"The Seven Secrets of the Eucharist" - This Month's FREE GIFT
by Christine, the Administrator of The Way of the Cross

I always considered myself extremely fortunate that Alex called me a friend. Still, I always felt like I was intruding on our casual friendship when I asked him personal questions about his stigmata and other spiritual experiences. In any case, there was one instance during a casual conversation in which he mentioned that sometimes he would see a blue beam of light descending towards the chalice or the host as it was being consecrated by the priest during mass. He also said there were usually angels present around the priest during the consecration of the Eucharist. This mental image gave me a heighten sense of the importance, the meaning and the mystery of this part of the mass which was sadly lacking in the many years I had casually attended mass.

Last month, my aunt sent me the most amazing and inspiring CD entitled The Seven Secrets of the Eucharist. When I heard it, it brought back my memories of Alex's visions and brought the meaning of the Eucharist to a whole new level. This CD was produced by the Mary Foundation. All the seven secrets are based on truths found in the Bible, the writings of the Saints, the Catechism and recent teachings of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict. Therefore you can be assured that it is based on sound Catholic theology. St. Thomas said that the amount of grace we receive from Christ in the Eucharist is directly proportional to our attitude and our desire to be joined with Him. The tragedy is that we can receive Communion every day of our lives and still not receive the graces He brings during this very personal moment with us.

As this month's message is about the Eucharist, we will be sending them out free this month. Just click here! Please share this with as many of your Catholic friends and family as possible!

What's in a Name?
By Sr. Mary Sarto

In the Old Testament, parents were very aware of the power in a name. Parents knew that whenever they pronounced a child's name, they were calling down a particular blessing. If they named their child Faith, then each time they called her name they called forth a blessing of stronger, deeper, clearer faith for their child. If they named their son Isaac they called forth the gift of laughter. Their son Mark is blessed with the traits of a warrior.

Already in the first chapters of the Bible there is this emphasis on naming people and things. Soon after creating the first man and first woman God gave them each a name. God also asked Adam to name all the animals, as a sign of dominion over them.

Knowing someone's name gives one some kind of control over the individual. There is often an inner drive to find out someone's name, because this give one a certain handle on the other person. When Jacob wrestles with the angel, he wants to know the name of this creature. Because of the struggle with the angel, Jacob even receives a new name "Israel" meaning "one who wrestles God".

When Moses meets God in the burning bush, he wants to learn the "name" of this God. "Please tell me your name so I can tell others who is sending me to set my people free." This passage contains an important clue to the importance of knowing someone's name. "If I know your name, then I can explain just who I have met." The name encapsulates the essence of a being. When God tells Moses that He is "I AM", God is claiming, "I am Being itself. I am the source of Being."

If God had told Moses "I am God" his claim would not have been nearly as powerful. The pagan, false gods could claim some kind of godhead. But the name "I AM" truly sets God apart from the false claims to divinity. God is not defined by his actions, or his attributes. He is not defined by any source outside himself. He is defined by Himself, "I AM." His mission is to "simply be Himself" ... his identity is "to be there. God is there for us, and when He made us in His own image and likeness, he likewise called us "to be there, to be there for Him." "To be" is the greatest gift, the greatest calling.

God does name us, however. Creatures are not as simple as God. Creatures fail" to be" all that they "can be," and no one creature can fulfill the entire mission of creation to know God, to love God and to serve God. We need each other to fulfill the mission. Our name describes our part of the mission to bring creation back into the embrace of the Creator. For instance, when God called Abram into a covenant with Him and asked him to form a nation of people who would belong to God in a very special way, God changed his name to Abraham, meaning "the father of a nation."

When the time was ready for all the prophecies about the Messiah to be fulfilled, an angel of the Lord came to Mary to ask her to be the Mother of God. But the angel gives "Miriam of Nazareth" a completely new name: "Hail. Full of Grace! The Lord is with you." The angel re-names her "Full of Grace" for her new mission of conceiving the Savior of the world. Mary is proclaimed, "full of God" and "with God." Her great vocation is to be filled with God so the world may receive God, and her vocation is to be with God so that God may be near us. Her name captures the essence of her entire life.

Peter, who will head the Church and lead the apostles, is to be a rock for the people. He is to be strong for them. He is to be filled with the life-giving waters of the Spirit that flow from the rock, even in desert experiences. He is to be pierced in order to give drink to the apostles and all members of the Body of Christ.

Our actions will flow from who we are and what we are. At key moments in our life, our names sometimes change. We marry, we enter a religious vocation, we are adopted, and our name may reflect this shift in relationships or status or mission. Or we may simply grow more into our identity.

Words matter and names matter. God said, "Let there be light" and there was light, a division between night and day, and a whole creation, fashioned by words!

God said the "Word" and the only begotten Son of the Trinity leapt to earth to transform the face of the earth that had become battered by sin. God said the "word" and the centurion's servant was healed. Words matter.

God called forth "Full of Grace!" and the most beautiful creature opened her heart so completely to the presence of the Holy Spirit that she became utterly filled with God. She became a tabernacle enfolding God, the new ark of the new covenant ... the Holy of Holies filling her being. Of all creatures, only she is "Full of Grace." Her name is her vocation. Names matter.

God calls each of us by name. Sometimes an angel delivers the name. The Scriptures show angels telling the parents of John the Baptist and Jesus the names their sons would bear. Sometimes parents receive an inspiration and they "just know" what to name a child.

Your name holds a blessing and your name holds a calling. What blessing do you bring to the world? What offering do you lift up before God?

THIS MONTH'S PRIVATE REVELATIONS:
There are two kinds of revelations: (1) universal revelations, which are contained in the Bible and form the core of our faith. These ended with the preaching of the Apostles and must be believed by all; (2) private revelations which are constantly occurring among Christians even to this day. You are under no obligation to believe the latter. When the Church approves private revelations, she declares only that there is nothing in them contrary to the faith or good morals. Private revelations contained here are approved by the Church's appointed Spiritual Advisors.

May 25, 2007 - MEDJUGORJE MESSAGE

"Dear children! Pray with me to the Holy Spirit for Him to lead you in the search of God's will on the way of your holiness. And you, who are far from prayer, convert and, in the silence of your heart, seek salvation for your soul and nurture it with prayer. I bless you all individually with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call."
*****

June 1, 2007 - "ANNE" - DIRECTION FOR OUR TIMES

Jesus
Heavenly consideration is the compass which will insure a true course for each apostle. In every situation, consider heaven’s goals for you and for those around you. The apostle who gives thoughtful consideration to heaven’s goals will be known for speaking less, rather than more. This apostle will make decisions in My company, aware of My goals. I would ask each of My apostles to practice this today. Move into your day gently, aware that I may wish to adjust your course several times. You expect one thing, perhaps. But I, your Jesus, may need something else from you. You are committed to a certain plan, perhaps. But I your Jesus, may have chosen a different plan altogether. Only with thoughtful consideration will you be alert to My will in each situation. Apostles, you have been prepared to serve in the manner that I require you to serve. You have been taught many things about holiness. If you are humble, you are aware that
there are many things still to be learned about holiness. If you are humble, you may protest, saying, “Jesus, I am not ready. I must become holier still.” I understand your weaknesses and struggles. I do not fear the limits of your humanity. I have factored your weaknesses into the plan I have for you. You should never be afraid that you lack the holiness to
complete the mission that I have willed for you. I will make you holy if you proceed according to My directions. You shall have all you need. Please begin to use all that you have been taught. Begin to see others as I see others, in need of love and tolerance. You have been taught not to make judgements. Do not make judgements. You have been taught to spend
time in silence. Spend time in silence. You have been taught to trust Me. Trust in Me now, today. You have been taught not to be afraid of the future. Do not fear the future. Dear apostles, you have been taught to pray. Pray. Now, today, every day. Pray. Ask Me for mercy for this world. Ask Me for conversion graces for this world. Ask Me for the Spirit of truth in such an abundance that all eyes will be opened to God’s truth. My beloved faithful apostles, I want you to use everything you have been given to serve Me so that others may be saved. I am with you. I will direct you in each moment. You must be at peace so that others can learn about peace. You must be calm so that others can learn about calm. Do not underestimate the power of setting an example of heavenly consideration. It is this consideration in each apostle that will ultimately allow Me to reclaim a multitude of souls for the Father.
*****

May, 2007 - ANN P. (ALEX'S FRIEND) SACRED HEART MESSAGES TO A CONVERTING SOUL

Ann: As I began praying, I looked at the monstrance and Jesus’ face appeared. He was radiant and He was smiling.

Jesus: My child, it is good to see you. I long every day for your visits. What can I help you with this day? What would you like Me to do for you? Empty your heart out to Me and trust in Me completely. Is there someone you wish me to help you with, someone who’s heart needs to be softened that has turned hard and cold? Pour these problems out to Me. Do not keep them bottled up inside you, for it will cause you much grief and pain. Your problems are My problems. Your pain and suffering when united with mine will bring about a tremendous good, always remember this. Many hearts have turned to stone, for the ways of the world have influenced them and they have turned away from Me. When you come to Me and offer yourself and your many sufferings, I will help these souls in darkness. Your prayers are heard.

Those who have received their eternal reward, through the prayers of all the faithful, are grateful and will never stop praying for them.

The prayers for ones families should never cease, even when it seems hopeless. The addictions are overwhelming but never impossible to cure. You families were given to you and I ask that you make reparation for them and do not turn your backs on them, as so many do. I hear My people say “I cannot be bothered I have myself to worry about.” I say to you, your families are very important and not a day should go by without a prayer on your lips for them. Many of you were as they are and you were brought from the darkness into the light, so be compassionate as I am towards them. Pray that they be brought into the light by My grace and reach eternal life. I ask that each of you give their life offering to My eternal Father according to the intention of My sorrowful Mother and never cease praying for the souls of all mankind.
Your loving Jesus.