Author: Fondazione3

Jesus Crucified,
the Greatest Love,
Bless Our struggles!

During Holy Week, while reading in a meditation book the verse “Inspice et Fac secundum exemplar”, I experienced an inner stirring, so strong that it remained with me for several days. I felt urged to follow the Crucified Christ but without understanding anything clearly.
Memoirs I, 32
Have in you the same sentiments that were in Christ Jesus who did not cling jealously to His equality with God. Philippians 2:6

Then, I found consolation only in prayer. One day Christ Crucified showed Himself to me and I understood that I had to be deprived of the sensible presence of God, to which I did not know how to adapt myself.
Memoirs IV, 7
“Take Him away and crucify Him.”… “Do you want me to crucify your king?” So they handed him over to be crucified. John 19:15-16

While I was in Church praying for the Institute, at the altar of the Virgin, contemplating Christ Crucified, I had a mental picture of a plain cross and I had an inner understanding that I had to prepare myself for the cross, a cross for me. Memoirs IV, 40
As they were leading him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene and made him shoulder the cross to carry it behind him. Luke 23:26

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

The text, “Torcular calcavi solus et de gente mea unus non est mecum” (“I have trodden the winepress alone. No one of the people was with me.” Is 63:3) came up before me, whether it was through my imagination or in the usual way, I do not know. Memoirs V, 15
Pilate had Jesus taken away and scourged; and after, the soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on his head. John 19:1-2

At other times, without seeing anything with my bodily eyes nor with any strong interior impulse, the Crucified Christ was often shown to me as He really is, stripped of everything. Memoirs V, 19
Judas, one of the Twelve, went up to Jesus to kiss Him. Jesus said, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48

Finding myself shaken by fear that some foreseen problems could cause our Work to collapse, the Lord made quite clear to me that a work, beset by tribulation, is the greatest proof that it belongs to Him. Memoirs VI, 15
I consider all these advantages as disadvantages and I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.
Philippians 3:7

The moment approached when God thought fit to visit me with a cross. Given my weakness, it did not appear small. While I was praying before the Blessed Sacrament, suddenly I saw Jesus Christ Crucified covered with wounds. Memoirs VIII, 3
At the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed His last. Mark 15:33-37

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

I did not have any physical strength to unite myself interiorly to the Lord so I abandoned my soul into God’s hands that He might do with it whatever He pleased; I then remained very recollected. Memoirs VIII, 23
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28

Towards the end of my prayer, I think I saw a short cross planted in the midst of my soul and it was very heavy. Since I naturally shrink from suffering, I tried to distract myself from these thoughts. Memoirs XII, 32-33
In you, O Lord, I take shelter; never let me be disgraced. In your justice deliver me, rescue me, turn your ear to me, make haste! Psalm 31:1

While praying, I could perceive God’s essence in my inner self. I felt as though the soul was being transported, with great peace and sweetness, to unite itself with God and be immersed in Him. Memoirs XII, 30
Play music in the Lord’s honour, you his faithful ones, remember His holiness. His anger lasts a moment, His favour a lifetime. Psalm 30:5-6

I made a sincere act of contrition and even made myself available, if possible, to be reduced to atoms of dust, just to see God glorified and I was also prepared to suffer the pains of hell, provided no one entered there.
Memoirs XII, 43
I have never kept your righteousness to myself, but have spoken of your faithfulness, love and truth in the great assembly. Psalm 40:10

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

My imagination was illumined with a vision of Jesus carrying the cross on His shoulders, crowned with thorns, and He said, “I too, was weak when I carried the cross.” Memoirs XIII, 42
And yet ours were the sufferings He bore. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins.
Isaiah 53:4

I cannot remember if I had offered myself to carry the cross for Him or if the Divine Redeemer presented Himself before me. I saw Him without the cross throwing Himself into my arms; I saw Him in my imagination. Memoirs XIII, 60
Harshly dealt with, He bore it humbly; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, for our faults struck down in death. Isaiah 53:7

I imagined a great suffering and the remembrance of that
experience helped me, that is, the immense suffering of our Redeemer and the heaviness of His cross, thus I did not find the cross as heavy as I expected. Memoirs XIII, 52.56
On Him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

But the spiritual experience had been so strong that even though I had to deal with matters and engage in conversation, everything led me back to God. On that day I felt greatly rewarded for the little I had suffered for His Work. Memoirs III, 35.37
May you grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth until you know the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:18

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

I remained recollected and closely united to Him for the duration of a Mass. I was consoled to see Him without the cross and crown of thorns, and I was only too ready to carry the cross if this should lighten His suffering. I too, was relieved and at peace. Memoirs XIII, 61
It makes me happy to suffer for you. I complete in my bodily suffering what is lacking to the sufferings of Christ, for the sake of His body, the Church. Colossians 1:24

In this state of spoliation of everything, one evening, I lifted my eyes and I saw the Crucified Jesus in the act of expiring. I lowered my eyes, but on raising them for the second time, there I saw Him again. Memoirs XV, 22.23
A darkness came over the whole land. Jesus cried out in a loud voice and said: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” And He breathed His last. Luke 23:44-46

On that occasion I saw the Lord; He was motionless, with a cross so big that one could not see the end of it. As a result my strength increased and I was no longer afraid of suffering, of which I am never deprived. Memoirs XV, 44
By force and by law He was taken; He was torn away from the land of the living and for our faults He was struck down in death. Isaiah 53:8

I decided that, in considering the passion, the Tertiaries should reflect on the excessive charity of Jesus Christ and pray to be able to bear, with love, bitterness, forgetfulness and wrongs. Memoirs XV, 63
Live according to the Christ you have received; you must be rooted in Him and built on Him and held firm by the faith you have been taught. Colossians 2:6

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

I cannot recall in detail the spiritual experiences of that day, but my love increased and became stronger … I was left with a consuming desire to work for the Lord and seek Him alone. Memoirs XIII, 13
Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as death, jealously relentless as Sheol. Song of Songs 8:6

On Good Friday, I was so deeply penetrated by the suffering of Christ that I could not do anything but weep. I tried very hard not to let my companions notice it. Memoirs XII, 15
Large numbers of people followed Him and of women
too, who mourned and lamented for Him: “… do not
weep for me …” Luke 23:27

I was left with a consuming desire to work for the Lord and to seek nothing else but Him alone. Because of my weakness I always commit some imperfections when dealing with those with whom I live, even though they are holy. Memoirs XIII, 13
Why are you so down cast, my soul? Put your hope in God: I shall praise Him yet, my saviour, my God.
Psalm 42:12

I thought I would die of love, and there was nothing I could think of except Jesus Christ. As far as I can remember, my Easter day was a day of joy which, however, was not proportioned to the sorrow. Memoirs XII, 20
I remember and my soul melts within me: I am on my way to the wonderful Tent, to the house of God, among cries of joy and an exultant throng. Psalm 42:4

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

It means animating all our actions and work with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, a spirit of charity, gentleness, meekness and humility, a spirit of zeal and fortitude, a most amiable, most generous and most patient spirit. Unabridged Rule, 19
As children of His that He loves, try to imitate Jesus: live in love, taking Christ as your example, who loved us till the end. Ephesians 5:1

It involves more: to fulfill the two precepts by reproducing as far as is granted to us, poor creatures, the holy life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, imitating him in interior and exterior virtues, leading a life totally engaged in seeking the Divine Glory. Unabridged Rule, 18
You must always think what is best for you and for everyone; be happy at all times, pray constantly and for all things give thanks to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

One who is not burning with zeal herself cannot set others aflame; what kind of fire do we need in order to train, educate, console and talk to our neighbour in the Works of Charity? Do not be frightened at seeing the
greatness of the aim proposed. Unabridged Rule, 18
I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must receice…Luke 12:49

I offered myself with all my heart and affection to the Lord to do His Will in everything. I had the impression of being here in transit, as I am at present. Memoirs VII, 63
Then I said, “Here I am, I’m coming! In the scroll of the book it is written that I should obey your will. I have always loved your law. Psalm 40:8

Jesus Crucified, the Greatest Love, Bless Our Struggles!

During prayer, it seemed to me that my soul was again drawn into God’s presence, not in the form of Sun, but as Spirit. I was struck by His greatness, goodness and other attributes, but especially the first of these.
Memoirs XI, 6-7
Love no flood can quench, no torrents drown. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of God Himself.
Song of Songs 8:7

The intensity of my feelings was so great, I think I was really sincere at the time, that I offered myself to the Lord to suffer in whatever way and for any length of time He might want and even to bear alone the pains of hell.
Memoirs IX, 26
Happy those who live in your house and can praise you all day long; and happy the pilgrims inspired by you with courage to make the Ascents! Psalm 84:6

The infinite mercy of the Lord has always assisted me even when I had not really done anything good. Thus I remained ready to suffer, even to the point of expecting suffering, but with joy and peace. Memoirs VII, 50-51
I love you Lord, my strength, my salvation, my rock, my shield, my deliverer, my God and I take shelter in Him. Psalm 18:3