#you deserve the world pio

[ryomaandgundhamkin]

@piowasthere

‘continuing what I was saying earlier.

you are a super duper cool person. I’ve been admiring your art for probably over 9 months by now, you were actually the first person I followed in the TSAMS fandom on Deviantart. The way you shade, render, draw eyes, and just draw in general is so amazing and you are just totally underrated. You actually deserve the world because you are so talented and beautiful so don’t underestimate yourself.

I’ve loved everything about you for so long, ever since I found out about you. You’re totally cool and I don’t like you for your art, but also your personality. You’re so so so nice and cool and mature.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Sorry I'm a bit late on this, but I just wanted to say congrats on finishing season 1 !! 🥳

LOSING MY MIND AT HOW PERFECT THIS IS!!!!!! THANK YOU PIO!!!!! B'*)

[verycharismaticdragon]

Okay, as threatened promised, I am elaborating on why I think BingQiu is guy yuri in more ways. This is written as someone who submitted both of these ships to this tournament (as in, see the propaganda they have under the poll? for both ships, one of those quotes is mine), and consistently voted for both throughout the entire bracket. I very much think they both deserve to be considered guy yuri, but: BingQiu simply matches HuaLian point for point on every count, and then has some more qualifiers on top of that. Here we go:

Popularity of femslash version in fandom: both have dedicated tags for f/f content, #lesbingqiu and #hualesbians. Equally matched.

Gender shenanigans:

Hua Cheng has a (canonically mentioned) female form, and Xie Lian can swap his gender (as other gods canonically do). Neither of those things however actually happen on page. Xie Lian does dress in female clothes several times, and his Heavenly Ceremonial Procession costume is canonically noted to be designed with both feminine and masculine markers. But as for Hua Cheng, there aren't really any femme markers aside from the aforementioned never-seen female form, and many have actually noted that he is rather transmasc coded.

BingQiu, as already mentioned in the og propaganda, embody multitudes. Shen Qingqiu often casts himself as a wife, and sometimes also as a mother. At the same time, he consistently refers to his Luo Binghe as Bing-mei (little sister Bing) to differentiate him from the original toxic-masc version, and often compares him to a delicate-hearted young maiden. (If you didn't click thru the links in the og post, Pio has a nice compilation of Shen Qingqiu mentally femme-ing them both up here. This is far from complete list though there's so much more.) On Luo Binghe's side, while we don't get his inner monologue like with Shen Qingqiu, we do know that he very much performs the duties of ancient Chinese wife. This includes not just things like cooking and keeping the house clean, but also waiting on the husband and running the household. Like, when Luo Binghe does paperwork for Shen Qingqiu's Peak? He's putting himself in the role of a wife. Also, when he was proposing, he explicitly offered Shen Qingqiu both options for which of them would be "marrying in" - as in, which of them would be "the wife" socially. He was ready to take either. Additionally, while I think the genderfuckery described above is more guy yuri than what I'm about to say next, I'd be remiss not to mention that their dynamic lends itself nicely to t4t f/f reading. As previously mentioned, moving away from (toxic) masculinity is a major theme, and the ending in particular can be read as a transition metaphor. Like if you wanted to write a fic where they are transbians post-canon? You wouldn't need to change anything, you could just follow the thorough-line charted by canon.

On this aspect, I'd say bingqiu are having more fun with it.

Applicable lesbian stereotypes: hualian are u-haul lesbians who moved in together the day they met; bingqiu are toxic lesbians with tons of drama and a blast radius of Their Entire Deal affecting other people's lives. Equally matched.

Religious themes:

Wait, you might ask, how is this even related to yuri? Well, consider how many yuris are set in Catholic schools and the like. Yuri loves its religious imagery and themes. There are some real-world considerations we could have about that, but for the purpose of this funi little poll, we will not be discussing that and just take the genre as it is, okay? Okay.

In hualian, we have yuri where gay love and devotion to God are considered as similar, one understood through the other. In an extremely on the nose way with Xie Lian literally being Hua Cheng's one and only god.

In bingqiu, we have yuri where gay love is explored instead through the motif of temptation and original sin. (This is not, btw, necessarily a negative in yuri. Some of them use God/religion as stand in for the patriarchal, so.) It even does something neat with it, by having the outward perception of bingqiu and the actual inner workings of their relationship not match. On the outside, Binghe is "the devil" (literal demon) corrupting Shen Qingqiu - who, similarly to Eve, is perceived as a witless victim: if only they could see it is the devil speaking to them, if only they took a moment to think and perceive the lies, then they wouldn't have sinned! But when you look deeper, Binghe is the one who was corrupted ("blackened") as a result of Shen Qingqiu's actions. And this is ofc paralleled with him being corrupted/"bent" - in Shen Qingqiu's perception - into being gay, also as a result of SQQ's actions. Even the heavenly demon mark on his forehead is called, canonically, a mark of sin! So: Binghe is Eve. Shen Qingqiu is the snake/the devil. And SVSSS is the kind of yuri that goes 'fuck the idea that female choice is inherently sinful and that being a man is inherently better than being a woman. Also Eve and the snake are girlfriends now.'

So: both are yuri-coded in this aspect, just use different themes. Equally matched.

Yuri-like plot points:

Dying for the other party (Hua Cheng: 3 times, Shen Qingqiu: 3 times. Luo Binghe arguably 1 time; an attempt was made.)

Watching the other party die (Hua Cheng had to watch helplessly as Xie Lian was killed again and again over the course of one night; Luo Binghe had to watch Shen Qingqiu die in his arms on three different occasions, the last of which prompted the aforementioned attempt to die too.)

Long term pining (yes, Hua Cheng did 800 years and Binghe only 11. But considering it as relative to potential lifespan, we only know about a version of Binghe going up to 200 years in age, and it's implied he is dying eventually; Hua Cheng could theoretically go on "living" indefinitely. His scale is naturally going to be different. Also, I'm inclined to give Binghe extra yuri points for tenderly and intimately caring for Shen Qingqiu's corpse, preventing it from decomposing, for 5 of those years. Reversing time in defiance of natural order is very yuri.)

This far, pretty matched. However!

SVSSS has an additional edge here because, as previously discussed at length, its entire plot is built on not one but two very yuri-like thematic frameworks. TGCF simply aint got that.

---

So, to sum up: bingqiu has pretty much all of the guy yuri features hualian does, but are having more fun playing with femininity and their novel's plot is much more yuri-like. They deserve the first place.

---

Addendum (1):

Actually, both Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu also have some interesting feminine-aligned coding that's not so much guy yuri as it's just. there, existing, which I want to point out for completion's sake.

Luo Binghe is an example of a danmei trope shàonǚ gōng - lit. young maiden top. I wrote about it in some detail before, for another character in this poll, but the short version is: the purpose of this trope is to fuck with the portrayal of the top as traditionally masculine, and it's done by giving him traits, values, or interests that are considered traditionally feminine. (This specifically originated as pushback against 'masculine top, feminine bottom' stereotype in BL.)

Shen Qingqiu's arc throughout the book, in a way, is him transitioning from fanboy to fangirl. (/a joke but not entirely) To explain: there are two pretty distinct styles to fannish activities, that I will call 'lore-keeping' and 'transformative' (because I lost the article I got this concept from and dont remember which words it used) We all know what 'transformative' means. For 'lore-keeping', think Star Wars fan who knows every kind of ship and every alien species in its extensive canon - in other words, it's a fan who expresses their love through knowledge of canon. Now, while both styles can be performed by people of any gender, and while any particular fan may perform both styles to some degree, due to the particular fannish spaces where each style originated, lore-keeping tends to skew male (fanboys), and transformative tends to skew female (fangirls). Applying to Shen Yuan|Qingqiu, you can see that he starts very much on the lore-keeper side. His gripes with canon are due to plotholes and structural problems and other things he finds lacking, which he expresses thru trying to shake those things out of the author. However, by the end of the book, he admits to himself that filling plotholes and knowing more brought him no joy or satisfaction, and only made him sadder for the characters. Instead, he finds happiness in transforming the original PIDW into a gay love story where his blorbo ends up happy and content. So: Shen Qingqiu went from demanding the story to be changed for him to changing the story through his (fan)work. From lore-keeper to transformative. From traditionally male-fan-performed fannish activity, to traditionally female-fan-performed one.

Addendum (2):

It isn’t easy being a cultivator girl… (famous bingqiu pad commercial, now in gif form)

⭐ Guy yuri tournament finale ⭐

All propaganda under the cut!

For Bingqiu: "One is a housewife and the other is a trophy wife. They both want to be each other's wife so bad (even though Shen Qingqiu would never admit it)"

"Where do I even start... Housewife x trophy wife. Every gender havers. Shen Qingqiu can't decide if he himself is wife or mommy, but is convinced his husband is a delicate lovesick maiden. Luo Binghe has self-assigned himself all of the wifely duties of an ancient Chinese wife years before Shen Qingqiu has become remotely aware of his crush. Also later in the novel he acts like a jealous girlfriend. And specifically girlfriend, like it was an important part of his arc that he stopped acting like a jealous boyfriend and started acting like a jealous girlfriend instead. This has won him his man."

"They're insane, fucking unhinged"

more here and here

For Hualian:

"Xie Lian is a god and Hua Cheng is his devoted believer, which is very yuri. They've also been separated for 800 years, which is very yuri too. Oh and they've been through The Horrors! With one of them forced to helplessly watch as the other suffered unimaginable pain! Now that's extremely yuri of them, if magical girl animes are to be believed..."

"What's more yuri than 800 years of devotion? Nothing that's what! Ghosts usually move on and disappear after a century of so, Hua Cheng is fueled by love so strong he very literally crawled out of hell, became a Ghost King, fought and defeated 33 gods and searched for his love for centuries until they were finally able to meet again. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian are so yuri there's an entire section of the fandom that just draws/writes them as women, not too weird since being separated and then connected by fate to ultimately defeat a really powerful evil god together is sapphic culture"

this post as well

[mrdirtybear]

Spanish writer Pio Baroja (1872-1956). When the world moved more slowly writing could foment revolutions through their writing. Baroja was one such revolutionary. In the English language world there are twelve works credited to him and translated from the Spanish, half of them published in his lifetime, the other half since. That last was published in 2010. Ernest Hemmingway said of him "Allow me to pay this small tribute to you who taught so much to those of us who wanted to be writers when we were young. I deplore the fact that you have not yet received a Nobel Prize, especially when it was given to so many who deserved it less, like me, who am only an adventurer.".    

[exochile-smtown]

SMTOWN TIPS

Esp El SMTOWN ha llegado por primera vez a Latinoamérica. Sabemos que vendrán fans de todo el mundo ante este impresionante acontecimiento, y EXO Chile quiere que su estadía en Santiago quede grabada en sus corazones, porque esta experiencia amerita ser más que dos días. Por esa razón hicimos un compilado de lugares dónde pueden asistir, visitar y disfrutar tanto de Santiago como también de la ola Hallyu que nos une como fans en nuestro país.

Eng SMTOWN has come for the first time in Latin America. We know that fans from all over the world will come to this amazing concert, so EXO Chile want to make your stay in Santiago something you can treasure, because this experience deserves to be more than only two days. Therefore, we made a compilation of places where you can go, visit and enjoy Santiago and that Hallyu wave that joins us as one.

Español

¿Dónde puedo comprar?

Costanera Center:

Uno de los Mall más grandes, variados y concurridos en Santiago es Costanera Center. Con grandes tiendas como Zara, H&M, Forever21 además de aquellas que cuentan con el beneficio Noix Dreamers como Nature Republic.

Son cuatro pisos de tiendas y un quinto con patio de comidas y restaurantes. Cuenta con estacionamiento, baños y un supermercado Jumbo.

Costanera Center cuenta con un descuento para turistas al que puedes acceder en el sector de informaciones de la entrada en el piso 1.

Con tu carnet o pasaporte también puedes solicitar un cargador portátil para usar durante tu paso por el Mall.

Las tiendas de Costanera sólo reciben dinero en Efectivo en pesos chilenos, tarjetas de débito (Maestro) y crédito. 

¿Cómo acceder a Costanera Center?

La dirección exacta es Avenida Andrés Bello 2425, Providencia, Región Metropolitana.  (Uber, Cabify, etc)

Si llegas en metro debes tomar la Línea 1 (Roja) y bajarte en estación Tobalaba, debes dirigirte a la salida Av. Luis Thayer Ojeda.

Su horario es desde las 10 am a 10 pm, y el Supermercado Jumbo 08.30 am a 9.30 pm.

¿Dónde puedo ver/conocer la ciudad?

SKY Costanera

Estando en Mall Costanera Center puedes acceder a uno de los miradores más altos de Santiago, donde puedes observar la ciudad en 360° grados. ¡Es impresionante! 

Definitivamente es un precioso panorama que no te tomará más que un par de horas. ¡Además puedes conseguir fotografías increíbles!

El valor de las entradas se divide en tres categorías.

Niños (4+ - 12) $10.000 

Adultos (13+) $15.000

Fast Pass $20.000

Los tickets se adquieren directamente en Sky Costanera.

Su horario de atención es de Lunes a Domingo desde las 10.00 am hasta las 10.00 pm, siendo la última subida a las 9.00 pm.

Para acceder a Sky Costanera debes bajar al piso -1 del mall.  

La página oficial está en Español, Inglés y Portugués para mayor información: http://www.skycostanera.cl

Cerro San Cristóbal.

El Cerro San Cristóbal ha sido uno de los atractivos más concurridos por las estrellas del Kpop en su paso por Chile.

Posee un teleférico que te lleva hasta la cima por sólo $2000.- pesos en la semana y $2600 los fines de semana. 

En la  zona superior se encuentra un mirador, un zoológico y zonas para hacer picnic. 

Es un poco de naturaleza en medio de la concurrida ciudad~.

¿Cómo llego al Cerro San Cristóbal?

La mejor forma de acceder al cerro es por la entrada principal de Pío Nono, aunque existen otras más.

La dirección exacta es Pio Nono 450, Recoleta. (Uber, Cabify, etc)

Si quieres llegar en metro, debes bajarte en la estación Baquedano (Línea 5/Línea 1) y salir hacia Pío Nono y caminar hacia el cerro.

El horario del teleférico va desde las 10.00 am hasta las 20.00 hrs, bajando el último a las 19.45.-

Templo Bahaí de Chile.

Es el octavo templo Bahaí en el mundo, lo espectacular es la forma en la que puedes ver la ciudad desde su posición y su forma de flor que acompaña los preciosos jardines que posee. 

La experiencia mágica se vive en invierno, cuando observas la ciudad desde el ocaso, lamentablemente en verano todavía hay luz natural a la hora de su cierre por lo que no se pueden ver las luces de la ciudad pero aún así es un panorama precioso para salir de la ciudad por el día.

¿Dónde queda el templo?

Diagonal Las Torres 2000, Peñalolén

La mejor forma de llegar es bajarse en la estación de Metro Plaza Egaña o Grecia (Linea 4 / Azul) y luego moverse en Uber o Cabify. 

Llegarán a la entrada donde comienza la escalera de 155 escalones hacia el templo.

Puedes ir desde las 9 am hasta las 19 pm. La entrada es gratuita.

¡Recuerda llevar mucha agua para hidratarte, protector solar y te dejamos las recomendaciones que encontrarás allá!

Se recomienda vestirse de acuerdo a lo que es, un lugar de adoración. Sé recatado.

Puedes tomar fotografías de los jardines y del exterior del templo, pero no puedes tomar fotografías al interior de la iglesia. 

Debes ser silencioso dentro del templo.

Sólo puedes comer en los lugares designados para ello.

No puedes fumar.

No están permitidas las mascotas.

¿Dónde comer diferentes tipos de preparaciones asiáticas en Santiago?

Desde hace un par de años hay diferentes establecimientos tanto de bebidas como comida coreana, taiwanesa, etc en Chile. Son bastante concurridos por todos los seguidores de Hallyu del país siendo bastante famosos y bien catalogados por su buena comida.

Bubble Tea

La primera franquicia de Bubble Tea en Chile es Big Boba, una tienda que tiene tres locales en toda la ciudad. Sus precios varían entre los $3.000- $5.000.- y tienen muchos sabores y leche de soya.

Big Boba Manuel Montt 221. (Uber, Cabify, etc) Puedes llegar por el Metro Manuel Montt, línea 1  Abren desde las 11.00 hasta las 20.00 y cierran los Domingos.

Big Boba Costanera Center. Quinto piso, patio de comidas. Horario 10 am - 21 pm. Lunes a Domingo.

Big Boba Parque Araucano. Metro Manquehue, Salida Rosario Norte. Es un Foodtruck justo en medio del parque.

Redes Sociales Big Boba en Facebook y @Bigbobatea en IG.

Chawu.

Tienda de Bubble Tea, Smoothies y tés fríos. Una tienda pequeña pero acogedora además de muy vistosa.

¿Cómo llegar a Chawu?

En la estación Metro Los Leones Línea 6 (Puedes hacer llegar por la línea 1 y combinar hacia la línea 6 para salir) por la salida hacia Nueva Providencia, está justo al lado.

Los precios varían entre los $2000.- a los $4000.-(3 - 6 usd) y los puedes seguir en sus redes sociales @Chawu.cl en IG.

Cafetería Había una vez.

Aquí no sólo puedes tomar Smoothies y Frappés, sino también comer postres con ingredientes asiáticos, además cuenta con Wifi.

¿Cómo llegar?

Su dirección es Antonia López de Bello 307, Recoleta. (Uber, Cabify, etc)

Puedes llegar por la estación de Metro Patronato (Línea 2 / Amarilla), salida Santa Filomena. Caminar una cuadra hacia el sur y luego tres hacia el oriente por Antonia López de Bello. A su alrededor se encuentran diferentes supermercados coreanos dónde puedes comprar snacks tanto dulces como salados. Sus precios van desde los $3.000- (4.5 usd) hacia arriba.

Café Mobssie

Esta es otra cafetería que está en convenio con Noix Dreamers, además tiene servicio de restaurante con sushi, sandwiches y Ramen, cuenta con Wifi en todos sus pisos.

La dirección es Sta Filomena 284, Recoleta.  (Uber, Cabify, etc)

Puedes llegar por la estación de metro Patronato (Línea 2 / Amarilla) y salir por la calle Santa Filomena, la cafetería queda a tres cuadras hacia el oriente. Una comida allí varía entre los $4.000-$6.000 (4.5 - 9usd) hacia arriba por persona.

@cafe_mobssie en IG.

Misoya

Restaurante de comida coreana, los chicos de KARD y Day6 comieron allí y puedes encontrar sus autógrafos ahora que han remodelado su local. Puedes encontrar desde Kimbap, Tteobokki, Patbingsu, etc.

Atienden de Lunes a Sábado desde las 12.00 - 17.00 y hasta las 19.00 funcionan exclusivamente como pastelería coreana.

La dirección es Santa Filomena 348, Recoleta, (Sta Filomena 348, Recoleta.) ¡A tan sólo una cuadra de Mobssie!

¡A veces se hace fila para entrar! ¡Y tienen platillos sin gluten!

@Misoya348chile en IG

Chicken Story

¡Pollo frito al estilo coreano! Los chicos de W24 comieron y firmaron una de las mesas del local, puedes ir a probar el pollo picante con queso, tradicional o bien Ramen y lo mejor son sus limonadas. ¡Muy refrescantes para este mes!

Los precios varían desde los $10.000 hacia arriba por dos personas.

¿Cómo llegar?

Antonia López de Bello 267, Recoleta. (Uber, Cabify, etc)

¡Queda a sólo una cuadra de la cafetería Había una vez!

Atienden desde las 10.00 am hasta las 23.00 de Lunes a Sábado.

@chickenstory_chile en IG.

Hansoban

Restaurante de parrillada coreana, es un lugar un poco más costoso pero también mucho más tradicional, su mayor atractivo es que la parrilla está en la misma mesa y puedes freír tus alimentos directamente allí o pedir que el garzón lo haga por ti. 

Los precios varían desde los $20.000- hacia adelante por pareja pero es un lugar interesante para ir si entra en tu presupuesto~

Río de Janeiro 248, Santiago, Recoleta. (Uber, Cabify, etc) Abren desde las 12 pm hasta las 23 pm de Lunes a Sábado.

¡También queda muy cerca de Chicken Story y Había una vez!  

Hocha

Local de comida Taiwanesa, con opción de menú vegetariano. Puedes probar Loba, Corn dogs, camote frito y Bubble Tea. Los precios van desde los $7.000 hacia arriba por persona.

¿Cómo llegar a Hocha?

Av. Nueva Providencia 1360, Providencia. (Uber, Cabify, etc)

Puedes llegar en la línea de metro Manuel Montt (Línea 1/Roja), salir por Avenida Nueva Providencia y está justo a mano izquierda del metro.

Sus horarios son desde las 11 am hasta las 23 pm los días de semana, de 12.30 a 23 pm los Sábados y de 12 pm a 17 pm los Domingos.

¡También puedes pedir tu Bubble Tea para llevar!  

www.hocha.cl

Como EXO Chile esperamos que su paso por Santiago sea el mejor, sin importar si vienes de región o de otro país y que juntos apoyemos con toda la energía, el corazón y las ganas a EXO durante los dos días del concierto.

¡Qué lo disfruten y nos estamos viendo pronto! ~~~~~~~~ ♡ ~~~~~~~~ 

English

Coming soon... . [ EXO Chile Staff ]

[marialeto]

Ascended Master and list of the Day

September 27th, 2022

Tuesday

Sebastian

Root chakra

Today is Turmeric, the flame, flavor, ray of light, color, candle,and coffee

Turmeric the ground Spice

Spirit animal Bay Cat

Ascended Master Sebastian

Planet Neptune

Number Six

Elohim Mind

Element Air

Star Lucy

Country Borneo

Gemstone Labradorite

Day Galaxy

Day of the Nymph

Divinity Feminine Masculine

Keyword Renaissance

Gabriel and Bailey day one, and Gabriel’s day

Sunrise 6:44 AM to 6:40 PM in Libra

Forecast 56 - 43 degrees, sunrise and clouds

Moonrise 8:30 AM to 7:40 PM waxing crescent in Libra until 6:12 turning into Scorpio

Notes: Blue, Rose Gold, swamp forests and hill forests, Ruby, Indonesia, generosity, confidence

🧡

Tarot

Sign from Above

Guardian Angel

Heaven is sending you blessings and answers in the form of signs in the physical world. This card asks you to pay extra attention to signs, as they are part of the answer to your question.

Three or more times is a definite answer.

Trust in these signs you receive, and know that they are very real and meaningful to you.

The other for notable cards from this deck are, Pray, Guardian angel; Confidence, St. Michael the Archangel; Activist, St. Mother Teresa; Healing, St. Padre Pio

Pray, the answer to your questions involves prayer. You are being guided to pray about the situation in order to elicit answers and assistance. Your guardian angels pray with you. Ask for divine intervention to help you and your love ones.

Your purpose also involves prayer as well. Prayer is extremely effective, so by engaging in this practice, you’re making a tremendous contribution. It is not always the words of all that your heroes, compared to your sincere desire to connect with the divine and your own heart.

Confidence, remember that you are ultimately in charge of your schedule. Stay connected and committed to your priorities, and give them the daily attention they deserve.

Activist, notice which issues engage your senses, your soul want to express itself. Use your expertise and life experience to help along your chosen causes.

By transforming your faith into living acts of love, we put ourselves in contact with God, and Jesus our Lord.

Healing, this card signifies the power of prayer. Does it tuition is surrounded by gods rejuvenating love and is resolving itself in a miraculous way. This message signifies you may want to continue your prayers, and even pray in a group. It is also a call from heaven for you to use your talents and healing abilities to help in a more powerful way.

Saints and Angels Oracle Deck

🧡

Photo of the day

Tahquamenon Falls

🧡

Book of the day

Your Galactic Neighbors

by Sheldan Nidle

🧡

Turmeric Coffee ☕️

🧡

Borneo is known for its beaches in ancient, biodiverse rainforest, home to wildlife including orangutans and clouded leopards.

Staple cuisine includes fried rice, noodles, and local vegetable seasoned with garlic, ginger, and rich sauces with a side of fruits.

The bay cat has a bright chestnut color with a paler color beneath. The tail is elongated and tapering at the end. They enjoy being near water.

Labradorite

Can be used to influence positive changes in one’s life. It works well with the crown, sir diet, and throat chakra is. This gem stone is said to hold some of the Northern Lights, Inuit beliefs.

The geological area for this gemstone is said to be Paul Island, near the town of Nain in Labrador, Canada.

It has also been reported in Norway, Finland, with a notable distribution in Madagascar, China, Australia, Slovakia, and the United States of America. It is also found in metamorphic and amphibolites.

It assists you in getting in touch with your own wisdom.

Nymphs dwell in mountains, for us, trees, and waters. They are A nature spirit associated with life, fertility, and growth. They have a deep sense of mystic storytelling and art. They assist you in connecting with the soulful dimensions of life.

Turmeric symbolizes and represents purity and spiritual connection, more intently with the earth. It’s deep yellow color is typically associated with the sun and abundance along with the sacral chakra.

[renielismo]

This deserves a space in my socmed. Two of my bebes, really close to my heart, are finally graduating in college! One is a cum laude in UST, and the other one is a double major in University of Alberta. I feel old but grateful that some how I witness how you grow, struggle, shine, and finished strong in your studies (for this moment muna baka may kasunod pa). Know that I will always be there for you if you need advice and "kamaritesan". Hahaha Dun sa isa Pio, laban konti na lang. Claim it, gragrad ka na! Yung kabatch ko din ng college, Congrats Dr. Jean D.! Lagi ko sinasabi sa mga kapatid, pinsan, anak-anakan, mga kapatid sa ibang magulang, kaibigan, at estudyante, Mas magaling kayo sa akin! Malawak ang mundo, abutin niyo lahat ang pangarap niyo. Goodluck sa real world! **Photos were taken from their FB. #renielismo https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce7rHXyJ2rK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[crushingonrazz]

Lavender’s Blue

Read it on Ao3 here

Warnings for Major character death, child death, premature labor, angst, grief, I'm sure you can infer what's going to happen and that it isn't going to be good. None of the events are described in detail, you are just told what has just happened and left to deal with the emotional pain of it all, so it isn't as graphic as the chapter 100 stuff.

Support Me On Ko-Fi

Razz had never been much of a singer. His voice was low and grating, not quite hitting the right notes no matter if he was trying or not. He guessed there was some amount of enjoyment in belting it out if he didn’t care how he sounded, but pride had always been his big fatal flaw.

Pride and anger. It used to seem like that was all he was good for.

Of course, singing hadn’t ever been much of a thought in Swapfell. For the most part, it just wasn’t part of the culture. There were a few nursery rhymes, passed down from generation to generation, sung by parents to soothe the fears of their children. But he’d been in Underswap long enough now to explore the little things. Music was amazing, and being with Blue, especially, always ended up with him finding something new to enjoy.

“Lavender’s blue, dilly, dilly, lavender’s green…”

The sound of Blue’s voice, when he sang, had been rich and deep. He’d had this lilt to his speaking voice that had lended itself well to the music. Stretch had a gorgeous voice, rising and falling and hitting the notes and making your jaw drop that something like that could be coming out of someone like him, but Blue had a beauty all his own. Part of that was due to his enthusiasm, screaming out lyrics as he bounced to a beat, but it was to be admired even in his quiet moments.

Once, at some party at Alphys’, he’d been standing on a balcony, watching the stars as he sang under his breath. He was barely loud enough to be heard, and the lyrics would have been impossible to understand if Razz hadn’t already heard them out of Blue’s mouth about a thousand times. Drink in his hand, hips swaying to his own imagined melody, he’d certainly painted his own peaceful picture.

“When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen…”

Then Razz had tripped over the balcony’s threshold, swearing loudly and breaking the spell. Blue had laughed good-naturedly and helped him up, eyes flashing with warmth. Razz had been sure he would never experience anything so beautiful again.

But, of course, Blue seemed to make it his life’s mission to surprise him.

They never really got around to getting formally married. That would have required Stretch’s blessing, Slim’s agreement. Family was important in Underswap, and with as little as their brothers seemed to approve of it all, it just didn’t seem worth it. There were enough quiet nights, closed eyes and bonded souls, that no one, not even their little brothers, could deny what was right in front of their faces.

Blue and Razz didn’t need anything so formal for it to be clear who they would spend the rest of their lives with.

“Who told you so, dilly dilly, who told you so?”

Razz could still hear it, the sound of Blue’s voice ringing through the house. He’d walked into the kitchen, one afternoon four months ago, to find and appreciate the source of the music. Blue had been standing at the kitchen sink, doing the dishes. When he saw that Razz had entered, he’d smiled that beautiful smile, and Razz’s soul had just soared.

Blue was beautiful. He always had been. His voice, his eyes, his endless enthusiasm. Razz had never had anything like this, and even on the bad days, the days of silence and tears, Blue was everything. He was so much everything that Razz didn’t think he would ever understand it. And when Razz stepped forward that day, circling his arms around Blue’s waist and realizing that he couldn’t feel the bones past the ecto something that was summoned there, he thought that Blue had already given him everything.

“Twas mine own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.”

There had been shock, then doubt. Then, to his own immense surprise, there had been joy.

The LV12 former Captain of the Royal Guard, Personal Assassin to Her Majesty the Queen, was having a child. Being given a child. Blue had given him so many gifts already, so much kindness and love that it had just seemed to good to be true.

He… he really should have known that it was too good to be true.

He should have known.

Blue had such a large presence that it was easy to forget how physically small he was. How much magic was running through bones that, despite Blue’s avid protests, were childlike themselves in their size. Razz wasn’t a biologist, but it seemed obvious in hindsight. It made sense that having such an imbalance might have affected the way his pregnancy worked.

Logic may have been telling him, now, what went wrong. But it was too late. Logic could tell him whatever it wanted, but the dust pooled at Razz’s side, the blood coating his arms and shirt, was telling him that it was far too late to change any of it.

Blue loved to sing. Full of life, hope, laughter. He’d always hoped for Razz. Loved him, more than he deserved.

Razz loved Blue so much.

She looked just like him. Her eyes were bright and blue, her soul sparking, a smile formed on her face when she had first come into being. Her bones were small, too, but Razz was pretty sure that was more on account of the fact that she had been born so early. Far, far too early. He could see her magic trying to pulse through her, soul swelling as it failed to create the magic she needed to survive.

There was dust softly shimmering on her tiny ribcage. He wiped one shaking hand on the sheets, used a finger to brush away the dust. She wasn’t smiling anymore. He held her to his chest, drew his knees up, felt Blue’s dust shift in the bed beneath him. She was almost too tiny to be held like this. He didn’t care.

She whimpered, and his soul opened, pouring his magic into her. Anything he could spare, everything he couldn’t. Her soul didn’t look formed enough to absorb it. They hadn’t even given her a name yet.

Razz’s magic flowed into the dark air, surrounding them with purple light and glittering off of the dust covering it all. She started to cry.

It was a heartbroken sound, and tears filled Razz’s eyes as he heard it. God, it had all happened so fast. Blue was sick, a cold or something small, but his magic had been working hard to heal him, and he’d been exhausted. With much coaxing and threats, he’d been convinced to lay in bed and rest. Razz’s head had been on his chest, legs hanging haphazardly from the side of the bed as he read from a certain well-known book about a bunny, Blue laughing at the various silly voices Razz was directing as their unborn daughter.

When Stretch had found out about the kid, he’d immediately gone to a back room, sending what sounded like an entire country crashing to the floor before coming back with the book, all smiles as he handed it to Razz. It’d really been the only smile he’d ever given his brother’s soulmate.

God, he hadn’t even had a chance to call him, before it’d happened. Would things have been different, if he’d known? If he’d been there? What was he going to tell--

The baby was wailing now, and Razz’s shoulders shook alongside her, crying silently as the grief broke through the shell-shocked horror. He knew he had to do something, comfort her, anything. He was supposed to be her father, wasn’t he? And even if Blue had been the gentle one, the comforting one…

Well, Blue was gone.

“Los pollitos dicen pio, pio, pio…”

His voice came out stuttering and shattered, but still somehow audible. Carefully, he cradled his child, rocking back and forth in an attempt to calm her. Held close to his body like this, wrapped in his arms, he hoped she was warm. He couldn’t bring himself to leave her long enough to find something to wrap her in.

“Cuando t-tienen hambre, cuando tienen f-frio…”

Razz remembered singing this to Slim, to comfort him when he was scared. He remembered it being sung to him, too, but only vaguely. Gaster had certainly never sung it. He deemed nursery rhymes to be too common for his wards, even if he treated them no better than dogs. But a simple song had been all Razz’d had on those cold, dark days, just the two of them against the world.

“La g-gallina busca el maiz y el trigo…”

Her cries were growing weaker, the little fist that he hadn’t even realized was curled around his finger loosening. She blinked up at him, blue eyes making his soul clench.

“B-bajo de sus a las, a-acurrucaditos…”

She was so small. So still. Silent. His voice fell away, and then he held nothing but dust. Shaking hands rose to his face, pressed to his sockets. The most he could manage was a whisper.

“D-duermen… l-l-los pollitos--”

“Until tomorrow.”

Razz sobbed as he heard Blue’s voice, felt an arm circling his shoulders. He didn’t look up, knew he’d be gone if he did.

“Or is it ‘until the next day?’ You told me once, but I can never remember. How does the song go?”

“Hasta el otro d-dia,” Razz whispered. A hand cupped his face, tilted it up until he was looking into bright blue eyes. He didn’t need to look down to see their child held tightly in Blue’s free arm, to hear her giggling.

Blue wiped under Razz’s socket with a thumb, pressed a kiss to his temple. “‘Until the next day’ it is, then. What do you think?” His hand dropped to grab Razz’s, lifting him up to stand.

“Have you slept long enough?”

[pamphletstoinspire]

Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Story with images:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/padre-pio-immaculate-heart-mary-harold-baines/?published=t

Written by Most Rev. Paola Carta, Bishop Emeritus of Foggia

When I spoke on the theme: "How I saw Padre Pio during my seven years as Bishop of Foggia from 1955 to 1962," I presented Padre Pio's spirituality as "A man of God who prays—absolves—suffers—offers."

Invited again by the Capuchin Friars, custodians of the tomb which is the destination of pilgrims from all the corners of the world, I am most happy to celebrate today and tomorrow the Mass with you and for you, my very dear brethren, inviting you to meditate with me on two other fundamental aspects of the spirituality of Padre Pio. Today Padre Pio and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tomorrow, God willing, Padre Pio and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I wish to consider Padre Pio in the light of the Immaculate Heart of Mary as our Lady revealed it to the three children of Fatima. Having meditated on the personality, spirituality and work of Padre Pio in connection with the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let us try to penetrate as far as possible with the grace of the Holy Spirit into that marvelous world of the spirit where Padre Pio's heart appears in full harmony with the heart of our Heavenly Mother. For our mutual edification we will meditate on the love and trust Padre Pio placed in Mary Most Holy, on his personal reply to the message of Fatima and on the visit of Our Lady of Fatima to Padre Pio, concluding, as we did yesterday with a confidential talk with the Padre.

I - Love and trust of Padre Pio for our Lady

To understand the love and trust Padre Pio had for our Lady, it would be enough to tell you, my very dear brethren, to look around you! This splendid shrine is a hymn, a poem which sings and praises Padre Pio's devotion to Mary Most Holy! Each stone of this magnificent temple will repeat his name in centuries to come! He wanted this shrine! He succeeded in its incredible realization! People from all parts of the world replied to his moved and moving call for necessary funds to erect this palace to the Queen of Heaven and Earth, honored as Our Lady of Grace! And permit me to remind you of Padre Pio's joy on the day - 1 July 1959 - when, according to his wishes, I had the honor and immense joy of consecrating this church with a solemn rite which lasted exactly four hours!

But apart from this, the whole of Padre Pio's life was lit up with the gentle light of our Lady.

In a letter of 6 May 1913, he gives vent to a delicate filial gentleness, writing: "Here we are at last in the month of our beautiful Mother once again.... This dear Mother continues to lavish her maternal care upon me, especially during the present month. She takes care of me to an exceeding degree.... I am all aflame although there is no fire. I feel myself held fast and bound to the Son by means of this Mother.... I'd like to fly off to invite all creatures to love Jesus and Mary."

The Council and Pope Paul VI proclaimed and acclaimed Mary as Mother of the Church and Padre Pio will continue to repeat for centuries to the faithful who flock here from all the Churches scattered in the world that they must grow in the love of the Mother of the Church.

II - Reply to the message of Fatima

To be our Advocate, our Help, our Mediatrix, our Sign of certain hope and consolation our Lady wanted to manifest her Immaculate Heart to the world. She appeared to three children at Fatima, exactly 80 years ago. It is a beautiful story. It is a story, not a legend. This was confirmed by the pilgrimage of Paul VI, years ago, for the fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions, with the participation of an immense crowd and Lucia, the survivor of the three small seers, still alive today, a nun in the Convent of Saint Teresa at Coimbra in Portugal with the name of Sister Lucia of the Immaculate Heart.

At Fatima our Lady gave a message, a message from Heaven, a message of salvation, that is included in the story of salvation as a new divine intervention of salvation. The summary is contained in these precise words heard by the three children during the apparitions from May to October 1917: "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them our Lord wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. Pray a lot and make sacrifices for sinners. Take note that many souls go to hell because there is no one who prays or makes sacrifices for them. Do you wish to offer yourselves to God, ready to accept all the sufferings He wishes to send you in reparation for the sins with which He is offended and to obtain the conversion of sinners? Say the Rosary every day. The most holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary listen to your petitions."

This message of Fatima called for a reply on behalf of the whole church; a reply of prayer and sacrifice, animated also with a spirit of reparation for sins.

I think I can assert that in the half century which followed, no one in the Church has given a more complete reply than Padre Pio. The maternal anxiety of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the souls going to hell had profoundly and completely invaded the heart of Padre Pio, who made of his whole life a great sacrifice to our Lord to snatch souls away from eternal damnation.

1. Our Lady of Fatima asked especially for the prayer of the Rosary. And who could count the hours Padre Pio spent in prayer for the conversion and salvation of sinners? And who more than he held the rosary in his hand, night and day, filling all the free moments of the day with the most devout recital of the Rosary? And with how much loving insistence did he not recommend the Rosary to everyone as a means of salvation!

One day one of his penitents said to him: "Padre, today they say the Rosary is out of date, that it is no longer in fashion. It is no longer said in many churches." He replied: "Let us do what our fathers did and all will be well with us." "But Satan rules the world." Padre Pio replied: "Because they make him rule; can a spirit rule by itself if it is not united to the human will? We could not have been born in a more depraved world. The one who prays a lot saves himself. The one who prays little is in danger.

The one who does not pray loses his soul."

"Padre, say something to us."

"Love our Lady, make others love her. Always say your Rosary and say it well. Satan always tries to destroy this prayer, but he will never succeed. It is the prayer of her who triumphs over everything and everyone."

And two days before he died, he repeated: "Love our Lady and make her loved. Recite the Rosary and recite it always. And recite it as much as you can."

2. Our Lady of Fatima also asked for sacrifices, acts of mortification, penances and sufferings accepted or spontaneously embraced to save souls from hell.

How well did our dear Padre Pio understand this need! In fact he said: "Souls are not given as gifts; they are bought. You do not know what they cost Jesus. Now they still have to be bought always with the same coin."

And Padre Pio paid and bought souls at a most high price: with heroic penance, with food, with sleep, with rest, with the martyrdom of fifty-eight years in the ministry of confession; with sufferings derived from misunderstandings and prohibitions and serious disciplinary measures taken against him at various times of his life, through no fault of his; with enormous difficulties to overcome to build the Home for the Relief of Suffering; and above all with the crucifixion which lasted exactly half a century with open wounds. A victim completely sacrificed for sinners. And that was Padre Pio's reply to the message of Fatima.

III - Our Lady of Fatima visits Padre Pio

This heroic reply of Padre Pio's deserved a sign of maternal pleasure from our Lady. And the sign was marvelous.

Towards the end of April 1959 a statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that had come specially from Fatima was traveling all over Italy by helicopter, stopping at the provincial capitals. But San Giovanni Rotondo is not a provincial capital, and on the other hand, Padre Pio could not go to Foggia where at that time I was bishop of that dear and beautiful diocese and had prepared a triumphal reception for the traveling Madonna. Amongst other things he could not come because just when the statue arrived in Italy, Padre Pio was struck down by a bad attack of pleurisy, that made it impossible for him to even celebrate Mass from 5 May onwards. And the illness continued so that he was still prostrate when our Lady arrived in Puglia.

But could the Mother with an Immaculate Heart so sensitive and delicate not visit her dearest son, Padre Pio? And the extraordinary exception, the change of schedule was granted!

The arrival of the Marian statue was fixed for 5 August. The people had to be prepared to receive our Lady with great fervor, with immense joy, with filial love and abundant spiritual fruits. And it was Padre Pio who from his sick bed spoke with a loud speaker to the faithful gathered in the church for a novena.

I now give some edifying particulars from a biography of Padre Pio.

On 27 July Padre Pio announced the beginning of the novena "for the visit the Heavenly Mother wants to make" and he exhorted to prepare for it with Christian renewal. Every evening he reminded them of the joy, the good fortune, the "very special grace" of this visit and the obligation of a worthy welcome above all with the practice of some virtues. On the evening of 4 August he announced that "the visit of our Mother" would be within a "few hours" and it was necessary not to be found "with empty hands." On 5 August he announced with emotion: "In a few minutes our Mother will be in our house... Open your heart." Finally on the evening of 6 August, he urged them to give thanks, to commit themselves "enthusiastically... permanently just as our Mother's eye is permanently on us."

During the morning of 6 August, the Padre was able to go down to the church. He stopped in front of the statue of our Lady — but had to sit down because he was exhausted — and he gave her a gold rosary. The statue was lowered before his face and he was able to kiss her. It was a most affectionate gesture.

Between two and three in the afternoon of 6 August the helicopter carrying the statue of our Lady rose from the terrace of the Home for Relief of Suffering headed for Sicily. It did three turns over the crowd gathered on the square in front of the church and flew away.

From a window Padre Pio watched the helicopter fly away with eyes filled with tears. To our Lady in flight Padre Pio lamented with a confidence that was all his own: "My Lady, my Mother, you came to Italy and I got sick, now you are going away and you leave me still ill."

At that instant he felt a shudder in all his person. As long as he lived he repeated. "In that very instant I felt a sort of shudder in my bones which cured me immediately." His Spiritual Father confirmed it saying: "In a moment the Padre felt a mysterious force in his body and said to his confreres: 'I am cured'." He was healthy and strong as never before in his life.

Informed about an article that appeared in Foggia, which asked why Our Lady of Fatima had gone to San Giovanni Rotondo and not the shrine of Saint Michael at Monte Sant' Angelo, Padre Pio explained with enchanting simplicity: "Our Lady came here because she wanted to cure Padre Pio."

I like to add that she also came because the example of Padre Pio's ardent devotion and his prodigious recovery would rouse in Italy and the world a fervent increase of love and confidence towards the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

And from this marvelous episode we must make a holy resolution to grow always in this devotion with a generous reply to the message of Fatima, reciting fervently the Rosary every day, praying and offering our sufferings for the conversion of sinners, receiving Communion on the first Saturdays of the month in the hope that the consoling words will come true for us: "I promise salvation to all those who practice devotion to my Immaculate Heart. These souls will be most dear to God, and like flowers I will place them before his throne." Like this we can even look to the future of the Church and humanity with serenity, trustful in the prophetic word of Mary who in her third apparition of 13 July 1917 announced: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

Conversing with the Padre

Allow me to conclude this meditation with a confidential talk with the Padre.

Beloved Padre Pio, I remember an episode that took place one day during a civil war. On the facade of a church someone had written in large letters this appeal: "Fratelli, armatevi!" (Brothers, arm yourselves!"). A woman, a mother who had gone to church to pray fervently for peace, saw that writing, was profoundly struck and afflicted. Then she had a bright and marvelous idea. She went up to the word "armatevi" (arm yourselves) and cancelled the letter R. And the appeal was transformed. No longer: "Fratelli, armatevi" but Fratelli amatevi!" (Brothers love each other).

Beloved Padre you know that today in Italy there are those who spread in various ways this fratricidal appeal: "Fratelli, armatevi." And in fact how many young men belong to armed groups, how many go around with weapons ready to shoot! And how many acts of violence, how many murders have stained with blood the streets of Italy in these last years! And how many mothers in tears, how many brides, widows, how many orphaned children.

Dear Padre Pio, listen to me. Now that you contemplate our Lady in the brightness of her celestial beauty, you who see her sitting at the right side of her Son, who refuses her nothing, pray to her so that she intervenes with her Immaculate Heart, with her Mother's Heart and from the word "armatevi" cancel the R so that the cry "Fratelli, amatevi, amatevi!" is taken up by all and echoes from one end of Italy to the other.

Yes, dear Padre, I recommended the whole world to you for the triumph of the Civilization of Love. Today I ask for the salvation of Italy in particular, in this grave hour of its history. You who have so loved and honored it with the splendour of your sanctity, see to it that Italy faithfully fulfills the mission given it by Divine Providence of announcing from Rome the message of the Gospel of Christ, from Assisi the Franciscan message of Peace and Good and from San Giovanni Rotondo your message of love for our Lady!

[judelaw]

I'm sorry to say this but I read that the young pope won't have a season 2 but a sequel named the new pope. I'm so sad, I loved pio xiii character so much:(

Hello! May I ask where exactly you read that? Because I read tons of articles about TNP (including Sky’s) and not one said that the spin-off automatically cancels the second season of TYP. The fact that Paolo confirmed a few months ago that he finished writting the script for TYP s2 and that Lenny in fact didn’t die, that several Wildside producers/CEOs confirmed they are currently working on season 2 of TYP and are figuring out a schedule, that Jude recently said he knows the story of the 2nd season and is excited for it and that TYP is expected to get emmy nominations, was quite a huge financial success for the RTL Group and broke several records, always made me believe that there will be a 2nd season of TYP. Especially because TNP won’t start shooting until the end of 2018, which would still give them 1 ½ years to shoot the second season of TYP (a little less, obviously, because Jude will be shooting Fantastic Beasts during the summer and Paolo will be working on his Berlusconi film, but you get the idea).

Now, of course Paolo, Jude and Wildside could have all been talking about TNP and only called it the second season of TYP to be sneaky (or whatever), and to be honest, I would be fine with that, considering the finale of TYP gave Lenny’s character a great closure (even though he deserved fucking better and I won’t rest until he finally gets a hug) but I would obviously still want to see more of Lenny - especially because I doubt Paolo will be able to create another amazing character like him for TNP (without simply copying him, which would make having a new character quite senseless) (this isn’t me trying to shade Paolo’s skills, by the way, he’s a great writer, I just think that TYP/Lenny is a once in a life time thing - just like J.K. Rowling wouldn’t be able to create another incredible world that comes close to being as great as the one of Harry Potter etc).

I guess we have to just wait and see? Perhaps there will be a second season of TYP, perhaps there won’t. Maybe TNP will be even more amazing than TYP, maybe it will be a disaster, who knows.

Generally speaking, I’m just really grateful we even got such an amazing, perfect show, with such a wonderful main character, beautiful side characters, a great story and terrific soundtrack, where the set pieces are stunning and that doesn’t shy away from talking about serious issues (within the church). And if we will never get more of this than those 9 hours and 3 minutes, then that’s okay, too, because I certainly enjoyed every second and will always hold it dear to my heart.

Tell me what happened to the kangaroo though, Paolo.

[pope-francis-quotes]

24th February >> Pope Francis' Address to Vatican Conference on the ‘Human Right to Water’

Below, please find an English Vatican translation of the address Pope Francis gave today to participants in the seminar in the Vatican on “the Human Right to Water.” The conference, Feb. 23-24, 2017, was organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and takes place in the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV this week: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good afternoon! I greet all of you and I thank you for taking part in this meeting concerned with the human right to water and the need for suitable public policies in this regard. It is significant that you have gathered to pool your knowledge and resources in order to respond to this urgent need of today’s men and women. The Book of Genesis tells us that water was there in the beginning (cf. Gen 1:2); in the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, it is “useful, chaste and humble” (cf. Canticle of the Creatures). The questions that you are discussing are not marginal, but basic and pressing. Basic, because where there is water there is life, making it possible for societies to arise and advance. Pressing, because our common home needs to be protected. Yet it must also be realized that not all water is life-giving, but only water that is safe and of good quality. All people have a right to safe drinking water. This is a basic human right and a central issue in today’s world (cf. Laudato Si’, 30; Caritas in Veritate, 27). This is a problem that affects everyone and is a source of great suffering in our common home. It also cries out for practical solutions capable of surmounting the selfish concerns that prevent everyone from exercising this fundamental right. Water needs to be given the central place it deserves in the framework of public policy. Our right to water is also a duty to water. Our right to water gives rise to an inseparable duty. We are obliged to proclaim this essential human right and to defend it – as we have done – but we also need to work concretely to bring about political and juridical commitments in this regard. Every state is called to implement, also through juridical instruments, the Resolutions approved by the United Nations General Assembly since 2010 concerning the human right to a secure supply of drinking water. Similarly, non-state actors are required to assume their own responsibilities with respect to this right. The right to water is essential for the survival of persons (cf. Laudato Si’, 30) and decisive for the future of humanity. High priority needs to be given to educating future generations about the gravity of the situation. Forming consciences is a demanding task, one requiring conviction and dedication. The statistics provided by the United Nations are troubling, nor can they leave us indifferent. Each day a thousand children die from water-related illnesses and millions of persons consume polluted water. These facts are serious; we have to halt and reverse this situation. It is not too late, but it is urgent to realize the need and essential value of water for the good of mankind. Respect for water is a condition for the exercise of the other human rights (cf. ibid., 30). If we consider this right fundamental, we will be laying the foundations for the protection of other rights. But if we neglect this basic right, how will we be able to protect and defend other rights? Our commitment to give water its proper place calls for developing a culture of care (cf. ibid., 231) and encounter, joining in common cause all the necessary efforts made by scientists and business people, government leaders and politicians. We need to unite our voices in a single cause; then it will no longer be a case of hearing individual or isolated voices, but rather the plea of our brothers and sisters echoed in our own, and the cry of the earth for respect and responsible sharing in a treasure belonging to all. In this culture of encounter, it is essential that each state act as a guarantor of universal access to safe and clean water. God the Creator does not abandon us in our efforts to provide access to clean drinking water to each and to all. It is my hope that this Conference will help strengthen your convictions and that you will leave in the certainty that your work is necessary and of paramount importance so that others can live. With the “little” we have, we will be helping to make our common home a more livable and fraternal place, where none are rejected or excluded, but all enjoy the goods needed to live and to grow in dignity. Thank you. [Original text: Spanish] [Vatican-provided translation of prepared text]

[fictionzonedfangirl-blog]

Waiting in the Wings Tara Frejas

Genre: Romance / NA / Contemporary Release Date: February 21, 2017 Book Cover Design by: Miles Tan 

HELLO!!! I know this is super late and the blog tour ended yesterday (but huhu I hope this still counts). There was an emergency in the office and some other matters that I needed to fix first before I could continue reading the ARC of #WaitingInTheWings.

This is the first time that I signed-up for something like this. As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, I’m new with all these things (reading and blogging) so this is really important for me. And man, it was a good decision that I joined this. Tara Frejas’ new novel is something that will make you fall deeply in love in every possible way.

Here’s a synopsis to give you a glimpse of what this awesome story is all about:

At twenty-three, theatre actress Erin Javier has yet to fall in love or kiss a boy offstage and away from the klieg lights. She's the perfect leading lady—whose heart men would fight for, win, and protect—unfortunately, only until the curtains fell and the lights went down. In real life, Erin's a certified NBSB whose heart's been hoping for a song to dance to for quite some time.

But when two (two!) men enter from stage left and right, Erin is confused. Who deserves to take center stage in her heart—Mr. Theatre Royalty whose attention and displays of affection make her pulse race, or a good friend whose steady support has helped steer her to success and allowed her to fulfill her dream?

 The first thing that came to my mind when I read the synopsis a few weeks ago is that this is set in the theater world and that fact alone convinced me that this is a must read. Being an arts major in college, I was exposed in the field of theater. I was part of several school stage productions (both as an actress and as production crew) and I even had my internship under the CCP’s resident theater company: Tanghalang Pilipino. So to say that I’m happy and excited about this is an understatement.

These feelings escalated in a whole new level when I started reading the ARC. Ms. Tara’s way of describing the setting of the story (Teatro Lakambini) triggered a lot of memories. I was able to visualize the whole thing given that I am familiar with this kind of things. She’s so good at what she’s writing that I felt like I was there inside the theater where every-freakin’-thing is happening. The way she wrote it up to the smallest details shows how big of a fan she is of theater productions.

The characters--Good Lord!--The characters are the best. Erin, Ramon (*screeeaaams!*) and Pio had their own moments. Yes, they’re in a sort of love triangle but individually, I think they shined in way that they showed readers like me that even theater actors have lives off the stage. They’re normal. They have their best traits as well as flaws, shortcomings and even insecurities. They have issues they need to settle in order for them to get what they want. Or to figure-out what they really want in their lives. They had their fair share of ~kilig moments~, struggles and sacrifices. Even the supporting characters are so lovable that I couldn’t imagine this story without them. They’re an essential part of the three lead characters’ growth. I even have my favorite supporting character!!! ((Lol! Hi, Mark!))

Also, one of the things that I really loved about this novel is that Ms. Tara had stitched a tight relationship of theater and romance which is something really new to me. While making readers fall in love with every flip of the page, it also featured a glimpse of what it really is like to be in a theater company. The importance of trust, love and respect with one another in this field is highlighted because without these factors a theater production will not be able to be made at all.

This novel taught me that true love waits. Not just the romantic kind of love but also the love you have for something you are passionate about like acting. It may take some time for you to get that role or to be able to shine under that spotlight, but you definitely have a chance. All you have to do is to continue working hard and love it with all your heart. One day, when everything’s ready, you’ll get that shot at success and happiness. And it will be ten (or even a hundred) times sweeter because you know you truly deserve it and you don’t have to be the one waiting in the wings.

[live4thelord]

Wife and Mother of Four Describes Experience of Possession, Exorcism

Posted by Bree A. Dail on Wednesday Dec 11th, 2019 at 9:09 PM

Teresa Piccola’s harrowing experience of possession and liberation through the solemn rite of exorcism is a cautionary tale that ends with great hope.

Article main image

Terese Piccola suffered under so many secrets.

“On the outside, I was the perfect mother, the perfect wife,” she said. “Inside, however, I was broken — and what is worse, I thought I deserved it.”

Speaking exclusively with the Register over the last three months, Piccola related details of her life growing up in an Italian-American home in the suburbs of New York, her marriage and motherhood raising four children, and her activism in the pro-life movement and in her parish — all while quietly enduring years of psychological and emotional torture and unexplained physical ailments.

Her world was turned upside down when extraordinary diabolical phenomena began to manifest themselves as attacks not directly on her, but initially on her children. Her plight ended only after an excruciating year and a half-long battle under the guidance of a clinical psychologist — an expert in possession cases — and through the solemn rite of exorcism.

Open Doors

Piccola related that sexual abuse was the entry point for what would later manifest as demonic possession.

“When I was 6 or 7 years old I was sexually abused on two different occasions,” she said. “I was so ashamed and scared of getting in trouble so I never told my parents. When I was 13, I was raped repeatedly. I would [later] find out the man who raped me had molested a young boy.”

Like many abuse victims, Piccola sought out ways to escape from the reality of her abuse. Encouraged by friends, she began to dabble in the occult.

“I participated in séances and hypnotisms with friends, but I believe the most defining activity happened with the Ouija board when I was 18 years old,” she said. “My sisters and I used it late one night in the house, and something seemed to interfere with the movement of the dial. After that event many strange occurrences happened in the house — water turning on and off, footsteps on the stairs and furniture moved while no one was home.”

“Later, my curiosity for the occult expanded to reading horoscopes, going to fortunetellers, and [having] tarot cards read to me,” Piccola said. “Even when coming back to the Church before getting married, I never confessed these things. I suppose I didn’t realize they were sinful and certainly didn’t think they were portals to evil.”

Abortion was another “open door” for Piccola.

“I had an abortion when I was 17 years old,” she told the Register. “I was a senior in high school and never told my parents. After carrying so much shame with me from childhood, I couldn’t bear to tell them that I was sexually active and pregnant. After my abortion, I became bulimic, sexually promiscuous, depressed, more obsessed with the occult.”

Years later, after marrying and giving birth to her four children, Piccola said she still often felt entirely alone and isolated. Seeking to “atone” for her abortion, she volunteered in pro-life activism and at her church.

Things began to turn for the worse, however, when her youngest son began having violent, unexplainable nightmares. Piccola and her husband asked their parish priest to bless their home. The dreams subsided for a time, but would again revisit her son — so much so, their priest advised them to connect with the diocesan exorcist. It was through this exorcist, during a healing Mass, that Piccola discovered she was the conduit of the demonic oppressions of her family.

Possession

“First of all, I can only speak to my experience,” Piccola said, “but Hollywood loves to depict a possessed person in a very dramatic way. I think this is not good as the enemy loves to be in the spotlight and glamorized. We give way too much attention to him. I can assure you that my eyes never bled, my head never spun around and I didn’t look like I was in a state of psychosis.”

“Quite frankly, outside of the extreme exhaustion — which made my face look drawn — no one would have known I was under such terrible bondage,” she said.

She continued, “Much of what happened for me was internal. I was always in a state of unrest and loneliness. I would sometimes manifest during Mass when my body would shake and tremble terribly, but not to the extent where it caused a large scene.”

Piccola would undergo the solemn rite of exorcism once per week for more than 18 months, in sessions lasting up to three hours. On those days, she and the deliverance team (which included the clinical psychologist and a group of laymen who were there to pray and support — at times, physically — the exorcist in his work) would always begin by going to Mass. After Mass, they would pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Piccola said she was unable to pray this prayer, and the inability to do this would grate on her — the demonic seeking to drive her to despair before the rite of exorcism would even begin.

After additional prayers of protection for the group, the exorcist would lead them in the Litany of the Saints. It was here, Terese said, that the demons that possessed her would begin to manifest themselves. Later, they were to learn that such manifestations would indicate which saint would come to assist her during the rite.

“When sessions first started, I was in and out of awareness,” Piccola continued. “It’s hard to explain, but I was not actually unconscious. I think the closest thing to compare it to is when you take a medication before a surgical procedure and it puts you in a twilight state.”

“During sessions, when the demons would manifest, I exhibited strength beyond my capabilities, my eyes rolled back, my voice changed — these are all accurate depictions in the movies,” she said. “I would often feel or hear these things happening, but the demons would have control over my body and I couldn’t stop things from happening.”

“I felt trapped inside myself, and that was terrifying,” Piccola said. “In the very beginning, I was frightened by it, but then I realized nothing was happening that God didn’t allow, so this gave me peace. I learned how to keep my thoughts hidden so I could pray to Jesus, Mary and the saints during my sessions.”

Piccola said God allowed her to participate in the spiritual battle in a limited way.

“I only remember bits and pieces of the first few sessions,” she said. “Then it shifted, and I noticed I had much more awareness of things. Once prayers began, I had no ability to move or respond except when father spoke directly to me, but I could hear and see things. As my relationship with the Lord grew, and I surrendered more intentionally, I had more control over my movements and words, even exposing things that I could sense with the demons.”

Piccola described, again, how helpless she felt at times, when her body was no longer under her control.

“The demons would seize my body and voice to manifest,” she said. “No matter how hard I tried to regain control, I would just exhaust myself. My voice would change as certain demons manifested, and I could feel it change in my vocal chords.”

“Sometimes it was so painful as the force to expel sound was great,” she said. “I often knew when some major movement was about to happen. I could somehow sense it and would try so hard to fight against it, but then suddenly I would thrust up or my head would shake back and forth aggressively. There were times when I thought my body would just break apart.”

Piccola told the Register she was never physically injured during the often-violent sessions.

“God is so good and never allowed anything that I couldn’t handle,” she said. “By his grace, I was never severely injured. Once I got over the shock of what was happening, I would try to focus on looking at the crucifix, and if my eyes were closed, I would imagine it in my mind. As things were happening on the outside, I prayed and cooperated as much as I could on the inside.”

Liberation

Piccola told the Register that because of the spiritual, mental and physical wounds she had experienced in her life, taking control of what she could was her survival technique. An attitude of control and unforgiveness was a hindrance to her liberation. She had to come to realize she had to relinquish control in her life to God.

“Ultimately,” she said, “I had to accept that this was not my fight. I had to cooperate with Jesus, letting him take control. It was very hard. It is a daily, sometimes hourly commitment to not give up, to surrender, to trust.”

“The real challenge of possession was to reject all the things that had separated me from God,” Piccola said. “Liberation happens when and if there is a willingness to change. The person must want to be liberated. The movies lack this very important piece. It’s not some magic trick where a priest enters dramatically and scares the demons away. It takes full rejection of evil and desire for good. God wants us fully restored.”

Piccola spoke with the Register of having been assisted by saints and angels during her spiritual warfare — bringing in the full understanding of the Church teaching that those who dwell in heaven intercede for the faithful on earth.

Piccola experienced this firsthand.

“I only saw (with my eyes) one saint — St. Michael the Archangel — and only once,” she said. “He appeared as a tall red and white light. He did come to other sessions, but I could only feel his presence, based on the reaction of the demons. There was a terrible fear when he was there. I think the Blessed Mother was the first saint who ever appeared, however. Normally when a saint appeared, I first felt it in my heart and somehow it translated into an image, and then the revelation of the saint. Other times the demons would call out the saint before I even knew. They did this with St. Padre Pio. They feared and despised him.”

“On two different occasions, St. John Paul II came — once as a young pope, and another time as he looked right before he died,” Piccola said. “When he appeared the second time, he was wearing his mitre and had his hand over me praying the prayers with father. He only remained briefly.”

“St. Gemma Galgani came as well. I never knew her before these sessions, but she was insistent on being friends,” Piccola said. “The demons hated her and would spit at pictures of her, as well as [those of] St. Gabriel Possenti. She became a spiritual sister to me, remaining with me to the very end, always prompting me in small ways.”

“Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko was another frequent visitor,” she said. “I had never heard of him prior to my sessions. Others came briefly. The Blessed Mother came several more times after the first visit. One time as I was being tormented, I felt her extend her arms out to me, drawing my heart into her embrace.”

A Message of Mercy

Piccola was fully liberated from demonic possession last year, with what she said is a special mission entrusted to her by God to pray for priests. When asked what message she had for Catholics, she responded, “Jesus himself tells us that some demons may only be expelled through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). I experienced that, daily. As my relationship with God grew, I learned that I had a part to play in this — God expected me to cooperate, do my part and fight.”

“This is the same, for the Church. Humility is the key,” Piccola said. “When we are broken — such as I was wounded and broken — we must learn how to forgive and not just others, but ourselves. We likewise must look to the Church as the wounded Body of Christ. We have the power to pray, and through that prayer to heal and repair. In doing so, however, there has to be an acceptance of responsibility — especially when scandal has occurred. No one is beyond God’s Mercy. Everyone has a unique purpose. We bind God’s hands, however, through rejection of his mercy.”

http://m.ncregister.com/blog/breedail/piccola

[lagioianeldialogo]

28th Sunday of the Ordinary Time: Experiences, Reflections, and Recaps

Good day beloved children of God! Here's my recap of the activities I've done since yesterday. However, before I start with this text, I apologize for my unsavory post last Sunday. I was writing that text with eyes half closed. Totally tired, yet determined to write down my thoughts. Now I’ll go back to the subject of this post.

Since my post yesterday, I finished reading C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce. My reading of this book was paired with listening to the audio book. Rest assured I mouthed 'WHAT?' to the abrupt ending of the book. I loved reading and listening to it because, in true C.S. Lewis fashion, the book presents vivid images in my mind and that itself is enjoyable already. Now, pair that with the topic of the last things: heaven, hell, and purgatory. Though the topic is almost the same, this work does not come near to Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. This book expounds more of the life on earth and the cruciality of one person’s choice in the way to attaining eternal life.

Today is the canonization of Pope Paul VI and other Beatified persons. I've been keeping myself posted in the happenings at the Vatican since there currently is also a synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocation Discernment. I surely hope Pope Francis is not overworking himself with all the happenings at the Vatican. With this big event I was hoping that Benedict would be out of his cloister this time but to no avail, he didn't. I hope he is having his we deserved rest this time. Let us all pray for our Pope and Pope emeritus, may they have the strength of heart and faith, and may they always be guided by the Lord.

As always I'm writing about my thought and recap of the homily that I've heard in the Holy Eucharist. The presider was Fr. Villarojo and as always his homily is substantial. This time, with the event of the visitation of St. Padre Pio's uncorrupted heart at our city, he discussed about the significance of saints. They are for us, intercessors and but most of all, they should be for us, guides and example as to how to live a truly Catholic life and towards life in heaven.

Later he reflected on the Gospel and expounded on the virtues of obedience and detachment. This Sunday's Gospel is about the man who asked the Lord as to how to attain eternal life. With the words of the man, Fr. Villarojo opened the homily: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

What must I do to inherit eternal life? Do we value and ask for eternal life like the man? We should all ask for this from our Father and with it, we should do our part, this is by obedience and detachment. Obedience to the Father is asking for His will to be done and obeying his will. All our days, every moment of our life, we are called to follow the will of God, because God years for us too. He wants us to be with Him in the eternal but He will not control us like a dictator because cause He loves us. Instead, He calls us and waits for our free will to answer to Him. Hence when we. Come to the point that we ask for the will of God, we must also pair it with the free will to obey. This way we are half way to attain eternal life. The other half constitutes the detachment from the things of this world. There are times when Jesus, as shared in the Gospel, is understandable only when you look at the old testament, at the other parts of the Gospel, at His passion, or He cannot at all be understood. But this time, in the Gospel reading for today, He is immensely clear about gaining riches of this world and entering the Kingdom of God. 

“You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to (the) poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

“It is easier for a camel to pass through (the) eye of (a) needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

My last point for this text is on my experience in the afternoon:

I have to admit, the siesta time today got the best of me. I listened to Cardinal Tagle's The Word Exposed with closed eyes and later I was sound asleep. The afternoon light was so sweet and the breeze from my ventilator kept the uncomfortable warmth at bay. I shall repay the unfocused listening by reading the readings for today. 

Lord, thank you for providing for me and my needs once again, as you have done all the days of my life. You have always been there. I now ask you to send me guidance and stronger faith that I may see you and your workings every day. Never let me be astray keep me ever in you path. And when moments come where I do not do your will, afford me humiliation. And when I do follow your will, keep me so. Grant me humility, Father.

Cebu, on the canonization of Pope Paul VI 14 October 2018 Mary Monica

[pamphletstoinspire]

Padre Pio and Spiritual Formation - Article 7

Feelings Of Anger And Desolation

Story with images:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/padre-pio-spiritual-formation-article-7-feelings-anger-baines/?published=t

Padre Pio and Spiritual Formation

Padre Pio described his spiritual director, Padre Benedetto Nardella, as the man who "formed" him. Here are some of Padre Benedetto's teachings on the Christian life.

Article 7

Feelings Of Anger And Desolation

Your feelings of anger are impulsive and depend on your fiery temperament and a bit because of your state of suffering. They are not sinful nor are you to be blamed because they precede reflection and deliberation. It would be a great thing to succeed in controlling oneself perfectly, but either because the soul must always find a reason to do violence to itself or so that an element of desolation persists, God does not grant us complete victory. Will you then give up? No, you will fight and moan hoping in the palm of victory and if it is never granted to you it will be wonderful to die sword in hand. God is not offended, indeed He is pleased to see resolute soldiers who are anxious to fight for his holy love. Make way for those flashes you mentioned. Light is not darkness, nor can something that inclines us to good and promotes it come from the evil spirit.

Temperance In Love

Your letter did not reach me and in fact only yesterday I was perplexed at your long silence; it was a mortification for both of us and wanted by Jesus.

Welcome the brief rays of divine radiance with an open heart but not avidly and as Saint Francis de Sales says you must drive away greed even in consolations of the spirit. Insist more on becoming a perfect holocaust for the One who did not spare Himself for your love. Be strong and enjoy being amongst the generous ones without pay so that the first embrace of the first Love will be more that of a Spouse than of our Lord.

And be firmly convinced that it is a matter of a special vocation, and not of abandonment or a severe punishment.

How could God reject you with your intimate desire of loving Him? He came to save sinners and would He reject someone who suffers at the very suspicion of not being faithful enough?

Direction, Anger, Tabor And Golgotha

You must not allow yourself to think that Jesus and I have abandoned you. This is a lie so leave it to the father of lies.

Do not attack the passion of resentment, but use persuasion. We conquer it more with reasoning than with violence. Instead of trying to suffocate it say calmly and gently: what is the point of an outburst? None; sooner or later things will have to go back to normal.

Anger has always been the friendly passion, or the least feared, even by divine lovers, and it has always been the last to cease agitating hearts. And then many times our Lord leaves it on purpose when the others have been silenced, to give something to fight against and as a reason to humiliate ourselves before Him.

I also often annoy my goldfinch and I am delighted to see him furious. Would you believe it, he has realized this and to amuse me he pretends to be angry.

Therefore when you lose your temper don't get discouraged. Pick it up as you would a skein of wool and say gently to Jesus: You see? I want to be patient with my impatience.

Can a spouse of God, a heart yearning for God, full of God, let herself be affected by surliness, bad humor and neglect from this poor world? Is not the understanding between you and the Infinite enough to cure you of their judgments, interpretations and the arguments of miserable creatures?

Divine affection always precedes trials and helps to sustain them. The caresses of the Inexpressible predict the blows and the hardness of men and of events. Be pleased to be on Tabor as well as Golgotha. Enjoy seeing yourself at his side treated badly.

How dear is betrayed and embittered love.

If He loves you? If He belongs to you? Ah, heart of little faith! God surrounds and absorbs you in his infinite gentleness.

Interior Voices

The voice you hear so clearly inside yourself "I am Love" is from Jesus, because it is the truth and truth can only come from Truth.

The last exhortation heard on 15 August is from Mary and worthy of her, reserved and modest Virgin.

Halts are to recuperate one's strength especially when wise and provident Love sometimes grants that the constant tempest is interrupted by silence and peace. This is the usual conduct of grace with spirits who are in the same state as yours.

My ardor is rejected by the closed arms of Jesus. What are you saying? Are you speaking of Jesus on Calvary or the specter created for you by Satan? The real Jesus has his arms opened wide, stretched out and nailed; his chest is bare and lacerated, therefore there is free access and entry.

You would like to remove the veil of the screen that prevents you from seeing the vision of the Supreme God; veils, my daughter, are shaken with a simple breath; therefore heave a sigh.

Co-Redemption

Everything seems to be lost, while in fact everything is saved and to the glory and joy of the Father.

You are on the altar of sacrifice as a victim of expiation for others and for your own greater purification; that is the truth.

It is a secret but absolutely certain order of Providence that in mankind there are souls destined to repair his honor compromised by others, so that it cannot be said that He does not have some generous hearts who make up with their patient strength and love for the cowardly behavior of so many slaves of the evil spirit. Job was chosen as scripture says to oppose the boast of Satan of having almost all the world in his power. And these heroes of patience are enough to force Satan to succumb to God and for God to be sufficiently glorified despite the great triumph of his adversary. And the Jobs of this world have perpetuated themselves and will exist until the end of the world. Indeed after the redemption they have multiplied marvelously with the grace of Jesus and the victories of the Almighty have grown indefinitely. But it is not just reparation to divine honor which requires these martyrs of faithfulness, but rather the good of our fellow creatures.

Just as roses make us forget the thorny bush on which they grow in the same way the elect almost make a barrier to the justice of the Father and graces continue to flow on the wicked world. And if we pick thorns with the roses it is so that sinners are accepted with the elect. Without this law God would leave sinners to their fate and we could not understand why those who do not even feel the need for mercy and do everything to provoke justice nevertheless receive mercy.

The sacrifice of Calvary is enough to convert everyone but it does not reveal the immense condescension of God who wants to associate his creatures with the work of salvation. Saint Paul affirmed this when he said: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church..." — Col 1,24.

Peace, Punishment, Ecstasy

And with these thoughts in mind would you not be pleased with your sufferings? Consider yourself fortunate.

Continue to enjoy the peace of spirit granted you by our Lord and do not allow anything else to disturb you. There is not and never will be sufficient motive to cast a shadow over it. Infinite love, infinite peace, infinite joy dwells in tranquility.

I also hope and wait that in your sweet and childlike humility peace will grow and reach the lasting profound joy of complete union with the Beloved.

Accustom yourself to seeing God in everything, because nature is a reflection of God. Oh! How He sparkles, shines, dazzles and is radiant in the invisible and the visible.

How much power, wisdom, goodness, delicacy and elegance in everything! But especially in Jesus, in his Heart. His Heart is three times paternal: in creation, in redemption, in communion.

Who gives his flesh and blood out of love?

Ecstasy is the usual consequence of warmly considering divine truths. Lose yourself like a drop of water in the ocean.

Search For God

Do away with preoccupations, drive away sinister opinions: God is with you. The nagging fear of having lost Him is the certain evidence of his dwelling within you.

Your spirit seeks and does not find and therefore roars, writhes, yearns and falls back on itself exhausted without even calming down in its discouragement: but if it could see just for a moment the Beloved who is behind at the distance of an inch and could see the pleasure with which He observes your unsatisfied love, what joy it would be! And yet what a fervent wish to have Him always beside us veiled and hidden! Yes, because a strong and generous heart seeing how Love is happy to see these anxieties would not wish for anything else and would consume itself on the stake of perpetual desolation.

Look at the thorns on your head with the same pleasure as a mother would gaze upon a crown of jewels on the brow of a beloved daughter.

Providence

How beautiful it is to be indifferent to what happens to us leaving every care to the One who is love! What can a soul fear who is determined to belong to Him! Do as you like, arrange things as you think best, certainly we could not ask for more. Is this infallible truth not true? And in the meantime you fear, you complain, you are always anxious wanting what you wish for and ignoring what is better for you. You are too anxious, too preoccupied! You deserve Martha's reprimand: "Thou art anxious and troubled about many things. But continuing with the words of Jesus: "yet only one thing is needful." What is this only one needful thing? The decision to belong to Him. That is enough.

I hope you will live in God's arms, like a child in it's mother's arms.

You may say that Jesus’ arms are closed to you… Look at Him ... His arms are opened wide, stretched out and nailed, his chest is bare and lacerated, therefore there is free access and entry to him forever!!!! (Caption for a linked image)

[pamphletstoinspire]

Padre Pio – A Tense Period in the Relationship between Father Benedetto and his Disciple

Father Benedetto was Provincial Superior from 1909 to 1919. Observed and described the Wounds in 1918. Was Padre Pio's spiritual guide from 1909 to 1922.

Padre Pio – A Tense Period in the Relationship between Father Benedetto and his Disciple - By Bro Luciano Lotti

On 7 March 1915, Padre Pio's Provincial Minister and spiritual director, Father Benedetto of San Marco in Lamis, wrote to Padre Pio telling him that the pontifical permission to reside in his home <durante infermitate e retento habitu> had arrived.

The previous time Father Benedetto had written to his young disciple was 14 December 1914, but it was more of a note than a letter in which, as Provincial Minister, Father Benedetto asked him to obtain from the Archbishop of Benevento the authorization for his temporary residence in his diocese. The letter ending rather coldly: "Regretting very much that we can not yet have you in our midst, I bless you and wish you every choice grace from the Infant Jesus" (Letters I).

In all, in 1914, Father Benedetto wrote three letters to Padre Pio and he received seven from him; from the tone and meagerness of their correspondence, even if historians have tended not to dwell on this, one understands that this was a period of great tension between them.

The cause of all this we know well: Father Benedetto did not see in good light his prolonged stay with his family. Already on 13 May 1914, Father Agostino, who was the Provincial Definitor (a counselor of the Father Provincial), had written to Padre Pio: "I saw the Provincial and we spoke about you. Perhaps the Lord has already informed you of this. We poor superiors do not know how to deal with your case" (Letters I).

Father Benedetto's Disappointment

On 9 June 1915, under obedience to his superiors, Padre Pio returned to the fraternity at Morcone, but after five days he was forced to leave and return to his hometown Pietrelcina in pitiful health. Only a few days later did he find the strength to write to Father Benedetto, a letter in which he asked for his forgiveness for the suffering he has again caused him: "Ah, my good Father, do not be angry with me. I just did not know what saint to invoke. I would like to have spared you this new pain, to shoulder the weight of this cross by myself, but this I was not allowed to do!" (Letters I).

Father Benedetto did not see this in good light at all and was convinced that behind everything was the devil's intervention and he made preparations to send new orders, because he wanted the young friar in the friary, even if this brought about his death. Father Agostino did what he could do to mediate and pointed out that the Provincial Minister's opinion, shared by his counselors too, was not some whimsical notion, since a friar, whether well or ill, was always a friar, and there was no reason why he should be cured outside the friary and so Padre Pio had to prepare himself to obey: "Meanwhile I must tell you in advance that the Lord wants to subject you to another hard trial. The Provincial insists absolutely that you return to Morcone… In this resolute will of the Superior I see the divine will and I exhort you and wish you from the Lord the strength to act according to holy obedience. Do not have any fear, for all will work out for God's glory and our salvation. If you die, you will go to enjoy the beauty of the divine Spouse, as is my wish for you. At all events, the divine plan in your regard must be accomplished. I ask you therefore to prepare for this latest trial, by much prayer and by driving away the insinuations of the enemy. If the Lord were to ask you for a heroic act, would you not perform it? If He asked for your life, would you not give your consent? Hence, made the Lord's will be done!" (Letters I).

The Ways of Providence

We know however, that the ways of the Lord are infinite, and that they do not necessarily follow man's designs. The Minister Gen. of the Capuchin Order, Father Venanzio da Lisle-en-Rigault, came on a visit to the religious province of Foggia, and was informed of Padre Pio's situation as well as his good faith, by Father Benedetto, who even though officially disappointed with the proceedings was open to the mystery being realized in his disciple and obtained from the Superior General an answer that perhaps he was hoping for: "Since it is God's will, let it be done; we will obtain for him the Brief of Exclaustration and he will continue to wear the habit (breve ad tempus, habitu retento). The good Friar will continue to pray for the order to which he always belongs" (Letters I).

Even if reassured by Father Venanzio, Father Benedetto continued, at least officially as we have seen, to maintain his distance with his disciple, however when on 7 March 1915, he was finally able to officially communicate to him that he could remain at home, his words gave away his affection for his disciple as well as all his interior suffering: "The expenses involved will be paid by the Province. Although we are not obliged to do this, we willingly perform this act of charity and hope to be fully repaid by your grateful prayers" (Letters I)

But the real evidence that Father Benedetto was never really antagonistic to the young Friar are found in the words with which he opened his heart in great humility to him: "I myself am going through a period of severe humiliation which, added to the habitual mortifications, is weighing heavily on me. At times I think that God has abandoned me and then it seems to me that all prayers are useless. Unfortunately I deserve this, but it is possible that the heavenly Father's mercy is to be outdone by my wickedness? Recommend me to Him urgently." Then in conclusion he confided to him a great suffering to his priestly soul: "That soul in Barletta is about to give in under the weight of her heavy trials, to what her ordinary confessor writes to me. I am very displeased with this. What have you to say about it?" (Letters I).

Brothers United in their Love for God's Reign

Padre Pio was moved: "My dear Father, I had abandoned all hope of your fatherly benevolence towards this unworthy son of yours." He comprehended the difficulty of his Provincial torn between affection and duty and asked him again for his forgiveness for the difficulty he had caused him and expressed to his spiritual father what was their shared hope: "My most heartfelt thanks also to you, dear Father, and please forgive this unworthy son of yours. Will Jesus grant me at least the grace to die in that place to which, in His immense fatherly goodness, He called me?" (Letters I).

Reading again these events that took place so many years ago, I feel myself agreeing with Father Benedetto who saw in all this the hand of the devil. However, I see Satan's hand not in an attempt to make Padre Pio remain in Pietrelcina, but rather in a plan to cause misunderstanding, discord and division between the two spiritual directors and their disciple.

Their shared anxiety for "that soul of Barletta," Margherita Tresca and who has been forced to remain at home despite her vocation to become a nun, takes on special significance within this wonderful fraternal relationship that Satan attempted to destroy. Father Benedetto's anxiety seems to find an echo in his disciples response: "I am really very sorry for that poor soul in Barletta! The Lord were never permitted her to be lost!" Here we see the brother friars come together in their passionate love for the reign of God.

Marianna Iafelice writing in her series of articles on women who were spiritual children of Padre Pio, said that this passionate love for the reign of God was the driving force behind his spiritual direction: so that "he will become for many women a 'companion of their souls,' a relationship that is perhaps hard to comprehend in today's hedonistic world with its false and shallow image of women.

Brother Luigi Lavecchia in his book," Padre Pio of Pietrelcina's Journey of Faith in his Letters" (L'Itinerario di Fede di Padre Pio da Pietrelcina nell' Epistolario) presents conformation to Christ as the principal goal of Padre Pio's life and that would be translated into a conformation of his mission to Christ’s mission. If we read again the testimonies of those who knew Padre Pio, we observe how these souls saw in him a person conformed to Christ.

Brother Modestino of Pietrelcina wrote a book: "Padre Pio, like the Man of the Gospel" (Padre Pio, come l'uomo del Vangelo) in which he brought out with the simplicity of the Franciscan hagiographers of the past, how many moments in the life of his saintly fellow friar were expressions of this conformation. And we find similar testimonies from Mother Gargani and many other spiritual children.

Padre Pio's whole mission then should be seen in this unceasing "Christifying" of his life. However this journey of transformation, it is necessary to say – and the Letters testify to it excellently – was possible because of his living relationship of affective and spiritual communion with his fellow friars, particularly with his two spiritual directors.

They will be the ones, in fact who not only direct him to his apostolate of spiritual direction, but who will assist and guide him in these first steps. They will be the ones, above all, to inspire and to arouse in his heart his great desire that he will described as a "bartering for the salvation of souls."

This was for Padre Pio, we can truly say, a passionate love for his brothers and sisters that he shared first of all with his brother friars.