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C. 1998 St. Andrews Productions
ISBN: 1-891903-09-8
Published by:
St. Andrew's Productions, 6111 Steubenville Pike, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
(412) 787-9735 FAX (412) 787-5204
Printed in the United States of America
Scriptural quotations are taken from The Holy Bible-RSV: Catholic Edition. Alternate translations from the Latin Vulgate Bible
(Douay Rheims Version-DV) are indicated when used. Some of the Scriptural quotations are taken from the New American Bible:
St. Joseph Edition.
FORWARD
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN
by Fr. Richard Foley,
SJ London, England
One of the main benefits I personally gained from reading these pages is that they stirred my zeal for souls. I shall return
to this theme presently. But let me first say that this account (in the shape of a journal) by Barbara Rose Centilli of her
locutions and other religious experiences is in my estimation likely to become a landmark book.
Its author is by no means someone of immature years and unsophisticated background--characteristics common to a number of
modern-day mystics. On the contrary, she is a cultured wife, mother and grandmother besides being a highly qualified academic.
These qualities can be discerned in her chronicle of the mystical experiences that have befallen her.
These experiences focus almost exclusively on God the Father. And herein lies the main reason why Barbara Rose's book is so
unique and, in a sense, pioneering, since relatively little has been written on special devotion to the First of Three Persons
in God.
Inevitably, of course, this subject-matter brings in to some extent the whole Trinity-that primordial and sublime mystery
which can so easily mislead the unwary into theological error. But Barbara Rose is orthodoxy itself throughout these pages;
she sees clearly that the Father is the first of the three co-eternal, co-equal Selves in the One Godhead, and that this Godhead
is a Divine Family of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Because each of the Three is quite distinct from the others, we can relate to Them individually, that is, on a one-to-one
basis. In this case it is God the Father who makes these amazing initiatives to Barbara Rose, favouring her through locutions
with numerous revelations about Himself and His purposes.
These locutions could, in fact, be better described as dialogues, for the Father speaks not only about Himself and His plans
but asks her questions. She in turn puts many a question to Him and voices her occasional fears and misgivings, addressing
the First Person throughout with the candour and confidence of a trusting child.
What, then, is the Father's main purpose in holding these dialogues with Barbara Rose? Of what divine plan and initiative
is she the chosen human instrument? The answer is that God the Father of all Mankind wants His paternal role to be more clearly
and publicly recognized and honoured by all His human creatures. To this end, He proposes a Holy Octave of Consecration and
an annual Feast-Day dedicated to Himself, plus a devotion to be known as the Chaplet.
In addition to being intimate and appealing, the actual dialogue throws much light on what we know about our loving Father
in heaven. We sense the infinite tenderness and mercy underlying everything He says, while His favoured daughter comes across
as full of filial trust and childlike directness.
The dialogue also vividly reflects the shifting moods of Barbara Rose's all too human spirit. Like the psalmist (indeed, like
all of us), she experiences alternate highs and lows in her ongoing relationship with the Divine Being; one moment she is
tip-toeing lightly on the mountain tops of joy and consolation, the next she is wondering disconsolately in the valley of
darkness and near-despair.
To return now to what was mentioned earlier: the book's power to stir our zeal for souls. This is because the Eternal Father
tells us through Barbara Rose how immensely and tenderly He loves each of us human beings-His prodigal children though we
are-and yearns to welcome us into His everlasting home beyond death's horizon. For example, Barbara Rose records Him as saying
on different occasions: " My children are precious to My Heart...They are My true desire...I long for them." such a price-tag
on them, human souls are clearly precious beyond rubies. This is an inspiration and incentive of which we priests in particular
stand in constant need.
A further item on the all-loving Father's agenda is: He wishes to unite the human family here on earth into a unity of harmony
and brotherhood. Similarly He wants us to treasure as we should the unique gift He has made us of His Son's Eucharistic mysteries,
the source of life and holiness.
What the Father likewise wants us to treasure as we should is His further gift of Mary, "The Mother of all mankind. " He assures
Barbara Rose that the Triumph of Mary 's Immaculate Heart will be ushered in by the recognition of her privileged status in
the meriting and mediation of grace.
The Mother of God has told Barbara Rose that she is preparing us for the "Era of the return of the Father's children”
into His Paternal embrace. We have good reason to believe and hope that we are already standing on the very threshold of that
longed-for era. Our Lady herself confirmed this happy expectation in another locution to Barbara Rose: "Soon the Father will
come to you and the world in a new way."
In a word, Barbara Rose fulfills a prophetic role in preparing us through these pages for that brave new world wherein we
shall pay a special honour and devotion to the First of the Divine Trinity. Over that approaching Age of the Eternal Father
the Saints in Heaven, too, will surely rejoice-and none more so than the two great Carmelites who shared not only the name,
Therese, but an intimate devotion to that Person referred to by Our Lord as, "My Father and your Father" (John 20:17).
Fr. Richard Foley S.J.
May 1, 1998
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