Category: POEMS BY JULIA MARTINEZ.

THERE ARE SO MANY IMPORTANT THINGS THAT PASS UNNOTICED BEFORE OUR EYES THAT IT´S WORTH MENTIONING AT LEAST ONE, THE MOST RELEVANT ONE OF ALL. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE KEY FACT IN THE WORLD HISTORY: THE DEATH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

WHEN WE ARE BORN WE´RE NEITHER SUPERIOR BEINGS NOR INFERIOR BEINGS. BECOMING A SUPERIOR BEING IMPLIES GETTING TO KNOW ONESELF AND BEING IN DAILY CONTACT WITH OUR LORD EVERY DAY THROUGH DEEP THOUGHTS, PRAYERS AND AS MANY GOOD ACTS ON OUR PART AS WE CAN. BEING AN INFERIOR BEING IMPLIES THAT THE PERSON HASN´T DEVELOPED ALL HIS POTENTIAL IN ORDER TO REACH HIS SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL ENERGY WHICH IS GOD, INSIDE HIMSELF AND WHOSE VOICE TELLS HIM TO BE HUMBLE, GENEROUS, LOYAL, HONEST, HARD-WORKING, PURE AND KIND TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS HE CAN. INFERIOR BEINGS DECIDE TO STAY IN THEIR CONFORT ZONE AND DON´T BOTHER TO GO ANY FURTHER THAN THEIR MATERIAL LIFE. THEY LIVE WITH WHAT THE MATERIAL WORLD OFFERS THEM AND AREN´T BRAVE ENOUGH, HUMBLE, NOR GENEROUS ENOUGH TO WANT TO GET TO KNOW AND HELP OUR GOD FATHER.

DURING THE HOLY WEEK IS WHEN WE REMINISCE JESUS CHRIST´S DEATH BUT MOST PEOPLE GO ON HOLIDAYS AND IGNORE THE RELEVANCE OF THIS VERY DAY. THEY IGNORE THAT EACH OF US IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACCOMPANYING JESUS CHRIST, SPECIALLY ON GOOD THURSDAY, GOOD FRIDAY AND SATURDAY UP TO NOON, WHEN WE REMINISCE OUR LORD´S RESURRECTION. WHAT JESUS CHRIST WANTS FROM EACH ONE OF US DURING THOSE THREE HOLY DAYS IS TO ACCOMPANY HIM AND OFFER JESUS CHRIST´S PAIN FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION AND THEREFORE FOR OUR OWN REDEMPTION. JESUS CHRIST DOESN´T WANT ANY OF US TO LISTEN TO MUSIC NOR DANCE DURING THESE HOLY DAYS SINCE IT WOULD BE AN OFFENSE, AND NONE OF US WANTS TO OFFEND OUR LORD. IT IS CLEAR THAT, ALTHOUGH THE FACT OF JESUS CHRIST BEING KILLED AND YET RESURRECTING ON THE THIRD DAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE WORLD HISTORY, IT IS IGNORED BY MANY SINCE MANY DANCE AND LISTEN TO MUSIC DURING THOSE 3 DAYS AND DON´T EVEN ACCOMPANY OUR LORD, NOR SAY ANY PRAYERS TO OUR LORD FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION AND THEREFORE FOR THEIRS. IT´S HIGH TIME THAT WE START TO DO THE RIGHT THING, MY BROTHERS.

IN THE 2016 MOVIE 13 HOURS BY MICHAEL BAY WE SAW HOW A GROUP OF MEN ASSIGNED TO THE AMERICAN COMPOUND IN LIBYA ACTED AS HEROES WHO HAD THE GUTS TO DO WHAT OTHERS WOULDN´T HAVE DONE GIVEN THE HORRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES THEY HAD TO FACE AND BEAR, DURING SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 BENGHAZI ATTACK. THIS SECURITY TEAM HAD SUCH MORAL GROUNDING THAT THEY WERE LOYAL TO ONE ANOTHER AND TO ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE AROUND THEM, BEING READY TO GIVE THEIR LIVES AS SOME CERTAINLY DID. THESE HEROES DIDN´T CHOOSE TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH SUCH A TERRIBLE SITUATION WHERE THEY COULDN´T TELL WHO WAS AN ENEMY OR NOT AND YET THEY GAVE IT ALL, BEARING THE ANGUISH IT IMPLIES WHEN A BAND OF ENEMIES WERE TRYING TO MAKE THEM BELIEVE THEY WERE FRIENDS TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR CAR SO THAT THEY COULD KILL THEM. THESE HEROES DIDN´T TAKE THE BAIT AND INCREDIBLY MANAGED TO FLEE. THESE HEROES WERE READY TO DIE IN ORDER TO SAVE THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM, OUT OF DUTY, GENEROSITY, COMPASSION AND LOYALTY. THIS MORAL GROUNDING COMES FROM GOD. THESE HEROES DIDN´T TAKE THE BAIT OF FEAR AND SELFISHNESS. MANY PEOPLE ARE DECEIVED BY ARROGANCE AND GREED, AND THEREFORE IN DOING SO THEY START WORKING AGAINST GOD AND IT IS THEN WHEN THERE´S NO WAY THAT THINGS CAN GO RIGHT FOR THEM NOR FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

EACH ONE OF US IS LOST IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IF WE DON´T LOVE GOD. WHAT WE MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THE IMPOSSIBLE CAN BE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE LOVE OF GOD. AND HOW DO WE GET THE LOVE OF GOD THEN? WELL, EACH ONE OF US CAN WIN GOD OVER BY BEING PURE AND GENEROUS BEINGS OFFERING OUR DAILY SUFFERING TO GOD FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION AND FOR OURS, NOT REJECTING IT. THIS IS THE KEY MYSTERY WE´VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND AND PUT INTO PRACTICE DAILY.

WE´VE HEARD THE WORD “REDEMPTION” MANY TIMES BUT NOONE REALLY EVER TOLD US WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT THERE IS SUFFERING IN THE WORLD AND IN EACH OF OUR LIVES. EACH ONE OF US BEARS ITS OWN PAIN. SO WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT? DO WE ENDURE IT AND THAT´S IT? WELL, WE´LL BE BETTER OFF IF WE DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH NONE OF US FINDS IT EASY TO DO WHEN PAIN IS ALREADY HERE. SINCE REDEMPTION IS SUFFERING THAT CAN PARTIALLY CUT THE PUNISHMENT EACH OF US HAS, FOR THE SINS OUR GENERATIONS BACK, OUR PARENTS AND OURSELVES COMMITTED AT SOME POINT IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE SMART THING TO DO IS TO OFFER UP THAT PAIN, NO MATTER HOW UNFAIR IT MIGHT BE, TO OUR LORD, IN UNION WITH THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST. WHY? BECAUSE THAT´S THE WAY IT IS, THAT´S THE WAY GOD WANTED IT TO BE. THAT´S A MYSTERY FOR EACH ONE OF US TO UNDERSTAND AND WE´RE NOT ENTRUSTED TO UNDERSTAND IT BUT TO BELIEVE IT SINCE WE LOVE GOD WHO IS SUPREME LOVE. SAY RIGHT NOW WE´RE BEARING THE UNBEARABLE, WHICH WE DON´T DESERVE, LIKE IN MOST CASES – SINCE WE IGNORE WHAT OUR ANCESTORS DID OR DIDN´T DO – . WELL, THE FIRST THING WE SHOULD DO IS START PRAYING AND OFFER UP THAT TERRIBLE AFFLICTION WE FEEL TO JESUS CHRIST AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE VISUALIZE THE PAIN OF THE 5 WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO WITH WHATEVER SUFFERING WE BEAR, THAT IS, OFFER IT UP TO JESUS CHRIST, UNITED TO THAT OF OUR LORD´S PASSION. CERTAINLY, OUR LORD´S PASSION, THE CROSS, THE 5 WOUNDS OF JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO BE PARTIALLY FREED OF SOME OF OUR SINS, AND AT THE SAME TIME BE CLOSER TO OUR LORD SINCE WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES IN JESUS CHRIST´S SHOES WHEN WE REMINISCE HIS PASSION AND WE FEEL THE AFFLICTION CLOSE TO OUR HEART. WHEN WE COMMIT A SIN, GO TO CONFESSION AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS WE THINK EVERYTHING WILL GO ALL RIGHT AS LONG AS WE DON´T DO ANY HARM TO OTHERS ANY MORE. HOWEVER, THAT´S NOT QUITE RIGHT SINCE MOST OF US HERE ARE DEALING WITH RETRIBUTION, EVEN THOUGH WE DON´T KNOW ABOUT IT. SINCE RETRIBUTION IS A FACT WE CAN STATE THAT MOST OF US SUFFER DURING OUR LIVES AND SO WE NEED REDEMPTION IN ORDER TO REDUCE OUR PUNISHMENT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WHETHER SUFFERING COMES AS STIGMATA, PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE OR ANY OTHER WAY WHAT IS KEY FOR US TO HELP OURSELVES EASE THAT PAIN IS TO SUFFER IN UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REDEMPTION OF HUMANITY, AND SO OTHER NOBLE CAUSES LIKE OURS AND OUR DEAR ONES´ WILL BE INCLUDED THERE ONCE WE DO IT AS WE ARE TOLD TO.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE 5 WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST – STIGMATICS – AND SO IT IS SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN GRANTED A GIFT. WHY IS IT CALLED A GIFT? BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THEY FEEL PAIN THEY OFFER THEIR PAIN TO JESUS CHRIST WHO THEY LOVE SO MUCH, AND AS A RESULT OF OFFERING IT TO JESUS CHRIST THEIR PAIN TURNS INTO PEACE AND JOY. THIS PEACE AND JOY IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE ENORMOUS LOVE THEY FEEL FOR OUR LORD. THE FACT THAT SOME SAINTS HAVE RECEIVED THE STIGMATA AND THE FACT THAT THEY ACCEPT THEIR SUFFERING HUMBLY SHOULD MAKE US REFLECT ON HOW MUCH SUFFERING EACH ONE OF US IS WILLING TO ENDURE OFFERING IT TO GOD FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION. WE´VE GOT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT NOONE OF US CAN ESCAPE SUFFERING. EVERYONE ON EARTH, EVEN THE ONES WHO OFTEN SMILE, MOST OF THE TIMES ENDURE SOME KIND OF SUFFERING. WHAT DIFFERENTIATE HAPPY HUMBLE ONES (HHOS) FROM MANY OTHERS IS THEIR APPROACH TO LIFE AND TO SUFFERING. HHOS ACCEPT SUFFERING AND KNOW THE KEY MYSTERY TO WIN GOD OVER IS TO OFFER THAT PAINFUL MOMENT, THAT HORRIBLE SITUATION, THE UNBEARABLE CIRCUMSTANCES THEY SOMETIMES FACE TO JESUS CHRIST FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION. THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS DARE BE AN HHO, AND ALSO VISUALIZE JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS WITH THE 5 WOUNDS AT THE SAME TIME WE BEAR THE UNBEARABLE, AND AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE TRULY OFFER THAT TERRIBLE PAIN TO OUR LORD, TO OUR SAVIOR FOR THE HUMAN REDEMPTION. BY BEARING SOME OF CHRIST´S SUFFERING WE´LL BE REDUCING OUR PUNISHMENT, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE, AND THAT WILL MEAN FEELING MUCH BETTER WITHIN OURSELVES, RESULTING IN A RENEWAL AS TO THE WAY WE FACE SUFFERING AND PAIN. WE CAN´T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF PUTTING INTO PRACTICE THE CONTENT OF THOSE UNDERLINED LINES ABOVE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF EACH OF US.

REGARDING THE DAILY SUFFERING WE ´RE SUPPOSED TO OFFER GOD, SINCE WE´RE HIS SERVANTS, TAKING STIGMATICS INTO CONSIDERATION WILL HELP US FACE SUFFERING AS IT IS EXPECTED FROM US. BEFORE STARTING WITH THE STIGMATICS LET´S BE CLEAR AS TO THE DEFINITION OF STIGMATA. “STIGMATA IS A TERM USED BY MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH TO DESCRIBE BODY MARKS, SORES OR SENSATIONS OF PAIN IN LOCATIONS CORRESPONDING TO THE CRUCIFIXION WOUNDS OF JESUS CHRIST, SUCH AS THE HANDS, WRISTS AND FEET. AN INDIVIDUAL BEARING THE WOUNDS OF STIGMATA IS REFERRED TO AS A STIGMATIST OR A STIGMATIC. THE TERM ORIGINATES FROM THE LINE AT THE END OF SAINT PAUL´S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS WHERE HE SAYS, “I BEAR ON MY BODY THE MARKS OF JESUS”. REPORTED CASES OF STIGMATA TAKE VARIOUS FORMS. MANY SHOW SOME OR ALL OF FIVE HOLY WOUNDS THAT WERE, ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE, INFLICTED ON JESUS DURING HIS CRUCIFIXION: WOUNDS IN THE WRISTS AND FEET, FROM NAILS; AND IN THE SIDE, FROM A LANCE. SOME STIGMATICS DISPLAY WOUNDS TO THE FOREHEAD SIMILAR TO THOSE CAUSED BY THE CROWN OF THORNS.” (STIGMATA. WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA).

ONLY A DIVINE FORCE, A PERFECT BEING SUCH AS GOD IS ABLE TO SEE INSIDE EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON EARTH, AND YET, THOUGH PERFECT AND HIGH ABOVE US, HE´S OUR FATHER AND SEES ALL THE BABIES AND CHILDREN WHO ARE BEING ABUSED, ALL THE TEENAGERS WHO ARE BEING FOOLED AND PUSHED INTO SEX, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, ALL THE GOOD, INNOCENT HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE BEING KIDNAPPED, GIVEN SHOTS TO BE PUSHED INTO HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MADE PRISONERS AND KILLED, ALL THE TERROR ATTACKS CARRIED OUT BY THE CMTGS (CONTROL  MENTALITY TYPE GUYS) TO BRING DOWN GOD´S FOLLOWERS´ LIVES AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AND AS A RESULT OF IT, BRING DOWN AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY CAN SO THAT THE CMTGS CALL THE SHOTS, REGARDLESS THE PAIN THEY TRIGGER TO GOD AND TO ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE WHO OBEY OUR LORD´S RULES. ONLY A DIVINE FORCE, A PERFECT BEING SUCH AS GOD CAN BEAR BILLIONS OF UNBEARABLE SITUATIONS WHERE INNOCENT BEINGS ARE BEING ABUSED, AND YET THIS DIVINE FORCE, WE CALL GOD, WEEPS AND BLEEDS FOR US, BECAUSE WE ARE HIS CHILDREN WHO IGNORE HIS FATHER, AND BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SEE US HAPPY, NOT SUFFERING AND ULTIMATELY CONDEMNED FOR ETERNITY. “IN COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA, THERE´S A STATUE OF CHRIST THAT HAS WEPT AND CONTINUES TO BLEED” (BACKGROUND – LOVE AND MERCY.ORG). ”THE STATUE FORMS TEARS OF HUMAN BLOOD AT THE EYES THAT WEEP DOWN THE FACE, CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN THE VIDEO. THE BLOOD HAS BEEN TESTED AND FOUND TO BE HUMAN. A LABORATORY REPORT PUT TOGETHER IN APRIL 1995 OUTLINED THE FACT THAT THE LIQUID ANALYZED WAS HEMOGLOBIN, HETEROPROTEIN OF A RED COLOR THAT EXISTS IN HEMATOID, OR RED GLOBULES. THE BLOOD CONTAINED A PIECE OF THORN, IDENTIFIED AS A THORN FROM THE HAWTHORNE BUSH, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN THE TYPE OF THORN USED TO MAKE THE CROWN OF THORNS FOR JESUS OF NAZARETH (INTERESTINGLY, A THORN WAS ALSO FOUND IN THE STIGMATIC WOUNDS OF “FRANCIS”, A STIGMATIST IN THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES). THIS SORROWFUL IMAGE WEEPS AND BLEEDS, IN A WAY THAT SCIENCE CANNOT UNDERSTAND. THE IMAGE IS OF GOD IN THE FORM OF JESUS CHRIST, NOT PEACEFULLY ENTHRONED IN HIS GLORY AS THE LORD OF HEAVEN, BUT AS THE VICTIM THAT MAN REJECTED AND CRUCIFIED 2000 YEARS AGO. WE´RE LEFT TO REFLECT AND TO WONDER ABOUT THE TEARS THAT MYSTERIOUSLY CRY OUT FROM THE STONE CAST IN CHRIST´S IMAGE. COULD IT BE, AS THE THEOLOGIANS SUGGEST, AN EXPRESSION OF THE HEARTFELT SORROW OF OUR CREATOR WHO IS WOUNDED BY THIS WORLD´S REJECTION OF HIM TODAY? DURING THE MAKING OF THE DOCUMENTARY, ANNE MONTGOMERY OF GENTEST LABORATORY, THE SCIENTIST WHO HAD CARRIED OUT THE DNA TESTS OF THE “BLOOD” FROM THE STATUE, WAS ASKED “HOW CAN YOU EXPLAIN HUMAN BLOOD COMING FROM A PLASTER STATUE?” SHE SAID “I CAN´T. YOU´D BETTER ASK A THEOLOGIAN”. THE QUESTION WAS PUT TO A THEOLOGIAN WHO RESPONDED BY DRAWING OUR ATTENTION TO THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, CHAPTER 19, VERSE 35 FOR THE EXPLANATION: “SO THEY TOOK THE COLT TO JESUS AND, THROWING THEIR CLOAKS ON ITS BACK, THEY LIFTED JESUS ON TO IT. AS HE MOVED OFF, THEY SPREAD THEIR CLOAKS IN THE ROAD, AND NOW, AS HE WAS APPROACHING THE DOWNWARD SLOPE OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, THE WHOLE GROUP OF DISCIPLES JOYFULLY BEGAN TO PRAISE GOD AT THE TOP OF THEIR VOICES FOR ALL THE MIRACLES THEY HAD SEEN. THEY CRIED OUT: “BLESSED IS HE WHO IS COMING AS KING IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! PEACE IN HEAVEN AND GLORY IN THE HIGHEST HEAVENS! SOME PHARISEES IN THE CROWD SAID TO HIM “MASTER, REPROVE YOUR DISCIPLES”, BUT HE ANSWERED “I TELL YOU, IF THESE KEEP SILENCE, THE STONES WILL CRY OUT”. THE THEOLOGIAN WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PHARISEES WANTED TO SILENCE THE VOICES THAT WERE PROCLAIMING GOD AND JESUS SAID THAT IF YOU DID NOT PERMIT THEM TO PRAISE GOD THEN THE STONES WOULD DO THIS. HE SAID THAT “I BELIEVE JESUS WAS PROPHESYING THAT THERE WOULD COME A TIME WHEN MAN WOULD NO LONGER PROCLAIM GOD AND THE STONES WOULD CRY OUT IN PROCLAMATION”. HE SAID “WE ARE LIVING IN THOSE TIMES AND THAT THE STATUES OF CHRIST AND THE VIRGIN MARY WEEPING AROUND THE WORLD ARE DOING THE JOB WE SHOULD BE DOING, PROCLAIMING GOD IN THE WORLD, THE REALITY OF GOD, THE SUPERNATURAL, AND WE´RE NOT DOING THAT” (STIGMATIST CATALINA KATYA RIVAS OF COCHABAMBA).

THE FOLLOWING 9 STIGMATICS ARE ONLY SOME OF THE MANY CASES.

1.“CERTAINLY A VERY RECENT AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST DOCUMENTED CASES OF THE STIGMATA WOULD BE THAT OF THE ITALIAN ST. GEMMA GALGANI (1878-1903). GEMMA WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY SAINT WHO LOVED JESUS WITH ALL HER HEART AND SOUL. AT AN EARLY AGE SHE HAD A REMARKABLE PIETY, AND JESUS BEGAN GIVING HER INTERIOR LOCUTION AT AGE 7. AT AGE 20 SHE WAS MIRACULOUSLY CURED OF SPINAL MENINGITIS THROUGH THE HEAVENLY INTERCESSION OF ANOTHER SAINT – GABRIEL POSSENTI C.P.(WHO AT THAT TIME WAS DECLARED VENERABLE) WHO MIRACULOUSLY APPEARED TO GEMMA EACH NIGHT AND ENCOURAGED HER TO MAKE A NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. ONE YEAR LATER SHE WAS GIVEN THE STIGMATA BY JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND HER GUARDIAN ANGEL. ONE DAY AFTER HOLY COMMUNION, SHORTLY AFTER HER MIRACULOUS CURE, JESUS SAID TO HER: “COURAGE GEMMA! I AWAIT YOU ON CALVARY ON THE MOUNT THAT I SHALL SHOW YOU”. THE SUFFERING THROUGH WHICH SHE HAD PASSED DURING HER ILLNESS HAD PURIFIED HER SOUL, AND THE HOUR WAS APPROACHING IN WHICH SHE WOULD REALIZE THE NATURE OF HER VOCATION. IT WAS JUNE 8TH, 1899, THE VIGIL OF THE FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART. THAT MORNING AFTER HOLY COMMUNION JESUS REVEALED TO HER THAT IN THE EVENING OF THAT DAY HE WOULD GIVE HER AN EXTRAORDINARY GRACE. SHE WENT AT ONCE TO TELL HER CONFESSOR, AND THEN CONFESSION TO RECEIVE ABSOLUTION, THAT SHE MIGHT BE PREPARED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR WHAT JESUS WAS TO DO NEXT. THEN, WITH HER SOUL FLOODED WITH A WONDERFUL SENSE OF PEACE AND JOY, SHE RETURNED HOME (MIRACLES OF THE SAINTS: THE STIGMATA). GEMMA HERSELF RELATED WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT:”IT WAS THURSDAY EVENING, THE VIGIL OF THE FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS. SUDDENLY, MORE QUICKLY INDEED THAN USUAL, I FELT A PIERCING SORROW FOR MY SINS; BUT SO INTENSE THAT I´VE NEVER SINCE EXPERIENCED THE LIKE AGAIN. THE SORROW WAS SO GREAT THAT I THOUGHT I HAD TO DIE. AFTER THAT I FELT ALL THE POWERS OF MY SOUL IN RECOLLECTION. MY INTELLECT KNEW NOTHING EXCEPT MY SINS AND OFFENSES AGAINST GOD; MY MEMORY RECALLED EACH ONE, AND MADE ME SEE ALL THE TORMENTS JESUS HAD ENDURED TO SAVE ME. MY WILL MOVED ME TO DETEST THEM AND BE WILLING TO SUFFER ANYTHING IN EXPIATION. A WORLD OF THOUGHTS SURGED THROUGH MY MIND, THOUGHTS OF SORROW, LOVE, HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT. THIS WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY A RAPTURE, AND I FOUND MYSELF IN THE PRESENCE OF MY HEAVENLY MOTHER WITH MY GUARDIAN ANGEL ON HER RIGHT. HE COMMANDED ME TO MAKE AN ACT OF CONTRITION, AND WHEN I HAD DONE SO MY MUM SAID TO ME: “DAUGHTER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS I FORGIVE YOU ALL YOUR SINS”, AND ADDED: “JESUS, MY SON LOVES YOU VERY MUCH, AND WISHES TO GIVE YOU A GRACE. WOULD YOU KNOW HOW TO BECOME WORTHY OF IT?”. IN MY MYSERY I KNEW NOT WHAT TO ANSWER. THEN SHE CONTINUED: “ I WILL BE A MOTHER TO YOU; WILL YOU SHOW YOURSELF A TRUE DAUGHTER?”, AND AFTER SAYING THIS SHE OPENED HER MANTLE AND COVERED ME WITH IT. AT THAT INSTANT JESUS APPEARED WITH ALL HIS WOUNDS OPEN; BUT BLOOD NO LONGER ISSUED FROM THESE WOUNDS, BUT FLAMES OF FIRE. IN AN INSTANT THOSE FLAMES CAME AND TOUCHED MY HANDS, FEET AND HEART. I FELT I WAS DYING AND SHOULD HAVE FALLEN HAD NOT MY MUM HELD ME UP, I REMAINING ALL THE WHILE COVERED WITH HER MANTLE, AND THUS I REMAINED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. AFTERWARDS MY MUM KISSED ME ON THE FOREHEAD, THEN EVERYTHING VANISHED AND I FOUND MYSELF KNEELING ON THE GROUND, BUT STILL FEELING INTENSE PAIN IN MY HANDS, FEET AND HEART. I GOT UP TO GO TO BED AND SAW BLOOD FLOWING FROM THOSE PLACES WHERE I FELT THE PAIN. I COVERED THEM UP AS BEST I COULD AND THEN, WITH THE HELP OF MY GUARDIAN ANGEL, GOT INTO BED” (AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ST. GEMMA GALGANI). “FROM THAT DAY ON IT CONTINUED TO REPEAT ITSELF, FROM THURSDAY EVENING TOWARDS EIGHT O´CLOCK AND CONTINUED UNTIL THREE O´CLOCK ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. AND WHAT ALWAYS PRECEDED THE ECSTASY WAS THE RECOLLECTION OF SPIRIT. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE WOUND WAS NO LESS REMARKABLE, FOR AS SOON AS THE ECSTASY ON FRIDAY WAS OVER THE FLOW OF BLOOD FROM ALL 5 WOUNDS CEASED, THE RAW FLESH HEALED, AND BY THE FOLLOWING DAY, OR AT LATEST BY SUNDAY, NOT A TRACE OF THOSE WOUNDS REMAINED. ONLY THE PLACES WHERE THE WOUNDS HAD BEEN SHOWED A WHITISH COLOR WHICH INDICATED WHERE THEY HAD BEEN THE DAY BEFORE” (VEN.FATHER GERMANO,C.P. LIFE OF ST. GEMMA GALGANI).

 2.SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI (1181-1226).

“IT WAS DURING THE APPARITION OF AN ANGEL IN A RELIGIOUS ECSTASY WHILE PRAYING ON MOUNT LA VERNA, SEPTEMBER 14, 1224 WHEN 5 BLEEDING STIGMATA APPEARED ON ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI´S HANDS, FEET AND IN THE SIDE NEXT TO THE HEART. THIS STRANGE PHENOMENON WENT WITH HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS DAYS. WHEN ST. FRANCIS ASKED JESUS CHRIST WHY HE WAS GOING THROUGH ALL THAT SUFFERING OUR LORD ANSWERED HIM THIS: ”I HAVE GRANTED YOU WITH MY STIGMATA AS EMBLEMS OF MY PASSION; BE THEN THE REFLECTION OF MYSELF FOR EVERYONE”. WE KNOW ALL THIS ABOUT ST. ASSISI BECAUSE HIS FRIEND, FRIAR LEO, USED TO VISIT HIM TO SEE HOW HE WAS DOING. FRIAR LEO WAS WORRIED ABOUT ST. ASSISI´S LONELINESS AND FASTING AND WROTE ABOUT ALL THIS AND MORE. FRIAR LEO TELLS US THAT ONE DAY AN ANGEL APPEARED TO ST. ASSISI AND TOLD HIM: “I´M COMING TO CONFORT YOU AND INFORM YOU THAT IT´S IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET READY WITH HUMBLENESS AND PATIENCE, SINCE YOU´RE GOING TO BE GRANTED SOMETHING PRECIOUS WITH WHICH GOD WANTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING PRECIOUS AS WELL”. ANOTHER DAY, JUST BEFORE DAWN, ST. ASSISI WAS PRAYING AND TELLING JESUS CHRIST THESE WORDS: “MY LORD, I WISH I COULD FEEL THE PAIN YOU FELT AT TIME OF THE CRUCIFIXION AND ALSO THAT ENDLESS LOVE YOU FELT WHEN YOU OFFERED YOURSELF TO SUFFER FOR ALL OF US”. SUDDENLY, ST. ASSISI SAW A 6-WING SERAPHIN COMING DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND OUT OF THE BLUE HE SAW HE WAS STARTING TO RECEIVE NAIL WOUNDS IN HIS HANDS AND FEET. THOSE WOUNDS RESEMBLED THE ONES INFLICTED BY JESUS CHRIST´S CROWN OF THORNS. SIMILARLY, A BLEEDING STIGMA APPEARED IN HIS SIDE, AND THIS ONE STAINED HIS ROBE WITH THE BLOOD. FRIAR LEO SAID THAT DAY, WHEN SUCH MYSTIC EVENT TOOK PLACE, SOME SUPERNATURAL PHENOMENA HAPPENED AS WELL WHICH SOME SHEPHERDS WITNESSED WHILE THEY WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THESE SHEPHERDS SAW GLEAMING FLAMES AND SPARKLES IN THE DARK. THEY SAID THAT THE MOUNTAINS WERE SO MUCH LIT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THAT THEY THOUGHT THE SUN HAD RISEN ALREADY AGAIN AND SO THEY DECIDED TO MOVE THE SHEEP TO NEW PASTURES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHEN FRIAR LEO WENT TO TAKE ST. ASSISI SOMETHING TO EAT HE FOUND ST. ASSISI WAS FEELING FRIGHTENED DUE TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIS HANDS, FEET AND SIDE. ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SHOWED FRIAR LEO HIS STIGMATA AND THIS WAY FRIAR LEO WAS ABLE TO CHECK THE VERACITY OF SUCH EVENTS. FROM THAT DAY ON FRIAR LEO BECAME ST. FRANCIS´ MALE NURSE UP TO THE DAY HE DIED, OCTOBER 3, 1226” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA). WE CAN SEE ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI WITH THE 5 WOUNDS IN THE PAINTING RECEIVING THE STIGMATA BY EL GRECO, WHERE THE SAINT HAS THAT VISION OF JESUS´ PASSION, AND AT THE SAME TIME ST. ASSISI RECEIVES THE STIGMATA. JUSEPE DE RIBERA, STEFANO DI GIOVANNI, CARAVAGGIO, DOMENICO VENEZIANO AND JAN VAN EYCK PAINTED ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI IN ECSTASY AS WELL.

 3.SAINT PAUL (C.5 – C. 67).

“ IN GL. 6,17 ST. PAUL LETS US KNOW THAT HE HIMSELF SUFFERED FORM THESE STIGMATA WHICH ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI HAD TOO. NOT ALL THEOLOGISTS AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT SINCE MANY THINK THEY WEREN´T STIGMATA BUT WOUNDS AND BLOWS AS A RESULT OF HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY. THE GREEK ROMAN SOCIETY USED TO SCAR THEIR SLAVES AS A SIGN OF BELONGING TO THEIR OWNER. SURE ENOUGH, ST. PAUL FELT HE WAS JESUS CHRIST´S SERVANT AT ALL TIMES” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA).

 4.BLESSED PADRE PIO OF PIETRELCINA (1887-1968).

“HE WAS A PRIEST WHOSE STIGMATA WERE SEEN BY THOUSANDS OF BELIEVERS DURING HIS CHURCH SERVICES AND STAYED IN HIS HANDS, FEET AND SIDE FOR 50 YEARS. DURING HIS CANONIZATION POPE JOHN PAUL II SAID ABOUT HIM THE FOLLOWING: “HIS STIGMATA WERE THE DIVINE MERCY´S SIGN WHICH REDEEMED THE WORLD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST BEING CRUCIFIED. THOSE WOUNDS, WHICH EVERYONE COULD SEE, TALKED ABOUT THE LOVE GOD FEELS FOR EACH ONE OF US. FATHER PIO NEVER WANTED TO SHOW HIS WOUNDS. SUFFERING FROM THEM UPSET HIM, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND ACCEPTED THEM HUMBLY AND WITH A LOT OF EMBARRASEMENT. WHEN PEOPLE MANAGED TO NOTICE THEM THEY WOULD SUGGEST THAT SUCH WOUNDS MUST HAVE BEEN THE RESULT OF EXCESSIVE CONCENTRATION DURING CHRIST´S PASSION. FATHER PIO ANSWERED THEM THIS WAY: “GO TO THE COUNTRY AND STARE AT A BULL. KEEP YOUR MIND CAREFULLY ON THAT BULL, AND WE´LL SEE WHETHER HORNS GROW ON YOU OR NOT”. FATHER PIO, DEFINITELY HAD A BAD TEMPER” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARIA VALLEJO-NÁGERA). “PADRE PIO´S DEEP WOUNDS, THAT REMAINED OPEN AND UNINFECTED FOR DECADES, HEALED OVER TO NEW PINK FLESH AFTER HE DIED!! IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPLAIN OTHER THAN BY GOD” (THE STIGMATISTS). “SIGNORA CONCETTA BELLARMINI OF S. VITO LANCIANO DECLARES THAT SHE WAS SUDDENLY STRICKEN WITH A BLOOD INFECTION FOLLOWED BY BRONCHIA/PNEUMONIA WITH A VERY HIGH FEVER. SHE WAS REDUCED TO SUCH A STATE THAT THE DOCTORS DESPAIRED OF EVER SAVING HER. THE FLESH HAD BECOME YELLOW FORM THE INFECTION WHICH HAD SPREAD THROUGHOUT HER BODY. A RELATIVE URGED HER TO DIRECT HER PRAYERS TO PADRE PIO. SHE PRAYED TO HIM WHOM SHE HAD NEVER SEEN, WHEN SUDDENLY IN FULL DAYLIGHT A STIGMATIZED MONK APPEARED TO HER AND SMILING BLESSED HER WITHOUT TOUCHING HER AS HE STOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. THE WOMAN ASKED HIM IF HIS APPEARANCE SIGNIFIED THE GRACE FOR THE CONVERSION OF HER CHILDREN, OR ELSE THE GRACE FOR HER PHYSICAL CURE. THEN PADRE ANSWERED, “ SUNDADY MORNING YOU WILL BE CURED”, THEN HE VANISHED FROM THE ROOM, LEAVING AN ODOR OF PERFUME WHICH THE SERVANT GIRL ALSO SMELT. AFTER THIS VISIT HER FLESH TURNED NORMAL COLOR, THE FEVER CEASED AND IN A FEW DAYS HER HEALTH WAS COMPLETELY RESTORED. SHE WENT WITH HER BROTHER TO SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO TO SEE IF PADRE PIO WAS THE ONE WHO APPEARED TO HER. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE MONASTERY AND SAW PADRE PIO IN THE CHURCH SHE TURNED TO HER BROTHER AND SAID, “THERE HE IS, HE IS THE ONE”. ONE OF PADRE PIO´S QUOTES IS THE FOLLOWING: “LOVE JESUS, LOVE HIM VERY MUCH, BUT TO DO THIS, BE READY TO LOVE SACRIFICE MORE”(MIRACLES OF THE SAINTS: BILOCATION OF ST. PADRE PIO).

 5.ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA (1347-1380).

“SHE´S ANOTHER STIGMATIC WHOSE WOUNDS WEREN´T SEEN BY HUMAN BEINGS BUT SHE INDEED ENDURED THEM. SHE RECEIVED THE STIGMATA IN 1375” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA).

 6.SOR PATROCINIO (1811-1891).

“SHE´S THE TOP 19TH CENTURY STIGMATIC. SHE´S ALSO KNOWN AS “THE NUN OF THE WOUNDS”. SHE WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL. SHE WAS BORN INTO A NOBLE FAMILY IN CUENCA (SPAIN), AT THE HEIGHT OF THE SPANISH WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. SHE WENT THROUGH A LOT DURING HER ENTIRE LIFE. HER MOTHER ABANDONED HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SNOW WHEN SHE WAS BORN. IT WAS HIS FATHER WHO FOUND HER, LIKE A MIRACLE, WHEN HE WAS GOING BACK HOME AFTER THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. HER MOTHER, SISTER AND MANY PEOPLE GAVE HER A HARD TIME, MAKING HER FEEL MISERABLE BEYOND WORDS. QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND HER HUSBAND KING FRANCIS DE ASÍS DE BORBÓN, BOTH ADORED SOR PATROCINIO AND TRIED TO PROTECT HER ALWAYS. SOME THEOLOGIANS CALLED HER “ST. FATHER PIO´S FORERUNNER” SINCE BOTH FOUGHT AGAINST THE DEVIL, WHO WOULD TORMENT BOTH OF THEM BEATING THEM UP, AND THIS WENT ON THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. IN 1868, REVOLUTION TOOK OVER MONARCHY, AND IT WAS THEN WHEN SOR PATROCINIO WAS PERSECUTED BY MOST EVERYBODY, AND SO SHE HAD TO FLEE TO SAVE HERSELF, AND CARDINAL CILIRIA HELPED HER IN DOING SO, SENDING HER TO FRANCE, WHERE SHE FOUNDED 19 CONVENTS. WITH THE 1874 RESTORATION KING ALFONSO XII TOOK OVER AND HE LET SOR PATROCINIO COME BACK TO SPAIN, WHERE SHE CONTINUED TO FOUND MORE CONVENTS UNTIL HER DEATH IN 1891. THE VIRGIN MARY AND THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL GRANTED HER WITH A 20 CM-STATUE OF A YOUNG VIRGIN MARY HOLDING A BABY JESUS IN HER ARMS, BOTH DRESSED IN SMART CLOTHES AND BOTH WITH BEJEWELLED CROWNS ON THEIR HEADS, AND THE VIRGIN MARY´S FEET CONTROLLING A DRAGON WHO IS TIED UP TO A CHAIN. THIS STATUE REPRESENTS THE VIRGIN MARY, DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF OBLIVION, TRIUMPH AND MERCY. THIS STATUE IS AT THE DOME ON TOP OF THE HIGH ALTAR IN THE ORDER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IN GUADALAJARA. WE´VE GOT TO SAY THAT THIS SAINT IS EXTRAORDINARILY POWERFUL WHEN WE ASK FOR THER INTERCESSION FROM HEAVEN. THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS HER IS SHOWN DOWN BELOW: “I BEG YOU, SOR PATROCINIO, FOR A SPECIAL GRACE FROM HEAVEN TO KEEP ME, MY FAMILY, ETC. FROM THIS HARMFUL SITUATION. I ASK FOR YOUR INTERCESSION BEFORE THE VIRGIN OF OBLIVION, TRIUMPH AND MERCY” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA).

 7.THERESE NEUMANN (1898-1962).

“THIS GERMAN LAYPERSON WAS GRANTED THE STIGMATA IN HER HANDS, FEET, SIDE AND FOREHEAD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1926. HER CASE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON WORLD PAPERS” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA). “SHE SAID THAT ON 5 MARCH 1926, THE FIRST FRIDAY OF LENT, A WOUND HAD APPEARED SLIGHTLY ABOVE HER HEART, BUT THAT SHE HAD KEPT THIS SECRET. HOWEVER, SHE DID REPORT A VISION OF JESUS AT MOUNT OLIVET WITH 3 APOSTLES. ON 12 MARCH, SHE SAID SHE HAD ANOTHER VISION OF CHRIST AT MT. OLIVET, ALONG WITH THE CROWNING OF THORNS. SHE ALSO CLAIMED THAT THE WOUND ABOVE HER HEART REAPPEARED ON THIS DAY, AND SHE SPOKE TO HER SISTER ABOUT IT. SHE CLAIMED THE WOUND ALSO REAPPEARED ON FRIDAY OF THE FOLLOWING WEEK. BY 26 MARCH, SHE WAS CLAIMING THE SAME WOUND ACCOMPANIED BY A VISION OF CHRIST BEARING THE CROSS AND A SIMILAR WOUND ON HER LEFT HAND. BLOOD WAS OBSERVED ON HER CLOTHING, AND SHE NO LONGER ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE INFORMATION TO HERSELF. ON GOOD FRIDAY, THERESE NEUMANN, ACCORDING TO HER TESTIMONY WITNESSED THE ENTIRE PASSION OF CHRIST IN HER VISIONS. SHE DISPLAYED WOUNDS ON HER HANDS AND FEET ACCOMPANIED BY BLOOD APPARENTLY COMING FROM HER EYES. ON EASTERN SUNDAY, SHE CLAIMED A VISION OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. FOR SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE FRIDAYS AFTER THAT, SHE STATED SHE WAS EXPERIENCING THE PASSION OF CHRIST, APPARENTLY SUFFERING IN HER OWN BODY ALONG WITH ALL HIS HISTORIC AGONIES. SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE ESPECIALLY SUFFERED THE PASSION ON GOOD FRIDAY EACH YEAR. BY 5 NOVEMBER 1926, SHE DISPLAYED 9 WOUNDS ON HER HEAD AS WELL AS WOUNDS ON HER BACK AND SHOULDERS. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL SOURCES THESE WOUNDS NEVER HEALED OR BECAME INFECTED AND WERE FOUND ON HER BODY AT DEATH” (THERESE NEUMANN-WIKIPEDIA).”THIS HUMBLE WOMAN WAS GRANTED THE GIFT OF VISIONS AND ECSTASY AND WAS ABLE TO STAY IN FINE SHAPE DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE SUSBSISTED ON THE DAILY EUCHARIST FOR ABOUT 39 YEARS. SHE DIDN´T EAT ANY FOOD NOR DRINK ANY WATER UNTIL HER DEATH” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARÍA VALLEJO-NÁGERA). “RESEARCHER IAN WILSON NOTED THAT “THERESE HAD A VIGOROUS, STOCKY BUILD THROUGHOUT MOST OF THIS TIME, AND ALL REASON TELLS US THAT IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SURVIVE SO LONG WITHOUT FOOD OR DRINK” (THERESE NEUMANN-WIKIPEDIA,THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA).

 8.CATALINA RIVAS.

“SHE´S FROM BOLIVIA AND BEARS STIGMATA ON HER HANDS, FEET, SIDE AND FOREHEAD TODAY. THIS LAYPERSON, WHO DIVORCED HER HUSBAND SOME YEARS AGO, HAD NEVER IMAGINED SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN TO HER AND SHE TELLS US SO: “I´M A NORMAL WOMAN. I´M NOT A SAINT. I USED TO WORK AS A SECRETARY IN AN OFFICE. I´M A HOUSEWIFE AND A GRANDMOTHER WHO NEVER FINISHED MY HIGHER EDUCATION AND THAT NEVER STUDIED THEOLOGY”. ON THE OTHER HAND, ONE DAY THIS HUMBLE WOMAN BEGAN TO WRITE COMPULSIVELY LOTS OF THEOLOGICAL INFORMATION WHICH SURPASSED HER KNOWLEDGE ON SOME NOTEBOOKS. SHE HAD TURNED 48 THEN AND SINCE THAT TIME SHE HAS WRITTEN LOTS OF NOTEBOOKS, WHERE SHE ANALYZES ESCHATOLOGICAL DEEP TRUTHS, WHICH HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY DOCTORS, THEOLOGISTS AND EXPERT PRIESTS. ON HER WRITINGS THERE ARE PASSAGES IN LATIN, GREEK, POLISH AND OTHER LANGUAGES SHE IGNORES AND WHICH SHE JUST TRANSLITERATES, STATING THIS: “IT´S JESUS WHO DICTATES ME ALL THIS”. WHEN ALL THESE MYSTICAL EVENTS HAPPENED SHE DIDN´T HAVE A STRONG FAITH. SINCE THEN HER FAITH HAS BECOME STRONGER AND STRONGER, AND NOWADAYS SHE PRAYS ON A DAILY BASIS AND WHAT SHE CURRENTLY DOES IS TAKING CARE OF HER FAMILY. THE OPENING OF HER STIGMATA HAS BEEN FILMED AND ANALYZED CLINICALLY. IN SUCH FILMING EVERYONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SEE HOW IN A FEW MINUTES THE STIGMATA OPEN TO MAKE WAY FOR THE HOLES ON HER FEET AND HANDS TO DISAPPEAR THEN MYSTERIOUSLY. MANY HEMATOLOGISTS, RADIOLOGISTS, NEUROLOGISTS, CARDIOLOGISTS AND PSYCHIATRISTS HAVE SUBMITTED HER TO ALL TYPES OF CLINICAL HARSH THINGS NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND ANY INSANITY SIGNS NOR ANY CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. THIS WOMAN FROM COCHABAMBA IS A BIG MYSTERY. THE VIRGIN MARY TOLD CATALINA RIVAS THIS: “TELL HUMAN BEINGS THAT A MAN IS REALLY A MAN WHEN HE BENDS HIS KNEES BEFORE GOD” (CIELO E INFIERNO:VERDADES DE DIOS BY MARIA VALLEJO-NÁGERA).

 9.FRANCIS.

“FRANCIS AS A 6-YEAR-OLD BOY HAD AN ACCIDENT – FALLING FROM A HORSE – WHERE HE HAD BROKEN 3 RIBS, PUNCTURED HIS LUNG, AND WAS BLEEDING BADLY. THE FAMILY AT FIRST TOOK HIM FOR DEAD. AFTER THE DOCTOR EXAMINED HIM HE WAS AFRAID TO OPERATE BECAUSE OF FRANCIS´ WEAKENED CONDITION. FRANCIS´ FAMILY CALLED AN AUNT WHO WAS THE NUN, SR. SPECIOSA, TO ASK IF SHE WOULD PRAY FOR FRANCIS. ALL THE NUNS GOT UP AND PRAYED. “THE NEXT MORNING THE DOCTOR WAS AMAZED THAT THE RIBS WERE NO LONGER PUNCTURING THE LUNGS AND THE BLEEDING HAD STOPPED, AND ALL WAS BEGINNING TO MEND, WITHIN 12 HOURS. WITH A NEW X-RAY THEY COULDN´T SEE ANY PLACE WHERE THE LUNGS HAD BEEN PUNCTURED OR THE RIBS BROKEN. FRANCIS TOLD FR. FOX THAT ABOUT 4 AM THE NEXT MORNING HE REVIVED AND CALLED HIS MOTHER TO ASK WHO WAS THAT BEAUTIFUL MAN WHO STOOD OVER HIS CRIB WITH HIS HAND UPRAISED. HIS SUDDEN REVIVAL AND THE STORY OF THE BOY WAS RELATED TO THE BISHOP WHO COULD ONLY SAY “ IT MUST HAVE BEEN JESUS”. IT WAS EARLY IN LENT OF 1933 THAT FRANCIS RECEIVED AN INTERIOR LOCUTION WHICH WAS A FOREWARNING OF WHAT WAS IN STORE FOR HIM. THE MESSAGE OF OUR DIVINE LORD WAS AS FOLLOWS:

“MY BELOVED SON, I´M ASKING YOU TO PREPARE YOURSELF, MY SON, TO RECEIVE MY HOLY WOUNDS. I´LL BE USING YOU IN A SPECIAL WAY, BUT I NEED YOU TO CONTINUE TO PRAY. PLACE YOUR COMPLETE TRUST IN ME AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE FUTURE, FOR I´LL GIVE YOU THE NECESSARY GRACES TO ACCEPT THIS GIFT. YOU´LL BE PERSECUTED, AS I WAS PERSECUTED.I WANT YOU TO CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO MY MOTHER. THAT WAY YOU´LL BECOME CLOSER TO ME. FOR SHE WAS BLESSED ABOVE ALL CREATURES, BUT SHE WAS HIDDEN DURING HER LIFETIME BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. SHE´LL LOOK AFTER YOU AND PROTECT YOU. I´M SURROUNDING YOU WITH PEOPLE YOU CAN TRUST WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR DIFFICULTIES. GO TO THEM AND I´LL SPEAK TO YOU THROUGH THEM. YOU´LL KNOW THESE PEOPLE BY THE PEACE IN YOUR HEART. MY PEACE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU, MY SON. NOW GO AND PREPARE YOURSELF”. WITH THIS SURPRISE MESSAGE FROM OUR DIVINE LORD, FRANCIS WAS TO ENTER A LENT WHICH WOULD CONCLUDE WITH THE STIGMATA WHICH REMAINS TO THIS DAY WITH ALL ITS SUFFERINGS. IT WAS OUR DIVINE LORD HIMSELF WHO ALERTED HIM TO PREPARE HIMSELF SPIRITUALLY FOR WHAT LIED AHEAD. OUR LORD WANTED FRANCIS TO CONSECRATE HIMSELF TO HIS IMMACULATE MOTHER WHO WOULD SOON BE THE ONE TO BRING HIM THE INTERIOR LOCUTIONS. “HERE ARE THE MESSAGES FRANCIS RECEIVED FROM OUR BLESSED MOTHER:

1.ON MAY 2ND, 1993 AT 2:15 AM:

“MY DEAR SON, GO OUT AND TOUCH MY CHILDREN. YOUR HANDS ARE MY SON´S HANDS. CONTINUE TO EVANGELIZE. BRING BACK MANY TO THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND TO CELEBRATE THE EUCHARIST. YOU´RE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF ME AND MY SON. LOOK AROUND. YOU´RE SURROUNDED BY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. THANK YOU, MY SON”.

2.JUNE 8, 1993, 2:00 AM:

“MY BELOVED ON, I COME TO YOU TONIGHT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOUR PRAYERS AND SUFFERING HAVE MEANT TO MY SON AND ME. YOUR SUFFERING HAS BEEN LONG MY CHILD. YOU´VE PLEASED MY SON AND ME. WE´LL BE CLOSE TO YOU. THE GRACES HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO YOU. SATAN IS TRYING TO CAUSE CONFUSION AMONG YOU. BUT I´LL TELL YOU, HE´LL NOT SUCCEED. PRAY, MY CHILD, MY CHILDREN ARE SURROUNDING YOU. THEY´LL BE WITH YOU IN YOUR DIFFICULTIES. TRUST THEM. I´LL SPEAK TO YOU THROUGH THEM. GO TO THEM, MY SON. YOU´RE TO PRAY, USE YOUR HANDS TO TOUCH MY CHILDREN. I AM YOUR MOTHER AND I´LL SHOW YOU THE WAY. JUST TRUST IN JESUS FOR HE´LL ALLOW NO HARM TO COME TO YOU. THIS IS A JOURNEY TO THE FATHER, WHO LOVES YOU. DON´T FALTER MY SON, FOR I´M WITH YOU. YOU BELONG TO MY SON, NOT TO THIS WORLD. I BLESS YOU TONIGHT AND ASK YOU TO SHARE THIS BLESSING WITH ALL MY CHILDREN THAT COME TO YOU. SHARE MY MESSAGE WITH THEM. TELL THEM OF THE LOVE AND MERCY OF MY SON. PRAY, ALL OF YOU, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ASTRAY. I LOVE YOU AND ALL MY CHILDREN. GO NOW, TAKE MY WORDS INTO YOUR HEART, FOR THEY ARE NOURISHMENT WHICH WILL HELP MY BEAUTIFUL ONES TO GROW. I PRAY WITH YOU AND FOR YOU. YOUR LOVING MOTHER”.

3.AUG.3, 1993 (EXCERPT):

“MY SON, I COME TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT TO TAKE YOUR PRAYERS AND SUFFERING TO JESUS. IT´S HE WHO SENDS ME TO BE WITH YOU. MY SON, THERE ARE SO FEW THAT REACH OUT TO THE LOST CHILDREN. PLEASE ASK MY CHILDREN TO GO TO THEM AND BRING THEM BACK… I ASK YOU AGAIN TO REACH OUT TO YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO SPREAD MY MESSAGE WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT. MY DEAR SON, LISTEN TO YOUR HEART FOR I SPEAK TO YOU IN ITS DEPTHS. PRAY FOR YOUR PRIESTS, FOR I LOVE THEM DEARLY…”.

4.AUG. 18, 1993 (EXCERPT):

“KEEP YOUR ROSARIES ALWAYS WITH YOU AND CONTINUE TO PRAY. TURN TO ME WHEN YOU´RE UNSURE FOR I´LL GIVE YOU THE HEP THAT YOU NEED…”.”

“FRANCIS SAID THAT THE SUFFERING OF THE PASSION HE ENDURES STARTS ABOUT 12:30 AM. IT LASTS ABOUT 35 MIN. OF INTENSE PAIN, DURING WHICH HE SEES TOO MANY HORRIBLE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW SUCH AS THE CIVIL WARS, THE ABORTION, ALL THE HOMELESS, THE MURDERS, THE ABUSED CHILDREN, THE ABUSED WOMEN. THERE ARE MANY SINNERS, MOSTLY IN THE AGES FROM 25 TO 40 SINNING TERRIBLY, MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR TWENTIES, ON THE BEACH, IN THE BARS, WALKING THE STREETS. WHEN ALL THAT IS IN FRONT OF HIM HE HAS JUST A POWER TO PRAY “PLEASE LORD, STOP ALL THIS SIN…”. FRANCIS EXPRESSED GREAT SORROW IN HIS HEART OVER THIS. THE MARKS ON FRANCIS´ HANDS APPEAR TO BE A CONSTANT MIRACLE IN THEMSELVES. AT LEAST NOONE CAN EXPLAIN THEM AND WHY THE OPEN WOUNDS DON´T BECOME INFECTED. THE WOUNDS ON THE PALMS ARE NORMALLY NOT COVERED EXCEPT ON FRIDAYS. THEY´RE EXPOSED TO ALL THE THINGS OTHER PEOPLE´S HANDS ARE IN THE COURSE OF A DAY. OF THE DOCTORS WHO EXAMINED THE WOUNDS THE FIRST ONE WASN´T CATHOLIC. WHEN HE SAW THE MARKS IN THE HANDS HE SAID IMMEDIATELY “I´M A GOOD PRESBYTERIAN”. WHILE FRANCIS HAD NOT USED THE WORD “STIGMATA” THE DOCTOR DID. HE ADDED: “I´M GOING TO READ MORE ON STIGMATA”, AND THEN ADDED, “IF YOU GET INFECTION, COME BACK”. FRANCIS NEVER HAD TO GO BACK. TWO OTHER DOCTORS WHO EXAMINED THE WOUNDS WERE SPECIALISTS IN THEIR FIELDS. THEIR SICK CHILDREN, BOTH WITH CHILDHOOD DIABETES, WERE LATER BROUGHT TO FRANCIS SO HE COULD PRAY OVER THEM. ONE DOCTOR WHO ISN´T A STRONG CATHOLIC HAD HIS WIFE SAY OF HER HUSBAND: “HE SHOULD BE A MUCH BETTER CHRISTIAN”. SHE WANTED FRANCIS´ PRAYERS FOR HIS CONVERSION. THE DOCTOR IN LOOKING AT THE WOUND SAID, “I´M A DOUBTING THOMAS IN THE CHURCH BUT I AM NOT ON THIS!”.”

“THERE IS A STIGMATIST IN DAMASCUS, A WOMAN, WHOSE HUSBAND IS ORTHODOX, BUT SHE IS CATHOLIC. THE STIGMATA COMES AND GOES AND THE SUFFERINGS ARE ONLY IN THE YEARS WHEN THE CATHOLIC AND ORTHODOX EASTER COINCIDES. HER MISSION IS THE CHRISTIAN UNITY. THE REASONS GIVEN AMONG THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS THEMSELVES WHY STIGMATISTS HAVE NOT BEEN KNOWN AMONG THEM IS THAT IN THEIR SPIRITUALITY AND THEOLOGY THEY EMPHASIZE THE RISEN, GLORIFIED CHRIST. THEY´RE CERTAINLY AWARE OF CHRIST´S DEATH ON THE CROSS AND REDEEMING ACTIONS, YET, THEY DO NOT LAY EMPHASIS ON CHRIST CRUCIFIED AND HIS SUFFERINGS, AS DOES THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. THEY LEARN OF STIGMATISTS IN THE WEST WITH AWE. BUT WHAT IS KNOWN AMONG THEM TO OCCUR ON OCCASION IS BI-LOCATION. THIS WOULD SEEMINGLY FOLLOW FROM THEIR EMPHASIS ON THE RESURRECTION AND THE GLORIFIED CHRIST.”

“WHAT KIND OF PERSON HAS THESE STIGMATA? THAT A PERSON IS HUMBLE, PATIENT, OBEDIENT, ETC, ARE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS IF THE SOURCE IS GENUINELY SUPERNATURAL. WITHOUT THEM ONE WOULD HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT THEY´RE FROM OTHER POWERS OF THE WORLD BESIDES GOD. IT´S EVEN POSSIBLE THAT THE DEVIL CAN BE SPEAKING THROUGH A PERSON WHO MANIFESTS SIGNS THAT CAUSE WONDERMENT IN OTHERS. IF A WORK IS OF GOD AND IS PRODUCING GOOD FRUIT, GOOD EFFECTS, ONE CAN ALSO EXPECT SUFFERINGS AND ATTEMPTS TO DESTROY THE GOOD EFFECTS. THE DEVIL IS NEVER HAPPY WHEN SOULS ARE BEING CONVERTED AND COMING TO JESUS CHRIST THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST.”

“HERE ARE SOME WISE LINES FROM FRANCIS: “AS IT IS MY EAGER EXPECTATION AND HOPE THAT I SHALL NOT BE AT ALL ASHAMED, BUT WITH FULL COURAGE NOW AS ALWAYS, CHRIST WILL BE HONORED IN MY BODY, WHETHER BY LIFE OR BY DEATH. FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST; AND TO DIE IS GAIN: (PHIL 2:20, 21): “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST; IT´S NO LONGER I WHO LIVE BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME : (GAL 2:20). ONE WHO WITNESSES THE SUFFERINGS OF FRANCIS CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS, “WITH CHRIST I AM NAILED TO THE CROSS” (ALL THE QUOTES ABOVE ABOUT FRANCIS ARE FROM FRANCIS BOOK).

NOW THAT WE KNOW ALL THIS SOMETHING IS EXPECTED FROM US AND IT IS THAT WE SHOULD REFLECT ON CHRIST BEING CRUCIFIED WHENEVER WE SUFFER, AND WE´LL BE COOPERATING IN HELPING THE ONE AND ONLY, OUR LORD, WHO LOVES US SO IMMENSELY THAT HE WEEPS AND BLEEDS BECAUSE HE SEES ALL THE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN HELL AND HE SEES THAT SOME BILLIONS MORE WILL END UP THERE, AND THERE NOBODY HAS A RETURN TICKET HERE BECAUSE SUCH DOESN´T EXIST THERE. LET´S SEE ALL THESE SIGNS AS WAKE-UP CALLS TO DO WHAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO DO IN ORDER TO SAVE OURSELVES. ALL THESE SIGNS INTEND TO TELL US THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE NURTURING OUR SPIRITUALITY. LET´S PRAY OUR LORD THAT WE´LL HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BEAR WHATEVER THAT IS THAT JESUS CHRIST WANTS US TO TAKE. LET´S GET RID OF ANY SIGN OF ARROGANCE AND START BEING HUMBLE, PATIENT AND OBEDIENT TO GOD´S RULES, IF WE REALLY WANT TO FEEL HAPPY AND DO WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM US WHILE OUR TIME HERE ALLOWS. LET´S REMEMBER THAT OUR GOAL ON EARTH IS NOT TO GET RICH, FAMOUS NOR TO BE THE SMARTEST PERSON OUT THERE, BUT TO BECOME DEEP SPIRITUAL HUMAN BEINGS WHOSE SOULS ARE BRIGHT AND WHOSE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALIVE, NURTURED AND IN PEACE WITHIN US, ACCEPTING EVERYTHING THAT IS IN OUR LIFE, BEING GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE MANY THINGS GRANTED TO US BY GOD OUR FATHER. ONLY THEN WE´LL BE READY TO SPREAD GOD´S WORD TO TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE´S LIVES, TO HELP MANY PEOPLE, AND IN DOING SO FEEL REAL JOY WHICH MONEY, FAME NOR AWARDS CAN BUY. LET´S SAY “NO” TO OUR EGO WHENEVER OUR EGO WANTS TO RUN THE SHOW. WE´LL SUCCEED IN DOING SO IF WE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO OUR INSIDE, THAT IS, IF WE REALLY KNOW OURSELVES, IN ORDER TO PUT AN END TO WHATEVER NEGATIVE EMOTION – SAY ARROGANCE, SAY GREED…- THAT ANTAGONIZES WITH HUMBLENESS, GENEROSITY, PATIENCE AND ACCEPTANCE. MAKING THE APPROPIATE ADJUSTMENTS WE´LL BE MAKING OF OUR LIFE THE JOURNEY OF OUR LIVES, THAT IS, THE JOURNEY TO OUR FATHER. WE´RE ALL CONFRONTED WITH SUFFERING, WE´RE ALL GOD´S CHILDREN AND WE´RE ALL TO OBEY GOD FATHER. ONLY THEN WE´LL MANAGE TO DISPEL FEARS AND GO ON PRAYING AND REACHING OUT FOR THE LOST ONES. EACH ONE OF US IS ENTRUSTED WITH THE KEY MISSION OF PRAYING SO THAT PEOPLE´S EVIL PLANS, LIKE THE PAGAN EMPEROR MAXENTIUS´ ONES ,ARE DESTROYED. MAXENTIUS TRIED TO BUY OFF CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA (AD 287-AD 305), A CHRISTIAN SAINT AND VIRGIN, BORN IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, MARTYRED AT HIS HANDS, BUT HE DID NOT SUCCEED IN BRIBING HER. CATHERINE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF CONSTUS, THE GOVERNOR OF ALEXANDRIAN EGYPT DURING THE REIGN OF THE EMPEROR MAXIMIAN (AD 305 – AD 313). FROM A YOUNG AGE SHE HAD DEVOTED HERSELF TO STUDY. A VISION OF THE MADONNA AND CHILD PERSUADED HER TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN. WHEN THE PERSECUTIONS BEGAN UNDER MAXENTIUS, SHE WENT TO THE EMPEROR AND REBUKED HIM FOR HIS CRUELTY. THE EMPEROR SUMMONED FIFTY OF THE BEST PAGAN PHILOSOPHERS AND ORATORS TO DISPUTE WITH HER, HOPING THAT THEY WOULD REFUTE HER PRO-CHRISTIAN ARGUMENTS, BUT CATHERINE WON THE DEBATE. SEVERAL OF HER ADVERSARIES, CONQUERED BY HER ELOQUENCE, DECLARED THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS AND WERE AT ONCE PUT TO DEATH. CATHERINE WAS THEN SCOURGED AND IMPRISONED, DURING WHICH TIME OVER 2OO PEOPLE CAME TO SEE HER, INCLUDING MAXENTIUS´ WIFE, VALERIA MAXIMILLA; ALL CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY MARTYRED. UPON THE FAILURE OF MAXENTIUS TO MAKE CATHERINE YIELD BY WAY OF TORTURE, HE TRIED TO WIN THE BEAUTIFUL AND WISE PRINCESS OVER BY PROPOSING MARRIAGE. THE SAINT REFUSED, DECLARING THAT HER SPOUSE WAS JESUS CHRIST, TO WHOM SHE HAD CONSECRATED HER VIRGINITY. THE FURIOUS EMPEROR CONDEMNED CATHERINE TO DEATH ON A SPIKED BREAKING WHEEL, BUT AT HER TOUCH IT SHATTERED. MAXENTIUS FINALLY HAD HER BEHEADED. A TRADITION DATING TO ABOUT 800 STATES THAT ANGELS CARRIED HER CORPSE TO MOUNT SINAI. HER BODY WAS DISCOVERED AROUND THE YEAR 800 AT MOUNT SINAI, WITH HAIR STILL GROWING AND A CONSTANT STREAM OF HEALING OIL ISSUING FROM HER BODY. IN THE 6TH CENTURY, THE EASTERN EMPEROR JUSTINIAN I (REIGNED 527 – 565) HAD ESTABLISHED WHAT IS NOW SAINT CATHERINE´S MONASTERY IN EGYPT ( WHICH IS IN FACT DEDICATED TO THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST). THERE ARE SEVERAL PILGRIMAGE NARRATIVES THAT CHRONICLE THE JOURNEY TO MOUNT SINAI, MOST NOTABLY THOSE OF JOHN MANDEVILLE AND FRIAR FABRI. HOWEVER, THE MONASTERY AT MOUNT SINAI WAS THE BEST-KNOWN SITE OF CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA´S PILGRIMAGE, BUT WAS ALSO THE MOST DIFFICULT TO REACH. THE MOST PROMINENT WESTERN SHRINE WAS THE MONASTERY IN ROVEN THAT CLAIMED TO HOUSE CATHERINE´S FINGERS. IT WASN´T ALONE IN THE WEST, HOWEVER, ACCOMPANIED BY MANY, SCATTERED SHRINES AND ALTAR DEDICATED TO CATHERINE WHICH EXISTED THROUGHOUT FRANCE AND ENGLAND. SOME WERE BETTER KNOWN SITES, SUCH AS CANTERBURY AND WESTMINSTER, WHICH CLAIMED A PHIAL OF HER OIL, BROUGHT BACK FROM MOUNT SINAI BY EDWARD THE CONFESSOR. CATHERINE´S POWER AS AN INTERCESSOR WAS RENOWED AND FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN MOST VERSIONS OF HER HAGIOGRAPHY, IN WHICH SHE SPECIFICALLY ENTREATS CHRIST AT THE MOMENT OF HER DEATH TO ANSWER THE PRAYERS OF THOSE WHO REMEMBER HER MARTYRDOM AND INVOKE HER NAME” (CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA-WIKIPEDIA,THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA).

OUR LIFE CAN ONLY BE FULFILLED IF WE´RE SERVANTS OF GOD. BEING A SERVANT OF GOD IMPLIES HELPING HIM SPREAD THE WORD OF GOD. BEING AT HOME WATCHING TV IS NOT OF MUCH HELP TO GOD. WE´VE GOT TO REACH OUT TO AS MANY LOST SOULS AS WE CAN TELLING THEM TO WAKE UP TO OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST, TELLING THEM IT´S TIME TO SAY “NO” TO PROSTITUTION, TO LUST, TO CHILD ABUSE, TO ABUSE OF POWER, TO LYING, TO ARROGANCE, TO GREED, ETC. IT´S TIME WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AS JESUS CHRIST DID IN ORDER TO DO OUR JOB HERE AS GOD´S SERVANTS. DIRECTOR KEVIN REYNOLDS HAS DONE ITS PART, SPECIALLY IN THE 2016 BIBLICAL MOVIE RISEN, WHERE WE SEE HOW CLAVIUS, A ROMAN TRIBUNE WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED TO SEARCH FOR JESUS´ BODY AFTER THE RESURRECTION, CANNOT MANAGE TO DO HIS JOB ONCE HE WITNESSES 2 MIRACLES: THE HEALING OF A LEPER, AND SEEING JESUS CHRIST ALIVE, TALKING TO THE APOSTLES AND THEN ASCENDING INTO HEAVEN. THIS AMAZING MOVIE NAILS IT WHEN AT THE END OF THE MOVIE IT HIGHLIGHTS THE STRUGGLE CLAVIUS HAS, ONCE HE´S BECOME A JESUS CHRIST´S FOLLOWER, TO RECONCILE THESE MIRACLES HE´S WITNESSED WITH THE WORLD HE KNOWS. IT´S NOT EASY TO DO WHAT KEVIN REYNOLDS HAS DONE AND YET HE´S DONE IT AND WONDERFULLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KEVIN REYNOLDS, FOR SPREADING GOD´S WORD. YOU´VE SHOWN US NOT ONLY THAT YOU´RE SMART BUT WISE, WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT AND OF MORE VALUE TO GOD AND TO US THAN ANYTHING ELSE. THE SAME AS CLAVIUS DID, QUITING HIS JOB, SINCE BEING A ROMAN TRIBUNE IMPLIED GOING AGAINST JESUS CHRIST WHO HE LOVED, EACH ONE OF US MUST DO WHERE APPLICABLE, THAT IS WHENEVER SOMEONE ASKS US TO DO SOMETHING AGAINST OUR LORD LIKE KISSING UP TO REPLICAS OF PONTIUS PILATE AND CAIAPHAS,  LIKE DECEPTIONS , LYING, ABUSING POWER, BEING GREEDY, LIKE BEING DISRESPECTFUL TOWARDS  OUR BROTHERS, ETC.,WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SAY “NO” TO THOSE OR EVEN QUIT OUR JOB IF APPROPRIATE. IF WE DON´T TAKE SUCH RESPONSIBILITY THE PRICE EACH OF US WILL PAY WILL BE FAR TOO HIGH, AND WE DON´T WANT THAT FOR ANY OF US NOR FOR ANY OF OUR BROTHERS. WE´VE GOT TO HAVE THE GUTS TO SAY “NO” TO OUR EGO AND TO ALL THE TRICKS EVIL IS PLAYING ON US THROUGH MONEY, SEX, CAREER, FAME, ETC. THIS IS THE GAME WE´RE TO GET REALLY GOOD AT, THE GAME OF UNMASKING EVIL PRACTICES, EVIL COMPANY, EVIL PLACES AND EVIL IDEAS SAYING A CLEAR “NO” AS MANY TIMES AS WE HAVE TO. GOD WILL BE WATCHING OUR HEART EVERY TIME WE STAND BY OUR FATHER AND HE´LL MEET US ALONG THE WAY SOMEHOW AND WILL PROVIDE EACH OF US WITH GIFTS ACCORDING TO HOW MUCH WE SPREAD THE WORD OF OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOUR. THE CLOSER WE GET TO GOD PUTTING INTO PRACTICE HIS RULES THE LESS BLINDED OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD´S TRUTH WILL BE AND THE HAPPIER WE´LL BE. IF WE DIDN´T KNOW JESUS CHRIST WE WOULD NOT GIVE ANY LOVE BECAUSE WE WOULD BE ALL GREEDY, BUT THANKS TO GOD WE GIVE LOVE, WE GIVE BACK PART OF WHAT WE´VE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH GOD, SINCE JESUS CHRIST IS OUR REFERENCE POINT IN ORDER TO BECOME SPIRITUAL HUMAN BEINGS. JESUS CHRIST IS THE MODEL FOR A HUMBLE LIFE OF GIVING AND LOVING EACH OTHER. MANY PEOPLE PUT GOD TO ONE SIDE THINKING THEY´RE GOING TO BE HAPPIER WHEN THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT BEING NEXT TO GOD IS HAPPINESS ITSELF.

ANOTHER WAY OF BEING NEXT TO GOD IS WRITING A POEM TO OUR LORD. HERE´S MINE:

 SPREAD GOD´S WORD

SPREAD GOD´S WORD,

PRAISE OUR LORD,

OBEY HIS WORD,

WE´LL FIND HEAVEN THEN

INSIDE THERE,

NEXT TO OUR GOD FATHER.

JESUS CHRIST GAVE IT ALL

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD,

FOR THE LOVE OF US.

 SPREAD GOD´S WORD,

PRAISE OUR LORD,

OBEY HIS WORD,

WE´LL FIND HEAVEN THEN

INSIDE THERE,

NEXT TO OUR GOD FATHER.

JESUS CHRIST STILL GIVES US LOVE

AND WANTS US TO LOVE,

ACCEPTING ALL.

SPREAD GOD´S WORD,

PRAISE OUR LORD,

OBEY HIS WORD,

WE´LL FIND HEAVEN THEN

INSIDE THERE,

NEXT TO OUR GOD FATHER.

 WHERE HIS SUFFERING IS

OURS IS

AND BOTH MEET AND LIVE.

NOWADAYS BESIDES STIGMATICS THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE AND BEINGS ENDURING UNBEARABLE SITUATIONS EVERYWHERE. SYRIAN REFUGEES AND LOVELY ANIMALS ARE BEING IGNORED BY LEADERS. FEROCIOUS PREDATORS, WHO DON´T CARE ABOUT OUR WORLD AND WHO EVEN DARE DESTROY IT, ARE BEHIND ALL EVIL ACTS TODAY. IT´S HIGH TIME THAT POLITICIANS AND EVERYONE ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING WAR REFUGEES AND OUR BELOVED ANIMALS AND NATURE. BEING REALLY AWARE OF THE RESPECT EACH ONE OF US HAS TO HAVE TOWARDS THE OTHER BEINGS, – HUMANS AND NON-HUMANS – REQUIRES THAT POLITICIANS WORK IN GOD´S FAVOUR. IF THEY FAIL TO DO SO THEY´LL FACE THE WORST OF SCENARIOS WHEN THEIR TIME COMES, AND IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THEY´LL REALIZE THE KIND OF SENSELESS LIVES THEY LED, SINCE THEY´LL SEE THEN THAT THEY ONLY PUT THEIR HEARTS ON THEIR CAREER, MONEY AND SEX, IGNORING GOD.

AS SERVANTS OF GOD WE ARE ENTRUSTED WITH THESE 6 TASKS DURING OUR STAY HERE:

1.LEARN TO KNOW OURSELVES.

2.LOVE OUR FELLOW BROTHERS.

3.LOVE AND PROTECT ANIMALS.

4.LOVE AND PROTECT NATURE.

5.LOVE AND PRAISE GOD, AND EVERYTHING RELATED TO HIM, GIVING OUR LORD HONOR ALWAYS.

6.SPREAD THE WORD OF THE LORD.

THIS ARTICLE, THIS POEM AND WHATEVER MORE WE CAN DO TO HELP SPREAD GOD´S WORD WE´LL DO. AND NOW THAT ALL OF YOU KNOW ALL THIS YOU MUST SPREAD GOD´S WORD TOO. OUR LORD KNOWS THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE TRUTH OF LIFE AND SO OUR FATHER EXPECTS TO SEE ALL OF YOU WORKING FOR HIM. THERE´S NO POINT IN GETTING UP, GETTING READY, GOING TO WORK AND COMING BACK HOME IF WE DON´T DO ANYTHING FOR OUR LORD ON A DAILY BASIS. IT WOULD BE IDIOTIC, AND WE DEFINITELY DON´T WANT THAT. WHEN WE TALK TO GOD AND WE ASK HIM TO HELP US, THEN WE ARE LETTING GOD ENTER OUR LIVES SO THAT WE CAN LISTEN TO HIM. REMEMBER, LISTENING TO GOD ALWAYS WORKS BETTER WHEN WE ARE IN HUMBLE MODE. IT´S THEN, WHEN WE HUMBLE OURSELVES, THAT WE GET INSPIRED, THAT WE FEEL RELIEVED, WHEN WE SEE WHAT REALLY MATTERS AND WHEN WE REALIZE EACH ONE OF US IS A SOUL AND A SPIRIT WHO LONGS FOR HUMBLE ONES IN HUMBLE MODES. LET´S TURN THINGS AROUND SO THAT WE CAN TAKE HUMBLE ROUTES, WORK FOR JESUS CHRIST AND LEARN THE JOB. DO YOU DARE BE AN HHO? WELL THEN, GO FOR HUMBLE MODE!