Fides et Ratio

VII. Promises (graces) attached to its recitation & indulgences

HERE ARE THE SEVEN GRACES[1]:

More innocent, more right to engage these promises in their depth. Some will not accept these at face value. Lack of perfection is not on the side of Our Lady, our lack of faith.

Spoon full of sugar make the medicine go down. Graciously incentivizes to do what is good for us.

Mary loves her children profoundly. As mothers our hope is to get charges to heaven, put in the mothers’ hands. Communion with our Lord.

Magnitude of Our Lady’s love to bring them to Our Lord, especially through the devotion on the Cross.

Avenue, by her own words, she will assist us, daily meditation on her sorrows.

BVM given these children at the Cross. Pure love.

Pope Leo X., in his Bull of July 10, 1516, and Pope Clement XI., in his Bull De salute Dominici gregis, of Sept. 22, 1714, granted many Indulgences to all who carry about them, or who say, the Chaplet, called after St. Bridget because she first conceived the idea of it and promulgated the usage of it. These Indulgences were confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV, in his Brief of Jan. 15, 1743, wherein he added others.[2]

No competition to Rosary of Dominic. Devotion to one, is one to another. Promises given to this particular Rosary.

Ceased to believe in these incredible mercies and graces gifted by this Rosary. Do your own personal study, what did these Popes say and then believe them.

[1] http://themostholyrosary.com/appendix1.htm  accessed February 3, 2025

[2] https://www.virgosacrata.com/st-bridget-chaplet-rosary.html  accessed February 3, 2025

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 Covenant Lawsuit[1]

The relationship between the Lord and Israel is governed by the covenant that binds them together. The covenant spells out the sacred obligations incumbent upon the parties as well as the consequences that follow compliance or noncompliance with its stipulations. The consequences of the Mosaic covenant are set forth in its blessings and curses. If Israel obeys the Lord’s commandments, the nation will be blessed and live prosperously in the land of Canaan. (Deut 28:1-14). But of Israel turns away from the Lord and disobeys his commandments, the nation will suffer dreadful curses, culminating in military conquest and expulsion from the land (Deut 28:15-68)

Isaiah repeatedly confronts the people of Israel for sins against the covenant- sins that activate its curses if the invitation to repent and seek reconciliation with the Lord is declined.

One way that God brings charges against violators of the covenant is a form of judgment speech called a riv, a legal term, that can be translated as controversy (Mic 6:2), indictment Hosea (12:2) or case (Is 41:21). >> covenant lawsuit

The Lord initiates legal action through his prophet (called by God to deliver a message for others) and presses the case against his disobedient people, the defendant, for breaking covenant and failing to fulfill its terms.

With this background, let us listen to Micah read the entirety of the Chapter 1, and we shall then have some commentary by verse. ESV

Micah Reading Isaiah Chapter 1

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

The Wickedness of Judah

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;

4 Ah, sinful nation,

5 Why will you still be struck down?

7 Your country lies desolate;

(A picture of Jerusalem under siege and surrounded by devastation) 701 BC Assyrian campaign of Sennacherib against Hezekiah of Judah. Assyrian army ravaged the Judean countryside, captured 46 towns, deported more than 200,000 exiles. Amidst this duress, Hezekiah trusted in the Lord at Isaiah’s counsel and Jerusalem was spared by a miracle of God (36:1-37; 38; 2 Kgs 18:13-19:36)[2]

9 If the Lord of hosts

10 Hear the word of the Lord,

(worship must be tied to right intentions and behavior of life Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi (Latin: “the law of what is prayed [is] what is believed [is] the law of what is lived”), is a motto in Christian tradition, which means that prayer and belief are integral to each other)[3]

Isaiah is not against right worship but lack of moral obedience.

12 “When you come to appear before me,

(guilty of oppression and murder)

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;

(the most vulnerable, orphan and widow, in the ancient world)

18 “Come now, let us reason[c] together, says the Lord:

The Unfaithful City

21 How the faithful city

24 Therefore the Lord declares,

[1] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible 1562

[2] Ignatius Study Bible 1170

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_orandi,_lex_credendi  accessed Jan 21, 2025

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Perhaps the greatest prophet[2] (a person chosen by God to communicate a salvific message to other people) in the history of the Church was Bridgett of Sweden. Her prophetic messages spread all over Europe and became such a controversial issue that the Council of Basel (1431-1439) appointed a commission to examine them.

Brigid’s mystical experiences began at 11 yrs, married, mother of 8 children, widowed at 40 years. After her husband’s death, she divided her possessions amongst her children and the poor went to live in a small house near a monastery.

Canonized 3 times to remove all doubt. Within canonization of the third time with Pope Martin V under the influence of the prophetic spirit was explicitly used.[3]

Devotion to Our Lady’s Sorrows has existed since the early centuries of the Church. It came into particular focus in the 13th century when Our Lady appeared to the Seven Founders of the Servite Order, giving them a black garment as their habit and asking them to meditate on her Sorrows.

In the 14th century, Our Lady revealed to St. Bridget of Sweden seven special graces that she would grant to those devoted to her Sorrows. She spoke at length to St. Bridget about the Passion of her Son and her own Sorrows, and made these promises to those who would say seven Hail Marys daily while meditating on her tears and sufferings:[4]

Introductory PrayerMy God, I offer You this rosary for Your glory, so I may honor Your Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin, so I can share and meditate upon her suffering. I humbly beg You to give me true repentance for all my sins. Give me wisdom and humility so that I may receive all the indulgences contained in this prayer.

Act of Contrition

Pray 3 Hail Mary

Our Father (1x)

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Our Father (1x)

Most merciful mother, remind us always about the sorrows of your son, Jesus

Concluding Prayer: Queen of Martyrs, your heart suffered so much. I beg you, by the merits of the tears you shed in these terrible and sorrowful times, to obtain for me and all the sinners of the world the grace of complete sincerity and repentance. Amen.

First Three Christ Childhood

Second Four Christ’s Passion

The prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the temple, Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary, Jesus dies on the cross (Mary Standing at the foot of the Cross), Mary receives the dead body of Jesus in her arms, Jesus is placed in the tomb.

Prophetic prayer a level of unity

First 3 mysteries thought

Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire

Speak to heart of young mother

What will become of my child, potential of joy or sorrow. Changes of moving from home, flight into Egypt.

Sorrow of joy losing Son, finds Him preaching. More than compensated in the midst in doing God’s will

What Our Lady suffered during the Crucifixion.

[1] O’Connor 83 and following

[2] Ford 153

[3] O’ Connor 87

[4] https://catholiccompany.com/getfed/what-are-the-7-promises-of-our-lady-to-those-devoted-to-her-7-sorrows/  accessed February 3, 2025

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Recall from the OT David is the first king over all 12 tribes, Saul kind of was but a lot of civil war. David unites all 12 tribes, monarch for them, God makes a promise He will always be with David and David’s line, David’s descendants on the throne, will be the seat of God’s kingdom on earth.

Solomon is incredibly unfaithful at the end of his life, worshipping many, many gods, for the sake of David I will not take the kingdom away from Solomon, but I will split it.

After Solomon dies the kingdom is split into the Northern Kingdom (called Israel 10 tribes) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah with 2 tribes)

Northern Kingdom are still God’s people, still expected to be faithful and be disciplined if they are unfaithful, blessed if they are faithful. God’s special promise always stays in Judah with the Davidic line of kings. Line of kings from which Jesus comes.

Vison- Latin visio, meaning “sight” or “act of seeing” refers to the spiritual or mystical experience of a person who sees an otherwise invisible being[2]

His mystical experience is both visual and verbal

Isaiah establishes his pedigree. He is associated with the royal court over many “administrations”.

Historical context, author bio, easy to grow up in Church viewed as old books, but there is a living manner to them. Constant mysteries to be discovered.

Know the Word, becomes a part of one, God is speaking to me. A gift

NB Isaiah does not describe his call, which would by a chronological presentation. The call comes in chapter 6. Isaiah, the Shakespeare of the OT) rather goes straight to the heart of the mater, infidelity and curse.

Rhetorical form of a covenant lawsuit. The prophet takes the form of a prosecutor who represents the Lord, bringing the people of Israel to trial for mass defection from the covenant, while heaven and earth are summoned as witnesses.

Isaiah charges Israel with violating the covenant of Deuteronomy, which was ratified by oath before “heaven and earth” (Deut 4:23-26; 30:19; 31:28-29)

Isaiah also evokes key images and ideas found in the Song of Moses in Deut 32, a poem which foresees Israel’s future disobedience.

Among the parallels, both by begin by summoning the heavens and earth to hear divine proclamation (1:2 Deut 32:1) both characterize the Israelites as the faithless children of the Lord, their Father (1:2, 4; Deut 32:6, 19-20); both blame Israel for a lack of understanding (1:3; Deut 32:28); both accuse Israel of acting corruptly (1:4; Deut 32:5); both compare Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah (1:9-10; Deut 32:32); and both threaten judgement with the image of a devouring sword (1:20; Deut 32:41-42)

Sounds star in this time of most religious experiences

[1] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (Ignatius Press: San Francisco 2024) 1169

[2] John T. Ford CSC, Glossary of Theological Terms (St. Mary’s Press: Catholic University of America 2006) 194

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III. Dominic & the Rosary Devotions Rooted in Apparitions

It is difficult to know what is legend and how much is factual truth. The stories were handed down by word of mouth. Church, regardless, accepted into its prayer life practices recommended through an apparition. The Church has enthusiastically embraced the Rosary, whether it could ascertain historical accuracy.

Summary, St. Dominic (1170-1221) laboring against Albigensian (a heresy of a type of dualism opposition between good and bad) in the South of France without much success. The BVM appeared to Dominic, taught him the rosary, and great numbers of conversions followed.[1]

Popes through the ages have accepted this account. Pope Leo XIII characterized the Rosary as the “devotion that the Mother of God taught to the patriarch St. Dominic in order that he might propagate it”.

Prophet= someone picked, Lord freely chooses message to that person for others

Is Dominic contemporary with Francis

Yes, Dominic and Francis were contemporaries. St. Dominic (1170-1221) and St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182-1226) lived during the same period in the late 12th and early 13th centuries12. Both founded influential religious orders: the Dominicans and the Franciscans, respectively. Their work and teachings have had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

III. Different Types of Rosaries[2]

There are several types of rosaries, including the traditional Dominican rosary with 59 beads, the Franciscan Crown with seven decades, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, among others. Each type varies in structure, number of beads, and the specific prayers associated with them. A link in the footnotes is provided for further study.

Lond standing duration, innate part of domestic liturgy. Comprehensive meditation on life of Christ, repetitive prayer enters into it deeper level. Helps to remove distractions.

Easy to become distractive, repetitive prayers, allow one with practice deepen ability to meditate.

[1] Edward D. O’Connor, C.S.C. I Am Sending You Prophets: The Role of Apparitions in the History of the Church (Queenship Publishing : Goleta, Ca 2007) 211- 212

[2] https://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu553.htm  accessed February 3, 2025

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3rd Major Section on Prayer CC

2678 Medieval piety in the West developed the prayer of the rosary as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours. In the East, the litany called the Akathistos and the Paraclesis remained closer to the choral office in the Byzantine churches, while the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac traditions preferred popular hymns and songs to the Mother of God. But in the Ave Maria, the theotokia, the hymns of St. Ephrem or St. Gregory of Narek, the tradition of prayer is basically the same. [971, 1674]

Note this development is prior to Dominic’s encounter of BVM

2708 Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him. [516, 2678]

Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire

Philosophical study of grammar to understand logic

What is a thought & emotion, broadening imagination. Emotions & imagination increase our desire.

$ thing function together.

What are we going to think about, emotions and imagination, increase desire to liove God.

The more commonly known mysteries, juxtaposition with lexio divina and the imagination. Engage more deeply with hidden life of Christ. Some need the imagination, whet the appetite greater longer to know our Lady & JC more intimately.

thought, imagination, emotion, and desire

Rosary not a human invention, these four have a nice union

Don’t see these 4 elements fundamental to human knowledge not seen in other prayer forms

Spans age and intellectual capacity

[1] John T. Ford CSC St. Mary’s Press Glossary of Theological Terms Essentials of Catholic Theology Series (St. Mary’s Press: Winona MN  2006) 164

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Most quoted of the prophetic books in NT, Gospels and Paul’s letters

Very important book full of both prophesies of Christ & also words of rebuke and consolation for the people of God as He deals with His wayward people

Talk about Isaiah and God’s faithfulness to His covenant

As we listen to almost 2500 yrs ago history! keep in mind our covenant with the Lord and our own faithfulness.

Much depth in book and fascinating. NT references to Isaiah and quotes of Jesus. Hebrews & Christianity heavy & impt book because it ties everything together.

Isaiah 6 & Luke 5 Peter’s catch of fish and confession to JC

Depart from me I am a sinful man. Woe is me an unclean man amongst unclean people.

Fear of the Lord, sense of awe and wonder and our own awareness of our brokenness. Awesome Creator.

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Population of Jews in Egypt from the time of Moses and the Pharaohs

The gifts from the Magi facilitated travel, turtle doves working class, not the poor on the streets. Joseph had a valuable trade as a carpenter. Comfortable lifestyle.

Poverty attachment to things. Mary & Joseph not own glorification but given to the Temple, many layers of giving.

Modern sensibilities through the Gospel. Either Mary & Joseph were immigrant or poor nowhere to rest their head.

Words univocal meaning. Ex/ bench and various equivocal meaning.

26 letters innumerable thoughts, limited means for articulating.

Joseph capable. Harm to goodness God intended, Lord born into, fit political narratives so we feel give to poor, preferential option. Rich can be poor. Not only material , but spiritual needs too.

What does this mean to us? Material poverty, commanding to live on destitution. This isn’t it, not apropos with dignity of man.

[1] https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-truth-of-the-nativity-story  accessed January 7, 2025

[2] https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/do-the-infancy-narratives-of-matthew-and-luke-contradict-each-other  accessed January 7, 2025

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III. Winter is a Time of Silence in Nature, a time of reflection

Immaculate Conception, before the angelic conversation, continue

Obedience, hierarchy of values

Our Lady interesting shift, mother can be at circumcision

 Lev 12:5 Purification Period for a boy 40 days, then an offering is brought to the court of the Tabernacle (or Temple later), Luke 2:22-24 Piety and Obedience of Joseph and Mary

Only one Temple, specific. Synagogue and Temple 2 different places.

Shepherds representation of the Jewish people coming to Our Lady versus Magi Gentile to the Lord.

BVM reply to life, women open to visit of immediate family first 8 days, not to those not known (Magi)

Israelites, angels’ direct messengers of Lord. Magi have nature telling them what to do, celestial POV, within context of Truth & Goodness.

[1] Catholic Study Bible, Old and New Testament (Ignatius Press: San Francisco 2024) 1829

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POV Lamarckism vs Darwinism, epigenetics

The Hebrew Bible has numerous regulations that charge any Israelite who was experiencing certain discharges from the body, including “issues of blood,” to steer clear of others. These discharges rendered a person “contagiously unclean.” Note, however, that “unclean” does not denote or imply sin.[1] And, in most cases, no shame or stigma is associated with being unclean.

Being ritually unclean, and thus prohibited from entering the tabernacle or temple, was not an uncommon state and was usually short-lived.

The shorter “contagious” period meant that eight days after giving birth, a new mother could witness her baby boy’s circumcision in the company of others (Lev. 12:3).

After this initial “contagious” period of quarantine, new mothers then went through a longer period of “blood purification”: another 33 days after the birth of a son (33 + 7 = 40 days) (Lev. 12:4), and another 66 days after the birth of a daughter (66 + 14 = 80 days) (Lev. 12:5).

During this second period, new mothers were not permitted to touch anything holy or enter a sacred space (Lev. 12:4b). However, they were no longer “contagious” and they could touch “common” things and “common” people; that is, “The woman remained unclean in herself but she would no longer pollute other people.”[4][2]

Not punitively, prudentially. Double interpretation, essential consult authority. Right to speak on the matter. Consult that authority correctly, honest dialectic readings.

Did not immune sin. BVM Immaculate, throughout entirety of her entire life, including this time period. No touch of original or actual sin. Our Lady goes through purification, fulfillment of the Law the way the Lord did with His Baptism.

[1] Gratia non tollit naturam, sed perficit is translated as ‘Grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it’, or ‘grace does not remove nature but fulfills it’. This phrase is a quote from Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224–1274). He observes, “. . . grace does not destroy nature, but fulfills its potential . . .” (Summa Theologiae (ST) I, 1, 8 ad 2)

[2] https://margmowczko.com/purification-after-giving-birth-leviticus-12/  accessed January 7, 2025

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