The Golden Arrow
In the mid 19th century, a holy Carmelite nun named Sr. Mary of St. Peter received a series of visions from our Lord Jesus Christ, who wished for devotion to spread to His Holy Face and also His Holy Name. He specifically requested acts of reparation for sins of blasphemy, and also for sins of profaning the holy day of Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation.
Our Lord specifically said that these two particular sins caused Him the most grief. Blasphemy has to do with any thought, word, or deed that expresses contempt for God or His Church. We see this frequently in our present day when God’s Name is used in vain or as a curse word, or when the Holy Name of Jesus is used loosely and carelessly. It displays a lack of reverence towards God, and is a very serious sin even though may people no longer take it seriously.
Profanation of the holy day of Sunday, and Holy Days of Obligation, has to do with unnecessary servile work performed on such days. Even worse, many go further than this and choose to miss Holy Mass on Sunday. Very little importance is often attached to Holy Days of Obligation. These are serious sins, especially in the modern day. Remember, our Lord was saying this back in the middle of the 19th century. How many Catholics today freely miss Mass on Sunday? Or receive our Lord in the Eucharist while in a state of mortal sin? Or skip out on Holy Days like the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary or her Immaculate Conception?
Sr. Mary was given a beautiful and powerful prayer to repair the damage done to our Lord’s Name and Holy Face by these sins committed against Him, committed by His very own, the flock of His Church. It is a pious act to pray this even once a day if possible. Jesus told her that every time this prayer is recited, it is like an arrow that delightfully pierces Him and heals His wounds. Further, our Lord revealed that the recitation of this prayer would also alleviate His sufferings caused by the malice of sinners in general. Always remember the price that had to be paid for our sins, including the sins of sacrilege and blasphemy. Meditate often on the Lord’s Passion, and see the great love that He has for us, unworthy as we are. How can we deny Him such a simple prayer, if we know what joy it brings to His Heart? And imagine how many graces stream down from Heaven for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of souls, all from this brief yet powerful prayer, composed by our Lord Himself.
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and unutterable Name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We love you. Save souls. Amen.
