Communication with Visitors* Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us! June 1 (P.S. June 7, 15, 17, 22, 27, 28, 30) Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Today we celebrate the feast day of Ascension of the Lord. In the Opening Prayer of the Mass, we read: "God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ. May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and our hope." Alleluia! Yours sincerely in Christ and Our Heavenly Mother, Editor P.S. June 7 Pentecost Sunday Today we celebrate the feast of the Pentecost. As we know, the life of a Christian consists in co-operating fully with the Holy Spirit. And since our ability to do so tends to be weak, we need special gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us co-operate with the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. If the Old Testament is characteristic of the Presence of the Father, and the New Testament is the Presence of the Son, the time between Christ's Ascension and His Second Coming will be that of the Holy Spirit without Whom nothing is possible, i.e., with respect to our relationship with the Divine Heavenly Family (the Most Holy Trinity and all the Holy Angels and Saints in Heaven) and others (on earth), as well as with all the good works, etc. Click here, then, for the Novena for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the only way to know if this Novena really makes a difference is to try it. We may do it any time before or after the Pentecost, in particular when we are doing a special project or trying to improve our prayer life and relationship with others, etc. Alleluia! P.S. (June 15) Trinity Sunday and Father's Day Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, as well as Father's Day. The Opening Prayer of the Mass reads: "Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, One God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you." Indeed, there are two ways in looking at our salvation history, i.e., the way of the F-HS-S-HS-F and the way of the F-S-HS-S-F. The F-S-HS-S-F way is reflected in what was written on June 7 and in the Opening Prayer read above, in which the Father sent us the Son who sends us the Holy Spirit, and in turn, the Holy Spirit brings us to the Son who brings us to the Father. On the other hand, the F-HS-S-HS-F is also quite biblical, in which the Father through the Holy Spirit sent us the Son who through the Holy Spirit brings us to the Father. As we know, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot confess Jesus is Lord (1 Cor 12:3). At the same time, "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Gal 4:6) By the way, today is also Father's Day. Indeed, have a very happy Father's Day, all the dear earthly fathers and priestly fathers who have laboured so much for us! Without their selfless dedication, no wonderful family and Church community would have been possible. This is the day on which we should also give thanks to God the Father --- the Eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the Father of all the family fathers and Rev. fathers on earth. Without doubt, God the Father is not only the Source of All Divinity, He is also the Source of all blessings for us all (cf. Eph 3:14-21)! Alleluia! P.S. (June 17) Today the note on SARS is being sent gently to our archives. We believe that SARS may be substantially over in both East and West. The note on SARS was done in honour of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ. It is something which we enjoy promoting before the actual Feast Day. May all praise and credits, therefore, be given to God, in particular to the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ in Whom and through Whom God radiates His healing power to the world most intensely! Apparently, just as God was most divinely or intensely present and active in and through Jesus Christ two millennia ago, God is now most divinely or intensely present in and through the Consecrated Body and Blood of Christ. As St. Thomas reminds us, the whole of Christ is now fully present in Heaven and in the Consecrated Species. Without doubt, such a mystery rightly belongs to the rank of that of the Most Holy Trinity. However, in the case that SARS becomes terrifying again, we may have to put it back with updated adjustments. As you know, it has not been easy to keep updating it. Indeed, it would take quite a few hours each week to report or update every major news about SARS. The author would like, therefore, to apologize for any lack of information or balance of views with respect to the whole SARS event. P.S. (June 22) The Feast of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ It appears that one of the best hymns Jesus would love to listen to again and again from each one of us --- whether he or she is a Christian --- is the following: ""O Lord I love You only, with all my heart and mind, with all my soul and strength, for all eternity!" For further information, click here. Praise God! P.S. (June 27) Sacred Heart of Jesus The following is written by Fr. Michael Lapierre in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: June is the month dedicated to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion flourished much more widely and vigorously in former ages than it does in our time. Its rise can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Its spread as a popular devotion received impetus from the life and visions of the Visitandine nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Apparently, she gave a shape to the object of the devotion and its practices in which reparation for the outrages committed against the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist marked its prominent feature. Historically, Clement XIII authorized a Mass and an Office for the feast to be observed on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi. Pius IX in 1856 extended this feast to the Universal Church. Indeed, Leo XIII in his encyclical letter Annum Sacrum May 1899 consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He called this devotion "the most excellent form of religion." Further, Pius XI considered it to be the synthesis of our whole religion and the norm of a more perfect life in Miserentissimus Redemptor 1928. Drawing upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition set forth its dogmatic foundations, Pius XII in his encyclical letter Haurietis Aquas 1956 declared it to be the most perfect expression of the Christian religion. P.S. (June 28) Immaculate Heart of Mary One of the ways to experience the gentle presence of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in our heart is to pray the whole Rosary (the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries) slowly, sweetly and with all our heart. Gradually, we may begin to enjoy to some extent the wonderful union of the three hearts, i.e., the Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and that of ours. This is an experience which can truly, even unconditionally, nourish, transform and delight our heart. Here we wish all our dear visitors or readers a wonderful summer holiday in the presence of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Alleluia! P.S. (June 30) First Martyrs of the Church of Rome As never before, what the world needs is today's first reading at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, i.e., Gen 18:16-33, with respect to Abraham's conversation with God on the number of ABCs (Abraham's Bargaining Chips). Amazingly, Abraham was able to reduce the number of ABCs from 50 to 10 for the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, when God did not find the required number of ABCs, God just went ahead and destroyed the cities (cf. Gen 19:24-28). As many cities in the world have just gone through a wild day or two of celebrating Satanic Pride over the weekend, is an unfailing number of ABCs not what the whole world really needs? As Christ our Saviour is constantly interceding on our behalf before God the Father (cf. Heb 7:25; Rom 3:34), the whole world need many God-pleasing persons or Christ's ABCs to do at least the following: A) to console the Most Sacred of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for such crimes committed; B) to do reparations of all our sins; and C) to pray for the conversion of each soul living, sinning, and dying in mortal sins. Unless the Sacred Scriptures and the consequences of committing a mortal sin were just a joke, we cannot remain in complacency as if nothing seriously against Heaven has happened. Indeed, the future of the whole world counts on the existence of every true God-pleasing, righteous person. At the same time, each and every person who is called to be Christ's ABC for the world is very much needed. Concerning the call of becoming Christ's ABC, the Magisterium appeared to affirm it as early as May 8, 1928. In Miserentissimus Redemptor, Pope Pius XI pointed out to us the great necessity of becoming a reparator for the world in this age of sin and darkness: "Now, how great is the necessity of this expiation or reparation, more especially in this our age, will be manifest to everyone who will examine the world, 'seated in wickedness' (1Jn V,19), with his eyes and with his mind." Fr. George A. Maloney concluded his excellent work Listen, Prophets! with these words: "Today the world has desperate need for prophets who mediate Jesus Christ and His intercessory power before the Father's throne on behalf of the human race." (p. 154) Not many would like to talk about such negative things about the world, especially in the wake of a summer simmering with all kinds of wonderful plans and activities. However, unless we learn to respond to the negative, God-displeasing parts of the world in a truly God-pleasing manner, our life, even in the summer, will not be truly God-pleasing. Here we wish all our dear visitors or readers again a wonderful summer holiday in the presence of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Alleluia! * Fr. Michael Lapierre, S.J., and the editor John Cheng are currently taking part in this monthly column. While the former is writing in January, March, and May, etc., the latter is doing so in February, April and June, etc. As usual, we take July and August as our summer holidays. The background hymn is a version of "Immaculate Mary". Thank you. ** A little spiritual insight to share, i.e., God does answer our authentic prayers, but in God's own time. *** Another spiritual insight: St. Theresa of Lisieux used to pray two types of beads, the Rosary beads and one with which she used to help her do little daily sacrifices for God. Obviously, both were needed for her perfection. **** When we encounter some purgatorial inconveniences in life, it may be important for us to see them in the context of the real Purgatory. For a Biblical perspective about Purgatory, click here. Summer notes: * There is a lecture celebrating the publication of John's book on the development of Theology of Chi on July 6, Sunday, 2-4 p.m. , in St. Don Bosco Hall, at The Chines Martyr's Catholic Church, 2755 Denison Street, Markham, Ontario (905)-294-1377. There is a similar lecture also on July 13, 1-3, in the Church Hall at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 2002 St. Patrick St. Toronto (416) 598-3920. All are welcome. The author is profoundly grateful to all who have prayed for this project. Thank you, Fr. Peter Leung and Fr. Peter Chan, too, for the invitations. ** Yesterday (July 15) the author was invited back to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish to share the same lecture on Theology of Chi. This is phenomenal. Indeed, through the grace of God, it has been proved that this theology is only bringing people very close to the heart of the Catholic Church. (i.e., to the Holy Eucharist, Our Heavenly Mother, and the Magisterium headed by the Pope). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thank you, Fr. Peter Chan. *** The author is planning to do a trilogy of philosophy with respect to Theology of Energy over the next few years in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. By the way, the twelfth biennial meeting of URAM for professors and scholars is taking place at University of Toronto from August 13-16 this year. Please email perryf@cc.umanitoba.ca or visit http://www.scranton.edu/uram . All are welcome. Thank you, Prof. John Perry, S.J., for the invitation to present a paper on Chu Hsi in the coming conference. **** Today (July 31) is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. How can the present website as well as Theology of Energy forget to thank all our Jesuit friends for their advice? We would like to mention in particular Prof. John Perry, S.J., Prof. Michael Lapierre, S.J. and Prof. Aloysius Chang (known internationally according to the Taiwanese Mandarin pronunciation) but pronounced by the author previously in Cantonese as Cheung Chun Sun), S.J. (as the adviser of Theology of Chi). ***** The editor would like to apologize for any confusion for not using "Prof. Aloysius Chang" as known internationally for "Prof. Cheung Chun Sun" (as known to the Cantonese Catholics) earlier. As a footnote, the editor is called John Cheng internationally and known to his Cantonese friends as Cheng Wai Leung. In the Chinese Pinyin system, John Cheng would be called John Zheng. Of course, we only use the "name" known internationally as a rule. Thank you. ****** Indeed, when a Westerner goes to China, he or she may face even more varieties of transliterating his or her very name. As there are hundred of dialects, each would have a different version of the name, and each translator would do so according to how he or she hears the sound of the name, either following the Pinyin method or the Wade-Giles system. For further information, click here. If possible, then, stick to the Western name in whatever language. Praise God! ******* By the grace of the Divine Heavenly Family, the spread of Theology of Chi which brings people very close to the three greatest treasures of the Catholic Church (i.e., the Holy Eucharist, Our Heavenly Mother, and the Magisterium headed by the Holy Father) in love, joy and peace continues on into Worldwide Overseas Chinese Pastoral Evangelization Conference II being held from September 2 to 5 in Los Angeles. All are welcome. Please contact Michael Lau at 1-323-222-5518. Thank you, Fr. Peter Leung, Fr. Joseph Cheng, and Joseph Cheng also for the kindness.
June 1 (P.S. June 7, 15, 17, 22, 27, 28, 30)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Today we celebrate the feast day of Ascension of the Lord. In the Opening Prayer of the Mass, we read: "God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ. May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and our hope." Alleluia!
Yours sincerely in Christ and Our Heavenly Mother,
Editor
P.S. June 7 Pentecost Sunday
Today we celebrate the feast of the Pentecost. As we know, the life of a Christian consists in co-operating fully with the Holy Spirit. And since our ability to do so tends to be weak, we need special gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us co-operate with the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. If the Old Testament is characteristic of the Presence of the Father, and the New Testament is the Presence of the Son, the time between Christ's Ascension and His Second Coming will be that of the Holy Spirit without Whom nothing is possible, i.e., with respect to our relationship with the Divine Heavenly Family (the Most Holy Trinity and all the Holy Angels and Saints in Heaven) and others (on earth), as well as with all the good works, etc.
Click here, then, for the Novena for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the only way to know if this Novena really makes a difference is to try it. We may do it any time before or after the Pentecost, in particular when we are doing a special project or trying to improve our prayer life and relationship with others, etc. Alleluia!
P.S. (June 15) Trinity Sunday and Father's Day
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, as well as Father's Day. The Opening Prayer of the Mass reads: "Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, One God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you."
Indeed, there are two ways in looking at our salvation history, i.e., the way of the F-HS-S-HS-F and the way of the F-S-HS-S-F. The F-S-HS-S-F way is reflected in what was written on June 7 and in the Opening Prayer read above, in which the Father sent us the Son who sends us the Holy Spirit, and in turn, the Holy Spirit brings us to the Son who brings us to the Father. On the other hand, the F-HS-S-HS-F is also quite biblical, in which the Father through the Holy Spirit sent us the Son who through the Holy Spirit brings us to the Father. As we know, without the Holy Spirit, we cannot confess Jesus is Lord (1 Cor 12:3). At the same time, "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (Gal 4:6)
By the way, today is also Father's Day. Indeed, have a very happy Father's Day, all the dear earthly fathers and priestly fathers who have laboured so much for us! Without their selfless dedication, no wonderful family and Church community would have been possible.
This is the day on which we should also give thanks to God the Father --- the Eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as the Father of all the family fathers and Rev. fathers on earth. Without doubt, God the Father is not only the Source of All Divinity, He is also the Source of all blessings for us all (cf. Eph 3:14-21)! Alleluia!
P.S. (June 17) Today the note on SARS is being sent gently to our archives. We believe that SARS may be substantially over in both East and West. The note on SARS was done in honour of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ. It is something which we enjoy promoting before the actual Feast Day. May all praise and credits, therefore, be given to God, in particular to the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ in Whom and through Whom God radiates His healing power to the world most intensely! Apparently, just as God was most divinely or intensely present and active in and through Jesus Christ two millennia ago, God is now most divinely or intensely present in and through the Consecrated Body and Blood of Christ. As St. Thomas reminds us, the whole of Christ is now fully present in Heaven and in the Consecrated Species. Without doubt, such a mystery rightly belongs to the rank of that of the Most Holy Trinity.
However, in the case that SARS becomes terrifying again, we may have to put it back with updated adjustments. As you know, it has not been easy to keep updating it. Indeed, it would take quite a few hours each week to report or update every major news about SARS. The author would like, therefore, to apologize for any lack of information or balance of views with respect to the whole SARS event.
P.S. (June 22) The Feast of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ
It appears that one of the best hymns Jesus would love to listen to again and again from each one of us --- whether he or she is a Christian --- is the following: ""O Lord I love You only, with all my heart and mind, with all my soul and strength, for all eternity!" For further information, click here.
Praise God!
P.S. (June 27) Sacred Heart of Jesus
The following is written by Fr. Michael Lapierre in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
June is the month dedicated to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This devotion flourished much more widely and vigorously in former ages than it does in our time. Its rise can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Its spread as a popular devotion received impetus from the life and visions of the Visitandine nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Apparently, she gave a shape to the object of the devotion and its practices in which reparation for the outrages committed against the Lord Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist marked its prominent feature.
Historically, Clement XIII authorized a Mass and an Office for the feast to be observed on the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi. Pius IX in 1856 extended this feast to the Universal Church. Indeed, Leo XIII in his encyclical letter Annum Sacrum May 1899 consecrated the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He called this devotion "the most excellent form of religion." Further, Pius XI considered it to be the synthesis of our whole religion and the norm of a more perfect life in Miserentissimus Redemptor 1928. Drawing upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition set forth its dogmatic foundations, Pius XII in his encyclical letter Haurietis Aquas 1956 declared it to be the most perfect expression of the Christian religion.
P.S. (June 28) Immaculate Heart of Mary
One of the ways to experience the gentle presence of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in our heart is to pray the whole Rosary (the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries) slowly, sweetly and with all our heart. Gradually, we may begin to enjoy to some extent the wonderful union of the three hearts, i.e., the Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and that of ours. This is an experience which can truly, even unconditionally, nourish, transform and delight our heart.
Here we wish all our dear visitors or readers a wonderful summer holiday in the presence of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Alleluia!
P.S. (June 30) First Martyrs of the Church of Rome
As never before, what the world needs is today's first reading at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, i.e., Gen 18:16-33, with respect to Abraham's conversation with God on the number of ABCs (Abraham's Bargaining Chips). Amazingly, Abraham was able to reduce the number of ABCs from 50 to 10 for the salvation of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, when God did not find the required number of ABCs, God just went ahead and destroyed the cities (cf. Gen 19:24-28). As many cities in the world have just gone through a wild day or two of celebrating Satanic Pride over the weekend, is an unfailing number of ABCs not what the whole world really needs?
As Christ our Saviour is constantly interceding on our behalf before God the Father (cf. Heb 7:25; Rom 3:34), the whole world need many God-pleasing persons or Christ's ABCs to do at least the following: A) to console the Most Sacred of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for such crimes committed; B) to do reparations of all our sins; and C) to pray for the conversion of each soul living, sinning, and dying in mortal sins. Unless the Sacred Scriptures and the consequences of committing a mortal sin were just a joke, we cannot remain in complacency as if nothing seriously against Heaven has happened. Indeed, the future of the whole world counts on the existence of every true God-pleasing, righteous person. At the same time, each and every person who is called to be Christ's ABC for the world is very much needed.
Concerning the call of becoming Christ's ABC, the Magisterium appeared to affirm it as early as May 8, 1928. In Miserentissimus Redemptor, Pope Pius XI pointed out to us the great necessity of becoming a reparator for the world in this age of sin and darkness: "Now, how great is the necessity of this expiation or reparation, more especially in this our age, will be manifest to everyone who will examine the world, 'seated in wickedness' (1Jn V,19), with his eyes and with his mind." Fr. George A. Maloney concluded his excellent work Listen, Prophets! with these words: "Today the world has desperate need for prophets who mediate Jesus Christ and His intercessory power before the Father's throne on behalf of the human race." (p. 154)
Not many would like to talk about such negative things about the world, especially in the wake of a summer simmering with all kinds of wonderful plans and activities. However, unless we learn to respond to the negative, God-displeasing parts of the world in a truly God-pleasing manner, our life, even in the summer, will not be truly God-pleasing.
Here we wish all our dear visitors or readers again a wonderful summer holiday in the presence of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Alleluia!
* Fr. Michael Lapierre, S.J., and the editor John Cheng are currently taking part in this monthly column. While the former is writing in January, March, and May, etc., the latter is doing so in February, April and June, etc. As usual, we take July and August as our summer holidays. The background hymn is a version of "Immaculate Mary". Thank you.
** A little spiritual insight to share, i.e., God does answer our authentic prayers, but in God's own time.
*** Another spiritual insight: St. Theresa of Lisieux used to pray two types of beads, the Rosary beads and one with which she used to help her do little daily sacrifices for God. Obviously, both were needed for her perfection.
**** When we encounter some purgatorial inconveniences in life, it may be important for us to see them in the context of the real Purgatory. For a Biblical perspective about Purgatory, click here.
Summer notes:
* There is a lecture celebrating the publication of John's book on the development of Theology of Chi on July 6, Sunday, 2-4 p.m. , in St. Don Bosco Hall, at The Chines Martyr's Catholic Church, 2755 Denison Street, Markham, Ontario (905)-294-1377. There is a similar lecture also on July 13, 1-3, in the Church Hall at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 2002 St. Patrick St. Toronto (416) 598-3920. All are welcome. The author is profoundly grateful to all who have prayed for this project. Thank you, Fr. Peter Leung and Fr. Peter Chan, too, for the invitations.
** Yesterday (July 15) the author was invited back to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish to share the same lecture on Theology of Chi. This is phenomenal. Indeed, through the grace of God, it has been proved that this theology is only bringing people very close to the heart of the Catholic Church. (i.e., to the Holy Eucharist, Our Heavenly Mother, and the Magisterium headed by the Pope). Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thank you, Fr. Peter Chan.
*** The author is planning to do a trilogy of philosophy with respect to Theology of Energy over the next few years in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. By the way, the twelfth biennial meeting of URAM for professors and scholars is taking place at University of Toronto from August 13-16 this year. Please email perryf@cc.umanitoba.ca or visit http://www.scranton.edu/uram . All are welcome. Thank you, Prof. John Perry, S.J., for the invitation to present a paper on Chu Hsi in the coming conference.
**** Today (July 31) is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. How can the present website as well as Theology of Energy forget to thank all our Jesuit friends for their advice? We would like to mention in particular Prof. John Perry, S.J., Prof. Michael Lapierre, S.J. and Prof. Aloysius Chang (known internationally according to the Taiwanese Mandarin pronunciation) but pronounced by the author previously in Cantonese as Cheung Chun Sun), S.J. (as the adviser of Theology of Chi).
***** The editor would like to apologize for any confusion for not using "Prof. Aloysius Chang" as known internationally for "Prof. Cheung Chun Sun" (as known to the Cantonese Catholics) earlier. As a footnote, the editor is called John Cheng internationally and known to his Cantonese friends as Cheng Wai Leung. In the Chinese Pinyin system, John Cheng would be called John Zheng. Of course, we only use the "name" known internationally as a rule. Thank you.
****** Indeed, when a Westerner goes to China, he or she may face even more varieties of transliterating his or her very name. As there are hundred of dialects, each would have a different version of the name, and each translator would do so according to how he or she hears the sound of the name, either following the Pinyin method or the Wade-Giles system. For further information, click here. If possible, then, stick to the Western name in whatever language. Praise God!
******* By the grace of the Divine Heavenly Family, the spread of Theology of Chi which brings people very close to the three greatest treasures of the Catholic Church (i.e., the Holy Eucharist, Our Heavenly Mother, and the Magisterium headed by the Holy Father) in love, joy and peace continues on into Worldwide Overseas Chinese Pastoral Evangelization Conference II being held from September 2 to 5 in Los Angeles. All are welcome. Please contact Michael Lau at 1-323-222-5518. Thank you, Fr. Peter Leung, Fr. Joseph Cheng, and Joseph Cheng also for the kindness.