Crib, Cross, Altar and Mary

If you were to ask any Redemptorist about the spirituality of our Congregation, he would immediately say these words to you - Crib, Cross, Altar and Mary!

• The Crib is the place where the most wonderful event, the Incarnation, took place - And the Word was made flesh...
• The Cross is the place where Jesus says, I love you so much I will die for you!
• The Altar is the place where we receive Jesus in the form of bread and wine, His Body and Blood.
• His last act for us was when he said to the beloved disciple, Behold your mother.

From the prayers below you will see how Alphonsus understands these four words:

CRIB

My dearest Jesus, if it is true that ownership is acquired by gift, then you are truly mine since the Father has given you to me. You were indeed born for me; you were given to me.

As Scripture says: "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us." (Isa 9:6)

Therefore I can justly say to you: "My God and my all."

And since you are mine, everything that belongs to you is also mine. (See Rom 8:32)

Therefore your precious blood is all mine, your grace is mine, your paradise is mine; and since you are mine, who can ever take you away from me?

Amen

"Meditation for the Novena of Christmas."

CROSS

Was it possible that God, the creator of all things, would have been pleased to die for love of his creatures?

Yes, it is through faith that he done so, "as Christ loved us and gave himself for us"

(Eph 5:2).

The earth, the heavens, and all nature with astonishment witnessed Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord of the Universe, die in intense pain and anguish, like a criminal on a disgraceful cross.

Why? For the love of humanity!

Lord, I have known your Passion and not only have I not loved you, but I have frequently offended you. Pardon me, I beg you and remind me continually of the death you have suffered for love of me, so that I may never again offend you, but may also love you....

My crucified Jesus, I want to be yours alone now and forever, and I will love no one else but you. Amen

"The Way of Salvation."

ALTAR

My loving Jesus, you can give us no greater proofs of your live than those which you have already given us.

You have given your life to us – and you have bequeathed yourself to us in Holy Communion, that we may be nourished with yourown flesh and blood. How can we see all these testimonies of your love and fail to love you in return?

I thank you for giving me the time and opportunity not only to regret the offenses I have committed against you but also to love you for the rest of my life.

Help me, my Jesus, to reject and expel from my heart each and every affection which is not directed toward you, so that from this day forward I may not desire, nor seek, nor love anyone but you alone.

My God whom shall I love if not you, who are my supreme good? Amen.

"Meditation for the Octave of Corpus Christi"

Mary

O most beautiful Lady,I rejoice in seeing you so dear to God because of your purity and beauty.

I thank God for having preserved you from every stain of sin; and since you are so loved by the

Holy Trinity, do not refuse to look with love upon me, a sinner.

Obtain for me from God pardon for my sins and eternal salvation.

Look down upon me and change me.

Draw my heart to you so that from now on I may truly love your Son and you.

You know that I have placed my hopes in you, my dear mother, so do not abandon me!

Help me in life through your powerful intercession, and come to my aid, especially at the hour of my death. Amen

"Meditation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception."