Please forward this to as many people as you can.
St. Martin de Porres Guild *
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A beautiful Christmas greeting, sent to me by a dear friend, from Jesus, who said that in essence with the crass materialism of the Christmas season, He was not being invited to His own birthday party. Mother Theresa of Calcutta said that when she was taking care of the poor, hungry, neglected, mistreated; the poor of the streets of Calcutta, that she was taking care of Jesus.
Many of us are faithful sisters and brothers of St. Francis and so we have been exhorted to take care of these multitudes increasing at an alarming rate and now, particularly, with the unspeakable horrors of the genocide taking place in Zimbabwe.
It has been said that in these days, sometimes referred to as the Latter Days, satan has been set loose, for he knows his time is short. It has also been remarked that many of the people who are now found in positions of leadership have been taken over by satan himself or by one of his evil spirits. No one fills that description better than avowed communist Robert Mugabe, who for 28 years has inflicted the tortures of hell on his own people, now along with mass starvation culminating in a deadly epidemic of cholera killing hundreds a day.
In Medjugorje, we have been told that for some difficult situations prayer alone does not suffice, but prayer accompanied by fasting is required to be rid of grave evil.
Along with St. Martin de Porres, and all the saints in heaven, I plead with you, my sisters and brothers in Christ, to pray every day and fast however and whenever you can for the poor, sick and starving millions of victims in what was once the bread basket of Africa, a place once called Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and that the Lord God Almighty might rescue these people from the terrible scourge of the evil Mr. Mugabe.
Together, our prayers and fasting directed to the salvation of these people and of their nation can become the greatest birthday present we could offer to Our Savior on His birthday!
Anne C. Seggerman SFO DM
NOVENA TO SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES
For 9 days in a row, say:
Saint Martin de Porres,
your concern and charity embraced
not only your needy brethren,
but also the animals of the field.
You are a splendid example of charity;
we thank and praise you.
From above,
hear the requests of your needy brethren.
(Mention your request here...)
By modeling our lives after yours,
and imitating your virtues,
may we live content knowing that
God has looked favorably upon us.
Because this is so,
we can accept our burdens
with strength and courage
in order to follow
in the footsteps of our Lord
and the Blessed Mother.
May we reach the Kingdom of Heaven
through the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
A traditional Catholic fast, as recommended by the seers of Medjugorje, is on Wednesday or Friday or both days. During fast days a single simple meal is allowed after sundown so that one goes without food for 24 hours from the last evening meal to the meal the following evening closing the fast. Only water and plain bread if necessary is permitted during a fast. Only those persons considered well enough should fast. Check with your doctor before embarking on a fast.
* a committee of the Fourth World Foundation Inc.
