PRAYING WITH ALBERTO Lent: space for rediscovering the call to holiness

Rimini, S. Augustine February 22, 2013

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

In this Year of Faith, the Church invites us to rediscover our Catholic faith, as we strive to enliven our faith and prayer in the life and words of Alberto, and see this holy season of Lent to rediscover our vocation and call to sanctity.

1 Holiness, our Christian Call and Vocation, to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy From the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1: 1-6) Greetings. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus}- faithful in Christ Jesus: grace and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessings in heaven, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favour of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he will granted us in the beloved.

From the Diary of Alberto Marvelli "Today I set a goal to achieve, with all costs with the help of Almighty God. These goal which I found so sublime, so radiant, so precious, which I desired to become but nonetheless implemented. Is to become holy... a saint, an apostle, a charitable worker, a scholar, to be pure and strong. Perhaps it is so presumptuous? Ah, maybe I think I'm strong enough to succeed? But, You know Lord, without You, I can do nothing. .. I trust completely in Your help and, for my part, I will do my best. I want to reach this goal not only to be holy and better than others, and not to look down upon sinners. I heed these call for your greater glory. Lord, I want to become humblest servant of souls, which I may to bring your people back to you. "

Psalm 84 How lovely your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD. My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. As the sparrow finds a home And the swallow a nest to settle her young, My home is by your altars, LORD of hosts, my king and my God! Blessed are those who dwell in your house! They never cease to praise you. Blessed the man who finds reguge in you, in their hearts are pilgrim rodas. As they pass through the Baca valley, they find spring water to drink. The early rain covers it with blessings. They will go from strength to strength And see the God of gods on Zion. LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. O God, watch over our shield; look upon the face of your anointed. Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Better the threshold of the house of my God, than a home in the tents of the wicked. For a sun and shield is the LORD God, bestowing all grace and glory. The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk without reproach. O LORD of hosts, Blessed the man who trusts in you!

Intercessions - Lord, come and welcome your sojourning church into your Kingdom. Help us to find our way and hearts into your home. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Father, through Christ Jesus, You have revealed Your love unto us. In Your mercy, look not into our sins, and grant us grace, to save us from every evil, and make our countenance like Your Son. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Christ Jesus, you have taught us to be perfect like Your Father. Give us strength to make our hearts humble and fruitful in love. Grant us Your grace, to be holy amidst daily life, and to entrust ourselves fully to your Kingdom. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us.

2- The Path to Perfection, requires our greater effort to get rid of the old and new forms of idolatry A reading from the Holy Gospel, according to Luke (Luke 4: 1-12) Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him. If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. Jesus answered him, It is written, One does not live by bread alone. The he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me. Jesus said to him in reply, It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God and him alone shall your serve. Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.. Jesus said to him in reply, It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.

Prayer Christ, you who are unblemished in the world. You who were triumphant over temptations and sin, save us from the of darkness of our inner-self. Teach us to free ourselves and others, from enslavement of sin, not to be tempted by worldly material and power. Make us humble, not to humiliate our brothers. Guide and help us, to overcome ourselves. Set us free Lord Jesus, make us Your Servant, and to serve only You and Your Catholic Church. Because there is happiness in true freedom, with You and for You. (David Maria Turoldo)

From the Life of Alberto Marvelli After the WWII, the restoration and rebuilding of properties, the refugees and the displaced person, was the major serious problem of Rimini. The homeless and refugees estimated to be 43, 000 souls. In August 1945, Engineer Alberto Marvelli was entrusted to work in Municipal Commission. He works quickly and decisively, with clarity and transparency in the management of huge amounts of money that will be distributed and allotted amongst disaster and war victims, these was given with a sense of justice and fairness. His professional duty only adds to the commitment and unbounded love towards his fellowmen ... his office was always the last to close. Even when all the employees had left home, Alberto remained until he had listened to all. His works of charity towards the needy is not only confined in his office time, or at home. But he would go extra cause in search of those in need. Not everyone knew how to set up the necessary paperwork to get the funds to rebuild their home ... Alberto extended his hands, in visiting their residence, to instruct them what to do and how to comply the necessary papers. Often for his people, Alberto also stands as guarantor to banks and construction firms.

Intercessory Prayers - Father Yahweh, You are the only living and merciful God, You abundantly bless those who fear you, in Your love keep us away from any enslavement to material idols and worldly power. Give us the breath of life, that we may unceasingly praise you with our songs. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Lord, keep us away from the arrogance, and pride, as to believe that we can stand without You. Help us with Your grace, that we may be able to emulate Your servant Alberto by serving our brothers and sisters in need. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. - Lord help us to be generous to your people, amidst our crisis, teach us to live simply, and to share our excess with those less fortunate. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, Lord hear us. Personal Reflections and Prayer

3 - The Way of Perfection Consist of Commitment in Fellowship towards our Brethren From the Diary of Alberto "In the example of S. Paul, he was tireless in effort to convert the world to Christ, he even endured pain. Lord, I am not afraid to suffer for Your people. When I stroll around the street, I see the suffering and the plans to help them, flourish in my soul. Therefore I do not waste my time in with false fantasies, and objects to avert my mind from uniting to God and His people. In my studies, I see time as precious gold. I must keep myself from wandering in illusions and fantasies, which bring mans soul to stale resolution. Silence is a good teacher to sanctify our souls, the less we talk the less we sin. To be silent, be humble and lower our pride, to practice patience and charity is a great way to converse with God. I must save souls, with loving patience and ardent charity.

Letter to Marilena "Every sacrifice, however how small when offered to the Father, makes us co-redeemers. We became Victimsouls. Every act of charity, however how small, makes us closer to the Father. The infinite field of charity is a magnificent way to perfection: as to accustom us to consider the true value and gift of life. It does not only satisfy our desires and ideas, it also detaches us from worldly things, conforming to the words of Christ, It is blessed to give, than to receive. Our urgent involvement is needed in resolving the many problems of social justice, is one of the teachings of the Lord.

Intercessory Prayers - Lord, help us to follow the path of penance, free from worlds vanity. Teach us to pray and love one another, as you loved each one of us. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, hear us. - For the unity and salvation of the Catholic Church, for our diocese, and for the diocese in Rimini, for us gathered here in Your name. These lent, we may be able to sow healing for those who are sick, sow hope and trust to those who are in despair, guidance and light for those You are searching back in Your fold. We pray. Through the intercession of Alberto, hear us. - Personal Intentions and Prayers ...

Prayer to Alberto Marvelli O God, Almighty Father, full of mercy, we thank you for giving us Alberto, as a sign of your love for us. We contemplate the marvels that you have done in his life: the solid prayer life, the generous social and political commitment, a burning love for the poor. He constantly practices the heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity. We ask you, Father, through the intercession of Alberto, grant us to imitate his virtues and become like him a witness of your love in the world. Heal us and grant us all spiritual and material graces we are in need (state your intentions), so that we, like him, we may unconditionally love and serve your Church and to work for peace and salvation of creation. May the countless answered prayers, be a constant reminded of your love and power, as we work for the canonization of Blessed Alberto Marvelli, and for evangelization on this Year of Faith. Amen

___________________________ * A special thanks to the translator: Br. Ronald Que, in Loving Memory of Teresita N. Que