From the Book: "The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics"
     Compiled by Raphael Brown
     TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

     Posted on Usenet by Marida Ignacio

               C O N T E N T S
               ---------------

   Foreword
   Introduction
1.  St. Ann and St. Joachim
2.  The Nativity of Mary
3.  Infancy
4.  Presentation
5.  In the Temple
6.  The Espousals
7.  Preparation for the Annunciation
8.  The Annunciation
9.  The Visitation
10. Trials
11. Mary and Joseph in Nazareth
12. The Journey to Bethlehem
13. The Nativity
14. The Adoration of the Shepherds
15. The Circumcision
16. The Adoration of the Magi
17. The Purification
18. The Flight to Egypt
19. The Holy Family in Egypt
20. The Return to Nazareth
21. The Boy Jesus in the Temple
22. Hidden Life in Nazareth
23. The Death of St. Joseph
24. Preparation for the Public Life
25. The Wedding at Cana
26. Mary During the Public Ministry
27. Judas
28. Prelude to the Passion
29. Holy Thursday
30. The Passion
31. The Crucifixion
32. The Resurrection
33. The Ascension
34. Pentecost and the Early Church
35. Mary's Last Years
36. The Dormition
37. The Assumption and Crowning
   Bibliography
   Supplement to the Bibliography (as of 1975)

... the following is given after the introduction.

 OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST
 is reported to have said to

 ST. BRIDGET OF SWEDEN:
 "Know that it is not for your own sake alone that I speak
 to you, but also for the salvation of all Christians...know
 too that when it pleases Me, men shall come who will take up
 the words of 'The Heavenly Revelations' with joy and
 consolation."

 VEN. MOTHER OF AGREDA:
 "Many mysteries pertaining to My Mother... are still hidden,
 especially the interior secrets of her life, and these I wish
 now to make known.  I desire to make known to mortals how much
 her intercession is worth.  If men would now seek to please Me
 by reverencing, believing, and studying the wonders which are
 intimately connected with This Mother of Piety, and if they
 would all begin to solicit her intercession from their whole
 heart, the world would find some relief."

 SIS. ANNE CATHERINE EMMERICH:
 "I give you these visions, not for yourself; they are given to
 you in order that they may be recorded, I give you these visions -
 and I have ever done so -  to prove that I shall be with My Church
 till the end of days.  But visions alone sanctify no one; you
 must practice charity, patience, and all other virtues."


Subject: Part 1 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/23
Message-ID: <9602231113.ZM13883

comments: To: SPIRIT-L@American.edu


newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap.1.  St. Ann and St. Joachim

Before the beginning of time, the Holy Trinity decreed that after
creation, the fall of man and several years after it, the Son of
God would be born of a virgin and this virgin was to be miraculously
exempt from all stains of original sin.
The Blessed Trinity then chose some Jews and guided them to live their
lives as peaceful, charitable, prayerful, austere, detached and much
endurance of the scorn by others who failed to achieve such type of
devotion to the Lord.
The grandparents of Mary descended from this devote, chosen people.
St. Ann, Mary's mother, was born of rich parents in Bethlehem and after
her birth, they moved to Sephoris near Nazareth.  They regularly gave,
to the poor, a large part from their possessions and earnings.
St. Ann was a pious and a model daughter that other mothers tell their
daughters to be like her.  After knowing about the coming of the Redeemer,
she always included in her prayers that God would hasten His plan.
Before Ann's mother died, she told her daughter that she was a chosen
vessel and that she should pray for a husband who would be worthy of
her.
While Ann prayed for somebody who would help her live according to
Divine Law, St. Joachim, a pious, middle-aged man, knew Ann and admired
her but dared not think she was to be his wife.
The angels saw and presented St. Ann's and St. Joachim's prayers to
the throne of the Blessed Trinity and God decided that they pleased Him
and so they should be married.
The Archangel Gabriel was sent to announce to:
- St. Ann, while she was praying, thatt she should continue to pray for
  the coming of the Savior and also accept Joachim to be her husband.
- St. Joachim, that he should take Annn to be his wife.
So, St. Joachim, age 42 then, asked St. Ann's father for his daughter's
hand in marriage (St. Ann was 24 yrs. old).
Once married, though they were wealthy, they lived very economically
and charitably.
Each year they divided all their rents and income into 3 parts: 1/3 to
the Temple of God's services, 1/3 to the poor and kept only what was
left.
They frequently talked together about God and prayed for the coming
of the Redeemer.
Neither told the other about the message of the angel.
God purified them still by giving them a cross that grew heavier to
bear as the years passed: they remained childless through these years.
They received insults from neighbors because it was such a misfortune
and disgrace to remain childless in those days.
After 7 years, without answer to their prayers, they moved to a smaller
farm near Nazareth.
They thought it was their fault that they remained childless and so
they increased their charity and gifts to the poor.
And they trained themselves to continence for they aspired for greater
purity.
They made a vow to God that they would dedicate their child, if God
gave them one, to His service in the Temple.
Thirteen years passed and still no child.
Once when Joachim was offering his sacrifices to the Temple, the
priest rebuked and insulted him saying that his offerings are not
acceptable to the Lord.
This hurt and put him more to shame.  He prayed at a corner of the Temple
but he could not contain such shame anymore and so he took some of his
flocks to a distant slopes of Mt. Hermon.  He stayed there for several
months without communicating to St. Ann.
St. Ann, through friends, learned of the insults by the priest to St.
Joachim and she too was deeply hurt and this added to her sufferings.
She was then 44 years old and while praying fervently for the coming
of the Redeemer and for whomever the holy mother chosen by God,
Archangel Gabriel appeared before her in resplendent human form. He
told her that her petitions were heard by God and the delay was in order
to prepare her and be worthy for God's plans.
He told her that she would give birth to a daughter who would be the
mother of the Redeemer.  Joachim was not to know that their daughter
were to give birth to the Redeemer, though.
Joachim was also visited by Archangel Gabriel while he slept among
his flock and he told St. Joachim that Ann was going to have a blessed
child and must be consecrated to the Temple.
Both St. Ann and St. Joachim were told by the Archangel to meet at the
Temple's Golden Gate.
Reunited, together they renewed their vow to offer their child to His
Temple.
While they were praying, they were infolded by heavenly light and angels
hovered above them.  The Blessed Trinity further purified them and
gave them special blessings.
With overwhelming happiness and gratitude, St. Ann and St. Joachim wept
tears of joy and love.  They then gave alms to the poor more abundantly.
God did prepare and purify Mary's good parents until the glorious
mystery of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God took place.

------

The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget:
"It is a truth that I was conceived without Original Sin and not in sin.
A golden hour was my conception.  My Son joined my father and mother
in a marriage of such chastity that a purer union has never been seen.
Sensuality was extinguished in them.  Thus, my flesh was formed through
Divine Charity."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 2 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/27
Message-ID: <9602271214.ZM19992




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap. 2.  The Nativity of Mary

(As from chapter 1:
 The Blessed Virgin to St. Bridget:
 "...Sensuality was extinguished in them.  Thus, my flesh was formed
 through Divine Charity.")

God created Mary's immaculate soul with a unique beauty that the choir
of angels felt joyous upon seeing it.
St. Ann was filled by the Holy Ghost when Mary's soul was infused to
her body.
St. Ann received new graces and enlightenment concerning the mystery
of Jesus' Incarnation through these nine months and for the rest of her
life that she praised the Lord always in canticles of love.
In order to increased St. Ann's merit, God tried her during her
pregnancy.
Satan did not know that who she carries would be the Mother of the
Savior but Satan could feel some strong spiritual aura coming from
Ann.
Satan's temptations to St. Ann, all of which St. Ann handled with
perseverence, fortitude, patience and prayers, were: disturbance and
harm to her; attempted to bring down St. Joachim's house but angels from
heaven helped prevented this; insults from neighbors about her late
pregnancy.   In the end, because of St. Anns amiability, they all
converted and became her good friends.
Early September, the Lord internally informed St. Ann that her daughter's
birth was near.  St. Joachim, after knowing this, ordered finest lambs,
goats and bulls and prepared to offer these to the Temple.
St. Ann invited 3 closest relatives.  She prayed until nearly midnight
and then woke her relatives and they all went to her oratory.
Taking a box of relics of the Patriarchs of Israel, she knelt before
her little altar.  While she continued her prayers, a supernatural
light filled the room and surrounded Ann making her invisible.  Meanwhile,
the relatives, upon seeing the light, threw themselves onto the floor,
and hid their faces in awe.
In a moment, St. Ann was seen again and in her hands was a beautiful,
spotless, radiant baby.  She delivered her free from usual labor pains.
She prayed fervently, with love and joy, raising her eyes to heaven
and thanking God.  She also asked how was she to treat the child?
God made her understand that St. Ann should give all her motherly
love and care, no outward show of reverence but inwardly, venerate her
as the future Mother of the Messias.
St. Joachim was called in after St. Ann and the baby retired to her
room and lay down on her bed.  With tears flowing from the holy man's
eyes, he said, "Now, I am ready to die..."

On Mary's birth, the Almighty God gave her soul a mystical vision and
keen love for Him.  Like the saints, though far greater degree, thus,
she perceived with affection her parents the moment she opened her
eyes and she also saw the angels God assigned to guard and protect
her throughout her life.

The Archangel Gabriel was sent to Limbo to announce the great news
of the birth of Mary to all the Prophets, Patriarchs and souls there.
And so, they rejoiced and praised God for His mercy towards mankind.

An unusual spiritual joy was felt in All Nature that day.  Near the
Temple of Jerusalem, old Simeon was awakened by the shouts of an
evil-possessed man who cried, "I must flee - all must flee!  A Virgin
has been born...".  Simeon exorcised the devil from the man.

(A part I missed in chap. 1:
In the night of the day the Archangel Gabriel announced to St. Ann
that she would conceive the Mother of the Messias, she dreamt that
an angel wrote on a wall in her room, the name, MARY, in big
luminous letters.  She awakened and saw the name on the wall and so
she remembered that that is to be her name.)

The Blessed Trinity announced to the choir of angels, "Our Chosen
One shall be called Mary, and this name is to be powerful in grace."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 3 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/02/29
Message-ID: <9602291223.ZM23324




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:

Chap. 3.  Infancy

Naming of the baby was done eight days after birth as was the custom then.
The mother was not allowed to attend the ceremony.
St. Joachim placed his daughter in the hands of the richly robed priests
from Nazareth who lifted her up as if offering her to heaven.  Then this
leader wrote Mary's name on a parchment and placed it on her chest.  The
ceremony ended after singing of some psalms.

Part of the custom was purification of the mother after giving birth and
so St. Ann went through this ceremony.
St. Ann renewed her vow to offer Mary to God in services to the
Temple.  Mary, the baby, was impressed with the grandeur of the Temple
building when her mother brought her there during the purification
ceremony.  Mary wished to prostrate herself on the floor to kiss the
ground but since she couldn't as a baby, she just prayed to God to
accept her services in the Temple according to His will.
God granted their prayers and a bright beam of light shone down from
Heaven on both mother and baby while angels sang hymns of praise to
the Almighty God.
The holy man, Simeon, while watching the mother and baby, perceived
such light and asked himself if these women were perhapps the parents
of the Messias?
The Devil had been studying the actions of St. Ann in the Temple but
decided that she was just an ordinary pious woman after seeing that
St. Ann followed the usual procedures and regulations of the priests.

In the first 3 years of Mary's life, she was treated as other children
although she never cried or caused anybody any trouble.  She ate less,
slept less than the ordinary kids and whenever she could, she prayed
and meditated and performed interior acts of love for God.  She always
prayed for others such that God would reward them whenever she received
any benefit or service from anyone.

>From birth, Mary possessed all faculties to be able to talk clearly
and intelligibly but out of modesty and submission to the will of God,
she deliberately refrained from speaking until she was 1 1/2 years old.
In secret, when alone, she conversed with her guardian angels and also
prayed verbally to the Lord.

Although she was filled with light and mysteries from God, Mary judged
herself as the least of all His creations and to be the last place of all.
At 18 months, God told her that it was now time for her to converse with
others and urged her to pray many times every day.  Though Mary wished to
keep silent for all her life, God insisted and told her that He would
assist her in directing her words to His service and glory.
So, one day, she talked to her parents and also showed them that she
could walk by herself.

The next 1 1/2 years before she went to the Temple, Mary spoke very little.
St. Ann could only convince her to talk if they engaged in sweet
conversations about God and holy things.

St. Ann never told Mary the secret that she was to be the Mother of the
Redeemer.  Still, mother and daughter are joyous in thinking and praying
for the fortunate maiden who was to be the mother of the Savior of mankind.

Eager to express to God how she sees herself as the least, Mary always
helped in the household chores.
She asked her mother only for ash-gray cloth of cheap and coarse material
for her dress.  St. Ann yielded to the color but not the material.

God revealed to Mary how sins offend Him.  Mary would go to her room,
prostrate herself on the floor and beg for mercy for poor sinners.
She practised penances and mortifications so hard that she taxed her
bodily strength.

At the age of two, Mary began charity towards the poor.  She begged alms
from her parents and gave them to the poor.  She shared parts of her meals
to them.  She kissed their hands and if she was alone, their feet.
--------------

The Blessed Virgin said to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"At the first sight of the Highest Good, my heart was wounded with love
and I gave myself entirely to Him.
I underwent the hardships of infancy like other children.  I felt hunger,
thirst, sleepiness and other infirmities of the body.  In all the
difficulties which I endured after I was born into the world, I was
resigned and contented, since I had merited none of God's gifts.
Be very devout toward my most sweet name."


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 6 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/08
Message-ID: <9603081149.ZM14708




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 6.  The Espousals

At age 13, with Mary's intense love for chastity, she felt heavily
burdened as if feeling Abraham's pain when he offered his son's life
to God, when God commanded her to enter the state of matrimony.  She
was astonished and afflicted because of this decree from her Lord.
Submitting her faith and hope to God's will she hoped against hope
and meekly replied, "Eternal God, Thou, O Lord, canst dispose me,
Thy worthless worm, according to Thy pleasure, without making me fail
in what I have promised.  And if it be not pleasing to Thee, my good
Lord, I renew my desire to remain chaste during all my life."

With some human uneasiness and sadness, Mary obediently resigned
entirely to God's decree, though.  The Lord answered her: "Mary,
let not thy heart be disturbed, for thy resignation is acceptable
to Me.  And by My disposition, that will happen which is best for
thee."

Mary then tried to wash away her uncertainty by fervent prayers
and inner acts of love, faith, humility, obedience and chastity
as God intended.

God spoke to Simeon, the current high priest, in his sleep, and
told him to arrange marriage of Mary whom He had special love.
Simeon consulted the other priests and set up a day when bachelors
of the line of David, which was also Mary's, were assembled in
the Temple.

Nine days before the date, Simeon told Mary that since she was of
considerable age, orphaned and with inheritance, they were finding
her a husband.  Mary gave her consent with composure and modesty,
saying that, Simeon, being her master, would know God's will though
she explained honestly that she had no intensions to marry.

Mary's prayers during these 9 days were filled with tears and sighs
and God, upon seeing this, assured her that she should not worry and
that He would guide the priests in the selection to make sure that
whoever they choose would not hinder Mary's holy desires.

God already had somebody in mind to become the foster father of
the Word Incarnate.  It was St. Joseph, a humble, unmarried
carpenter who worked for a master in Galilee.  St. Joseph's holiness
began 7 months after his conception in his mother's womb.  At 7,
he attained perfect use of reason and a high degree of holiness.
As a boy, he was quite, likeable, humble, serious, solitary and
lacking in ambition.  Like Mary, he was prayerful and meditative.
He was also subjected to tease and hurt by his brothers.  He was
3rd of 6 brothers.  He was content with manual labor and learned
apprenticeship from a poor carpenter.  From the age of 12, he
had made and perfectly kept a vow of chastity.

One day while working on an oratory, an angel appeared to Joseph
and told him to stop work.  The angel said that as God gave the
Patriarch Joseph the superintendence of the grain of Egypt, he was
confided the granary of salvation.  Joseph did not understand this
message.  Later he heard news that he was called to the Temple
of Jerusalem, being an unmarried descendent of King David.  At that
time, Joseph was 33 years old.

The bachelors gathered to the Temple on Mary's 14th birthday.
Joseph, though renewed his vow of chastity, resigned himself to the
will of God.  A dry branch was given to each men and the priests
instructed them to pray fervently to God that whoever was worthy
would be singled-out by Him to be Mary's groom.  Joseph was the
last on the line and on his turn to place the branch to the altar,
his dry branch blossomed into a white lilylike flower and a dove of
purest and most dazzling whiteness descended and rested on his head
for a moment.  Joseph then heard God in his heart: "Joseph, My
servant, Mary shall be thy spouse.  Receive her with all care and
respect, for she is pleasing in My sight.  She is just and pure in
mind and body.  And thou shalt perform all that she shall ask."

The priest then summoned Mary and introduced her to Joseph as the
chosen spouse for her.  As the custom, the two parted until the
wedding.

In a rented house on Mt. Sion, Mary's teachers and friends from
the Temple, some relatives of her parents (who did her lovely
sky-blue wedding gown and cape), Mary and Joseph were married.

After the wedding, Mary thanked all her companions and teachers
in the Temple.  She offered her wish to remain in the Temple
and then with keen grief, she and Joseph set out to face the
life that God gave to them in Nazareth.





--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 8 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/14
Message-ID: <9603141104.ZM19384#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 8.  Annunciation

(This chapter contains events as related in the Bible: St. Luke's
gospel, chapter 1, Annunciation.  Therefore, I am excluding most of
those parts in this summary.)

Mary was 14 1/2 years old at the time of the Annunciation.  She was
taller than most girls her age, with brownish complexion, dark large
eyes, dark hair, a beautiful face and a perfectly proportioned body.

Archangel Gabriel's appearance was that of a handsome young man in
pleasing and majestic bearing.  After instructed by God on the exact
words to greet Mary, He proceeded to Mary's house and He was accompanied
by thousands of resplendid angels.

In her room, while praying, Mary thought Archangel Gabriel was one of
Heaven's noble envoy that she wished to bow before him, but he disallowed
it.  He instead bowed profoundly before her who he considered his Queen.

Mary heard the message from Archangel Gabriel and some interiorly
from God.  Then Mary, overwhelmed and fainthearted because of modesty,
gave her consent to the Lord.

(exact qoute follows)
Now a celestial light filled Mary's little room, dissolving the ceiling
and revealing the heavens.  In a dazzling beam could be seen a brilliant
figure of the Blessed Trinity.  The Holy Spirit appeared in a winged
form.  Masses of flame shot out like wings on His right and left.  Then
three intense rays flashed and darted into the right side of the Virgin,
and she became entirely suffused with a glowing light.

  (Blessed Virgin's qoute to mystic here omitted.)

In the same instant of this miraculous conception, Mary was rapt in a
marvelous vision in which the Holy Trinity revealed to her the mystery
of the hypostatic union of the divine and human nature in the person
of the Eternal Word (Mary, when God infused knowledge of the Creation,
was told about this but she did not understand it then.  Could be Heaven's
definition of __ensoulment at conception__?) and confirmed her in the title
and rights of Mother of God.  She was also shown in this vision the future
mysteries of the life and death of her Son, the Redeemer of mankind.
(end qoute)

Mary, with love and humility, offered her thanks to the Lord and she
prayed for new graces and enlightenment on the rearing of and service to
her Son throughout her life on earth.

When all these visions ended, a number of closed white roses showered
Mary who remained oblivious to everything around her.

As when Mary was conceived, All of Nature was filled with joy and
inspiration at the conception of the Son of God in Mary's womb.

Mary prayed until dawn while standing before her little altar and
only towards sunrise that she rested.
---

Speaking of the Annunciation, the Blessed Virgin said to St.
Elizabeth of Schoenau:
"Do you know why God did this?  I had believed in Him and because
I had humbled myself."


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 9 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/14
Message-ID: <9603141105.ZM19389#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 9.  The Visitation

Mary's angels, knowing that she carried in her womb the Almighty King
of kings, which make her truly the Ark of the Testament, helped her
in all her household chores.  This is in honor anad services to the
King.

Sometimes, birds were sent by God to His Mother.  They sang and
chirped in harmonious choirs and sometimes Mary sang with them.

Three days after the Annunciation, the Lord revealed to Mary in a
vision that the child in Elizabeth's womb was to be a great
prophet and forerunner of the Messias.  Thus, God told Mary to
give Elizabeth a visit.  Mary told this as her plans to St.
Joseph and she asked for his blessings.  This trip would once
again expose Mary publicly.

St. Joseph and Mary set out in 4 tiring days with a borrowed donkey,
some food, for this journey.

Mary spiritually conversed to her angels during this journey.  She
also talked to St. Joseph a lot about knowledge and prophecies of
the coming of the Redeemer.  Joseph's understanding filled him
with joy and wonderment.  It was like unusual new divine graces
were given to him.

St. Joseph and Mary never failed to provide charity to the poor
they encountered along the way to Zacharias's house on the
mountains of Judea.  They stayed in inns.  One time, in Mary's
presence, a sick girl was healed of fever.

Once they reached their destination, events found in Luke 1:39-80
took place.

St. Joseph only stayed for 3 days and went back to Nazareth while
Mary planned to stay for 3 months.

Mary first recited the Magnificat in the presence of Elizabeth.
Other times, she and Elizabeth recited it together while adoring
God.

Elizabeth begged Mary to stay beyond her plan.  At least until
the baby was born because Elizabeth wanted to see her baby in Mary's
arms.

The Lord instructed Mary during her prayer to stay up to the
circumcision of the child.  That would be 8 days after birth.

A few days later, St. Elizabeth gave birth with only moderate labor
pains.

Once the baby was in Mary's hands, she raised him to God and prayed
to Him for his future ministry.  Mary did not kiss him, though,
because she reserved her chaste lips for her own Divine Son.

On the circumcision, when the custom was also to give the child
his name, Zacharias ws able to talk again and he said that "His
name is John".  Then, through Mary's prayers, Zacharias was
inspired to recite the Benedictus.

When St. Joseph arrived to accompany Mary back home, Mary asked
blessings from Zacharias.  Obliging, Zacharias said, "In thee
let all nations know their God, and through thee, let the name
of the Lord of Jacob be glorified."

Finally, before they left, Mary gave the babe, St. John, many
blessings and graces.  The babe amazingly whispered to her,
"You are the Mother of God Himself - may your intercession
never fail me.".  Then he kissed her hand 3 times.

Along the way back home, Mary healed a partly evil-possessed
poor woman and she converted an innkeeper's life.

At this time, Mary had not told St. Joseph that she carries
in her womb a babe, the Son of God.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 10 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/15
Message-ID: <9603151057.ZM21393




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 10.  Trials

Back home, Lucifier and his devils were puzzled by Mary's extraordinary
holiness.  But they did not suspect that she could be the Mother of God
because besides having a husband, they were also extremely poor.
Nevertheless, Lucifer sent 7 legions of devils to tempt Mary in each
of the 7 capital sins.

The Lord in her womb knew this and warned Mary, "My spouse and My dove,
I will be with thee in the battle, since I am in thy virginal womb. I
wish that thou confound these enemies before I appear in the world, and
I trust this victory to thy fidelity and thy love.".  Mary replied with,
"My Lord, I belong entirely to Thee.  Thou hast condescended to be my
Son.  Do with Thy servant whatever shall be to Thy greater glory.
For if Thou art in me, and I in Thee, who shall be powerful enough to
resist Thy will?  Give me strength."

Pride: The devils tried to stop her from praying.  They appeared as
resplendid angels but they gave themselves away when they promised
to make her the mother of God.  Mary prostrated herself and continued
praying and reciting words of the Psalms.

Greed: The devils gave her jewels and gold to give to the poor as what
God wanted.  Mary did not resist but instead she said to God, "I have
acquired for my heritage and for my riches the keeping of Thy testimonies
and Thy Laws, my Lord."

Impurity: Mary renewed her vow of chastity and the devils were driven
away from her like cannonballs.

Anger:  Mary calmly never gave-in to anger as she confronted the women
enticed by the devils to shout insults at her.  But because Mary did
not shout back, instead talked to them humbly and kindly, they were
all converted and they apologized to her.

Gluttony:  The devils did not have a chance on tempting Mary on this.

Envy: The spirits showed her a list of other people with corresponding
blessings and favors that Mary did not have.  Mary only gave more thanks
for what they have and judged herself unworthy to have any other such
favors.

Idleness: The devils made her feel tired and dejected for her to postpone
prayers and good deeds.  Other poeple were sent to bother her and occupy
her time with their concerns.  But Mary prudently detected this and she
never allowed anything to prevent her from praying and doing good deeds.

Lucifer was angered and so he confronted Mary himself for he thought that
even if she were not the mother of God, anybody born of her would
definitely be his enemy.  Lucifer came to her as a monster but that did
not bother Mary.  Then the Father of Lies heretically claimed that there
were falsehood in God's Truths but Mary firmly gave truthful oppositions
that exposed his errors then she sang hymns of praised to the Lord.
Mary fervently prayed to God to prevent spreading falsehood around the
world and so God indeed narrowed down the demon's opportunities on such
activities.  Another attempt by the devil was to cause quarrels among
Mary's neighbors and made them think that Mary caused them these troubles.
Mary faced these angry neighbors who went to her and she apologized if
she offended them.  Then she settled any dispute and proved to them that
there were actually no cause for quarrels among them at all.

Then God allowed Mary to cast the devils away that they returned to Hell.
The Lord rewarded Mary by letting His angels honor her while Mary joyfully
and modestly praised Him.

In the fifth month of her pregnancy, St. Joseph could not help noticing
this difference in Mary as he saw her walked out of her oratory.  He
was confused as to what was going on while Mary did not once try to
conceal the evidence.  Since St. Joseph was a holy man, he dared not
judge Mary but he was worried that he would have to give her up to
the authorities to be stoned according to the Law of Moses.  St. Joseph
did not speak to her about this either.  He just prayed to God what
is just and what to do about this.

Mary knew what was affecting St. Joseph and felt compassionate towards
him for his suffering.  Since she had not have the permission from God,
she did not reveal God's great secret to anyone about her condition.
With wisdom and confidence, she resigned the whole matter to God.

Mary prayed fervently to God to console her unhappy, emaciated husband.
She thus increased her services and thoughtfulness to Joseph.

Two more months passed and St. Joseph sadly decided to go away from the
whole situation and he planned to leave his home that midnight.  He prayed
to God: "O Lord, I find no other way to restore my peace...I do not
believe my wife an adulteress.  So I will withdraw from her and pass
my life in a desert.  Do not forsake me, my Lord!"  Then he prostrated
himself on the ground and vowed to go to the Temple and offer sacrifices
for Mary's help and protection.

Mary, knowing his plan, prayed: "I beseech Thee, Lord, not to permit
him to carry out this decision and leave me!"

God told Mary that He would console Joseph and reveal to him the mystery.
Then she would be free to tell him all the reality on what God did with
her.

St. Joseph decided to sleep before he left at midnight.  In his sleep,
Archangel Gabriel told him: "Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David,
to take to thee Mary, thy wife, for that which is begotten in her is
of the Holy Spirit.  And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt
call His name Jesus.  For He shall save His people from their sins."

St. Joseph awoke with the realization that Mary was actually the
Mother of the Messias.  He humbly gave thanks to the Lord for knowing
this.  Then he unwrapped the bundle of belongings that he planned to
bring and prayed some more for strength in asking forgiveness from
Mary.

The next morning, St. Joseph did the chores and after Mary was done
praying in her room, he went to her.  He knelt down before her to ask
for her forgiveness for doubting her faithfulness.

Mary raised St. Joseph to his feet and she knelt before him and asked
pardon for the sorrow and bitterness she caused him.  Mary continued:
(exact qoute follows)
"The Lord has not made me His Mother in order that I should be served
in this life, but in order that I should be the servant of all and
your slave.  That is my duty."

As St. Joseph raised her from her knees, the pure and humble Mother
of God was filled with the Holy Spirit.  All aflame and transfigured
in a mystical ecstasy, she recited the Magnificat.  Seeing her
surrounded by a bright radiance of heavenly light, St. Joseph with
profound humility and reverence bowed his head and adored his Lord
in her womb.  And God looked down upon good St. Joseph with kindly
favor and accepted him as His foster father, filling his pure heart
with holy graces. (end qoute)



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 11 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/15
Message-ID: <9603151058.ZM21397




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 11.  Mary and Joseph in Nazareth

Ever since Joseph new that Mary carries the Son of God in her womb, he
would not allow her to serve him.  Mary prayed to God in protest of
this.  And so God sent an angel who told St. Joseph to let Mary serve
him and interiorly give her the reverence as the Mother of the Lord of
all creation.  They will do this so as to teach to world the value of
humility.

Their house had 3 rooms: one for St. Joseph, one for his workshop, and
one for Mary.  Whenever St. Joseph came to talk with Mary in her room,
he often found her either in ecstasy raised above ground, conversing
with her angels or prostrated on the floor in the form of a cross.
And he would hear heavenly melodies as well as smell sweet fragrance
that filled him with deep spiritual joy.

They often talked about the prophecies in Holy Scripture of the coming
of the Redeemer.  St. Joseph with tears flowing from his eyes because
of joy and awe, regrets that they are poor.  Mary explained that the
Lord was coming to redeem the world and guide all men to eternal life
and this had to be done by means of humility and poverty.  He had to
be born to live and to die, to break the chains of greed and pride in
the hearts of men.

Mary taught St. Joseph on the various virtues and in the love of God.
She guided him to accept his manual labor as a way to practise and
apply these virtues.  They worked and gave services to others and
their employees but they asked minimal pay in exchange.  Often they
gave services out of charity.

Due to poverty, sometimes Joseph and Mary did not have food on their
table to eat at mealtime.  Mary prayed not for herself but for her
husband Joseph that she asked supply from God.  God let their neighbors
sometimes give them gifts and food.  St. Elizabeth sometimes send them
gifts which Mary always gave something in return.

Mealtime, one day that they had no food to eat, they decided to retire
in each of their room to pray.  While they were there, God sent His
angels who prepared a bountiful meal for them on their table.  St. Joseph
and Mary saw this and they sang hymns of praise to God for thanks.

When the pregnancy was far advanced, Mary prepared the swaddling clothes
and she asked St. Joseph to find woolen cloth of soft texture for the
other coverings she would like to prepare for their Son.  St. Joseph
worked on his trade and one day, in exchange for his services, he was
given two woolen cloths of best quality.

While St. Joseph and Mary prayed for guidance in treating and rearing
Him worthily, they heard Him say: "I have come from Heaven to earth
in order to exalt humility and discredit pride, to honor poverty and
scorn riches, to destroy vanity and establish truth, and to enhance
the value of labor.  Therefore, it is My will that exteriorly, you
treat Me according to the humble position which I have assumed, as if
I were your natural child, and that interiorly you love and revere Me
as the Man-God, Son of My Eternal Father."

One day, St. Joseph heard a proclamation of a Roman edict that ordered
all heads of the family to be registered on the tax lists in their
native cities.

St. Joseph told this to Mary and felt sad to tell her that he would
not want to be away from her especially that the baby's delivery
would come any time soon and at the same time, he is troubled by
the idea of bringing her with him and the Nativity would occur that
may cause inconvenience he may fail to alleviate.

Mary prayed to God on what to do and God told Mary to come with
Joseph to Bethlehem.  God said that He would assist her in any
sufferings and other secrets that would come with the birth of the
Redeemer.  And so, setting out on this journey, Mary simply said to
Joseph: "My master, I will accompany you with great joy.  And we will
make this journey as poor people, in the name of the Lord, for He will
not despise poverty, which He has come to seek with so much love.
Relying on His help, we will go with confidence to Bethlehem."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 12 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201050.ZM16869#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 12.  The Journey to Bethlehem

Ten thousand angels marched along with St. Joseph and Mary (visible only
to their Queen), on their journey to Bethlehem.  It was at six o'clock
on a cold, wet, mid-winter morning, when they started the journey.

St. Joseph built a tent under a great old turpentine tree, on an uninhabited
valley, on the first evening of their journey.  Mary was cold.  God
miraculously warmed her and she placed her hands in her husband's to share
the warmth with him.

In an inn where they stayed on a Sabbath day, some women and their children
came to Mary and they were impressed by her wisdom and reserve.  St. Joseph
spent time with his host, in his garden.  St. Joseph greatly edified him
with his simple piety.

The next day they traveled 12 miles and spent the night with some hospitable
sheperds.

They detoured around the city of Jerusalem to the east even if this took them
much longer.

Along the way, they met a heartless man who refused to open the door for them
when they knocked.  They spent the last night of the journey in a farmhouse
though the hostess treated them coldly because she was jealous of Mary's
beauty (30 years later, the Lord found her all bent over and blind and after
reproaching her for her vanity and heartlessness, He healed her.).

The trip was very trying to Mary but because she knew the secrets of those
they met, she prayed for them and assisted the sick and afflicted by her
special request from her Holy Son.

They arrived at 4 o'clock in Bethlehem.  After St. Joseph finished
registration, he went about knocking at his friends and relatives' doors
but his efforts were in vain.  He was refused and others were harsh with
insults.  All the while, Mary waited for him at the end of the street.

All other efforts were unsuccessful even when Mary accompanied her husband.
Afterwards Mary followed her husband through the crowds and at one end of the
village, they found a big tree.  Mary settled there patiently and humbly in
her long white dress and veil while St. Joseph tried again to look for a
lodging for that night.

Finally, around 9 o'clock, Joseph returned, crying and trembling with
heartbreaking sorrow and so Mary consoled him.  He then informed her of a
shepherd's stable outside the town.

Mary obliged saying, "That will be perfectly satisfactory to me.  Let us
lovingly embrace poverty, dear Joseph, and go gladly wherever the Lord
guides us."
(exact qoute follows)
Upon entering the bare grotto which the shepherds used as a stable, they
both knelt anad thanked the Lord, and Mary was filled with joy at being at
last in this holy place.  She immediately set about cleaning the cave with
her own hands, out of humility and reverence.  St. Joseph hastened to do
likewise, and angels helped them.  Next, he started a fire, as it was very
cold, and they ate a frugal supper.  Their souls overflowed with happiness
at the thought of the impending Incarnation. (end qoute)



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 13 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201052.ZM16881#1/1




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 13.  The Nativity

Mary and St. Joseph recited prayers together.  Then St. Joseph filled the
manger with straw and moss and placed a cloth over it.  St. Joseph withdrew
to the entrance of the cave and upon seeing that Mary, who continued praying,
was surrounded by flames of dazzling supernatural light, he threw himself
to the ground with reverent fear.  Then he fell into an ecstatic sleep.

Toward midnight, a channel of brilliant light came down from heaven and
settled in a sparkling fire at the Blessed Virgin who was transfigured and
spiritualized that she did not seem any longer human or an earthly creature.
Then the infant-God was born, glorious and transfigured as on Mount Thabor.

The angels sang canticles in adoration to the God-Man who lay, naked
utterly clean and pure, radiating in marvelous light and splendor.

Mary perceived that she just delivered the Babe but without pain or injury
to her.  So she immediately bowed her head in His honor and covered His tiny
body with clothing.  She adored Him respectfully, saying, "Welcome, my God,
and my Lord, and my Son."

(exact quote follows)
Then the divine Child suspended the effects of His transfiguration and
assumed the appearance of one capable of suffering.  The Babe now moved,
shivered with cold, and stretching forth His little arms, cried out.

Bending down, Mary tenderly clasped Him to her heart and with great joy
warmed Him against her cheek and breast, while thousands of angels knelt
and adored their Incarnate Creator.  (end qoute)

Mary called St. Joseph nearly one hour after the birth.  St. Joseph perceived
his Savior in Mary's arms and so he prostrated himself on the ground to adore
Him.  When Mary bidded him to rise, he kissed the Babe's feet and held Him
in his arms while tears of joy flowed from his eyes.

Some sheperds' animals came and knelt before the manger after Mary wrapped
Him carefully in the swaddling clothes she prepared for Him.  This scene
caused more tears to flow from St. Joseph's and Mary's eyes upon seeing it.

Then St. Joseph took some blankets and placed them near the manger so Mary
could rest on them.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 14 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/20
Message-ID: <9603201054.ZM16891




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 14.  The Adoration of the Shepherds

All nature, plants and animals, caught the wave of rejoicing, life, bloom,
flow, and abundance at the holy hour of our Savior's Nativity.

Some chosen souls received the thrilling and consoling news announced by
holy angels.  The holy old priest Simeon and Mary's former teacher at
the temple, Anna, were both given the news of the birth of the Savior.

Archangel Michael brought the good news to patriarchs and prophets in
Limbo.  Mary's parents, St. Ann and St. Joachim, who were there, rejoiced
with the others upon knowing this great news.

St. Elizabeth, with her son, St. John the Baptist were also given the news
of the Nativity and St. Elizabeth immediately sent out one of her servants
to bring some money and linens to the holy family.

The 3 Magi were also given the news and they perceived the mystic star
above the holy place.  After confiding each one's private revelation to one
another, the 3 set out on pilgrimage to the Savior's birth place.

Meanwhile, some poor shepherds minding their flocks a mile from the grotto,
observed a strange, luminous cloud hovering right above the hill of the
Infant Lord's birth site.  Then Archangel Gabriel came to them to reveal
the good news to this poor, humble and devout shepherds.  Then more angels
came and sang hymns of praise in His glory.

Near dawn, the shepherds, with some chickens and goats as presents, arrived
at the grotto-stable.  St. Joseph openly received them after hearing them
say that an angel told them of the news of the birth of the divine Child.

St. Joseph led them to the cave where the Babe was lying with His lovely
and Blessed Mother sitting beside His crib.  The shepherd looked down upon
the beautiful Infant and He looked up to them.  Then a mystical current
of divine love streamed forth from Him and touched the sincere hearts of
these poor but fortunate men.  This Love spiritually changed and renewed
them as well as filled them with a new grace and understanding of the mystery
of the Incarnation and of the Redemption.  The shepherds then humbly
prostrated themselves on the ground weeping tears of joy and they honored
their Infant God.  The shepherds finally sang together the words and melody
they heard the angels sang after Archangel Gabriel gave the news to them.

Mary observed all these.  After they sang, since she felt and knew what's
in their hearts, she urged them to persevere in the love and service of
the Lord.

At noon, Mary graciously serve the shephered something to eat.

Before they left, Mary let each of them hold the divine Babe and each in
turn wept tears of joy and gratitude.  Then they left with this in their
hearts: "glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen,
even as it was spoken to then."

The next day they returned with their wives and children.  They brought
gifts of eggs, honey and cloth.  The men helped St. Joseph make the grotto
somewhat more habitable while some of the women who knew him from childhood
did some cooking and washing for the Holy Family.

Once alone, Mary and Joseph contemplated on the happiness in their hearts
on having the Infant Lord, the Savior.
(exact qoute follows)
Most of the time the loving Mother of God held her divine Son in her arms.
Whenever she took Him up, she first made 3 genuflections and humbly kissed
the ground before kneeling at the crib and touching the tiny Jesus.  And
when she thought that she should nurse Him, she first asked His permission.
All her angels remained present and visible to her until the Flight to Egypt,
and on rare occasions she gave her Baby into the hands of the Archangel
Gabriel and Michael.  She would not sleep except when the Lord Himself
commanded her to do so.  With her angels and with St. Joseph, she often
composed and sang beautiful hymns in honor of the holy Child.  And she often
gave her good husband the intense pleasure of hearing her refer to Jesus
as "our Son".

Many times in caressing her beloved Son, she humbly kissed His feet, and
she always asked His consent before kissing His sacred face.  And often He
returned her affection by putting His little arms around her neck.  At such
times Mary said to Him: "O my Love, sweet Life of my soul, who art Thou, and
who am I?  What return shall I make for the great things which Thou has done
to me?"
(end qoute)

--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 15 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/27
Message-ID: <9603271115.ZM6839




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap.  15.  The Circumcision

(exact qoute follows)
During the first days after the Nativity, whenever Mary thought of the
painful ceremonial operation known as Circumcision, which the Law of Israel
prescribed for every male child on the 8th day after birth, she suffered
intensely.  Although she had received no intimation of God's will, in her
humility and prudence she refrained from asking either the Lord or her
angels whether her divine Son had to submit to this purifying rite.  When
she spoke of it to St. Joseph, they both wept tears of compassion.

Then one day, while Mary was kneeling in prayer, the Lord said to her,
"My Daughter, do not let your heart be afflicted because your Son is to
be subjected to the pains of circumcision.  I have sent Him into the world
as an example.  Therefore resign yourself to the shedding of His Blood."

Whereupon the Blessed Virgin prayed, "Supreme Lord and God, I offer to Thee
this most meek Lamb.  But if His pains may be mitigated at the expense of
my suffering, Thou hast the power to effect this exchange..."
(end qoute)

Mary talked to St. Joseph to tell him that since so far there was no
objection from God, they should comply with the Law.  She conformed to the
usual rite except that she would hold her Son herself instead of the usual
practice of not having the mother present during the operation.

About the name to give the Child, St. Joseph remembered what Archangel
Gabriel told him and that is they should name the Babe, Jesus.  Mary
confirmed that this was the same as revealed to her on His conception in
her womb.

While they conversed more about this, Mary and Joseph saw several angels
descended from Heaven wearing breast shields that had the name Jesus engrove
on them and their two leaders, Archangel Michael and Gabriel announced:
"This is the Name of your Son, which the Blessed Trinity has given Him
as the sign of salvation for the whole human race.  But now, He is to shed
His Blood in receiving it, since it is that of the Savior.  This will be
the beginning of His sufferings in obedience to His Father's Will.  We
have come to accompany Him and to minister to Him until He ascends into
Heaven."

On the 8th day, Joseph, arrived from Bethlehem and brought with him
an elderly priest with his 2 assistants.  The priest was shocked at the
primitiveness and poverty of their home but Mary's grace and modesty
in welcoming them changed such astonishment to deep respect and devotion
towards her.

The circumcision was then performed by the priest while St. Joseph recited
the ritual prayer:
"Blessed be Jehovah the Savior.  He hath sanctified His well-beloved
from the womb of His Mother and hath written the Law in our flesh.  He
hath signed His Son with the sign of His Covenant, that He may impart to
Him the blessings of Abraham our father."  To which the assistants responded,
"Blessed be He whom Thou hast chosen for Thy child!"

(exact qoute follows)
Now, with infinite love, the divine Son of God offered up to His Father
in Heaven the sacrifice of this first shedding of His Precious Blood as
a pledge that He would one day give it all for the Redemption of mankind.
True to His human nature, the tiny Babe of Bethlehem cried as other children
do, though His tears were caused more by supernatural sorrow over the
hardheartedness of men than by His physical pain, which was intense.

As usual His holy Mother perceived and felt all that He was doing and
suffering, and she too wept.  When the rite was over, in mutual love
and compassion, the Child clung to His Mother while she tenderly caressed
and comforted Him as she wrapped Him again in His swaddling clothes.
(end qoute)

Then the priest named Him Jesus while an angel revealed to him the name
written on a piece of wood.  The priest shed tears of supernatural joy
as he inscribed this name on a parchment register.  Then he exclaimed
under inspiration: "I am convinced that this child is to be a Prophet
of the Lord!  Take great care in raising Him, and let me know how I
can relieve your needs."

These 3 priests were good and devout men and so they later obtained
salvation.

The Infant Jesus cried often because of the pain and Mary sometimes soothed
Him by nursing Him.  Other times, St. Joseph walked up and down the grotto
with the Babe in his arms.

St. Elizabeth with a servant, came to visit and the cousins exchanged long,
intimate talks about all that happened.

Some people came to visit and give gifts.  Other times, there were beggars
and Joseph and Mary gave alms to them in as much as they could.

After St. Elizabeth left, more visitor came with gifts.  Mary asked one
woman's help in distributing most of these gifts to poor families in
Bethlehem.



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 16 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/27
Message-ID: <9603271116.ZM6843




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap.  16.  The Adoration of the Magi

The Lord had given Mary, the Mother of God, supernatural enlightenment
on lot of things and events that occurred during the Nativity.  She
knew that the news was revealed to 3 Magi kings from the East and that
they are on their way to Bethlehem to visit and honor the King of kings.

Mary knew so but she did not tell St. Joseph.  That's why when St. Joseph
asked that they move to a much more comfortable dwelling place, Mary simply
responded, "My husband and master, wherever you wish to go, I will follow
with great pleasure."

But then Archangel Michael and Gabriel appeared to them both and said,
"Divine Providence has ordained that 3 kings of this world shall come from
the East in search of the King of Heaven, and shall adore the Word Incarnate
in this very place.  They are already ten days on the way and will shortly
arrive."

The following days Mary and St. Joseph spent the time cleaning and preparing
the grotto-stable for the arrival of the said visitors.  Also Mary saw in
visions, the Magi traveling together across the desert east of the Holy land.

The 3 kings, Gaspar, Baltazar, and Melchior, ruled over what is now Irag and
Iran.  They had knowledge of old Testament prophecies, certain practices of
their people and they believed in the coming of the Savior of mankind.

Each perceived the birth of their King separately.  The 3 awoke in the same
hour of the night and were filled by extraordinary joy because of this news.
They humbly thanked and adored the Almighty God by prostrating themselves
on the ground.  Then, they immediately set out on pilgrimage to the Land of
Israel (the first place that came to mind) with some servants, gifts and
provisions for their journey.

As each king journeyed, he perceived the beautiful mystic star, prepared by
angels, and in this star was a symbolic vision of a Virgin and a Child with
a cross.  This same star guided these 3 kings such that in a few days they
came together, with Melchior having traveled more rapidly as being from a
more distant kingdom.  These kings were already intimate friends before this
and after conferring about their revelations, they all set out on this
journey together.

They arrived before the walls of Jerusalem and thought that being the capital
of Israel, that's the place where the King was born.  They were bewildered as
to why they did not see any major celebration inside Jerusalem.  A guard they
asked did not know of any such reports.  So, they requested a meeting with
King Herod.

That night prior to their meeting with Herod, the 3 Magi could not sleep.
They speculated that Herod was hiding the Child from them.  They looked
at the sky in search of the mystic star which disappeared once they entered
Jerusalem.

Herod was troubled and could not sleep that same night pondering about this
aleged news.  He met with high priests and doctors of the Law and they,
unrolling their scriptures, pointed out in the Book of Michaes, "In Bethlehem
of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet".  This made Herod more
disturbed and fearful for his throne.

When the 3 Magi met with Herod after dawn the next day, the Magi told him
the details of the visions revealed to them. They also talked about the
mystic star with the vision of the Virgin and the Child.

And so Herod hypocritically pretended that he too wished to adore the Infant
King and he said to the Magi: "Go and make careful inquiry concerning the
Child, and when you found Him, bring me word, that I too may go and worship
Him."

And so, the 3 Magi set out with their caravan towards Bethlehem.  Amazingly,
they perceived the mystic star again as soon as they had passed out of the
the city gate of Jerusalem.  In the city of David, the mystic star disappeared
again.  They were then directed to the Valley of the Shepherds as a suitable
place for the caravan to camp overnight.

Once settled, the kings suddenly perceived the star shining with extraordinary
brightness over a nearby hill.
(exact qoute follows)
Then a beam of fiery light descended from the star onto the grotto, and in
this ray the Magi saw a vision of the holy Child.  Reverently taking off their
headdress, they slowly walked over to the hill and found the entrance to the
stable.  Gaspar pushed the door open and caught sight of the humble Mother
of God sitting with the Infant Jesus at the far end of the cave, which was
filled with a heavenly light.  Both Mother and Child were just as the kings
had seen them in the vision a month before. (end qoute)

The 3 kings told St. Joseph about their mission in coming there.  They too
perceived the multitude of resplendent angels who were attending to the King
of kings.  Then they humbly prostrated themselves on the ground and fervently
worshipped the divine Infant.  They acknowledged Him as their Lord and Master
and as the Savior of all mankind.

When they arose, they approached the Mother to give their customary practice
of kissing the hands as they did to the queens of their land.  But the Queen
of Heaven and earth modestly withdrew her hand and said, "My spirit rejoices
in the Lord, because among all the nations He has called you to behold the
Eternal Word Incarnate.  Let us therfore praise His Name!"

Upon viewing the Infant God, they again adored Him fervently and they humbly
begged Him to rule over their souls and thoughts and all their actions to
enlighten them and to give happiness, peace and charity to the world.

Then they each presented their gifts before their Lord.  After 3 hours passed,
they then let their servants honor the Babe.  They came in groups of five.

Once the Holy Family was alone, Mary and Joseph felt overflowing joy for
this great honors and gifts given to Jesus and which where due to the Infant
King.

While asleep at midnight on the last night of the 3 kings' stay, an angel
warned them to leave at once for the East without passing by Jerusalem.

In less than an hour upon knowing this, the 3 kings gave their touching
farewell to St. Joseph and the Magi with their caravan silently vanished into
the night, guided by an angel.


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 17 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/29
Message-ID: <9603291310.ZM25729




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 17.  The Purification

Mary said to St. Joseph, "My master, dispose of all these offerings of the
kings as belonging to my Son and to yourself - I deserve nothing."

Together, they divided the gifts into 3 parts: for the Temple (incense,
myrrh and some of the gold), for the priest who did the Circumcision, and
the rest for the poor.

The holy family accepted the invitation of a devout woman who humbly asked
them to move to her modest home.

The next days before the Purification, the Infant Jesus often murmered to
His Beloved Mother: "My Dove, My Chosen One, My dearest Mother, make thyself
like unto Me!"

Mary gave gifts to poor women and their children when they came to visit.
She also tactfully instructed them in the knowledge of God, the mysteries
concerning the coming of the Messias, and the practice of virtues in everyday
life.  She was very firm and patient in guiding those who discussed these
matters superficially.

The Hebrew Law required all mothers to be purified on the 40th day after
delivering a child.  This also included presenting their first-born sons
in the Temple of Jerusalem.
(exact qoute follows)
For she saw in the soul of her divine Son that He wished to offer Himself
as a living victim to the eternal Father in the Temple.

Consequently, Mary and Joseph gratefully took leave of the good woman who had
sheltered them, and went with Jesus to the cave of the Nativity for a last
visit.  Having gently placed the Christ Child on the ground at the very spot
where He was born, they both knelt and prayed fervently together, and they
did the same where He had been circumcised.

Then, as usual before a journey, Mary asked her husband for his blessing, and
on this special occasion, for his permission to make the trip on foot and
with bare feet (Mary used to ride the donkey).  But St. Joseph replied kindly
yet firmly, "May the Son of the eternal Father, whom I hold in my arms, give
you His blessings.  You may travel to Jerusalem on foot, but not barefoot,
because of the weather."

Prostrating herself on the ground for the last time in the grotto of the
Nativity, with all her heart, Mary thanked the Infant Jesus for the marvelous
blessings which He had given to Joseph and herself and to all mankind in the
stable of Bethlehem and she prayed to God that his holy place might always
be revered by Christians.

Rising to her feet, she covered herself with her cloak and took her Baby into
her arms, pressing Him to her breast to protect Him from the cold winter
wind.  Then, after the Infant God had visibly given them His blessings,
Joseph and Mary, set out for Jerusalem, accompanied by a donkey bearing their
few belongings and the gifts for the Temple.  Some of the good shepherds bade
them a sad and touchingly affectionate farewell.
(end qoute)

The travel was 5 miles of unusually severe weather - cold with sleety winds -
that the Babe shivered and wept.

The night before the Purification, Mary prayed fervently to God for the
following day's blessings, for all mankind, for the afflicted and for the
needy.

In the Temple, the holy priest Simeon also prayed that night.  It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he was not to die until he had seen
the promised Messias.  Then an angel appeared to him and told him to observe
carefully the first child presented to the priests the next morning for that
Child would be the Savior he had waited for.  The same information was given
to Anna, the prophetess, who was Mary's teacher during her stay in the Temple.

Simeon eagerly awaited the coming of Mary and Jesus that he waited long before
dawn the next the day.  When they arrived, he approached them.  The ceremonies
of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
progressesd and when these were over, Simeon who was one of the priests who
ministered finally prayed to God:
"Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace
because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the
face of all people: A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and a glory for
the people of Israel."

When Joseph joined the Mother and the Child who were listening to Simeon,
the old priest said to Mary who he perceived glowed luminously like a heavenly
rose: "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and for the rise of many
in Israel, and for a sign that shall be contradicted and they own soul a sword
shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts maay be revealed."

The Child bowed His head in approval of this prophecy and in acceptance of the
will of His Father while Mary felt sorrow for she saw the mysteries included
in the prophecy and she remembered these all in her heart.  Anna, who was
present, was inspired and thus proclaimed Mary as blessed.

So the Holy family returned to their lodging.

Not long afterwards, both Simeon and Anna passed away in peace.

---
The Blessed Virgin said to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"I did not need purification, like other women because my Son who was born
of me, made me clean.  Nevertheless, that the Law and the prophecies might be
fulfilled, I chose to live according to the Law.  Nor did I live like worldly
parents but humbly conversed with the humble.  Nor did I wish to show anything
extraordinary in me, but loved whatever was humble.
"On the day (of the Purification) my pain was increased.  For though by divine
inspiration, I knew that my Son was to suffer, yet this grief pierced my heart
more keenly at Simeon's words.  And until I was assumed in body and soul to
Heaven, this grief never left my heart, although it was tempered by the
consolation of the Spirit of God.  Let not, then, this grief leave thy
heart for without tribulation few would reach Heaven."

-and to Venerable Mother Mary of Agredda:
"My daughter, the doctrine and example contained in this mystery will teach
thee to strive after the constancy and expansion of heart which thou mayest
prepare thyself to accept blessings and adversity, the sweet and the bitter,
with equanimity.
"How persistenly the human heart forgets that its Teacher and Master has
first accepted suffering and has honored and sanctified them in His own
Passion!
"Remember the sorrow that pierced my heart at the prophecies of Simeon, and
how I remained in peace and tranquility, even though my heart and soul were
transfixed by a sword of pain.
"Seek ever to preserve inward peace.  Full of trust in me, whenever
tribulation comes over thee, fervently exclaim:
'The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?' "
---


More wonders, pains and sacrifices in the succeeding chapters for
Our Lady of Medjugorje does not just preach: prayers, peace, fasting,
conversion...
she, together with Jesus, also practised and lived these!!!
-Marida


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 18 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/03/29
Message-ID: <9603291312.ZM25733




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 18.  The Flight to Egypt

St. Joseph and Mary decided to stay for 9 days in Jerusalem after the
Purification.  They spent these days humbly praying ina nobscure corner
of the Temple from noon until midnight each day.  This was so as to
renew their offering of the Child Jesus and to give thanks to God
for all the blessings He had given them.

On the 5th day, the Lord said to Mary:
"My Spouse and My Dove, you cannot finish the nine days' devotion.
Herod is seeking the life of the Child.  In order to save your Son's
life, you must flee with Him and Joseph into the land of Egypt.  The
journey is long, hard and very tiring.  Suffer it all for My sake
for I am and always will be with you."

The Mother of God answered meekly:
"My Lord, dispose of me according to Thy Will.  I ask only that Thou
permit not my Son to suffer and that Thou turn all pains and hardships
upon me."

Mary, with the Babe, went home to their rented 2 rooms.  She was troubled
but she did not tell St. Joseph about this latest revelation for she did
not have permission from God.  Joseph noticed her apprehension but he
thought it was just because of Simeon's prophecy.

That night, in Joseph's sleep, an angel told him, "Arise, and take the
Child and His Mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there until I
tell thee.  For Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him!"

The angel took St. Joseph's hand to raise him up from sleep.  St. Joseph
hurriedly dressed.  Then he went to knock at the door of his wife's
room and asked her if he could come in.  Once inside, He said to Mary,
"My Lady, God wills that we should be tried further for His holy angel
has announced to me that we must flee to Egypt with the Child, because
Herod is planning to take His life.  Prepare yourself, my dear wife,
to bear the hardships of the journey, and tell me what I can do to
alleviate them."  Mary replied, "My husband and master, if we have
received from God such great blessings and graces, it is fitting that
we should joyfullly accept temporal sufferings.  Wherever we go, we
carry our Lord with us, and He is our comfort and our country.  So
let us proceed to fulfill His holy Will."

Mary woke the sleeping Jesus in His crib at the foot of her bed.  The
holy Babe wept but when Mary and St. Joseph asked for His blessing on
this journey, He gave it to them visibly.

With their modest belongings all packed-up, the Holy Family left
Jerusalem before midnight and set out for Egypt.  The Holy Parents
were worried for the Child Jesus but they received encouragement
for when they exited the city gatae, the angels of Mary once again
becamse visible and appeared in bright human forms that changed
the night into day for them.

The 10 days of events and itinerary to Egypt included:
-Passing by Bethlehem where Mary longeed to visit the place of Nativity
but she was discouraged by an angel because its resulting delay would
cause trouble.
-Mary, concerned about St. Elizabeth aand her son, sent out one of her
angels to warn them.  St. Elizabeth took John and fled to the desert
around the town of Hebron which was were they then lived.
-On the first night, the Family was thhirsty and exhausted, and Mary
wept for feeling sorry for the Child.  Then a spring of clear water
miraculously gushed forth and a goat came to them and allowed St.
Joseph to milk it.
-across the desert near Hebron, St. Joohn felt that His Lord was suffering
nearby and he fell on his knees and prayed.  St. Elizabeth immediately
sent out one servant to bring them money, food and clothing.  The
servant overtook the Holy Family and gave them the provisions.  On their
rest stops, Mary shared these gifts to the poor and she healed some
sick and crippled.
-The Family came across a land filled  with snakes but these did not hurt
them.
-One night, Mary perceived that the Innfant Lord was offering their
sufferings to God and so Mary prayed fervently with Him.
-Food supply ran out again even if theey tried hard to minimize eating
during the day until 9 o'clock at night.
-All fatigued, thirsty and hungry, Marry prayed fervently for her Son and
her husband and so God sent out His angels to serve them nourishing food
and drinks.
-Mother and Son often conversed mysticcally with each other.
-She nursed the Babe at least three tiimes a day.
-The Family consoled and cheered one aanother with kindness and love
throughout this travel in the desert.
-Mary's friends, a great number of birrds, sometimes flew by while the
Holy Family rested.  They perched on Mary's hands and shoulders.
She urged them to thank God for their lovely plumage and the food they
get on the ground.
-One time, they got lost and Mary and  Joseph prayed fervently for help.
Then some wild animals arrived and in a friendly manner, ran off to
guide them in the direction which they perceived was right.
-They came across a camp of robbers.&nnbsp; At first the robbers were intent
on harming them.  But when their chief viewed the Infant Jesus' face,
he was converted and he told his people to treat them nicely.
After a while Mary asked for a large container with water from the wife
of the leader.  She obliged and Mary gave Baby Jesus a bath.
The leader observed and perceived that there was some kind of holiness
in Infant Jesus.
And so, he asked St. Joseph that his son, who had leprosy, be bathe
with the water Mary used on Jesus.
Mary, without being informed of the leader's request, told the wife to
wash her sick son in the water.  The robber's son had advanced leprosy
that covered his face and body.  After bathing in the water used for
Jesus, the son's leprosy miraculously disappeared and his skin turned
smooth and healthy.
This miraculous news spred across camp and people came to see the
miracle.
Later, Mary talked with the mother and the woman promised to turn from
crime as soon as she could.
The Holy Family left the camp the next morning with some provisions and
the chief gave his thanks and good-bye saying: "Remember me, wherever
you are."
[Thirty-three years later, his robber son said to the Man crucified
beside him on Calvary: "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy
Kingdom!"  And that time - again due to Mary's prayers - Jesus healed
his soul.]
-They experience a few more instances  of exhaustion and sufferings from
hunger and thirst but with Mary's fervent prayers, they were miraculously
provided for all the time.
Finally, they reached the fertile land of Egypt after these 10 days of
torture.

---

Our Lord said to St. Bridget of Sweden:
"By My flight to Egypt, I showed the infirmities of My Humanity and
fulfilled the prophecies.  I gave too an example to My disciples that
sometimes persecution is to be avoided for the greater future glory
of God.  That I was not found by My pursuers, the counsel of My Divinity
prevailed over the counsel of man, for it is not easy to fight against
God."

and the Blessed Virgin to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"I was not alarmed in my exile and prolonged journey.  Since I trusted
in the Lord, He provided for me in the time of my need.  Even when help
is somewhat delayed, it will always be at hand at a time when it will
do most good.  Thus it happened with me and my husband in the time of
our distitution and necessity."




--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 19 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/15
Message-ID: <9604151219.ZM27921




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



(The series resumes...)

=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 19.  The Holy Family in Egypt

In Jerusalem, King Herod realized that he was deceived by the 3 Magi.
So, he ordered the "Slaughter of the Innocents".  In a large courtyard
of the palace, he summoned all mothers their infants.  The infants
were slaughtered right in front of the screaming and despaired mothers.

In Egypt, Mary and Jesus perceived what went on in Jerusalem.  They
prayed for the salvation of the children's soul and consolation for
the grieving parents.  This event signified the first fruit of
Jesus' Passion and He requested that St. Joseph reward such with the
crown of martyrdom.

Mary knew from Jesus that St. Elizabeth with her son escaped Herod.
She also obtained permission from Him to send her angels to bring
John and his mother some provisions in the cave where they stayed.

St. Elizabeth died when John was 4 years old.  He lived in the wilderness
and he was occasionally visited by a holy hermit.  He made friends with
wild animals in the desert and he lived his life in ever-increasing
prayers and mortifications.

Infant Jesus drove away the demons from the pagan idols in the temples
of Egypt.  He offered Egypt's people to God and asked for their salvation.

St. Joseph found a 3-room house for them not far from the town.  As
usual, Mary kissed the ground of the home with humility and prayed to
God.  Then she proceeded to clean it.

The Holy Family was destitute on the first 3 days of stay in this house.
Then St. Joseph found an employer of his carpentry trade.  This employer
treated him with discrimination as a foreigner and sometimes he did not
pay St. Joseph after a day's work.  St. Joseph made a couch for Mary
and a crib for Jesus as furnituress in their empty house.

One of the 3 rooms was Joseph's bedroom; another his workshop and the
last was Mary's and Jesus'.

Poverty was accepted calmly and with joy by the Holy Family and Jesus
was pleased to see this from Mary and Joseph.

Mary decided to help in earning for their living.  She did needlework
and her skills and good quality work became popular that she had lots
of offers.  She sewed during the day while Baby Jesus stayed in a crib
beside her.  She spent most of the night in prayers and meditation.

Jesus wished to lessen Mary's labor and so one day, He gave her a
schedule saying: "My Mother, I wish to make a rule for your daily life
and work.  From nightfall you will take some sleep and rest.  From
midnight until dawn We will praise the Eternal Father together.
Then prepare the necessary food for yourself and Joseph, and afterwards
give Me food and hold Me in your arms until noon, when you will place
Me in the arms of your husband, to give him some refreshment in his
labors.  Then retire and return to your work until it is time to prepare
the evening meal.  And pray continually to the Eternal Father for sinners."

Both Mary and St. Joseph were always consoled by Jesus, even just by
holding Him in their arms.  They gladly accepted all the trials that
accompanied their life because of love of Him.

The 1st anniversary of Annunciation and later the Nativity were
celebrated by the Holy Family.  Mary prayed and prostrated herself on
the ground in the form of a cross before the Infant Jesus, 9 days
prior to each anniversary.

All this time, Jesus only spoke to His Mother.  At one year of age,
He decided to break His silence to His foster father.  One day, when
Mary and St. Joseph were talking about the marvels of God, Jesus, who
was in Mary's arms spoke to Joseph: "My Father-"

Joseph was overwhelmed with joy, love and gratitude upon hearing this
that he fell on his knees before Jesus and prayed to Him to give him
more enlightenment and in all matters in fulfillment of God's Will.

So Jesus continued, "I have come from Heaven upon this earth in oder
to be the Light of the world and in order to rescue it from the
darkness of sin, to seek and to know My sheep, as a good shephered,
to give them the nourishment of eternal life, to teach them the
way to Heaven, and to open its gates, which had been closed by their
sins.  And I desire that you both be children of the Light which
you have so close to you."

As Mary placed Jesus in His cradle, she asked Him what garments might
she make for Him in place of His swaddling clothes.  Jesus responded:
"My Mother, on account of the love which I bear toward men, the
swattings of My childhood have not seemed irksome to Me, for when
I shall be grown up I shall be bound and delivered to My enemies
to be put to death.  I wish to possess only one garment during all My
life, for I seek nothing more than what is sufficient to cover Me.
Clothe Me, My Mother, in a tunic of a lowly and ordinary color.  This
alone will I wear and it shall grow with Me.  Over this garment, they
shall cast lots at My death...Men shall see that I was born and wish
to live poor and destitute of visible things which, being earthly,
oppress and darken the heart of man.  I shall not have anything to
do with visible things except to offer them up to the Eternal Father,
renouncing them for His love, and making use of only so much as
sufficient to sustain My natural life, which I will afterward yield
up for man's sake.  By this example, I wish to impress upon the
doctrine that I must love poverty and not despise it."  (of which
we mortals, go the other way in contrary to Jesus' example)

Mary replied,
"My Son and my Lord, Thy Mother has not the heart to allow Thee to
go barefoot at this tender age.  Permit me, my Love, to provide some
kind of covering to protect Thy feet.  I also fear that the rough
garment which Thou askest of me will wound Thy tender body if Thou
wearest no linen beneath."

Jesus said,
"My Mother, I will permit a slight and ordinary covering for My
feet until the time of My public preaching for I must do that
barefooted.  But I do not wish to wear linen."

Mary proceeded and wove the clothing material for Jesus' tunic and
a half tunic for undergarment.  She also made Him a pair of strong
sandals.

Afterwards, she asked Jesus' permission to clothe Him with what
she made.  They all fitted perfectly even if Mary did not make any
previous measurements.

(exact qoute follows)
...Our Lord never took off this robe until His executioners tore
it off at the Scourging and the Crucifixion, for by divine power
it continually grew with Him, adjusting itself to His body.
Nor did it even become worn in appearance or lose its color, and
it always remained spotlessly clean.

Then Mary gently placed the Infant God on His feet for the first
time, and He took His first steps on this earth.  He was by far,
the most beautiful Child who has ever lived.  Upon seeing him
standing there in His plain and humble robe, the angels marveled
while Mary and Joseph were filled with new love and joy.

The Mother of God continued to nurse her Son until He was a year
and a half old.  Then He began to take frugal meals of broth
mixed with oil, and some fruits and fish.  He never asked for food,
and later He ate all His meals with His Mother and foster father.
Then Mary always waited for Him to give the blessing at the beginning
and thanks at the end of each meal. (end qoute)

Jesus made a lot of friends in their neighborhood.  The children
were won by His kindness to them and His good sense of leadership.
Jesus also let them drink clear water from a fountain that Mary
discovered behind their house.

Jesus had been very thoughtful to Mary.  While Mary prayed, little
Jesus would bring a pitcher He filled with water from the fountain to
Mary without her telling Him to do so.

Jesus helped St. Joseph in his workshop by handing him his tools and
some pieces of wood.

When Jesus grew older, He brought His Mother's needlework to her
customers in town and he brought back some bread.  One time, Jesus
wept over the sufferings He saw in town.  Soon Mary and Jesus
visited the sick and poor in the hospitals to cheer and console
them.  They gave Jesus some gifts in return which He refused or
accepted only to be given to other poor.

Mary comforted the sick, changed the bandages of those with sores and
ulcers, and she healed the poor.  St. Joseph was also given power to
cure some of them.

The Holy Family helped the victims of a severe pestilence that devastated
the town.

(exact qoute follows)
As a result, the Holy Family became very popular among the people,
especially among the poor, and a large number of men and women came to
them for advice and instruction.  In order to honor His Mother, Jesus
told her to teach them the laws of the one true God.  Speaking therefore
to each individual in a waya suited to his or her personality and problems,
she urged them to give up their sinful ways for living in order to serve
and worship the Lord in purity and in truth.  Her gentle and modest
manner and her penetrating messages were so moving and inspiring that
many of her listeners were converted to a better life and eventually
became Christians.  St. Joseph also helped in instructing the men in his
own plain and sincere way.  Thus the Holy Family sowed in Egypt the
spiritual seed that was later to develop into many generations fo holy
Christians, saints, martyrs and hermits. (end qoute)

---

The Blessed Virgin to Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda:
"My daughter, I came into Egypt, where I knew no relations or friends,
in a land of foreign religion, where I could offer no home or protection
or assistance to my Son, whom I loved so much.  It can easily be
understood, then, what tribulations and hardships we suffered.
Thou canst not understand with what patience and resignation we accepted
then.  It is true, I grieved much to see my husband in such necessity
and want, but at the same time I blessed the Lord to be able to suffer
for Him.  In this noble patience and joy of spirit, I wish thee to
imitate me whenever the Lord offers thee an opportunity.  My most
holy Son chose poverty and taught it by word and by example.  This
same doctrince I taught, I practised during all my life.  I wish thee
to love and diligently to seek after this poverty."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 20 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/17
Message-ID: <9604171014.ZM783




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 20.  The Return to Nazareth

Mary and Jesus did not inform St. Joseph about God's decree they learned
while they prayed some time after King Herod's death that they can return
to Israel now.  St. Joseph was very sad lately because he had not been
paid for his work and he prayed hard to God for help.

One night, an angel told St. Joseph in his sleep: "Arise, and take the
child and His Mother and go into the Land of Israel, for those who
sought the Child's life are dead."

St. Joseph woke up and told Jesus and Mary about the command.  Without
delay, they distributed their furnitures among the poor, packed their
few belongings on their faithful donkey, and said sad good-byes to their
many Jewish and Egyptian friends.

Their trip was again long and burdening.  The Child Jesus miraculously
provided strengthening food for them occasionally.

Arriving at Palestine, St. Joseph learned of the new king's cruelty.
So, instead of his original plan of settling in Bethlehem, the Holy
Family proceeded to Nazareth in their former home.

Mary immediately prostrated herself on the ground of their old house.
Then she prayed and thanked God for His blessings throughout their long
exile and hard journeys.

In Nazareth, the Child Jesus became the most poppular boy.  Here, He
made good friends with His future Apostles, John and James the Elder.
Jesus always helped out in Mary and St. Joseph's works.  He made a
good impression and role model to the other kids that parents would say
to their kids, "What will little Jesus think of you?  How sorry He will
be!"  Parents sent their kids to Him for counseling and Jesus, simply
and kindly sent them back to apologize to their parents after advising
them not to hurt or disobey their parents anymore.  Jesus also encouraged
them to pray to the Lord with Him.

At this time, Jesus was tall for His age.  He was slender with a handsome,
clear-complexioned face and radiant health.  He had broad and high forehead
and His dark-brown hair parted in the middle, fell to His shoulders.

(exact qoute follows)
Soon after thier return from Egypt, the Lord resolved to test Mary's love
for Him by seeming to treat her coldly and impersonally for a while.
Therefore, without any warning, Jesus began to be very reserved with His
Mother, speaking to her only rarely and very gravely.  Most of the time
He avoided her company and when she came to Him or when they were at
meals together, He would neither speak to her nor even look at her.
Naturally, Mary was deeply disturbed, for with her usual humility she
feared that somehow she had offended God through some fault.  She therefore
examined her conscience minutely and racked her memory for some evidence
of ingratitude.  Although she could find not even one slight venial sin,
nevertheless she humbled herself more than ever and acknowledged that she
deserved such treatment.  Yet with ardent longing, she begged the Lord in
unceasing prayer to pardon her and restore her to His favor.  This trial
lasted 30 days.  Then one day as Mary knelt at the feet of Jesus, He
said to her with great tenderness:
"Arise, My Mother."
And His words had such a profound effect on her that she was rapt into a
prolonged ecstasy, in which many divine mysteries were revealed to her.
When she came out of her trance and adored her Son, she was again
privileged to contemplate His holy soul, as before.  Henceforth, until
the time of His public ministry, Jesus regularly taught her the truths
of the Christian religion which He was later to give to His Church.
(end qoute)


--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 21 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/18
Message-ID: <9604181105.ZM2122




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 21.  The Boy Jesus in the Temple

The Holy Family, being Jews, went to the Temple in Jerusalem at least
once a year to celebrate the Pasch in April.  Jesus was 8 years old
when He first took the long trip with His parents.

In the Temple, Jesus prayed ardently to God for the whole human race.
Mary perceived this and she also thought of her Son's future sufferings
in that city and Jesus would turn to her to ask her to offer such
sufferings to God for the salvation of men.

Several times in the Temple, Mary heard God declare: "This is My Beloved
Son in whom I am well pleased."

When Jesus was twelve, as the Holy Family proceeded back to Nazareth after
their yearly pilgrimage to the Temple, He slipped away from His parents
as they approached the exit of the city gate.  Jesus foresaw what was to
happen and He offered it up to His Eternal Father for the benefit of souls.

In 3 days, Jesus begged alms for the poor, visited the sick in the hospital,
consoling them and sharing the alms He begged for while He also secretly
cured some and restored spiritual strength of many.

Then He went with some boys to 3 schools, one each day.  He asked questions
and gave answers to teachers and priests who became surprised and irritated
that they decided on the 3rd afternoon to publicly test Him in the Temple.
Experts applauded the Boy's knowledge but they later felt envious and
jealous of Him.

Jesus awakened these old Israelites who were dressed as priests, and
brought them analogies from nature and art.  He spoke like a specialist in
the fields medicine, the human body, astronomy, architecture, agriculture,
geometry, mathematics and law.  His listeners were inwardly furious and
embarassed by His astounding knowledge.

The topic turned to the coming of the Messias.  Jesus taught with divine
conviction in contrary to the Hebrew scholars' belief.  He proved that
the Messias must be among them at this time with the situation of Israel
that time and with the same servitude as foretold.  Jesus' explanations
refuted the scholars interpretation of the Law that they were furious.

Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph were so anxious, feeling self-reproach for not
finding Jesus where they looked - among friends and relatives.  Although
Mary knew that His Passion was not yet due, she was afraid that the current
king, Archelaus, might have taken Him prisoner and was mistreating Him.
She also contemplated on a possibility that He went to the desert to live
with John the Baptist.

Mary did not eat nor sleep these 3 days.  Her angels whom she talked to
were not allowed to tell her where Jesus was.  In her humility and prudence,
she did not ask them.  Mary bore her anxiety with patience, resignation
and submission which she topped with exterior and interior peace.  She
continued to pray for the human race and the grace to find her Son.

A woman who gave alms to Jesus told Mary that she saw Him begging for
alms and that she felt compassion for such a beautiful Child in poverty
and need.

Then Mary learned at a city hospital that Jesus visited the poor there.
Now Mary deduced that since Jesus was not with the poor at that time,
then He would be in the House of God.  Her angels finally broke their
silence and told Mary: "Our Queen and our Lady, the hour of thy
consolation is at hand.  Soon thou wilt see the Light of thine eyes.
Hasten thy footsteps and go to the Temple."

St. Joseph who was searching for Jesus separately, joined Mary.  This
search had endangered St. Joseph's life for lack of food and rest but
God strengtened him.  They then arrived at the Temple and found Jesus just
as He was finishing His last explanation.

Mary and St. Joseph were overwhelmed with joy and did not first understand
the meaning of Jesus' response to Mary inquiry because during all these
times, Jesus' soul was again veiled from Mary's eyes.

(exact qoute follows)
For a moment it seemed as if several of the scholars who were so angry
at Jesus might do Him some harm.  But then the Holy Family quietly went
out through the crowd, which opened to let them pass.  Soon they had left
the city.

When they were alone on the road, Mary knelt before her Son and asked His
blessing.  With loving tenderness, the Boy Jesus raised her from the
ground, comforted her, and revealed to her all that He had done in those
3 days.  Later during the journey, He also explained to her that the
learned doctors had not recognized Him as the Messias because they were
inflated and arrogant in their own knowledge and that their understanding
was obscured by the loving desire to see the truth, His reasoning would
have sufficiently convinced them.
"And his mother kept all these things carefully in her heart."
(end qoute)

---

Our Lady said to Venerable Mary of Agreda

"The Lord absented Himself from me in order that by seeking Him in
sorrow and tears I might find Him again in joy and with abundant fruits
for my soul.  In my great love the uncertainty as to the cause of His
withdrawal gave me no rest until I found Him.

"In this I wish that thou imitate me, whether thou lose Him through
thy own fault or by the disposition of His will.  For to lose sight
of God for the purpose of being tried in virtue and love is not the
same as to lose sight of Him in punishment for sins committed.

"So strong are the bonds of His Love that no one can burst them,
except thy _own free will_."



--
___  ___





*

Subject: Part 22 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/18
Message-ID: <9604181107.ZM2126




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 22.  The Hidden Life in Nazareth

Being gone for 3 days, Jesus was welcomed with a banquet prepared by 33
of His friends and their relatives.  During this meal of fruits and bread
rolls, Little Jesus told His companions about a wedding at which water
would be changed to wine and then about another wedding as a living
bond until the end of the world at which wine would be changed into blood
and bread into flesh.  Then he told His young cousin, Nathanael, who
was also present, that one day He would attend his wedding.

Jesus was acknowledged leader of these boys.  He spent much time talking
with them and teaching them many practical lessons including knowledge
about God and love for Him.

Jesus spent more time helping St. Joseph at his carpentry work.  At the
age of 18, He became His foster father's regular assistant and this consoled
and pleased St. Joseph.

St. Joseph made Jesus a wooden couch for a bed.  Jesus used only one blanket
and a small woolen pillow made by Mary.  He rested by sitting on it.  He
never stretched out on this bed and His reply to His mother who asked Him
was that the only couch He was to be stretched out would be His Cross.

Mary and St. Joseph seldom caressed Jesus now that He had become older.
Jesus also began to show seriousness, majesty and divinity in His conduct
and conversation with them.  Yet, He still maintains His humility,
obedience and love for them.

The Holy Family prayed together everyday in Mary's plain and poorly
furnished holy room, where the Annunciation had taken place.

Young Jesus continued to visit the poor and the sick and He also secretly
helped many both physically and spiritually.

(exact qoute follows)
Throughout these years of His hidden life, Jesus spent much time teaching
His Mother all that she must know and do later for His Church.  Soon after
the return from Jerusalem when He was twelve, the eternal Father said to
Mary: "We have resolved to make you the closest image and likeness of My
only-begotten Son.  Be mindful therefore that a great preparation is
required of you."

Henceforth, Jesus instructed his Mother thoroughly in the new Law of His
Gospel and all the mysteries and doctrines of the Catholic religion.  Day
after day, he taught her the meaning and value of the Sacraments and dogmas
of the Church, and He described to her the whole history of His Church
until the end of the world, together with all its saints and martyrs and
doctors and prelates.  He also showed her how to apply this knowledge
in a practical way to her daily life, so that she might be well prepared
to serve Him and his Mystical Body the Church as Divine Providence planned.
Mary received these inspiring instructions with profound humility, reverence,
gratitude and fervent love, which reached a climax when Jesus explained to
her the mysteries of the Holy Eucharist and the Mass.  Then she exclaimed:
"My Lord and Life of my soul, shall I be so fortunate as to bear Thee once
more within my body and soul?"
And Jesus answered:
"My beloved Mother, you shall receive Me many times in the Blessed Sacrament
and after My death and Ascension it will be your consolation, for I shall
choose your sincere and loving heart as My most pleasing and delightful
resting place."

>From that hour, Mary humbly and gratefully began to prepare herself in all
her thoughts and actions for the time when she could receive Holy Communion,
and she prayed fervently that all men might know and appreciate this
greatest of all the Sacraments.

By a special privilege granted to the Blessed Virgin by God, after she
reached the age of 33 - during the hidden life in Nazareth, Jesus being
18 - her beautiful physical appearance and perfection remained unchanged
during all the rest of her long life.  She now strikingly resembled in
features and complexion the unique beauty of Christ during His last years
on earth, and the Lord allowed Mary to keep that perfection in order that
His likeness might be preserved in her as long as she lived. (end qoute)

---

Speaking of the Hidden Life, The Blessed Virgin told St. Bridget of Sweden:

"As the Gospel says, my Son was subject to His parents and He acted like
other children until He grew up.  Nothing unclean ever touched Him nor was
the least disorder even seen in His hair.  When he grew older, He was
constantly in prayer.  His features and His words were so wonderful
and so pleasing that many persons when in trouble used to say, "Let us
go to Mary's Son.  He will console us!'  As He grew in age, He worked with
His hands, and He talked with us so inspiringly about God that we were
continually filled with indescribable joy.  And when we were in fear,
in poverty, and in trouble, He did not produce gold and silver for us, but
urged us to be patient and we were marvelously protected.  What we needed
was sometimes given to us by compassionate and devout persons, and sometimes
came from our work, so that we had what we needed to live on, but nothing
superfluous, for we sought only to serve God.  At home, with friends, who
visited us, He talked familiarly about the Law of God and its meanings
and types.  He also openly disputed with learned men so that they were
astonished and used to say, 'Joseph's Son instructs the scribes - there
is a great spirit in Him!'

"He was also so obedient that when Joseph said to Him: 'Do this' or 'Do
that', He did it at once, for He concealed the power of His Divinity in
such a way that it could only be perceived by myself and at times by
Joseph.  Very often we saw Him surrounded by a wonderful light and heard
angels' voices singing over Him. We also observed that unclean spirits,
which could not be cast out by official exorcists, fled at the sight
of my Son's presence.  Keep this always in your memory, my daughter,
and offer sincere thanks to God that He chose to reveal His childhood
to others through you."


--
___  ___





*



Subject: Part 23 - Life of Mary
Date: 1996/04/25
Message-ID: <9604251111.ZM25287




newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic



=============================================================
DISCLAIMER:  This compilation was based on saints, blesseds,
visionaries (4 in all) accounts of the "Life of Mary" as
"revealed" to them.   It is NOT officially approved by the
Church as essential to our faith and belief.  It is up to
individual reader's discretion to believe it or not.

This is here for simple contemplation on what "Holy life of
Our Blessed Virgin Mother" was and what virtues we can derive
from it.
=============================================================

>From the book:
The Life of Mary as Seen by Mystics
   Compiled by Raphael Brown
TAN Books and Publishers, Inc.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:
Chap. 23.  The Death of St. Joseph

Though not very old, St. Joseph was worn out in strength and health
after 20 years of hard work for his family.  Thus, in order to increase
his sanctity through practice of patience and resignation, the Lord
ordained that he would spend the 8 years of the rest of his life in
illness and suffering.  (I guess, all would-be saints are required this.)

Now, Mary voluntered to support the family as when they were in Egypt
by doing some spinning and weaving of linen and wool with a loyal
woman friend.  Jesus sometimes miraculously made her accomplish a lot
of work in a day.

St. Joseph suffered fevers, violent headaches and painful rheumatism
which incapacitated him.  Mary served him faithfully and prepared the
food of his specific choice.  St. Joseph remained humble and patient
in enduring his sufferings.

In the last 3 years of his life, St. Joseph's sufferings became worst.
Mary prayed to Jesus that St. Joseph's pains be given to her.  Jesus
would then let them cease for a while.  Whenever Jesus was not doing
His public ministry, He also helped and encouraged His foster father.

Near the time of St. Joseph's death, Mary said to Jesus, "My Lord,
I beseech Thee, let Thy servant Joseph's death be as precious in Thy
sight as the uprightness of his life has been pleasing to Thee."
And Jesus replied, "My Mother, your request is granted for the merits
of Joseph are great.  I will now assist him and will assign him so
high a place among My people that he will be the admiration of angels
and of men.  With no other human being shall I do as with your husband."

(exact qoute follows)
Then for nine days, St. Joseph enjoyed the company of Mary or Jesus
without interruption, and three times each day, the angels comforted
him of celestial music and invigorating fragrances.

On the eighth day he fell into an ecstasy that lasted 24 hours, during
which he was shown clearly many d