Monday thru Friday on the CATHOLIC-INTERNET NETWORK at http://www.catholic-internet.org See why so many consider the Daily CATHOLIC as the "USA Today for CATHOLICS!" e-mail: DailyCatholic@catholic-internet.org

     The meditation for today states that "on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, after having trained His Apostles for their high calling to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, Jesus prepared to ascend on high to where the glories of Heaven awaited Him. "Jesus entered into Heaven to enter into possession of His glory. On His Ascension into Heaven He took His place as Man beside His Heavenly Father and was exalted above all other human creatures. Christ's Ascension is also the assurance of our own ascension into Heaven after the Last Judgment. He entered into His Kingdom to prepare a place for us, for He promised to come again to take us to Himself." This is the essence of this special feast we celebrate today in most dioceses of America, except in the west and Canada where they celebrate the feast of Saint Eugene de Mazenod, Bishop and Religious Founder. For the liturgy, readings, meditation and background, click on LITURGY OF THE DAY

THURSDAY, May 21:
SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD INTO HEAVEN

White vestments

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11
Psalms: Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23 Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 46-53

      This mystery, honored 40 days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrates the Triumph of Jesus Ascension into Heaven. It gave new hope not only to all the Apostles and disciples, but for every person to follow for all generations, for all have ingrained in their hearts and minds Jesus' Own words, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world" (Matthew 28: 19-20). At His beckoning, we are invited, rather commanded, to follow Jesus through the authority He placed here on earth - Holy Mother Church. The Church, through the dogmas, doctrines and teachings, combined with tradition, Sacraments, and Sacred Scripture carries on this edict Christ set down just before elevating into the Heavenly clouds and returning to the Father. Just like her Founder, the Church realizes that for all those faithful to Christ's One, True, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church the only way to be reunited with Him in Heavenly bliss is through the Cross. Jesus has shown us that the way of humiliation and suffering is the only true freeway to Heaven. This feast was not officially recognized by the Church until the Fourth Century. Up to that time, the Ascension had traditionally been part of the paschal mystery tied in with the Resurrection. Because of the denial by Celsus in the second century as a pagan myth, the Church finally decided to emphasize this feast, acknowledging that all souls who were saved but denied Heaven before Christ's Death and Resurrection, were brought into the Heavenly Glory with Jesus. His Ascension is the example for all of us that, by doing God's Will, we, too, can look forward to being assumed into Heaven by the grace of God.

     For some strange reason, in the dioceses and Archdioceses in the West (Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Nevada and Hawaii) the Solemnity of the Ascension is not celebrated on this day but transfered to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. In its place they celebrate Thursday in the Sixth Week of Easter or the Feast of Saint Eugene De Mazenod, Bishop and Founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

     Canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 3, 1995 Saint Eugene de Mazenod was the Bishop of Marseilles and founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the same order which claims the new head of the Chicago archdiocese Cardinal Francis George, OMI and this ministry's Spiritual Director Father Al Svobodny, OMI. Eugene DeMazenod was born into aristocracy in 1782 in Aix-en-Provence and as a youth wandered around Europe. At age 20 he returned to France to try to recoup his family fortune without success. In 1807 he experienced a second conversion and began acing as a dedicated lay person, helping the poor. This ministry drew him closer to the priesthood and he was ordained a priest, returning to Aix with a deep desire to minister to the downtrodden and God's neediest children. The work was overwhelming and near death, he turned to a group of priests to help in a community. Regaining his strength he led this community of like-minded priests through the countryside, drawing up the Rule of Life for the eventual order he would found. Though he wanted to be a missionary first, he realized that by accepting the appointment of bishop he could save his fledgling order of Missionary Oblates. True to God's promise, Eugene became Bishop of Marseilles and Superior General of the Oblates and within a few years the new congregation grew at a rapid rate with missionaries sent from France to Canada, the U.S., other parts of Europe, Africa, Australia and the Philippines. In 1861 Eugene died at the age of 79 with his heart afire with love of the Crucified Christ armed with the weapons of the mission cross and rosary in his hands he left this temporal life with the name of Mary on his lips.

Friday, May 22:
Friday in the Sixth Week of Easter

White vestments

First Reading: Acts 18: 9-18
Psalms: Psalm 47: 2-8
Gospel Reading: John 16: 20-23

     Today begins a massive campaign by the Marian movement worldwide to rally the faithful to pray the Rosary for nine consecutive days in calling on the Holy Spirit to guide Pope John Paul II to make the right decision that is in accord with God's Will, particularly on whether the Holy Father will proclaim the definitive dogma of Blessed Mary as CoRedemptrix, Advocate, and Mediatrix of all graces. Many have anticipated this will come about on the Feast of Pentecost, but no confirmation has been made. What can be made are countless petitions to Heaven through this Rosary Crusade. We strongly endorse this campaign and encourage all to "rattle those beads."

     In the seventieth installment of our megaseries on the state of the Church Today we begin a multi-part treatment on the Triumph of Mary's Immaculate Heart and its meaning today. Today we kick this off with the first of a two part article by Father Dominic Maria on the words of Our Lady at Fatima on July 13, 1917: "In the End my Immaculate Heart will triumph." Click on WHERE IS HOLY MOTHER HEADING AS WE NEAR THE MILLENNIUM?

      It is fitting that we begin our treatise on the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of her Divine Son Jesus' Triumphant entry into Heaven at His Ascension. We begin with an article wrtten by Father Dominik Maria on this special event.

     There is no doubt that this is a crucial time in our lives. It is our belief that we are living in a most significant period of this century, and that we are entering the times promised in Fatima - the time of the Triumph of Our Lady's Heart.

     This, our conviction, is strengthened by many signs of the times that we are able to witness in the Church among the people of God, those who are humble and simple of heart and therefore able to listen to the Father.

     First, we must look to our Holy Father. He is a SIGN of this time. He is the light coming from the east, called from afar to lead the Church into this new era announced and promised at Fatima - The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!

     John Paul II is the Pope of Fatima in a special way. His blood was shed with an attempt on his life in St. Peter's Plaza on the anniversary of the first apparition in Fatima, the 13th of May, 1981. After three years, on the 25th of March - the Annunciation - in 1984, he fulfilled the consecration requested to Sister Lucia by Our Lady of Fatima - the consecration of Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

     Another sign coming from the east is the big wonder of the breaking down of communism in Russia and in the east. Our Holy Father said, in his visit to Fatima in 1991, that it was Our Lady who led these oppressed nations into freedom.

     Many people who believe in the message of Fatima prayed for this wonder to happen in consecrating themselves to Our Lady and in offering their daily sacrifices, prayers and crosses for the conversion of Russia, and so of the world.

     In the beginning of this century, the Heavens gave us the focus of the mission to be accomplished - the Triumph of Our Lady in Russia, and through Russia, the entire world. Thus the central focus remains Russia.

     To understand this global plan of peace relating to the conversion of Russia, we must achieve simplicity and humility of heart. If we believe that we must convert Russia and the east, we have the wrong conviction. Russia and the east will convert us! We need only to help Russia to be converted, and in these efforts to help, we will be the ones who will experience conversion.

     In Fatima, Our Lady spoke of the "Triumph of the Heart," thus a triumph that starts from the hear to reach other hearts; a Triumph that begins very deep in each of us; a Triumph manifested through the most wonderful fruit of the spirit, charity.

     Charity of the heart is living in sacrifice as requested by Our Lord, a sacrifice that is nurtured by prayer and self donation, by suffering and joy, by purity of heart and simplicity. It is given and not created, for it is a pure gift of God. The gift of charity is received in faith and is to be shared in humility. It is shared in humility to be received again, more precious than before, in joy.

     "In the end my heart will triumph" is the Heavenly promise given to us by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 [July 13, 1917] and is to be taken ever so seriously today by those who consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This plan, this call, to each one of us for the renewal of the Church (and so of the world) is The Triumph.

     This plan of Our Lady is simple yet intense - like our YES. Our simple but intense YES given through our consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, allows us to be put in her service as an Apostle for the Triumph. It is our "Yes" which is ready to accept the joys as well as the sorrows. There are many who speak often in "her name," yet their own name remain on their lips. We must speak "her words" - she must be allowed to speak through us! For this reason, to become an Apostle for the Triumph, no title is needed, no curriculum vitae, no special relationship with any visionary; nor the quantity of books written or read or talks given. The only request is to become her child, to give witness on every occasion, every time and everywhere, and to have the courage to have no agenda - she will do everything.

     That has to be encouraging news for all. All we need to do is enlist and Our Lady will do the rest. In the next installment we shall complete this piece by Fr. Maria before delving further into the meaning of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

      Those are the essence of the Blessed Mother's 151st and 152nd messages to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart which we bring you today in which Our Lady alerts us of the burden the Holy Father carries in his heart and that only through our prayers (see Rosary Crusade above) and calling upon the Holy Spirit will we be able to help effect her great Triumph sooner. Click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages One Hundred Fifty-One and Fifty-Two

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I bless you...the time of great spiritual darkness is here. There will be a black veil thrown over the truths of my Son's Doctrine. My dear holy son, your Holy Father John Paul II, weeps because he knows well the great division which shall rent my Son's Church. It is urgent that all my children hear and understand that only in prayer from the heart will they know the truth and not be carried into the abyss.

      I solemnly tell you that I weep for my children who have lost God to humanism. They are led astray by the wiles of satan who controls your world so cleverly that you no longer recognize him, the father of all lies. I weep, too, for the many who do not honor me, for this grievously offends my Son, Who gave me, Mother, to all the world.

      I solemnly tell you all who seek my Intercession will fly swiftly to my Son's Heart, which is the Gate of Heaven. Also, I solemnly tell you, woe to those who do not allow my children to come to me, especially those who are in positions of authority. Woe! For they shall soon stand alone before the Throne of God.

      I come, therefore, to all of my little ones. I speak to all. Many shall see me because God rewards their ardent faith. Pray, my children. Pray! Pray! Pray, for the reign of my Immaculate Heart cannot be fulfilled quickly if you are cold and stubborn. Become living prayers. Receive God's peace and give it to all whom you meet, for this is the plan of God for all mankind. Turn off the world. Become angels of God, marked by His Holy Cross and you shall be enlightened for all your needs.

      Listen. Pray. Wait and watch. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower, come to me, abide in my Immaculate Heart where I lead you on eagle's wings to my Son. Tell all my children without exception that I love them, for my love comes from God, who is Love. Tell them I speak to all of them, but they do not hear or understand because their hearts remain closed to the Holy Spirit.

      Tell my little ones that I send you forth now to speak, and all must realize in their hearts that it is not you who speaks to them, beloved Hidden Flower, but rather the Holy Spirit Who brings wisdom and understanding. I, your Mother, ask you to go to my children and speak to them of unity, for the age of unity must come. I say to all my children that already I have given you the means to achieve unity but still you have not heard. I have said you must pray, convert your heart, be reconciled one with another, increase your faith and receive the Sacraments.

      Unity is achieved through these means, for you exchange your heart for my Son's Sacred Heart. I urge many prayers for unity, but beg you not to perceive "unity" with your mind, but rather in your soul's intellect through the grace of the Holy Spirit, for above all you must not judge anyone but leave this to God. Love with Divine Love and trust in your Heavenly Father to bring about unity as He wills.

      My dear children, if you would be gathered beneath my Mantle, if you would help me, your Mother, crush the head of the serpent, then I beseech you to lovingly walk the way of the Cross. I will help you. The Holy Spirit shall teach you - for in the Way of my Son's Passion lies all that I have asked of you to seek and do.

      You will see many signs and wonders, many graces, conversions and cures that God's Powerful, Loving Presence may be known. Open your hearts! Pray! Convert your heart that you may know and receive these wonders. If you remain closed, the slave of the evil one, it is he you shall find as your eternal master. I come with urgency to warn you that the moment is at hand.

      Let my words be given to all. Let all help to fulfill my requests which are God's Holy Will. I love and bless you. I give you God's peace.

      Thank you for responding to my Call!

Today's prayer is in honor of the Solemnity of the Ascension and taken from the "Treasury of Novenas"

   Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer, to open yourselves to God as a flower opens itself to the rays of the morning sun. Little children, do not be afraid. I am with you and I intercede before God for each of you so that your heart receives the gift of conversion. Only in this way, little children, will you comprehend the importance of grace in these times and God will become nearer to you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

Click here to go to SECTION TWO or click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

May 21, 1998 volume 9, no. 99   DAILY CATHOLIC