Posted on 04/11/2010 6:09:57 PM PDT by stfassisi
The first “Hail Mary” was brought from Heaven by Gabriel the Archangel, the messenger of Holy Trinity
The following text of Father Gabriel Amorth, chief exorcist of the Vatican, is taken from the March-April, 2003 issue of “Echo of Mary, Queen of Peace”:
The recent Apostolic Letter of John Paul II, "Rosarium Virginis Mariae" (released last October 16) encourages all Christians to turn back to the prayer strongly recommended both by the latest Pontiffs and recent Marian apparitions. Paul VI called the Rosary a compendium of the Gospel. To make it more complete, John Paul II added the 'mysteries of light' to cover Jesus' public life. Padre Pio called the Rosary beads a weapon of extraordinary power against Satan.
One day a colleague of mine heard the devil say during an exorcism: "Every Hail Mary is like a blow on my head. If Christians knew how powerful the Rosary was, it would be my end." The secret that makes this prayer so effective is that the Rosary is both prayer and meditation. It is addressed to the Father, to the Blessed Virgin, and to the Holy Trinity, and is a meditation centred on Christ.
Today more than ever, the world is in need of prayer and meditation. It is in need of prayer because people have forgotten God, and without God the world has put itself on the edge of a precipice. This is why in Her messages, Our Lady insists so much on prayer. Without God's help, Satan wins. The world is also in need of meditation because if the great Christian truths are forgotten, souls become void. This void is grabbed up by the enemy, and he fills it with his lies. And today we see the results with widespread belief in superstition and occultism.
The most obvious danger for our society today is the downfall of the family. The rhythm of today's world has broken the family unity. Little time is spent together, and even when the family is together, its members don't speak because the television speaks. Where are the families which recite the Rosary together in the evenings? Pope Pius XII insisted in his own time: “If you pray the Rosary together, you will experience peace in your families; you will get on together.” “The family that prays together, stays together,” would say Father Peyton, the untiring apostle of the family Rosary. “Satan wants war,” Mary said one day in Medjugorje. Well, the Rosary is the weapon which is able to guarantee peace for the world, because it is a prayer and a form of meditation able to transform hearts and defeat the enemy.
Protected by the Rosary
The following inspiring episode from World War II, written by Sr. Mary Sheila O'Neil and reported in the October-December, 1979 issue of Garabandal Magazine (P.O. Box 606 Lindenhurst, New York 11757 USA) also illustrates the power of the Rosary:
It was a busy day in March. As a teacher-principal in the 1950's, I had to make sure that each day provided the time for the two separate roles. On that March fourth, an incident between a teacher and a parent had kept me out of my class for almost an hour that morning, so for the rest of the day, I was desperately trying to make up class time. Hence, the knock on my door at 2:00 p.m. was not welcome.
With relief, I found it was only a salesman who needed my signature and even produced his pen. As he did so, his Rosary had caught onto the pen's clip and came out as well. I signed as I said indifferently, "So, you are a Catholic." "Oh no," he said, "but a lot of us owe our lives to Our Lady, and I promised Her I would always keep my Rosary with me and say it every day."
Twenty minutes later, I was still at the door listening, fascinated, to the account of one of the wonderful experiences a group of airmen had had with Our Lady. My visitor hesitated to start, for he had noticed my "non welcome" opening of the door. But eager now to hear his story, I assured him that the class was doing an exercise, and I begged him to proceed. He continued:
It was May, 1940, and we had joined the Air Force in late September. At Halifax, we were given an intensive training course, because they needed us overseas, and to us young lads, the whole program was exciting.
We were grouped into squadrons, each of which consisted of six to ten planes, and each was trained to maneuver as a unit. Therefore about thirty to fifty men made up a squadron, along with the squadron leader who gave all the orders and kept the group functioning in unity.
In May, our squadron was told we were going overseas and would be in action at once. We would work on nightly missions over enemy territory until the war was over. We were waiting for our new squadron leader, due to arrive in two days on a 9:00 p.m. air-force flight. Being an officer, he would, we thought, go at once to the officers' quarters.
We watched the plane, glimpsed him from the distance, and resigned ourselves to waiting until the next day to "size him up." A couple of hours later, this squadron leader, Stan Fulton, in full uniform, entered our bunk house.
“Well men, we're going to spend some dangerous hours together, but let's hope we all meet back here when it's over. Ah, there's a free bunk and I am tired! I'll meet each of you tomorrow.”
With that, he threw his bag on an upper bunk. Our squadron leader, an officer, sleeping here with us! We liked him at once and our liking and our admiration grew each day.
That first night he knelt on the floor and prayed his Rosary in silence. Astounded, we were struck dumb. When he finished, he looked at us with his friendly smile and said, “I hope you guys don't mind a fellow saying some prayers because where we're going, we're going to need them.”
The next day our maneuver practice, under his command, assured us that Fulton was not just our military leader, but our friend. He was one of us; he never tried to intimidate us with his rank.
That night, he repeated his prayer session. Although our group had trained together for six months at least, I had never seen anyone kneel in prayer, and had no idea that any of our group was Catholic; but the third night three of our companions joined Fulton in saying the Rosary. The rest of us did not understand but we kept a respectful silence.
A few nights later — we were quick learners — we all answered the Hail Marys and Our Fathers. Fulton looked pleased, and thus we ended each day in prayer.
On June 1, 1940, we were to leave Halifax to begin a series of night raids from England over Germany. The evening before, Fulton gave each of us a Rosary.
“We shall be in some tight situations, but then, if you agree, we'll say the Rosary. If you will promise to keep the Rosary with you always throughout your life and to say it, I can promise you that Our Lady will bring you all back safe to Canada.”
We answered, “Sure thing.” Little did we dream we would be in action for four years, many times in dreadful danger with fire all around us. At such times, Fulton's voice would ring through each plane, “Hail Mary...” How reverently and sincerely did we respond! How many hundreds of Rosaries we must have said.
After two years, it was noted that ours was the only squadron that had not lost a plane nor a single life. We said nothing, but we knew.
Finally, the terrible war was over. During those years, we lost all sense of excitement and adventure. All that concerned us was survival! We did survive, too. All returned to Canada in 1945, fully convinced that Our Lady had taken care of us.
So I never forget to keep my Rosary with me and say it every day although I am not a Catholic. When I change my trousers, the first thing I transfer, even before my wallet, is my rosary.
I understand that Mary gets her power from God to crush the devil and it's very fitting that the humblest of God's creatures crushes the pridefulest of fallen angels
Do you think that Jesus Christ is jealous of His mother?
Malachi Martin is not infallible, however, what he wrote is quite clear. It looks to me like you have a chip on your shoulder with regard to the Mother of God. Are you one of those who think that it is a sin, like idolatry, to revere the Blessed Mother?
Wow. I wish I could be like your mother?
Oh’ Thanks my mom is in heaven since 1999. Boy don’t we miss our mothers when they pass on. There’s no love like a mother’s love! She had her crosses to bear too. I now live in the old house I grew up in. I have to move I can’t afford the taxes anymore its crazy. I live in suburb of NY City. Going South.
NMH- In the article when it reads in certain sense does not mean exactly that he’s just making a point. Like Christ says to cut your hand or your eye off if you sin do you think he meant that or he was showing how bad sin really is to mankind.
Years ago I had a son who was sick. I sat him in front of the t.v. to amuse him while I called the hospital. Heard a nun say (Mother Angelica ....I was looking for cartoons) pray the rosary it is very powerful. Tried to call the hospital. Anyway...there was divine intervention. I ended up calling a a prayer house where nuns lived. I told her about my ill son and she said she would pray for him. Realizing I had dialed the wrong number I asked who am I speaking to. She said to the Sisters of the Holy Rosary. The phone numbers were totally different. Needless to say I’ve prayed the rosary everyday since and my son was healed. As Father Corapi says Our Lady wears combat boots and you are praying the rosary your are using the big guns...When I don’t feel like praying the rosary I pray it more...because then I know the enemy is lurking. He absolutely hates the rosary. You torment him when you pray the rosary.
We’ll share her with you. Actually Jesus gave her to us as He died on the cross. In giving her to John, Jesus was giving her to us. We have to realize that God the Father entrusted his son Jesus to this humble woman. God used her as a vessel to bring her to the world, to us. And she said “
yes” as she helps us to say “yes” when we pray the rosary. The rosary is a very powerful prayer.
Nothing here about Mary or the rosary.
God gave us ALL the tools necessary in His word
How did Jesus fight off the devil? Did he go to get His mother?
Mat 4:4 — But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 4:6 — And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 — Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 4:10 — Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Mat 4:11 — Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
I put on the armour of God every time you post me with your OPINIONS
Get behind me satan and rn 7!
Thank you for sharing your story... I love reading stuff like this.
I would never dream of going onto a protestant thread and throwing bible verses at people I disagree with. It’s so disrespectful.
This should explain much-Biblical Evidence for Catholicism- This article why pray to a Saint http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-would-i-want-to-pray-to-any-saint.html
Here’s Another One -—Ehttp://socrates58.blogspot.com/2008/10/there-is-one-mediator-1-timothy-25-does.html
“When I don’t feel like praying the rosary I pray it more...because then I know the enemy is lurking. He absolutely hates the rosary. You torment him when you pray the rosary.”
Thanks for your great story and also for the above. I needed to read that...so true.
Tut tut .. That is what Christ said to the pope
Those were living saints, I would be glad to pray for you.. now.. When I leave this life I will be busy praising God
In the article He establishes how they see us thus Hebrews 12:1{ “ we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” Now heres we’re Catholic pray with Saints comes in Revalation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; [4] and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. ALSO In Revelation 5:8, the “twenty-four elders” (usually regarded by commentators as dead human beings) “fell down before the Lamb . . . with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” They appear to have other people’s prayers, to present to God. So the obvious question is: what are they doing with them? Why does Revelation present dead saints presenting the prayers of other saints to God?If they have them, it stands to reason as a rather straightforward deduction, that they heard the initial prayers as well, or at least were granted knowledge of them in some fashion, granted ultimately through the power of God. Revelation 8:3-4 is even more explicit. Rather than equate incense and prayers, it actually distinguishes between them, and presents the scenario that the prayers and incense are presented together:
And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; [4] and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. The Twenty Four Elders are the spirits of people who passed on.
You misread this scripture friend..the greek word for" Witness" here is the word we get the word martyr from..the text is telling us we are to emulate those that have witnessed to US by their lives, not that they are busy watching us
Revalation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; [4] and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.
Incense always represents prayer. it did so in the Old Testament long before the catholic church decided to tell us who the 'saints' are
Rev 8 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
This is speaking of the saints under persecution . These chapters are not about Aunt Mabel needing a car or having a headache. In context, these are the prayers of the living Saints for perseverance in tribulation. All of heaven is watching these events in John's narrative.
John consistently uses Old testament scripture and references in this book to make clear the revelation to the Jews..they would have known scriptures like this one
Lev 16:13 — And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that [is] upon the testimony, that he die not:
Revelation 5:8, the “twenty-four elders” (usually regarded by commentators as dead human beings) “fell down before the Lamb . . . with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Nothing said here about "intercession" . This is after all symbolic, eschatological literature.
perhaps we do well to heed these words from Revelation Rev 20:14“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
NO! You DON”T GET IT! Thats So off! CLOUD OF WITNESSES OR MATYRS means THEY SEE from HEAVEN NOT FROM EARTH! INTERCESSION is PRAY. THE ELDERS AND ANGELS HAVE ANY TYPE OF PRAY BEFORE THE THE LORD. IF iTS all Symbolic What makes you the judge and jury to say it is not? OH I got it Your the POPE OF YOUR OWN CHURCH!
Your interpretation has men persevering because lots of folks are watching us.. is that why you persevere ..cause grandma might be disappointed if you fail?
Read the context.. it is not about others watching us ..it is about the example set for us to help us persevere.
There were no chapters in the epistles..it was a continuous letter.. so what precedes this?
Lets read it in context ok?
<< Hebrews 11 >>
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
{NOTICE THE 1ST WORD NOW}
1 WHEREFORE seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
That verse flows out of the teaching in chapter 11
So we have just read about those that have preceded us in faith and then Paul tells us that we are surrounded by them as a testimony on how to live out our faith and to persevere .
We need to read scripture in context..there is no context to your reading
Noun Strong’s Number: g3144 Greek: martus | martur
Witness (Noun and Verb):
(whence Eng., “martyr,” one who bears “witness” by his death) denotes “one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows;” it is used
(a) of God, Rom 1:9; 2Cr 1:23; Phl 1:8; 1Th 2:5, 10 (2nd part);
(b) of Christ, Rev 1:5; 3:14;
(c) of those who “witness” for Christ by their death, Act 22:20; Rev 2:13; Rev 17:6;
(d) of the interpreters of God’s counsels, yet to “witness” in Jerusalem in the times of the Antichrist, Rev 11:3;
(e) in a forensic sense, Mat 18:16; 26:65; Mar 14:63; Act 6:13; 7:58; 2Cr 13:1; 1Ti 5:19; Hbr 10:28;
(f) in a historical sense, Luk 11:48; 24:48; Act 1:8, 22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39, 41; 13:31; 22:15; 26:16; 1Th 2:10 (1st part); 1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 2:2; Hbr 12:1, “(a cloud) of witnesses,” here of those mentioned in ch. 11, those whose lives and actions testified to the worth and effect of faith, and whose faith received “witness” in Scripture; 1Pe 5:1.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.