Meditations on the Agony in Meditations on the Agony in the Gardenthe Garden

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First Sorrowful MysteryFirst Sorrowful MysteryThe Agony in the GardenThe Agony in the Garden

In his anguish, he prayed with all the greater In his anguish, he prayed with all the greater intensity, and his sweat became like drops of intensity, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. Then he rose from blood falling to the ground. Then he rose from prayer and came to his disciples, only to find prayer and came to his disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted with grief.them asleep, exhausted with grief.

Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow Fruit of the mystery: Sorrow for sinfor sin

The Sorrowful Mysteries represent “the The Sorrowful Mysteries represent “the culminationculmination

of the revelation of God’s love.” of the revelation of God’s love.” (Pope John Paul (Pope John Paul

II)II)

1. Jesus took leave of 1. Jesus took leave of His MotherHis Mother

Words of the Words of the QueenQueen on: on:

The royal road of The royal road of sufferingsuffering

Lorenzo Lotto, Christ takes leave of his mother, 1521. Gemalde-galerie. Berlin.

1***.Jesus took leave of his mother

This desire for suffering This desire for suffering and the wishes of my and the wishes of my divine Son led me on in divine Son led me on in the way of sufferingthe way of suffering. For . For those whom He loves, He those whom He loves, He chastises and afflicts chastises and afflicts (Prov. 3, 12). I as his (Prov. 3, 12). I as his Mother was not to be Mother was not to be deprived of this blessed deprived of this blessed distinction of being distinction of being entirely like unto Himentirely like unto Him, , which alone makes this which alone makes this life most estimable.”life most estimable.” (Mary (Mary of Agreda)of Agreda)

Lorenzo Lotto, Christ takes leave of his mother, 1521. Gemalde-galerie, Berlin.

1A. Jesus took leave of his mother

“My Mother, the hour decreed by My Father for the salvation of the human race has now arrived, and we must subject our wills to His. As My true Mother, give Me your permission to enter upon My suffering and death. Just as you consented to My Incarnation, so I now desire that you also consent to My death on the Cross. This sacrifice is the return which I ask of you for having made you My Mother.” (Mary of Agreda)

Lorenzo Lotto, Christ takes leave of his mother, 1521. Gemalde-galerie, Berlin.

1B. Jesus took leave of his mother

“My Lord, I offer myself and resign myself in order that in me, just as in Thee, the will of the Eternal Father may be fulfilled. The greatest sacrifice that I can make is that I cannot die with Thee. O my Son and Lord, give Thy afflicted Mother strength and courage. Admit her as Thy companion so that she may share Thy Passion and Cross and so that the Eternal Father may receive the sacrifice of Thy Mother in union with Thine.” (Mary of Agreda)

Lorenzo Lotto, Christ takes leave of his mother, 1521. Gemalde-galerie, Berlin.

1C. Jesus took leave of his mother

Jesus kneels devotedly beforeHis mother.The Madonna stricken with sorrow is supported by John and Mary Magdalene.

“Oh, if only I could receive the pains and sorrows that await Him, and suffer death so as to save His life! Accept, Heavenly Father, the sacrifice of my grief and affection, which I offer in union with Him, in order that Thy holy will may be fulfilled. O Children of Adam, begin at last to take heed of the harm caused by you sins!” (Mary of Agreda)

All words and description are far too inadequate to All words and description are far too inadequate to manifest what passed in the heart of the Son and manifest what passed in the heart of the Son and Mother.Mother. God permitted these effects to work in Them God permitted these effects to work in Them to their full extent, and as far as was compatible with to their full extent, and as far as was compatible with the holiness of both Mother and Son. the holiness of both Mother and Son. Our divine Our divine Teacher found no relief in hastening his steps toward Teacher found no relief in hastening his steps toward the goal of our Redemption, to which He was drawn by the goal of our Redemption, to which He was drawn by the force of his immense charity. the force of his immense charity.

O my dearest Love! Why does not our ingratitude and O my dearest Love! Why does not our ingratitude and hardness of heart allow us to meet Thee with a hardness of heart allow us to meet Thee with a responsive love?responsive love? Why does not the perfect uselessness Why does not the perfect uselessness of man, and still more, his ingratitude, influence Thee of man, and still more, his ingratitude, influence Thee to desist? to desist? Without us, O my eternal Goodness and Without us, O my eternal Goodness and Life, Thou wilt be just as happy without us as with us,Life, Thou wilt be just as happy without us as with us, just as infinite in perfections, holiness and glory; we just as infinite in perfections, holiness and glory; we can add nothing to that which Thou hast in Thyself, can add nothing to that which Thou hast in Thyself, since Thou art entirely independent of creatures. since Thou art entirely independent of creatures. Why Why then, O my Love, dost Thou so anxiously seek us out then, O my Love, dost Thou so anxiously seek us out and care for us? Why dost Thou, at the cost of thy and care for us? Why dost Thou, at the cost of thy Passion and the Cross, purchase our happiness? Passion and the Cross, purchase our happiness? Without doubt, because thy incomprehensible love Without doubt, because thy incomprehensible love and goodness.and goodness.

He said: He said: ""My Mother, my existence as man I derive My Mother, my existence as man I derive entirely from thy substance and blood, of which I have entirely from thy substance and blood, of which I have taken the form of a servant in thy virginal womb (Phil. 2, taken the form of a servant in thy virginal womb (Phil. 2, 7). Thou also hast nursed Me at thy breast and taken care 7). Thou also hast nursed Me at thy breast and taken care of Me by thy labors and sweat. For this reason I account of Me by thy labors and sweat. For this reason I account Me more thine own and as thy Son, than any other ever Me more thine own and as thy Son, than any other ever acknowledged, or more than any ever will acknowledge acknowledged, or more than any ever will acknowledge himself as the son of his mother. Give Me thy permission himself as the son of his mother. Give Me thy permission and consent toward accomplishing the will of my eternal and consent toward accomplishing the will of my eternal Father. Already the time has arrived, in which I must Father. Already the time has arrived, in which I must leave thy sweet interaction and company and begin the leave thy sweet interaction and company and begin the work of the Redemption of man. work of the Redemption of man. The time of rest has come The time of rest has come to an end and the hour of suffering for the rescue of the to an end and the hour of suffering for the rescue of the sons of Adam has arrivedsons of Adam has arrived. But I wish to perform this work . But I wish to perform this work of my Father with thy assistance, and of my Father with thy assistance, and Thou art to be my Thou art to be my companion and helper in preparing for my Passion and companion and helper in preparing for my Passion and Death of the CrossDeath of the Cross. Although I must now leave Thee . Although I must now leave Thee alone, my blessing shall remain with Thee, and my loving alone, my blessing shall remain with Thee, and my loving and powerful protection.” and powerful protection.” Mystical City of God. Mystical City of God. Mary of AgredaMary of Agreda

WORDS OF THE QUEEN on WORDS OF THE QUEEN on The Royal Road of SufferingThe Royal Road of Suffering (The Virgin (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)

““I was made to comprehend the high value which the Lord sets I was made to comprehend the high value which the Lord sets upon the labors, the Passion and Death of my Son, and upon all upon the labors, the Passion and Death of my Son, and upon all those who were to imitate and follow Jesus in the way of the Cross. those who were to imitate and follow Jesus in the way of the Cross. Knowing this, I not only offered to deliver my Son over to Passion Knowing this, I not only offered to deliver my Son over to Passion and Death, but I asked Him to make me his companion and and Death, but I asked Him to make me his companion and partaker of all his sorrows, sufferings and tormentspartaker of all his sorrows, sufferings and torments, which request , which request the eternal Father granted. the eternal Father granted. I besought my Son and Lord to deprive I besought my Son and Lord to deprive me of interior delightsme of interior delights; and this petition was inspired in me by the ; and this petition was inspired in me by the Lord himself.Lord himself. This desire for suffering and the wishes of my divine This desire for suffering and the wishes of my divine Son led me on in the way of suffering.Son led me on in the way of suffering. For those whom He loves, He For those whom He loves, He chastises and afflicts (Prov. 3, 12). I as his Mother was not to be chastises and afflicts (Prov. 3, 12). I as his Mother was not to be deprived of this blessed distinction of being entirely like unto Him, deprived of this blessed distinction of being entirely like unto Him, which alone makes this life most estimablewhich alone makes this life most estimable.. I began to feel the want I began to feel the want of his delightful caresses and He began to treat me with greater of his delightful caresses and He began to treat me with greater reserve. That was one of the reasons, why He did not call me reserve. That was one of the reasons, why He did not call me Mother, but Woman, at the marriage-feast at Cana and at the foot Mother, but Woman, at the marriage-feast at Cana and at the foot of the Cross (John 2, 4, 19, 26); and also on other occasions, when of the Cross (John 2, 4, 19, 26); and also on other occasions, when He abstained from words of tenderness.He abstained from words of tenderness. So far was this from being a So far was this from being a sign of a diminution of his love, that it was rather an exquisite sign of a diminution of his love, that it was rather an exquisite refinement of his affection refinement of his affection to assimilate me to Him in the sufferings to assimilate me to Him in the sufferings which He chose Himself as his precious treasure and inheritancewhich He chose Himself as his precious treasure and inheritance.”.”

““Hence thou wilt understand the ignorance and error of mortals, Hence thou wilt understand the ignorance and error of mortals, and how far they drift from the way of light, when, as a rule, nearly and how far they drift from the way of light, when, as a rule, nearly all of them strive to avoid labor and suffering and are frightened by all of them strive to avoid labor and suffering and are frightened by the royal and secure road of mortification and the Cross.the royal and secure road of mortification and the Cross. Full of Full of this deceitful ignorance, they do not only abhor resemblance to this deceitful ignorance, they do not only abhor resemblance to Christ's suffering and my own, and deprive themselves of the true Christ's suffering and my own, and deprive themselves of the true and highest blessing of this life but they make their recovery and highest blessing of this life but they make their recovery impossible, since impossible, since all of them are weak and afflicted by many sins, all of them are weak and afflicted by many sins, for which the only remedy is suffering.for which the only remedy is suffering. Sin is committed by base Sin is committed by base indulgence and is repugnant to suffering sorrow, while indulgence and is repugnant to suffering sorrow, while tribulation tribulation earns pardonearns pardon of the just judge. of the just judge. By the bitterness of sorrow and By the bitterness of sorrow and affliction the vapors of sin are allayedaffliction the vapors of sin are allayed; the excesses of the ; the excesses of the concupiscible and irascible passions are crushed; concupiscible and irascible passions are crushed; pride and pride and haughtiness are humiliatedhaughtiness are humiliated; the ; the flesh is subduedflesh is subdued the inclination to the inclination to evil, to the sensible and earthly creatures is repressed; the judgment evil, to the sensible and earthly creatures is repressed; the judgment is cleared; the will is brought within bounds and its desultory is cleared; the will is brought within bounds and its desultory movements at the call of the passions, are corrected; and, above all, movements at the call of the passions, are corrected; and, above all, divine love and pity are drawn down upon the afflicted,divine love and pity are drawn down upon the afflicted, who who embrace suffering with patienceembrace suffering with patience, or who seek it to imitate my most , or who seek it to imitate my most holy Sonholy Son. In this science of suffering are renewed all the blessed . In this science of suffering are renewed all the blessed riches of the creaturesriches of the creatures.”.”

2. Jesus prayed to 2. Jesus prayed to the Fatherthe Father

Words of the Queen on:Words of the Queen on:The Cross, the science of saintsThe Cross, the science of saints

Heinrich Hofmann, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

2.** Jesus prayed to the Father

Sin is the cause of Our Lord’s mortal agony. Let us ask for contrition over our sins. Let us pray for the conversion of sinners and especially our own conversion.

Before every important event in Jesus’ life He took time off by himself to pray.

Heinrich Hofmann, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

2A. Jesus prayed to the Father “Father, all things are

possible to Thee; take away this chalice from before me; only as thy will is, not as mine is.”

Christ, You know what it is to suffer mentally and physically. Give us the courage to deal with the tasks we are given, no matter how terrible they seem.

Be faithful to the ministry of prayer. Jesus is Be faithful to the ministry of prayer. Jesus is constantly offering Himself and interceding before constantly offering Himself and interceding before the Father by means of you. the Father by means of you. In these times, how In these times, how greatly prayer is being neglected by so many.greatly prayer is being neglected by so many.

People no longer pray. They are absorbed in People no longer pray. They are absorbed in action. You forget that you can do nothing of action. You forget that you can do nothing of yourselves, and that it is Jesus Christ alone who, yourselves, and that it is Jesus Christ alone who, by means of you, works and saves.by means of you, works and saves. You forget that You forget that you are useless servants, that you are poor, that you are useless servants, that you are poor, that you are sinners. Return to prayer. you are sinners. Return to prayer.

Make the Eucharistic Jesus the center of your Make the Eucharistic Jesus the center of your prayer, the secret of you life, the soul of your prayer, the secret of you life, the soul of your apostolic action.apostolic action. (Gobbi)(Gobbi)

Sebastiano Ricci, The Agony in the Garden, 1730, Vienna museum

3. **He had sight of an angel from Heaven, encouraging Him.

Jesus shows us that the greater our distress, the more earnest should be our prayer.

“Thesufferings of your day will dispose you to be prompt to enter into continuousprayer.” (Gobbi)

Sebastiano Ricci, The Agony in the Garden, 1730, Vienna museum

3A. He had sight of an angel from Heaven, encouraging Him.

“I, the Mother, am the angel of consolation. At every moment,your heavenly Mother is close to each one of you. She is at your side to help you sufferand to comfort you in your great abandonment.”(Gobbi)

WORDS OF THE QUEEN on WORDS OF THE QUEEN on The Cross, the Science of SaintsThe Cross, the Science of Saints (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)Spain.)

““My daughter, in all that thou art made to understand and write My daughter, in all that thou art made to understand and write concerning these mysteries, concerning these mysteries, thou drawest upon thyself (and upon thou drawest upon thyself (and upon mortals) a severe judgment, if thou dost not overcome thy mortals) a severe judgment, if thou dost not overcome thy pusillanimity, ingratitude and baseness by meditating day and night pusillanimity, ingratitude and baseness by meditating day and night on the Passion and Death of Jesus crucified. This is the great on the Passion and Death of Jesus crucified. This is the great science of the saints, so little heeded by the worldly; it is the bread of science of the saints, so little heeded by the worldly; it is the bread of life and the spiritual food of the little ones, which gives wisdom to life and the spiritual food of the little ones, which gives wisdom to themthem and the want of which starves the lovers of this proud world and the want of which starves the lovers of this proud world (Wis. 15, 3). (Wis. 15, 3). In this science I wish thee to be studious and wise, for In this science I wish thee to be studious and wise, for with it thou can buy thyself all good thingswith it thou can buy thyself all good things (Wis. 7, 11). My Son and (Wis. 7, 11). My Son and Lord taught us this science when He said: "I am the way, the truth Lord taught us this science when He said: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no one cometh to my Father except through Me" (John and the life: no one cometh to my Father except through Me" (John 14, 6). Tell me then, my daughter: if my Lord and Master has made 14, 6). Tell me then, my daughter: if my Lord and Master has made Himself the life and the way for men through his Passion and Himself the life and the way for men through his Passion and Death, is it not evident that in order to go that way and live up to Death, is it not evident that in order to go that way and live up to this truth, they must follow Christ crucified, afflicted, scourged and this truth, they must follow Christ crucified, afflicted, scourged and affrontedaffronted?”?”

Consider the ignorance of men who wish to come to the Father Consider the ignorance of men who wish to come to the Father without following Christ, since they expect to reign with God without following Christ, since they expect to reign with God without suffering or imitating his Passion. They want it to procure without suffering or imitating his Passion. They want it to procure for them the pleasures of this life as well as of eternal life, while for them the pleasures of this life as well as of eternal life, while Christ their Creator has suffered the most bitter pains and torments Christ their Creator has suffered the most bitter pains and torments in order to enter Heaven and to show them by His example how they in order to enter Heaven and to show them by His example how they are to find the way of light.are to find the way of light.

Eternal rest is incompatible with the shame of not having duly Eternal rest is incompatible with the shame of not having duly labored for its attainment. He is not a true son of his father, who labored for its attainment. He is not a true son of his father, who does not imitate him, nor he a good disciple, who does not follow his does not imitate him, nor he a good disciple, who does not follow his Master, nor he a good servant, who does not accompany his lord; Master, nor he a good servant, who does not accompany his lord; nor do I count him a devoted child, who does not suffer with me and nor do I count him a devoted child, who does not suffer with me and my divine Son. my divine Son.

But our love for the eternal salvation of men obliges us, who see But our love for the eternal salvation of men obliges us, who see them forgetful of this truth and so adverse to suffering, to send them them forgetful of this truth and so adverse to suffering, to send them labors and punishments, so that if they do not freely welcome them, labors and punishments, so that if they do not freely welcome them, they may at least be forced to undergo them and so be enabled to they may at least be forced to undergo them and so be enabled to enter upon the way of salvation.”enter upon the way of salvation.”

““Hence it comes, that men do not find joy in their tribulations, nor Hence it comes, that men do not find joy in their tribulations, nor rest in their labors, nor consolation in their sorrows, nor any peace rest in their labors, nor consolation in their sorrows, nor any peace in adversities. For, altogether different from the saints who glory in in adversities. For, altogether different from the saints who glory in tribulation as the fulfillment of their most earnest desires, they tribulation as the fulfillment of their most earnest desires, they desire none of it and abhor all that is painful.desire none of it and abhor all that is painful. In many of the In many of the faithful ignorance goes still farther; for some of them expect to be faithful ignorance goes still farther; for some of them expect to be distinguished by God's most intimate love, others, to be pardoned distinguished by God's most intimate love, others, to be pardoned without penance, others, to be highly favored. without penance, others, to be highly favored. Nothing of all this Nothing of all this will they attain, because they do not ask in the name of Christ the will they attain, because they do not ask in the name of Christ the Lord and because they do not wish to imitate Him and follow Him Lord and because they do not wish to imitate Him and follow Him in his Passionin his Passion..

Therefore, my daughter, embrace the Cross and do not admit any Therefore, my daughter, embrace the Cross and do not admit any consolation outside of it in this mortal life. By contemplating and consolation outside of it in this mortal life. By contemplating and feeling within thyself the sacred Passion thou wilt attain the summit feeling within thyself the sacred Passion thou wilt attain the summit of perfectionof perfection and attain the love of a spouse. and attain the love of a spouse. Nothing was so highly Nothing was so highly estimated and earnestly desired by Him, as to offer Himself for estimated and earnestly desired by Him, as to offer Himself for suffering and death and to deliver Himself up entirely to his suffering and death and to deliver Himself up entirely to his enemiesenemies. I wish also that thou lament with great sorrow the fact that . I wish also that thou lament with great sorrow the fact that Judas, in his malice and treachery, has many more followers than Judas, in his malice and treachery, has many more followers than Christ. Christ. Many are the infidels, many the bad Catholics, many the Many are the infidels, many the bad Catholics, many the hypocrites, who under the name of a Christian, sell and deliver Him hypocrites, who under the name of a Christian, sell and deliver Him and wish to crucify Him anewand wish to crucify Him anew.”.”

3 The abandonment and3 The abandonment and

betrayal by the disciplesbetrayal by the disciples

Words of the QueenWords of the Queen on:on:

Abandonment and Abandonment and betrayalbetrayal

Console my Son.Console my Son.

Duccio di Buoninsegna, The Maesta, the phases preceding the passion

Jesus went back to his disciples to find them asleep. Then He went back again and prayed.4.

“My children, never seek your comfort in anyone but God. In your times of loneliness, doubt, and depression, have recourse to prayer.”

“Today, how many abandon Him, being seduced by the attractions of the world. How many sleep the slumber of doubt, lack of faith, indifference and mediocrity.” (Gobbi)

5.** The Abandonment by the disciples

A. Mantegna, The Garden of Gethsemane 1470

““Make reparations Make reparations by your presence, by your presence, for the countless for the countless and repeated acts and repeated acts of abandonment.” of abandonment.” (Gobbi)(Gobbi)

5A. Abandonment by the disciples

Mantegna, The Garden of Gethsemane 1470

“Imitate and follow Imitate and follow me into the me into the solitude. Weigh in solitude. Weigh in thy heart, how thy heart, how much it cost my much it cost my Lord to reconcile Lord to reconcile mankind to the mankind to the eternal Father. eternal Father. (Colos. 1, 22) (Colos. 1, 22) Weep and afflict Weep and afflict thyself that so many thyself that so many should live in such should live in such forgetfulness.”forgetfulness.”(Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

WORDS OF THE QUEEN on WORDS OF THE QUEEN on Console my SonConsole my Son . . (The Virgin (The Virgin Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)Mary speaks to Sister Mary of Agreda, Spain.)

““Thou art now roused to great wonder, sorrow and compassion at Thou art now roused to great wonder, sorrow and compassion at the want of attention displayed by mortals toward these great the want of attention displayed by mortals toward these great sacraments and at the losses sustained by them through their sacraments and at the losses sustained by them through their lukewarmness and negligence. I am much incensed to find lukewarmness and negligence. I am much incensed to find so few so few who console with me and try to console my Son in his sorrowswho console with me and try to console my Son in his sorrows, as , as David says (Ps. 68, 21). This hardness of heart will cause great David says (Ps. 68, 21). This hardness of heart will cause great confusion to them on the day of judgment; since they will then see confusion to them on the day of judgment; since they will then see with irreparable sorrow, not only that they were ungrateful, but with irreparable sorrow, not only that they were ungrateful, but inhuman and cruel toward my divine Son, toward me and toward inhuman and cruel toward my divine Son, toward me and toward themselvesthemselves..

Consider then thy duty, my dearest, and raise thyself above all Consider then thy duty, my dearest, and raise thyself above all earthly things and above thyself; for I am calling thee and choose earthly things and above thyself; for I am calling thee and choose thee to imitate and follow me into the solitude, in which I am left by thee to imitate and follow me into the solitude, in which I am left by creaturescreatures, whom my Son and I have pursued with so many blessings , whom my Son and I have pursued with so many blessings and favors. and favors. Weigh in thy heart, how much it cost my Lord to Weigh in thy heart, how much it cost my Lord to reconcile mankind to the eternal Father (Colos. 1, 22) and regain reconcile mankind to the eternal Father (Colos. 1, 22) and regain for them his friendship. Weep and afflict thyself that so many for them his friendship. Weep and afflict thyself that so many should live in such forgetfulness.”should live in such forgetfulness.”

6A. The Betrayal by Judas

““I wish also that thou I wish also that thou lament with great lament with great sorrow the fact that sorrow the fact that Judas, in his malice Judas, in his malice and treachery, has and treachery, has many more followers many more followers than Christ. than Christ. Many Many are the infidels, many are the infidels, many the bad Catholics, the bad Catholics, many the hypocrites, many the hypocrites, who under the name who under the name of a Christian, sell of a Christian, sell and deliver Him and and deliver Him and wish to crucify Him wish to crucify Him anewanew.”.” (Mary of (Mary of Agreda)Agreda)

Caravaggio, The Betrayal of Christ, 1602, National Gallery of Ireland. Dublin.

7. Non-Violence

“ Put your sword back into its place; All those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”

Altdorfer Albrecht 1509-16 The Arrest of Christ. St. Florian bei Linz

4. The Denial4. The Denial

Words of the QueenWords of the Queen on:on:

The denial of Christ’s The denial of Christ’s divinitydivinity

The denial of Peter.The denial of Peter.

Gerrit van Honthorst, Christ before Caiaphas, 1618. National Gallery. London

Caiaphas questioned him, “ Are you the Christ, the Son of God?”Jesus replied, “ I am.”

8. Christ before Caiaphas

Gerrit van Honthorst, Christ before Caiaphas, 1618. National Gallery. London

“The attempt to recognize Him only as man continues: to deny his divinity, to reduce his divine words to a purely human interpretation.Together with me, suffer the judgment of the world, the rejection, the persecution and the condemnation on the part of a society which continues to deny its God.” (Gobbi)

8A. Christ before Caiaphas

““Few know the poverty of Christ, and fewer Few know the poverty of Christ, and fewer embrace itembrace it. . Holy faith is hindered and is not spread Holy faith is hindered and is not spread among the nationsamong the nations on account of the boundless on account of the boundless ambition of the mighty of this earth; ambition of the mighty of this earth; in many in many Catholics it is inactive and dead;Catholics it is inactive and dead; and whatever and whatever should be living, is near to death and to eternal should be living, is near to death and to eternal perdition. The counsels of the Gospel are perdition. The counsels of the Gospel are forgotten, its precepts trodden under foot, charity forgotten, its precepts trodden under foot, charity almost extinct. almost extinct. My son and true God offers his My son and true God offers his cheeks in patience and meekness to be buffeted cheeks in patience and meekness to be buffeted and woundedand wounded (Thren. 3, 30). (Thren. 3, 30). Who pardons an Who pardons an insult for the sake of imitating Him?insult for the sake of imitating Him? Just the Just the contrary is set up as law in this world, not only by contrary is set up as law in this world, not only by the infidels, but by the very children of the faith the infidels, but by the very children of the faith and of light.”and of light.” (Mary of Agreda. Mystical (Mary of Agreda. Mystical city of God.city of God.

In all these things canst thou suffer and must thou In all these things canst thou suffer and must thou bear in faith, hope and magnanimous sentiment. bear in faith, hope and magnanimous sentiment. I remind thee that there is no exercise more I remind thee that there is no exercise more profitable and useful for the soul than to suffer:profitable and useful for the soul than to suffer: for suffering gives light, undeceives, detaches the for suffering gives light, undeceives, detaches the heart from visible things and raises it up to the heart from visible things and raises it up to the Lord. Lord. He will come to meet those in suffering, He will come to meet those in suffering, because He is with the afflicted and sends to them because He is with the afflicted and sends to them his protection and helphis protection and help (Ps. 40,15).” (Ps. 40,15).”

9.** Peter’s denial “How many are those who deny Him today, out of fear of not being well thought of, out of fear of being considered backward and old-fashioned, out of fear of being criticized and rejected, and by the way they live.” (Gobbi)

Gerard Seghers, 1591-1651Peter’s denial. Hermitage.St. Petersburg.

..and Peter went out, and wept bitterly.9A. Peter’s remorse

“How many repeat the gesture of Peter, who denied the Master out of cowardice and fear; fear of not appearing up-to-date and in line with the cultural norms of today.” (Gobbi)

Gerard Seghers, 1591-1651Peter’s denial. Hermitage.St. Petersburg.

9C. The Denial by Peter

Gerard Seghers, 1620. Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of art

“In this century, Jesus is again denied by many of his disciples who do not have the courage to witness to Him. They deny Him out of fear of not being thought well of; of being considered backward and old fashioned, of being criticized and rejected.” (Gobbi)

““In recognizing these sins I desire that thou imitate meIn recognizing these sins I desire that thou imitate me in in what I did during the Passion and during my whole life, what I did during the Passion and during my whole life, namely namely practice the virtues opposed to these vicespractice the virtues opposed to these vices. This is . This is what I desire thee to do while living in this world. what I desire thee to do while living in this world. Fly also Fly also from dangerous interactions with creatures, taught by the from dangerous interactions with creatures, taught by the example of Peterexample of Peter, for thou art not stronger than he, the , for thou art not stronger than he, the Apostle of Christ; and Apostle of Christ; and if thou fall in thy weakness, weep if thou fall in thy weakness, weep over thy fault and immediately seek my intercession. Make over thy fault and immediately seek my intercession. Make up for thy ordinary faults and weaknesses by thy patience up for thy ordinary faults and weaknesses by thy patience in adversities,in adversities, accept them with a joyous mien and without accept them with a joyous mien and without disturbance, no matter what they may be, whether they be disturbance, no matter what they may be, whether they be sickness or the molestationssickness or the molestations coming from creatures, or coming from creatures, or whether they arise from the opposition of the flesh to the whether they arise from the opposition of the flesh to the spirit, or from the conflicts with visible or invisible spirit, or from the conflicts with visible or invisible enemies. enemies. (Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

““Do not look at your miseries; do not be Do not look at your miseries; do not be discouraged by you weaknesses; do not count your discouraged by you weaknesses; do not count your sins; do not go back over your infidelities, but let sins; do not go back over your infidelities, but let yourselves be possessed by his Love, because the yourselves be possessed by his Love, because the divine Charity of the Heart of Jesus surpasses divine Charity of the Heart of Jesus surpasses infinitely every human ingratitudeinfinitely every human ingratitude..

Even if there is being repeated the action of Peter Even if there is being repeated the action of Peter who denies, who denies, or that of Judas who betrays, of that of or that of Judas who betrays, of that of the apostles who flee and abandon Jesus, open the apostles who flee and abandon Jesus, open your hearts today to hope, because Jesus loves you. your hearts today to hope, because Jesus loves you. His love overcomes your every human weaknessHis love overcomes your every human weakness.”.”

(Gobbi)(Gobbi)

They beat him, mocked him, spit upon him, blindfolded him and struck him on the face.

10.The Beatings:

Ludovico Carracci, Flagellation of Christ. 1585.

10A.The Beatings

Ludovico Carracci, Flagellation of Christ. 1585.

““I remind thee I remind thee that that there is no there is no exercise more exercise more profitable and profitable and useful for the useful for the soul than to soul than to suffersuffer. . He will come to He will come to meet those in meet those in suffering, as He suffering, as He is with the is with the afflicted and afflicted and sends to them his sends to them his protection and protection and help”help”(Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

The ( National ) RosaryThe ( National ) Rosary For the Evangelization of For the Evangelization of (Nations)(Nations)

1.1. Fatima Prayer:Fatima Prayer: To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all evangelization.evangelization.

““O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.”mercy.”

2.2. Invocation of the Holy Spirit:Invocation of the Holy Spirit: Principal agent of Principal agent of evangelization.evangelization.

““Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved Spouse.”beloved Spouse.”

3. 3. Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ):Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ): Star of the new Star of the new evangelization.evangelization.

““Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the (National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.(National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.

Look upon them continually with mercy and through your Look upon them continually with mercy and through your intercession with the divine Redeemer, heal themintercession with the divine Redeemer, heal them of their sufferings, of their sufferings, deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”

We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven !Heaven !