Sample pages from With the Church vol.1

With

the Church Volume I: Advent to the Ascension

by Mother Mary Loyola with a Preface by

Rev. Herbert Thurston, S.J.

2015 St. Augustine Academy Press Hom e r Gl e n , I l l inoi s

iv

With the Church

This book is newly typeset based on the edition published in 1924 by Burns, Oates & Washbourne. All editing strictly limited to the correction of errors in the original text and minor clarifications in punctuation or phrasing. Any remaining oddities of spelling or phrasing are as found in the original.

Nihil Obstat Innocentius Apap, O.P. Censor Deputatus Imprimatur E dm . C an . S urmont Vicarius Generalis Westmonasterii, die 2a Junii 1924.

This book was originally published in 1924

by Burns, Oates & Washbourne.

This edition ©2015 by St. Augustine Academy Press.

All editing by Lisa Bergman.

ISBN: 978-1-936639-76-2 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015958358

Unless otherwise noted, all illustrations in this book are public domain images.

Cover image: Genève, Bibliothèque de Genève, Comites Latentes 54, f. 13r. (www.e-codices.unifr.ch)

C ontents PREFACE FOREWORD

vii ix

THE SACRED INFANCY AND THE HIDDEN LIFE I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX. XXXI.

ADVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ADVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ADVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ADVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION . . . . . . .

CHRISTMAS EVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BETHLEHEM—I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BETHLEHEM—II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BETHLEHEM—III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SEAT OF WISDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE VIRGIN MOTHER . . . . . . . . . . . .

FELLOWSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“A CHILD IS BORN TO US”. . . . . . . . . . .

THE MOUTHS OF BABES . . . . . . . . . . .

“HE LOVED ME” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Year’s Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE NEW YEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

JESU DULCIS MEMORIA . . . . . . . . . . .

LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE EPIPHANY—I . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE EPIPHANY—II . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE EPIPHANY—III . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE EPIPHANY—IV . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HUMILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE PURIFICATION AND THE PRESENTATION THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE . . . .

HOLY ANNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ST. JOSEPH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE ANNUNCIATION . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Hidden Life—I . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE HIDDEN LIFE—II . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 6 10 17 21 28 33 34 37 43 45 49 53 57 59 62 66 70 72 74 79 82 85 89 91 96 101 105 110 114 123

With the Church

vi

The Public Life XXXII .

XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX .

XL. XLI. XLII. XLIII. XLIV.

THE PUBLIC LIFE . . . . . . . . . . .

FELLOWSHIP—I . . . . . . . . . . .

FELLOWSHIP—II . . . . . . . . . . .

FELLOWSHIP—III . . . . . . . . . .

LENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASH WEDNESDAY . . . . . . . . . . .

THE “VICTORY” WAR LOAN OF 1917 . .

THE CALL TO PENANCE . . . . . . .

“ATTENTION!” . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . .

“NOT BEATING THE AIR” . . . . . . .

SEEKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK!” . . . . . . . . . . . . .

XLV. TREASURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

XLVI. “REJOICE!” . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

128 135 146 153 160 165 172 175 178 185 188 193

. . . . 197 . . . . 200 . . . . 203

THE SACRED PASSION XLVII .

XLVIII. XLIX. L. LI. LII. LIII. LIV. LV. LVI. LVII. LVIII. LIX. LX. LXI. LXII. LXIII. LXIV. LXV. LXVI. LXVII.

PASSION WEEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 FRIDAY IN PASSION WEEK. . . . . . . . . . . 215 THE CHURCH’S WAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 HOLY WEEK—I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 HOLY WEEK—II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226 PALM SUNDAY—I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 PALM SUNDAY—II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 “ONE OF THE TWELVE”. . . . . . . . . . . . 235 THE “UNSPEAKABLE GIFT” . . . . . . . . . . 240 “A PRIEST FOR EVER” . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 “THE FATHER” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 GETHSEMANI—I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 GETHSEMANI—II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261 “HESITATED NOT” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 “O CRUX, AVE, SPES UNICA!”. . . . . . . . . . 268 “OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH” . . . . . . . . . . 272 “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO” . . . . . . . . . . 274 “THIS DAY THOU SHALT BE WITH ME IN PARADISE” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 “BEHOLD THY MOTHER! . . . . . . . . . . . 281 “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 “I THIRST!” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

Contents

vii

LXVIII. “IT IS FINISHED!” . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LXIX. “FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT” . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LXX. “EVEN THE DEATH OF THE CROSS” . . . .

LXXI. THE NIGHT AFTER THE BATTLE . . . . .

LXXII. “HIS SEPULCHRE SHALL BE GLORIOUS” . .

. . 293 . . . .

. . . .

295 298 300 302

THE RISEN LIFE LXXIII. “RESURREXI!”—I . . . . . . . . . . .

LXXIV . “RESURREXI!”—II. . . . . . . . . . .

LXXV. “HAEC DIES QUAM FECIT DOMINUS!” ALLELUIA!. . . . . . . . . . . . .

LXXVI. “REGINA COELI, LAETARE!” ALLELUIA! LXXVII. “MARY!” “RABBONI!” . . . . . . . . .

LXXVIII. “AND JESUS MET THEM” . . . . . . .

LXXIX. “AND PETER” . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LXXX. DISCOURAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . .

LXXXI. “PEACE BE TO YOU”. . . . . . . . . .

LXXXII. “SEE, THAT IT IS I MYSELF!” . . . . . .

LXXXIII. THE SECRET OF PEACE . . . . . . . .

LXXXIV. THE ASCENSION—I . . . . . . . . .

LXXXV. THE ASCENSION—II . . . . . . . . .

LXXXVI. THE ASCENSION—III . . . . . . . . .

LXXXVII. “OUR ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER”.

LXXXVIII. “POST HOC EXILIUM”. . . . . . . . .

. . . . 308 . . . . 311 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

314 316 320 322 328 332 334 339 343 346 350 354 357 360

PR E FAC E

T

HOSE of Mother Mary Loyola’s friends who may know something of the conditions of acute physical suffering, or at best of uninterrupted malaise, under which this latest book of hers has been written, will find no difficulty in believing that the many valuable spiritual lessons which its pages convey are likely to carry with them a very special blessing.

As a few moments’ examination of the volume will show, it does not pretend to offer a systematic commentary upon the offices, lessons and prayers of the liturgical year.

It is a collection of thoughts suggested by the different phases of the Church’s mind, as her sacred seasons recur in due order, but the chapters are disconnected and reflect something of the writer’s mood, as well as the spirit of the devotional formulas to which she so frequently appeals. It is this, in fact, which constitutes the charm of the book, for we all of us find it both pleasant and helpful to be taken into the confidence of those who think highly of high things. There is also a reality about many of these musings, casual as they may appear, which is often lacking in more formal treatises. The kindly earnest word spoken in private or written in an intimate letter is more likely to effect a permanent change of heart than the eloquent periods of a rhetorical sermon.

x

With the Church

Although, as must inevitably be the case in a book of this kind, the chapters do not all reach the same high level of inspiration, there are nevertheless many beautiful thoughts in the pages which follow—notably, for example, in the sections devoted to our Lord’s Sacred Passion— while readers who are familiar with the author’s earlier works will marvel that her characteristic gift of simple and graceful expression remains with her still in spite of infirmities which would daunt a less courageous spirit.

It is now almost thirty years since it was my privilege to write a few words by way of preface to Mother Loyola’s earliest book, that on First Communion, which, as it was then published anonymously, she thought would be helped by some sort of ecclesiastical endorsement. If any need of so feeble an advocacy ever existed, it ceased from the moment that that volume came into the hands of the reviewers. I can only express here my deep sense of gratitude for the honour of having been associated, however humbly, with the good which her books have effected among readers of every class and in every part of the world. Lastly, I venture to add the hope that the reception accorded to the present volume will be such that the author may be encouraged to realise that her special apostolate of devotional literature has not even yet reached its final term.

HERBERT THURSTON, S.J. 31 Farm Street May 10, 1924.

F OR E WOR D

T

WO little children had heard for the first time the history of the Passion and been taken to kiss the Cross on Good Friday. They were talking about it later: “Well,” said one, “it’s all over now.”

“For a little while,” replied the other. “He’ll have to have it all over again next year.”

They were distressed, when Easter came, at the unbelief of the Apostles in the story told by the holy women: “Do you think they’ll believe it next year?” they asked.

These babes were nearer the truth and more in touch with the Church than some of us. She tries to bring us to the realisation of our privileges by setting before us in her Liturgy, as actually taking place, mysteries of long ago, but meant for all time and for each one of us in particular.

Venerable, yet ever young, oblivious of time, eager like the young to anticipate and to prolong seasons of joy, she would have us bring to her festivals this freshness of expectation, this readiness to identify ourselves with her spirit. On Holy Saturday she tells us: “This is the night when our forefathers passed through the Red Sea with dry feet.” And all through Easter week she is singing: “Haec Dies—this is the Day which the Lord hath made.”

We have to fall in with her ways and methods. Children

xii

With the Church

can and do. And we are reminded that unless we become as little children we shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Few of the Gospel scenes enable us to enter more fully into the feelings of our Lord’s disciples than those which set before us the stupendous mysteries of the Resurrection.

We see the running to and fro as the various reports of those who had come from the Sepulchre spread, and reach headquarters. We hear the eager questionings and objections. We note the glad acquiescence of the women incessantly besieged for the repetition of their story, the gradual yielding of unbelief to confidence and joy.

The Church seeks to inspire us with the spirit of those who gathered about our Lord in the Supper Room, “wondering for joy.” She would have us watch the awestruck faces, hear the whispered words, see the disciples troubled when they think they behold a spirit, and reassured when our Lord says to them: “Peace be to you. It is I, fear not.”

The Church was there, receiving the glad tidings from that “glorious Sepulchre” of which Isaias spoke. She was in the Upper Room, and by the Lake, and on the mountain of Galilee whither, by the appointment of the Lord Himself, His followers hastened to see Him. For these were her first disciples, and so much is she at home among them, that her questioning of them in our own day sounds across the centuries like an echo of the words that must have been heard from many lips that Easter morning long ago: “Dic nobis, Maria, quid vidisti in via?” “Tell us, O Mary, what you saw by the way.”

We complain, perhaps, that her festivals go by year after year, leaving us much as they found us—cold, irresponsive,

Foreword

xiii

uninfluenced. Might we not more profitably question ourselves as to the reason of this? What do we do to catch her spirit? Thomas kept aloof from his brethren and was cold and irresponsive. But there was remedy at hand.

He remained with them, and when our Lord came again, He came for him. Later, when Peter said, “I go a-fishing,” and the six who were with him answered loyally, “We also come with thee,” Thomas is named first among them. We are never safer, never happier and holier, than when we see and feel with the Church.

The aim in these pages is merely to follow with the rest of her children where the Church leads, gleaning here and there in a field open to all.

TH E S AC R E D INFA N CY AN D TH E H ID D E N L I FE

I AD V EN T F I RS T S U N D AY “Be prepared to meet thy God.”—Amos 4:12.

W

ITH the first Sunday of Advent we begin the ecclesiastical year. The Church is our guide throughout its course, and we can do nothing better for the quickening of our faith and hope and charity than enter with her into the spirit of her various seasons and feasts as they come round. They touch life at all points. They have coloured the thoughts, and fed the hopes, and hallowed the lives of men and women for nigh two thousand years. Ever the same, ever changing, as they adapt themselves to the character and needs of each generation, they provide our spiritual life with the variety it requires for its vigour and development.

Our forefathers understood this. They had fewer devotions than we have, but who shall say that the simplicity and heartiness with which they threw themselves into the mysteries, whether of joy or of sorrow, that the Church put before them, did not build up a solid piety which later ages might envy! Were we, like them, to take the Church as our guide and try to steep our thoughts and our religious exercises in the spirit of her seasons and feasts, we might gain much, and find the mysteries of our Faith exercising a new influence on our lives.

For this is what we need: to make our devotion practical, to bear in mind that it does not consist in sentiment, in

First Sunday of Advent

3

a vague appreciation of what is noble or beautiful. God looks more to what is done than to what is felt. Happy those who begin this year and every year with a fresh start in His service, and set out on their journey like a child holding its mother’s hand, going where the Church goes, seeing with her eyes, feeling with her heart; learning the ways of Christ from her lips; and preparing those ways in their own souls by the means she points out—prayer, more frequent and fervent; fasting, or some penitential practice that may satisfy for sin and share in the sufferings of Christ; almsdeeds—i.e., charity to Christ’s needy members—by the corporal or spiritual works of mercy done for His sake.

Advent: “The Coming.” What a mainstay to the world was this word of hope and joy during the four thousand years of expectation! For it spoke of One who was to put right all that had gone so wrong, reopen for us the long shut gates of Heaven, and lead us back to the innocence, peace, and happiness we had lost.

It was the word ever on the lips of the prophets, ever in the hearts of those who, weary with sin and sorrow, invoked, as the one remedy for the world’s misery, the coming of Him who was to be sent. Kings and prophets, our Lord tells us, desired to see the things we see and did not see them. Oh, why do we not make more of our privilege! Why do we not fix our eyes with rapture upon Him as soon as He appears! How is it that, during these weeks of preparation, we do not make our own the ardent aspirations of the Church for the Advent of the Desired of all Nations? “O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver,

4

With the Church

the expectation of the Gentiles and their Saviour, come to save us, O Lord our God!” The Church would have us consider during Advent three comings of Christ—the first, His visible appearance upon earth in our flesh, to work out our redemption; the second, His invisible coming to us by His grace, and by His real Presence in the Eucharist whereby He brings to our souls the fruits of His Redemption; the third, His Coming at the Last Day to award to each member of the human race reward or punishment according as there has been acceptance or rejection of these fruits. So that the result of the third Coming to each of us individually will depend on the way we have treated our Lord in His dealings with us during life. If we have made Him a welcome Guest, in this His second coming, we need be in no fear for the third. “There are three Comings of the Lord,” says Peter of Blois—“the first in the flesh, the second in the soul, the third at the Judgement—in His first, a Lamb; in His last, a Lion; in the one between the two, the tenderest of friends.”

When we think of the long ages before Christ came, how grateful we must be that we did not live in those heathen times, when wickedness was so general and so appalling, when the difficulties of salvation were so much greater than now, and the number of those who sought to know and serve God was so few! Would not those few have envied us? Would they not say that the way to Heaven is easy now, that the man who in these happier days fails to save his soul is inexcusable? Yet we need constant reminders and renewals.

Therefore the Church begins her year as she ended it, on the note of that holy fear which is the beginning of wisdom.

First Sunday of Advent

5

Again she sets before us the terrific picture of the Last Judgement: “There shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon them. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty.”

All, we are reminded, shall pass away, all we see and hear and lay our hands to—our occupations, pleasures, joys and troubles—everything. All things made for our use will be destroyed, for their work will be done. And we ourselves shall pass. But whither? Into “the house of our eternity,” into whatever house we have built here. Our Catholic faith, the Sacraments, our circumstances, our daily duties, and pleasures, and trials, are the materials with which we are to build ourselves a mansion in our Father’s House. What would not help but hinder this building, we must keep clear of. What will help if used in moderation, we must use with the prudence that keeps the end steadily in view. These are first lessons that we all know. But how apt we are to forget them in practice! To awaken a salutary fear in the minds of those who may be sleeping; to rouse us all to the alertness our eternal interests demand, is the aim of the Church to-day.

Her voice startles like a trumpet call: “Brethren, it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep… the night is passed, the day is at hand.”

“Stir up Thy might, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be delivered from the threatening dangers of our sins, and by Thy deliverance be saved.” (Collect, First Sunday, Advent,)