanding for a most pious devotion to the Most Holy Trinity and to the Holy Cross of the Redeemer. He died in the year l657. His body reposes in the Church of Ransom, in Lima. 15. Saint Isidore of the Divine Shepherdess, Capuchin Priest, he was born and lived In Seville. He was famous as a great preacher who moved the most hardened sinners to be converted, Generally, when he preached, he made known the Virgin Mary, Empress of Heaven and Earth as he called Her. This Saint was favoured with innumerable Visions and charisms. Among the many Visions, in the chief place are those of the Virgin Mary under a new title; Divine Shepherdess of souls. He was the first mystic who saw the Virgin Mary as Divine Shepherdess. It was the 17th century, and this holy Capuchin, known as Fra Isidore of Seville, because of his Visions of the Divine Shepherdess, was terribly persecuted by Bishops, Priests, Religious, and so forth. Many of the theologians of the time accused him of being heretical, idolatrous, superstitious and fanatic. They did not understand that the Mother of God was Divine Shepherdess of souls. Later, his high mission as great apostle of the Divine Shepherdess was recognised, and devotion to the Divine Shepherdess spread throughout all Spain and Spanish America. To avoid confusing this Saint with the Doctor of the Church, Saint Isidore, Archbishop of Seville, We confer upon Fra Isidore of Seville the title; Saint Isidore of the Divine Shepherdess. 16. Saint Leo Papin Dupont. This admirable Saint is known mostly for his great devotion to the Holy Face. He is the exemplary and great apostle of the Holy Face. With the oil of the lamp before the Holy Face, he worked innumerable Miracles. He was known always as the 'Holy Man of Tours'. Saint Leo Papin Dupont ardently desired reparation to be made to the Holy Face. By means of this sweetest devotion to the Holy Face, there were many conversions in France. In Tours he founded the Oratory of the Holy Face and Our Lady of Pont. He died in sanctity, just as he had lived, in 1797. 17. Saint John Diego of Guadelupe. This Mexican Saint was an aboriginal American Indian, with some trace of Spanish blood in his family. He was favoured with great Visions and ecstacies of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, at Tepellac, known throughout the world as Our Lady of Guadelupe. The Most Blessed Virgin Mary impressed Her Sacred Image miraculously on the apron of Saint John Diego, remaining to this day, and manifesting another great miracle, ‑ since, in the eyes of the Celestial Mother, has remained impressed the figure of the Indian Saint John Diego. This good Indian, since his Celestial Visions, led a pious and holy life; and through his intercession, God has worked many Miracles, ‑ especially of the conversion of many Indians. 18. Saint Marie Julie Jahenny. She was born in 1850, in the region of Loire Atlantique, France. She was favoured with innumerable Visions, ecstasies, stigmatizations, extraordinary charisms, prophecies and so forth. She died in 1942. Her principal prophecies regard the reign of Antichrist and the Last Times. She is a great apostle of the devotions to the Most Sacred and Divine Heart of Jesus and to the Most Precious Blood. 19. Saint Mary Saint Peter of the Holy Family. She was born in Rennes, France, in 1816. She was a discalced Carmelite of the Convent of Tours, and was known as a mystic and seer of the Holy Face, and collaborated spiritually with the Holy Man of Tours. After a life of continual prayer, penance, mortification and apostolate of the Holy Face, she gave up her soul to God at the early age of 31 years, dying as saintly as she had lived. 20. Saint Bartholomew de las Casas. He was born in Seville in 1474. He was a Dominican, and received Episcopal Consecration in Seville in the old Dominican Convent of Saint Paul, today the Parish of Saint Mary Magdalene. Later he was named titular Bishop of Chiapa, in Spanish America. He was known as a great protector of the Indians, whom he called 'my little children'. He converted and Baptized innumerable Indians. Untrue are the stories, told by contemporaries, of Saint Bartholomew de las Casas, accusing him of exploiting the African Negroes. They even dared to put the name of the Saint as author under their confused stories. We know that at that time the American Continent was subject to the Spanish Crown. The Indians were not at all interested in working the earth for production. The Civil Authorities of Spain asked the advice of Saint Bartholomew de las Casas, in order that Holy Mother Church might solve the question. Saint Bartholomew knew perfectly well that in Africa, the English were trafficking in negro slaves, whom they treated worse than animals. Saint Bartholomew de las Casas, a just, prudent and wise man, considered logically, that he was being offered the opportunity of making a great apostolate to the negroes of Africa. The Saint persuaded Holy Mother Church to advise the Spanish Authorities to ransom the negroes, subjected to captivity by the English. The ransoms were paid by Spain to England in large sums of gold, since England grasped the opportunity of acquiring much money by selling negroes to the Spanish. In this way, besides evangelizing the Indians, Spain evangelized the African Negroes who were sent to America. Saint Bartholomew had the pious custom of going down to the ships, accompanied by some missionaries, and to distribute to the negroes who were arriving, food, clothing and coffee, as well as tobacco; afterwards he taught them catechism, and converted many of them. Many received the Sacrament of Baptism. As proof of this truth, any traveler who visits Spanish America can assure himself of the great catholicity and the great love for Mary of the negroes. The Spanish missionaries accepted the negroes with great joy into their Convents, ‑ a proof that there was no slavery. Our Saint died in 1566, with manifest proofs of sanctity, according as he had lived. 21. Saint Mary Joseph Rafols. She was born in Villafranca del Panades in the Province of Barcelona, in 1781. She founded the Institute of Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne. For her well authenticated works of charity, she was know as 'Heroine of Charity'. She endured imprisonment, exile, persecution, all for love of God, the Church, and Spain. In her prophetical writings she gives in detail each phase of the Spanish Civil War of 1936‑39, baptized with the name of 'Holy Crusade'. She has many prophecies about the Last Times. Her life was one of authentic abnegation. Her works were authenticated through many miracles and prodigies. She attained the end of her days in great holiness, and with heroic virtues in accord with the life she had lived. 22. Saint Mary Pilar Izquierclo. She was born in Saragossa in 1906. She endured many great illnesses. In one of these she remained 12 years bedridden, blind, paralyzed, almost deaf, her body covered with festering sores. During her years of sickness, many, who were called her spiritual daughters, came to her, and went away consoled and full of peace. She had the Heavenly gift of penetrating the consciences of those who were present, whether friend or foes. In spite of these illnesses, altogether incurable by medical science, she obtained a miraculous cure which she had announced prophetically before it had occurred. She suffered persecution and incomprehension on the part of the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, among which were Bishops and Priests. One of these persecutors was the present Cardinal Bueno Monreal. Precisely because of these persecutions, a famous mystic of Galicia bestowed on this Cardinal and on other Bishops the title 'Carnivorous wolves'. She founded the Missionary Work of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, dedicated to charity and missions among the poor. She achieved this foundation thanks to the Bishop of Madrid ‑ Alcala; the Most Illustrious Doctor, Eijo Garay. The Ecclesiastical Tribunal, formed by the Archbishop of Saragossa, despite the most clear and undeniable proof of the miraculous cure, nevertheless, accursed Tribunal that it was, unjustly and arbitrarily denied the supernatural character as well of the miraculous cure, as of the visions, ecstasies, stigmatizations and other charismatic graces. On a certain occasion, when Saint Mary Pilar lzquierdo was saddened and oppressed, the Most Holy Virgin appeared to her and said; "My beloved daughter, you must suffer with love. For it is necessary that all this happen for the glory of God and your mortification. My daughter, do not hope for anything from the Bishops. The majority of them will become your tormentors. There are only two who will listen to you with charity and help you; Cardinal Segura and Bishop Eijo Garay. To continue to talk with Bueno Monreal is like striking on stone; you will achieve nothing with him, even if there are moments when he seems willing to help. However, expect nothing from him." She delivered her soul to God, dying as she had lived, in sanctity. 23. Saint Andrew Manjon. Priest; was born in the Province of Burgos, in Sagentes. He was Doctor of Civil Law, Professor of Canon Law in Santiago and Granada. In 1888, he founded the schools of Ave Maria in Granada. One of his missions was the evangelizations of the Gipsies of Granada. Outstanding were his marvelous teaching methods, which bore great apostolic fruit. All who came to know him, were left in admiration of his virtues, apostolate, charity and sanctity. After an untiring and fruitful apostolate, he gave up his soul to God on the 10th of July, 1923. His body reposes, awaiting the resurrection of the flesh, in the Mother House of the Schools of Ave Maria in Granada, his soul without any doubt having received the incorruptible crown of glory. 24. Saint Leopold of Alpandeire. He was born 24th. June, 1866, in the Province of Malaga. He was a Capuchin lay‑Brother. His first years in Religion he lived in Seville. Afterwards he went to Granada, where he lived the greater part of his life. He was a tireless apostle. He fulfilled his great apostolate through charity. He went from house to house, hours at a time, gathering funds to help the poor. He was the almoner of the Convent, and was popularly called God's beggar. Although he was only a lay‑Brother, there were many who came to him for counsel and spiritual guidance. On one occasion, a famous Jesuit Father of Seville, in Granada at the time to give a Novena on the Immaculate, heard praises given to the lay‑Brother. The Jesuit, wise, and well prepared in spirit and doctrine, desired personally to acquaint himself with the life of St. Leopold of Alpandeire. He desired to converse with the lay‑Brother for only five minutes, with permission of his Superior. But since the conversation was so delightful, the five minutes became four hours. During this time, the lay‑Brother was obliged to seek permission in order to prolong the conversion. The Jesuit, greatly wondering at the wisdom of the poor lay‑almoner, asked him affectionately, "Little brother, where have you learned these things?" Saint Leopold replied; "Father, consider, I have not had much time to study. But, I will tell you, I say continually three Hail Mary's to the Virgin, and She does the rest." The Jesuit responded; "To be sure, today I have taken in my hands the most pleasant and delightful book, Without doubt, your three Hail Mary's, have much more effect than all my preparatory studies. Today I have learned by experience, that in spite of being a preacher of Mary, I have not learned the habit continually to go to Her." The leave‑taking was surprising and edifying. As is reasonable, the lay‑Brother piously kissed the hand of the Priest. But to the great surprise of the humble Saint, the Jesuit took the Capuchin's cord and piously kissed it. Let us say that it will not be long before the name of this Jesuit becomes known; ‑ because, we hope that he too, through the graces of intercession of Saint Leopold of Alpandeire, one day also will be raised to the glory of the altar, 25. Saint Maravillas of Jesus. Discalced Carmelite, she was born in Madrid, 4th. November, 1891. She made a vow of chastity when she was four years old. She founded the Monastery, Cerro of the Angels, besides many others. She had many Celestial Visions, and many special charisms. Her speech was always edifying. Those who heard her were moved the more to love God, the Blessed Virgin, and their neighbour. Her facial expression was grave, severe, and sweet at the same time. The peace of her soul shone through her face, and filled those present. A good number of sinners felt in her presence the supernatural grace of an authentic conversion. Saint Maravillas of Jesus, without wishing it or forming the intention, continually exercised the holy office of doctor, something beyond the true humility that was hers. Many times she felt repressed and timid, so as not to give guidance to others, imagining that for her to instruct others would be an act of pride. But, feeling the force and impulse that God was giving her to speak, she promptly obeyed the Divine Spouse. We had the great fortune to visit her on two occasions. Therefore We have drawn a true portrait of the Saint. On those two occasions, she brought to light with wisdom, the path We were one day to follow. In the second visit, she said with serenity, gravity, and sweetness; "You, one day, will guide the sacred destinies of the Church." We recall perfectly, that on saying these words, she made a deep inclination towards Us, who at the time were not even a cleric. In that moment We received a strong impulse, and, knees to the ground, We piously kissed the feet of that holy Carmelite. Taken by surprise, she spoke these homely and simple words; "Hear me now, I am not yet raised to the altar." With these words, We understood that, although she was not raised to the altar at that time, that day would come. Today, with the passing of time, We think she knew who would be the Pope of her canonisation. We name Saint Maravillas of Jesus Our special protectoress. She died in holiness in 1974. 26. Saint Teresa Higginson. Saint and mystic of the 19th. century, of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, England. Besides her well known virtues, Heaven favoured her with marvellous ecstasies, visions, stigmatizations, bilocation and other mystical graces. Many and important are her Messages and prophecies, among which there stand out the devotions to the Most Precious Blood, and to the Sacred Head of Jesus. She prophesied as well over the events of the Last Times. 27. Saint Teresa Neumann. She was born in 1898 in Konnersreuth, Bavaria, Germany. Favoured with stigmatization, she had numerous ecstasies, visions, bilocation, extraordinary charisms, and for a long time received no food other than the Holy Eucharist. On Many occasions she was a living tabernacle. Saint Pio of Pietrelcina on several occasions confirmed the authenticity of the mystical life of Saint Theresa Neumann. She died in sanctity in 1962. 28. Saint Joseph Gregory Hernandez. Venezuelan doctor known as a man of irreproachable life. An example and model of great virtue. Many times the cure of his sick patients was not due to medical science, but to his intercession with the Divine Infirmarian, Our Heavenly Mother. He died in holiness in the present century. After his pious death, innumerable persons have attained favours and graces through his intercession. No doubt, with this canonisation of Saint Joseph Gregory Hernandez, the true Catholics of Venezuela, will find a powerful protector and intercessor. We,
as Universal Doctor of the Church, desire to make clear that We canonise
only the holiness and heroic virtue of these members of the Mystical Body,
the Church, independently of their visions, ecstasies, prophecies, or
other special gifts. It is the common teaching of the Church that visions,
on the part of the recipient, indicate neither merit nor demerit, since
they are graces given gratuitously by God. God in His Infinite Mercy,
concedes these celestial and extraordinary charisms as help and complement
for the Church. We teach also the truth, defended in the Church, that it
would be rash to reject, hold in contempt, or ridicule these extraordinary
charisms produced by God in holy and trustworthy persons. We
confirm that these gratuitous charisms, if indeed they are not a principal
end, they are certainly efficacious means to attain sanctity by
co‑operation with grace. We desire to make quite clear this
indisputable truth. Not all the Saints receive these extraordinary
charisms; and also, not all charismatics are saints. There is a good
number of mystics who have not been raised to the altars; nor could they,
since they have not completely co‑operated with grace. It is also
certain that a good number of mystics have been condemned by God, and are
in Hell for all eternity. They received more celestial graces, and in
spite of them were not converted. They rejected grace, and precipitated
themselves into the Abyss. For greater grace received, greater
responsibility before the Judgement, without appeal, of God. We
ardently desire that the Saints whom today We have raised to the altar, be
powerful intercessors and protectors in the difficult hour the Church is
living. We exhort all the faithful to form the pious habit of going to
these new Saints, in order to entreat their beneficent protection over the
Church. Given
In Seville, at the Apostolic See, 17th. September, Feast of the
Stigmatization of Saint Francis of Assisi, the year of Our Lord Jesus
Christ MCMLXXVIII. With
Our Apostolic Blessing. Gregorius
XVII, P. P. Pontifex Maximus.
We,
Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, Successor of Saint Peter, Servant of the
Servants of God, Patriarch of El Palmar de Troya, decree; According
to the traditional observance of the Holy Catholic Church, there is the
strict obligation to obey the following norms of Christian Morality; 1.
As We have already required, in order to enter the sacred enclosure of El
Palmar de Troya, ‑ as likewise to assist at the Masses and other
cults celebrated by our Chaplains throughout Spain and other parts of the
world, ‑ and in order as well to take part in prayer groups, or
those reunions called Cenacles, it is obligatory: FOR
WOMEN: Head covered (veil, mantilla, etc.). The dress at least four inches below the knees; not close
fitting; not transparent; the sleeves long; not cut low at the neck. The
legs covered with stockings, from 14 years of age, while those who are
younger will at least wear socks. Trousers are forbidden. FOR
MEN: Clothing that is dignified and decent (long sleeves, shirt
buttoned at the top, and so forth). 2.
Women as well as men have the obligation, wherever they might be, to
observe the norms of Christian dress, that distinguish them as authentic
Christians. It is totally
forbidden for a woman to wear trousers, since trousers pertain exclusively
to men. Deuteronomy, 22, 5;
"A woman shall not be clothed with man's apparel; neither shall a man
use woman's apparel. For he that does these things is abominable before
God." 3.
Our Chaplains must require the strict fulfillment of the norms given
above, forbidding the faithful who do not comply from assisting at Mass,
or at other cults, or at reunions for prayer. Given
in Seville, at the Apostolic See, 18th, September, Feast of Saint Joseph
Cupertino Confessor, the year of Our Lord Jesus Christ MCMLXXVIII. With
Our Apostolic Blessing,
|