Posted on 07/28/2019 6:02:04 AM PDT by Kaslin
In an imaginary “ranking” of Christian topics that elicit the most fervent discussions, Jesus Christ is No. 1. But near the top is the Shroud of Turin — believed by millions of Christians to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus. This “ranking” was inspired by you — Townhall readers who wrote over 500 impassioned comments in response to my July 21 piece, “Shroud of Turin: New Test Concludes 1988 ‘Medieval Hoax’ Dating Was a Fraud.”
I purposely read all your comments to gain insight into my role as an adviser and fundraiser for a groundbreaking exhibition about the Shroud of Turin at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. This spectacular museum, among the largest and highest rated in the city, is located only three blocks from the Capitol. And just prior to the January 20, 2021, presidential inauguration is when this high-tech Shroud exhibit is scheduled to open.
Threaded throughout hundreds of your responses about all aspects of the Shroud was one overarching theme summarized by these three comments:
“Anyone who requires physical evidence to underpin their faith doesn’t understand the concept of faith.”
“JESUS CHRIST died for all. HE is what is important. Making such a fuss about this piece of cloth is a distraction from HIS work of SALVATION.”
“I respectfully submit that the only ‘relic’ which really matters is the one which was left us on that first Easter morning: The tomb is empty! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!”
Of course, “He is Risen” is also the foundation of my Christian faith, (made slightly more complicated by having been born Jewish). But I feel compelled to discuss and explore the comment that reads in part, “…such a fuss about this piece of cloth...”
And my response is simple: The Shroud of Turin exists because HE exists. An answer that echoes what God said to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14).
Thus, the existence of the Shroud of Turin raises two questions that I will attempt to address: First, what exactly is the Shroud? And second, a deeper dive into “Why does the cloth exist?”
The Shroud of Turin is a 14.5-by-3.5-foot linen cloth with a linear front to back mirror image of a crucified man. The Shroud has the distinction of being the most studied artifact in the world, yet the cloth’s numerous mysteries remained unexplained by modern science.
At this moment the Shroud lies in a fireproof box in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, as it has continuously since 1578. (But secretly relocated between 1939 and 1946 when Italian authorities feared Hitler was seeking possession.)
Dating the Shroud has been controversial and the subject of my July 21 piece.
Among Shroud historians, there is no dispute that in 1352, over 200 years before the Shroud was housed in Turin, Geoffrey DeCharney displayed the cloth in Lirey, France marking the beginning of the Shroud’s documented "modern" dating.
There is also much circumstantial Shroud evidence through art, artifacts, and coins that pre-dates 1352. Moreover, scientifically verified botanical evidence found on the cloth in the form of pollen, dust, flowers, and even the weave and type of linen traces the Shroud back to first-century Jerusalem.
The cloth with its mysterious properties has survived wars, invasions and the ravages of time including numerous fires — most recently in 1997 at its home cathedral in Turin.
Most harrowing was the 1532 fire in Chambéry, France. Miraculously the entire cloth was not destroyed but left those distinctive linear markings along both sides of the Shroud that we see today. Hard to imagine, but the linen cloth was stored in a silver box, folded in 48 layers, when drops of molten silver burned through the cloth’s outer folded edges.
The point is, against all the odds, the Shroud exists. And, as stated earlier, because He exists. There is also a significant Bible-based reason found in the Gospel of John known as “Doubting Thomas” (John 20:24-31).
But first, a “guest” who will explain this passage needs a proper introduction:
It turns out that the many Townhall readers who commented about not needing the Shroud’s “physical evidence to underpin their faith,” represent a large swath of Christian believers. I learned this when asking Russ Breault— my fellow Shroud exhibit team colleague, and a world-renowned Shroud expert and speaker — if he had experienced similar attitudes after over 30 years of hosting his popular “Shroud Encounters” to sell-out crowds.
Breault replied:
“I get that statement all the time! When someone says, ‘I don't need the Shroud for my faith,’ I usually say, ‘That is fantastic! But that doesn't mean the Shroud was not meant for someone else.’ ”
Breault continued: “In the Doubting Thomas story, Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who ‘believe yet have not seen,’ but Jesus did not condemn Thomas for his unbelief. In fact, a week after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared a second time, and the first person he spoke to was Thomas, who was not there to witness Jesus’ first appearance. Jesus then quotes Thomas' words back to him, ‘Thomas, thrust your hand into my side and place your fingers into my nail wounds and be not faithless but believe.’
At this point, Thomas — forever known as "Doubting Thomas" — makes the strongest profession of faith in the New Testament saying, "My Lord and my God." Then Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who can believe without seeing. So we are blessed if we can believe without seeing, but we are not cursed if we can't get there without some additional evidence.
Therefore, perhaps the Shroud is a silent witness to the world offering all of humanity the same opportunity Jesus gave to Thomas. In some proverbial sense by looking at the Shroud, we too can thrust our hand into His side and place our fingers into His nail wound and find our faith in the process.”
Thank you, Russ! And now my final thoughts for Townhall commenters.
If blessed with great faith, you are free to ignore or downplay the image on the Shroud showing Christ’s great suffering and victory over death. Yet, take comfort in knowing that the Shroud is there to supplement or reinforce the faith of others while potentially witnessing to the ever-increasing number of Doubting Thomases found throughout the world.
In the end, I believe that the Shroud exists as proof of God’s greatest gift to mankind —the Lord Jesus Christ — who lives and reigns forever and ever. Alleluia!
(Now, let the comments begin!)
Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses say the same thing.
The problem with the apparition's claims is they don't lead to faith in Christ and only Christ.
The question is, is it the Jesus in the Bible or some other Jesus.
Sure His name is mentioned....but on connection with other things told by the apparition.
The missionaries were undertaking to translate the Bible for some jungle tribe, and they got to the part about John the Baptist pointing out Jesus. This tribe didn't have sheep (the terrain was all wrong). So the missionaries translated the passage as
"Behold the frog of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
When translating you stay with what the original text says. Leave it up to the Holy Spirit to guide in how to explain the passage. It's very dangerous when one starts doing this with the texts.
...swing and a miss.
You can't even figure out why you're wrong, can you?
Mormons teach that each couple is supposed to start their own planet and become a Jesus for that planet. Or something similar.
Jehovah's Witnesses deny the Holy Spirit as a person.
The problem with the apparition's claims is they don't lead to faith in Christ and only Christ.
You keep telling yourself that, Sparky.
I've already put into the thread a number of counterexamples, with verbatim text.
But those keep getting ignored.
When translating you stay with what the original text says. Leave it up to the Holy Spirit to guide in how to explain the passage. It's very dangerous when one starts doing this with the texts.
...did you notice I pointed out this was Protestants, and also that they were gonna run into problems down the road with the ad hoc translation?
No. Because knee-jerk, because it sure *looks like* an NPC from here. "Orange Pontiff Bad."
Relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance is good. (Have you ever considered doing it for more than just interpretation of a difficult scriptural passage? ("As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" ; also the fruit of the Holy Spirit as well as (gasp) the gifts of the Spirit. But...muh dispensationalism! And Sola Scriptura!)
But lotsa times people tell themselves what they want to hear, then tell themselves that it was the Holy Spirit.
Or even, sometimes, lying spirits (as you point out).
There are Scriptural instructions on how to handle that latter situation, in 1 John. :-)
*******************
...did you notice I pointed out this was Protestants, and also that they were gonna run into problems down the road with the ad hoc translation?
No. Because knee-jerk, because it sure *looks like* an NPC from here. "Orange Pontiff Bad."
*********************
"sparky", what are you.....an 8th grader?
I didn't say anything about RCs doing this. I saw it was not a RC that did this.
I still maintain it is wrong to do so no matter who does it.
So there is no "knee jerk" reaction other than that from a very thin skinned RC.
Grow up or head over to the caucus threads where your opinions will be safe. Well, at least until you begin to disagree with some of your fellow RCs.
Uh huh. Re-read your post 1254 and then your prior one, where you said (in response to a discussion about the Virgin of Guadeloupe.
("Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses say the same thing.")
No, they don't.
You're talking out of both sides of your mouth.
I was talking about the translation.
I'll post more later on the false message of the apparition at Guadeloupe.
REALLY???
| To: grey_whiskers When the enemy has control of the transmitter; be DAMNED glad you have a manual to refer to! |
I’ve heard something similar.
It involved translation the ‘heart’.
In that particular tribe the feelings, thought and emotions came from the liver.
“Do not let your heart be troubled” came out as “Don’t let your liver quiver.”
Claims like this demand evidence...
Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.
Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.
Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.
Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.
Bernadine: …all gifts, all virtues, and all graces are dispensed by the hands of Mary to whomsoever, when, and as she pleases. O Lady, since thou art the dispenser of all graces, and since the grace of salvation can ONLY come through thy hands, OUR SALVATION DEPENDS ON THEE.(Leo XIII: Adiutricem populi, September 5, 1895) — [p. 19, no. 44]
Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.
She says, "He that shall find Me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord. "Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino."
Listen," exclaims St. Bonaventure on these words, "listen, all you who desire the kingdom of God: honor the most Blessed Virgin Mary, and you will find life and eternal salvation." "Audite qui ingredi cupitis regnum Dei: Virginem Mariam honorate, et invenietis vitam et salutem perpetuam."-psalt. B.V.ps.48.
Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.
Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.
Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.
Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.
“The Catholic Church has always and with justice put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God.”
(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Supreme Apostolatus, September 1, 1883.) — [p. 32, no. 104]
“... Yet our manner of praying to the Blessed Virgin has something in common with our worship of God so that the Church even addressed to her the words with which we pray to God: ‘Have mercy on sinners.’”(Leo XIII: Encyclical, Augustissimae, September 12, 1897.) [p. 68; no. 302]
"Only She Can Help You"
by Father Nicholas Gruner, S.T.L., S.T.D. (Cand.)
In this letter introducing The Fatima Crusader Issue 38, Father Gruner discusses the growing lies and deception about Russia's errors and the consecration of that nation. He also reminds us that, while it is urgent that we be informed about and fight for Our Lady's cause, we must ask for Her help and intercession.
Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
In this article taken from The Glories of Mary, Saint Alphonsus explains that there are countless souls in Heaven who are there now only because Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them there. If a soul persists in true devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, She will certainly lead that soul to Heaven.
The Rosary
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is greatly important that Our Lady insisted on the Rosary. When at Fatima She spoke of the salvation of sinners, of the ruin of souls in hell, of wars and peace, and of the future of our age. Our Lady indicated and recommended the Rosary as the prayer that saves, that brings peace, that preserves the faith.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace
by Father Stefano Manelli, S.T.D.
It is truly a treasure to have a strong devotion to Our Lady, for it is She who unites us to Jesus and brings us to Heaven, as this article explains.Mary, Our Life, Our Sweetness, Our Hope
by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
St. Alphonsus de Liguori explains how Mary is our life, how She is our sweetness, and how She is our hope.The historical record of the worship of Mary accumulated by St. Alphonsus de Liguori who wrote “The Glories of Mary” in the year 1745, which has been since translated into English and printed again and again and again with the full affirmation and imprimatur of the official Roman Catholic Church. In this book there is the sum of all the glories of Mary which has been vouchsafe to the Roman Catholic Church and the Church itself calls upon all its constituents to give Mary that honor she is due. She is identified as Mary, our Queen; Mary, our mother; Mary, our life; Mary, our sweetness; Mary, our hope; Mary, our help; Mary, our Mediatress; Mary, our advocate; Mary, our guardian; and Mary, our salvation. It is said that Mary delivers us from hell, Mary delivers us from purgatory, and Mary leads us to heaven. And it should be said that de Liguori, who collected all the Marion dogma and devotion, was himself one of the most celebrated and revered authorities in the Roman Catholic Church. De Liguori was himself a cardinal in life, and a saint in death.
Jesus said "Without Me you can do nothing". In this crisis which looms ahead of us, Our Lady has told us that we need Her help, Her intercession. We must ask for Her help with the Rosary and the Scapular.
At Fatima, Our Lady told us very plainly that "Only I can help you". Today more than ever is this so true.
Pray the Rosary and sacrifice yourself for Our Lady.
I urge you to also make some sacrifices as Our Lady of Fatima asked us. For those who are able, do some fasting. If you can, abstain from meat by eating meat only during one meal a day. Try to do this for two days, even ten days or 30 days. Of course we should abstain totally from meat every Friday.
Jesus and Mary — Our Hope
It is so urgent that we reach as many souls as possible before it is too late. Let us be of good cheer and remember the words of Jesus to each of us, "It's never too late to have recourse to Jesus and Mary." That is why it is so important to reach the many millions of souls who do not know this, and who do not know the grave dangers lying in wait for their souls.
No, we must never lose hope. Mary is our hope. She can obtain for us what we cannot by ourselves. Read what St. Alphonsus has to say regarding confidence in Our Lady's intercession in "Mary Leads Her Servants to Heaven". Father Manelli also reminds us of the importance of devotion to Our Lady. (See "Hail Mary, Full of Grace"). Our Blessed Mother tells us to turn to Her in confidence. She tells us repeatedly to ask Her intercession through the frequent fervent praying of the Rosary. (See "The Rosary"). She tells us we must pray the Rosary every day. She wants us to pray it many times a day.
http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg2.asp
"Blessed is he whose interior offers the Blessed Virgin Mary a place of repose." Devotion towards the Blessed Virgin remains in all who are the inheritance of Our Lord; that is to say, in all who will praise Him eternally in Heaven.
O, how many blessed souls are now in Heaven who would never have been there had not Mary, by Her powerful intercession, led them thither. I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth. Cardinal Hugo, in his commentary on the above text of Ecclesiasticus, says in the name of Mary, "I have caused as many saints in Heaven through Her intercession, who would never have been there but through Her ."
...in the words of St. Ambrose, "Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since Thou hast its keys." "Aperi nobis, O Virgo coelum, cujus claves habes." Nay more, the Church says, that "Thou art its gate."
St. Antoninus tells us "that this divine Mother has already, by Her assistance and prayers, obtained Heaven for us, provided we put no obstacle in the way."23
Hence, says Abbot Guerric, "he who serves Mary, and for whom She intercedes, is as certain of Heaven as if he was already there."24
St. John Damascene also says, "that to serve Mary and be Her courtier is the greatest honor we can possibly possess; for to serve the Queen of Heaven is already to reign there, and live under Her commands is more than to govern."25
On the other hand, he adds, "that those who do not serve Mary will not be saved; for those who are deprived of the help of this great Mother are also deprived of that of Her Son and of the whole court of heaven."26
23. "Coeleste nobis regnum, suo interventu auxiliis, et precibus, impetravit."—Paciucch. Sup. Salve Reg. exc. I.
24. "Qui Virgini famulatur, ita securus est de paradiso, ac si esset in paradiso."
25. "Summus honor, servire Mariæ, et de ejus esse familia; etenim ei servire, regnare est; et ejus agi frænis, summa libertas."
26. "Gens quæ non servierit illi, peribit; gentes destitutæ tantæ Matris auxilio, destituuntur auxilio Filii et totius curi’‘ coelestis."— De Laud. B. M. I. 4.Cardinal Hugo http://fatima.org/crusader/cr38/cr38pg3.asp
Haven't we all??
Alphonsus Ligouri 
Quelle:eomin.org
Alphonsus Liguori on Mary
Dan Corner
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In the Roman Catholic church, saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori is a well-known, respected figure and influential Catholic Bishop of the past. His teachings have been available for over 250 years. Saint Alphonsus Liguori was declared Venerable in 1796, beatified in 1816, canonized in 1839 and declared a Dr. Alphonsus MARY Liguori Doctor of the Church in 1871 by Pope Pius IX. As of 1997 there were only 33 Doctors of the Church with Saint Alphonsus Liguori being of this elite number. To be such a Doctor of the Church means that Saint Alphonsus Liguori's teachings, though not considered ex cathedra, were carefully examined and approved by the Pope, the supreme teacher in the Roman Catholic Church. Hence, Saint Alphonsus Liguori's teachings and prayers to Mary are believed by his Catholic readership, especially since they carry the endorsements of the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. He has also been considered an apostle of Mary, since he has done much to exalt her as you will soon read.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori Gets The Skull and Crossbones Award The following quotes from HERETIC, or as the Catholics say, Saint Alphonsus Liguori are from the book entitled, The Blessed Virgin Mary, which was taken from his much larger book, The Glories of Mary, first written in 1750. On the back cover of the 2000 edition of The Glories of Mary, we read:
The Glories of Mary, widely regarded as Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s finest masterpiece, has for two and a half centuries stood as one of the Catholic Church’s greatest expressions of devotion to the Blessed Virgin. Written as a defense of Our Lady at a time when Jansenistic writers were ridiculing Marian devotion, this classic work combines numerous citations from the Fathers and Doctors of the Church with Saint Alphonsus’s intense personal piety to produce a timeless treasury of teachings, prayers, and practices.
Hence, what you are about to read is what this Catholic so-called saint (really a Bible-defined HERETIC) gave as his defense of Our Lady against those who were ridiculing Marian devotion. (Part One of The Glories of Mary is his phrase-by-phrase exposition of the Salve Regina found in the Rosary.)
Catholic Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Detailed Explanation of Salve Regina
Among the multitudinous roles and titles given to Mary by Catholicism, Saint Alphonsus Liguori elaborates on how Mary is our life, our sweetness and our hope, as prayed by hundreds of millions of Catholics when reciting the rosary (in the Salve Regina). Saint Alphonsus MARY Liguori Saint Alphonsus Liguori cites different sources from the Pope himself down to exalted Catholic saints to Doctors in Catholicism for the following concepts about Mary. These same views have been believed by millions of precious souls over the centuries. Please know that Vatican Council II has not renounced any of these teachings about Mary’s importance. Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s teachings regarding Mary continue to be printed and spread throughout the world at this present time.
Mary is Our Life,
According To Saint Alphonsus Liguori
There are two primary reasons why Mary is our life, according to saint Alphonsus Liguori:
(1) Mary is our life, because she Obtains for us Pardon of our Sins. (Saint Alphonsus Liguori, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Rockford, Illinois: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1982, p.49.)
(2) Mary is also our Life, because she Obtains for us Perseverance. ( Ibid., p.56.)
From there the following reasonings are presented as support:
To understand why the holy Church makes us call Mary our life we must know, that as the soul gives life to the body so does divine grace give life to the soul; for a soul without grace has the name of being alive, but is in truth dead, as it was said of one in the Apocalypse, "Thou hast the name of being alive, and thou art dead." Mary, then, in obtaining this grace for sinners by her intercession, thus restores them to life. (Ibid., p.49.)
See how the Church makes her speak, applying to her the following words of Proverbs: "They that in the morning early watch for me shall find me." ... A little further on she says, "He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord." "Listen," exclaims St. Bonaventure on these words, "listen, all you who desire the kingdom of God; honor the most blessed Virgin Mary and you will find life and eternal salvation." (Ibid., pp. 49,50. Catholicism actually attributes Proverbs 8:17-35 to Mary. [The truth is this chapter is wisdom personified and has nothing to do with Mary.])
Besides incredibly misapplying Proverbs 8 to Mary, Saint Alphonsus Liguori also quotes another so-called Catholic saint who believed honoring Mary is the way to find life and eternal salvation. Just knowing that Mary was not even in existence when Proverbs was written refutes the idea that it was her speaking there. Regarding honoring Mary to find life and eternal salvation, the Bible has no hint of this. Furthermore, please notice the following Scripture:
Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: "I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever." But now the LORD declares: "Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained." (1 Sam 2:30)
All through the Scriptures we are shown that the emphasis is to be on honoring God. One is making a very serious mistake to disregard this truth or to exalt another in the place of Jesus for salvation.
Through Mary Alone Can We Hope
For Remission of Our Sins, According To Saint Alphonsus Liguori
After that, Saint Alphonsus Liguori quotes other like-minded Catholic saints:
With reason, then, does St. Laurence Justinian call her "the hope of malefactors," since she alone is the one who obtains them pardon from God. With reason does St. Bernard call her "the sinners’ ladder," since she, the most compassionate Queen, extending her hand to them, draws them from an abyss of sin, and enables them to ascend to God. With reason does an ancient writer call her "the only hope of sinners," for by her help alone can we hope for remission of our sins. (Ibid., pp.51,52.)
Therefore, St. Germanus says, "O Mother of God, thy protection never ceases, thy intercession is life, and thy patronage never fails." And in a sermon the same saint says, that to pronounce the name of Mary with affection is a sign of life in the soul, or at least that life will soon return there. (Ibid., pp. 52,53.)
Mary is a Type of Noah’s Ark and
She Saves From Eternal Death
Mary is that happy ark, says St. Bernard, "in which those who take refuge will never suffer the shipwreck of eternal perdition. At the time of the deluge even brutes were saved in Noe’s ark. Under the mantle of Mary even sinners obtain salvation. St. Gertrude once saw Mary with her mantle extended, and under it many wild beasts - lions, bears, and tigers - had taken refuge. And she remarked that Mary not only did not reject, but even welcomed and caressed, them with the greatest tenderness. The saint understood hereby that the most abandoned sinners who have recourse to Mary are not only not rejected, but that they are welcomed and saved by her from eternal death. Let us, then, enter this ark, let us take refuge under the mantle of Mary, and she most certainly will not reject us, but will secure our salvation." (Ibid., p.54.)
Now, if it is true (and I hold it as certain, according to the now generally received opinion) - that all the graces that God dispenses to men pass through the hands of Mary, it will be equally true that it is only through Mary that we can hope for this greatest of all graces - perseverance. And we shall obtain it more certainly if we always seek it with confidence through Mary. (Ibid., p.56.)
Among other things, you have just read a doctrine of Vatican Council II which states that Mary is the mediatrix of all graces. Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s salvation message continues:
If Mary Condemns You, You Will Be Lost
When a soul loses devotion to Mary it is immediately enveloped in darkness, and in that darkness of which the Holy Ghost speaks in the Psalms: "Thou hast appointed darkness, and it is night; in it shall all the beasts of the woods go about." When the light of heaven ceases to shine in a soul, all is darkness, and it becomes the haunt of devils and of every sin. St. Anselm says, that "if any one is disregarded and condemned by Mary, he is necessarily lost," and therefore we may with reason exclaim, "Woe to those who are in opposition to this sun!" Woe to those who despise its light! that is to say, all who despise devotion to Mary. (Ibid., p.58.)
It was, then, not without reason that St. Germanus called the most blessed Virgin the breath of Christians; for as the body cannot live without breathing, so the soul cannot live without having recourse to and recommending itself to Mary, by whose means we certainly acquire and preserve the life of divine grace within our souls. (Ibid., p.59.)
This is exactly what we should do whenever we are assaulted by temptation: we should not stay to reason with it, but immediately fly and place ourselves under the mantle of Mary. (Ibid., p.62.)
If Mary undertakes our defence we are certain of gaining the kingdom of heaven. "This do, and thou shalt live." (Ibid., p.63.)
To Cease To Recommend Yourself
to Mary = Being Lost,
According to Saint Alphonsus Liguori
If thy heart is thus far moved, it cannot do otherwise than protect me; and if thou protectest me, what can I fear? No, I fear nothing, I do not fear my sins, for thou canst provide a remedy; I do not fear devils, for thou art more powerful than the whole of hell; I do not even fear thy Son, though justly irritated against me, for at a word of thine He will be appeased. I only fear lest, in my temptations, and by my own fault, I may cease to recommend myself to thee, and thus be lost. (Ibid., p.63.)
Mary is Our Sweetness
Concisely stated about this, Saint Alphonsus Liguori writes:
Mary our Sweetness; she renders Death sweet to her Clients. (Ibid., p. 64.)
Saint Alphonsus Liguori goes on to explain:
In their afflictions, and more particularly in the sorrows of death, the greatest that can be endured in this world, this good Lady and Mother not only does not abandon her faithful servants, but as during our exile she is our life, so also is she at our last hour our sweetness, by obtaining for us a calm and happy death. For from the day on which Mary had the privilege and sorrow of being present at the death of Jesus her Son, Who was the head of all the predestined, it became her privilege to assist also at their deaths. And for this reason the holy Church teaches us to beg this most blessed Virgin to assist us, especially at the moment of death: "Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death!"
Mary, the All-Sufficient Protector
Ah, how quickly do the rebellious spirits fly from the presence of this Queen! If at the hour of death we have only the protection of Mary, what need we fear from all our infernal enemies? David, fearing the horrors of death, encouraged himself by placing his reliance on the death of the coming Redeemer and on the intercession of the virgin Mother. (Ibid., p.66.)
Nowhere in the entire Bible does it say that David encouraged himself as stated above. Moreover, nowhere in Scripture is there even a single Scripture which exalts Mary’s intercession above any other righteous person’s prayers or that she is the ultimate protector to have at death. Please don’t be mislead. Saint Alphonsus Liguori's teachings are dangerous! He continues with this:
St. Vincent Ferrer says, that not only does the most blessed Virgin console and refresh them, but that "she receives the souls of the dying." This loving Queen takes them under her mantle, and thus presents them to the Judge, her Son, and most certainly obtains their salvation. (Ibid., p.68.)
Let us, then, be of good heart, though we be sinners, and feel certain that Mary will come and assist us at death, and comfort and console us with her presence, provided only that we serve her with love during the remainder of the time that we have to be in this world. Our Queen, one day addressing St. Matilda, promised that she would assist all her clients at death who, during their lives, had faithfully served her. "I, as a most tender mother, will faithfully be present at the death of all who piously serve me, and will console and protect them." (Ibid., p.72.)
How great, then, should be our confidence in this Queen, knowing her great power with God, and that she is so rich and full of mercy that there is no one living on earth who does not partake of her compassion and favor. This was revealed by the blessed Lady herself to St. Bridget, saying, "I am the Queen of heaven and the Mother of mercy; I am the joy of the just, and the door through which sinners are brought to God. There is no sinner on earth so accursed as to be deprived of my mercy; for all, if they receive nothing else through my intercession, receive the grace of being less tempted by the devils than they would otherwise have been. 'No one,' she adds, 'unless the irrevocable sentence has been pronounced' (that is, the one pronounced on the damned), 'is so cast off by God that he will not return to Him, and enjoy His mercy, if he invokes my aid. I am called by all the Mother of mercy, and truly the mercy of my Son towards men has made me thus merciful towards them;' and she concludes by saying, 'And therefore miserable will he be, and miserable will he be in eternity, who, in this life, having it in his power to invoke me, who am so compassionate to all, and so desirous to assist sinners, is miserable enough not to invoke me, and so is damned.' Let us, then, have recourse, and always have recourse, to this most sweet Queen, if we would be certain of salvation ...." (Ibid., pp. 16,17.)
Please note that the parts related to salvation/damnation allegedly came from an earlier canonized Catholic saint named Bridget, who had visions of Mary. (Much of what Catholicism teaches about Mary, including sacramentals, has come as a result of visions. Examples of such sacramentals are the Rosary, brown scapular and miraculous medal.)
Mary our Hope, Says Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Alphonsus Liguori summarizes this section of his writings as:
Mary is the Hope of All. (Ibid., p. 76.)
But those who hope in Mary, as Mother of God, who is able to obtain graces and eternal life for them, are truly blessed and acceptable to the heart of God, Who desires to see that greatest of His creatures honored; for she loved and honored Him in this world more than all men and angels put together. And therefore we justly and reasonably call the Blessed Virgin our hope, trusting, as Cardinal Bellarmine says, "that we shall obtain through her intercession that which we should not obtain by our own unaided prayers." (Ibid., p.77.)
"Hail, then, O hope of my soul!" exclaims St. Ephrem, addressing this divine Mother; "hail, O certain salvation of Christians; hail, O helper of sinners; hail, fortress of the faithful and salvation of the world!" (Ibid., p.78.)
"O Mary, thou art all-powerful; for thy divine Son, to honor thee, complies instantly with all thy desires."
St. Gemanus, recognizing in Mary the source of all our good, and that she delivers us from every evil, thus invokes her: "O my sovereign Lady, thou alone art the one whom God has appointed to be my solace here below; thou art the guide of my pilgrimage, the strength of my weakness, the riches of my poverty, the remedy for the healing of my wounds, the soother of my pains, the end of my captivity, the hope of my salvation! Hear my prayers, have pity on my tears, I conjure thee, O thou who art my queen, my refuge, my love, my help, my hope, and my strength." (Ibid., p.80.)
If Jesus Rejects Us, Mary Will
Obtain Forgiveness For Us
"If my Redeemer rejects me on account of my sins, and drives me from His sacred feet, I will cast myself at those of His beloved Mother Mary, and there I will remain prostrate until she has obtained my forgiveness; for this Mother of mercy knows not, and has never known, how to do otherwise than compassionate the miserable, and comply with the desires of the most destitute who fly to her for succor; and therefore, he says, "if not by duty, at least by compassion, she will engage her Son to pardon me.
"Look down upon us, then, let us exclaim, in the words of Euthymius, 'look down upon us, O most compassionate Mother; cast thine eyes of mercy on us, for we are thy servants, and in thee we have placed all our confidence.' " (Ibid., pp. 82, 83.)
Saint Alphonsus Liquori's
Mythical Mary of Catholicism
There are so many errors in the aforementioned quotes from Saint Alphonsus Liguori, as well as the others whom he quoted, that a Bible-believing Christian is hard pressed to know how to respond to the numerous fallacies stated, except at times to simply state that this is clearly not the message of Scripture. In fact, it is not even close. Catholicism has lethally magnified their fabricated Mary to such an elevated place in our lives, including our salvation, that many have been misled to trust in her instead of Jesus alone for their eternal salvation, as the Lord himself taught. Jesus and his apostles openly declared that Jesus is our life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4), sweetness (Mt. 11:29 cf. Acts 7:59) and hope (1 Tim.1:1), but Catholicism has replaced the only Savior with the mother of Jesus or at other times tries to make their mythical Mary the way we get to Jesus for salvation. So, which will it be - Jesus or Mary? To believe either Catholic message about Mary is unscriptural and therefore spiritually deadly.
mary of the bible Though some today might try to dismiss Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s false teachings as radical Marian devotion and not mainstream Catholicism, remember much of what you read was from other Catholic teachers! All Saint Alphonsus Liguori did, with the help of others, was to expand upon the meaning of the Mary of Catholicism being our life, sweetness and hope, which all present-day Catholics agree upon as they recite the rosary. Again, to the student of the Bible, not only are these statements about Mary recognized as unscriptural, they are dangerously inaccurate and idolatrous. Without question, multiple authorities in Catholicism have exalted Mary to having a role in one’s salvation thus misleading millions of trusting souls. Clearly a wrong message for salvation has been and still is being spread by Catholicism. While Catholicism speaks of Jesus, it also mixes in Mary and other things for salvation, which changes the message and reduces it to a counterfeit - one that won’t bring the desired results - a new creation in Christ. True salvation is found only in Jesus, with absolutely no trust and help from Mary. This is the message of the Bible and should also be ours, if we are claiming to be his followers. Saint Alphonsus Liguori was a dangerous heretic, but the Roman Catholic church canonized him a saint and proclaimed him one of its elite Doctors of the church too!
Thanks for pointing this out.
Call no man father.
Has there been any attempt to get our FR Catholic friends to take the poll which asks whether they follow the pope or not?
Your response was that the enemy had control of the transmitter...slandering Mary.
Like keeping jello nailed to the wall.
She said: “Juanito, the most humble of my sons, where are you going?” He replied: “My Lady and Child, I have to reach your church in Mexico, Tlatilolco, to pursue things divine, taught and given to us by our priests, delegates of Our Lord.” She then spoke to him: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows.
And to accomplish what my clemency pretends, go to the palace of the bishop of Mexico, and you will say to him that I manifest my great desire, that here on this plain a temple be built to me;
you will accurately relate all you have seen and admired, and what you have heard. Be assured that I will be most grateful and will reward you, because I will make you happy and worthy of recompense for the effort and fatigue in what you will obtain of what I have entrusted. Behold, you have heard my mandate, my humble son; go and put forth all your effort.”
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The Blessed Virgin answered: “Hark, my son the least, you must understand that I have many servants and messengers, to whom I must entrust the delivery of my message, and carry my wish, but it is of precise detail that you yourself solicit and assist and that through your mediation my wish be complied. I earnestly implore, my son the least, and with sternness I command that you again go tomorrow and see the bishop. You go in my name, and make known my wish in its entirety that he has to start the erection of a temple which I ask of him. And again tell him that I, in person, the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God, sent you.”
***********************
After hearing Juan Diego’s chat, the Most Holy Virgin answered: “Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish.
Am I not here, who is your Mother?
Are you not under my protection?
Am I not your health?
Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish?
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The following day he told him: Well! show us where the Lady from heaven wished her temple be erected.” Immediately, he invited all those present to go.
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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/mary/popular-marian-devotions/our-lady-of-guadalupe
The message of this apparition is a false one that is perpetuated and approved by the Roman Catholic Church.
Christianity and Roman Catholicism....there is a distinct difference.
Telling the TRUTH about Rome's unofficial message bringer is NOT slander.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Call no man father.
You might have disagreed. But I didn't ignore it.
Mrs. Don-o had an even more complete answer on another thread a few days ago. (Having to do with multiple translations of the word "father" and IIRC, again, with context.)
She then spoke to him: “Know and understand well, you the most humble of my son, that I am the ever virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom we live, of the Creator of all things, Lord of heaven and the earth. I wish that a temple be erected here quickly, so I may therein exhibit and give all my love, compassion, help, and protection, because I am your merciful mother, to you, and to all the inhabitants on this land and all the rest who love me, invoke and confide in me; listen there to their lamentations, and remedy all their miseries, afflictions and sorrows.
Yes; she did.
LOTS or words trying to JUSTIFY why Rome encourages its member to blatently ignore the Plain Words of JESUS:
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