Roses and Thorns

 ROSES AND THORNS

“The first roses are the interior souls, who operate in their interior. These souls are symbolized by the rose petals which are turned inwards, adding a distinction of beauty, of freshness and of solidity, with no fear that some petals may fall to the ground. The external petals symbolize the blooming that the interior soul does outwards; receiving life from within her, her works are fragrant with holy charity and, almost like lights, they strike the eyes of God and of her neighbor.  Book of Heaven, October 2, 1903

I found myself outside of myself in the midst of a multitude of people; and up high there was the Queen Mama, speaking to that people and crying, so much so that, holding a bunch of roses on Her lap, She wet them with Her tears. I could not understand anything of what She was saying; I could only see that the people wanted to make tumults, and that the Celestial Mama was praying them, crying, to calm down. Then She detached one rose and, pointing to me in the midst of so many people, She threw it to me. I looked at it; the rose was pearled with the tears of my dear Mama, and those tears invited me to pray for the peace of the peoples.  Book of Heaven, May 1, 1921

“…because in the field sowed by Me, weeds and thorns have grown so much as to become trees. And these thorny trees do nothing but inundate my field with poisonous and pestilent waters, to the point that if some ear of grain remains intact, it receives nothing but punctures and stench, so much so, that it is impossible for more ears to germinate – first, because they lack the ground, which is occupied by so many noxious plants; second, because of the continuous punctures they receive, which give them no peace. So, behold the necessity of the slaughter – to root out so many bad plants; and of shedding of blood – to purge my field of those poisonous and pestilent waters. Therefore, do not want to grow sad at this beginning, because not only there where I have sent chastisements, but in all other places is purgation needed.”  Book of Heaven, July 21, 1900

Charity and obedience have their own thorns, which open large wounds and make the heart bleed; but they make the most ruby-red, fragrant and beautiful roses bloom.  Book of Heaven, Oct. 1, 1909

“Take the Rose which says ‘Love’ and rejoice in the ineffable mystery which it represents.  It is crimson and white.  Accept it, my child to adorn yourself with it, a rose uprooted from my heart.  It is a memento of your Virgin Mother; it is a token which insures heaven which I purchased for you.  Carry it in your heart and think of me when you see it, as the joyful Mother of Jesus.  The Thorn which this rose leaves in my heart is the ingratitude of many who will pass through the world without giving the least thought to the incomparable benefit of the Incarnation.”  Roses and Thorns, Meditation II – The Annunciation

“The promises of God were brought to fulfillment; the vows of the patriarchs, the signs of the just, the groan of men and their cries of impatience asking heaven to drop down its dew, that earth might bud forth a Savior. All this was for your happiness, but I knew very well all the thorns which it contained for me.  I was to be the mother of the Victim of your salvation.  Child of my sorrows, take this rose, pure as light, which my heart, full of tenderness, gives you today.  You will find the word FIAT written on its petals so that you remember all the days of your life, and especially today, the great love your mother holds for you.”  Rose and Thorns, Meditation III – Fiat