Ave Maria Meditations
Blessed Charles de Foucauld, priest and martyr
(1858-1916) Feast Day is December 1st
PRAYERS OF CHARLES DE FOUCAULD AT THE TABERNACLE:
Lord Jesus, You are in the Holy Eucharist. You are there a yard away in the tabernacle. Your Body, your Soul, your human nature, your divinity, your whole Being is there in its twofold nature. How close you are, my God, my Savior, my Spouse, my Beloved! You were not nearer to the Blessed Virgin during the nine months that she carried you than you are to me when you rest on my tongue in Holy Communion. You were no closer to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph in the caves at Bethlehem or in the flight into Egypt or at any moment of that divine family life than you are to me at this moment – and so many others- in the tabernacle. Mary Magdalene was no closer to you when she sat at your feet at Bethany than I am here at the foot of this altar. You were no nearer to your apostles when you were sitting in the midst of them than you are to me now, my God. How blessed I am I!
Bl. Charles’ thoughts ON MARTYRDOM: To prepare oneself constantly for martyrdom, and accept it without a shadow of reluctance, like the Divine Lamb-in Jesus, through Jesus, for Jesus- I must try and live as if I were to die a martyr today. Every minute I must imagine I am going to be martyred this very evening.
OUR LORD’S RESPONSE ON HIS WISH TO BE A MARTYR: “This life will be followed by death. You wish for a martyr’s death. You know how cowardly you are, but you know too that you can do all things in Him who gives you strength, that I am all powerful in My creatures. Ask day and night for it but always with this condition, that it be My will, and for My glory and My pleasure which I know you desire and pray for above all things. And have confidence; I will grant what you ask, that which is for My greater glory. It is good to ask for this, for ‘there is no greater love than to give your life for the beloved,’” and it is right to wish to give Me this ‘greatest love of all’ “
