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Excerpts from "It is Consummated!"

      Today we begin our daily exerpts from the book "It is Consummated!" throughout Lent with these inspirational and enlightening Meditative Lessons of the Sorrowful Mysteries as imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart from the Blessed Mother of God during Lent of 1993 through interior visions and locution. These short daily excerpts are an excellent vehicle to contemplate on the Passion and Death of Jesus during each of the forty days of Lent. The first Meditative Lesson is titled JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM. For part one, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

Dear Father, As our Blessed Mother had told me during Advent, she would again give me lessons and meditations on our Dear Lord’s Sacred Passion. She now tells me to write that I am in deep bodily suffering, and feel also great heaviness of heart to correspond in some small degree to that which Jesus endured so that all mankind might be redeemed. I have tested His Voice, as she desires of me. I am filled with holy peace and thus I write:

     I am near Jerusalem. That is, I am certainly within the city’s boundaries,but upon a road which leads into the town proper through one of the many gates. Our Lady tells me to notice the enormous crowd which is everywhere:men, women, children abound. They are on the hills which look down upon the road. They line, even clog, the road and all are animated. I can see in their faces, particularly their eyes, a great sign of expectation. I notice that even in the houses people have come to the doorways, windows and balconies, and gaze longingly up the road. These people, though also filled with anticipation, are more reserved; I should say that those whom I see are of a more respectful demeanor. Those that our Heavenly Mother point out to me appear to be of a wealthier class, but I do not think or understand that this is the reason for their respectful attitude. Rather, I am given to understand that these people, mostly women of varying ages, are awaiting the Master-Jesus Christ-in a solemn act of veneration. The Holy Women of Jerusalem!

      The sound of the crowd, which keeps growing in number, increases until it becomes a din, a veritable babble of voices. Suddenly a louder cry is heard. It comes from several men who have reached higher lookout positions by climbing trees, or high rooftops. A shout. Another cry. And now the people realize the moment is at hand and they literally knock one another about, jostling for a better position. The young men in this large assembly begin to tear palm fronds from nearby trees and, holding them aloft, begin to wave them as banners. And the fever pitch mounts.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Part Two of JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

El Escorial visionary Amparo Cuevas: Describing the Visions

      We continue with the seventh installment of the apparitions of El Escorial, Spain which began during the same time frame as Betania and Medjugorje and has received little publicity. Yet, like Medjugorje and Betania, El Escorial is still going on and is as important as the others for Our Lady comes as Nuestra Senora de los Dolores - "Our Lady of Sorrows" to call all her children back to her Divine Son Jesus through Prayer, Penance and Sacrifice in atonement for our own sins and those of the entire world. God's chosen messenger to receive these and impart them to the world is a housewife and mother of seven Luz Amparo Cuevas a visionary who has suffered much producing plentiful fruits. For part seven of The Apparitions at El Escorial, Spain - Messages containing Visions and insights into the life of Christ, click on THE AGE OF MARIAN APPARITIONS.

The Apparitions at El Escorial, Spain - Sacrifice leads to Salvation
part seven

Messages containing Visions and insights into the life of Christ.

      Amparo Cuevas, a visionary and victim soul chosen by Our Lord, was permitted to have visions during a number of the apparitions. She saw what Our Lady presented to her and Amparo would make some brief observations, which oftentimes limited themselves to the use of descriptive words. She had a vision of the Transfiguration of Christ and asked questions of Our Lady concerning the names of the persons she was not sure about. Amparo also enjoyed a vision of the Blessed Trinity which left her confused and perplexed especially since she could not see clearly God the Father. The visionary also viewed hundreds of angels carrying Our Blessed Mother into the mansions of the Father. Also familiar to her were the activities and function of some of the archangels, which she was able to observe.

      She described the vision of Purgatory, which appeared to her as a dark planet with very little light. She stated that she saw persons like us but they lacked the light of God. Amparo indicated that "the punishment is in proportion to the sin which has been committed. The greatest sinners will suffer most, and the sufferings will also be felt with greater intensity in the part of the body with which more sins have been committed. For example, a very talkative person will suffer in the mouth." Once the sinners are purified, they will pass on to the celestial mansion, which will correspond to them according to their merits which they recorded on earth during their life.

      Amparo also had a partial vision of hell, which she described as "horrible" and "terrible." She saw grotesque creatures that were constantly cursing God. She saw flames coming out of it. Our Lady explained that this was due to the false doctrines that were being preached by some people. Amparo saw bodies burning like red hot iron, and Our Lady explained that every member of the body, which commits sin, is tormented. The souls were constantly saying: "Cursed mouth," "cursed arms," and "may my whole body be cursed for it has served me only for damnation." Our Lady indicated that there were many hells, each hell would be according to one's sin. God the Father will give each one according t one's sin. Got the Father will give each one according to the punishment which he deserves.

      The Spanish visionary was also permitted to see Heaven. However, the description here was more detailed because she spoke of mansions of different colors and what each of these colors meant. She also saw, with other persons who were in attendance, the image of Our Blessed Mother and her Son in the sun. The sun was spinning with beautiful colors among which the most prominent were blue, rose, yellow and green.

      Amparo was also privileged with another vision in which she saw four angels whose mission it was to destroy the earth. She was also given to see how the apostles of the last times will be dressed. It was a very graphic description, which dealt with the different items of clothing from shoes to what they were going to wear on their head.

      Amparo was also permitted to have a vision of the Assumption and how Our Blessed Mother was carried to Heaven by angles. Our Lady stated during the same apparition: "My body was not dead; it was asleep. They carried me to Heaven after being on earth. I also suffered very much, my child." The visionary continues to have visions.

      Amparo also received Messages presenting episodes with insights into the life of Jesus and His Blessed Mother. These messages are those which contain many details with respect to different aspects of the life of Jesus and Mary. They are different from the preceding classification in that they are longer, sometimes 9, 10, and 11 pages in length.

      At the beginning of the apparition, the Blessed Mother states that she is going to share a "mystery" of her life with Amparo. The she asks the visionary to narrate or describe what she sees. Amparo provides us with many details about a particular event or episode. Our Lady asks Amparo to narrate what she sees. Amparo provides details on the birth of Christ: The Child is on straw in a poor anger; it is very cold. Saint Michael goes to Limbo to inform Joachim and Ann, the Holy Fathers and the prophets that the King of Heaven is born. All in Limbo sing a song of praise to God: "Glory to God who has been born incarnate in a virgin and became man as King of Heaven and earth."

      Another angel visits Elizabeth to inform her of the news. Elizabeth sends clothing and money to Mary and Joseph. Another example of an episode in the life of Jesus and Mary is recorded in the message of January 5, 1985. The event is the adoration of the Child Jesus by the Magi as narrated by Amparo. The Holy Family is ready to leave the cave because it is very cold and humid: A voice tells them not to leave because the Magi from the Orient are coming to adore the Child. Angels wake up the Magi and tell them to go to Bethlehem to adore the King of Heaven and earth. They arrive, enter the cave, and kneel with their heads to the ground in adoration. The Magi purchase blankets, clothing, and toys for the Christ Child. One of them offers a necklace and some diamond rings to the Blessed Mother. She does not accept stating the she has never worn jewelry. Jesus converses with His Mother expressing love and gratitude for having brought Him into the world.

      Finally, in the message of August 15, 1986, Our Lady asks Amparo to narrate what she sees. She described the events leading to the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother into Heaven. Informed by God the Father that she is to leave this earth, Our Lady sends her angels to Rome to inform the apostles about it. They come and gather around her. She asks each of the apostles to give her their blessing. She shows a light in her breast that looks like a tabernacle. She has carried this tabernacle throughout her life. She names Good Friday as the day of her sleep. Jesus says that He is taking her to the Valley of Josaphat. "She will rise on the third day because she is the Mother of God." Jesus said that, "her soul will be taken to Paradise, and her body will remain three days in this same place." In Heaven, she is crowned and all the angels render homage to her.

     

Next Installment: Messages which explain a theme.

     Today is the first day of the final Lent for the Millennium. Ash Wednesday, the day we receive ashes on our foreheads as a reminder of our mortality, is also a day of fast and abstinence as is Good Friday. For the readings, liturgies, and meditations for the Lenten liturgy, click on DAILY LITURGY.

ASH WEDNESDAY February 17:
ASH WEDNESDAY

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Joel 2: 12-18
Psalms: Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-14, 17
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21; 6: 1-2
Gospel Reading: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

Thursday February 18:
Lenten Weekday

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
Psalms: Psalm 1: 1-4, 6; 39: 5
Gospel Reading: Luke 9: 22-25

      Today's Prayer is taken from the Missalette for the Prayer at the Beginning of Lent with part one today, and tomorrow part two:

God of time and of eternity, You bless us with this holy season for remembrance and renewal of the way of life we embraced in baptism. Grant us a season of good and honest labor.

Cardinal Edward Isdris Cassidy from down under stays on top of everything globally as head of the Council to Promote Christian Unity

     Today we continue with this new series that we will bring you on a regular basis three times a week. Our twentieth red hat we feature, in alphabetical order, is the 75 year-old Cardinal Edward Isdris Cassidy who is currently the President of the busy, active Pontifical Council for Promoting Christianity and plays a key role in Holy See policies and several Roman Curias. For more on this Australilan cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II back in his Consistory of June 28, 1991, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

20.   Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy

      The cardinal we cover today has an international scope that would give him authentic consideration for the papacy down the road were he not nearly 75 years-old. We are speaking of Cardinal Edward Isdris Cassidy, born in Sydney, Australia on July 5, 1924. He became a priest three weeks after his 25th birthday in 1949. Within six years the Holy See could see potential in this young Australian cleric and summoned him to Rome to work in the diplomatic corp. His first assignments were as papal nunciature to India, Ireland, El Salvador and then Argentina. On November 15, 1970 Pope John Paul II elevated him to bishop, bestowing on him the titular bishopric of Amantia and the personal title of Archbishop and assigned as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of China in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1973 he the duties of Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh and Apostolic Delegate to Burma were added to his resume until 1979 when he was made Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho in South Africa as well as Apostolic Delegate to that region for the next five years. In 1984 the Pope appointed him Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands for four more years before beckoning him to the Vatican to become Substitute of the Secretary of State for General Affairs in 1988. He served there for a year before being named President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on December 12, 1989, a post he still holds today.

      Because of his excellent record and devotion to the Church the Holy Father selected him to be included in the Consistory of June 28, 1991 in which he received his red-hat as a cardinal-deacon with the titular church of St. Mary in via Lata. Solidly entrenched in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Cassidy has been involved in numerous Pontifical Councils including the second section of the Secretariat of State, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. In addition to these prestigious memberships he also serves on the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the office of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. He serves on the commissions of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Pontifical Committee for the Grand Jubilee of the Holy Year 2000.

      He has been a close confidante of John Paul II and extremely effective in assisting the Holy Father in his ecumenical efforts. As head of the high-profile Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity he is involved globally in religious conflicts and discussions. From communist China to Cuba, from Northern Ireland to India, from Indonesia to Jerusalem he is thoroughly involved. He helped author the reconciliation document to the Jews "We Remember the Shoah." He will also be very active in the Pope's plans and activities with his upcoming papal visits to Romania and the Ukraine in working closely with Orthodox leaders as well as Anglican and Lutheran leaders in an effort to promote Christian Unity and bring the realization of one Church - one faith closer.

      Ash Wednesday derives its name from the ashes placed on our foreheads after Holy Mass as a reminder of our mortality and doing penance during the forty days of Lent which actually begin with the First Sunday of Lent. The ritual dates back to Old Testament ritual where ashes symbolized the residue of burnt offerings as an oblation to God. The words pronounced over each person dates all the way back to Adam and Eve to whom God said "Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return". The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are gleaned from the blessed palms of the previous year's Palm Sunday that were burned just prior to the beginning of Lent this year. The ashes are considered a sacramental. The term "Ash Wednesday" was first established by Pope Saint Gregory the Great fourteen hundred years ago and the concept of ashes carried throughout Lent with penitents donning sackcloth and ashes to make public reparation for their sins. It was Pope Paul VI who proclaimed Ash Wednesday as a day of abstinence and fasting for the entire universal Church. Prior to Vatican II, priests and bishops received their ashes not on the forehead but on the top of the head just as they received tonsure at ordination. (sources: 1999 Catholic Almanac, Our Sunday Visitor; My Catholic Faith, Mission House; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

"Many are affected, but your faith is so weak you refuse to see and understand God's warning hand."

      Those words from the Blessed Virgin Mary in Message #397 on the last day in August 1993 convey a sense of urgency that all her little ones realize the need for prayer and fasting. She emphasizes the need to be united behind her Divine Son Jesus' One True Church and show all reverence to Him in the Holy Eucharist. Our Lady follows this up in her message four days later on the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great who instituted Ash Wednesday for the purpose of penance and fasting as Our Lady requests. She implores her faithful ones to keep the faith and live the messages. This she imparts to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart, lamenting that many of her little army have grown bored and apathetic over the fact no spectacular supernatural events have yet happened. That, Blessed Mary affirms, is not how it is and only those who trust in her Divine Spouse the Holy Spirit will stay the course. For messages 397 and 398, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."

Messages Three Hundred-Ninety-seven and Three Hundred-Ninety-eight

      Beloved Hidden Flower, peace! I am here as your true Mother. I desire all of my children to realize that I am their true Mother and I care for them with the Infinite Love of my Divine Son.

      Dear children, the time for all disunity must cease among my faithful little ones. Now must be the time when all whose hearts have been converted work together to cause the Father to allow my Immaculate Heart to triumph sooner.

      Little children, you do not yet realize the utter weakness of your faith, because for many of you God does not exist, and those who have been given the true faith to believe in the True Presence of my Divine Son no longer cherish this grace, nor realize that by your disbelief you have gone far away from my Divine Son.

      The offenses against God mount daily. On every lip is heard blasphemy, not praise and adoration. On every continent my messages are scorned and persecuted and my motherly words fall on deaf ears.

      I solemnly tell you, dear children, that even now the Father gives you signs as warnings. Lands are flooded and in constant danger of more natural disasters. Many are affected, but your faith is so weak you refuse to see and understand God's warning hand.

      Therefore, these disasters shall not only continue but increase, signaling the coming end of my apparitions among you.

      Heed my words and pray for unity of mind and heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Pray and return all reverence to my Divine Son, especially in the Blessed Sacrament. Woe to all who refuse to allow reverence to be given Him, your Savior, Redeemer and God. When I am no longer among you in this extraordinary way, only where the True Presence is preserved and honored shall my faithful ones hear the voice of my Divine Son and be guided in all their deeds and words.

      To all the world I solemnly tell you: The day of Divine Justice is upon the horizon! Abandon the sinful world. Consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through my Immaculate Heart. Be of great faith and trust and fear nothing.

      Wait, watch and pray. Be humble obedient children, for that will keep you safe in the refuge of my Son's Sacred Heart.

      I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

      Beloved Hidden Flower, I am with you in these days of suffering. Many of my children are experiencing martyrdom of the soul, but they do not realize it as such. They have heeded my words and changed their lives. Still the world ridicules them because all has not yet come to pass, and in many eyes the world appears to be progressing to new, greater peace.

      But I solemnly tell you this is the great false peace which I warned about, even at LaSalette. Now there are many gathered beneath my Immaculate Mantle who have grown bored, some have become skeptical and through them disunity reigns. This is why I weep, dear children. So many, yes, even my beloved priest-sons, no longer are possessed by the Holy Spirit and have turned aside from my messages.

      Dear children, I am calling each of you back to my Divine Son. Therefore, in this month pray especially to the Holy Spirit that you may be filled with Him, possessed fully by Him that you may remain steadfast in your conversion of heart. Pray for unity of mind and heart through the grace of the Holy Spirit. You must form Eucharistic communities and live in the manner of the first Christians. Without such unity, you will be swallowed up in the coming events.

      Do not be cold and proud, but humble, simple, obedient children of God. Let no earthly thing distract you, holding you hostage to the evil one. Rather, abandon yourselves to God and live only in His Peace.

      Know my time among you comes to an end. Therefore, pray! Pray! Pray! I love and bless you. Thank you for responding to my Call!

    Dear children! I again invite you to prayer. You have no excuse to work more because nature still lies in deep sleep. Open yourselves in prayer. Renew prayer in your families. Put Holy Scripture in a visible place in your families, read it, reflect on it and learn how God loves His people. His love shows itself also in present times because He sends me to call you upon the path of salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

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

February 17, 1999 volume 10, no. 33   DAILY CATHOLIC