Sister Josefa Menendez's Description of Hell

Sister Josefa Menendez's Description of Hell

"I saw several souls fall into Hell, and among them was a child of fifteen, cursing her parents for not having taught her to fear God nor that there was a Hell. Her life had been a short one, she said, but full of sin, for she had given in to all that her body and passions demanded in the way of satisfaction..." (March 22, 1923).

"My soul fell into abysmal depths, the bottom of which cannot be seen, for it is immense. . . ; Then I was pushed into one of those fiery cavities and pressed, as it were, between burning planks, and sharp nails and red-hot irons seemed to be piercing my flesh. I felt as if they were endeavoring to pull out my tongue, but could not. This torture reduced me to such agony that my very eyes seemed to be starting out of their sockets. I think this was because of the fire which burns, burns. . . not a finger nail escapes terrifying torments, and all the time one cannot move even a finger to gain some relief, not change posture, for the body seems flattened out and [yet] doubled in two. Sounds of confusion and blasphemy cease not for an instant. 

A sickening stench asphyxiates and corrupts everything, it is like the burning of putrefied flesh, mingled with tar and sulfur. . . a mixture to which nothing on earth can be compared. . . although these tortures were terrific, they would be bearable if the soul were at peace. But it suffers indescribably. . . All I have written," she concluded, "is but a shadow of what the soul suffers, for no words can express such dire torment." (September 4, 1922).

"Others curse their tongues, their eyes... whatever was the occasion of their sin... 'Now, O body, you are paying the price of the delights you granted yourself!.. and you did it of your own free will... '" (April 2, 1922). (That is, illegitimate delights).

"It seemed to me that the majority accused themselves of sins of impurity, of stealing, of unjust trading; and that most of the damned are in Hell for these sins." (April 6, 1922).

"I saw many worldly people fall into Hell, and no words can render their horrible and terrifying cries: 'Damned forever... I deceived myself; I am lost... I am here forever... There is no remedy possible... a curse on me...'

On the Sight of the Most Blessed Trinity in His Name

CHAPTER VI – ON THE SIGHT OF THE MOST 
BLESSED TRINITY IN HIS NAME, WHICH IS THE GOOD

1. After the consideration of essentials the eye of the intelligence is lifted up to survey the Most Blessed Trinity, as the other Cherub placed alongside the other. Moreover as being itself is the radical principle and name of the vision of essentials, through which the others become known; so the good itself is the most principle foundation of the contemplation of emanations.

2. Therefore see and attend since the best is simply that than which nothing better can be thought; and thus it is such, because it cannot be rightly thought to not to be, because being is entirely better than non being; thus it is, that it cannot rightly be thought, rather let it be thought as triune and one. For ” the good is said to be diffusive of itself”; therefore the Most High Good is most highly diffusive of Itself. However the most hight diffusion cannot be, unless it be actual and intrinsic, substantial and hypostatic, natural and voluntary, liberal and necessary, unfailing and perfect. Therefore unless there be eternally in the Most High Good an actual and consubstantial production, and a hypostatis equally noble, as is one producing through the manner of generation and spiration – so that it be the eternal (production) of an eternally co-principating principle – so that it be beloved, co-beloved, begotten and spirated, that is the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; it would never be the Most High Good, because it would not diffuse itself most highly. For there is no diffusion in time into creatures except (when it is) central and/or punctual in respect to the immensity of eternal goodness; whence also can any diffusion be thought greater than those, namely these, in which diffusing itself it communicates to another its whole substance and nature. Therefore it would not be the Most High good, if in reality, or intellect it could be lacking (anything). Therefore if you can with the eye of your mind survey the purity of goodness, which is the pure act of the Principle loving in a charitable manner with a love, free and owed and commingled from both, which is the fullest diffusion in the manner of nature and will, which is a diffusion in the manner of the Word, in which all things are said to be, and in the manner of the Gift, in whom all other gifts are given; (then) you can see, that through the most high communicability of the good the Trinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is necessary. In whom it is necessary on account of the Most High Goodness being the Most High Communicability, and from the Most High Communicability the Most High Consubstantiality, and from the Most High Consubstantiality the Most High Configurability, and from these the Most High Co-equality, and for this reason the Most High Co-eternity, and from all the aforesaid the Most High Co-intimacy, by which one is in the other necessarily through the Most High Circumincession and one works with the other through an in-every-measure indivision of substance and virtue and activity of the Most Blessed Trinity itself.

Revelations on Holy Communion

Revelations on Holy Communion

Each time we receive Holy Communion our venial sins are forgiven.

Christ revealed to St. Gertrude the Great that each time 1 person receives Holy Communion, something good happens to every being in heaven on earth and in purgatory.

The Curate of Ars said that a Communion well received is worth more than 20,000 NFF given to the poor.

Each time we receive Communion our place in Heaven is raised forever, our stay in Purgatory shortened.

WE SHOULD NEVER LET A DAY PASS
WITHOUT GOING TO HOLY COMMUNION

From the Pieta Prayer Booklet
Image Credit Waitingfor the Word

Salutations of the Wounds of Jesus Christ

Salutations of the Wounds of Jesus Christ

When St. Gertrude had recited this prayer 5,466 times, in honor of all the Wounds of our Lord Jesus, He appeared to her in vision, having on each Wound a rose flashing with a golden splendor, and greeted her tenderly, saying: "Behold, I will appear to thee, in this refulgent form at the hour of thy death, and I will cover all thy sins, and adorn thee with a glory, like that with which thou hast adorned My Wounds by thy salutations; and all who use this or any similar devotion shall receive the like favor." In order to make up this number, and become a partaker of this promise of Christ, you may say the following prayer five times a day for three years, adding the oblation, which our Lord directed to Saint Mechtilde to repeat after each division of five. 

SALUTATIONS

Glory be to Thee, most gracious, sweetest, most benign, sovereign, transcending, effulgent, and ever peaceful Trinity, for the roseate Wounds of Jesus Christ, my chosen and only love. 

OBLATION 

(To be said alter each five repetitions.) 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, accept this prayer, with that surpassing love, with which Thou didst endure all the Wounds of Thy most Holy Body. Have mercy on me, and on all sinners, and on all the Faithful, living and departed. Grant them grace and mercy, remission of sins and everlasting life. Amen. 

Image Credit Waiting for the Word

Padre Pio, Secrets of a Soul

Padre Pio, Secrets of a Soul

When Jesus wants me to understand that He loves me, He allows me to savor the wounds, the thorns, the agonies of His passion...When He wants to delight me, He fills my heart with that spirit which is all fire; He speaks to me of His delights. But when He wants to be delighted, He speaks to me of His sorrows, He invites me -- with a voice full of both supplication and authority -- to affix my body [to the cross] in order to alleviate His suffering. Who can resist Him? I realize how much my miseries have caused Him to suffer, how much I have offended Him. I desire no other than Jesus alone, I want nothing more than His pains (because this is what Jesus wishes). Let me say--since no one can hear me--I am disposed to remain forever deprived of the sweetness Jesus allows me to feel. I am ready to suffer Jesus hiding His beautiful eyes from me, so long as He does not hide His love from me, because then I would die. But I do not feel I can be deprived of suffering--for this I lack strength. [...] Perhaps I have not yet expressed myself clearly with regards to the secret of this suffering. Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, wants all Christians to imitate Him; He has offered this chalice to me yet again, and I have accepted it. That is why He does not spare me. My humble sufferings are worth nothing, but Jesus delights in them because He loved [suffering] on earth...Now shouldn't this alone be enough to humiliate me, to make me seek to be hidden from the eyes of men, since I was made worthy of suffering with Jesus and as Jesus? Ah, my father! I feel too keenly my ingratitude toward God's majesty.

-- Padre Pio, Secrets of a Soul
Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Saint Padre Pio Quotes

Saint Padre Pio Quotes

I belong to everyone. Everyone can say: 'Padre Pio is mine'.

Fear not because God is with you.

The longer the trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting you during the time of the trial and in the exaltation after the combat.

Doubting is the biggest insult to Divinity.

Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.

Have courage and do not fear the assaults of the Devil. Remember this forever; it is a healthy sign if the devil shouts and roars around your conscience, since this shows that he is not inside your will.

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

Do not let temptations frighten you; they are the trials of the soul whom God wants to test when He knows that he is strong enough to sustain the battle and weave his garland of glory with his own hands.

The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain

By all means seek solitude, but don't fail to be charitable towards your neighbor.

Do you not see the Madonna always beside the tabernacle?

I wish my voice could reach all sinners: Come to Christ where all is love.

My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to Your providence.

If certain thoughts bother you, it is devil who causes you to worry, and not God, Who, being the spirit of peace, grants you tranquility.

Continue to be patient; it will all be for your good.

Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God's heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart.

I understand that temptations seem to tarnish, rather than to purify the spirit; but let us hear what the saints have to say, and for that purpose it suffices to choose Saint Francis de Sales from among so many: 'Temptations are like soap, which, when spread over the clothes, seems to stain them, but in reality, purifies them.

Suffering, no matter how difficult it may be, when compared to the good that is accomplished, makes every pain a joy for the soul.

Do not allow the sad spectacle of human injustice to disturb your soul.

By means of the angels, Jesus calls the poor and simple shepherds, in order to manifest Himself to them. He calls the learned men by means of their science. And all of them, moved by His inner grace, hasten to adore Him

The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain.

I suffer so much because I cannot lead all of my brothers to God!

Do the penance of remembering, with sorrow, the offenses committed against God; the penance of being constantly good; the penance of combating your faults.

God enriches the soul when He strips it of everything.

Come out of anxiety, because it is one of the greatest deceivers of true virtue and sound devotion.

Silence is the last resort of the soul when it is ineffably happy or when extremely oppressed.

For your daily transgressions, humble yourself, humble yourself, always humble yourself.

God will not allow you to be lost if you persist in your determination not to lose Him.

Essentially, you must persist in Christian justice, and in the principles of kindness, of virtue, from which humility explicitly stems. Internal and external humility, more internal than external; deep-felt, rather than demonstrated; profound, rather than visible.

Don't expect to be recompensed for your goodness.

Force yourself to take a step forward each day in a vertical line, from the bottom up.

It is through testing that God binds His chosen souls to Himself.

Everybody can, and should, propagate the glory of God, and work for the salvation of men, by leading a Christian life, by praying constantly to the Lord: ' Your kingdom come, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' This is what we should do, offering yourself completely and continually to the Lord for this purpose.

Guard against anxiety and uneasiness because there is nothing which more greatly impedes perfection.

Keep the conviction that there is a lot of malice in you. Humble yourself, but don’t become distressed.

Have great confidence in God's goodness and mercy, and He will never abandon you; but don't neglect to embrace His holy cross because of this.

It is difficult to become a saint. Difficult, but not impossible!

It would please God that many poor creatures repent and truly return to Him.

Like Our Lady, remain at the Cross of Jesus, and you will never be deprived of comfort.

Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: 'Today, if you hear the voice of the Lord, do not turn a deaf ear'

The prayers of the Saints in heaven and of the just on earth are a perfume which never will be lost.

Lean on the Cross of Jesus as the Virgin did and you will not be deprived of comfort. Mary was as if paralyzed before her crucified Son, but one cannot say that she was abandoned by Him. Rather, how much more did she love Him when she suffered and could not even weep?'

“The longer the trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting you during the time of the trial and in the exaltation after the combat.”

Keep close to the Catholic Church at all times, for the Church alone can give you true peace, since she alone possesses Jesus, the true Prince of Peace, in the Blessed Sacrament.

Fear not because God is with you.

Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.

Who can assure us that we will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: “Today, if you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.” Let us not put off from one moment to another (what we should do) because the (next moment) is not yet ours.

Oh, how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make good use of it. Oh, if only all could understand how precious time is, undoubtedly everyone would do his best to spend it in a praiseworthy manner!

The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain.

Walk in the way of the Lord with simplicity and do not torment your spirit. You must hate your defects, but with a quiet hate, not troublesome and restless.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Spiritual Exercises and Heavenly Promises

Spiritual Exercises and Heavenly Promises

September 8 – The Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity

Gertrude once asked what reward those would receive who celebrated this feast with fervor.

Mary Answered: “They will merit a special share in the joys which I possess in heaven, and in the virtues with which the most glorious Trinity adorns me!

Uniting our Sufferings to Christ

St. Gertrude suffered during the greater part of her life.  Once when she was confined to bed by illness, this consoling revelation was imparted to her:

“Whoever in his trials and adversities unites himself with My sufferings, and strives to imitate My patience and resignation, will truly repose on My Heart and participate in all the merits of My life.”

Bodily and spiritual afflictions are the surest sign of Divine predilection, yea, even a mark of the espousal of the soul with God.  Gratitude for suffering is a precious jewel for our heavenly crown.

Looking at the Crucifix

After she had devoutly touched a crucifix St. Gertrude learned a holy truth. “ … If anyone only looks at the image of the Cross of Jesus Christ with a holy intention, God rewards him with such goodness and mercy that he receives in his soul, as in a spotless mirror, an image which is so agreeable that the whole court of Heaven delights therein; and this serves to increase his eternal glory in the life to come in proportion as he has practiced this act of devotion in this life.”

Jesus once said to St. Gertrude: 

“It is very agreeable to Me to see thee thus honoring the Crucifix.  It is always an effect of Divine grace when men’s eyes meet the Image on the Cross, and never once do they rest upon it, but their soul is benefited.

The oftener they do this here on earth with reverence and love, the greater will be their reward in heaven. “

Whenever you Kiss My image, I in turn kiss you; whenever you press My image to your heart, I in turn press you to My heart; whenever you think of me, I in turn think of you.  Indeed, you are always in My thoughts, but at these times I think of you with a special love and devotion.”

Sighs of Love and Tears of Devotion

With heartfelt grief, I sigh while considering Your Holy Passion, O Lord, and I beg You to wound my heart with the arrow of Your love.

“Whenever anyone sighs towards Me with love in meditating on My Passion, it is as though he gently touched My wounds with a fresh-budding rose, and I wound his heart in return with the arrow of My Love. Moreover, if he sheds tears of devotion over My Passion, I will accept them as though he had suffered for Me.”  - Our Lord to St. Mechtilde

“Ask My Father for as many souls as I shed drops of Blood during My Passion.” - Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter

The Hour of Great Mercy

Dear Jesus, this is the hour of grace for the whole world, in which mercy triumphed over justice, in virtue of your Passion I ask for the grace of…. (Intentions)

Promise:  During a vision of the Divine Mercy devotion, Our Lord said to Sr. Faustina, “At three o’clock implore My mercy especially for sinners; and if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in my Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony.  This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world…  In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.”

Later He added, “… as often as you hear the clock strike the third hour, immerse yourself completely in My mercy, adoring and glorifying it; invoke its omnipotence for the whole world, and particularly for poor sinners; for at that moment mercy was opened wide for every soul.   In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking: it was the hour of grace for the whole world – mercy triumphed over justice.” 

The Reception of Holy Communion

“It is a time honored custom that one who has twice held the office of governor excels in honor him who has filled the office him who has filled the office but once.  Likewise, they shall be more glorious in heaven who shall have received Me oftener on earth…  - Our Lord to St. Gertrude

The Blessed Virgin Mary

What would be most pleasing to Thee at this moment, O  Lord?  St. Gertrude once inquired.  “What does thou desire of me?”

“Place thyself before my mother who reigns at my side, and endeavor to praise her.”  Following this advice Gertrude greeted the heavenly Mother as the paradise of delights, the most beautiful habitation of God.

She also learned from the blessed Virgin that whenever anyone piously greets her with these words: “O radiant Lily of the ever-peaceful Trinity!  O resplendent rose of heavenly charm!”  Mary bestows favors upon him according to her power, through the omnipotence of the Father, the wisdom of the Son and the benignity of the Holy Spirit.

Offering Our Corporeal Necessities

‘Whoever offers Me the satisfaction of his corporal necessities such as eating, drinking, sleeping, etc, saying in his heart or with his lips, ‘Lord, I take this food’ (or whatever it may be) in union with the love with which You performed the like actions when on earth, for the glory of Your Father and the salvation of men’…. Each time he makes his offering in union with My divine Love, he presents Me with a strong shield to protect Me against the insults and outrages of sinners.” – St. Gertrude

Offering our Actions

‘From time to time during the day, repeat a little phrase such as: ‘This is for You, my Jesus’ It will warm your heart and bring balm to mine.’

Before ever act, before entering or leaving a room or before any activity, simply say Jesus’ and I will accept it as a dedication.” 

Simply say: Jesus’ when ever you make an error, or are cold.  I will accept the suffering as borne for My sake.”

Sacrifice Prayer

Our Lady of Fatima said: Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice:

O Jesus it is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

After Falling into Sin

St. Gertrude said to our Lord: Teach me, O best of Teachers, how to efface the stains of sin, which I contract from time to time. She received this answer: Never allow these stains to remain upon thy conscience; but as soon as thou feelest thyself defiled by any fault, say to Me with a devout heart: 

O CHRIST Jesus, my only Salvation and Hope, grant that all my transgressions may be blotted out by Thine most efficacious death. Amen. 

In Reparation for Blasphemy

“Oh, if you only knew what great merit you acquire by saying even once, “Admirable is the Name of God,” in the spirit of reparation for blasphemy!” – Our Lord to Sr. Mary of St. Peter.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

After Falling into Sin

After Falling into Sin

St. Gertrude said to our Lord: Teach me, O best of Teachers, how to efface the stains of sin, which I contract from time to time. She received this answer: Never allow these stains to remain upon thy conscience; but as soon as thou feelest thyself defiled by any fault, say to Me with a devout heart: 

O CHRIST Jesus, my only Salvation and Hope, grant that all my transgressions may be blotted out by Thine most efficacious death. Amen.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Remedy Against Distractions

Remedy Against Distractions

When you are distracted in prayer, commend it to the Heart of Jesus, to be perfected by Him, as our Lord Himself taught St. Gertrude. One day, when she was much distracted in prayer, He appeared to her, and held forth to her His Heart with his own sacred hands, saying: Behold, I set My Heart before the eyes of thy soul, that thou mayest commend to it all thine actions, confidently trusting that all that thou canst not of thyself supply to them will be therein supplied, so that they may appear perfect and spotless in My sight. 

Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose image I have set before the eyes of my soul, I commend to it all my actions confidently trusting that all that I cannot of myself supply to them, will be therein supplied, so that they may appear perfect and spotless in thy sight.  Amen

"My God and Father! if my poor offering does not please Thee and Thou wilt not accept it for the salvation of my soul, but desirest to punish me in this world or the next for my sins, behold me ready to suffer as much and as long in Thine honor and for love of Thee as Thy justice requires."

Image taken from MorgueFile Photos

When You Can't Sleep

When You Can't Sleep

On one occasion when St. Gertrude could not sleep, she learned this prayer from Christ Himself. 

By Thine Own eternal and unruffled repose in the bosom of God the Father, by Thy most peaceful rest in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, by the most ecstatic rapture with which Thou didst ever take thy delight in the hearts of those who love Thee, I beseech Thee, O most loving Lord, deign to grant me needful sleep, not for my pleasure or advantage, but that the weary members of my body may be refreshed to labour for Thine eternal praise and glory. Amen.

Photo taken from Wikimedia Commons

Intention before Sleep

Intention Before Sleep

O LORD JESUS, I accept this sleep in the love with which Thou didst sanctify it when Thou didst deign to sleep in Thy most sacred Humanity, to the glory of God the Father, and for the salvation of all the whole human race; beseeching Thee that, in union with Thy Divine Love, it may tend to the increase in grace and glory of all Thine elect, in Heaven, on earth, and in Purgatory. Amen.

Taught to St. Gertrude by our Lord

Image Credit Waiting for the Word