Comments on: J.M.J.A.T.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:41:19 +0000

Thanks for writing, Eric. One of the founders of the IHMs was Louis Florent Gillet, a Redemptorist priest. We inherited many of the Redemptorist customs — so I’m sure we got the JMJAT from them.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:47:13 +0000

Oh yeah…
Forgot to say…
Sine the copyright is expired, you can read the volume of his collected works containing his letters on this awesome web site: http://www.archive.org/details/alphonsusworks18liguuoft
Other works are on there too, including the Glories of Mary, but a few volumes haven’t been posted yet.

Praised be Jesus Mary Joseph and Teresa !

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:39:57 +0000

Hi all.
I came across this discussion trying to figure out why St Alphonsus Liguori, in his personal letters, often signed “live” or “praised be” “Jesus Mary Joseph and Teresa.” Apparently, from his teenage years, had a special relationship with St. Teresa, his “second mother” who taught him many important lessons, especially about prayer.

By: Cathy Keller

Cathy Keller — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:39:48 +0000

It was interesting to read this and view all the answers. I would have had no idea where to begin. Thank you!!

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:34:28 +0000

Many thanks, Joyce … It’s a really cool practice that I’m going to keep up! Julie

By: Joyce

Joyce — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:07:34 +0000

JMJAT

Julie, nice exercise. I would not have given away the answers, since I am an IHM. I am only writing now to confirm your historical context. We used these initials, JMJAT on our letters as a prayerful reminder that our words did matter. We called on the intersession of our patrons to guide us. For some reason or other this wonderful practice dropped out of favor in recent years. Perhaps writing quick emails and blogs is the culprit.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:55:51 +0000

Ah, I was using the wrong context clues. I didn’t realize that the JMJAT was IHM-specific in this case. Now I get it… That was a good exercise

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:14:16 +0000

“Mom” (i though it was my own mom for a minute!) — you got perhaps the most difficult one … the A is for Alphonsus!

JMJAT = Jesus Mary Joseph Alphonsus Teresa

JMJ is used by many Catholics as a quick prayer — often it is written in correspondence. Many religious communities have used it and then add in the names of founders or patron saints of their communities.

So, since the IHMs are under the patronage of Alphonsus and Teresa, we add an A and a T. Many of our letters and documents have this little prayer at the top — a good way to begin any correspondence or activity for that matter. I decided to add it to my blog because the blog is a form of correspondence and all that I do should always begin with a prayer … especially to those near and dear to my IHM congregation.

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:00:42 +0000

Takemyhand and Barbara — you’ve got the T nailed. T stands for Teresa of Avila.

By: Mom

Mom — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:28:54 +0000

IHMs…the A might be for Alphonsus…but I can’t figure out the T…

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:57:46 +0000

Could it possibly be And ( Blessed) Trinity?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 05:34:57 +0000

Could the A stand for St. Albert of Jerusalem who wrote the rule for hermits that is the origin of the Carmelite rule and T for Teresa, la Madre?

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:45:01 +0000

Lisa — you are totally on the right track, but not Augustine and Thomas… getting warmer!

Nicki and New Song — very nice tries. The Latin was especially creative.

If not Augustine or Thomas, who else might merit mention (hint: important to the IHM congregation)

By: New Song

New Song — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:27:15 +0000

It’s Latin for “Jesus,. Mary and Joseph, I love you.” The “AT” stands for “I love you” — “te amo,” if I remember correctly from my Latin over 40 years ago!

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:19:38 +0000

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Apostolate, Twelve??? Just a BIG guess. I am still looking. I know it is something to do with Apostle???

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:09:26 +0000

Jesus Mary Joseph Augustine Thomas

By: takemyhand

takemyhand — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:55:28 +0000

jesus mary joseph and teresa?

By: Sister Julie

Sister Julie — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:56:25 +0000

Okay … good job … you got the first 3 letters correct … the second two not unlike the first three.

Any other takers?

By: tndaisy1960

tndaisy1960 — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:45:12 +0000

All times. Again, just a guess, but this one might make a bit more sense.

By: tndaisy1960

tndaisy1960 — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:19:03 +0000

I tried Googling it, but no luck. My guess is: Jesus Mary Joseph All Things, based on a reference I saw to it somewhere saying “JMJAT help me”.

LOVE your blog, btw