NOVENA A SÃO DOMINGOS DE GUSMÃO, – INÍCIO EM 26 DE JULHO – 1.º DIA: PUREZA

NOVENA A SÃO DOMINGOS DE GUSMÃO, – INÍCIO EM 26 DE JULHO – 1.º DIA: PUREZA

* São Domingos, no afresco "Zombando de Cristo", de Fra Angelico, beato dominicano.

Em preparação à memória litúrgica de S. Domingos de Gusmão, fundador da Ordem dos Dominicanos e instituidor do Santo Rosário, em 4 de agosto.

ORAÇÕES PARA ANTES DA LEITURA

Vinde, Espírito Santo, enchei os corações dos vossos fiéis e acendei neles o fogo do vosso amor.

V. Enviai, Senhor, o vosso Espírito e tudo será criado.

R. E renovareis a face da terra.

Oremos: Ó Deus, que instruístes os corações dos vossos fiéis com as luzes do Espírito Santo, fazei que nos regulemos pelo mesmo Espírito e gozemos sempre das suas consolações. Por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, vosso Filho, que é Deus convosco na unidade do Espírito Santo.

R. Amém.

Dulcíssimo Pai S. Domingos, tende compaixão dos aflitos, dos pobres peregrinos e desterrados do Céu, não desprezeis as nossas humildes súplicas, mas livrai-nos de todos os perigos e, pelas vossas santas orações, transportai-nos para o Reino da segurança e da paz.

V. Bom Jesus, pela oração de Domingos,

R. fazei que nos tornemos agradáveis a vossos olhos.

Oremos: Concedei-nos, Deus Onipotente, Vos pedimos, que os exemplos do glorioso Patriarca S. Domingos nos levem a uma vida melhor, a fim de que, honrando a sua memória, imitemos também as suas virtudes. Por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo, vosso Filho, que é Deus convosco na unidade do Espírito Santo.

R. Amém.

LEITURA

PRIMEIRO DIA

PUREZA DE S. DOMINGOS

S. Domingos é representado, quase sempre, com um lírio na mão, símbolo da sua angélica pureza. Todos os que viveram com o Santo Patriarca tinham a convicção de que ele era virgem, isto é, puro no corpo e na alma, que não só guardara a castidade perfeita, mas que também nunca cometera um único pecado mortal.

As testemunhas que depuseram no processo de canonização, algumas das quais conviveram com ele durante muitos anos, e o sacerdote que ouviu a sua última confissão geral, são unânimes sobre este ponto. “Nem a menor suspeita sobre a sua pureza”, dizia uma delas. Além disso, temos a confissão do próprio Patriarca. Pouco antes de comparecer perante o tribunal divino, chamou alguns religiosos para lhes fazer as últimas recomendações e declarou: – “Por uma graça especial do Senhor, guardei até hoje a virgindade”.

Domingos guardava esse tesouro inapreciável por meio duma profunda humildade, rigorosa penitência e assídua vigilância dos sentidos. Uma testemunha declara que quando o Santo atravessava as povoações, os seus olhos mal se levantavam da terra. E quando declarou que conservara a inocência, acusou-se de nunca ter podido dominar a imperfeição de sentir maior gosto em falar com pessoas novas do que com as idosas, donde se pode deduzir a sua extrema delicadeza de consciência, pois combatia sentimentos tão naturais que, não sendo maus, podem, por vezes, conduzir ao mal.

S. Domingos, como S. Paulo, castigava o corpo e reduzia-o à servidão, para que o espírito dominasse plenamente a carne e Deus morasse numa alma pura. Os corações puros, ensinou Jesus, são felizes porque veem a Deus.

S. Domingos facilmente entrava em comunicação com os espíritos angélicos e com o próprio Deus – a própria pureza – porque nenhuma falta embaciava os olhos do seu espírito. Esta pureza, dizia um dos seus filhos, era comunicativa, “cástitas transfusiva” e refletia-se no seu exterior, no seu corpo. A irmã Cecília, que, como filha espiritual e devotíssima de S. Domingos, o estudava e examinava atentamente, escreveu: “Da sua fronte e de entre as suas sobrancelhas, irradiava uma luz suave e brilhante que atraía os corações e simultaneamente infundia respeito e veneração”.

Esta pureza queria-a ele também para seus filhos. Recomendava-lhes que, nesta matéria, fossem rigorosos e vigilantes, sobretudo nas relações com pessoas de fora; de contrário, corriam graves perigos; por outro lado, com a pureza de vida e com o perfume duma boa reputação, colheriam abundantes frutos de salvação no seu ministério.

Nos primeiros tempos da Ordem eram tantas as almas puras que nela se acolhiam que chegaram a denominá-la “Ordo liliatus”, a Ordem dos Lírios.

O escapulário, emblema e escudo da castidade, foi dado à Ordem pela Rainha das Virgens, na pessoa do Beato Reginaldo, a quem Ela também ungiu os rins com o cíngulo da pureza, quando S. Domingos orava por ele.

Todo filho e devoto de S. Domingos deve, pois, cultivar com todo o esmero esta delicada flor, cujo perfume encanta os corações de Jesus e de Maria.

Peçamos a S. Domingos a estima e o amor da pureza, e procuremos imitar, para empregar as palavras do Beato Jordão, “este espelho de pureza, vaso de santidade, templo da virgindade, órgão do Espírito Santo, que durante a sua vida nunca expulsou da sua alma o doce Hóspede que nela habitava”.

ORAÇÃO PARA DEPOIS DA LEITURA

Louvado seja o nosso Redentor, que, querendo salvar todos os homens, deu ao mundo S. Domingos de Gusmão.

V. Coração de Jesus, abrasado de amor por nós.

R. Abrasai o nosso coração de amor por Vós.

Oremos: Senhor Jesus Cristo, que dissestes: pedi e recebereis, procurai e achareis, batei e abrir-se-vos-á, nós Vos pedimos, pelos méritos do vosso fiel servo Domingos e de vossa Mãe Santíssima, protetora e advogada da Ordem, e pela bondade inesgotável do vosso Coração, nos concedais as graças que humildemente Vos pedimos nesta novena, para que, seguindo fielmente os vestígios do nosso glorioso Patriarca S. Domingos, possamos com ele louvar-Vos e glorificar-Vos por toda a eternidade.

R. Amém.

RESPONSÓRIO DO PATRIARCA S. DOMINGOS

R. Oh admirável esperança, que destes aos que na hora da vossa morte choravam a vossa ausência, prometendo-lhes que, depois dela, havíeis de ser-lhe mais útil! Cumpri, ó Pai, o que prometestes, ajudando-nos com os vossos rogos.

V. Vós que resplandecestes com tantos milagres nos corpos dos enfermos, trazei-nos o socorro de Cristo, curai-nos da perversidade e corrupção dos costumes.

R. Cumpri, ó Pai, o que prometestes, ajudando-nos com os vossos rogos.

V. Glória ao Pai e ao Filho e ao Espírito Santo.

R. Cumpri, ó Pai, o que prometestes, ajudando-nos com os vossos rogos.

V. Rogai por nós, Bem-aventurado Pai S. Domingos.

R. Para que sejamos dignos das promessas de Cristo.

Oremos: Ó Deus, que Vos dignastes iluminar a santa Igreja com os merecimentos e a doutrina do Bem-aventurado Domingos, vosso confessor e nosso Patriarca, concedei-nos, por sua intercessão, a graça de sermos socorridos nas necessidades temporais e de crescermos sempre mais nos bens espirituais. Por Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo.

R. Amém.

Fonte: Novena a S. Domingos. Vários autores. 2. ed. actualizada. Editorial Apostolado do Rosário: Fátima (Portugal), 2006.

Orações pela escola de meninos dos Dominicanos de Avrillé, e por que devemos lutar no Brasil

Fonte

No início do ano de 2017, acontecerá na França a inspeção da escola de meninos dos Dominicanos de Avrillé (La Haye-aux-Bonshommes, Angers). O Ministério da Educação do governo socialista (e radicalmente anticatólico) ameaça fechá-la por não “defender suficientemente os valores republicanos”. Dirijamos pois instantes orações pela escola deste baluarte do cristianismo.

E é para que não nos vejamos os católicos brasileiros sob tacões como os dos revolucionários republicanos franceses ou espanhóis que devemos lutar no Brasil não só pela queda do governo do PT mas contra todas as correntes revolucionárias (e não se tenha dúvida: o que imediatamente se substitui ao PT não deixa de ser revolucionário). Está na hora de os católicos nos livrarmos de uma vez da inércia querida pela CNBB (majoritariamente aliada dos revolucionários) e, com a voz que nos for possível, somar-nos às manifestações do dia 31 e demais, mas distinguindo-nos perfeitamente por lemas próprios: liberdade para o ensino religioso, pelo homeschooling, pela família, contra a ideologia de gênero, contra o aborto – sempre com o rosário ou terço na mão, e sempre sob o estandarte de Cristo Rei.

Graças à inépcia e à cupidez do mesmo PT, e ao contrário do que muito infelizmente sucede hoje aos católicos de quase toda a Europa, deixamos no Brasil de estar totalmente sob tacões revolucionários. Logo, possibilitaram-se-nos meios mais diretamente políticos de atuação. Não os desperdicemos, enquanto é tempo. 

Em tempo: e apoiemos a restauração monárquica, contra a podridão republicana.    

Festa de Santa Maria Magdalena

Em relação à vida anterior da Mary Magdalena, sabemos apenas que ela era "uma mulher que era uma pecadora." A partir da profundidade de sua degradação, ela levantou os olhos para Jesus com tristeza, esperança e amor. Completamente coberta de vergonha, ela veio no lugar onde Jesus estava à mesa, e ajoelhou-se atrás dele. Ela não disse  nenhuma palavra, mas banhou seus pés com as suas lágrimas, enxugou-os com os cabelos da sua cabeça, beijou-os com humildade, e em seu toque seus pecados e sua mancha tinham desaparecido. Em seguida, ela derramou sobre eles o ungüento caro preparado para muitos outros usos; e Seus próprios Lábios divinos tirou sua reprovação, falou-lhe a absolvição e ordenou-lhe que fosse em paz. Daí em diante, ela estava com Jesus, sentou-se aos seus pés, e ouviu suas palavras. Ela era um membro da família "a quem Jesus amou" tanto que Ele ressuscitou seu irmão Lázaro da morte. Mais uma vez, na véspera de sua Paixão, ela trouxe os melhores ungüentos, e, agora purificada e amada, derramou sobre a sua cabeça, e toda a casa de Deus fica ainda preenchido com a fragrância de sua unção. Ela ficou com Nossa Senhora e São João ao pé da cruz, o representante dos muitos que tiveram muito perdoado. Ela foi a primeira, depois de sua Mãe Santíssima, e através dela aos seus apóstolos, que Nosso Senhor deu a certeza da Sua ressurreição; e ela foi a primeira com que Ele se-fez conhecido, chamando-a pelo nome, porque ela era sua. Quando os fiéis foram dispersos pela perseguição, a família de Betânia encontrou refúgio na Provence. A caverna em que Santa. Maria Magdala viveu durante trinta anos ainda é visto, e a capela no alto da montanha, no qual ela foi apanhado diariamente, como São Paulo, com "visões e revelações do Senhor." Quando o seu fim se aproximava, ela foi levada para um local ainda marcado por uma "coluna sagrada", onde o santo bispo Maximin aguardava; e quando ela tinha recebido seu Senhor, ela adormeceu pacificamente na morte.

(Taken from Lives of the Saints For Every Day In the Year, by Fr. Alban Butler (Tan Books and Purblishers, Inc., 1995- Traduzido por Ir. Raimundo de Pennafort, T.O.P.)

Apostola dos Apostoles, rogai por nos!

Novena en glorias de la amante arrepentida la gloriosa Santa Maria Magdalena : para alcanzar de Dios nuestro señor reforma de una mala vida, aumento de virtudes, y una feliz muerte

Aqui podem encontrar a Novena à Santa Maria Magdalena escrito pelo Dom Antonio Sanchez Cubillas. É uma novena bastante intenso e com varias penitencias. Vale a pena lê-lo tudo antes de começar. Esta versão é um livrinho próprio para imprimir.

Novena à Santa Maria Magdalena




Começa amanhã o 13 de julho a novena à Santa Maria Magdalena. Neste link pode encontrar uma versão em espanhol por Don Antonio Sanchez Cubillas do ano 1776 para imprimir.

Novena en glorias de la amante arrepentida la gloriosa Santa Maria Magdalena : para alcanzar de Dios nuestro señor reforma de una mala vida, aumento de virtudes, y una feliz muerte

Prayer to St. Mary Magdalene and Our Lord

by Saint Anselm 

St. Mary Magdalene, thou didst come with springing tears to the spring of mercy, Christ; from Him thy burning thirst was abundantly refreshed, through Him thy sins were forgiven; by Him thy bitter sorrow was consoled.

My dearest lady, well thou knowest by thine own life how a sinful soul can be reconciled with its creator, what counsel a soul in misery needs, what medicine will restore the sick to health.

It is enough for us to understand, dear friend of God, to whom were many sins forgiven, because she loved much.

Most blessed lady, I who am the most evil and sinful of men do not recall thy sins as a reproach, but call upon the boundless mercy by which they were blotted out.

This is my reassurance, so that I do not despair; this is my longing, so that I shall not perish.

I say this of myself, miserably cast down into the depths of vice, bowed down with the weight of crimes, thrust down by my own hand into a dark prison of sins, wrapped round with the shadows of darkness.

Therefore, since thou art now with the chosen because thou art beloved and are beloved because thou art chosen of God, I, in my misery, pray to thee in bliss; in my darkness, I ask for light; in my sins, redemption; impure, I ask for purity.

Recall in loving kindness what thou used to be, how much thou didst need mercy, and seek for me that same forgiving love that thou didst receive when thou wert wanting it. Ask urgently that I may have the love that pierces the heart; tears that are humble; desire for the homeland of Heaven; impatience with this earthly exile; searing repentance; and a dread of torments in eternity.

Turn to my good that ready access that thou once didst have and still doth have to the spring of mercy.

Draw me to Him where I may wash away my sins; bring me to Him Who can slake my thirst; pour over me those waters that will make my dry places fresh. Thou wilt not find it hard to gain all thou doth desire from so loving and so kind a Lord, Who is alive and reigns and is thy friend.

For who can tell, beloved and blest of God, with what kind familiarity and familiar kindness He Himself didst reply on thy behalf to the calumnies of those who were against thee? How He didst defend thee, when the proud Pharisee was indignant, how He didst excuse thee, when thy sister didst complain, how highly He didst praise thy deed, when Judas didst begrudge it.

And, more than all this, what can I say, how can I find words to tell, about the burning love with which thou didst seek Him, weeping at the sepulchre, and wept for Him in thy seeking?

How He cameth, who can say how or with what kindness, to comfort thee, and madest thee burn with love still more; how He didst hide from thee when thou didst want to see Him, and showed Himself when thou didst not think to see Him; how He was there all the time thou didst seek Him, and how He didst seek thee when, seeking Him, thou didst weep.

But Thou, most holy Lord, why didst Thou ask her why she weeps?

Surely Thou canst see her heart, the dear life of her soul, is cruelly slain.

O love to be wondered at;

O evil to be shuddered at;

Thou didst hang on the wood, pierced by iron nails, stretched out like a thief for the mockery of wicked men; and yet, 'Woman,' Thou didst say, 'why art thou weeping?' She had not been able to prevent them from killing Thee, but at least she longed to keep Thy Body for a while with ointments lest it decay.

No longer able to speak with Thee living, at least she could mourn for Thee dead. So, near to death and hating her own life, she repeats in broken tones the words of life which she had heard from the living.

And now, besides all this, even the Body which she was glad, in a way, to have kept, she believes to have gone.

And can Thou asketh her, 'Woman, why art thou weeping?'

Had she not reason to weep?

For she had seen with her own eyes---if she could bear to look---what cruel men cruelly did to Thee; and now all that was left of Thee from their hands she thinks she has lost.

All hope of Thee has fled, for now she has not even Thy lifeless Body to remind her of Thee.

And someone asks, 'Who art thou looking for? Why art thou weeping?'

Thou, her sole joy, should be the last thus to increase her sorrow. But Thou knowest it all well, and thus Thou didst wish it to be, for only in such broken words and sighs can she convey a cause of grief as great as hers. The love Thou hast inspired Thou didst not ignore.

And indeed Thou knowest her well, the gardener, Who planted her soul in His garden. What Thou plantest, I think Thou doth also water.

Does Thou water, I wonder, or does Thou test her?

In fact, Thou art both watering and putting to the test.

But now, good Lord, gentle Master, look upon Thy faithful servant and disciple, so lately redeemed by Thy Blood, and see how she burneth with anxiety, desiring Thee, searching all round, questioning, and what she longest for is nowhere found.

Nothing she seest canst satisfy her, since Thou Whom alone she wouldst behold, she seest not.

What then?

How long will my Lord leave His beloved to suffer thus?

Have Thou put off compassion now Thou hast put on incorruption? Did Thou let go of goodness when Thou didst lay hold of immortality?

Let it not be so, Lord.

Thou will not despise us mortals now Thou hast made Thyself immortal, for Thou didst make Thyself a mortal in order to give us immortality.

And so it is; for love's sake He canst not bear her grief for long or go on hiding Himself. For the sweetness of love He showeth Himself Who would not for the bitterness of tears.

The Lord calls His servant by the name she hast often heard and the servant doth know the voice of her own Lord.

I think, or rather I am sure, that she responded to the gentle tone with which He wat accustomed to call, 'Mary'. What joy filled that voice, so gentle and full of love.

He could not have put it more simply and clearly:

'I know who thou art and what thou wanteth; behold Me; do not weep, behold Me; I am He Whom Thou seekest.'

At once the tears are changed; I do not believe that they stopped at once, but where once they were wrung from a heart broken and self-tormenting they flow now from a heart exulting. How different is, 'Master!' from 'If thou hast taken Him away, tell me'; and, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him,' has a very different sound from, 'I have seen the Lord, and He hast spoken to me.'

But how should I, in misery and without love, dare to describe the love of God and the blessed friend of God? Such a flavour of goodness will make my heart sick if it has in itself nothing of that same virtue.

But in truth, Thou Who art very truth, Thou knowest me well and canst testify that I write this for the love of Thy love, my Lord, my most dear Jesus.

I want Thy love to burn in me as Thou commandest so that I may desire to love Thee alone and sacrifice to Thee a troubled spirit, 'a broken and a contrite heart'.

Give me, O Lord, in this exile, the bread of tears and sorrow for which I hunger more than for any choice delights.

Hear me, for Thy love, and for the dear merits of Thy beloved Mary, and Thy blessed Mother, the greater Mary.

Redeemer, my good Jesus, do not despise the prayers of one who hast sinned against Thee but strengthen the efforts of a weakling that loves Thee.

Shakest my heart out of its indolence, Lord, and in the ardour of Thy love bringest me to the everlasting sight of Thy glory where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, for ever. Amen.

Devotions to the Most Precious Blood

The Feast of the Precious Blood
by Fr. Johann Evalgelist Zollner, 1883


"Converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled."
-- Pet. 1: 18.

On this day, the Church celebrates the feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. This feast, which had been celebrated in some dioceses since the fifteenth century, on Monday after Trinity Sunday, was extended by Pope Pius IX. over the whole Christian world, and its celebration prescribed for the first Sunday of July. The time of persecution and suffering had already begun for the Sovereign Pontiff. Compelled by a revolution to leave Rome, he repaired to Gaeta, in the kingdom of Naples, where he lived in exile for seventeen months, till April, 1850. Here it was that on the tenth day of August, 1849, he instituted the feast of the Precious Blood. That most sacred blood is the price of our Redemption, and is poured out daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, whence it flows into the channels of the seven Sacraments, as an atonement for our sins and for our sanctification. For, as in Egypt, God was propitiated by the blood of the paschal lamb, the type and figure of the true Lamb of God, so He is propitiated by the blood of his Son, the true Paschal Lamb, which speaketh better than Abel's. Herein is the strongest evidence of the infinite love of Jesus Christ, who not only once, but seven times, shed his precious blood amidst the most cruel sufferings for our salvation. Let this seven-fold shedding of the precious blood be the subject of our present meditation.

1. The first shedding of blood was at His Circumcision: 

Jesus shed His blood the first time when He was circumcised. According, to the law of Moses, every Israelitish male child was to be circumcised eight days after his birth. This circumcision was a sign of the covenant which God had made with the children of Israel. The circumcised belonged only to the people of Israel, and partook of the graces which God bestowed on this people; they were also obliged to observe the law of Moses. Out of obedience to the laws Jesus permitted himself to be presented in the temple, to be circumcised, but thereby he had a far higher purpose; he wished to indicate the mystery that he would redeem us by the shedding of His precious blood. When our Saviour was born in Bethlehem, the holy angels announced Him as our Redeemer, without intimating, however, in what manner He was to redeem the world. Eight days later Jesus himself revealed this mystery of blood by His circumcision. As a rosy morn announces an evening rain, so this rosy morn of circumcision means nothing else than that in the evening of His life His blood was to flow, like rain, from all the veins of His sacred body.

This first shedding of the precious blood is an exhortation to us to serve Jesus from our earliest childhood. When He shed His blood as a mere infant, is it not becoming that we should devote to His service the years of our childhood? But, alas! how many of us have urgent reasons to exclaim with David: "The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember."--Ps. 24: 7. Think of the years of your childhood; did you not pass them in levity? Did not some of you suffer shipwreck of your innocence and commit grievous sins in those years. Call to mind the years of your youth. Did you not commit sins then, which perhaps on your death-bed will lie on your conscience as a heavy load? Let us then repent of the many sins of our childhood and youth and let us at least henceforth lead a penitent life. You, Christian parents, possess a special means of atoning for the sins of your youth by educating your children in the fear and love of God.

2. The shedding of blood in the garden of Olives:

The Evangelist says: "And being in an agony, He prayed the longer And His sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground."--Luke, 22: 43. 44. The love of Jesus was so great that He would not wait for the scourges, thorns and nails, but, as the myrrh sends forth its precious oil through the foliage before its bark is cut, so His infinite love and His desire to redeem us urged Him to shed for us His innocent blood in the garden of Olives as a sacrifice of propitiation. This sheding of blood in the garden of Olives was the most painful of all His sufferings; for it was not caused by external, bodily wounds, but by internal sufferings, by the agony of His soul. Jesus anticipated in it His entire Passion, which was vividly represented before His eyes. He trembled at the thought of the loss of so many souls for whom he foresaw he would die in vain; who might be saved, but will not. When the death agony is very severe, you notice with heartfelt compassion, large drops of sweat on the brow and face of the dying. But there was never heard of a dying man who sweat drops of blood. Our Saviour alone exhibited this sign of mortal anguish at the moment when He commenced His sacred Passion.

A legend says that on every place where a drop of Jesus's blood trickled down, a flower sprang up. Spiritually explained, this legend is literally true. Meditation on our Saviour's shedding blood in the garden is the fruitful seed of virtue. Can you be so cruel as to offend Jesus again by sins, when you remember his sadness of spirit and his agony caused by your sins, which was so vehement that he sweat blood? Or can you be indifferent to your own salvation and persevere in an impenitent spirit when you reflect that the remembrance of His sacred Passion being fruitless in regard to many sinners because of their obduracy, made the Son of God sweat blood?

3. Jesus is scourged. The four Evangelists narrate that Jesus was Scourged:

Thus St. Matthew says that ''Pilate having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to the Jews to be crucified. The Jews were forbidden by law to inflict more than forty stripes. The Romans had no number of stripes fixed by law. That Jesus was scourged after the manner of the Romans is evident from the fact that it was a Roman judge that passed sentence upon Him, as also from the words of Jesus: "They shall deliver the Son of Man to the Gentiles to be mocked, and to be scourged, and to be crucified."--Matt. 20: 19. This punishment, as inflicted by the Romans, was one of excessive cruelty. Many expired before it was finished. As Pilate by the punishment of scourging intended to move the Jews to compassion, it is to be inferred that it was inflicted on Jesus with the utmost cruelty. The prophets who saw in spirit our scourged Saviour, say of him that "from the sole of the foot unto the top of the head, there is no soundness therein; wounds and bruises and swelling sores."--Isaiah, 1: 6. They say there was no beauty in Him, nor comeliness; that they thought Him, as it were, a leper, and as one struck by God.--Is. 53: 2-5. Our Saviour was so cruelly scourged that even Pilate, the heartless Gentile, cried out at the pitiable sight: "Behold the man."

St. Bridget, when a child of ten years, saw in a vision our Saviour in the act of being scourged. The good child, moved to compassion, said: "Who has disfigured you thus?" Jesus answered: "Not the Jews only have done it, but all those who despise my love." And who are these? Especially those Christians who do not endeavor to restrain the passions of their flesh. If your conscience reproaches you with having scourged your Redeemer anew by committing such heinous sins, repair the outrage by a virtuous and penitential life. "Let not sin therefore, reign in your mortal body so as to obey the lusts thereof," (Rom. 6: 12); on the contrary, "mortify your members which are upon the earth," (Col. 3: 5); and make no provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.--Rom. 13: 14.

4. Jesus shed His blood the fourth time, when he was crowned with thorns:

The Evangelist, St. Matthew, relates this cruel coronation, in the following manner: "Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto Him the whole band, and stripping Him, they put a scarlet cloak about Him. And plaiting a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked Him saying: Hail, king of the Jews. And spitting upon Him, they took the reed and struck His head."--Matt. 27: 27-30. The adorable head of Jesus had thus its own sufferings. The coronation was as ignominious as it was painful; ignominious, because in order to jeer at His pretensions, they put a crown of thorns upon his head; painful, because of the many wounds the thorns made in His head.

The coronation is to us an earnest exhortation to banish all proud and ambitious thoughts from our minds. Jesus crowned with thorns says to us: "Learn of Me, because I am meek and humble of heart."--Matt. 11: 29. "Far be it from me," said St. Elizabeth of Hungary, "that I, poor creature that I am, should appear with a bright crown upon my head before my God and Saviour, who, being king of heaven and earth, wore a crown of thorns."

5. Jesus shed his blood the fifth time, carrying the cross:

We cannot doubt that Jesus shed blood when He carried the cross. When he took the cross upon his shoulders, he was already bruised, and full of wounds, which, being fresh, bled continually; He also fell several times under the heavy weight of the cross, whereby He received new wounds, out of which blood flowed; He was also struck by the soldiers and executioners, and this could not be done without shedding blood.

The precious blood which Jesus shed when carrying the cross, points out to us the way that leads to heaven. It is no other way than that which He trod before us; the way of the cross. Jesus Himself declares: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."--Matt. 16: 24. Both the sinner and the just man must tread this bloody way; the sinner, because without mortification he is not able to overcome his passions and do penance; the just man, because without self-denial it is impossible to resist the many temptations with which all are assailed, to make progress in virtue, and to persevere in justice to the end. Let us follow Jesus on the way of the cross, let us suffer with Him, that we may be glorified with Him.--Rom. 8: 7.

6. Jesus shed his blood the sixth time, when He was crucified:

St. John (19: 18) says: "Bearing His own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him." Having arrived at the place of execution, the soldiers stripped off His clothes, and crucified Him, by piercing His hands and feet with heavy nails, and fastening them to the wood of the cross. Who is able to describe the torments of our dear Lord, when He was nailed to the cross and hung thereon, supported by His own wounds? How truly can He cry out with the Prophet: "O all ye that pass by the way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like to my sorrow."-- Lam. 1: 12.

Cast one glance at your crucified Redeemer and take to heart the words of St. Bernard: "I need no other evidence to convince me how grievous an evil sin must be. I know sufficiently from the nature of the medicine; the nature of my wound, and the remedy being so painful, I clearly see how dangerous my disease was. God himself, the holy and innocent God, would suffer in His human nature for the sins that we regard so little; for the guilty pleasures we enjoy so easily, God Himself would die the death, the most ignominious death, of the Cross." O let us make the resolution, never again to offend God by a mortal sin.

7. The seventh and last time Jesus shed His blood was when His side was opened:

"When the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one of the soldiers opened His side with a spear and immediately there came out blood and water."--John, 19: 33, 34. Blood and water came out as an evidence that these were the last drops of the Sacred Blood. Thus it is literally true, that our Redeemer shed the last drop of his blood for us. We are reminded of this infinite charity by the separate consecration of bread and wine in holy Mass, for after the Elevation the Body and the Blood of Christ appear separated, the sacred species being separated on the altar.

By the shedding of the precious blood from the wound of the Sacred Heart our Saviour gave us the last proof of His infinite love. Let us return the love of Jesus by devoting to Him all the affections of our heart. Let us give Him a proof of our love by fulfilling His divine will and fearing nothing so much as to offend Him. "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me."--John, 14: 21.

Peroration:

Thus Jesus shed His precious blood seven times, and the price of these seven sheddings of blood is found in the seven Sacraments, by which we are cleansed from sin and sanctified. These seven sheddings of blood remind us also of the three Theological and the four Cardinal virtues; also of the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly or capital sins, which are infused into us by baptism; also of the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, which we receive in confirmation, and finally of the seven days of the week, which we should dedicate to the service of God. The covenant between God and the Israelites was sealed with blood. The new covenant was sealed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The covenant between God and men is sealed again as many times as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered to God. Assist, whenever you can, at the tremendous Sacrifice of the Mass, and frequently receive holy communion.

________________________


Offering of the Precious Blood

Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in Atonement for my sins, and in supplication for the holy souls in purgatory and for the needs of Holy Church.

(500 days indulgence. An indulgence of 3 years if recited
during the month of July)


________________________




Devout Aspiration to the Precious Blood
(An Indulgence of 100 days)

Glory be to Jesus!
Who in bitter pains
Poured for me the life-blood
From His sacred veins.

Grace and life eternal
In that blood I find:
Blessed be His compassion,
Infinitely kind!

Blessed through endless ages
Be the precious stream,
Which from endless torment
Doth the world redeem.

There the fainting spirit
Drinks of life her fill.
There, as in a fountain,
Laves herself at will.

O the blood of Christ!
It soothes the Father's ire,
Opens the gate of heaven,
Quells eternal fire.

Abel's blood for vengeance
Pleaded to the skies;
But the blood of Jesus
For our pardon cries.

Oft as it is sprinkled
On our guilty hearts,
Satan in confusion,
Terror-struck, departs.

Oft as earth exulting
Wafts its praise on high,
Hell with terror trembles,
Heaven is filled with joy.

Lift ye, then, your voices,
Swell the mighty flood;
Louder still and louder,
Praise the precious blood!

________________________




Invocations and Prayers

O Father! O Son! O Holy Ghost!
O most holy Trinity! O Jesus! O Mary!
Blessed angels, and all ye saints of heaven! obtain for me these graces which I ask through the most precious blood of Jesus Christ:

1. To do always the will of God.
2. To be always united with God.
3. To think only of God.
4. To love only God.
5. To do everything for God.
6. To seek only the glory of God.
7. To become a saint solely for God.
8. To know well my nothingness.
9. To know always more and more the will of God.
10. (Here ask for some particular grace which you may desire to obtain.)Mary most holy! offer to the eternal Father the most precious blood of Jesus Christ for my soul, for the holy souls in purgatory, for the wants of holy Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the whole world.

Then say the Glory be to the Father three times, in honor of the most precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Hail Mary once, to Mary, Mother of Sorrows, and once the Requiem eternara, for the souls in purgatory.

(An Indulgence of 300 days, once a day)

________________________




Prayer to Jesus

We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: Whom Thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.

(Indulgence of 300 days)




Prayer of Petition

Lord Jesus Christ, who camest down from heaven to earth from the bosom of the Father, and didst shed Thy Precious Blood for the remission of our sins: we humbly beseech Thee, that in the day of judgment we may deserve to hear, standing at Thy right hand: "Come, ye blessed." Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

(ROMAN MISSAL: Indulgence of 5 years)


________________________


Litany of the Most Precious Blood

Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.


Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
Wash us O Saving Blood. *

Blood of the New Testament, *
Price of our redemption, *
Fountain of divine grace, *
Source of eternal life, *
Reparation for our sins, *
Pledge of everlasting happiness, *
Oblation of divine justice, *
Key of heaven, *
Purification of our souls, *
Deliverance from sin, *
Healing balm for our wounds, *
Remission of our sins, *
Infinite ransom paid for our debts, *
Life-giving fountain, *
Hope of the poor, *
Solace of the afflicted, *
Support of the weak, *
Remedy for the sick, *
Reconciliation of sinners, *
Joy of the just, *
Refuge of all Christians, *
Admiration of Angels, *
Consolation of Patriarchs, *
Desire of Prophets, *
Strength of Apostles, *
Hope of Martyrs, *
Justification of Confessors, *
Sanctification of Virgins, *
Crown of the Blessed, *

Be merciful,
Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.


From all evil,
Lord Jesus, deliver us. **

From all injustice, **
From all pride and vanity, **
From all envy and ill-will, **
From all uncleanness and gluttony, **
From all anger and hatred, **
From all sloth, **
From eternal damnation, **
Through Thy Most Precious Blood, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed in Thy Circumcision, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed on Mount Olivet, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed under the maltreatment of Thy enemies, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed at Thy scourging, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed at the crowning with thorns, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed on Thy road to Calvary, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst shed when Thou wert stripped of Thy clothes, **
Through the most Precious Blood Thou didst shed when Thy Sacred Heart was pierced, **
Through the Precious Blood Thou didst give to Thy Disciples at Thy last Supper, **
Through the same Precious Blood which is still daily consecrated at the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, **


We poor sinners,
Beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst spare us,
We beseech Thee, hear us. ***

That Thou wouldst pardon us, ***
That Thou wouldst grant us true piety, ***
That Thou wouldst fill our hearts with gratitude and love, ***
That Thou wouldst fill our hearts with a holy fear, ***
That Thou wouldst give us true repentance for our sins, ***
That through Thy Precious Blood Thou mayest assist us in our last agony, ***
That through the same Precious Blood Thou mayest grant us a happy death, ***
That through it Thou mayest save us from Purgatory, ***
That through it Thou mayest redeem the poor souls from their sufferings, ***
That through it Thou mayest show mercy to all, ***


Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
Have mercy on us.

Christ hear us.
Christ, graciously here us.
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Our Father (secretly). Hail, Mary (secretly).

V. Jesus Christ has loved us.
R. And through His Precious Blood washed us from our sins
V. Assist Thy servants, O Lord.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy Precious Blood.


Let us pray:

Most merciful Redeemer, through the price of Thy Precious Blood, and through the merits of Thy bitter passion and death: grant that we may make ourselves worthy to enter that happiness which Thou didst purchase for us. Amen.

________________________


Ejaculation to be Said in Reparation for Blasphemies

Eternal Father, by the most precious Blood of Jesus Christ, glorify His most holy name, according to the intention and the desires of His adorable Heart.

(Indulgence of 300 days. --Pius X, 1908)

How few there are who avail themselves of the precious Blood of Jesus to purchase their salvation!--St. Ignatius

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The Most Precious Blood

Homily of St. Augustine, Bishop
Treatise 120 on John

A suggestive word was made use of by the Evangelist, in not saying: he pierced His side; or: he wounded; or anything like that, but: he opened; that therein might, as it were, be thrown open the door of life, from which have flowed forth the sacraments of the Church, without which there is no entrance into life that is truly life. The blood that was shed, was shed for the remission of sins. That water makes up the health-giving cup; and gives at the same time a bath and a draught. This was announced beforehand, when Noe was commanded to make a door in the side of the ark, through which the animals, not destined to perish in the flood, might enter, and by which the Church was prefigured. Because of this, the first woman was made from the side of the man while he slept, and she was called Life and Mother of the living. For the name signified a great good, before the great evil of her sin. This second Adam bowed His heads fell asleep on the cross, in order that from there a spouse might be formed for Him from that which He shed from His side as He slept. O death whereby the dead are raised anew to life! What is purer than this blood? What more health-giving this wound?

Men who were held in slavery under the devil served the devil and served the demons; but they have been redeemed from captivity. For they could sell themselves, but they could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer came, and paid the price; He shed His blood, and bought the world. Do you ask what He bought? See what He gave, and you will find out what He bought. The blood of Christ is the price. What is it worth? What, but the whole world? What, but all nations. Very ungrateful for their price or very proud, are they who say that the price is of such small worth as to buy only the Africans; or that they are so great, that it was given for them alone. Therefore let them not rejoice or be proud. What He gave, He gave for the whole world.

He had His blood, by which He redeemed us; and to this end He took blood, that He might shed it in order to redeem us. If you wish it, the blood of your Lord was given for you; if you do not wish it, it was not given for you. For perhaps you will say: My God had blood, with which He redeemed me, but now since He has suffered, He has given it all; what has remained to Him, that He may also give for me? This is a great thing, because He gave once, and He gave for all. The blood of Christ is salvation to him who wishes it, punishment to him who does not wish it. Why, therefore, do you hesitate to be set free from the second death, you who do not wish to die? By this you are set free, if you are willing to take up your cross, and follow the Lord; for He took up His cross and looked for His servant.

________________________


A Chaplet of the Precious Blood of Jesus

They, who recite devoutly the following Chaplet of the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, may every day gain an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines; they Who recite it daily, may, once a month gain A Plenary Indulgence, by complying with the usual conditions. They who recite only the concluding prayer: O most precious Blood, etc., may every day gain an indulgence of Three Hundred Days. All these indulgences are applicable to the souls of the faithful departed. 

This Chaplet is composed of seven mysteries, in which are considered the seven times that Jesus shed his Blood for the love of us. After each mystery, the Lord's Prayer is said five times, and Glory be to the Father, once, except at the last mystery, when only three paters are said, to complete the number 33, corresponding to the 33 years which our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, lived upon earth; during which this adorable Blood flowed in His sacred veins before it was shed for the redemption of the world.

Note: July is the month of devotion to the precious Blood of Jesus.



V. O God, come to my aid.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. world without end. Amen. 




FIRST MYSTERY. 

Our most amiable Redeemer shed, for the first time, His most precious Blood on the eighth day after His birth, when He was circumcised to fulfill the law of Moses; reflect that Jesus did so to satisfy the Divine Justice for our transgressions. Oh! let us excite in our hearts sincere sorrow for them, and let us promise, with his all powerful grace, to be henceforward truly chaste in body and soul.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




SECOND MYSTERY. 

Our most amiable Redeemer shed His sacred Blood in the Garden of Olives in so great a quantity, that the earth all around was moistened with it; and this was at the sight of the ingratitude with which he was to be repaid by men. Oh! let us then repent of having hitherto corresponded so ill to the innumerable favors of the Lord, and let us resolve to make in the future, good use of His grace and holy inspirations. Amen.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




THIRD MYSTERY. 

Our most amiable Redeemer shed His precious Blood, the third time, when He was cruelly scourged at the Pillar. Then as the skin and flesh were torn, gushed out abundantly those precious streams, which He offered to His eternal Father, in satisfaction for our impatience and dislike of suffering. Why, therefore, do we not subdue our anger and self love? Oh! let us labor for the time to come, to be more patient in tribulations, to despise ourselves, and to endure peacefully the injuries that may be done us.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




FOURTH MYSTERY. 

Our most amiable Redeemer's Blood flowed from His most sacred Head, when crowned with thorns, to expiate our pride and wicked thoughts. And shall we still cherish haughtiness in our breast, and impure and perverse ideas in our mind? Oh! let us always be mindful of our own nothingness, wretchedness, and frailty, and let us generously resist all the sinful suggestions of the devil.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




FIFTH MYSTERY. 

Oh! how much Blood flowed from the veins of our amiable Jesus, in His most painful journey to Calvary, burdened, as He was, with the heavy wood of the Cross. This precious blood was sprinkled along the streets of Jerusalem, and every place through which He passed. He suffered this in satisfaction for the scandals and bad examples, by which His creatures drew others into the way of perdition. Oh! who knows whether we do not belong to the number of these unhappy wretches? Who knows how many have been cast into hell by the wicked example of our lives, and yet we do not overcome it? Ah! let us for the time to come contribute to the salvation of souls by advice, by edification, and by setting the example of good and holy works.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




SIXTH MYSTERY. 

The Redeemer of mankind shed His Blood still more copiously in His barbarous crucifixion, when the veins were torn, and the arteries broken, there issued from the wounds of His sacred hands and feet, that saving balm of eternal life. His blood flowed in torrents to wash away the wickedness and iniquity of the world, and to give us eternal life. And can there still be found men who will continue in sin, and thus renew the cruel passion of the Son of God? Oh! let us lament bitterly the faults we have committed; let us detest them at the feet of His sacred Minister; let us reform our ways, and enter on a Christian life, from this day forward, considering how much blood our salvation has cost our amiable Jesus.

Say the Lord's Prayer five times, and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood. 




SEVENTH MYSTERY. 

Our most amiable Redeemer shed His precious Blood even after His death, when His loving heart and sacred side were opened by the spear; water also issued from this sacred wound, to show that His Blood was entirely exhausted, having been shed to the last drop for our Redemption. Oh, infinite goodness of our divine Redeemer! who will not love Thee? who will not melt with tender affection for thee, after so much toil and pain endured for our Redemption? Ah! since we want words to express ourselves, let us invite all the creatures of the earth; let us invite all the angels and saints in heaven, and especially Mary, our dear Mother, to bless, to praise, and to glorify Thy most precious Blood! Yes, praised be the Blood of Jesus, now and at all times, and for all eternity. Amen.

After this last mystery, say the Lord's Prayer only three times,
and Glory be to the Father, once.

V. We beseech thee, O Lord, to help Thy servants.
R. Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood.


Then recite the following Prayer : 

O most precious Blood, source of eternal life, the price and ransom of the entire world, refreshment, and laver of our souls, which dost continually advocate the cause of man before the throne of the Sovereign Mercy, I adore thee profoundly, and wish, as far as in me lies, to compensate the injuries, and the barbarous treatment, which thou continually receivest, and especially from those who rashly dare to blaspheme Thee. Oh! who will not bless this Blood of infinite value? Who will not feel his heart inflamed with love for Jesus, that shed it? What would have become of me, if I were not redeemed with this divine Blood? But what has drained the sacred veins of my Lord of His Blood, even to the last drop? Ah! it was surely His love. O infinite love, which has bestowed on us this all-healing balsam! O inestimable balsam, springing from the fountain of immense love! Oh ! make all hearts and all tongues praise, glorify, and thank Thee, now and for all eternity. Amen.

V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, by Thy Blood.
R. And hast made us a kingdom to our God.


Let us Pray. 

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast appointed Thy only begotten Son, the Redeemer of the world, and wouldst be appeased by His Blood; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so venerate with solemn worship, this price of our Redemption, as to be protected by its virtue from the evils of this present life, and enjoy eternal rewards in Heaven: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Blessed are they who wash their robes in the Blood of the Lamb; that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.--Apocal. xxii. 14

The American College of Pediatricians speaks up about the issue of Gender Ideology.

The American College of Pediatricians has posted a timeless article on their site defending children against the social ill of Gender Ideology. I admire these brave doctors for the public stance they have taken on an issue that seems to be causing constant controversy.

Gender Ideology Harms Children

Originally posted March 21, 2016 – a temporary statement with references. A full statement will be published in summer 2016. Updated with Clarifications on April 6, 2016.

The American College of Pediatricians urges educators and legislators to reject all policies that condition children to accept as normal a life of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex. Facts – not ideology – determine reality.

1. Human sexuality is an objective biological binary trait: “XY” and “XX” are genetic markers of health – not genetic markers of a disorder. The norm for human design is to be conceived either male or female. Human sexuality is binary by design with the obvious purpose being the reproduction and flourishing of our species. This principle is self-evident. The exceedingly rare disorders of sex development (DSDs), including but not limited to testicular feminization and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, are all medically identifiable deviations from the sexual binary norm, and are rightly recognized as disorders of human design. Individuals with DSDs do not constitute a third sex.1

2. No one is born with a gender. Everyone is born with a biological sex. Gender (an awareness and sense of oneself as male or female) is a sociological and psychological concept; not an objective biological one. No one is born with an awareness of themselves as male or female; this awareness develops over time and, like all developmental processes, may be derailed by a child’s subjective perceptions, relationships, and adverse experiences from infancy forward. People who identify as “feeling like the opposite sex” or “somewhere in between” do not comprise a third sex. They remain biological men or biological women.2,3,4

3. A person’s belief that he or she is something they are not is, at best, a sign of confused thinking. When an otherwise healthy biological boy believes he is a girl, or an otherwise healthy biological girl believes she is a boy, an objective psychological problem exists that lies in the mind not the body, and it should be treated as such. These children suffer from gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria (GD), formerly listed as Gender Identity Disorder (GID), is a recognized mental disorder in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-V).5 The psychodynamic and social learning theories of GD/GID have never been disproved.2,4,5

4. Puberty is not a disease and puberty-blocking hormones can be dangerous. Reversible or not, puberty- blocking hormones induce a state of disease – the absence of puberty – and inhibit growth and fertility in a previously biologically healthy child.6

5. According to the DSM-V, as many as 98% of gender confused boys and 88% of gender confused girls eventually accept their biological sex after naturally passing through puberty.5

6. Children who use puberty blockers to impersonate the opposite sex will require cross-sex hormones in late adolescence. Cross-sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) are associated with dangerous health risks including but not limited to high blood pressure, blood clots, stroke and cancer.7,8,9,10

7. Rates of suicide are twenty times greater among adults who use cross-sex hormones and undergo sex reassignment surgery, even in Sweden which is among the most LGBQT – affirming countries.11 What compassionate and reasonable person would condemn young children to this fate knowing that after puberty as many as 88% of girls and 98% of boys will eventually accept reality and achieve a state of mental and physical health?

8. Conditioning children into believing that a lifetime of chemical and surgical impersonation of the opposite sex is normal and healthful is child abuse. Endorsing gender discordance as normal via public education and legal policies will confuse children and parents, leading more children to present to “gender clinics” where they will be given puberty-blocking drugs. This, in turn, virtually ensures that they will “choose” a lifetime of carcinogenic and otherwise toxic cross-sex hormones, and likely consider unnecessary surgical mutilation of their healthy body parts as young adults.

Michelle A. Cretella, M.D.
President of the American College of Pediatricians

Quentin Van Meter, M.D.
Vice President of the American College of Pediatricians
Pediatric Endocrinologist

Paul McHugh, M.D.
University Distinguished Service Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical School and the former psychiatrist in chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital

Check out the entire article here with notes and clarifications.

MANDATO APOSTOLICO de Dom Tomás de Aquino

Nova Friburgo, Brasil, 19/03/2016

MANDATO APOSTOLICO



-Tendes um mandato?

-Temos.

-Que seja lido.

Nòs o temos da Igreja Romana, que, em sua fidelidade às santas tradições recebidas dos Apòstolos, nos ordena transmitamos fielmente estas santas tradições – ou seja, o depòsito da Fè – a todos os homens em razão de seu dever de salvar suas almas.

Ora, de um lado, as autoridades da Igreja Romana desde o Concìlio Vaticano II atè hoje estão animadas por um espìrito de modernismo que subverte profundamente a Santa Tradição atè ao ponto de perverter a noção mesma de Tradição: “Eles jà não suportam a sã doutrina, afastando-se de toda Verdade, aplicando-se às fàbulas,” como diz São Paulo a Timòteo em sua segunda epìstola (IV, 3-5). Que adiantaria pedir a tais autoridades um mandato para sagrar um Bispo que se oporà profundamente a seu tão grave erro?

Por outro lado, para ter tal Bispo, os poucos catòlicos que compreendem sua importância poderiam, mesmo apòs o Vaticano II, esperar que viesse da Fraternidade São Pio X de Dom Marcel Lefebvre, assim como este lhe sagrou quatro por um primeiro mandato de suplência em 1988. Infelizmente, observando que as autoridades da Fraternidade tomam o mesmo caminho liberal, remetendo-se constantemente às autoridades romanas, tal esperança se afigura vã.

E, então, donde esses catòlicos fièis obterão os Bispos necessàrios para a sobrevivência de sua verdadeira Fè? Em um mundo cada dia mais oposto a Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo e à sua Igreja, o perigo parece tão grande que, enquanto Pedro não se converter (Luc. XXII, 32), è a pròpria Santa Igreja que nos pede de vir em socorro das ovelhas abandonadas, assegurando-lhes um nùmero suficiente de verdadeiros pastores (Jer. III, 15) na medidad em que tal necessidade se faça presente.

Nenhuma presunção nem cessão do poder episcopal de jurisdição acompanha esta transmissão do poder episcopal de Ordem, e, assim, que Deus intervier para salvar a sua Igreja, à qual não resta nenhuma esperança humana de salvação, os efeitos dessa transmissão e deste mandato de suplência serão entregues imdiatamente nas mãos de um Papa de novo inequivocamente catòlico.