December 21, 2024

real miracles

Meditations for Advent| Meditation I- The Heart of the Infant Jesus, Our Coming Light

Mother & Refuge08 mins

“Behold, the Lord cometh, and all His saints with Him; and in that day there shall be a great light.” All. Ant. at Lauds. “And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord shall bind up the wound of His people, and shall heal the stroke of their wound.” (Is. xxx. 26.) 1st Prelude. – Represent to yourself the Heart of the Infant Jesus in the womb of Mary as a flame of clear and beautiful light coming to enlighten all nations. Represent also to yourself the terrible light of the second coming, which will be open and manifest to all. 2nd Prelude. – Pray that you may be so enlightened by the light of the first coming, that you may not be terrified by the light of the second coming. 1st Point. – Look at the Heart of the Infant Jesus. It lies hidden in the womb of Mary, even as his blessed Humanity will be hidden hereafter in the tabernacle. Oh, what a holy, beautiful, peaceful light is the light of the Infant Heart of Jesus! How it longs to come forth and manifest itself to all, to console, to instruct, to illuminate! Are we, also, longing to receive this light? Are we praying with our whole hearts that it may come to us, and that we may be prepared to receive it? However great our spiritual enlightenment may be, we are still, in some measure, “sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death.” But the light is coming; already we can see the dawn upon the mountain. When Mary was born, the first ray of light tinged the eastern sky; when Jesus was born, the light of this mystic moon was as the light of the true sun, because of her perfect union with Him; and the light of the sun was sevenfold, as the light of seven days. The light was sevenfold; that is, the light was perfect, for it was the light of God. 2nd Point. – Let us beseech the Infant Jesus to enlighten us in that particular way in which we most need light. We are all “born blind” through the sin of our parents; and, unhappily, though we have obtained light in the waters of baptism, we too often, by our own fault, relapse into blindness more or less intense. Sometimes we do not wish to see the sin we should forsake, or the virtue we should practise, because it would cost us something to act upon this light; sometimes we profit so little by the light, that it is withdrawn from us, or it is not imparted in the fullness and brightness with which more faithful souls are favoured. There are souls in whom the light of God shines so brightly, that they cannot commit the shadow of an imperfection without perceiving it immediately; there are souls in whom that light shines so resplendently, that they see even the shadow of an imperfect motive in the best action they perform. Why should we not be thus favoured? It is not because the light is unwilling to come, but because we are unwilling to receive it. 3rd Point. – What shall we do to obtain this great grace? Let us go to Mary. Let us devote our Advent to Mary. Let us consecrate every thought, word, and action to Mary during this holy season; and then, on the blessed Christmas morning, she will herself place her Infant in our arms; nay, rather, she will lay Him down to rest in our hearts; and He is so obedient to His sweet mother, that He will never stir from the heart wherein she places Him, unless she comes to take Him away. Surely we will not oblige her to do so? Advent should be a time of special devotion to Mary. Jesus again lies mystically in her womb. Again she pleads unweariedly for her people, as she pleaded in that blessed Advent when He took flesh of her flesh, and bone of her bone. Oh, let us kneel before her now as we would have knelt before her then, and implore her to intercede for us with Jesus, to obtain for us that He may indeed be our light, and that we may never be of the number of those who prefer darkness. Then, indeed, may we hope that the light of His second coming will be a light of glory to us, and not a light of condemnation. Aspiration. – Come and enlighten us, O sweet Infant Jesus. Form your resolution, and place it in the Heart of the Infant Jesus. Examen of Meditation.

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Act of Love from the Augustinian Manual

Mother & Refuge05 mins

O my Lord and my God, true and only lover of my soul, what more canst Thou do to make me love Thee! Oh, immensity of love! Incomprehensible and infinite love! A God gives himself to me! A God – Ah, my God! I love Thee above all things. I love Thee more than myself, more than my life; and I delight to love Thee, because Thou art so deserving of my love. Begone from my soul, ye earthly affections, and give place to the love of God. Since Thou, O dear Jesus, wilt this morning give Thyself entirely to me, it is just that I also should give myself wholly to Thee. I offer myself entirely and unreservedly to Thee; my senses, my powers, my desires, my affections, my whole self. I solemnly declare before heaven and earth that I no longer wish to live but for Thee; to work, to speak, to breathe, only for Thee, in Thee, and with Thee. Oh, that my heart were all tenderness for Thee, and could pine away for love of Thee! Would that it could be moved by transports of devotion such as those with which thy affectionate mother burned when she pressed Thee to her bosom! Oh, that I could see Thee loved by all! Oh, that I had power to cause all creatures to love Thee as Thou deservest! Alas! good Jesus, grant that I may be a perfect victim to thy holy love. O most amiable Redeemer, how I grieve for having so much offended Thee during my past life! Thou hast even died for my salvation, and I have despised Thy grace and Thy love. Ungrateful, thankless creature that I am! I repent, and grieve from my heart for having so outrageously offended Thee. I hope that Thou hast already pardoned me; but if not, oh, forgive me now before I receive Thee in this Divine Sacrament! Have pity and receive me into thy favour, whilst I prepare for Thee in my heart a suitable abode. Behold, O Jesus, I approach to feed on thy divine flesh. But who am I? Who art Thou? Thou art the Lord Supreme, the source of all purity and perfection; and I am but a worm of the earth, denied by sin and corruption. And dare I purpose to receive Thee in the Holy Communion? The seraphim are not sufficiently pure in thy sight; and shall I, who am but dust and ashes, misery and sin, receive Thee upon my tongue, unite Thee to my heart, and clasp Thee to my bosom? I, who by my sins am unworthy to remain in thy divine presence, and deserve only to be cast into hell, and to be for ever separated from Thee? Ah, my God! My unworthiness is too great. But since by thy goodness I am called to receive Thee, behold I come humbled and confused on account of the great displeasure which I have given Thee; but my only trust is in thy goodness, and in the love which Thou bearest to me. Come, then, O deal Jesus, come into my soul, which longs after Thee. Amen

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Devotion to the Dolors of Mary with Promises Attached

Mother & Refuge012 mins

Devotion to the Dolors of Mary Many are the promises given to those who show devotion to the Mother of God in the light of her sorrows. It is clearly revealed of the Lord that He has an especial love for the honor given to His Mother’s sorrows, and throughout history He has promised to those who show this love special graces. The Seven Dolors of Mary The dolors of Mary have often been honored under the title of the Seven Dolors, these particular seven occasions of great sorrow are: I. The circumcision of Our Lord, when she saw His blood shed for the first time and heard the Prophecy of Simeon.II. The Holy Family’s flight into Egypt to save the life of the little Infant Jesus when Herod was seeking to kill Him.III. The three days the Holy Family lost the Christ Child in Jerusalem.IV. When she saw Christ carrying His Cross.V. The death of Christ on the cross.VI. When Christ was taken down from the Cross.VII. When Christ was laid in the sepulchre. The Promises of Grace to those who are Devoted to the Dolors of Mary St. Alphonsus Liguori, writes that Our Lord revealed to St. Elizabeth of Hungary four special graces that are given to those who are devoted to the dolors of Mary: That those who before death invoke the Blessed Mother in the name of her sorrows, should obtain true repentance of all their sins.That He would protect in their tribulations all who remember this devotion, and that He would protect them especially at the hour of death.That He would impress upon their minds the remembrance of His Passion, and that they should have their reward for it in Heaven.That He would commit such devout clients to the hands of Mary, so that she might obtain for these souls all the graces she wanted to lavish upon them. St. Bridget of Sweden has related that the Blessed Virgin Mary grants these graces to the souls who honor her daily by saying seven Hail Marys and meditate on her tears and dolors: I will grant peace to their families.They will be enlightened about the divine mysteries.I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.I will visibly help them at the moment of their death, they will see the face of their Mother.I have obtained from my divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and dolors, will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son and I will be their eternal consolation and joy. Prayers in Honor of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Maryapproved by Pope Pius VII V. O God, come to my assistance.R. O Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory be to the Father. . .R. As it was in the beginning. . . I. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary. . . II. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary. . . III. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary. . . IV. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary. . . V. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary. . . VI. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary. . . VII. I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary. . . Let us pray Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever and ever. Consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows Most holy Virgin and Queen of Martyrs, Mary, would that I could be in Heaven, there to contemplate the honors rendered to thee by the…

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St. Thérèse’s “Act of Oblation to Merciful Love”| Do All for the Love of God

Mother & Refuge08 mins

Source: Story of A Soul, translated by Fr. John Clarke, O.C.D. Copyright (c) 1976 by Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites, ICS Publications, 2131 Lincoln Road, N.E., Washington, DC 20002 U.S.A., pp. 276-278. ACT OF OBLATION TO MERCIFUL LOVE J.M.J.T. Offering of myselfas a Victim of Holocaustto God’s Merciful Love O My God! Most Blessed Trinity, I desire to Love You and make you Loved, to work for the glory of Holy Church by saving souls on earth and liberating those suffering in purgatory. I desire to accomplish Your will perfectly and to reach the degree of glory You have prepared for me in Your Kingdom. I desire, in a word, to be saint, but I feel my helplessness and I beg You, O my God! to be Yourself my Sanctity! Since You loved me so much as to give me Your only Son as my Savior and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine. I offer them to You with gladness, begging You to look upon me only in the Face of Jesus and in His heart burning with Love. I offer You, too, all the merits of the saints (in heaven and on earth), their acts of Love, and those of the holy angels. Finally, I offer You, O Blessed Trinity! the Love and merits of the Blessed Virgin, my Dear Mother. It is to her I abandon my offering, begging her to present it to You. Her Divine Son, my Beloved Spouse, told us in the says of His mortal life: “Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name he will give it to you!” I am certain, then, that You will grant my desires; I know, O my God! that the more You want to give, the more You make us desire. I feel in my heart immense desires and it is with confidence I ask You to come and take possession of my soul. Ah! I cannot receive Holy Communion as often as I desire, but, Lord, are You not all-powerful? Remain in me as in a tabernacle and never separate Yourself from Your little victim. I want to console You for the ingratitude of the wicked, and I beg of you to take away my freedom to displease You. If through weakness I sometimes fall, may Your Divine Glance cleanse my soul immediately, consuming all my imperfections like the fire that transforms everything into itself. I thank You, O my God! for all the graces You have granted me, especially the grace of making me pass through the crucible of suffering. It is with joy I shall contemplate You on the Last Day carrying the sceptre of Your Cross. Since You deigned to give me a share in this very precious Cross, I hope in heaven to resemble You and to see shining in my glorified body the sacred stigmata of Your Passion. After earth’s Exile, I hope to go and enjoy You in the Fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for Your Love Alone with the one purpose of pleasing You, consoling Your Sacred Heart, and saving souls who will love You eternally. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands, for I do not ask You, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is stained in Your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself. I want no other Throne, no other Crown but You, my Beloved! Time is nothing in Your eyes, and a single day is like a thousand years. You can, then, in one instant prepare me to appear before You. In order to live in one single act of perfect Love, I OFFER MYSELF AS A VICTIM OF HOLOCAUST TO YOUR MERCIFUL LOVE, Asking You to consume me incessantly, allowing the waves of infinite tenderness shut up within You to overflow into my soul, and that thus I may become a martyr of Your Love, O my God! May this martyrdom, after having prepared me to appear before You, finally cause me to die and may my soul take its flight without any delay into the eternal embrace of Your Merciful Love. I want, O my Beloved, at each beat of my heart to renew this offering to You an infinite number of times, until the shadows having disappeared I may be able to tell You of my Love in an Eternal Face to Face! Marie, Françoise, Thérèse of the Child Jesusand the Holy Face, unworthy Carmelite religious. This 9th day of June,Feast of the Most Holy Trinity,In the year of grace, 1895 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BptazfphVuE

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Prayer to St. Michael for Exorcism Against Satan and the Apostate Angels |favored by Pope Leo XIII

Mother & Refuge05 mins

O GLORIOUS ARCHANGEL St Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, defend us in battle, and in the struggle which is ours against the principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against spirits of evil in high places. Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven,But that cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with all his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of man has taken courage, transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of his Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and bring them the victory. The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of this world and of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtJvqBhR0Hs

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The Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget | Jesus made 21 promises to anyone who recited these Prayers for a whole year!

Mother & Refuge022 mins

As St. Bridget for a long time wanted to know the number of blows Our Lord received during His Passion, He one day appeared to her and said: “I received 5480 blows on My Body. If you wish to honour them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys with the following Prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year. When the year is up, you will have honoured each one of My Wounds.” He made the following promises to anyone who recited these Prayers for a whole year: I will deliver 15 souls of his lineage from Purgatory. 15 souls of his lineage will be confirmed and preserved in grace. 15 sinners of his lineage will be converted. Whoever recites these Prayers will attain the first degree of perfection. 15 days before his death I will give him My Precious Body in order that he may escape eternal starvation; I will give him My Precious Blood to drink lest he thirst eternally. 15 days before his death he will feel a deep contrition for all his sins and will have a perfect knowledge of them. I will place before him the sign of My Victorious Cross for his help and defence against the attacks of his enemies. Before his death I shall come with My Dearest Beloved Mother. I shall graciously receive his soul, and will lead it into eternal joys. And having led it there I shall give him a special draught from the fountain of My Deity, something I will not for those who have not recited My Prayers. Let it be known that whoever may have been living in a state of mortal sin for 30 years, but who will recite devoutly, or have the intention to recite these Prayers, the Lord will forgive him all his sins. I shall protect him from strong temptations. I shall preserve and guard his 5 senses. I shall preserve him from a sudden death. His soul will be delivered from eternal death. He will obtain all he asks for from God and the Blessed Virgin. If he has lived all his life doing his own will and he is to die the next day, his life will be prolonged. Every time one recites these Prayers he gains 100 days indulgence. He is assured of being joined to the supreme Choir of Angels. Whoever teaches these Prayers to another, will have continuous joy and merit which will endure eternally. There where these Prayers are being said or will be said in the future God is present with His grace. The Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget THE FIRST PRAYER Our Father, Hail Mary      O Jesus Christ! Eternal Sweetness to those who love Thee, joy surpassing all joy and all desire, Salvation and Hope of all sinners, Who hast proved that Thou hast no greater desire than to be among men, even assuming human nature at the fullness of time for the love of men, recall all the sufferings Thou hast endured from the instant of Thy conception, and especially during Thy Passion, as it was decreed and ordained from all eternity in the Divine plan. Remember, O Lord, that during the Last Supper with Thy disciples, having washed their feet, Thou gavest them Thy Most Precious Body and Blood, and while at the same time thou didst sweetly console them, Thou didst foretell them Thy coming Passion. Remember the sadness and bitterness which Thou didst experience in Thy soul as Thou prayed:  “My Soul is sorrowful even unto death.” Remember all the fear, anguish and pain that Thou didst suffer in Thy delicate Body before the torment of the Crucifixion, when, after having prayed three times, bathed in a sweat of blood, Thou wast betrayed by Judas, Thy disciple, arrested by the people of a nation Thou hadst chosen and elevated, accused by false witnesses, unjustly judged by three judges during the flower of Thy youth and during the solemn Paschal season. Remember that Thou wast despoiled of Thy garments and clothed in those of derision; that Thy face and eyes were veiled, that Thou wast buffeted, crowned with thorns, a reed placed in Thy hands, that Thou was crushed with blows and overwhelmed with affronts and outrages. In memory of all these pains and sufferings which Thou didst endure before Thy Passion on the cross, grant me before my death true contrition, a sincere and entire confession, worthy satisfaction and the remission of all my sins. THE SECOND PRAYER Our Father, Hail Mary      O Jesus! True Liberty of Angels, Paradise of Delights, remember the horror and sadness which Thou didst endure when Thy enemies, like furious lions, surrounded Thee, and by thousands of insults, spits, blows, lacerations and other unheard-of cruelties, tormented Thee at will.  In consideration of these torments and insulting words, I beseech Thee, O my Saviour, to deliver me from all my enemies, visible and invisible, and to bring me, under Thy protection, to the perfection of eternal salvation.  THE THIRD PRAYER Our Father, Hail Mary      O Jesus! Creator of Heaven and earth Whom nothing can encompass or limit, Thou Who dost enfold and hold all under Thy loving power, remember the very bitter pain Thou didst suffer when the Jews nailed Thy sacred hands and feet to the cross by blow after blow with big blunt nails, and not finding Thee in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they enlarged Thy Wounds, and added pain to pain, and with indescribable cruelty stretched Thy body on the cross, pulled Thee from all sides, thus dislocating Thy limbs.  I beg of Thee, O Jesus, by the memory of this most loving suffering of the cross, to grant me the grace to fear Thee and to love Thee.   THE FOURTH PRAYER Our Father, Hail Mary      O Jesus! Heavenly Physician, raised aloft on the Cross to heal our wounds with Thine, remember the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness of…

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Must Watch Video| Palestinian Christians- The First Christians Since Pentecost

Mother & Refuge01 mins

Christianity was born in Palestine two thousand years ago. From there it spread throughout the Middle East and to the rest of the world. Yet many are unaware Christians still live in the land. For more than 60 years the Palestinians, Christians and Muslims, have suffered displacement, expulsion, wars, occupation and oppression. The voices of Palestinian Christians have all too often been drowned out in the turmoil of events. This is their story, in their voices, from the Nakba of 1948 until today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWPijzzinKg

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Minnesota Nun Sr. Annella Zervas: On a Journey towards Sainthood

Mother & Refuge02 mins

By Aleteia Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Crookston Diocese in Minnesota released a letter recently detailing his plan to investigate the life and legacy of Sr. Annella Zervas, OSB. Sr. Annella was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, on April 7, 1900, to a German immigrant family. She attended the Catholic school at her local parish and felt drawn to join the Benedictine sisters who taught there. At only 15 years old she joined St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota and eventually become a music teacher and organist with the Benedictine sisters. Then her life changed. In 1923 she became afflicted with a rare skin disease. This caused her a great amount of suffering, which she offered up to God as a sacrifice. Sr. Annella died when she was 24 years old, but her saintly example was an inspiration to the local community. According to the Catholic News Agency, “Those praying for the Benedictine sister’s intercession have reported miracles and answers to prayers.” Bishop Cozzens “shared that he too is inspired by the nun’s story, which he first learned about through his own sister. He acknowledged receiving many requests from people to begin the formal process of investigation to determine her holiness.” Read more…

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Free eBook about Our Lady of Akita |The Tears and Message of Mary

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Written by Father Teiji Yasuda, chaplain of the convent in Akita, this book was first published in Japanese with the Imprimatur of the Bishop of Niigata. On March 14th, 1989, the Most Rev. John S. Ito, retired Bishop of Niigata who knows English and who had personally read this English translation approved it in the following words:“I recommend this book and testify that its contents aretrue.”  Most Rev. John S. Ito, D.D CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EBOOK FOR FREE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLVUGL57lRg&t=14s

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