Thursday, April 16, 2009

*Seek Him Before Your Final Hour..April 16

(double click to enlarge picture)
"Sometimes God has to allow trouble
in our lives before we will seek Him.
Multitudes of people never begin to think of their sins
or of their need of salvation
until the hour of pain, sickness, bereavement or death."

Anonymous




The following can be read under "comments", thanks to John who translates and adds so much to this blog.

Not everyone reads comments so I am happy to add all the information here for you to enjoy.
[At the top:]"Christian practices for advancement in piety:The Grace of Poor Health"[On the crosses:]"Boredom ... Acute pain ... Sleeplessness ... Bitterness ... Physical and moral collapse"[On the beam of light, indicating the thoughts of the sufferer:]"Yes, my God!"[At the bottom:]"Be happy with God. Be gladdened in all things in God. Lose awareness of all your difficulties in the act and attitude of filial abandonment and of supernatural contentment provided to the soul that approves and accepts what God wills and does."[The quotation is attributed to "P. de Ravignan," about whom I was able to find the following:Father Gustave Xavier Lacroix de Ravignan (1795-1858) was a French Jesuit priest, author, and famous preacher. He had been a prominent soldier and lawyer in Paris before entering a seminary at the age of 27. He became a preacher of missions and retreats in France, Italy, Belgium, and England. He was devoted to the confessional, the direction of souls, apologetics, conferences for noble ladies, and familiar talks to the poor. Thousands of mourners followed the body of this 'Apostle of Paris' to his gravesite.]
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Friends:

Here is the meaning of the French words on the card ...

[At the top:]
"Christian practices for advancement in piety:
The Grace of Poor Health"

[On the crosses:]
"Boredom ... Acute pain ... Sleeplessness ... Bitterness ... Physical and moral collapse"

[On the beam of light, indicating the thoughts of the sufferer:]
"Yes, my God!"

[At the bottom:]
"Be happy with God. Be gladdened in all things in God. Lose awareness of all your difficulties in the act and attitude of filial abandonment and of supernatural contentment provided to the soul that approves and accepts what God wills and does."


[The quotation is attributed to "P. de Ravignan," about whom I was able to find the following:
Father Gustave Xavier Lacroix de Ravignan (1795-1858) was a French Jesuit priest, author, and famous preacher. He had been a prominent soldier and lawyer in Paris before entering a seminary at the age of 27. He became a preacher of missions and retreats in France, Italy, Belgium, and England. He was devoted to the confessional, the direction of souls, apologetics, conferences for noble ladies, and familiar talks to the poor. Thousands of mourners followed the body of this 'Apostle of Paris' to his gravesite.]

John

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!! Fantastic! Thanks Micki and John!!!

I have heard"oui mon dieu" my entire life and have never known what it means!

Very very neat!
Have a beautiful day!
:) Ally

Anonymous said...

Micki--thankyou for sharing this treasure of a holy card! A million thankyous to John for the translation which turned much oppressive suffering which has come into a means of grace and peace in the knowledge that all is in God's loving Providence.

Diane S.

aspiring... said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
aspiring... said...

Micki and John - altogether inspiring...

My mind and heart go in gratitude and wonder to the creators of the art and of the quote, and to the one who took the pieces and conceived of and crafted this holy card. Just who and how were each of them in the course of an ordinary day? And now here you are Micki and John, responding to them in later time, sharing what you have and know. And here are Ally and Diane and I seeing and learning and responding. As will others. And just who and how are each of US in the course of an ordinary day?

Each of all of us is different, and from a different inner and outer place and time, yet here we all are! Here, we have 'met.' Praise be to God.

Anonymous said...

Aspiring f.o.o.L and all,

I love what you said. Isn't that the truth? What a neat way to just stop and think about all of that. Praise be to God! Maybe some day our paths will cross (maybe in heaven!)But for now we are drawn together in our love for our Lord and Savior and a wonderful appreciation of Micki for her ministry through these wonderful cards!(and John's lovely interpretations!)

May each of you be blessed and happy weekend!
Ally :)

Micki said...

Aspiring and Ally - I'm running short of time for a few days....thanks for your words. Always inspiring and appreciated.