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"This is My Body... This is the Cup of My Blood."

      In Meditative Lesson 5 today, we come to that most glorious and cerebral of mystical events in all of history - the establishment of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper when Jesus instituted the Sacrament. In this second part of Lesson 5 we see vividly the scene in the upper room, where Jesus bridged the Old Testament with the New - utilizing the feast of Passover for the beginning of the most wonderful mystery we have been given by God in the New Covenant - the Most Blessed Sacrament where Christ is truly Present Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. These inspiring lessons, coinciding with the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, were imparted to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart during Lent of 1995 from Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. For part two, click on "IT IS CONSUMMATED!"

      The apostles have now taken their seats and Jesus’ gaze sees them all, even the betrayer who, looking directly at our Lord, feigns a innocent smile and toys with the silken fringe on the cord about his waist.

      "Soon I shall no longer be with you. Yet, I know that you remain unprepared and I have prayed and asked the Father to help you. Thus, I give unto you a new covenant which from this night forward until all time ends shall be the mark of My true Church, the mark of all who, having believed in Me, bear Me in their hearts."

      Jesus then lefts the plate with the small loaf of bread to Heaven and He raises His eyes, which glow with a power and majesty that simply transform Him as He becomes surrounded by light. And He says.

"Take and eat. This is My Body which shall be given up for you."

And lowering the loaf, he blesses and breaks it. John takes the first morsel, then Peter. And the blessed plate which is now truly our Lord’s own sacred body is received by all present. I observe with what awe, reverence and astonishment they take and eat of the body of their Master, still not fully understanding but undoubtedly understanding in their souls that Jesus has given them yet another miracle. Judas, however, fingers the morsel of bread and quickly pushes it into his mouth and reaches instantly for the last dredges of wine in his cup to wash it down, as if it was spoiled, rotten flesh he was eating.

      Only Jesus notices and He seems already bent under a very heavy weight. But it is for the others and for all in future generations that He continues:

      His long, tapering fingers lift now the chalice filled with wine. And holding it aloft, gazing up to His Father, the same luminous transformation takes place and He says:

"Take this and drink from it. This is the cup of My blood, the blood of the new covenant, which shall be shed for you and for many so that sins may be forgiven. As often as you do this, do it in memory of Me."

And the chalice is lowered and the same order proceeds as each apostle sips the new covenant. John, having sipped, puts his head against our Lord’s arm and he begins to cry, while Jesus’ gaze is forward. Judas, having taken the chalice, can barely bring it to his lips, which seem to snarl in anticipation of the contact. And having forced the sip, he now swipes his sleeve across those lips and in this state of agitation, he examines the sleeve for only he knows what. All of this occurs under our Lord’s observance. Now our Lord sits down and John literally cradles his head against his Master, and his tears wet the sleeve of His tunic.

      Jesus then says, quietly but profoundly, looking at Judas: "Do what you have to do quickly."

      And in a haste born perhaps of fear Judas grabs his mantle and he charges up the stairs and leaves the Last Supper room.

      For a moment the other apostles stir, but they quiet down believing Jesus has sent Judas upon an errand of mercy. Only John keeps his head lowered, and weeps. The last few fragments of bread and the few drops of wine in the chalice remain in front of Jesus, and leaning close to His beloved disciple, He whispers: "When you are able to return here after the hour has come, preserve these remnants as a testimony to you of My Love, and give them into the care of My Holy Mother, and your head - Peter. Preserve them, for from these first I shall continue the miracle throughout all future generations by successors in your line."

      And John, somewhat calmer at Jesus’ tone, nods, wipes his eyes and looks at Jesus with such sadness that Peter, ever the optimist says: "Come on, boy. You’d think we’d been to a funeral. Nobody’s died that I know of."

      And Peter does not hear John’s low, plaintive, "Not yet."

      But Jesus rises and bids His apostles follow Him. And together they leave this holy room where Jesus has given them His own Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, to be their food in all ages to come.

      I remain in the room, on my knees, gazing at this first Eucharist until our Blessed Mother calls me to write.

NEXT INSTALLMENT: Part Three of Lesson 5: Our Lady's Meditation on THE LAST SUPPER

Cardinal Brendan Daly: Tireless advocate who dedicated his life for peace in Northern Ireland

      Our twenty-eighth red hat we feature, in alphabetical order is Cardinal Brendan Cahal Daly Archbishop emeritus of Armagh, Ireland who dedicated his active ministry to bringing peace to his beloved birthplace in Northern Ireland. He received his red hat from Pope John Paul II in the Consistory of June 28, 1991 and retired on his 79th birthday. For more on Cardinal Daly, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

28.   Cardinal Brendan Cahal Daly

      Ireland's only Cardinal is retired. Born at Loughguile in Northern Ireland on October 1, 1917 before it was the feast of Saint Therese the Little Flower, who would not become a saint for another eight years, Cardinal Brendan Cahal Daly was the third of seven boys and girls in his family. After college he sensed a vocation to the priesthood and entered the National Seminary at St. Patrick College where he earned varying doctorates in Philosophy and Theology. He was ordained a priest at the age of 24 on June 22, 1941 and assigned to teach in the universities and seminaries of Ireland for the next thirty years, publishing numerous books and writings on how to achieve peace in Northern Ireland and condemning violence of any kind, something that has hopefully finally come to fruition with last April's Good Friday Concordance signed by both Catholic factions and Protestant sects. During his time of teaching he also took part in the Second Vatican Council as theological adviser to the Irish hierarchy.

      On May 26, 1967 Pope Paul VI named him Bishop of Armagh and he was ordained July 16th of the same year. On August 24, 1982 Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Down and Conner Dioceses, a position he held until November 6, 1990 when he was elevated to Archbishop of Armagh and named primate of All Ireland. At the age of 74 he was honored with the cardinalate in the Consistory of June 28, 1991 receiving the titular church of St. Patrick. He resigned his position as head of the archdiocese of Armagh on his 79th birthday in 1996 becoming Archbishop emeritus of Armagh. He still holds curial membership in the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Congregation for the Clergy as well as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity which, since 1974, he has enthusiastically been a part of in trying to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland for a united Ireland.

      Today is the Third Monday of Lent as well as the optional feast of Saint John of God, religious founder while tomorrow is the Third Tuesday of Lent and the optional feast of Saint Frances of Rome. For the readings, liturgies, meditations and vignettes on these saints, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Monday March 8:
Lenten Weekday and
Optional Feast of Saint John of God, religious founder

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 1-15
Psalms: Psalm 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4
Gospel Reading: Luke 4: 24-30

      This saint, known for his work in the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, lived in the 16th Century in Portugal and Spain. One day while traveling he came across a small child with no shoes. Because his own shoes would not fit the child he lifted Him upon his shoulders and carried him, offering solace and help. While stopping to drink, the child revealed Himself as the Infant Christ Child and presented John a pomagranate, the fruit of the region which is sweet and stood for charity. It was crowned with a cross, representing sacrifice, which Jesus said would be the "Cross of Granada" where John, at the age of 42, would establish the Brother Hospitallers of St. John of God in the year 1537. John was given the name "John of God" by his own bishop who saw in John, a true saint. John died saving others. After many close calls rescuing people from the streets and burning hospitals, he dove into the River Xenil to save a drowning lad and succumbed of pneumonia from the cold, icy waters at the age of 55.

Tuesday March 9:
Lenten Weekday and
Optional Feast of Saint Frances of Rome, wife, mother and religious founder

Purple or violet vestments

First Reading: Daniel 3: 25, 34-43
Psalms: Psalm 25: 4-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18: 21-35

      Born in Rome in 1384, Saint Frances of Rome was married off by her parents at the age of 12 to Roman nobleman Lorenzo Ponziano. Though Frances had desperately wanted to become a nun, she succumbed to her parents' will and thus it was God's will that she be with her husband for 40 years during which time they never had an argument. Though the couple went through severe financial hardships, Frances always praised God for His providence. Frances had a large family and always felt her household duties were as much a prayer as kneeling in church as she often said, "A married woman must leave God at the altar to find Him in her domestic cares." After her husband died, she founded the Oblates and became a nun. She had many visions including often where her guardian angel would shine such a bright light that she was able to read her Divine Office at night via the Heavenly light. She promoted the concept of guardian angels and was also given the day she would die, March 9 and true to God's word, He took her home on that day in 1440 at the age of 56.

     Today's prayer is taken from the Opening Prayer for the Mass honoring Saint John of God:

      Father, You gave John of God love and compassion for others. Grant that by doing good for others we may be counted among the saints in Your kingdom.

      For the Lenten Way of the Cross, click on either the graphics Daily Way of the Cross or the text-only Daily Way of the Cross or the Meditative Lessons on the Way to Calvary

Events Today in Church History

     On this date in 1144 Pope Celestine II died, This 165th successor of Peter worked closely with Saint Bernard of Clairvauxduring his six-month pontificate in settling the internal differences in the Church. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for March 8:

• 420 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Provinus, Bishop of Como, Italy who was a disciple of Saint Ambrose and coadjutor Bishop to Saint Felix whom he followed in 391 as head of the Diocese of Como.

• 1144 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Celestine II, 165th successor of Peter. Born in Citta di Castello, his pontificate was only six months. He died after bequeathing to the church in San Florido 56 volumes of his most precious works from his personal library for the 'ransom of his soul.' He had been exiled to his homeland Citta di Castello because of the siege of Roger II of Sicily. With the help of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, he settled the internal differences of the Church. He also tried to end the war between Scotland and England but was not able to obtain peace in Italy because of Roger's agenda against Rome. He also lifted the excommunication his predecessor Pope Innocent II had inflicted on King Louis VII of France.

• 1495 A.D.
  
• Birth of Saint John of God in Montemoro Novo, Portugal.

• 1550 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint John of God on his 55th birthday in Granada, Spain. For more on this saint and religious founder of the Order of Brother Hospitalers - also the Brothers of St. John of God, see DAILY LITURGY

CATHOLIC CANVAS:

Daily Dose of curious contents of the Church:

      Today is the feast of Saint John of God who founded the Hospitaller Brothers of Saint John of God in 1537. Where did the term "Hospitallers" originate? It actually dates back to the time of Saint Augustine in the late 300's and early 400's and is carried on to this day by those who live by the Augustinian Rule or who devote their lives to caring for the infirm. While there had been, for many centuries in the first millennium, hospices set up to accommodate travelers to the Holy Land, the beginning of the second millennium and the Crusades necessitated the need to care for the sick and injured. Thus, through the altruistic generosity and acumen of a wealthy Knight known as Gerard he began the military order of crusaders known as the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem in 1092 to care for the sick, poor and pilgrims to the Holy Land as well as their own fellow knights who had been injured in battle with the Saracens. It received papal approval in 1113 by Pope Pascal II and helped promote the ideals of knighthood and the concept of chivalry. The name "St. John" is believed to have been attributed to Saint John the Baptist while those who brought the hospice and hospital concept back to Italy from the Crusades dedicated the title "St. John" to Saint John of Alexandria and followed the Benedictine Rule, while the former went by the Augustinian Rule. This Order became known as the Knights of Malta in 1530. Therefore the title "Hospitallers of St. John" was available when John of God established them seven years later in Spain. This was the original concept of "hospitals" that would ultimately provide places of refuge and healing throughout Europe, tending to the wounds and injuries of those who had fallen in battle over the next several centuries of war up to the present day. This all began during the Protestant Reformation wars in the time (source: The Catholic Encyclopedia at New Advent Catholic Supersite; Catholic Encyclopedia, Thomas Nelson Publishers).

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

March 8, 1999 volume 10, no. 46   DAILY CATHOLIC