Sunday, September 12 : Saint Raphael Arnaiz Baron

How can I describe what my soul felt when, from the mouth of the holy prelate, I heard the very thing that is my obsession, that which makes me completely happy in my exile, the love of the Cross! (…) Oh who will give me the command of words which David had, to describe the wonders of the love of the Cross? (…) Oh! the Cross of Christ, what more can one say? I don’t know how to pray, I don’t know what it is to be good. I haven’t a religious spirit, as I’m full of the world. One thing I know, one thing which fills my heart with joy: in spite of seeing myself so poor in virtue, so rich in the reverse, I have a treasure which I wouldn’t change for anything or anyone – my cross – the Cross of Jesus, that Cross which is my only ease. How can I explain it? Whoever hasn’t felt this can’t have the remotest idea what it is. Would to God that everyone would love the Cross of Christ! Oh, if the world could know what it is to embrace fully, truly, without reservation and with frenzy of love, the Cross of Christ! (…) How much time is lost in conversations, devotions, exercises that are good and holy but are not the Cross of Jesus and so are not the best forms of worship (…). Poor, worthless, useless creature (…), dragging out your life, following as best you can the austerities of the Rule, be content with keeping your aspirations in silence, love to distraction that which the world counts nothing because it has no knowledge of it. Adore in silence, without telling anyone of it, the Cross which is your treasure. In silence, at its foot, meditate on the greatness of God, the wonders of Mary, the wretchedness of man (…). Follow your life in silence always, loving, adoring, and united with the Cross. What more can you wish? Savor the sweetness of the Cross, as the Lord Bishop said this morning, find delight in the Cross.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team