Spiritual Reading List The Holy Bible The Catechism of the Catholic Church The Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary, Divine Office) The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis My Daily Bread Handbook of Prayers by Scepter Publishers, 1995 The Way by St. Jose Maria Escriva The Forge by St. Jose Maria Escriva  Conversations with God by Reverend Father Fernandez  Catechism of Mental Prayer The Spiritual Life by Very Reverend Father Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S., D.D. Spiritual Combat Revisited by Reverend Father Jonathan Robinson of the Oratory Spiritual Theology by Reverend Father Jordan Aumann The Graces of Interior Prayer by Reverend Father A. Poulain, S.J. The Spiritual Life: A Summary of the Instructions on the Virtues and on Prayer by St. Jane Frances de Chantal  The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross Ascent to Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross  The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila Autobiography of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Monfort Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius of Loyola Confessions by St. Augustine Retreat with the Lord by Fr. John Hardon The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Chatard The Way of the Pilgrim Legion of Mary Handbook Life is Worth Living by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen "Magnificat" - monthly magazine ed. by Fr. Cameron Come Rack, Come Rope by Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson Fire Within by Reverend Father Thomas Dubay And You are Mine by Reverend Father Thomas Dubay Blessed Mother in XX Century by Reverend Father Pawel Rytel-Andrianik  (See below)   Blessed Mother in XX Century  by Reverend Father Pawel Rytel-Andrianik One part regarding the Blessed Mother from the talk on the Feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. If someone would like to have the entire text of the talk please email: Parish Receptionist at: receptionist@saintbarnabasarden.org It is impossible to understand the twentieth century without Our Lady. In 1917 she said in Fatima that the future of the world depended on its attitude. If people won’t convert their hearts there will be second war. Thus, Our Lady’s words spoken in Fatima were fulfilled. She said: “When you see a night illumined by a strange light, know that it is the great sign” of the next war. An extraordinary aurora borealis was seen throughout all of Europe on the nights of January 25 and 26, 1938. Unfortunately most people ignored the Fatima message. Our Lady begged the world to avail itself of Holy Communion on 5 first Saturdays of each month and consecrate itself and Russia to her Immaculate Heart. For a long time a lot of people didn`t think about this revelation. 1n 1939 the II World War began. Hitler’s soldiers extend their power in nearly all of Europe. During this time around 60 milion people were killed. Europe was total disaster and a kingdom of death. It is interesting that the Pope Pius XII (twelfth) offered the Whole World to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on December 8, 1942. It is a striking that from this moment on Hitler`s armies began suffering a series of crushing defeats on all war fronts. It is amazing that every significant victory over the German army took place on this liturgical feast of Our Blessed Mother. And so the greatest victory at Stalingrad occurs on February 2, 1943, Feast of Presentation of the Lord, known also like the feast of Blessed Mother with the candle, because in this day in church we bless the candle. Sicily is taken on August 15, 1943 feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Italy goes over to the Allied side on September 8, 1943, feast Birth of Blessed Mother, The Allies land at Tulon on August 15, 1944, also feast of the Assumption, The remnants of German forces capitulate on May 8, 1945, the feast of Michael the Archangel, patron saint of Germany. Japan finally capitulates on August 15, 1945. They didn`t realize that it was the feast of the Assumption Thus bringing the Second World War to a close. The fate of the war was thus largely decided between two principal Marian feast days: December 8, 1942 and August 15, 1945. And for more recent historical events, we need to recall that the attempt on the life of the Holy Father John Paul the II took place on May 13, 1981. Blessed Mother tolled children about bishop in white cassock. And attempt was on the anniversary of the first Marian apparition in Fatima. It was not only the same day, but also the same time when the Blessed Mother spoke the first time to 3 children in Fatima. Now in this place at Saint Peter’s Square is a small red brick, stone. The Pope’s secretary, Monsignor Dzwisz recalls that The Holy Father was in great pain. What he remembered in particular was, that John Paul II repeated: “Mary, my Mother! Mary, my Mother!”. When Pope arrived at the hospital he had lost three quarters of his blood. Dr Crucitti reported that the nine-millimeter bullet had described an extraordinary trajectory through the Pope`s body, bypassing all the vital organs. It passed within a few millimeters of the aorta. A torn aorta would have meant certain death. Any way, after this event Holy Father John Paul the II said: “It was a real miracle, and I know who to thank for it. One hand held the gun, another guided the bullet”. Now this bullet is the crown of Statue of Our Lady in Fatima, and the belt with the sign of attempt is in Czêstochowa in shrine of Black Madonna. But there is another mystery. Our Lady in Fatima asked to consecrate Russia and the entire world to her Immaculate Heart. In 1942 the Pope consecrate all the world, but without specification about Russia. Finally, Holy Father John Paul the II fulfilled the Blessed Mother`s will. On March 25, 1984 the Pope with 200 cardinals and bishops of the world, in the presence of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, brought specially over for the occasion carried out the formal act of the consecration of Russia and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. But very important is that according to sister Lucia, act of consecration Russia and all World was only then that the condition of her request were fully met. Sister Lucia predicted that a miracle would follow this act of consacration. And indeed, it was not long after that before the world witnessed the collapse of the Communist Bloc. The dissolution of the Soviet Communist Party followed on the heels of the failed coup attempt of August 22, 1991, on the Church`s old feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And the total disintegration of Soviet Union was signed on December 8, 1992, on territory of my Diocese. Thus, an extraordinary chain of events unfolded between Martch 25, 1984 and December 1992. We have many different shrines where we can go in pilgrimage. Once my father was on pilgrimage to the shrine of the Blessed Mother in Kodeñ, it is a very nice shrine in Poland where Cardinal Wojty³a also has been. After this pilgrimage my father asked my Mother: “Wandzia”, I don`t understand. We have a different Blessed Mothers: Blessed Mother of Czêstochowa, Blessed Mother of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadelupe! But which is the real Mother? Which one. Which one is most important? To which do I pray? To Our Lady of Czêstochowa or our lady of Guadalupe? After a while my mother said: “Oh, silly boy. It is the same Blessed Mother, she has only changed clothes”. Oh, now I understand. The women understand this very well. Every time the Blessed Mother goes to a new place she must dress to the place. So let`s pray to every Blessed Mother. Our Lady of Czêstochowa, Our Lady of Guadelupe or Fatima. For they are the same Mother, our Mother.