Meditations on the Meditations on the NativityNativity

Recommendation: Please read the contents of one Recommendation: Please read the contents of one of the 20 mysteries meditations before you start of the 20 mysteries meditations before you start your prayer. Some of these presentations (e.g. The your prayer. Some of these presentations (e.g. The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion) contains Fifth Sorrowful Mystery: The Crucifixion) contains over 60 slides. With so much spiritual food that it over 60 slides. With so much spiritual food that it is is best to read and meditate on a few of the slides best to read and meditate on a few of the slides each timeeach time..

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Third Joyful MysteryThird Joyful MysteryThe Birth of JesusThe Birth of Jesus

She gave birth to her first-She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, for there was no in a manger, for there was no room for them in the inn.room for them in the inn.

Fruit of the Mystery: Fruit of the Mystery: Spirit of PovertySpirit of Poverty

The Road to The Road to BethlehemBethlehem

Words of the Queen Words of the Queen onon

Road of Prayer and Road of Prayer and SufferingSuffering

1.* The Census:

Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The Census at Bethlehem. 1566. Brussels Museum

“Follow me along the way of incessant prayer, so that it may become a colloquy of love, of trust, and of filial abandonment to the plan of salvation of the Lord.” (Gobbi)

The spirit The spirit of constant of constant prayer is prayer is the the greatest greatest gift we can gift we can offer to a offer to a broken broken worldworld..(St. Seraphim)(St. Seraphim)

"Let not this edict of our temporal ruler cause thee "Let not this edict of our temporal ruler cause thee any concern, my master and spouse, any concern, my master and spouse, for all that for all that happens to us is ordained by the Lord and King of happens to us is ordained by the Lord and King of heaven and earth; and in all events his Providence heaven and earth; and in all events his Providence will assist and direct us (Eccli. 22, 28). Let us will assist and direct us (Eccli. 22, 28). Let us resign ourselves into his hands and we shall not be resign ourselves into his hands and we shall not be disappointeddisappointed."."

Most holy Mary was capable of being entrusted Most holy Mary was capable of being entrusted with all the mysteries of her most holy Son and She with all the mysteries of her most holy Son and She knew of the prophecies and their fulfillment; knew of the prophecies and their fulfillment; hence, also, hence, also, that the Only begotten of the Father that the Only begotten of the Father and her own was to be born in Bethlehem, a and her own was to be born in Bethlehem, a Stranger and an UnknownStranger and an Unknown.”.” (Mystical City of (Mystical City of God. Mary of Agreda)God. Mary of Agreda)

Mary told Joseph after hearing the Roman Mary told Joseph after hearing the Roman edict:edict:

“ “Do not let this edict cause you any concern, for all that Do not let this edict cause you any concern, for all that happens to us is ordained by the Lord, and in all events His happens to us is ordained by the Lord, and in all events His providence will assist and direct us.providence will assist and direct us.

My master, I will accompany you with great joy. And we will My master, I will accompany you with great joy. And we will make this journey as poor people in the name of the Lord, make this journey as poor people in the name of the Lord, for He will not despise poverty, which He has come to seek for He will not despise poverty, which He has come to seek with so much love. Relying on His help, we will go with with so much love. Relying on His help, we will go with confidence to Bethlehem.”confidence to Bethlehem.”

Mary received the following answer to her prayer:Mary received the following answer to her prayer:

““My dearest dove, accompany My servant Joseph on the My dearest dove, accompany My servant Joseph on the journey. I shall be with you and I shall assist you with journey. I shall be with you and I shall assist you with paternal love in the tribulations you will suffer for My sake. paternal love in the tribulations you will suffer for My sake. Although they will be very great, do not fear.”Although they will be very great, do not fear.”

(Mary of Agreda. Mystical City of God)(Mary of Agreda. Mystical City of God)

“You must tread the same road as your heavenly Mother: that of intimate union with God, of detachment from all creatures, and of perfect service to the Lord.”(Gobbi)

2.*** Road to Bethlehem (means “House of Bread” in Hebrew)

“You must tread the same road as your heavenly Mother; that of intimate union with God, of detachment from all creatures and of perfect service to the Lord. I am bringing you to say ‘yes’ always to whatever Jesus asks of you.Let yourselves be guided by docility and abandonment.”“Let the light that appeared to the shepherds in the darkness of the night be upon you.” (Gobbi)

2A. Road to Bethlehem

“Follow me along the road of suffering. The necessity of abandoning the house inNazareth; the exhausting journey to Bethlehem in my condition of mother-hood; the uncertainty of where we were to find shelter; the refusal to put us up in any house; the squalid shelter in a freezing cave: all these things were like so many thorns which pierced my

heart. This suffering was asked of me by the Father… I welcomed it.”“Now I ask of you also, my beloved children, PRAYER and SUFFERING, as your personal collaboration in preparing a fitting dwelling place for Jesus, and for the salvation of souls.”(Gobbi)

2B. Road to Bethlehem

2C. The Morning Star““My divine Child is the My divine Child is the morning starmorning star, who shines , who shines with the very light of the with the very light of the Father, who brings his Father, who brings his life into the desert of the life into the desert of the world and of history. The world and of history. The true light that enlightens true light that enlightens every man was coming every man was coming into the world.into the world.Beloved children, Beloved children, become become you yourselves witnesses you yourselves witnesses and apostles of his lightand apostles of his light..(Gobbi)

No room in the innNo room in the inn

Words of the Words of the Queen Queen onon

Embrace humility and Embrace humility and povertypoverty

Joseph von Fuehrich, No room in the inn.

Lord, there isroom in our Hearts. Let usmake room inour hearts & our homes for your children whoare in need.Fill our homeswith peacefidelity, and love.

3.*** No Room In the Inn:3.*** No Room In the Inn: ““Humanity had no place for Him.Humanity had no place for Him.””

Joseph von Fuehrich, No room in the inn.

““Since I bear Him in Since I bear Him in my womb, my womb, let us give let us give thanks for having thanks for having disposed events in disposed events in this way. Let us this way. Let us lovingly embrace lovingly embrace povertypoverty. He came . He came from heaven in order from heaven in order to seek it, let us then to seek it, let us then afford Him an afford Him an occasion to practice occasion to practice it. it. Let us go gladly Let us go gladly wherever the Lord wherever the Lord shall guide us."shall guide us."(Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

3A. No Room In the Inn:3A. No Room In the Inn: ““Humanity had no place for Him.Humanity had no place for Him.””

Joseph von Fuehrich, No room in the inn.

Most holy Mary Most holy Mary was capable of was capable of being entrusted being entrusted with all the with all the mysteries of her mysteries of her most holy Son; most holy Son; hence, also, hence, also, that that the Only begotten the Only begotten of the Father was of the Father was to be born in to be born in Bethlehem, a Bethlehem, a Stranger and an Stranger and an UnknownUnknown..(Mary of (Mary of Agreda).Agreda).

3B. No Room In the Inn:3B. No Room In the Inn: ““Humanity had no place for Him.Humanity had no place for Him.””

Joseph von Fuehrich, No room in the inn.

“Every refusalgiven to us was arefusal given toHim. Understand that it is yourPoverty alone that has drawn down upon you the predilection of my Son Jesus.It is nothingnessthat attracts God’spleasure”. (Gobbi)

3C. No Room In the Inn:3C. No Room In the Inn: ““Humanity had no place for Him.Humanity had no place for Him.””

( Excerpts from the Mystical City of God.)( Excerpts from the Mystical City of God.) With these wonderful favors and delights, however, With these wonderful favors and delights, however,

the Lord joined some hardships and inconveniences the Lord joined some hardships and inconveniences which the divine Mother encountered on the way. For which the divine Mother encountered on the way. For the concourse of people in the taverns, occasioned by the concourse of people in the taverns, occasioned by the imperial edict, was very disagreeable and the imperial edict, was very disagreeable and annoying to the modest and retiring Virgin-Mother annoying to the modest and retiring Virgin-Mother and her spouse. On account of their poverty and timid and her spouse. On account of their poverty and timid retirement they were treated with less hospitality and retirement they were treated with less hospitality and consideration than others, especially the well-to-do; consideration than others, especially the well-to-do; for the world judges and usually confers its favors for the world judges and usually confers its favors according to outward appearance and according to according to outward appearance and according to personal influence.personal influence. Our holy pilgrims were obliged Our holy pilgrims were obliged repeatedly to listen to sharp reprimands in the repeatedly to listen to sharp reprimands in the taverns, at which they arrived tired out by their taverns, at which they arrived tired out by their journey, and in some of them journey, and in some of them they were refused they were refused admittance as worthless and despicable peopleadmittance as worthless and despicable people. . Several times they assigned to the Mistress of heaven Several times they assigned to the Mistress of heaven and earth some corner of the hallway; while at others and earth some corner of the hallway; while at others She did not fare even so well, being obliged to retire She did not fare even so well, being obliged to retire with her husband to places still more humble and with her husband to places still more humble and unbecoming in the estimation of the world.unbecoming in the estimation of the world.

Thus variously and wonderfully assisted, our Thus variously and wonderfully assisted, our travelers arrived at the town of Bethlehem travelers arrived at the town of Bethlehem at at four o'clock of the fifth day, a Saturday. As it four o'clock of the fifth day, a Saturday. As it was at the time of the winter solstice, the sun was at the time of the winter solstice, the sun was already sinking and the night was fallingwas already sinking and the night was falling. . They entered the town, and wandered through They entered the town, and wandered through many streets in search of a lodging-house or many streets in search of a lodging-house or inn for staying over night. They knocked at the inn for staying over night. They knocked at the doors of their acquaintances and nearer family doors of their acquaintances and nearer family relations; but relations; but they were admitted nowhere and they were admitted nowhere and in many places they met with harsh words and in many places they met with harsh words and insultsinsults. The most modest Queen followed her . The most modest Queen followed her spouse through the crowds of people, while he spouse through the crowds of people, while he went from house to house and from door to went from house to house and from door to door. Although She knew that the hearts and door. Although She knew that the hearts and the houses of men were to be closed to them, the houses of men were to be closed to them, and although to expose her state at her age to and although to expose her state at her age to the public gaze was more painful to her the public gaze was more painful to her modesty than to their failure to procure a modesty than to their failure to procure a night-lodging, night-lodging, She nevertheless wished to obey She nevertheless wished to obey saint Joseph and suffer this indignity and saint Joseph and suffer this indignity and unmerited shame. unmerited shame.

While wandering through the streets they While wandering through the streets they passed the office of the public registry and passed the office of the public registry and they inscribed their names and paid the fiscal they inscribed their names and paid the fiscal tribute in order to comply with the edict and tribute in order to comply with the edict and not be obliged to return. They continued their not be obliged to return. They continued their search, betaking themselves to other houses. search, betaking themselves to other houses. But having already applied at more than fifty But having already applied at more than fifty different places, they found themselves different places, they found themselves rejected and sent away from them all. The rejected and sent away from them all. The heavenly spirits were filled with astonishment heavenly spirits were filled with astonishment at these exalted mysteries of the Most High, at these exalted mysteries of the Most High, which manifested the patience and meekness which manifested the patience and meekness of his Virgin Mother and the unfeeling of his Virgin Mother and the unfeeling hardness of menhardness of men. At the same time they . At the same time they blessed the Almighty in his works and hidden blessed the Almighty in his works and hidden sacraments, since from that day on sacraments, since from that day on He began He began to exalt and honor poverty and humility among to exalt and honor poverty and humility among menmen..

It was nine o'clock at night when the most It was nine o'clock at night when the most faithful Joseph, full of bitter and heartrending faithful Joseph, full of bitter and heartrending sorrow, returned to his most prudent Spouse sorrow, returned to his most prudent Spouse and said: "My sweetest Lady, my heart is and said: "My sweetest Lady, my heart is broken with sorrow at the thought of not only broken with sorrow at the thought of not only not being able to shelter Thee as Thou not being able to shelter Thee as Thou deservest and as I desire, but in not being able deservest and as I desire, but in not being able to offer Thee even any kind of protection from to offer Thee even any kind of protection from the weather, or a place of rest, a thing rarely the weather, or a place of rest, a thing rarely or never denied to the most poor and despised or never denied to the most poor and despised in the world. in the world. No doubt heaven, in thus No doubt heaven, in thus allowing the hearts of men to be so unmoved allowing the hearts of men to be so unmoved as to refuse us a night-lodging conceals some as to refuse us a night-lodging conceals some mysterymystery. I now remember, Lady, that outside . I now remember, Lady, that outside the city walls there is a cave, which serves as a the city walls there is a cave, which serves as a shelter for shepherds and their flocks. Let us shelter for shepherds and their flocks. Let us seek it out; perhaps it is unoccupied, and we seek it out; perhaps it is unoccupied, and we may there expect some assistance from may there expect some assistance from heaven, since we receive none from men on heaven, since we receive none from men on earth."earth."

The most prudent Virgin answered: The most prudent Virgin answered: "My "My spouse and my master, let not thy kindest heart be afflicted spouse and my master, let not thy kindest heart be afflicted because the ardent wishes which the love of thy Lord because the ardent wishes which the love of thy Lord excites in thee cannot be fulfilled. excites in thee cannot be fulfilled. Since I bear Him in my Since I bear Him in my womb, let us, I beseech thee, give thanks for having womb, let us, I beseech thee, give thanks for having disposed events in this way.disposed events in this way. The place of which thou The place of which thou speakest shall be most satisfactory to me. Let thy tears of speakest shall be most satisfactory to me. Let thy tears of sorrow be turned into tears of joy, and sorrow be turned into tears of joy, and let us lovingly let us lovingly embrace poverty, which is the inestimable and precious embrace poverty, which is the inestimable and precious treasure of my most holy Son. He came from heaven in treasure of my most holy Son. He came from heaven in order to seek it, let us then afford Him an occasion to order to seek it, let us then afford Him an occasion to practice it in the joy of our souls;practice it in the joy of our souls; certainly I cannot be certainly I cannot be better delighted than to see thee procure it for me. better delighted than to see thee procure it for me. Let us go Let us go gladly wherever the Lord shall guide us."gladly wherever the Lord shall guide us." The holy The holy angels accompanied the heavenly pair, angels accompanied the heavenly pair, brilliantly lighting up the way, and when brilliantly lighting up the way, and when they arrived at the city gate they saw that they arrived at the city gate they saw that the cave was forsaken and unoccupied. Full the cave was forsaken and unoccupied. Full of heavenly consolation, they thanked the of heavenly consolation, they thanked the Lord for this favor. Lord for this favor. (Mary of Agreda. Mystical (Mary of Agreda. Mystical City of God)City of God)

Silent night, Holy Silent night, Holy nightnight

Words of the QueenWords of the Queen onon

Need for silenceNeed for silenceBecome like unto meBecome like unto meEucharistic presenceEucharistic presence

4.* The Silent Night “There is need again

today of a great silence, in order to hear the voice of God and understand the plan of God, to know how to read the signs of the times.Let the tranquil peace of the soul mark the passage of your days.” (Gobbi)

“This is the night which has conquered all darkness forever. The life of every man takes on a new meaning: Do not be afraid, God is with you!He asks for your gift of love.” (Gobbi)

5.**The Holy Night

Philippe de Champaigne, The nativity,1643. Lille, Musee des Beaux-Arts.

“Live this Christmas in a spirit of profound joy, because time has reached its fullness. For how many centuries this event has been awaited. On this night everything has its fulfillment.Live in my Immaculate Heart, and make yourselves eagerly ready to throw open the doors of men and of nations to Christ.”(Gobbi)

5A. The Holy Night

Philippe de Champaigne, The nativity,1643. Lille, Musee des Beaux-Arts.

5.*The Holy Night“How overwhelmed I was when I perceived and gazed at His beauty, and when I realized that I was not worthy of such a Son. When I looked at the places where the nails would be driven into His hands and feet, how my eyes filled with tears and my heart was torn with grief!But then, when I contemplated the power of His Divinity, I regained confidence, for I knew that it was His will and that it would be for the good, and I made my whole will conform to His. Thus my happiness was ever mixed with sorrow.”Our Lady to St. Bridget, Sweden.

Philippe de Champaigne, The nativity,1643. Lille, Musee des Beaux-Arts.

““I desire that thou go even to extremes in this holy I desire that thou go even to extremes in this holy reverence and fear; and I wish that thou take notice and reverence and fear; and I wish that thou take notice and be convinced, that in entering into thy heart in the holy be convinced, that in entering into thy heart in the holy Sacrament, thy God exhorts thee in the same words, which Sacrament, thy God exhorts thee in the same words, which

thou hast recorded as spoken to me: thou hast recorded as spoken to me: become like unto become like unto MeMe.. His coming down from heaven onto the earth, his His coming down from heaven onto the earth, his being born in humility and poverty, his living and dying in being born in humility and poverty, his living and dying in it, giving such rare example of the contempt of the world it, giving such rare example of the contempt of the world and its deceits; and its deceits; thethe knowledge, which thou hast received knowledge, which thou hast received concerning his conduct and which thou hast penetrated so concerning his conduct and which thou hast penetrated so deeply by divine intelligence: deeply by divine intelligence: all these things should be for all these things should be for thee like living voices, which thou must heed and inscribe thee like living voices, which thou must heed and inscribe into the interior of thy heartinto the interior of thy heart. .

These privileges have all been granted to thee in These privileges have all been granted to thee in order that thou discreetly use the common order that thou discreetly use the common blessings to their fullest extent,blessings to their fullest extent, and in order that and in order that thou mayest understand, thou mayest understand, how thankful thou must how thankful thou must be to my most holy Son and Lord, and how thou be to my most holy Son and Lord, and how thou shouldst strive to make as great a return for his shouldst strive to make as great a return for his goodness, as if He had come from heaven to goodness, as if He had come from heaven to redeem thee alone and as if He had instituted all redeem thee alone and as if He had instituted all his wonders and doctrines in the holy Church for his wonders and doctrines in the holy Church for none else than thee.”none else than thee.” (Gal. 7, 12). (Gal. 7, 12).

(Mary of Agreda. The mystical city of God)(Mary of Agreda. The mystical city of God)

““After long centuries of expectation and of After long centuries of expectation and of prayerful supplication, your Saviour and prayerful supplication, your Saviour and Redeemer at last comes to you. This is the Holy Redeemer at last comes to you. This is the Holy Night. This is the Dawn which arises upon the new Night. This is the Dawn which arises upon the new day of your salvation. This is the Light which day of your salvation. This is the Light which shines forth in the deep darkness of all history.shines forth in the deep darkness of all history.

Divine Mercy has given his Fruit to you: together Divine Mercy has given his Fruit to you: together let us prostrate ourselves and adore the Merciful let us prostrate ourselves and adore the Merciful Love who has been born for us.”Love who has been born for us.”

(Gobbi. To the priests.)(Gobbi. To the priests.)

6. Encounter with Jesus.

.

“Prepare yourselves with me for the coming of Jesus, which is realized each day in the mystery of his real Eucharistic presence and under the human clothing of every person whom you meet. This daily encounter with Jesus must become for you a joyous and perennial Nativity.”(Gobbi)

Words of the Queen on the Words of the Queen on the How we must treat Him How we must treat Him in the Holy sacramentin the Holy sacrament::

Learn from my example the reverence, fear and Learn from my example the reverence, fear and respect, with which thou must treat Himrespect, with which thou must treat Him, , remembering how I acted, when I held Him in my remembering how I acted, when I held Him in my arms; follow my example, whenever thou receivest arms; follow my example, whenever thou receivest Him in thy heart in the venerable sacrament of the Him in thy heart in the venerable sacrament of the holy Eucharist, wherein is contained the same holy Eucharist, wherein is contained the same God-Man, who was born of my womb. God-Man, who was born of my womb. In this holy In this holy Sacrament thou receivest Him and possessest Him Sacrament thou receivest Him and possessest Him just as really, and He remains in thee just as just as really, and He remains in thee just as actually, as I possessed Him and conversed with actually, as I possessed Him and conversed with HimHim, although in another manner.” , although in another manner.”

Words of the Words of the Queen Queen onon

Poverty and HumilityPoverty and Humility

Be ye perfect in imitationBe ye perfect in imitation

“His name is peace: Peace between God and man, and peace among all men----because you are all children of God, true brother of Jesus and of each other.”(Gobbi)

7. “ and peace on earth to men of good will.”

Rembrant 1666-1669. The Angels appearing to the shepherdsRembrant 1666-1669. The Angels appearing to the shepherds

“No one should despise the humility and poverty which the Lord loved and chose for Himself as the very means of teaching the Way of Eternal Life.Few are those who stop to consider this truth and as a result, only the few reap the fruit of these mysteries.” (Mary of Agreda)

8.****Poverty and Humility

Anton Raffael Mengs. Adoration of the Shepherds. Museo del Prado. Madrid.

Words of the Queen on Words of the Queen on Humility and Poverty: Humility and Poverty: (Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

““Who would be so hardened as not to be moved to Who would be so hardened as not to be moved to tenderness at the sight of their God become man, tenderness at the sight of their God become man, humiliated in poverty, despised, unknown, entering the humiliated in poverty, despised, unknown, entering the world in a cave, lying in a manger surrounded by brute world in a cave, lying in a manger surrounded by brute animals, protected only by a poverty-stricken Mother, and animals, protected only by a poverty-stricken Mother, and cast off by the foolish arrogance of the world? Who will cast off by the foolish arrogance of the world? Who will dare to love the vanity and pride, which was openly dare to love the vanity and pride, which was openly abhorred and condemned by the Creator of heaven and abhorred and condemned by the Creator of heaven and earth in his conduct? earth in his conduct? No one can despise the humility, No one can despise the humility, poverty and indigence, which the Lord loved and chose for poverty and indigence, which the Lord loved and chose for Himself as the very means of teaching the way of eternal Himself as the very means of teaching the way of eternal life. Few there are, who stop to consider this truth and life. Few there are, who stop to consider this truth and example: and on account of this vile ingratitude only the example: and on account of this vile ingratitude only the few will reap the fruit of these great mysteriesfew will reap the fruit of these great mysteries.”.”

““I remind and exhort thee to forget all that is of I remind and exhort thee to forget all that is of earth and lose it out of thy sight; that thou seek earth and lose it out of thy sight; that thou seek nothing, or engage thyself with nothing except nothing, or engage thyself with nothing except what can help thee to withdraw and detach thee what can help thee to withdraw and detach thee from the world and its inhabitantsfrom the world and its inhabitants so that, so that, with a with a heart freed from all terrestrial affection, thouheart freed from all terrestrial affection, thou dispose thyself to celebrate in it the mysteries of dispose thyself to celebrate in it the mysteries of the poverty, humility and divine lovethe poverty, humility and divine love of the of the incarnate God.” incarnate God.”

““My most holy Son is such a faithful Lover of souls that My most holy Son is such a faithful Lover of souls that He hast set me as the teacher and living example of the He hast set me as the teacher and living example of the love of humility and true contempt of worldly vanity and love of humility and true contempt of worldly vanity and pridepride. He ordained also for his own glory as well as for my . He ordained also for his own glory as well as for my sake that I, his Servant and Mother, should be left without sake that I, his Servant and Mother, should be left without shelter and be turned away by mortals, in order that shelter and be turned away by mortals, in order that afterwards his beloved souls might be so much the more afterwards his beloved souls might be so much the more readily induced to offer Him a welcome, thus obliging readily induced to offer Him a welcome, thus obliging Him, by an artifice of love, to come and remain with them. Him, by an artifice of love, to come and remain with them. He also sought destitution and poverty, not because He He also sought destitution and poverty, not because He had any need of them for bringing the practice of virtues had any need of them for bringing the practice of virtues to the highest perfection, but in order to teach mortals the to the highest perfection, but in order to teach mortals the shortest and surest way for reaching the heights of divine shortest and surest way for reaching the heights of divine love and union with Godlove and union with God.”.”

““I wish that, bearing them in mind, thou from this day on I wish that, bearing them in mind, thou from this day on embrace with new and great esteem the contempt and embrace with new and great esteem the contempt and neglect of the world. And tell me, dearest, if, in exchange neglect of the world. And tell me, dearest, if, in exchange for this forgetfulness and scorn of the world, God look for this forgetfulness and scorn of the world, God look upon thee with eyes of sweetest love, upon thee with eyes of sweetest love, why shouldst thou not why shouldst thou not buy so cheaply what is worth an infinite price? What can buy so cheaply what is worth an infinite price? What can the world give thee, even when it esteems thee and exalts the world give thee, even when it esteems thee and exalts thee most ?thee most ? And what dost thou lose, if thou despise it? And what dost thou lose, if thou despise it? Is Is its favor not all vanity and deceit (Ps. 4, 3)? Is it not all a its favor not all vanity and deceit (Ps. 4, 3)? Is it not all a fleeting and momentary shadow, which eludes the grasp of fleeting and momentary shadow, which eludes the grasp of those that haste after it?those that haste after it? Hence, if thou hadst all worldly Hence, if thou hadst all worldly advantage in thy possession, what great feat would it be to advantage in thy possession, what great feat would it be to despise it as of no value? despise it as of no value? Consider how little thou dost in Consider how little thou dost in rejecting all of it for the love of God.”rejecting all of it for the love of God.” ----- -----Words of the Words of the Queen. Mary of Agreda.Queen. Mary of Agreda.

Words of the Queen on Words of the Queen on Be Ye Perfect in imitation.Be Ye Perfect in imitation. Thou knowest well, my dearest, that thou hast been Thou knowest well, my dearest, that thou hast been

incessantly instructed and incessantly instructed and exhorted by divine exhorted by divine enlightenment to forget the terrestrial and visible enlightenment to forget the terrestrial and visible and gird thyself with fortitude (Prov. 31, 17), to and gird thyself with fortitude (Prov. 31, 17), to raise thyself to the imitation of meraise thyself to the imitation of me, copying in , copying in thyself, according to thy capacity, the works and thyself, according to thy capacity, the works and virtues manifested to thee in my life. This is the virtues manifested to thee in my life. This is the very first purpose of the knowledge which thou very first purpose of the knowledge which thou receivest in writing this history thou hast in me a receivest in writing this history thou hast in me a perfect model, and by it perfect model, and by it thou canst arrange the thou canst arrange the converse and conduct of thy life in the same converse and conduct of thy life in the same manner as I arranged mine in imitation of my manner as I arranged mine in imitation of my sweetest Sonsweetest Son. ----. ----Mystical City of God. Mary of Agreda.Mystical City of God. Mary of Agreda.

Thou must encourage thyself by the words of my Thou must encourage thyself by the words of my most holy Son in the Gospel of saint Matthew: "Be most holy Son in the Gospel of saint Matthew: "Be ye perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect" ye perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect" (Matth. 5, 8).(Matth. 5, 8).This command of the Most High This command of the Most High imposed upon his holy Church is not impossible of imposed upon his holy Church is not impossible of fulfillment, and, if his faithful children on their fulfillment, and, if his faithful children on their part dispose themselves properly, He will deny to part dispose themselves properly, He will deny to none of them the grace of attaining this none of them the grace of attaining this resemblance to the heavenly Father. resemblance to the heavenly Father. All this my All this my most holy Son has merited for them.most holy Son has merited for them. But the But the degrading forgetfulness and neglect of men hinder degrading forgetfulness and neglect of men hinder them from maturing within themselves the fruits of them from maturing within themselves the fruits of his Redemption.”his Redemption.”

““Of thee particularly I expect this perfectionOf thee particularly I expect this perfection, and I invite , and I invite thee to it by the sweet law of love which accompanies my thee to it by the sweet law of love which accompanies my instruction. Ponder and scrutinize, by the divine light, the instruction. Ponder and scrutinize, by the divine light, the obligation under which I place thee, and labor to obligation under which I place thee, and labor to correspond with it like a faithful and anxious child. correspond with it like a faithful and anxious child. Let no Let no difficulty or hardship disturb thee, nor deter thee from any difficulty or hardship disturb thee, nor deter thee from any virtuous exercise, no matter how hard it may be. Nor be virtuous exercise, no matter how hard it may be. Nor be content with striving after the love of God and salvation of content with striving after the love of God and salvation of thyself alone; if thou wouldst be perfect in imitating me thyself alone; if thou wouldst be perfect in imitating me and fulfilling all that the Gospel teaches, thou must work and fulfilling all that the Gospel teaches, thou must work for the salvation of other soulsfor the salvation of other souls and the exaltation of the and the exaltation of the holy name of my Son, holy name of my Son, making thyself an instrument in his making thyself an instrument in his powerful hands for the accomplishment of mighty workspowerful hands for the accomplishment of mighty works to advance his pleasure and glory.”-----to advance his pleasure and glory.”-----Words of the Words of the Queen.Queen.

““Though he was rich, he wished to choose Though he was rich, he wished to choose poverty in the world beyond all else. Our poverty in the world beyond all else. Our Christ is a king who takes the side of the Christ is a king who takes the side of the under privileged in order to show us where under privileged in order to show us where the humble beginnings of saintliness begin. the humble beginnings of saintliness begin.

Christ’s impoverished birth restores the Christ’s impoverished birth restores the brother hood of humanity. He chose humble brother hood of humanity. He chose humble beginnings so that he can connect to the beginnings so that he can connect to the grassroots people of his mission. grassroots people of his mission.

Jesus’ Incarnation reveals that God will go Jesus’ Incarnation reveals that God will go to any length to draw near to us so that we to any length to draw near to us so that we can draw near to our Godcan draw near to our God..

Adoration of the shepherdsAdoration of the shepherds

Words of the Words of the QueenQueen on on

Adoration of the shepherdsAdoration of the shepherdsThe little ones, the poor.The little ones, the poor.

Murillo, The Adoration of the Shepherds. 1650. Museo del Prado. Madrid.

9.*** Adoration of the Shepherds“Of all the human race, those who merited to be the first to see the Christ Child were the poor, humble, and devout shepherds.”

“The Lord works only by means of littleness and weakness. The mercy of the Lord manifest itself only by means of poverty and misery.”(Gobbi)

Words of the Queen :Words of the Queen :With the little ones I will attain the With the little ones I will attain the triumph of my Immaculate Heart.triumph of my Immaculate Heart. (Gobbi) (Gobbi)

““You see now You see now it is especially the littlest ones, the simple it is especially the littlest ones, the simple and poorest who have responded to meand poorest who have responded to me. In the hearts of . In the hearts of the little ones, I am able to exercise fully my function as a the little ones, I am able to exercise fully my function as a Mother.Mother.

In the heart of the little ones, I experience my great In the heart of the little ones, I experience my great comfort and joy. comfort and joy. In these I reflect my light and I see my In these I reflect my light and I see my plan reproducedplan reproduced.. Only in the hearts of the little ones does Only in the hearts of the little ones does the Father take pleasure, is the Son glorified, and does the the Father take pleasure, is the Son glorified, and does the Holy Spirit find his permanent dwelling place. By means Holy Spirit find his permanent dwelling place. By means of them, the Immaculate Heart of your heavenly Mother of them, the Immaculate Heart of your heavenly Mother can repeat her eternal Magnificat.can repeat her eternal Magnificat.

In the heart of the little ones my Immaculate Heart In the heart of the little ones my Immaculate Heart already achieves its triumph. It is by means of these that I already achieves its triumph. It is by means of these that I am able to carry out my great work of love and mercy, for am able to carry out my great work of love and mercy, for the salvation of the world and the greatest renewal of the the salvation of the world and the greatest renewal of the ChurchChurch. In the heart of the little ones you must find your . In the heart of the little ones you must find your repose.repose.

With the littlest ones, I am able to form for myself the With the littlest ones, I am able to form for myself the faithful Churchfaithful Church..

With the littlest ones, I attain With the littlest ones, I attain the triumph of my the triumph of my Immaculate HeartImmaculate Heart and Jesus will establish his glorious and Jesus will establish his glorious reign in the world.reign in the world.

With the littlest ones, I am waging With the littlest ones, I am waging my battle against the my battle against the powerful cohort of the great and proudpowerful cohort of the great and proud. Through the . Through the mouths of infants and babes at the breast, I will reduce to mouths of infants and babes at the breast, I will reduce to nothing the forces of all his adversaries.nothing the forces of all his adversaries.

With the littlest ones, I am attaining each day With the littlest ones, I am attaining each day my victory my victory over Satanover Satan. I am leading my children along the road of . I am leading my children along the road of heroic faith, of sure hope and of perfect love.heroic faith, of sure hope and of perfect love.

See how they love and glorify me. They are the littlest, the See how they love and glorify me. They are the littlest, the poorest, the simplest, the ones whom the world ignore and poorest, the simplest, the ones whom the world ignore and despises. Bring me more and more of these little children despises. Bring me more and more of these little children of mine, because of mine, because they are for me the greatest and most they are for me the greatest and most precious of treasures.”precious of treasures.” (Gobbi: To the priests) (Gobbi: To the priests)

The little ones, the simple, the poor, the peasants.The little ones, the simple, the poor, the peasants.

Adoration of the MagiAdoration of the Magi

Words of the Words of the QueenQueen on on

The Adoration of the MagiThe Adoration of the MagiVoluntary povertyVoluntary poverty

Rubens, Adoration of the Magi, Museum of Louvre. Paris

10.*** Adoration of the Magi

““Thy ceaseless offer, Thy ceaseless offer, however, must behowever, must beLoveLove, which is the , which is the gold;gold; continual continual PrayerPrayer, , which is the incense;which is the incense; and the patientand the patient acceptance of labors acceptance of labors and trueand true MortificationsMortifications, which , which is the myrrhis the myrrh.”.”

(Mary of Agreda)(Mary of Agreda)

Rubens, Adoration of the Magi, Museum of Louvre. Paris

10A. Adoration of the Magi““My daughter, great were My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings the gifts which the Kings offered to my most holy offered to my most holy SonSon. . I wish that thou also I wish that thou also offer up similar gifts. There offer up similar gifts. There is no more acceptable gift is no more acceptable gift to the Most High than to the Most High than voluntary povertyvoluntary poverty. . There There are very few in the world in are very few in the world in our days who use well the our days who use well the temporal riches and offer temporal riches and offer them to their Godthem to their God with the with the love and generosity of these love and generosity of these holy Kings.”holy Kings.” ( (Mary of Mary of Agreda)Agreda)..

Rubens, Adoration of the Magi, Museum of Louvre. Paris

10B. Adoration of the Magi

Very early in his life Jesus teaches us that He came to accept into the new people of God, all of every tribe and nation.During this mystery, let us thank Christ for coming to us, for accepting us, for teaching us to love Him.

After the departure of the Magi, the Mother of God said to After the departure of the Magi, the Mother of God said to St. Joseph:St. Joseph:

““My master, dispose of all the offerings of the Kings as My master, dispose of all the offerings of the Kings as belong to my Son and to yourself---I deserve nothing.”belong to my Son and to yourself---I deserve nothing.”

Together they divided the gifts into three parts: one for the Together they divided the gifts into three parts: one for the Temple (the incense and myrrh and some of the gold), Temple (the incense and myrrh and some of the gold), another for the priest who had circumcised the Child, another for the priest who had circumcised the Child, and the rest for the poor. ----and the rest for the poor. ----Excerpts from the Mystical City Excerpts from the Mystical City of God. Mary of Agreda.of God. Mary of Agreda.

Words of the Queen on the Words of the Queen on the Voluntary PovertyVoluntary Poverty ““My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings

offered to my most holy Son; but greater still was offered to my most holy Son; but greater still was the affection with which they offered themthe affection with which they offered them and the and the mystery concealed beneath them. On account of all mystery concealed beneath them. On account of all this they were most acceptable to his Majesty. this they were most acceptable to his Majesty. I I wish that thou also offer up similar gifts,wish that thou also offer up similar gifts, thanking thanking him for having made thee poor in condition and him for having made thee poor in condition and profession. For I assure thee, my dearest, profession. For I assure thee, my dearest, there is there is no more acceptable gift to the Most High than no more acceptable gift to the Most High than voluntary poverty. There are very few in the world voluntary poverty. There are very few in the world in our days who use well the temporal riches and in our days who use well the temporal riches and offer them to their God and Lord with the offer them to their God and Lord with the generosity and love of these holy Kingsgenerosity and love of these holy Kings.”.”

““Witness how cruel and avaricious human nature has Witness how cruel and avaricious human nature has become; since in their great necessities they are so little become; since in their great necessities they are so little succored by the richsuccored by the rich. This gross uncharitableness of men . This gross uncharitableness of men offends the holy angels and grieves the Holy Ghost, since offends the holy angels and grieves the Holy Ghost, since they are bound to witness the nobility of the souls so they are bound to witness the nobility of the souls so degraded and abased in the service of vile greed of gold degraded and abased in the service of vile greed of gold with all its evil powers (Eccles. 10, 20). with all its evil powers (Eccles. 10, 20).

As if all things had been created for the individual use of As if all things had been created for the individual use of the rich, they appropriate them to themselves and deprive the rich, they appropriate them to themselves and deprive the poor, their brothers springing from the same nature the poor, their brothers springing from the same nature and flesh; and denying them even to God, who created and and flesh; and denying them even to God, who created and preserves all things, and who can give or take at will. preserves all things, and who can give or take at will.

It is most lamentable that while the rich might purchase It is most lamentable that while the rich might purchase eternal life with their possessions, they abuse them to draw eternal life with their possessions, they abuse them to draw upon themselves damnation as senseless and foolish upon themselves damnation as senseless and foolish creaturescreatures .”(Luke 14, 9). .”(Luke 14, 9).

““This evil is common among the children of Adam This evil is common among the children of Adam and therefore voluntary poverty is so excellent and and therefore voluntary poverty is so excellent and safe a remedysafe a remedy. By it, making man willing to part . By it, making man willing to part joyfully with his possessions for the sake of the joyfully with his possessions for the sake of the poor, a great sacrifice is offered to the Lord. poor, a great sacrifice is offered to the Lord. Thou Thou also canst make such an offering of the things also canst make such an offering of the things necessary for sustenance, giving a part of it to the necessary for sustenance, giving a part of it to the poor and desiring, if it were possible by thy labor poor and desiring, if it were possible by thy labor and sweat, to help all of them.and sweat, to help all of them.

Thy ceaseless offer, however, must be love, which Thy ceaseless offer, however, must be love, which is the gold; continual prayer, which is the incense; is the gold; continual prayer, which is the incense; and the patient acceptance of labors and true and the patient acceptance of labors and true mortifications, which is the myrrhmortifications, which is the myrrh. .

All that thou dost for the Lord, thou should offer up to All that thou dost for the Lord, thou should offer up to Him with fervent affection and promptitudeHim with fervent affection and promptitude, without , without negligence or fear; for negligent works, and negligence or fear; for negligent works, and those not those not enlivened by love, are not an acceptable sacrifice in the enlivened by love, are not an acceptable sacrifice in the eyes of his Majestyeyes of his Majesty. .

In order to make those incessant offerings, In order to make those incessant offerings, it is necessary it is necessary that divine faith and light continually inflame thy heart, that divine faith and light continually inflame thy heart, having before thy eyes the great object of thy praise and having before thy eyes the great object of thy praise and exaltation, and the stimulus of loveexaltation, and the stimulus of love, by which thou art , by which thou art bound to the right hand of the Most High. Thus shouldst bound to the right hand of the Most High. Thus shouldst thou continue incessantly in this sweet exercise of love, so thou continue incessantly in this sweet exercise of love, so proper to the spouses of his Majesty; for their name proper to the spouses of his Majesty; for their name implies such a continual payment of the debt of love and implies such a continual payment of the debt of love and affectionaffection.” .”

--------Words of the queen. Mystical city of God.Words of the queen. Mystical city of God.

Words of the Blessed VirginWords of the Blessed Virgin To venerable To venerable Mary of Agreda.Mary of Agreda.

““My daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings offeredMy daughter, great were the gifts which the Kings offeredTo my Son, but greater still was their affection. I wish youTo my Son, but greater still was their affection. I wish youalso to offer up similar gifts. For I assure you, my dearest,also to offer up similar gifts. For I assure you, my dearest,that that there is no more acceptable gift to the Most High thanthere is no more acceptable gift to the Most High thanVoluntary poverty.Voluntary poverty.There are few in the world who use temporal riches wellThere are few in the world who use temporal riches well and andoffer to their Lord with the generosity and love of those holyoffer to their Lord with the generosity and love of those holyKings. You too can make such an offering of the thingsKings. You too can make such an offering of the thingsnecessary for sustenance, necessary for sustenance, giving a part to the poor.giving a part to the poor. Your Yourceaseless offering, must be ceaseless offering, must be love, which is goldlove, which is gold; ; continualcontinualprayer, which is the incenseprayer, which is the incense; and the patient; and the patient acceptance ofacceptance of

labours and true labours and true mortifications, which ismortifications, which is myrrhmyrrh.. All thatAll that

you do for the Lord, you should offer up toyou do for the Lord, you should offer up to HimHim with ardentwith ardentaffection.”affection.”

CC

Rubens, Adoration of the Magi, Musee de Arts. Lyon

“I would ask you to spend the last hours of the year on your knees, in confident and unceasing prayer. “Pray in order to ask for the salvation of this world, which has now touched the depths of impiety and of impurity, injustice, hatred, violence, sin and evil.” (Gobbi)

Words of the Queen on Words of the Queen on How to spend ChristmasHow to spend Christmas:: ““See how many spend these hours in dissipation See how many spend these hours in dissipation

and amusements and await the new year in a and amusements and await the new year in a pagan atmosphere. As for you, spend these hours pagan atmosphere. As for you, spend these hours with me, in prayer and in silence, in meditation on with me, in prayer and in silence, in meditation on my word and with a great confidence in your my word and with a great confidence in your Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father.

It is Providence that prepares for you each new day It is Providence that prepares for you each new day and each new year. It is the Father who arranges and each new year. It is the Father who arranges for you new days of peace and not of affliction, of for you new days of peace and not of affliction, of pardon and not of condemnation, so that the pardon and not of condemnation, so that the miracle of his Divine Mercy may shine forth upon miracle of his Divine Mercy may shine forth upon the world.”the world.” (Gobbi) (Gobbi)

“I would ask you to spend the last hours of the year on your knees, in confident and unceasing prayer. “Pray in order to ask for the salvation of this world, which has now touched the depths of impiety and of impurity, injustice, hatred, violence, sin and evil.” (Gobbi)

The ( National ) RosaryThe ( National ) Rosary For the Evangelization of For the Evangelization of (Nations)(Nations)

1.1. Fatima Prayer:Fatima Prayer: To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all To Eucharistic Jesus, source of all evangelization.evangelization.

““O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of thy mercy.”mercy.”

2.2. Invocation of the Holy Spirit:Invocation of the Holy Spirit: Principal agent of Principal agent of evangelization.evangelization.

““Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and Come, Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of the (National) people and enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the enkindle in them the fire of your love! Come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well-beloved Spouse.”beloved Spouse.”

3. 3. Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ):Prayer to Our Lady of ( Nation ): Star of the new Star of the new evangelization.evangelization.

““Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the Hail Holy Queen, Mother of (Nation), come and present the (National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.(National) people to Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.

Look upon them continually with mercy and through your Look upon them continually with mercy and through your intercession with the divine Redeemer, heal themintercession with the divine Redeemer, heal them of their sufferings, of their sufferings, deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”deliver them from all evil, and fill them with your love.”

We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in We pray in Communion with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven !Heaven !