On the confidence with which

we ought to recommend ourselves

to the Mother of God.

"And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine" -- John, ii. 3.

In the Gospel of this day we read that Jesus Christ went with His holy mother to a marriage in Cana of Galilee. "The wine failing", Mary said to her divine Son: "They have no wine". By these words she intended to ask her Son to console the spouses, who were afflict-ed because the wine had failed. Jesus an-swered: "Woman, what is it to Me and to Thee? My hour is not yet come" —John, ii. 4. He meant that the time destined for the perfor-mance of miracles was when he was preach-ing through Judea. But, though His answer appeared to be a refusal of the request of Mary, the Son, says St. Chrysostom, resolved to yield to the desire of the mother. "Although he said, 'My hour is not yet come', He granted the petition of his mother" —hom. in ii. Joan. Mary said to the waiters: "Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye". Jesus bid them fill the water pots with water—the water was changed into most excellent wine. Thus the bridegroom and the entire family were filled with gladness. From the fact related in this day's gospel, let us consider, the greatness of Mary's power to obtain from God the graces which we stand in need of; and in the second, the tenderness of Mary's compassion, and her readiness to assist us…

First point. The greatness of Mary's pow-er to obtain from God for us all the graces we stand in need of.

So great is Mary's merit in the eyes of God, that, according to St. Bonaventure, her prayers are infallibly heard. But why are the prayers of Mary so powerful in the sight of God? It is, says St. Antonine, because she is His mother. “The petition of the mother of God partakes of the nature of a command, and therefore it is impossible that she should not be heard" —par. 4, tit. 13, c. xvii. § 4. The prayers of the saints are the prayers of servants; but the prayers of Mary are the prayers of a mother,

and therefore, according to the holy doctor, they are regarded in a certain manner as com-mands by her Son, who loves her so tenderly.

Hence, according to Cosmas of Jerusalem, the intercession of Mary is all-powerful. It is right, as Richard of St. Lawrence teaches, that the son should impart his power to the moth-er. Jesus Christ, Who is all-powerful has made Mary omnipotent, as far as a creature is capa-ble of omnipotence; that is, omnipotent in obtaining from Him, her divine Son, whatever she asks.

St. Bridget heard our Saviour one day ad-dressing the Virgin in the following words: "Ask from Me whatever you wish, for your petition cannot be fruitless " —Rev., 1. 1, cap. iv. …"because since you refused Me nothing on Earth, I will refuse you nothing in Heaven" —ibid. St. George, Archbishop of Nicomedia, says that Jesus Christ hears all the prayers of His mother, as if He wished thereby to dis-charge the obligation which He owes to her for having given to Him his human nature, by consenting to accept Him for her son. Hence St. Methodius, martyr, used to say to Mary: Rejoice, rejoice, O holy virgin; for thou hast for thy debtor that Son to whom we are all debt-ors; to thee He owes the human nature which He received from thee.

St. Gregory of Nicomedia encourages sin-ners by the assurance, that, if they have re-course to the Virgin with a determination to amend their lives, she will save them by her intercession. Hence, turning to Mary, he ex-claimed: "Thou hast insuperable strength, lest the multitude of our sins should overcome thy clemency". " Nothing resists thy power; for the Creator regards thy glory as His own". Nothing is impossible to thee, says St. Peter Damian: thou canst raise even those who are in despair to hopes of salvation.

Richard of St. Lawrence remarks that, in announcing to the Virgin that God had chosen her for the mother of His Son, the Archangel Gabriel said to her; "Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found grace with God" -- Luke, 1:30. If we wish to recover lost grace, let us seek Mary, by whom this grace has been found. She never

Second Sunday after epiphany

January 14, 2018

2nd SUNDAY After EPIPHANY

Volume 6 Issue 2

Our Lady of the Rosary

15 Pepper Street Monroe CT 06468

Fr. Adan Rodriguez (Pastor) frrodriguez@rosarychapel.net

(203) 261-8290 Emergencies: (203) 268-9200

www.rosarychapel.net

HOLY MASS Sundays: 7:00 & 10:00 a.m. Weekdays: 8:00 a.m.

CONFESSIONS Sundays

6:40—6:55 a.m. 9:15—9:55 a.m.

Weekdays 7:40—7:55 a.m.

and by appointment

HOLY ROSARY Sundays: After 7:00 a.m. Mass and 9:40 a.m.

First Saturdays: after 7:00 a.m. Mass

This Sunday after the

10:00 am Mass there

will be a meeting with

Mr. Rotunda for those

who signed up for the

45th anniversary

committee.

O u r L a d y o f t h e R o s a r y C h a p e l

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL

MASS

INTENTIONS:

I have Mass

intentions

until

February 19, 2018.

I’ve already sent Bp. Mo-

rello’s list.

lost the divine grace; she always possessed it. If the angel declared that she had found grace, he meant that she had found it not for herself, but for us miserable sinners, who have lost it. Hence Cardinal Hugo exhorts us to go to Mary, and say to her: O blessed lady, property should be restored to those who lost it: the grace which thou hast found is not thine—for thou hast never lost the grace of God—but it is ours; we have lost it through our own fault: to us, then, thou oughtest to restore it. "Sinners who by your sins have forfeited the divine grace, run to the Virgin, and say to her, with confidence: Restore to us our property, which thou hast found".

It was revealed to St. Gertrude, that all the graces which we ask of God, through the intercession of Mary, shall be given to us. She heard Jesus saying to His divine mother: “Through thee all who ask mercy with a pur-pose of amending their lives, shall obtain grace". If all Paradise asked a favor of God, and Mary asked the opposite grace, the Lord would hear Mary, and would reject the peti-tion of the rest of the celestial host. Because, says Father. Suarez, "God loves the Virgin alone, more than all the other saints". Let us, then, conclude this first point in the words of St. Bernard: "Let us seek grace, and let us seek it through Mary; for she is a mother, and her petition cannot be rejected".

Second point. On the tender compas-

sion of Mary, and her readiness to assist us in all our wants.

The tenderness of Mary's mercy may be inferred from the fact related in this day's Gos-pel. The wine fails—the spouses are trou-bled—no one speaks to Mary to ask her Son to console them in their necessity. But the ten-derness of Mary's heart, which according to St. Bernardine of Sienna, cannot but pity the afflicted, moved her to take the office of advo-cate and without being asked, to entreat her Son to work a miracle. “Unasked, she assumed the office of an advocate and a compassionate helper" —tom. III., ix. Hence, adds the same saint, if, unasked, this good lady has done so much, what will she not do for those who invoke her intercession?

From the fact already related St. Bonaven-ture draws another argument, to show the great graces which we may hope to obtain through Mary, now that she reigns in Heaven. If she was so compassionate on Earth, how much greater must be her mercy now that she is in Paradise? "Great was the mercy of Mary

while in exile on Earth; but it is much greater now that she is a queen in Heaven; because she now sees the misery of men" —SC. Bona. in

Spec. Virg., cap. viii. Mary in Heaven enjoys the vision of God; and therefore she sees our wants far more clearly than when she was on Earth; hence, as her pity for us is increased, so also is her desire to assist us more ardent. It is impossible for this loving mother to behold a human being in distress without extending to him pity and relief.

St. Peter Damian says that the Virgin "loves us with an invincible love"—ser. i., de Nat.

Virg. How ardently soever the saints may have loved this amiable queen, their affection fell far short of the love which Mary bore to them. It is this love that makes her so solicitous for our welfare. The saints in Heaven, says St. Au-gustine, have great power to obtain grace from God for those who recommend them-selves to their prayers; but, as Mary is of all the saints the most powerful, so she is of all the most desirous to procure for us the divine mercy. And as this, our great advocate once said to St. Bridget, she regards not the iniqui-ties of the sinner who has recourse to her, but the disposition with which he invokes her aid. If he comes to her with a firm purpose of amendment, she receives him and by her in-tercession, heals his wounds, and brings him to salvation.

The Blessed Virgin is called a "fair olive tree in the plains". — Ecci., xxiv. 19. From the ol-ive, oil only comes forth; and from the hands of Mary only graces and mercies flow. Accord-ing to Cardinal Hugo, it is said that she remains in the plains, to show that she is ready to assist all who have recourse to her. In the old law, there were five cities of refuge, in which not all, but only those who had committed certain crimes, could find an asylum; but in Mary, says St. John Damascene, all criminals, whatever may be their offences, may take refuge. Hence he calls her "the city of refuge for all who have recourse to her".

St. Bonaventure used to say, that, in turn-ing to Mary, he saw mercy itself receiving him. "When I behold thee, 0 my Lady, I see nothing but mercy". The Virgin said one day to St. Brid-get: Miserable and miserable for eternity shall be the sinner who, though he has it in his pow-er during life to come to me, who am able and willing to assist him, neglects to invoke my aid, and is lost. "The Devil", says St. Peter, "as a roaring lion goeth about seeking whom he may devour" —I. Pet., v. 8. But, according to Bernard-

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE

Q. How can the bond of Catholic marriage be dissolved?

A. The bond of a Catholic mar-riage can be broken only by the death of husband or wife.

Q. What are the effects of the Sac-rament of matrimony?

A. The effects of the Sacrament of matrimony are, (1) To sanc-tify the love of husband and wife; (2) It gives them the strength to bear up with each other’s weaknesses; (3) To enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.

Q. How should those called to the Marriage State prepare them-selves for this sacrament?

A. Those called to the Married State should prepare them-selves for this Sacrament by living a life of practical faith and holy purity, by consulting the parents, and by notifying their Pastor about a month before the marriage.

Q. What is an ideal Catholic Wed-ding?

A. An ideal Catholic Wedding is one in which: (1) The contracting parties are both practicing Catholics; (2) The Bonds of Marriage have been published on three successive Sundays; and (3) The contracting parties are married at a Nuptial Mass and receive Holy Communion.

M A S S S C H E D U L E

MASS TIMES AT ST. MARY THE VIRGIN

1520 Delaware St, Paulsboro, New Jersey 08066

*Mass may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

For information: Call Mary at 856-228-4450 or Miriam at 856-456-4232 www.stmarychapel.org

SUNDAY January 14

2nd SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

St. Hilary, BCD W

7:00 am 10:00 am

Superior’s Intentions Missa pro Populo.

MONDAY January 15

St. Paul, First Hermit, C St. Maurus, Ab

W 8:00 am 7:00 pm

Miguel, Daniel, Denis, & Michael Requiem Mass, followed by Rosary

and St. Joseph’s Litany. Charles Mendes

TUESDAY January 16

St. Marcellus I, PM R 8:00 am Mary Gallagher, R.I.P

WEDNESDAY January 17

St. Anthony, Ab W

8:00 am

Maria & George Schmitt, R.I.P.

THURSDAY January 18

St. Peter’s Chair at Rome

St. Paul, Ap & St. Prisca, VM

W

8:00 am

Special Intention

FRIDAY January 19

St. Marius & Companions, Mm St. Canute, KM R 8:00 am Special Intention

SATURDAY January 20

Ss Fabian, PM & Sebastian, M R

7:00 am

Joseph & Nancy Duffy, R.I.P.

SUNDAY January 21

3rd SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

W 7:00 am 10:00 am

Superior’s Intentions Missa pro Populo

Five people attended the adult Catechism class last week. We hope they persevere,

and more come.

January 14th 5:00 pm Fr. Rodriguez

January 21th NO MASS .

January 28th 5:00 pm Fr. Rodriguez

February 4th 5:00 pm Fr. Rodriguez.

For those wishing to have Masses said, an expected stipend of at least $20.00 must be paid at the time of the request. (more may be offered) If this is to be paid by check, make the check payable to Fr. Rodriguez

ine a Bustis, this mother of mercy is con-stantly going about in search of sinners to save them. "She continually goes about seeking whom she may save" —Maril., par. 3,

ser. iii. This queen of clemency, says Richard of St. Victor, presents our petitions, and begins to assist us before we ask the assis-tance of her prayers.

Let us, then, in all our wants, be most careful to have recourse to this mother of mercy, who is always ready to assist those who invoke her aid, says Richard of St. Law-rence. She is always prepared to come to our help, and frequently prevents our sup-plications: but, ordinarily, she requires that we should pray to her, and is offended when we neglect to ask her assistance, says St. Bonaventure, “Thou, 0 blessed lady, art displeased not only with those who commit an injury against thee, but also with those who do not ask favors from thee. Hence, as the same holy doctor teaches, it is not possi-ble that Mary should neglect to succor any soul that flies to her for protection; for she cannot but pity and console the afflicted who have recourse to her.”

But, to obtain special favors from this good lady, we must perform in her honor certain devotions practiced by her servants; such as, first, to recite every day at least five decades of the Rosary; secondly, to fast every Saturday in her honor. Many persons fast every Saturday on bread and water: you

should fast in this manner at least on the vigils of her seven principal festivals. Thirdly, to say the three Aves when the bell rings for the Angelus Domini; and to salute her fre-quently during the day with an Ave Maria, particularly when you hear the clock strike, or when you see an image of the Virgin, and also when you leave or return to your house. Fourthly, to say every evening the Litany of the Blessed Virgin before you go to rest; and for this purpose procure an image of Mary, and keep it near your bed. Fifthly, to wear the scapular of Mary in sorrow, and of Mount Carmel. There are many other devotions practiced by the servants of Mary; but the most useful of all is, to rec-ommend yourself frequently to her prayers. Never omit to say three Aves in the morn-ing, to beg of her to preserve you from sin during the day. In all temptations have im-mediate recourse to her, saying: "Mary, assist me". To resist every temptation, it is sufficient to pronounce the names of Jesus and Mary; and if the temptation continues, let us continue to invoke Jesus and Mary, and the Devil shall never be able to conquer us.

St. Bonaventure calls Mary the salva-tion of those who invoke her. And if a true servant of Mary were lost (I mean one truly devoted to her, who wishes to amend his life, and invoke with confidence this advo-cate of sinners), this should happen either

because Mary would be unable or unwilling to assist him. But, says St. Bernard, this is impossible: being the mother of omnipo-tence and of mercy, Mary cannot want for the power or the will to save her servants. Justly then is she called the salvation of all who invoke her aid. Of this truth there are numberless examples: that of St. Mary of Egypt will be sufficient. After leading for many years, a sinful and dissolute life, she wished to enter the church of Jerusalem in which the festival of the Holy Cross was celebrated. To make her feel her miseries, God closed against her the door which was open to all others: as often as she endeav-ored to enter, an invisible force drove her back. She instantly perceived her miserable condition, and remained in sorrow outside the church. Fortunately for her, there was an image of most holy Mary over the porch of the church. As a poor sinner she recom-mended herself to the divine mother, and promised to change her life. After her pray-er, she felt encouraged to go into the church, and, behold! the door which was before closed against her, she now finds open: she enters, and confesses her sins. She leaves the church, and, under the influ-ence of divine inspiration, goes into the de-sert, where she lived for forty-seven years, and became a saint.

The Sermons of St. Alphonsus

VISIT US ON THE WEB For up-to-date information, such as last-minute changes to the Mass schedule, special prayer requests, and other

breaking news, refer to our website at: www.rosarychapel.net

NOTICE TO NEWCOMERS

Founded in 1973 in the wake of the disastrous Second Vatican Council, the mission of Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel is to maintain and restore as far as possible the traditional faith, values and liturgical practice of the Roman Catholic Church, and to provide a haven of sanc-tity where men and women of good will may grow in love for God and their neighbor. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and ask questions. After Mass come to the Social Hall, and join us for coffee and refreshments. We hope your visit with us is a pleasant one, and we look forward to seeing you again and welcoming you as a member of Our Lady of the Rosary. We welcome Spanish-speaking guests, and confessions are heard in Spanish and English every Sunday and by appointment with the pastor.

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CHAPEL

ANNOUNCEMENTS REPARATION TO THE HOLY FACE: First and second Sunday of the month we will begin at 9:30 am (before the Holy Rosary), and the other Sundays will be immediately after 10:00 o’clock Mass. REQUIEM EVENING MASS: We continue our regular Requiem Mass on Mondays. CATECHISM FOR ADULTS: We will have catechism class for adults after 10:00 am Mass next Sunday. BUILDING FUND COLLECTION: Next Sunday, January 21, we will have the Second Collection.