Sunday,
December 30, 2012: (FEAST OF THE
HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH)
Readings for today:
1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 / 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 / Luke 2:41-52:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Samuel (1Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28):
In those days Hannah conceived, and
at the end of her term bore a son
whom she called Samuel, since she had asked the LORD for him.
The next time her husband Elkanah was going up
with the rest of his household
to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows,
Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband,
"Once the child is weaned,
I will take him to appear before the LORD
and to remain there forever;
I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite."
Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah brought him up with her,
along with a three-year-old bull,
an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine,
and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh.
After the boy's father had sacrificed the young bull,
Hannah, his mother, approached Eli and said:
"Pardon, my lord!
As you live, my lord,
I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD."
Hannah left Samuel there.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5):
R. (cf. 1)
Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his
ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his
ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his
ways.
Reading 2 - A
reading from the first letter of John (1 John 3:1-2, 21-24):
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
And so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 2:41-52):
Each year Jesus' parents went to
Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.
--------------------
12/30/2012 - All About the
Feast of the Holy Family:
The Holy Family is the name given to the family unit of Jesus: The Divine
Son of God Jesus, his mother the Virgin Mary, and his foster-father Joseph.
We know very little about the life of the Holy Family through the canonical
Gospels. They speak of the early years of the Holy Family, including the
birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt, and the finding of Jesus
in the temple. Various non-canonical works, including the Infancy Gospel of
Thomas, try to fill in the blanks. However, even though these apocryphal
works may contain some truth derived from oral tradition, they have been
deemed unworthy of canonical status because of the way they present Jesus.
While the exact details of the day-to-day life of the Holy Family may be
unknown, we can still learn a lot from the stories we do have.
Devotion to the Holy Family is a recent development, but one that naturally
grows out of a love for Jesus and his family. The cult of the Holy Family
grew in popularity in the 17th century, and several religious congregations
have been founded under this title. The Holy Family also became portrayed in
popular art of the period. On October 26, 1921 the Congregation of Rites
(under Pope Benedict XV) inserted the Feast of the Holy Family into the
Latin Rite general calendar. Until then it had been celebrated regionally
(see History below). Popes before and including Benedict XV (especially Leo
XIII) promoted the feast as a way to counter the breakdown of the family
unit. Today the Church celebrates the Feast on the Sunday between Christmas
and New Year's Day (Known as the Feast of Mary Mother of God in the Catholic
Church). If both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Sundays, no Sunday
exists between the two dates, so the Church celebrates the Holy Family Feast
on December 30th. If the feast falls on the 30th, attendance is not
obligatory. Up until 1969, the Holy Family feast was kept on the first
Sunday after the Epiphany. It was transferred to its current date in 1969.
The Feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about
our own families too. The main purpose of the Feast is to present the Holy
Family as the model for all Christian families, and for domestic life in
general. Our family life becomes sanctified when we live the life of the
Church within our homes. This is called the "domestic church" or the "church
in miniature." St. John Chrysostom urged all Christians to make each home a
"family church," and in doing so, we sanctify the family unit. Just how does
one live out the Church in the family? The best way is by making Christ the
center of family and individual life. Ways to do this include: reading
scripture regularly, praying daily, attending Mass at least on Sundays and
Holy Days of Obligation, imitating the actions of the Holy Family, going to
confession frequently, and so forth, all done together as a family unit. In
addition to cultivating positive actions, the Church understands that
various actions and behaviors are contrary to God's Divine plan for the
family, and these should be avoided. These include abortion, contraception,
same-sex marriage, polygamy, embryonic stem-cell research, divorce, spousal
abuse, child abuse, and co-habitation. Catholic Teaching is that a marriage
must be open to children. Anything artificial that prevents this is contrary
to divine law, although spacing births for a just reason is permitted (and
may be licitly accomplished through "natural family planning"). Also,
poverty, lack of health care, rights violations, government intrusion in the
life of communities and families, and other justice concerns must be
addressed by faithful Christians because of the negative effect these
conditions have on the family unit. St. Paul gives us some advice on family
life in Colossians 3:12-21:
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness,
lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a
complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds
everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be
thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one
another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with
thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey
your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not
provoke your children, lest they become discouraged (RSV).
The Holy Family feast is a good time to remember the family unit and pray
for our human and spiritual families. We also may take this feast to reflect
on the value and sanctity of the family unit, and to evaluate our own family
life. What ways may it be improved? What would Jesus, Mary, and Joseph do?
Finally, we can use this feast to ask ourselves what are we doing to promote
the family within our own cultures, neighborhoods, and communities.
History
In 1643 Louis and Barbe d'Ailleboust came to Canada in order to devote their
lives to the welfare of the natives there. After her husband had passed
away, Barbe, with the assistance of the Jesuit Father Chaumonot, founded the
Confraternity of the Holy Family. The confraternity and devotion to the Holy
Family spread all over Canada and had the effect of promoting good morals.
Monsignor François de Laval invited her to Quebec, and gave her the general
management if the confraternity, which still exists today. In 1675, the now
Bishop de Laval had a little book printed in Paris instructing the members
of the confraternity as to virtuous practices. Bishop de Laval also
established the feast of the Holy Family, and had a mass and office drawn up
which are proper to the Diocese of Québec. The feast was later added in 1921
to the General calendar of the Western Rite as a way to counteract the
breakdown of the family.
Tuesday,
December 25, 2012: (SOLEMNITY OF
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS MASS DURING THE NIGHT))
Readings for today:
Isaiah 9:1-6 / Titus 2:11-14 / Luke 2:1-14:
Reading
1 - A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:1-6):
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David's throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
R. (Lk 2:11)
Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to Titus (Titus 2:11-14):
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 2:1-14):
In those days a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Micah (Micah 5:1-4a):
Thus says the LORD:
You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.
Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
and the rest of his kindred shall return
to the children of Israel.
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;
and they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.
R. (4) Lord,
make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and
we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and
we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and
we shall be saved.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:5-10):
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said:
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight.
Then I said, 'As is written of me in the scroll,
behold, I come to do your will, O God.'"
First he says, "Sacrifices and offerings,
holocausts and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in."
These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, "Behold, I come to do your will."
He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this "will," we have been consecrated
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:39-45):
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Zephaniah (Zephaniah 3:14-18a):
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6):
R. (6) Cry out
with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the
great and Holy One of Israel.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the
great and Holy One of Israel.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the
great and Holy One of Israel.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 4:4-7):
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice in the Lord always.
I shall say it again: rejoice!
Your kindness should be known to all.
The Lord is near.
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 3:10-18):
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
"What should we do?"
He said to them in reply,
"Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise."
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
"Teacher, what should we do?"
He answered them,
"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."
Soldiers also asked him,
"And what is it that we should do?"
He told them,
"Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages."
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
"I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Baruch (Baruch 5:1-9):
Jerusalem, take off your robe of
mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship.
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God's command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.
R. (3) The
Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Reading 2 - A reading from
letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11):
Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 3:1-6):
In the fifteenth year of the reign
of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
"Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
--------------------
12/09/2012 - A Prayer
for Priests:
Priests have the difficult task of living a life of example for the people, and
therefore wicked spirits desire their downfall even more so than they would
desire the average soul. For this reason priests suffer a multitude of
attacks spiritually. The Lord Jesus wants us to pray for priests because
of the service they do His people.
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine -
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, -
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host.
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
Pray one "Our Father" and one "Hail Mary"...then say,
"Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them."
Imprimatur: +D. Card. Dougherty, Arch. of Philadelphia
THE PRIESTHOOD IS A MASTERPIECE OF CHRIST'S DIVINE
LOVE, WISDOM AND POWER...
NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST
CRITICISM OF PRIESTS
Our Lord's revelations to Mutter Vogel...
"One should NEVER attack a priest, even when he's in error, rather one
should pray and do penance that I'll grant him My grace again. He alone
fully represents Me, even when he doesn't live after My example!" (page 29,
Mutter Vogel's Worldwide Love, St. Grignion Publishing House, Altoting,
South Germany (29. 6. 1929)).
When a Priest falls we should extend him a helping hand THROUGH PRAYER AND
NOT THROUGH ATTACKS! "I myself will be his judge, NO ONE BUT I!"
"Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over Me; child, never
let a Priest be attacked, take up his defense." (Feast of Christ the King
1937)
"Child, Never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every
Thursday, through the hands of My blessed Mother, Holy Communion (for Him)
(18.6. 1939)&nsp;
"Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a Priest, and speak no
unkind word (about them) EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE! Every Priest is My Vicar and
My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it! If you hear a judgment
(against a Priest) pray a Hail Mary." (28. 6. 1939)
"If you see a Priest who celebrates the Holy Mass unworthily then say
nothing about him, rather tell it to Me alone! I stand beside him on the
altar!"
"Oh pray much for My priests, that they'll love purity above all, that
they'll celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with pure hands and heart.
Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it is celebrated
by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the
same!" (28. 2. 1938)
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love You, Save Souls."
Saturday,
December 8, 2012: (SOLEMNITY OF
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY)
Readings for today:
Genesis 3:9-15, 20 / Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 / Luke
1:26-38:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Genesis (Genesis 3:9-15, 20):
After the man, Adam, had eaten of
the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me--
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."
The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4):
R. (1) Sing to
the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done
marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done
marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done
marvelous deeds.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians1:3-6, 11-12):
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
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 favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:26-38):
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
---------------------
12/08/2012 - Feast of St.
Nicholas (December 6):
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in Lycia and is celebrated as a saint not only
in the Roman Catholic church, but also in Anglican, Lutheran, and other
Protestant churches. Little is known about him historically, other than at
one time he was imprisoned by the Romans and later released. He died
December 6 345 or 352 A.D. Most everything else known is held through
tradition or even legends, one of which was that he was orphaned from a wealthy
family and cared especially for the poor and orphaned children, and would toss
them bags of coins. Later that legend would change to modern Santa Claus
legend of him visiting children on Christmas Eve, leaving them presents and
gifts.
Bishop
of Myra in Lycia; died 6 December, 345 or 352. Though he is one of the most
popular saints in the Greek as well as the Latin Church, there is scarcely
anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in
the fourth century.
Some of the main points in his legend are as follows: He was born at Parara,
a city of Lycia in Asia Minor; in his youth he made a pilgrimage to Egypt
and Palestine; shortly after his return he became Bishop of Myra; cast into
prison during the persecution of Diocletian, he was released after the
accession of Constantine, and was present at the Council of Nicaea. In 1087
Italian merchants stole his body at Myra, bringing it to Bari in Italy.
The numerous miracles St. Nicholas is said to have wrought, both before and
after his death, are outgrowths of a long tradition. There is reason to
doubt his presence at Nicaea, since his name is not mentioned in any of the
old lists of bishops that attended this council. His cult in the Greek
Church is old and especially popular in Russia. As early as the sixth
century Emperor Justinian I built a church in his honor at Constantinople,
and his name occurs in the liturgy ascribed to St. Chrysostom. In Italy his
cult seems to have begun with the translation of his relics to Bari, but in
Germany it began already under Otto II, probably because his wife Theophano
was a Grecian. Bishop Reginald of Eichstaedt (d. 991) is known to have
written a metric, "Vita S. Nicholai."
The course of centuries has not
lessened his popularity. The following places honor him as patron: Greece,
Russia, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, the Diocese of Liège; many
cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium; Campen in the Netherlands;
Corfu in Greece; Freiburg in Switzerland; and Moscow in Russia.
He is patron of
mariners, merchants, bakers, travellers, children, etc.
His representations in art are as
various as his alleged miracles. In Germany, Switzerland, and the
Netherlands, they have the custom of making him the secret purveyor of gifts
to children on 6 December, the day on which the Church celebrates his feast;
in the United States and some other countries St. Nicholas has become
identified with Santa Claus who distributes gifts to children on Christmas
eve.
His relics are
still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; up to the present day
an oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for
its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:14-16):
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
"The LORD our justice."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14):
R. (1b) To
you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2):
Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man."
---------------------
12/02/2012 - What is
Advent?: Advent is a set
time of 4 weeks preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in human
form, which we celebrate at Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation
through prayer and fasting of the coming of Christ, which inspires us to
anticipate and prepare for Christ's second coming.
Catholic Traditions
for Advent and Christmas
MICHAELANN
MARTIN
Response
The
Catholic Church has designated the four weeks preceding Christmas as Advent,
a time to “prepare the way of the Lord” for His coming as our King and
Savior. In addition, the Church teaches that:
[W]hen the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes
present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long
preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent
desire for his second coming. By celebrating [John the Baptist’s] birth and
martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: “He must increase, but I
must decrease” (Catechism, no. 524; original emphasis).
By participating in various time-honored traditions, such as making Jesse
trees or putting on a Christmas play at home, Catholic families can engage
more fruitfully in the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
Discussion:
“Either we live the liturgical year with its varying seasons of joy and
sorrow, work and rest, or we follow the pattern of the world,” writes Helen
McLoughlin in Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home, commenting on the
challenge Catholics have of being “in the world but not of the world”
throughout the year. She wrote these profound words in the 1950s, but they
are even more important today because of the general decline in Catholic
family life during the last 40 years. With two parents working in many
households, there is less time to devote to the spiritual life of the
family. As Catholic parents, we must readjust our priorities and teach our
children by living our faith, both inside and outside the home.
It seems fitting that Advent is the beginning of the liturgical calendar,
for it is a season of spiritual preparation marked by an eager longing for
the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. There are age-old Advent practices,
some of which are mentioned in this FAITH FACT, which will help our children
and families live closer to Christ. The practices are time-tested and
proven. They teach the doctrine of redemption and develop a sense of
generosity toward God (cf. Catechism, nos. 2222-26). A family’s strong and
living faith will become their heritage and a mode to reinforce the
religious practices centered in the liturgy.
“Children love to anticipate,” writes McLoughlin. “When there are empty
mangers to fill with straw for small sacrifices, when the Mary candle is a
daily reminder on the dinner table, when Advent hymns are sung in the
candlelight of a graceful Advent wreath, children are not anxious to
celebrate Christmas before time. That would offend their sense of honor.
Older children who make Nativity sets, cut Old Testament symbols to decorate
a Jesse tree, or prepare costumes for a Christmas play will find Advent all
too short a time to prepare for the coming of Christ the King.”
These are hopeful thoughts as we prepare to incorporate some of these
liturgical activities into our home life during Advent to enable us to truly
celebrate Christmas. It is a shame that many do not fast during Advent,
because without a fast there can really be no feast at Christmas. Fasting
and other forms of penance, such as prayer and almsgiving, help to purify
our hearts and prepare us for the celebration of Christmas (cf. Catechism,
no. 1434). The Church especially encourages participation at weekday Masses
during Advent, because in the Eucharist we find the source and goal of our
Advent preparation: Christ Himself, whose sacrifice reconciles us with God
(cf. Catechism, no. 1436; Sacred Congregation of Rites, Eucharisticum
Mysterium, no. 29).
The Church primarily celebrates Christmas from Christmas Day until the
Solemnity of the Epiphany, which commemorates the manifestation of Christ as
the Savior of the whole world (cf. Mt. 2:1-12). The Church has also
traditionally celebrated Christmas for 40 days, culminating on the Feast of
the Presentation (Feb. 2). During this time, the birth of Christ is
celebrated as one continuous festival. It is just as important to celebrate
during the Christmas season as it is to prepare for Christ during Advent.
The following activities are provided so that you and
your family can live Advent and Christmas to the fullest.
Advent wreath: The Advent wreath, which has
German origins, is probably the most recognized Advent custom. It is a
wreath made of evergreens that is bound to a circle of wire. It symbolizes
the many years from Adam to Christ in which the world awaited its Redeemer;
it also represents the years that we have awaited His second and final
coming. The wreath holds four equally spaced candles, the three purple ones
lit on the “penitential” Sundays and a pink one for Gaudete, the joyful
third Sunday in Advent. There are many available prayers and hymns found in
the reading list that can accompany your personal Advent wreath ceremony.
The empty manger: Each child may have his own
individual manger, or there may be one manger for the whole family. The idea
is that when acts of service, sacrifice, or kindness are done in honor of
Baby Jesus as a birthday present, the child receives a piece of straw to put
into the manger. Then, on Christmas morning, “Baby Jesus” is placed in the
manger. Encourage your children to make Jesus’ bed as “comfortable” as
possible through their good deeds. In the process, explain Christ’s
incomparable self-gift at Christmas and Easter that enables us to be part of
God’s family.
The Jesse tree: The Jesse tree tells about
Christ’s ancestry through symbols and relates Scripture to salvation
history, progressing from creation to the birth of Christ. The tree can be
made on a poster board with the symbols glued on, or on an actual tree. For
further information read, Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home.
St. Nicholas Day: The feast of St. Nicholas is
on Dec. 6th. It is a highlight of the Advent season. Each child puts out a
shoe the night before St. Nicholas Day in the hope that the kind bishop —
with his miter, staff, and bag of gifts — will pay a visit. The current
“Santa Claus” is modeled after St. Nicholas, but commercialism has tarnished
the true story. Many families give gifts on both Dec. 6 and Christmas. Read
about St. Nicholas in your favorite saints book.
The Christ candle: Any large white candle can
be used for the Christ candle. The idea is to decorate it with symbols for
Christ. Use old Christmas cards, sequins, holly, etc. The candle can be lit
on Christmas Eve to show that the Light of the World has arrived. Then
continue to light the Christ candle throughout the year at Sunday dinner to
remind your family of our waiting for Christ, as well as celebrating His
birth and Resurrection.
The Mary candle: Some families have the custom
of decorating the Christ candle with a blue veil on December 8th, the
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this great feast, others place a
candle with a blue ribbon before a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin,
whose “yes” to God enabled our Lord’s coming at Christmas. The candle is lit
during meal times to serve as a delightful reminder of Mary’s eager
expectation of the “Light of the World.” It can also serve as a reminder to
each family member to keep their own light of grace burning as a preparation
for Christ’s coming.
St. Lucy cakes: The feast of St. Lucy, virgin
and martyr, is on December 13th. This marks the opening of the Christmas
season in Sweden. Her life story can be found in most saints books, as can
the recipe for the traditional cakes. The symbolism is rich and her life
story worthwhile reading.
The Nativity scene: This is the event in which
the entire family shares — setting up the Christmas manger. Mary and Joseph
should be far off traveling and their approach to Bethlehem can be adjusted
daily. Older children can make life-size Nativity models, carve them, cut
them out from cardboard, or set up pre-made figurines. The creative ideas
are without limit. Make sure to place the Nativity scene where many can
admire the children’s efforts to give God glory.
Christmas baking: There are many recipe books
available to find great traditional Christmas baking ideas. (See recommended
reading below.) The baking usually starts around December 20th. As Christmas
approaches, the house will smell of baking and fresh wreaths. The glory of
Christmas is at hand! Move the manger to a focal point, add lights to the
Nativity to be lighted on Christmas Eve, and anticipate together.
Blessing of the tree: More and more frequently
families are blessing their Christmas trees. It is good to remind children
that “the tree” relates to many aspects of our faith. For example, we are
reminded that our first parents were not allowed to eat from one tree, and
that Christ paid the great price for our redemption by hanging on a tree
(cf. Acts 5:29-32).
There are many different stories which attempt to explain why we use a tree
at Christmas. For instance, St. Boniface in the eighth century gave the
balsam fir tree to the Druids in place of the oak tree, the symbol of their
idol. He said, “The fir tree is the wood of peace, the sign of an endless
life with its evergreen branches. It points to heaven. It will never shelter
deeds of blood, but rather be filled with loving gifts and rites of
kindness.”
There are more stories and blessings included in McLoughlin’s Advent and
Christmas in a Catholic Home. A family can also participate in Advent
through daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or at least by following the
weekday Mass readings at home, as the Church anticipates her Savior’s
coming, and then His early life following Christmas. A family that
participates together in Mass and other activities during the Advent and
Christmas seasons will grow closer in Christ — “The Reason for the Season” —
and give a great witness to friends and relatives.
The Jesse tree reminds us of Jesus’ Davidic ancestry (cf. Mt. 1:1). For a
greater understanding of the relationship between the house of David, Jesus,
and the Catholic Church’s divine origin, see CUF’s FAITH FACT: “Rock Solid:
The Salvation History of the Catholic Church.”
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh
on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your
plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces His
glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for His
coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Great O's"
On the evening of December 17 the final phase of preparation for Christmas
begins
with the first of the great "O Antiphons" of Advent.
These prayers are seven jewels of liturgical song, one for each day until
Christmas Eve.
They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior.
December 17
O Wisdom, that proceedest from the mouth of the Most High, Reaching from end
to end mightily, and sweetly disposing all things: come and teach us the way
of prudence.
December 18
O Lord and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the
burning bush, and gavest him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us by Thy
outstretched arm.
December 19
O Root of Jesse, Who standest as the Ensign of the people, before Whom kings
shall not open their lips; to Whom the Gentiles shall pray: come and deliver
us, tarry now no more.
December 20
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; Who openest, and no man
shutteth, Who shuttest, and no man openeth: come and lead the captive from
the prison house, and him that sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 21
O Dawn of the East, Splendor of the eternal Light, and Sun of justice: Come
and enlighten them that sit in darkness, and the shadow of death.
December 22
O King of the gentiles, yea, and the desire thereof, the Cornerstone that
makest both one: come and save man, whom Thou hast made out of the slime of
the earth.
December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the expectation of all nations and their
Salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14):
As the visions during the night
continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 93:1, 1-2, 5):
R. (1a) The LORD is
king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor
robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
Your decrees are worthy of
trust indeed;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:5-8):
Jesus Christ is the faithful
witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 18:33b-37):
Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
--------------------
11/25/2012 - Video
Explaining the Solemnity of Christ the King:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 12:1-3):
In those days, I Daniel,
heard this word of the Lord:
"At that time there shall arise
Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress
since nations began until that time.
At that time your people shall escape,
everyone who is found written in the book.
"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake;
some shall live forever,
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
"But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11):
R. (1) You are my
inheritance, O Lord!
O LORD, my allotted portion and
my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Therefore my heart is glad and
my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
You will show me the path to
life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord!
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:11-14, 18):
Brothers and sisters:
Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.
But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering
he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.
Where there is forgiveness of these,
there is no longer offering for sin.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 13:24-32):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
"And then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in the clouds'
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.
"But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
---------------------
11/18/2012 - Prayer to the Infant of Prague (A Prayer for the Sick):
Devotional prayer to the Infant Jesus is as old as Christianity itself.
Here is a prayer to be said by the sick, honoring the Infant Jesus. Below
the prayer, I'll include the history of the devotion to the Infant of Prague
(from the statue given by a wealthy woman, her most treasured possession, which
she gave to a Carmelite Monastery).
O merciful Infant Jesus! I know of
Your miraculous deeds for the sick. How many diseases You cured during Your
blessed life on earth, and how many venerators of Your miraculous image
ascribe to You their recovery and deliverance from most painful and hopeless
maladies.
I know, indeed, that a sinner like me has merited his sufferings and has no
right to ask for favors. But in view of the innumerable graces and the
miraculous cures granted even to the greatest sinners through the veneration
of Your holy infancy, particularly in the miraculous statue of Prague or in
representations of it, I exclaim with the greatest assurance:
O most loving, most pitiful Infant Jesus, You can cure me if You will! Do
not hesitate, O Heavenly Physician, if it be Your will that I recover from
this present illness; extend Your most holy hands, and by Your power take
away all pain and infirmity, so that my recovery may be due, not to natural
remedies, but to You alone.
If, however, You in Your inscrutable wisdom have determined otherwise, then
at least restore my soul to perfect health, fill me with heavenly
consolation and blessing, that I may be like You, O Jesus, in my sufferings,
and may Your providence until You, at the death of my body, bestow on me
eternal life.
Devotion to the Infant Jesus is as old as Christianity itself. It ever tends
to keep the great mystery of Our Lord's birth vividly before us.
A special devotion to the Divine Child originated with the Carmelites in the
City of Prague, Bohemia, in the beginning of the seventeenth century.
Princes Polyxedia of Lobkowitz had received, as a wedding gift from her
mother, a statue of the Divine Child, previously brought from Spain. After
the death of her husband, the princes devoted herself to works of charity
and was particularly helpful to the Carmelites in Prague. When in 1628 the
Carmelite Monastery had been reduce to poverty, owing to the ravages of war,
the princes gave her precious statue to the Carmelites, saying:
"I GIVE YOU WHAT I PRIZE MOST HIGHLY IN THE WORLD; HONOR AND RESPECT THE
CHILD JESUS AND YOU SHALL NEVER BE IN WANT."
Her gift was placed in the Carmelite oratory. The words of the princess
proved prophetic for as long as the Carmelites kept up their devotion to the
Divine Infant of Prague everything prospered with them. The Carmelites were
later forced to flee form the city and in the confusion of the war, they
were unable to take with them their miraculous statue. The invaders siezed
it, and threw it into a pile of rubbish. In 1635, peace came to Prague and
the Carmelites returned. One of them, Father Cyril, who had previously
received great spiritual help through his devotion to the Infant of Prague,
sought the statue, and found it amidst the rubbish. Overjoyed, he placed the
statue again in the oratory. As Father Cyril was one day praying devoutedly
before the statue, he heard a voice saying:
"HAVE MERCY ON ME AND I WILL HAVE
MERCY ON YOU. RETURN MY HANDS TO ME AND I SHALL GIVE YOU PEACE. THE MORE YOU
HONOR ME, THE MORE I SHALL BLESS YOU."
Startled by these words, Father Cyril examined the statue and upon drawing
aside the mantle covering it, he found that both hands of the statue were
broken off. The hands were restored to the statue through the generosity of
a client of the Divine Child. Once more, peace and prosperity returned to
the Carmelites.
Devotion to the Divine Child had always been practiced by the Carmelites,
for through their Mother, Mary, this Divine Child had come to the world. St.
Theresa of Jesus practice particular devotion to the Divine Child. St.
Therese, the Little Flower, was also a most fervent venerator.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the first book of Kings (1 Kings 17:10-16):
In those days, Elijah the prophet
went to Zarephath.
As he arrived at the entrance of the city,
a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to her,
"Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink."
She left to get it, and he called out after her,
"Please bring along a bit of bread."
She answered, "As the LORD, your God, lives,
I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar
and a little oil in my jug.
Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks,
to go in and prepare something for myself and my son;
when we have eaten it, we shall die."
Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid.
Go and do as you propose.
But first make me a little cake and bring it to me.
Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, says,
'The jar of flour shall not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
She left and did as Elijah had said.
She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well;
the jar of flour did not go empty,
nor the jug of oil run dry,
as the LORD had foretold through Elijah.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10):
R. (1b) Praise
the Lord, my soul!
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;
the LORD loves the just.
The LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 9:24-28):
Christ did not enter into a
sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
Gospel - A
reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 12:38-44):
In the course of his teaching Jesus
said to the crowds,
"Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation."
He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."
--------------------------
11/11/2012 - Consecrating
the Drops of Blood Which Our Lord Jesus Lost On the Way to Calvary (AKA A True
Letter of Our Savior Jesus Christ):
I cannot better describe this devotion to
the drops of blood Jesus lost on his way to crucifixion. But to sum up:
St. Elizabeth (Queen of Hungary), Matilda, and St. Bridget wanted to know
something of the Passion of Christ and offered fervent prayers. Jesus
responded in the following fashion...
Consecrating
the Drops of Blood which Our Lord Jesus lost on His Way to Calvary.
Copy of a
letter of the Oration found in the Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord Jesus Christ
in Jerusalem, preserved in a silver box by His Holiness and by the Emperors
and Empresses of the Christian Faith.
St. Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary, with Matilda and St. Bridget, wishing to
know something of the Passion of Jesus Christ, offered fervent and special
prayers, upon which there appeared to them Our Lord Jesus Christ who spoke
to them in the following manner:
I descended from Heaven to the Earth in order to convert you.
In the olden times people were religious and their harvests were abundant;
at present, on the contrary, they are scanty.
If you want to reap an abundant harvest you must not work on Sundays, for on
Sunday you must go to Church and pray to God to forgive your sins. He gave
you six days in which to work and one for rest and devotion and to tender
your help to the poor and assist the Church.
Those people, who brawl against my religion and cast slurs on this Sacred
Letter, shall be forsaken by me.
On the contrary, those people who shall carry a copy of this letter with
them shall be free from death by drowning and from sudden death. They shall
be free from all contagious diseases and lightning; they shall not die
without confession, and shall be free from their enemies and from the hand
of wrongful authority, and from all their slanderers and false witnesses.
Women in peril at child-birth will, by keeping this Oration about them,
immediately overcome the difficulty. In the houses where this Oration is
kept no evil thing will ever happen; and forty days before the death of a
person who has this Oration about him or her, the Blessed Virgin will appear
to him or her. So said St. Gregorius.
-------
To all those faithful who shall recite for 3 years, each day 2 Our Fathers,
Hail Marys and Glory Be's, in honor of the drops of blood I lost, I will
concede the following 5 graces:
1st. The plenary indulgence and remittance of your sins.
2nd. You will be free from the pains of Purgatory.
3rd. If you should die before completing the said 3 years, for you it will
be the same as if you had completed them.
4th. It will be upon your death the same as if you had shed all your blood
for the Holy Faith.
5th. I will descend from Heaven too take your soul and that of your
relatives, until the fourth generation.
Be it known that the number of armed soldiers were 150; those who trailed me
while I was bound were 23. The executioners of justice were 83; the blows
received on my head were 150; those on my stomach, 108; kicks on my
shoulders, 80. I was led, bound with cords by the hair, 24 times; spits in
the face were 180; I was beaten on the body 6666 times; beaten on the head,
110 times. I was roughly pushed, and at 12 o'clock was lifted up by the
hair; pricked with thorns and pulled by the beard 23 times; received 20
wounds on the head; thorns of marine junks, 72; pricks of thorns on the
head, 110; mortal thorns in the forehead, 3. I was afterwards flogged and
dressed as a mocked king; wounds in the body, 1000. The soldiers who led me
to Calvary were 608; those who watched me were 3, and those who mocked me
were 1008; the drops of blood which I lost were 28,430.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 6:2-6):
Moses spoke to the people, saying:
"Fear the LORD, your God,
and keep, throughout the days of your lives,
all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,
and thus have long life.
Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,
that you may grow and prosper the more,
in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,
to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51):
R. (2) I love you, Lord, my
strength.
I love you, O LORD, my
strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
The LORD lives! And blessed be
my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.
R. I love you, Lord, my strength.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 7:23-28):
Brothers and sisters:
The levitical priests were many
because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,
but Jesus, because he remains forever,
has a priesthood that does not pass away.
Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.
It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.
He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.
For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son,
who has been made perfect forever.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 12:28b-34):
One of the scribes came to Jesus and
asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"
Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
'He is One and there is no other than he.'
And 'to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself'
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
"You are not far from the kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Friday,
November 2, 2012: (THE
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS))
Readings for today:
Wisdom 3:1-9 / Romans 5:5-11 / John 6:37-40:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9):
The souls of the just are in the
hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6):
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I
shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness
follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:5-11):
Brothers and sisters:
Hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person
one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood,
will we be saved through him from the wrath.
Indeed, if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,
how much more, once reconciled,
will we be saved by his life.
Not only that,
but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 6:37-40):
Jesus said to the crowds:
"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Revelation (Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14):
I, John, saw another angel come up
from the East,
holding the seal of the living God.
He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels
who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
"Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees
until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."
I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal,
one hundred and forty-four thousand marked
from every tribe of the children of Israel.
After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb."
All the angels stood around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne,
worshiped God, and exclaimed:
"Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
"Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"
I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows."
He said to me,
"These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people
that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your
face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your
face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your
face.
Reading 2 - A
reading from the first letter of St. John (1 John 3:1-3):
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matthew 5:1-12a):
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went
up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:7-9):
Thus says the LORD:
Shout with joy for Jacob,
exult at the head of the nations;
proclaim your praise and say:
The LORD has delivered his people,
the remnant of Israel.
Behold, I will bring them back
from the land of the north;
I will gather them from the ends of the world,
with the blind and the lame in their midst,
the mothers and those with child;
they shall return as an immense throng.
They departed in tears,
but I will console them and guide them;
I will lead them to brooks of water,
on a level road, so that none shall stumble.
For I am a father to Israel,
Ephraim is my first-born.
R. (3) The Lord
has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are
filled with joy.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:1-6):
Brothers and sisters:
Every high priest is taken from among men
and made their representative before God,
to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,
for he himself is beset by weakness
and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself
as well as for the people.
No one takes this honor upon himself
but only when called by God,
just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
but rather the one who said to him: You are my son:
this day I have begotten you;
just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 10:46-52):
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with
his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
---------------------
10/28/2012 - The
Apostleship of Prayer Daily Offering (aka "My Daily Offering", "Daily Offering",
etc.): This prayer is one
way to offer yourself to God on a daily basis, in union with the desires of our
Lord Jesus the Christ.
Here's some info from
their site on this prayer...
The spiritual program of the Apostleship of Prayer is deeply Eucharistic. The
Eucharist is Christ's gift of His own Divine Life to each one who follows Him.
We participate at Mass by giving ourselves wholly to the Lord as we receive Him.
Whether or not we are able to attend daily Mass, as we pray the Morning Offering
we give ourselves to the Lord. In our traditional prayer, we offer ourselves "in
union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world." By offering
ourselves to God, we are living as a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), sharing
Christ's identity and mission. We have this privilege by Baptism, not by
ordination.
Vatican II Council states: "Mother Church earnestly desires that all the
faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in
liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy, and
to which the Christian people, 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a redeemed people' (1 Pet 2: 9, 4-5) have a right and obligation by
reason of their baptism (#14)."
Traditional Daily
Offering of the Apostleship of Prayer:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer
You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the
reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of
all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy
Father this month.
And also from this site is
a VERY informative video explaining the why's and what's of this prayer, as well
as several versions of the above prayer are printed below the video on the site
below:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:10-11):
The LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on
us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our
trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our
trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our
trust in you.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:14-16):
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 10:35-45):
James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
came to Jesus and said to him,
"Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."
He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?"
They answered him, "Grant that in your glory
we may sit one at your right and the other at your left."
Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the cup that I drink
or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
They said to him, "We can."
Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink, you will drink,
and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;
but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared."
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned them and said to them,
"You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
--------------------------
10/21/2012 - Prayer for
Daily Neglects: First, this
prayer is not meant to replace confession. A Poor Clare nun appeared
to her abbess after her own death and told her about this prayer which allowed
her to go straight to heaven.
This Prayer for Daily Neglects, as
it is best known, invites us to offer God the Father the Sacred Heart of his
Divine Son, as we read below, in reparation for our sins. The third petition
brings to mind the Penitential Rite at Mass.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all
its sufferings and all its merits.
First --- To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my
life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Second --- To purify the good I have done poorly this day and during all my
life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was
in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Third --- To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected
this day and all my life. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen.
Some books note concerning this
Prayer for Daily Neglects that a Poor Clare nun claimed to have gone directly to
Heaven upon her death, skipping purgatory completely through this prayer!
(Editors hasten to add that this prayer is not meant to replace confession,
however!)
Picture of St.
Margaret Mary Alacoque courtesy of Wikipedia
Saint
Margaret Mary Alacoque, pictured at right, championed devotion to the Sacred
Heart of Jesus in the 17th century after our Lord showed her His Sacred Heart
burning with tremendous love for us.
Faithful Catholics around the world practice this devotion acknowledging His
great love through acts of adoration (such as in visiting Him in a Holy Hour
before the Blessed Sacrament and in frequent Communion, especially on the First
Friday of each month) and in prayers and reparation for offenses against His
Sacred Heart.
While the Prayer for Daily Neglects is not specifically part of a devotion, it
movingly refers to our Lord’s Sacred Heart as an offering of love we can make
for our sins, suggestive of His offering of Himself at Calvary in His Passion!
Clearly this prayer gives us a proper spirit of penitence and humility before
God the Father, which can also draw us closer to His Son. As St. Margaret Mary
once wrote “consider often that it is only the humble of heart that can enter
into the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, converse with Him, love Him and be loved
by Him.”
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 7:7-11):
I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands.
R. (14) Fill us with your love, O
Lord, and we will sing for joy!
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing
for joy!
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Make us glad, for the days when you afflicted us,
for the years when we saw evil.
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing
for joy!
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children;
and may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!
R. Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing
for joy!
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:12-13):
Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him,
but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 10:17-30):
As Jesus was setting out on a
journey, a man ran up,
knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill;
you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness;
you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor
and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell,
and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you,
there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands
for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters
and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
---------------------
10/14/2012 - Three
Beautiful Prayers for the Dying:
Three very beautiful prayers which are very
useful to a dying person, and should be prayed often as an act of mercy.
There once was a Pope in Rome who was surrounded by many sins. The Lord God
struck him with a fatal illness. When he saw that he was dying he summoned
Cardinals, Bishops and learned persons and said to them: “My dear friends!
What comfort can you give me now that I must die, and when I deserve eternal
damnation for my sins?” No one answered him. One of them, a pious curate
named John, said: “Father, why do you doubt the Mercy of God?” The Pope
replied: “What comfort can you give me now that I must die and fear that
I’ll be damned for my sins?” John replied: “I’ll read three prayers over
you; I hope, you’ll be comforted and that you’ll obtain Mercy from God.” The
Pope was unable to say more. The curate and all those present knelt and said
an Our Father, then the following prayers:
Prayer 1.
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, God and Man,
Thou who in fear sweated blood for us on the Mount of Olives in order to
bring peace, and to offer Thy Most Holy Death to God Thy Heavenly Father for
the salvation of this dying person… If it be, however, that by his sins he
merits eternal damnation, then may it be deflected from him. This, O Eternal
Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Dear Son, Who liveth and reigneth
in union with The Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
Prayer 2.
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou who meekly died on the trunk of the Cross for us,
submitting Thy Will completely to Thy Heavenly Father in order to bring
peace and to offer Thy most Holy Death to Thy Heavenly Father in order to
free…(this person)…and to hide from him what he has earned with his sins;
grant this O Eternal Father! Through Our Lord Jesus Thy Son, who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
Prayer 3.
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who remained silent to speak through the mouths of
the Prophets; I have drawn Thee to me through Eternal Love, which love drew
Thee from Heaven into the body of the Virgin, which love drew Thee from the
body of the Virgin into the valley of this needful world, which Love kept
Thee 33 years in this world, and as a sign of Great Love, Thou hast given
Thy drink, as a sign of great love, Thou has consented to be a prisoner and
to be led from one judge to another and as a sign of great love Thou has
consented to be condemned to death, and hast consented to die and to be
buried and truly rise, and appeared to Thy Holy Mother and all the Holy
Apostles, and as a sign of great love Thou hast ascended, under Thy own
strength and power, and sitteth at the right hand of God Thy heavenly
Father, and Thou has sent Thy Holy Spirit into the heart of Thy Apostles and
the hearts of all who hope and believe in Thee. Through Thy sign of Eternal
love, open heaven today and take this dying person… and all his sins into
the realm of Thy Heavenly Father, that he may reign with Thee now and
forever. Amen.
Meanwhile the Pope died. The curate persevered to the third hour, then the
Pope appeared to him in body and comforting him; his countenance as
brilliant as the sun, his clothes as white as snow, and he said: “My dear
brother! Whereas I was supposed to be a child of damnation I’ve become a
child of happiness. As you recited the first prayer many of my sins fell
from me as rain from Heaven, and as you recited the second Prayer I was
purified, as a goldsmith purifies gold in a hot fire. I was still further
purified as you recited the third prayer. Then I saw Heaven open and the
Lord Jesus standing on the Right Hand of God the Father who said to me:
“Come, all thy sins are forgiven thee, you’ll be and remain in the realm of
My Father forever. Amen!”
With these words my soul separated from my body and the angels of God led it
to Eternal Joy.
As the curate heard this he said: “O Holy Father! I can’t tell these things
to anyone, for they won’t believe me.” Then the Pope said: “Truly I tell
thee, the Angel of God stands with me and has written the prayers in letters
of gold for the consolement of all sinners. If a person had committed all
the sins in the world, but that the three prayers shall have been read (over
him) at his end (death), all his sins wil be forgiven him, even though his
soul was supposed to suffer until the Last Judgment, it will be redeemed
(freed).
The person who hears them read, he won’t die an unhappy death also in whose
house they will be read. Therefore take these prayers and carry them into
St. Peter’s Basilica and lay them in the Chapel named the Assumption of
Mary, for certain consolation. The person who will be near death, who reads
them or hears them read gains 400 years indulgence for the days he was
supposed to suffer in Purgatory because of his guilt. Also who reads this
prayer or hears it read, the hour of his death shall be revealed to him.
Amen!
Reading 1 - A
reading from the book of Genesis (Genesis 2:18-24):
The LORD God said: "It is not good
for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him."
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
various wild animals and various birds of the air,
and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle,
all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;
but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
and while he was asleep,
he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib
that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
"This one, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called 'woman, '
for out of 'her man' this one has been taken."
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6):
R. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all
the days of our lives.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
May you see your children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 2:9-11):
Brothers and sisters:
He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, "
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them 'brothers.'
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 10:2-16):
The Pharisees approached Jesus and
asked,
"Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?"
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied,
"Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them,
"Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery."
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
----------------------
10/07/2012 - St. Clare of
Montefalco (1268-1308): St.
Clare of Montefalco was an abess and a mystic. She had a vision in which
the Lord Jesus Christ appeared with his cross to her and told her he had been
looking for a place to plant his cross and found no better place than her heart.
Since then, she made frequent mention to her sisters in the convent that the
cross of Christ was in her heart. After her death, her sisters examined
her heart and found indeed that Christ crucified was in her heart, the crucifix
and body formed of a combination of tissue, nerves, fibrous tissue, etc. all
forming various symbols, such as the crucifix, the body of Christ, lance wound,
covered loins, scourge, crown of thorns, three nails, and a lance.
Saint Clare of Montefalco
(Santa Chiara da Montefalco, Saint Clare of the Cross)
Feast Day – August 16
Like so many other towns in Umbria,
Montefalco is a small city set on a hill. It overlooks the valley of
Spoleto, and some distance to the north Assisi is visible. Here Clare
Damiani was born about 1268; and as a little girl of six she was placed in
the convent of Saint Illuminata, where her sister Jane was superior.
From the beginning little Clare observed the rule of the Third Order of St
Francis and added severe penances, keeping strict silence, taking only bread
and water, and sleeping on the ground. About eight years later, Clare and
the other sisters moved to a new convent, that of Santa Croce, which had
been built for them on a nearby hill. During these years all of them
followed the rule of the Third Order; but in 1290 the bishop of Spoleto
substituted the rule of St Augustine.
After the death of her sister in 1298, Clare, who distinguished herself by
her spirit of prayer and penance and was then about thirty years old, was
chosen superior. Not only did she carry out her duties as a religious and a
superior in an exemplary manner, but she exerted an extraordinary influence
also on the outside world. She confuted heretics, converted sinners,
reconciled families which were at odds with one another, made peace between
neighboring warring towns, drove out devils, foretold future events, healed
the sick, and raised the dead. During the latter part of her life, she also
received the gifts of ecstasy and supernatural knowledge.
It is related that our Lord, carrying His Cross, appeared to Saint Clare of
Montefalco and said: “I have been searching for a long time, daughter, to
find a firm and solid place on which to plant My Cross, and I have not found
one more suitable than your heart. You must receive it and allow it to take
root.”
Clare herself once told a sister in her convent: “If you seek the Cross of
Christ, take my heart. There you will find the suffering Lord.”
When Saint Clare of Montefalco's heart was opened after her death, the Cross
and other instruments of the Passion were found within, formed solidly in
fibrous tissue. As an example, the crucifix was found to be about the size
of a person's thumb. The corpus is white and clearly formed as if sculpted,
except for the tiny wound of the lance, which is bright red. A white tissue
covers the loins of the corpus. For this reason she is also called Saint
Clare of the Cross.
There were also three pellets found in the gall of St Clare. About the size
of hazel nuts, they were found to be symbols of the Holy Trinity for the
following reason - any single one of them weighed exactly the same as the
other two, and any one of them equalled the weight of two or all three of
them together. These pellets can still be seen.
Commending her sisters to her Franciscan brother, Father Francis Damiani,
Saint Clare of Montefalco died at the age of forty on August 17, 1308, and
was buried in the chapel of Santa Croce Convent. Later a church was built
next to it and dedicated to her. Here her body, which has been preserved
incorrupt in a most unusual manner, can still be seen; in fact, it seems to
be that of a living person who is asleep. The miracle of liquefaction and
ebullition of her blood has also taken place. The cult which had been paid
to her as Blessed from the time of her death was approved in 1624; and in
1881 Pope Leo XIII canonized her.
from The Franciscan Book of Saints, edited by Marion Habig, OFM
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Numbers (Numbers 11:25-29):
The LORD came down in the cloud and
spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.
Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
"Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, "
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses' aide, said,
"Moses, my lord, stop them."
But Moses answered him,
"Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14):
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord
give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. James (James 5:1-6):
Come now, you rich, weep and wail
over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48):
At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"
--------------------
09/30/2012 - St. Jerome
(342? - 420): St. Jerome is
not your typical saint, in that he was probably best known for his bad temper.
He would get bent all out of shape quickly, but would also be quick to feel
remorse. He felt it his call to be a reclusive monk, and he was more
critical of his own faults and failures than anyone else especially because he
felt such strong temptations away from other people over long periods of time
and after long bouts of fasting. He wrote extensively in support of the
church, expelling many heresies and schisms that were rampant in his time.
And because he had a quick temper, at times it came out in his writings, which
earned him enemies at times, friends at others.
One of the first Doctors of the
Church, St. Jerome (c. 347 – 420) is widely known as the translator of the
Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), but he was also the author of many other
works. He penned many letters and theological treatise, chiefly in defense
of the Faith, arguing against the Arian heresy, rampant in his time, and
defending the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Mother, as
well a attacks against Christian pious practices, the cultus of martyrs and
relics, the vow of poverty, and clerical celibacy. After St. Augustine, St.
Jerome is the most prolific writer of the ancient Christians.
We
most often see St. Jerome in art pictured in his ascetic monastic cell
or in the desert, and he was very much attracted to the ascetic life,
but spent a good part of his life in more courtly places, while
continuing always to lead a simple monastic life. He was ordained a
priest in 378, but only received the honor with the stipulation that he
not be appointed pastor of a church, as he felt his calling was to be a
recluse, to live a monastic life. He was a counsellor of Pope Damasas
(Chair of Peter 366-384), serving as secretary of the council deciding
over the problem of the schism in Antiochin the 380s. Jerome aquitted
his duties so well that the pope kept him in Rome as his own secretary,
and set him in charge of "cleaning up" the copies of the New Testament
and the Psalms which had suffered already by poor copying and
translation. This was the beginning of St. Jerome's work on the
Vulgate.
In the 1890s, Pope Damasus having
died, and having had enough of city life, St. Jerome moved to the Holy Land,
making for himself a monastic cell outside of Bethlehem. By the early 400s,
he had completed his translation of the Bible, making his way through the
Old Testament, even learning a new language (Chaldaic) in his scholarly
pursuit of perfection. By the time he had finished, St. Jerome had
translated or "corrected" all the books of the Old and New Testament except
the Books of Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and the two Books of the
Maccabees. Leading always a life of purity and prayer, St. Jerome's
God-given gift for languages and his knowlege and understanding of Sacred
Scripture made him the ideal candidate for this undertaking of the Blessed
Trinity.
* St. Jerome is very often depicted
with a lion and is associated with the medieval story in which the
saint's charity in pulling a thorn from a lion's paw makes a pet of the
lion. In art, this Doctor of the Church usually has a lion reclining at his
feet as he writes with a feather in a big book, indicating the Bible. Ther
is, however, no mention of a pet lion in any of the multitudinous letters
St. Jerome wrote in his lifetime, nor any other documentation of such an
alliance. It's believed that this story was transferred to St. Jerome from
the tradition of
St. Gerasimos, a monk also of the fifth
century. The confusion is easily forgiven, though, because a lion seems
such an appropriate symbol for as strong and unflinching a champion of the
Faith as St. Jerome.
St. Jerome died on September 30th, 420. His relics lie in the Sistine
Chapel in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.
St. Jerome, Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Father of the Vulgate, Pray for
us!
Other good links with more
information on St. Jerome:
"Most of the saints are remembered for
some outstanding virtue or devotion which they practiced, but Jerome is
frequently remembered for his bad temper! It is true that he had a very bad
temper and could use a vitriolic pen, but his love for God and his Son Jesus
Christ was extraordinarily intense; anyone who taught error was an enemy of God
and truth, and St. Jerome went after him or her with his mighty and sometimes
sarcastic pen. ")
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 2:12, 17-20):
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8):
R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. James (James 3:16-4:3):
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 9:30-37):
Jesus and his disciples left from
there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise."
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
"What were you arguing about on the way?"
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
"If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."
Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me."
----------------------
09/23/2012 - St. Philomena
(Feastday Aug. 11; Patron Saint of Babies, Infants, and Youth; Patroness and
Protectress of the Living Rosary; Died 304 A.D.):
The video below gives a great overview of
the life and death of this young virgin martyr, who refused marriage to
Diocletian and was severely tortured and many attempts to kill her followed,
failed to kill her, and caused many who witnessed these attempts at her life
converted to Christianity. Finally beheaded, she was shortly forgotten and
buried. Her bones and relics were found in the catacombs of St. Priscilla.
Soon after prayers for her intercession were answered with miraculous cures.
Her story was revealed through 3 people living in different ends of the world,
neither knowing the others, yet all three stories were quite similar in details.
Little is known of her life, and the
information was received by private revelation from her. Martyred at about
age 14 in the early days of the Church.
In 1802 the remains of a young woman were found in the catacomb of Saint
Priscilla on the Via Salaria. It was covered by stones, the symbols on which
indicated that the body was a martyr named Saint Philomena. The bones were
exhumed, cataloged, and effectively forgotten since there was so little
known about the person.
In 1805 Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano, Italy was in the Treasury of the
Rare Collection of Christian Antiquity (Treasury of Relics) in the Vatican.
When he reached the relics of Saint Philomena he was suddenly struck with a
spiritual joy, and requested that he be allowed to enshrine them in a chapel
in Mugnano. After some disagreements, settled by the cure of Canon Francis
following prayers to Philomena, he was allowed to translate the relics to
Mugnano. Miracles began to be reported at the shrine including cures of
cancer, healing of wounds, and the Miracle of Mugnano in which Venerable
Pauline Jaricot was cured a severe heart ailment overnight. Philomena became
the only person recognized as a Saint solely on the basis of miraculous
intercession as nothing historical was known of her except her name and the
evidence of her martyrdom.
Pope Leo XII granted permission for the erection of altars and churches in
her honor. Pope Gregory XVI authorized her public veneration, and named her
patroness of the Living Rosary. The cure of Pope Pius IX, while archbishop
of Imola, was attributed to Philomena; in 1849, he named her patroness of
the Children of Mary. Pope Leo XIII approved the Confraternity of Saint
Philomena, and raised it to an Archconfraternity. Pope Pius X raised the
Archconfraternity to a Universal Archconfraternity, and named Saint John
Vianney its patron. Saint John Vianney himself called Philomena the New
Light of the Church Militant, and had a strong and well-known devotion to
her. Others with known devotion to her include Saint Anthony Mary Claret,
Saint Euphrasia Pelletier, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, Saint John
Nepomucene Neumann, Saint Madeline Sophie Barat, Saint Peter Chanel, Saint
Peter Julian Eymard, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, and Venerable Pauline Jaricot.
Addition Info:
In 1802, the bones of a female between the ages of 13 and 15 were discovered
in the catacomb of St. Priscilia. An inscription near her tomb read "Peace
be with thee, Philomena", along with drawings of 2 anchors, 3 arrows and a
palm. Near her bones was discovered a small glass vial, containing the
remains of blood. Because it was a popular custom of the early martyrs to
leave symbols and signs such as these, it was easily determined that St.
Philomena was a virgin and a martyr. Her popularity soon became widespread,
with her most memorable devotees being St. John Vianney, St. Madeleine
Sophie Barat, St. Peter Eymard, and St. Peter Chanel. After being
miraculously cured, Ven. Pauline Jaricot insisted that Pope Gregory XVI
begin an examination for the beatification of St. Philomena, who was to
become known as the "wonder worker". After hundreds of other miraculous
cures, she was beatified in 1837. St. Philomena, who the pope named as the
Patroness of the Living Rosary and the Patroness of the Children of Mary, is
the only person recognized as a saint solely on the basis of her powerful
intercession, although pertinent revelations regarding her life have been
recorded. Her relics are now preserved in Mugnano, Italy.
Biography Provided By: Santuario
Santa Filomena
Saint Philomena - Virgin and Martyr
The figure of Philomena, young roman martyr, emerged after nearly seventeen
centuries of silence. Since the finding of her body the extraordinary
presence of St. Philomena in the Church began. Since then every Pope has
venerated her with his personal devotion and millions of Catholics have felt
her beneficial influence. She has been a model of spiritual life for many
Saints, Blessed and Venerable. Great devotion toward St. Philomena has
spread all over the world and Pontiffs have granted the Saint the
“Liturgical Cult” with Mass and its own Office.
St. Philomena’s mortal remains were discovered in 1802 in Rome in a catacomb
belonging to Priscilla. There are no biographic records of St. Philomena.
Therefore, the first records about the Saint are the ones that start with
the finding of her tomb in Priscilla’s catacombs, to the translation of her
body to Mugnano del Cardinale, the beginning of her providential influence
in Church life.
On the three stones that sealed the tomb, were the inscriptions:
“LUMENA – PAX TE – CUM FI”
and the following symbols:
two anchors
three arrows
a palm
a lily
In 1805, Don Francesco De Lucia, a young priest of Mugnano del Cardinale of
the Diocese of Nola, was in Rome. He nourished the wish of having the body
of a “Saint Martyr and with a Name” to take to his oratory in Mugnano. Pius
VII was moved and donated the body of St. Philomena. On the first of July
Bishop Bartolomeo De Cesare and Don Francesco left Rome with the Saint’s
relics. They reached Naples on July 2, 1805. Mons. Vincenzo Torrusio, Bishop
of Nola, officially recognized the sacred relics, and then placed them in a
private chapel.
Once the news spread, there was a massive rush of the faithful. To avoid
disorder, the remains of St. Philomena were displayed for the first time to
public veneration in the parish church of Sant’Angelo a Segno, where they
remained for three days.
The the sacred relics arrived in Mugnano the morning of August 10th and were
placed in the Church of Our Lady of Grace. Since the wonders happening were
many and the number of devotees kept increasing, a new Church of Our Lady of
Grace was built in Mugnano. It contains a chapel where the sacred relics
were translated on September 29, 1805, and where they still remain.
In Mugnano, the three stones that sealed St. Philomena’s niche in
Priscilla’s catacombs, were solemnly displayed for public veneration of the
faithful on August 4, 1827. Apart from the writing, what is striking is the
richness of the symbols: two anchors, three arrows, a palm symbol of
martyrdom, a flower. Externally, on the tomb of St. Philomena, there is the
palm symbol of martyrdom and inside the glass vase with the blood, which, as
we will see in the next chapters, has been subjected to the most rigorous
exams.
St. Philomena has ascended to the glory of the Altars not for what we
concretely know about her brief earthly existence but for the countless
graces and miracles that God has lavished through her powerful intercession.
That which is missing in the veneration of St. Philomena regarding historic
records, is abundantly compensated by the richness and multiplicity of all
the miracles performed thanks to her intercession from the day of the
translation of her bones from Rome to Mugnano, up until now. Rightly, Pope
Gregory XVI defined her the “Thaumaturge of XIX century”.
In the nineteenth century the figure of Philomena, young roman martyr,
conquered hearts. The cult expanded rapidly. Many devotees trusted her
protection and, of these, we remember Pauline Jaricot, founder of the
Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and the Living Rosary; the young
John Maria Mastai Ferretti, who will become Pope with the name of Pius IX
and will be beatified; the shy priest John Marie Vianney, the Cure of Ars,
singled out by St Pius X as the guarantor of St. Philomena. They were all
seriously ill and were perfectly cured from their illnesses as a result in
their faith in St. Philomena.
The latin term dies natalis (day of birth) indicates the day in which the a
saint moves from the earthly life to the eternal one. An earthly life spent
observing the precepts of the divine commandments leads to eternal life. For
a martyr, we can affirm what St. Ambrose wrote to the young martyr St.
Agnes: “Martirem dixi, satis dixi”, which means: “having said martyr, I’ve
said everything”.
Mons. Anselmo Basilici, Bishop of Sutri and Nepi, was a tireless promoter of
the cult of St. Philomena. Mons. Basilici had received a few relics from
Mugnano and wanted to divide them between the Churches of his Diocese. He
wanted to please all the applicants, but he did not know how. At this point
the relics prodigiously multiplied themselves. He also declared that he
received requests about relics from Cardinals and Bishops to promote the
devotion and that he managed to meet the demands of everybody. The on June
17, 1835 a division of the dust belonging to the sacred Body of St.
Philomena was solemnly carried out by in front of many witnesses that
confirmed the prodigy.
What amazes both the ordinary faithful and the diligent researcher about the
Philomena phenomenon is realizing how fast the cult of St. Philomena is
spreading all over the world. For about seventeen centuries her bones had
remained in the oblivion of Priscilla’s Catacombs in Rome. In a few years
the devotion towards this young girl has spread in the whole world matching,
and even exceeding, the devotion towards other martyrs venerated in the
past.
Before the decree of the Congregation of Rites of 1961, St. Philomena was
venerated and her figure was present in all the hagiography books. After
1961, not only was she removed from the liturgical calendar, but in the
majority of hagiography books she was treated as a symbol for all legends.
Therefore, just like the other “obscured” Saints, there were those who
continued to venerate St. Philomena more than ever, while others, confused,
fell by the wayside. If so many High Pontiffs have approved her cult, St.
Philomena is a reality, and cannot be relegated into legend.
The importance of the cult of St. Philomena can be evinced not only from the
official Church documents, but also from the personal devotions that Popes
that have had towards our Martyr.
Nearly all the Popes, from 1802 to 1940, have shown a great veneration for
St. Philomena. Some of them have visited the Sanctuary of the Saint when
they were Cardinals of The Holy Roman Church. Pius IX, apart from having
been miraculously cured by the Saint and spreading her devotion in the
diocese of Imola of which he was Pastor, as a Pope he visited the Sanctuary
in Mugnano to venerate the sacred body of Philomena the martyr. The devotion
of the Popes toward our martyr was great, as shown by their recognitions,
privileges and ex voto.
Pius VII (1800-1823). He accomplished the greatest act, donating to Mugnano
the body of St. Philomena.
Leo XII (1823-1829). On the 7th of December 1827, he exclaimed: “She is a
great Saint!”
Gregory XVI (1831-1846). The Pope himself donated to the Sanctuary of St.
Philomena a precious medallion with his effigy, a big silver lamp with
golden decorations and a golden chalice.
Pius IX (1846-1878). He was cured from his epilepsy by the intercession of
our Saint. When he was Bishop of Imola even his secretary, Don Joseph
Stella, was cured in 1834 by intercession of St. Philomena.
Leo XIII (1878-1903). He came in pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Mugnano when
he was still Archbishop of Benevento. On December 15, 1883, Leo XIII
approved the use of a red and white cord in honor of the Saint. Furthermore,
on September 24, 1889 he granted the title of Archconfraternity (solely to
France) to the Work of St. Philomena, and in 1902 he wanted to celebrate in
Rome, in Priscilla’s Catacombs, the first centenary for the finding of the
Saint martyr’s body. Furthermore, he sent two gifts to the Sanctuary in
Mugnano: in 1888 a nice pastoral and on the May 25, 1902, on the centenary
of the finding of the relics, a wonderful missal.
St Pius X (1903-1914). He is the Pope that in 1905 proclaimed the Curate of
Ars Blessed on the first centenary of the translation of St. Philomena’s
Body from Rome to Mugnano. Pius X loved St. Philomena very much and he was
truly saddened by the Philomenian question about the originality of the
stones found in front of her tomb. St. Pius X, on the May 21, 1912, extended
to the whole Church the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena: the highest
tribute from a pope who became Saint to a great Saint!
Sainted devotees of St. Philomena
St. John Marie Vianney, Curé of Ars (1876-1859). It was Pauline Jaricot who
talked to him about the Saint of Mugnano and introduced her to him. It was
she that gifted him with one of her relics. There is not a biography of the
Curate of Ars where our Saint is not mentioned. In France he was the
greatest promoter of the devotion towards the Saint of Mugnano. He had a
statue of St. Philomena placed in his parish church, and then built a
Basilica in her honor in Ars. This Basilica, built in the same style of the
one in Fourvière, which dominates over Lyon, was terminated after the death
of Saint John Marie Vianney. The Saint Curate attributed to the intercession
of our Saint, all the numerous miracles performed in Ars.
St. Peter Louis Marie Chanel (1803-1841). He was missionary and first martyr
(April 28, 1841) of the mysterious and wild Oceania. His mutual devotion for
St. Philomena came from the Curate of Ars. When he embarked in 1836 for the
Archipelago of Tonga, he had in his breviary three pictures: Our Lady, St.
Joseph and St. Philomena. To the young St. of Mugnano he would turn in the
difficult moments of his apostolate amongst the mistrustful and hostile
indigenous. Although not expert in constructions, he started building,
trustful in “a Saint for whom he harbors a great devotion”. In honor of the
Saint he recited a novena every year in the period of her feast. To one of
the first baptized he gave the name Marie Philomeno.
St. Peter Julian Marie Eymard (1811- 1868). His greatest merit was the
foundation in 1856 of the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. He was
a very close friend of the Curate of Ars whom he visited regularly. He had a
great devotion towards St. Philomena. He loved to kneel down in front of the
Saint’s reliquary. In 1854 he was cured by the martyr, after a novena
recited in her honor.
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865). She founded in 1802 the Society of
the Sacred Heart. In the difficult times of her life and her religious
order, Mother Barat invoked with faith the Saint of Mugnano. In her
biography she states that on the 11th of September 1846 Barat placed her
hands on a surgery patient who was instantly healed. She attributed her
healing to St. Philomena, whom she had invoked.
St. John Nepomucene Neumann (1811-1860). In 1840 he joined the Congregation
of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded by St. Alfonso Maria de Liguori. He
dedicated himself to the missionary activity in the States of New York,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in Christian education for youth, founding
many parish catholic schools. In 1846, trustful of the help of the Martyr,
“to whom God denies nothing for whomever invokes her” and without worrying
about the money, he completed the building of the new Church of St.
Philomena.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917). On her numerous journeys, especially
the ones from New York to Buenos Aires and through the Andes, she always
carried with her a small statue of St. Philomena. We can say that Cabrini,
and the Bishop of Philadelphia Mons. Neumann, had the merit of promoting the
devotion of the Saint in America more than anyone else. Pius XII declared
her Universal Patroness of the Emigrants.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). For her St. Philomena was the “Princess
of Heaven”. After the liturgical reform of 1961, Father Pio used to
imperatively reply to whoever dared to doubt the existence of the Saint:
“for the love of God! It might well be that her name is not Philomena, but
this Saint has performed many miracles and it is not the name that did
them.” This is the wisest reply: who wants to understand, will understand!
St. Maddalena Gabriella of Canossa (1774-1835). She founded the Order of the
Canossians (Work of the Charity daughters), an institution of great
religious and human advancement. Mother Madeleine continuously urged her
religious sisters towards the love of Christ and the Virgin of Sorrows, and
she entrusted them to the patronage of St. Philomena.
St. Hannibal Marie Di Francia (1851-1927). Referring to St. Philomena he
used to say: “St. Philomena has become famous for the great miracles that
the Lord has worked through her.”
St. Damien de Veuster (1840 – 1889). Father Damien, Belgian missionary of
the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, spent his life spiritually assisting
and curing the lepers relegated to the isle of Molokai in the Hawaiian
archipelago. A great devotee of St. Philomena, he dedicated to her the first
chapel he built in the leper colony.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 50:5-9a):
The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may
hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let that man confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?
R. (9)
I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
"O LORD, save my life!"
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
Reading 2 - A
reading from the letter of St. James (James 2:14-18):
What good is it, my brothers and
sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
"Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, "
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.
Indeed someone might say,
"You have faith and I have works."
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 8:27-35):
Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that I am?"
They said in reply,
"John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets."
And he asked them,
"But who do you say that I am?"
Peter said to him in reply,
"You are the Christ."
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it."
--------------------
09/16/2012 - St. Cornelius
(Martyred A.D. 253): St.
Cornelius was best known as the pope elected against his will, in a time of
persecution in which the previous pope had been martyred and no one had been
elected pope in over 14 months. At the time many Christians renounced
their faith rather than be martyred, and Pope Cornelius had to decide on the
issue that divided various bishops...should those who have renounced the faith
be allowed to return? He said yes with proper penances. A priest
named Novatian disagreed with this ruling and named himself a rival bishop of
Rome and became the first Antipope. St. Cornelius reigned only a couple of
years before being exiled to Civitavecchia near Rome, where some sources say he
died of the hardships of his exile and others that he was beheaded.
Cornelius (d. 253).
There was no pope for 14 months after the martyrdom of St. Fabian (January
20) because of the intensity of the persecution of the Church. During the
interval, the Church was governed by a college of priests. St. Cyprian, a
friend of Cornelius, writes that Cornelius was elected pope "by the judgment
of God and of Christ, by the testimony of most of the clergy, by the vote of
the people, with the consent of aged priests and of good men."
The greatest problem of Cornelius's
two-year term as pope had to do with the Sacrament of Penance and centered
on the readmission of Christians who had denied their faith during the time
of persecution. Two extremes were finally both condemned. Cyprian, primate
of Africa, appealed to the pope to confirm his stand that the relapsed could
be reconciled only by the decision of the bishop.
In
Rome, however, Cornelius met with the opposite view. After his election, a
priest named Novatian (one of those who had governed the Church) had himself
consecrated a rival bishop of Rome—one of the first antipopes. He denied
that the Church had any power to reconcile not only the apostates, but also
those guilty of murder, adultery, fornication or second marriage! Cornelius
had the support of most of the Church (especially of Cyprian of Africa) in
condemning Novatianism, though the sect persisted for several centuries.
Cornelius held a synod at Rome in 251 and ordered the "relapsed" to be
restored to the Church with the usual "medicines of repentance."
The
friendship of Cornelius and Cyprian was strained for a time when one of
Cyprian's rivals made accusations about him. But the problem was cleared up.
A
document from Cornelius shows the extent of organization in the Church of
Rome in the mid-third century: 46 priests, seven deacons, seven subdeacons.
It is estimated that the number of Christians totaled about 50,000.
Cornelius died as a result of the
hardships of his exile in what is now Civitavecchia (near Rome).
We may accept the statement of
the Liberian catalogue that he reigned two years, three months, and ten
days, for Lipsius, Lightfoot, and Harnack have shown that this list is a
first-rate authority for this date. His predecessor, Fabian, was put to
death by Decius, 20 January, 250. About the beginning of March, 251 the
persecution slackened, owing to the absence of the emperor, against whom two
rivals had arisen. It was possible to assemble sixteen bishops at Rome, and
Cornelius was elected though against his will (Cyprian, Ep. lv, 24), "by the
judgment of God and of Christ, by the testimony of almost all the clergy, by
the vote of the people then present, by the consent of aged priests and of
good men, at a time when no one had been made before him, when the place of
Fabian, that is the place of Peter, and the step of the sacerdotal chair
were vacant". "What fortitude in his acceptance of the episcopate, what
strength of mind, what firmness of faith, that he took his seat intrepid in
the sacerdotal chair, at a time when the tyrant in his hatred of bishops was
making unspeakable threats, when he heard with far more patience that a
rival prince was arising against him, than that a bishop of God was
appointed at Rome" (ibid., 9). Is he not, asks St. Cyprian, to be numbered
among the glorious confessors and martyrs who sat so long awaiting the sword
or the cross or the stake and every other torture?
A few weeks later the Roman priest Novatian made himself antipope, and the
whole Christian world was convulsed by the schism at Rome. But the adhesion
of St. Cyprian secured to Cornelius the hundred bishops of Africa, and the
influence of St. Dionysius the Great, Bishop of Alexandria, brought the East
within a few months to a right decision. In Italy itself the pope got
together a synod of sixty bishops. (See NOVATIAN.) Fabius, Bishop of
Antioch, seems to have wavered. Three letters to him from Cornelius were
known to Eusebius, who gives extracts from one of them (Church History
VI.43), in which the pope details the faults in Novatian's election and
conduct with considerable bitterness. We incidentally learn that in the
Roman Church there were forty-six priests, seven deacons, seven subdeacons,
forty-two acolytes, fifty-two ostiarii, and over one thousand five hundred
widows and persons in distress. From this Burnet estimated the number of
Christians in Rome at fifty thousand, so also Gibbon; but Benson and Harnack
think this figure possibly too large. Pope Fabian had made seven regions; it
appears that each had one deacon, one subdeacon and six acolytes. Of the
letters of Cornelius to Cyprian two have come down to us, together with nine
from Cyprian to the pope. Mgr. Merrati has shown that in the true text the
letters of Cornelius are in the colloquial "vulgar-Latin" of the day, and
not in the more classical style affected by the ex-orator Cyprian and the
learned philosopher Novatian. Cornelius sanctioned the milder measures
proposed by St. Cyprian and accepted by his Carthaginian council of 251 for
the restoration to communion, after varying forms of penance, of those who
had fallen during the Decian persecution (see CYPRIAN).
At the beginning of 252 a new persecution suddenly broke out. Cornelius was
exiled to Centumcellæ (Civita Vecchia). There were no defections among the
Roman Christians; all were confessors. The pope "led his brethren in
confession", writes Cyprian (Ep. lx, ad Corn.), with a manifest reference to
the confession of St. Peter. "With one heart and one voice the whole Roman
Church confessed. Then was seen, dearest Brother, that faith which the
blessed Apostle praised in you (Romans 1:8); even then he foresaw in spirit
your glorious fortitude and firm strength." In June Cornelius died a martyr,
as St. Cyprian repeatedly calls him. The Liberian catalogue has ibi cum
gloriâ dormicionem accepit, and this may mean that he died of the rigours of
his banishment, though later accounts say that he was beheaded. St. Jerome
says that Cornelius and Cyprian suffered on the same day in different years,
and his careless statement has been generally followed. The feast of St.
Cyprian was in fact kept at Rome at the tomb of Cornelius, for the fourth
century "Depositio Martirum" has "XVIII kl octob Cypriani Africæ Romæ
celebratur in Callisti". St. Cornelius was not buried in the chapel of the
popes, but in an adjoining catacomb, perhaps that of a branch of the noble
Cornelii. His inscription is in Latin: CORNELIUS* MARTYR* whereas those of
Fabian and Lucius are in Greek (Northcote and Brownlow, "Roma sotteranea",
I, vi). His feast is kept with that of St. Cyprian on 14 September, possibly
the day of his translation from Centumcellæ to the catacombs.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 35:4-7a):
Thus says the LORD:
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10):
R. (1b)
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, my soul!
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of James (James 2:1-5):
My brothers and sisters, show no
partiality
as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes
comes into your assembly,
and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes
and say, "Sit here, please, "
while you say to the poor one, "Stand there, " or "Sit at my feet, "
have you not made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil designs?
Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Did not God choose those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
that he promised to those who love him?
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 7:31-37):
Again Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man's ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
"Ephphatha!"-- that is, "Be opened!" --
And immediately the man's ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
---------------------
09/09/2012 - St. Peter
Claver (1581-1654): In St.
Peter Claver one can see his devotion to the Gospel by his actions ("show, don't
tell" when it comes to spreading the Gospel), in other words, he lived a life
that was a prime example of how one could live to serve the Lord Jesus and man.
Most famous for becoming the slave of the African slaves newly arrived in the
New World (South America), St. Peter devoted his life to easing the arrival of
the slaves that arrived in the Americas by providing food, clothing and defender
of their comforts, even before they landed...and mostly in Caragena.
The son of a Catalonian farmer, was born at
Verdu, in 1581; he died 8 September, 1654. He obtained his first degrees at
the University of Barcelona. At the age of
twenty he entered the
Jesuit
novitiate at Tarragona. While he was
studying philosophy at Majorca in 1605,
Alphonsus Rodriguez, the saintly door-keeper of the college, learned from
God
the future mission of his young associate, and thenceforth never ceased
exhorting him to set out to evangelize the Spanish possessions in America.
Peter obeyed, and in 1610 landed at
Cartagena, where for forty-four years he was the Apostle of the
negro slaves. Early in the seventeenth century
the masters of Central and South America afforded the spectacle of one of
those social crimes which are entered upon so lightly. They needed laborers
to cultivate the soil which they had conquered and to exploit the gold
mines. The natives being physically incapable of enduring the labors of the
mines, it was determined to replace them with negroes
brought from Africa. The coasts of Guinea, the
Congo, and Angola became the market for slave
dealers, to whom native petty kings sold their subjects and their
prisoners. By its position in the Caribbean
Sea, Cartagena became the chief slave-mart of the New
World. A thousand slaves landed there each month. They were bought
for two, and sold for 200 écus. Though half the cargo might die,
the trade remained profitable. Neither the repeated censures of the
pope, nor those of
Catholic moralists could prevail against
this cupidity. The missionaries could not suppress slavery, but only
alleviate it, and no one worked more heroically than Peter Claver.
Trained in the
school of Père Alfonso de Sandoval, a wonderful missionary, Peter
declared himself "the slave of the negroes forever", and thenceforth his
life was one that confounds egotism by its superhuman charity. Although
timid and lacking in self-confidence, he became a daring and ingenious
organizer. Every month when the arrival of the negroes
was signaled, Claver went out to meet them on the pilot's boat, carrying
food and delicacies. The negroes, cooped up in
the hold, arrived crazed and brutalized by suffering and fear. Claver went
to each, cared for him, and showed him kindness, and made him understand
that henceforth he was his defender and father. He thus won their good will.
To instruct so many speaking different dialects, Claver assembled at
Cartagena a group of interpreters of various
nationalities, of whom he made catechists. While the slaves were penned up
at Cartagena waiting to be purchased and
dispersed, Claver instructed and baptized them
in the
Faith. On Sundays during
Lent
he assembled them, inquired concerning their needs, and defended them
against their oppressors. This work caused Claver severe trials, and the
slave merchants were not his only enemies. The Apostle was accused of
indiscreet zeal, and of having profaned the
Sacraments by giving them to creatures who scarcely possessed a
soul. Fashionable women
of Cartagena refused to enter the churches
where Father Claver assembled his
negroes. The saint's superiors were often influenced by the many
criticisms which reached them. Nevertheless, Claver continued his heroic
career, accepting all humiliations and adding rigorous penances to his
works of charity. Lacking the support of men,
the strength of God was given him. He became
the prophet and miracle
worker of New Granada, the
oracle of Cartagena,
and all were convinced that often God would not
have spared the city save for him. During his life he
baptized and instructed in the Faith more than 300,000
negroes. He was beatified
16 July, 1850, Pius IX, and
canonized 15 January, 1888, by
Leo XIII. His feast
is celebrated on the ninth of September. On 7 July, 1896, he was proclaimed
the special patron of all the Catholic missions
among the negroes.
Alphonsus Rodriguez was canonized on the
same day as Peter Claver.
Feastday:
September 9
Patron Saint of Negro Missions
1580 - 1654
St. Peter Claver was born at Verdu,
Catalonia, Spain, in 1580, of impoverished parents
descended from ancient and distinguished families. He studied at the Jesuit
college of Barcelona, entered the Jesuit
novitiate at Tarragona in 1602 and took his
final vows on August 8th, 1604. While studying
philosophy at Majorca, the young religious was
influenced by
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save "millions of
perishing souls."
In 1610, he landed at
Cartagena (modern Colombia), the principle
slave market of the New World, where a thousand slaves
were landed every month. After his ordination in 1616, he dedicated himself
by special vow to the service of the Negro slaves-a work that was to last
for thirty-three years. He labored unceasingly for the
salvation of the African slaves and the
abolition of the Negro slave trade, and the love he lavished on them was
something that transcended the natural order.
Boarding the slave ships as they
entered the harbor, he would hurry to the revolting inferno of the hold, and
offer whatever poor refreshments he could afford; he would care for the sick
and dying, and instruct the slaves through
Negro catechists before administering the Sacraments. Through his efforts
three hundred thousand souls entered the Church. Furthermore, he did not
lose sight of his converts when they left the ships, but followed them to
the plantations to which they were sent, encouraged them to live as
Christians, and prevailed on their masters to treat them humanely. He died
in 1654.
Sunday,
September 2, 2012: (TWENTY-SECOND
SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME)
Readings for today:
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 / James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 /
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8):
Moses said to the people:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin upon you,
you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?"
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 4-5):
R. (1a) One who does justice
will live in the presence of the Lord.
Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R. One who does justice will live in the
presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD.
R. One who does justice will live in the
presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R. One who does justice will live in
the presence of the Lord.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of James (James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27):
Dearest brothers and sisters:
All good giving and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights,
with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.
He willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this:
to care for orphans and widows in their affliction
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23):
When the Pharisees with some scribes
who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
--For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds. --
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
"Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"
He responded,
"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.
You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."
He summoned the crowd again and said to them,
"Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person;
but the things that come out from within are what defile.
"From within people, from their hearts,
come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile."
--------------------
09/02/2012 - Family Guy's
National Gun Association Promo:
Now time for some levity.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Joshua (Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b):
Joshua gathered together all the
tribes of Israel at Shechem,
summoning their elders, their leaders,
their judges, and their officers.
When they stood in ranks before God,
Joshua addressed all the people:
"If it does not please you to serve the LORD,
decide today whom you will serve,
the gods your fathers served beyond the River
or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling.
As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
But the people answered,
"Far be it from us to forsake the LORD
for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God,
who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt,
out of a state of slavery.
He performed those great miracles before our very eyes
and protected us along our entire journey
and among the peoples through whom we passed.
Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Many are the troubles of the just one,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him;
he watches over all his bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the
Lord.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:21-32):
Brothers and sisters:
Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of his wife
just as Christ is head of the church,
he himself the savior of the body.
As the church is subordinate to Christ,
so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the church,
because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
This is a great mystery,
but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 6:60-69):
Many of Jesus' disciples who were
listening said,
"This saying is hard; who can accept it?"
Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this,
he said to them, "Does this shock you?
What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending
to where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life,
while the flesh is of no avail.
The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe."
Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe
and the one who would betray him.
And he said,
"For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me
unless it is granted him by my Father."
As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God."
--------------------
08/26/2012 - St. Francis
de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church, Patron Saint of Journalists and
Writers: In St. Francis de Sales is
a man who waited years to reveal his calling to anyone, until God gave him a
clear sign (the incident when falling from his horse 3 times in a row, his sword
and scabbard fell onto the ground in the shape of a cross each time). Also
one whose biggest concern on ordination was that he'd have to cut off his
"lovely" hair. A man who decided to lead an expedition into Calvinist
territory to convert them back to Catholicism, and though only his cousin joined
him on the expedition, he hadn't made one convert in 3 years (at which time his
cousin left him). Undaunted by his failure so far, he decided against
giving up and instead rethought his approach. Since the adults only
slammed doors in his face and threw rocks at him, he spoke and played with the
children who would hear him. Another approach he made was to write his
sermons and slip them under the doors of those who would not hear him. He
succeeded in these methods and became well loved and ended up converting many.
He also tolerated dancing and jokes, something that upset other preachers.
He also encouraged meditation as a way of filling your soul with God's presence
and as a great way to begin prayer. He's probably most famous for his
groundbreaking work of guiding ordinary people living in the world on living a
holy life through his writings. At the time, a holy life was only for
monks and nuns, not ordinary people.
For those who don't like to read, watch
this video biography of St. Francis de Sales:
Feastday: January 24
Patron Saint of Journalists, Writers
1567 - 1622
Born in France
in 1567, Francis was a patient man. He knew for thirteen years that he had a
vocation to the priesthood before he mentioned it
to his family. When his father said that he wanted Francis to be a soldier and
sent him to Paris to study, Francis said nothing.
Then when he went to Padua to get a doctorate in
law, he still kept quiet, but he studied theology and practiced mental
prayer while getting into swordfights and going to
parties. Even when his bishop told him if he wanted
to be a priest that he thought that he would have a
miter waiting for him someday, Francis uttered not a word. Why did Francis wait
so long? Throughout his life he waited for God's
will to be clear. He never wanted to push his
wishes on God, to the point where most of us would have been afraid that
God would give up!
God finally made God's
will clear to Francis while he was riding. Francis
fell from his horse three times. Every time he fell
the sword came out of the scabbard. Every time it
came out the sword and scabbard came to rest on the ground in the shape of the
cross. And then, Francis, without knowing about it, was appointed
provost of his diocese, second in rank to the
bishop.
Perhaps he was wise to wait, for he
wasn't a natural pastor. His biggest concern on being ordained that he had to
have his lovely curly gold hair cut off. And his preaching left the listeners
thinking he was making fun of him. Others reported to the
bishop that this noble-turned- priest was
conceited and controlling.
Then Francis had a bad
idea -- at least that's what everyone else thought.
This was during the time of the Protestant
reformation and just over the mountains from where Francis lived was
Switzerland -- Calvinist territory. Francis decided
that he should lead an expedition to convert the 60,000 Calvinists back to
Catholicism. But by the time he left his expedition
consisted of himself and his cousin. His father refused to give him any aid for
this crazy plan and the diocese was too poor to
support him.
For three years, he trudged through the
countryside, had doors slammed in his face and rocks thrown at him. In the
bitter winters, his feet froze so badly they bled as he tramped through the
snow. He slept in haylofts if he could, but once he slept in a tree to avoid
wolves. He tied himself to a branch to keep from falling out and was so frozen
the next morning he had to be cut down. And after three years, his cousin had
left him alone and he had not made one convert.
Francis' unusual patience kept him
working. No one would listen to him, no one would even open their door. So
Francis found a way to get under the door. He wrote out his sermons, copied them
by hand, and slipped them under the doors. This is the first record we have of
religious tracts being used to communicate with people.
The parents
wouldn't come to him out of fear. So Francis went to the children. When the
parents saw how kind he was as he played with the
children, they began to talk to him.
By the time, Francis left to go home he
is said to have converted 40,000 people back to Catholicism.
In 1602 he was made
bishop of the diocese
of Geneva, in Calvinist territory. He only set foot in the city of Geneva twice
-- once when the Pope sent him to try to convert Calvin's successor, Beza, and
another when he traveled through it.
It was in 1604 that Francis took one of
the most important steps in his life, the step toward
holiness and mystical union with God.
In Dijon
that year Francis saw a widow listening closely to
his sermon -- a woman he had seen already in a
dream. Jane de Chantal was a person on her own, as
Francis was, but it was only when they became friends that they began to become
saints. Jane wanted him to take over her spiritual direction, but, not
surprisingly, Francis wanted to wait. "I had to know fully what
God himself wanted. I had to be sure that
everything in this should be done as though his hand had done it." Jane was on a
path to mystical union with God and, in directing
her, Francis was compelled to follow her and become a mystic himself.
Three years after working with Jane, he
finally made up his mind to
form a new religious order. But where would they get a
convent for their contemplative Visitation nuns? A
man came to Francis without knowing of his plans
and told him he was thinking of donating a place for use by pious women. In his
typical way of not pushing God, Francis said nothing. When the
man brought it up again, Francis still kept quiet,
telling Jane, "God will be with us if he approves."
Finally the man offered Francis the convent.
Francis was overworked and often ill
because of his constant load of preaching, visiting, and instruction -- even
catechizing a deaf man so he could take first
Communion. He believed the first duty of a
bishop was spiritual
direction and wrote to Jane, "So many have come to me that I might serve
them, leaving me no time to think of myself.
However, I assure you that I do feel deep-down- within-me,
God be praised. For the truth is that this
kind of work is infinitely profitable to me." For him active work did not weaken
his spiritual inner peace but strengthened it. He directed most people through
letters, which tested his remarkable patience. "I have more than fifty letters
to answer. If I tried to hurry over it all, I would be lost. So I intend neither
to hurry or to worry. This evening, I shall answer as many as I can. Tomorrow I
shall do the same and so I shall go on until I have finished."
At that time, the way of
holiness was only for monks and
nuns -- not for ordinary
people. Francis changed all that by giving spiritual
direction to lay people living ordinary
lives in the world. But he had proven with his own life
that people could grow in holiness while involved
in a very active occupation. Why couldn't others do the same? His most famous
book, INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE, was written for these
ordinary people in 1608. Written originally as
letters, it became an instant success all over Europe
-- though some preachers tore it up because he tolerated
dancing and jokes!
For Francis, the love of
God was like romantic love. He said, "The thoughts
of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the
beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it, and their mouths full of
its praises. When it is gone they express their feelings in letters, and can't
pass by a tree without carving the name of their beloved in its bark. Thus too
those who love God can never stop thinking about
him, longing for him, aspiring to him, and speaking about him. If they could,
they would engrave the name of Jesus on the hearts
of all humankind."
The key to love of
God was prayer. "By turning your eyes on God
in meditation, your whole soul
will be filled with God. Begin all your
prayers in the presence of God."
For busy people of the world, he advised
"Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while
outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others and talk to God."
The test of prayer
was a person's actions: "To be an angel in
prayer and a beast in one's relations with people
is to go lame on both legs."
He believed the worst
sin was to judge someone or to gossip about them.
Even if we say we do it out of love we're still doing it to look better
ourselves. But we should be as gentle and forgiving with ourselves as we should
be with others.
As he became older and more ill he said,
"I have to drive myself but the more I try the slower I go." He wanted to be a
hermit but he was more in demand than ever. The Pope needed him, then a
princess, then Louis XIII. "Now I really feel that I am only attached to the
earth by one foot..." He died on December 28, 1622, after giving a nun his last
word of advice: "Humility."
He is patron saint of journalists
because of the tracts and books he wrote.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 9:1-6):
Wisdom has built her house,
she has set up her seven columns;
she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,
yes, she has spread her table.
She has sent out her maidens; she calls
from the heights out over the city:
"Let whoever is simple turn in here;
To the one who lacks understanding, she says,
Come, eat of my food,
and drink of the wine I have mixed!
Forsake foolishness that you may live;
advance in the way of understanding."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7):
R. (9a) Taste and see the
goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the
Lord.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:15-20):
Brothers and sisters:
Watch carefully how you live,
not as foolish persons but as wise,
making the most of the opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore, do not continue in ignorance,
but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.
And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery,
but be filled with the Spirit,
addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,
giving thanks always and for everything
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 6:51-58):
Jesus said to the crowds:
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world."
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever."
--------------------
08/19/2012 - Saint Gregory
I aka Pope Gregory the Great (540-604):
Saint Gregory I was the first monk to become pope and is one of only two popes
in history to be called "Great". And this guy didn't want to be pope,
he
wanted to turn it down and flee, but was caught on his way out and brought into
the St. Peter's Basilica to be confirmed pope by Emperor Maurice's men. He
loved monastic life and, before becoming pope, lived it as much as possible with
the duties he had. His most important literary works are his book on
pastoral rules (Liber Regulae Pastoralis), collections of saints' lives and the
miracles they performed (Dialogues 1-4), his homilies, his writings (over 800
letters remain to this day). He's also credited with creating Gregorian
chant with Jewish, Palestian and Syrian roots, a type of musical worship.
Many miracles are attributed to Gregory, including proving to the woman that
made the bread for communion that it was the body and blood of Christ by putting
the bread on the altar, at which point the communion bread began to bleed.
Another time he was dictating a sermon to his assistant from behind a veil or
partition...there were moments of silence, and the curious assistant peeked in
and saw a dove on his head with its beak between his lips, and Gregory only
spoke when the dove would remove its beak from his mouth. This information
is from
Rosemary Ellen Guiley's "The Encyclopedia of the Saints" (pages 134-135),
which is a great resource to learn about the saints!
Other great and more detailed information on the life of St. Gregory I
(Pope Gregory the Great) can be found at:
Wednesday,
August 15, 2012: (SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY)
Readings for today: Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab / 1
Corinthians 15:20-27 / Luke 1:39-56:
Reading 1 - A
reading from the book of Revelation (Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab):
God's temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then another sign appeared in the sky;
it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and on its heads were seven diadems.
Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky
and hurled them down to the earth.
Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth,
to devour her child when she gave birth.
She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.
Her child was caught up to God and his throne.
The woman herself fled into the desert
where she had a place prepared by God.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
"Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed One."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16):
R. (10bc) The queen stands
at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
R. The queen stands at your right hand,
arrayed in gold.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father's house.
R. The queen stands at your right hand,
arrayed in gold.
So shall the king desire your beauty;
for he is your lord.
R. The queen stands at your right hand,
arrayed in gold.
They are borne in with gladness and joy;
they enter the palace of the king.
R. The queen stands at your right hand,
arrayed in gold.
Reading 2 - A
reading from first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians
15:20-27):
Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death,
for "he subjected everything under his feet."
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:39-56):
Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."
Mary remained with her about three months
and then returned to her home.
----------------------
08/15/2012 - Origins of
the Celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Many non-Catholic Christians don't
understand why Catholics celebrate something that seems to have no scriptural
basis. However the fact is it originated in Apostolic tradition that Mary
died in the presence of all the Apostles, and her body was entombed until St.
Thomas requested the tomb be opened, at which time the tomb was found to be
empty, resulting in the Apostles concluding the body of Mary was taken up into
heaven. Below is info from the Catholic Encyclopedia online that gives
great information on everything regarding the feast, but I've only included
information I felt relevant for non-Catholic Christians to create a bridge of
understanding.
Regarding the day, year, and manner
of Our Lady's death, nothing
certain is known.
The earliest known literary reference to the
Assumption is found in the Greek work De Obitu S. Dominae.
Catholic faith,
however, has always derived our knowledge of
the mystery from
Apostolic Tradition. Epiphanius (d. 403)
acknowledged that he
knew nothing definite about it (Haer.,
lxxix, 11). The dates assigned for it vary
between three and fifteen years after
Christ's Ascension. Two cities claim to be the place of her departure:
Jerusalem and Ephesus. Common consent favours
Jerusalem, where her tomb
is shown; but some argue in favour of Ephesus. The first six centuries did
not know of the tomb of
Mary at Jerusalem.
The
belief in the corporeal assumption of
Mary
is founded on the
apocryphal treatise De Obitu S. Dominae, bearing the name of
St. John, which belongs however to the fourth
or fifth century. It is also found in the book De Transitu Virginis,
falsely ascribed to St. Melito of Sardis, and
in a spurious letter attributed to St. Denis the
Areopagite. If we consult genuine
writings in the East, it is mentioned in the
sermons of St. Andrew of
Crete, St. John Damascene, St. Modestus
of Jerusalem and others. In the West,
St. Gregory of Tours (De gloria mart., I, iv)
mentions it first. The sermons of
St. Jerome and St.
Augustine for this feast, however, are
spurious. St. John of Damascus (P.G., I, 96)
thus formulates the tradition of the
Church of Jerusalem:
St. Juvenal,
Bishop of Jerusalem,
at the
Council of Chalcedon (451), made known to the
Emperor Marcian and Pulcheria, who
wished to possess the body of the
Mother of God, that
Mary died in the presence of all the
Apostles, but that her
tomb, when opened, upon the request of
St.
Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom the
Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to
heaven.
Today, the
belief in the corporeal assumption of Mary
is universal in the East and in the
West; according to
Benedict XIV (De Festis B.V.M., I, viii, 18) it is a probable
opinion, which to deny were impious and blasphemous.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the first book of Kings (1 Kings 19:4-8):
Elijah went a day's journey into the
desert,
until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it.
He prayed for death saying:
"This is enough, O LORD!
Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers."
He lay down and fell asleep under the broom tree,
but then an angel touched him and ordered him to get up and eat.
Elijah looked and there at his head was a hearth cake
and a jug of water.
After he ate and drank, he lay down again,
but the angel of the LORD came back a second time,
touched him, and ordered,
"Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you!"
He got up, ate, and drank;
then strengthened by that food,
he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
Let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.
And your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
And from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the
Lord.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2):
Brothers and sisters:
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling
must be removed from you, along with all malice.
And be kind to one another, compassionate,
forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,
as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us
as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. John (John6:41-51):
The Jews murmured about Jesus
because he said,
"I am the bread that came down from heaven,"
and they said,
"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?
Do we not know his father and mother?
Then how can he say,
'I have come down from heaven?'"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Stop murmuring among yourselves.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets: They shall all be taught by God.
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.
Not that anyone has seen the Father
except the one who is from God;
he has seen the Father.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes has eternal life.
I am the bread of life.
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;
this is the bread that comes down from heaven
so that one may eat it and not die.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Exodus (Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15):
The whole Israelite community
grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The Israelites said to them,
"Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt,
as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!
But you had to lead us into this desert
to make the whole community die of famine!"
Then the LORD said to Moses,
"I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;
thus will I test them,
to see whether they follow my instructions or not.
"I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.
Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,
so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."
In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.
In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,
and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert
were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.
On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?"
for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
"This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."
What we have heard and know,
and what our fathers have declared to us,
We will declare to the generation to come
the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength
and the wonders that he wrought.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
He commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
And he brought them to his holy land,
to the mountains his right hand had won.
R. The Lord gave them bread from
heaven.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:17, 20-24):
Brothers and sisters:
I declare and testify in the Lord
that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,
in the futility of their minds;
that is not how you learned Christ,
assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,
as truth is in Jesus,
that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,
corrupted through deceitful desires,
and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and put on the new self,
created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to Saint John (John 6:24-35):
When the crowd saw that neither
Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they themselves got into boats
and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
And when they found him across the sea they said to him,
"Rabbi, when did you get here?"
Jesus answered them and said,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
you are looking for me not because you saw signs
but because you ate the loaves and were filled.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."
So they said to him,
"What can we do to accomplish the works of God?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent."
So they said to him,
"What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?
What can you do?
Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.?
So Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world."
So they said to him,
"Sir, give us this bread always."
Jesus said to them,
"I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst."
--------------------
08/05/2012 - The Brown
Scapular (Brief Catechism, History, Promises of Mary the Mother of God, and
Questions and Answers): It's
important to understand that wearing a brown scapular should be thought of as a
precious gift from Mary in heaven and that the wearing of it does not impart
magical properties, but rather should be a sign of devotion, keeping in mind
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the sufferings Jesus went through to secure
eternal life for us sinners. Therefore wearing it should be a reminder to
you to live a life worthy of Christ Jesus, and life of love and self sacrifice.
It's not a magic charm that gets you into heaven, but if worn and thought of
properly is merely a sign to you from heaven that your salvation is being
secured so long as you continue in living your life in faith as Jesus
instructed.
Here's a pamphlet that came with the
scapular I ordered online, and should give an excellent and concise explanation
of most of the above (catechism, history of the scapular, the promise of Mary,
and some questions and answers about the scapular and instructions):
A scapular
was a form of working clothing worn by monks. It draped over both shoulders
and hung down the front and back of the wearer. The name derives from the
shoulder bone, or scapula. Over time the scapular took on symbolic meanings,
such as the carrying of the cross of Christ. Among Carmelites the scapular
grew to be seen as a symbol of their dedication to Mary, as an expression of
trust in her motherly protection, and as a desire to be like her in her
commitment to Christ and to others.
In the
Middle Ages a part of the habit of some Religious
Orders, a cord or scapular for example, was sometimes given to lay persons
to express their association with that Order through membership in a lay
group such as a confraternity or sodality. Among Carmelites a small version
of the friars’ brown scapular was given as a sign of the lay person’s
association with the Carmelites and their spirituality. Thus the Brown
Scapular is essentially a “habit”, as John Paul II has said, of the
Carmelite Order.
What about
the appearances of Our Lady to St. Simon Stock and Pope John XXII? What
about the “Sabbatine Privilege”?
Though
contemporary historical documentation is now lacking, the Church has blessed
the appearance of Mary to St. Simon Stock, an early Carmelite, in which she
is said to have promised that anyone who remains faithful to the Carmelite
vocation until death will be granted the grace of final perseverance. This
grace, it must be reminded, does not come from the scapular or any other
sacramental; all grace is obtained for us by the Passion, Death, and
Resurrection of the Lord. The sacraments mediate this saving grace;
sacramentals do not mediate grace but prepare us to receive grace and to
cooperate with it. Favors associated with the wearing of the Brown Scapular
would be meaningless without the wearer living and dying in a state of
grace.
The “Sabbatine
Privilege” is an alleged promise made by Our Lady to Pope John XXII in the
fourteenth century in which she said that she would assist those wearing the
Brown Scapular on the Saturday following their death. The Vatican
has not upheld this apparition and teaching. In fact, in 1613 the Holy See
determined that the purported decree establishing the Privilege was
unfounded and the Church admonished the Carmelites not to promote this
doctrine. The Church also said, however, that the faithful may devoutly
believe that the Blessed Virgin will assist souls, especially on Saturdays,
the day which the Church dedicates to the Blessed Virgin.
What is the
meaning of the Brown Scapular today?
The Brown
Scapular is a sign which has been approved by the Church for over seven
centuries. The Church today approves the Carmelites’ understanding of the
meaning of the Brown Scapular as a commitment to follow Jesus as did Mary,
the perfect model of all disciples of Christ.
Mary shows us: how to be open to God and his will; how to be guided by
faith, hope, and love; how to be close to the needs of others; how to pray
at all times; and how to discover God as present in all that happens around
us. The scapular must not be seen as a charm to protect the wearer or as an
automatic guarantee of salvation, and thus an excuse for not living the
demands of the Christian life.
By wearing
the Brown Scapular am I thereby associated with the Carmelite Order?
A person who wears
the Brown Scapular and practices the spirituality of the Carmelite Order
shares a greater or lesser degree of affiliation to the family of Carmel.
As Pope John Paul II has said, “Those who receive [the scapular] are
associated more or less closely with the Order of Carmel and dedicate
themselves to the service of Our Lady for the good of the whole Church.”
This association to the Order can be found in the following expressions:
-the
religious men and women of the Order and their aggregated institutes;
-members of
one of the Carmelite Secular (or “Third”) Orders;
-members of
public associations and confraternities of Our Lady of Mount Carmel;
-those who
have been invested in the scapular, practice the Order’s spirituality, and
have been granted some association with the Order;
-those who
wear the scapular out of devotion, practice the Order’s spirituality, but
have no formal association to the Order.
Persons in
any of these categories of affiliation to one of the Carmelite Orders share
to some degree in the favors traditionally associated with the Brown
Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
How do I
practice the spirituality of the Carmelite Order?
It is difficult to
reduce the Orders’ spirituality to a few sentences. One would be advised to
look at the witness of the Carmelite saints, especially Our Lady of Mont
Carmel, St. Elijah, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. John
of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux. A few
introductory principles of Carmelite spirituality, however, would be:
-frequent
participation in the Mass and reception of Holy Communion;
-frequent
reading of and meditation on the Word of God in Sacred Scripture;
-the regular
praying of at least a part of the Liturgy of the Hours;
-imitation of
and devotion to Mary, the woman of faith who hears the Word of God and puts
it into practice;
-the practice
of the virtues, notably: charity, chastity (according to one’s state in
life), and obedience to the will of God.
How can I be
enrolled in the Brown Scapular?
An
individual may be enrolled by a priest or deacon according to the Rite
for the Blessing of and Enrollment in the Scapular of the Blessed Virgin
Mary of Mount Carmel, approved by the Holy See in 1996. One who is
officially “enrolled” makes committments to certain spiritual practices
associated with the Carmelite Order and their name is registered with the
Order. A person given authority to act in the name of the Order may receive
people into the confraternity of the scapular.
Following
enrollment, the Scapular may be replaced by a scapular medal, showing the
Sacred Heart on one side and an image of Mary on the other. Once enrolled in
the Brown Scapular, a new scapular (or medal) obtained in the future does
not require an additional blessing or enrollment. Old and worn scapulars
should be disposed of in a respectful manner as with other blessed objects,
normally buried or burned.
Is it
necessary to be enrolled in the Scapular Confraternity in order to share in
the spiritual benefits attached to the scapular?
No, those
without formal affiliation with the Order, but who wear the scapular out of
devotion and practice the Order’s spirituality, still share in a
spiritual affiliation to the Carmelite Order. This gives them the
assurances of the favors pertinent to this sacramental. Since the Brown
Scapular is a habit of the Carmelite Order, the Order does encourage wearers
to make some level of committment to the spirituality of the Order.
What form
does the lay scapular take?
Scapulars are found in many colors
and sizes related to various Orders and devotions within the Church. The
Brown Scapular of the Carmelites has traditionally been two pieces of plain
dark brown cloth (square or rectangular, traditionally wool), connected over
the shoulders by strips of cloth or ribbon. Though the Order notes a
preference for plain brown cloth, Brown Scapulars are most commonly found
with some decorative elements.
After one
has been invested in the Brown Scapular the scapular medal may be
substituted for the cloth scapular. When Pope Pius X instituted the use of
the scapular medal it was not intended to replace the cloth scapular but as
an option in situations in which the use of the cloth scapular was
problematic (tropical conditions, for example). Nevertheless, the scapular
medal enjoys all the privileges granted to the wearing of the scapular.
This pamphlet
is primarily based on: The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel:
Catechesis and Ritual, prepared under the direction of the North
American Provincials of the Carmelite Orders, 2000.
The Doctrinal
Statement on the Scapular may be viewed at:
Reading 1 - A reading from
the second book of Kings (2 Kings 4:42-44):
A man came from Baal-shalishah
bringing to Elisha, the man of God,
twenty barley loaves made from the firstfruits,
and fresh grain in the ear.
Elisha said, "Give it to the people to eat."
But his servant objected,
"How can I set this before a hundred people?"
Elisha insisted, "Give it to the people to eat."
"For thus says the LORD,
'They shall eat and there shall be some left over.'"
And when they had eaten, there was some left over,
as the LORD had said.
R. (cf. 16) The hand of the
Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers
all our needs.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers
all our needs.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. The hand of the Lord feeds us; he
answers all our needs.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:1-6):
Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 6:1-15):
Jesus went across the Sea of
Galilee.
A large crowd followed him,
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
Jesus went up on the mountain,
and there he sat down with his disciples.
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
When Jesus raised his eyes
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,
he said to Philip,
"Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"
He said this to test him,
because he himself knew what he was going to do.
Philip answered him,
"Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough
for each of them to have a little.'"
One of his disciples,
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;
but what good are these for so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people recline."
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,
and distributed them to those who were reclining,
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,
"Gather the fragments left over,
so that nothing will be wasted."
So they collected them,
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments
from the five barley loaves
that had been more than they could eat.
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,
"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off
to make him king,
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
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07/29/2012 - "Why Pray the
Daily Rosary?": If you have a
copy of the Pieta Prayer Book, on page 41 you'll find this title at the top of
the page, and below are a series of quotes from various saints who testify to
the power of praying the rosary. The website I found also contains the 15
Promises of Mary the Mother of God to St. Dominic for those that pray the
Rosary.
A friend recently
gave me a copy of the 'Pieta Prayer Book', which I treasure. There
are soooooooooooo many wonderful prayers and teachings within this
little blue book. It's power-packed!
I opened it at random
yesterday, and in the middle of the book was the title in bold
print: "Why pray the daily Rosary?" I
quote: "At Fatima (1917) Our Lady said: "I
am the Lady of the Rosary. Pray the rosary every day to obtain
peace for the world. After each decade say the following prayer: O
my Jesus forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, and
lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Thy
mercy."
St.
Francis de Sales said that the greatest method of praying is to
Pray the Rosary.
St. Thomas
Aquinas preached 40 straight days in Rome, Italy, on just the Hail
Mary.
St. John
Vianney, patron of priests, was seldom seen without a rosary in his
hand.
"The rosary
is the scourge of the devil." -- Pope Adrian VI
"The rosary
is a treasure of graces." --Pope Paul V
St. Padre Pio,
the stigmatic priest said: "The rosary is the weapon."
Pope Leo XIII
wrote 9 encyclicals on the rosary.
Blessed Pope
John XXIII spoke 38 times about our Lady and the Rosary. He prayed
15 decades daily.
St. Louis
Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: "The rosary is the most powerful
weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, Who so loves His
Mother."
Will you
give 1% of each day to God? If so, pray the daily rosary.
"To recite the
Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of
Christ."
Rosarium Virginius Mariae, Pope John Paul II, Oct. 16, 2002.
The
Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary...
(Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alain)
1. Whoever
shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall
receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the
greatest graces to all those who shall recite the rosary.
3. The rosary shall be a powerful armour against
hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to
flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it
will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its
vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh,
that souls would sanctify themselves by this means!
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the
recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly,
applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall
never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His
justice, and he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be
just he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of
eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the
rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the rosary
shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and
the fullness of His graces, and at the moment of death they shall
participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have
been devoted to the rosary.
10. The faithful children of the rosary shall merit
a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the
recitation of the rosary.
12. All those who propagate the holy rosary shall
be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the
advocates of the rosary shall have for intercessors the entire
celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the rosary are my beloved
children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of
predestination.
(Imprimatur:
tPATRICK J. HAYES, D.D. Archbishop of New York
Please join me in praying for fidelity to the Holy
Rosary, and for new candidates to pray the Holy Rosary, and for All
Peoples...
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son
of the Father,
send
now Your Spirit
over the earth.
Let the
Holy Spirit live
in the
hearts of all peoples
that they
may be preserved
from
corruption, disaster
and war.
May the
Lady of All Peoples
who
once was Mary
be
our Advocate
Amen.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 23:1-6):
Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD.
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away.
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply.
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.
Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6):
R. (1) The Lord is my
shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I
shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I
shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I
shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is
nothing I shall want.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:13-18):
Brothers and sisters:
In Christ Jesus you who once were far off
have become near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, he who made both one
and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh,
abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,
that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,
thus establishing peace,
and might reconcile both with God,
in one body, through the cross,
putting that enmity to death by it.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near,
for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 6:30-34):
The apostles gathered together with
Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
---------------------
07/22/2012 - The 15
Promises of Mary the mother of God to St. Dominic (1170-1220) for those that
pray the Rosary: St. Dominic
is also known as the founder of the order The Dominicans also known as the order
of Friars Preachers. He was famous for his work in preaching against the
Albigensian heresy. Mary, the mother of God, gave the prayer of the Rosary
to St. Dominic and told him that spreading the prayer would dispel the heresy
from France.
St. Dominic, a Spanish
theologian (circa 1170-1221) was the founder of the Roman Catholic
religious order of Friars Preachers, or Dominicans.
Around the year 1203,
Dominic was sent by Pope Innocent III to South France to preach to
the Albigenses. At the time, the Albigensian doctrine was based on a
dualism of two eternally opposing principles, good and evil, all
matter being regarded as evil and the creator of the material world
as a devil. St. Dominic discovered that this doctrine was becoming
widespread due to the fact that the Albigenses were well educated
and well organized. To combat the unorthodox teachings of the
Albigensians, Dominic organized and educated his preachers so they
would be better equipped to overcome this Albigensian heresy.
Dominic stressed the importance of education, and his preachers
traveled throughout Europe and educated common people and religious
leaders as a way to challenge the heresy.
It was during Dominic's
fight against this heresy when tradition tells how this saint
received the rosary from the Virgin Mary in a vision. According to
tradition, the Virgin Mary told him to "Pray my Psalter and teach it
to your people. That prayer will never fail". Dominic was told that
if he did as instructed, the heresy would be dispelled from France.
Eventually after widespread teachings on the rosary and the
meditations of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the
heresy was defeated and the Church was strengthened.
St. Dominic is widely
associated with the origin and creation of the Rosary because he was
the first to implement the widespread teaching of this sacred
devotion.
And the 15 promises of
Mary to St. Dominic for those that pray the Rosary are as follows...
Besides the
Indulgences attached to the Rosary, Our Lady revealed to St. Dominic and
Blessed Alan de la Roche additional benefits for those who devoutly pray the
Rosary. Our Lady's promise is shown in darker blue text. Additional
explanation on and doctrinal connections to each promise is shown following
in the smaller normal text font and color. Note that the Rosary is the
prayer (non-Liturgical) with the most published Magisterial / Papal
documents expounding on its excellence. Vatican II's summary on Our Lady is
contained in
Lumen Gentium chapter VIII.
1.
Whosoever shall faithfully
serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal
graces.
Signal Graces are those
special and unique Graces to help sanctify us in our state in life.
See the remaining promises for an explanation for which these will
consist. St. Louis de Montfort states emphatically that the best and
fastest way to union with Our Lord is via Our Lady [True Devotion to
Mary, chapter four].
2.
I promise my special
protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the
Rosary.
Our Lady is our Advocate and
the channel of all God's Grace to us. Our Lady is simply
highlighting that She will watch especially over us who pray the
Rosary. (see
Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
[a great more detail is available on this topic in True Devotion to
Mary, chapter four, by St. Louis de Montfort]
3.
The Rosary shall be a
powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin and
defeat heresies.
This promise, along with the
next, is simply the reminder on how fervent prayer will help us all
grow in holiness by avoiding sin, especially a prayer with the
excellence of the Rosary. An increase in holiness necessarily
requires a reduction in sin,
vice, and doctrinal errors
(heresies). If only the Modernists could be convinced to pray the
Rosary! (see
Lumen Gentium chapter V - The Call to Holiness
#42) St. Louis de Montfort states "Since Mary alone
crushed all heresies, as we are told by the Church under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit (Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary)..."
[True Devotion to Mary #167]
4.
It will cause
good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy
of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the
world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire for Eternal
Things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
The soul which recommends
itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
Since Our Lady is our Mother
and Advocate, She always assists those who call on Her implicitly by
praying the Rosary. The Church reminds us of this in the
Memorare prayer, "... never was it
known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or
sought your intercession, was left unaided ..."
6.
Whosoever shall recite the
Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred
Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not
chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided
death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become
worthy of Eternal Life.
This promise highlights the
magnitude of Graces that the Rosary brings to whomever prays it. One
will draw down God's Mercy rather than His Justice and will have a
final chance to repent (see promise #7). One will not be conquered
by misfortune means that Our Lady will obtain for the person
sufficient Graces to handle said misfortune (i.e. carry the Crosses
allowed by God) without falling into despair. As Sacred Scripture
tells us, "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light." (Matthew
11:30)
7.
Whoever shall have a true
devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the
Church.
This promise highlights the
benefits of obtaining the most possible Graces at the hour of death
via the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist, and Extreme Unction
(Anointing of the Sick). Being properly disposed while receiving
these Sacraments near death ensures one's salvation (although
perhaps with a detour through Purgatory) since a final repentance is
possible.
8.
Those who are faithful to
recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death
the Light of God and the plenitude of His Graces; at the moment of
death they shall participate in the Merits of the Saints in
Paradise.
Our Lady highlights the
great quantity of Graces obtained through praying the Rosary, which
assist us during life and at the moment of death. The merits of the
Saints are the gift of God's rewards to those persons who responded
to His Grace that they obtained during life, and so Our Lady
indicates that She will provide a share of that to us at death. With
this promise and #7 above, Our Lady is providing the means for the
person to have a very holy death.
9.
I shall deliver from
purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
Should one require
Purgatorial cleansing after death, Our Lady will make a special
effort to obtain our release from Purgatory through Her intercession
as Advocate.
10.
The faithful children of the
Rosary shall merit a high degree of Glory in Heaven.
This promise is a logical
consequence of promises #3 and #4 since anyone who truly lives a
holier life on earth will obtain a higher place in Heaven. The
closer one is to God while living on earth, the closer that person
is to Him also in Heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
states "Spiritual progress tends toward ever more union with
Christ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2014)
11.
You shall
obtain all you ask of me by recitation of the Rosary.
This promise emphasizes Our
Lady's role as our Advocate and Mediatrix of all Graces. Of course,
all requests are subject to God's Most Perfect Will. God will always
grant our request if it is beneficial for our soul, and Our Lady
will only intercede for us when our request is good for our
salvation. (see
Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
12.
All those who
propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
If one promotes the praying
of the Rosary, Our Lady emphasizes Her Maternal care for us by
obtaining many Graces (i.e. spiritual necessities) and also material
necessities (neither excess nor luxury), all subject to the Will of
God of course.
13.
I have obtained from my
Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for
intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the
hour of death.
Since Our Lady is our
Advocate, She brings us additional assistance during our life and at
our death from all the saints in Heaven (the Communion of Saints).
See paragraphs 954 through 959 in the Catechism of the Catholic
Church.
14.
All who recite the Rosary
are my Sons, and brothers of my Only Son Jesus Christ.
Since the Rosary is a most
excellent prayer focused on Jesus and His Life and activities in
salvation history, it brings us closer to Our Lord and Our Lady.
Doctrinally, Our Lady is our Mother and Jesus is our Eldest Brother,
besides being our God. (see
Lumen Gentium chapter VIII - Our Lady #62)
15.
Devotion to my Rosary is a
great sign of predestination.
Predestination in this
context means that, by the sign which is present to a person from
the action of devoutly praying the Rosary, God has pre-ordained your
salvation. Absolute certainty of salvation can only be truly known
if God reveals it to a person because, although we are given
sufficient Grace during life, our salvation depends upon our
response to said Grace. (See Summa Theologica, Question 23 for a
detailed theological explanation). Said another way, if God has
guaranteed a person's salvation but has not revealed it to Him, God
would want that person to pray the Rosary because of all the
benefits and Graces obtained. Therefore the person gets a hint by
devotion to the Rosary. This is not to say that praying the Rosary
guarantees salvation - by no means. In looking at promises #3 and #4
above, praying the Rosary helps one to live a holy life, which is
itself a great sign that a soul is on the road to salvation. (See
also paragraphs 381, 488, 600, 2782 in the Catechism of the Catholic
Church.) In fact, St. Louis de Montfort says even more strongly that
"an infallible and unmistakable sign by which we can distinguish a
heretic, a man of false doctrine, an enemy of God, from one of God's
true friends is that the hardened sinner and heretic shows nothing
but contempt and indifference to Our Lady..." [True Devotion to
Mary, #30]
Reminder: these promises mean that,
by faithfully and devoutly praying the Rosary, Our Lady will obtain for us
the necessary Graces to obtain said promises. It is still up to each
individual soul to respond to those Graces in order to obtain
salvation.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Amos (Amos 7:12-15):
Amaziah, priest of Bethel, said to
Amos,
"Off with you, visionary, flee to the land of Judah!
There earn your bread by prophesying,
but never again prophesy in Bethel;
for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal temple."
Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet,
nor have I belonged to a company of prophets;
I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.
The LORD took me from following the flock, and said to me,
Go, prophesy to my people Israel."
R. (8) Lord, let us see your
kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD --for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant
us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant
us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and
grant us your salvation.
Reading 2: A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3-14):
Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
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 favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we have redemption by his blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
In him you also, who have heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him,
were sealed with the promised holy Spirit,
which is the first installment of our inheritance
toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 6:7-13):
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began
to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey
but a walking stick--
no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals
but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
------------------------
07/15/2012 - How to Pray
the Rosary: Praying the
Rosary will take about 30-45 minutes (depending on experience), and is an
incredibly powerful form of active meditation and prayer. The provided
pamphlet (below) makes it VERY easy to understand the steps and prayers involved
in the beads and crucifix. I hope this helps at least one person to pray
the Rosary even once...even if it's myself (I've prayed it twice in my life).
Here are some links that
teach how to pray the Rosary in VERY simplistic instructions:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into
hell; the third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall
come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the
Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the
resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is
with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the
hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our
life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children
of Eve; to thee do we send our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of
tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and
after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O
clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Fatima
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those
who are in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Below are the instructions
on how to pray the Rosary, but first one must know the mysteries and which days
to pray which mysteries in the Rosary. There are 20 mysteries total, and
five are prayed per day. The mysteries include the Joyful mysteries,
Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous mysteries. Each of the mysteries
(Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) are said on certain days and contain 5
mysteries a piece. Here's the schedule for the mysteries:
Mysteries for
Certain Weekdays Since the Luminous
Mysteries have recently been added, the typical schedule to praying during
the week is as following:
The Annunciation: The Archangel
Gabriel visits with a young Mary to inform her that she will soon become
the Virgin Mother to the Messiah.
The Visitation: Mary makes a
visit her much older cousin Elizabeth.
The Nativity: The birth of Jesus
Christ.
The Presentation: Mary and
Joseph present Jesus in the Temple 40 days after he is born.
The Finding in the Temple: Mary
and Joseph find a 12 year old Jesus discussing scripture with the elder
Rabbis in the Temple.
The Luminous Mysteries (The
Mysteries of Light)
(Thursdays)
The Baptism of Jesus: John the
Baptist baptizes Jesus, and the God proclaims that Jesus his beloved
Son.
The Wedding at Cana: Jesus
performs his first public miracle by changing water into wine at Cana.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom:
Jesus went to Galilee and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God,
called to conversion, and forgave the sins of all who draw near to him.
The Transfiguration: Jesus'
divine nature glowed brilliantly through his humanity. His face shone
like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
The Institution of the
Eucharist: Jesus' Last Supper, where he shares his very self with his
disciples in the form of bread and wine. It is truly an expression of
God's saving presence—God's Kingdom of love—among us in the form of a
banquet.
The Sorrowful Mysteries
(Tuesdays and Fridays)
The Agony in the Garden: Jesus
sweats water and blood while praying the night before his passion.
The Scourging at the Pillar:
Pilate has Jesus whipped.
The Crowning with Thorns: Roman
soldiers crown Jesus' head with thorns.
The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus
meets His mother and falls three times on the way up Calvary.
The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed
to the cross and dies before His mother and His apostle John.
The Glorious Mysteries
(Sundays and Wednesdays)
The Resurrection: Jesus rises
from the dead.
The Ascension: Jesus leaves the
Apostles and bodily "ascends" to heaven.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit:
The Apostles receive the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire in the upper
room with Mary.
The Assumption: Mary is taken
bodily--assumed--into heaven by God at the end of her life here on
earth.
The Coronation: Mary is crowned
Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Remember that the Rosary is divided
into
4 different mysteries, and each mystery is assigned to a different day
of the week. Reflecting on the Mysteries of Jesus' life is KEY
to experiencing the full power of the Rosary.
1.
While holding the crucifix, make
the Sign of the Cross (using your right hand make the sign of the cross over
your body by first touching your fingertips to your forehead, then move your arm
straight down to your navel, then to your left shoulder, and finally to the
right shoulder, then return your right hand to your left in prayer (palm to
palm) all while saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit, Amen.", and then recite the
Apostles Creed.
The Apostles'
Creed
I believe in God, the Father
Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only
Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin
Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was
buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the
dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the
Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the
dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the
communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the
body and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
3.
Recite a
Hail Mary on each of the three small beads.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord
is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and
at the hour of our death. Amen.
4.
On the large bead, recite the
Glory Be to the Father, the
Fatima Prayer "O my Jesus", then announce the
first mystery for the current day and recite the Our Father.
Glory be to the
Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the
Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and
ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially
those who are in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
First Mystery:
For Sundays and
Wednesdays announce the Glorious mysteries:
The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection: Jesus
rises from the dead.
For Mondays and
Saturdays:
The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation: The
Archangel Gabriel visits with a young Mary to inform her that she
will soon become the Virgin Mother to the Messiah.
For Tuesdays and
Fridays:
The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden:
Jesus sweats water and blood while praying the night before his
passion.
For Thursdays:
The Luminous Mysteries (The
Mysteries of Light)
The Baptism of Jesus: John
the Baptist baptizes Jesus, and then God proclaims that Jesus is His
beloved Son.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
5.
On each of the following ten small
beads (also referred to as a decade) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the
first mystery.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
6.
On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father, the Fatima
prayer, announce the next mystery, and an Our Father.
Glory be to
the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Fatima Prayer
O my Jesus, forgive us our
sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven,
especially those who are in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Second
Mystery:
On Sundays and
Wednesdays (The
Glorious Mysteries):
The Ascension: Jesus leaves
the Apostles and bodily "ascends" to heaven.
On Mondays and
Saturdays (The Joyful Mysteries):
The Visitation: Mary makes a
visit her much older cousin Elizabeth.
On Tuesdays
and Fridays (The Sorrowful Mysteries):
The Scourging at the Pillar:
Pilate has Jesus whipped.
On Thursdays
(The Luminous Mysteries):
The Wedding at Cana: Jesus
performs his first public miracle by changing water into wine at
Cana.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead
us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.
7.
On each of the following ten small
beads (decades) recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the second mystery.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the
Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
8.
Repeat this sequence for each of the
following decades (Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, recalling the appropriate mystery,
reciting the Our Father, and ten Hail Marys) while meditating on the mystery for
each sequence/decade.
9. After
the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary usually ends with the
Hail Holy Queen, and the Sign of the Cross.
Hail, Holy
Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of
Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most
gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our
exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement,
O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Make the Sign of the Cross
Using your right hand make the
sign of the cross over your body by first touching your fingertips
to your forehead, then move your arm straight down to your navel,
then to your left shoulder, and finally to the right shoulder, then
return your right hand to your left in prayer (palm to palm in front
of your heart) all while saying, "In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:2-5):
As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit
entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
Hard of face and obstinate of heart
are they to whom I am sending you.
But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD!
And whether they heed or resist--for they are a rebellious house--
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4):
R. (2cd) Our eyes are fixed
on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven --
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading
for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading
for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord,
pleading for his mercy.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:7-10):
Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated,
because of the abundance of the revelations,
a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan,
to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness."
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 6:1-6):
Jesus departed from there and came
to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, "Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?"
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house."
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
--------------------
07/08/2012 - St. Padre Pio,
Blessed (1887-1968): I can do
no better job in talking about St. Padre Pio than the websites I present.
Although I would like it known for those who only read the first paragraph that
he received the stigmata, which lasted 50 years, had the ability to bilocate,
experienced several ecstasies, had the ability to read souls, raise people from the dead, and
he exuded a perfumed aroma supernaturally. But, I leave you with the detailed
information presented in the websites:
Padre Pio, a humble Capuchin priest
from San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, was blessed by God in many wonderful and
mysterious ways. The most dramatic was the stigmata. Padre Pio bore the
wounds of Christ for fifty years!
Among his other gifts were perfume,
bilocation, prophecy, conversion, reading of souls, and miraculous cures.
People are still being cured through his intercession in ways that cannot be
explained by medicine or science.
More important, if less spectacular,
are the spiritual healings that take place in all parts of the world! Padre
Pio is a powerful intercessor!!
Padre Pio was born Francis Forgione
on May 25, 1887. His parents, Orazio and Giuseppa Forgione, were poor
country people. They brought eight children into the world, three of whom
died in infancy and two of whom became religious. The Forgiones lived in the
little farming village of Pietrelcina, in the Province of Benevento, not
many miles from Naples. They were God-fearing people.
Francisco Forgione (Padre Pio) at 14 yrs old
Padre Pio in his youth was deeply religious and early in life showed a love
for recollection and for the things of God. At school, he learned diligently
and possessed a lively intelligence, so much so that his father was
determined to help his son financially to become a priest. In 1903, he began
his novitiate with the Capuchins in Morcone, received the habit and was
given the religious name of Pio (Pius, in English). After seven years of
studies, he was ordained on August 10, 1910 at the age of 23. Because of
delicate health, he was permitted to practice his ministry for several years
in his parochial church of Pietrelcina.
Padre Pio
as a Capuchin novice
In 1912, he received intermittently the invisible stigmata. Christ's sacred
wounds were invisibly imprinted on his hands, feet and side. The wounds
could not be seen, but the pain and swelling of them were there. In 1916,
his superiors sent him to the friary in San Giovanni Rotondo. He lived there
until he died.
On September 20,1918, at 31 years of
age, a piercing cry escaped his lips during his thanksgiving after Mass. He
was pierced and bleeding from five deep wounds in his hands, feet and side.
The stigmata had become visible and was to remain with him until shortly
before he died. He was the first priest to be so honored! There have been
about 300 stigmatisms in the history of the Church.
Naturally, he was
subjected to endless and often very painful medical examinations. All kinds
of healing treatments were applied, but without success. The wounds remained
completely free from healing or any infection for 50 years.
In addition to the stigmata, he
possessed the gifts of fragrance, of conversion, of bi-location, of reading
hearts, of penetrating the future and of miracles of all kinds. Like many a
Saint, he was fiercely attacked by the devil on numerous occasions. During
his long life, Padre Pio accomplished many deeds that were far beyond the
scope of ordinary mortals. His greatest achievement and memorial was his
hospital in 1956 for the Relief of Suffering. It holds over a thousand beds
and has the most efficient up-to-date equipment A large congregation of
Sisters staff the hospital.
His day consisted of constant
prayer, usually the rosary, Holy Mass at 5 AM, confessions all day long and
through his secretaries responses to the 500 to 600 pieces of mail each day.
Most of the letters were requests for prayers, cures or advice. He never
took breakfast or supper. Dinner at noon consisted of nibbling at his food,
but never more than 500 calories a day.
He died a holy death on September
23,1968 at 2:30 AM with the words "Jesus and Mary" on his lips and his
rosary in his hands. His funeral rites were a triumph. It is estimated that
over 100,000 viewed his body and 100,000 participated in the funeral rites
Padre Pio's body September 24, 1968
His beatification occurred in May 1999 and in Rome on June 16, 2002, Pope
John Paul II canonized (Padre) Pio of Pietrelcina, OFM Cap. a saint of the
Church with over 500,000 people in attendance.
A free St. Pio Prayer Card is
available and will be mailed to you by writing to St. John's Church (Prayer
Card), 210 West 31st Street, New York, NY, 10001. Your name and address will
be added to the St. John's Church Sweepstakes mailings and will not be
shared with any other institution or marketing company.
“Far be it from me to glory except
in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14).
Like the Apostle Paul, Padre Pio da
Pietrelcina placed at the centre of his life and apostolic work the Cross of
his Lord as his strength, his wisdom and his glory. Inflamed by love of
Jesus Christ, he became like him in the sacrifice of himself for the
salvation of the world. In his following and imitation of the Crucified
Christ he was so generous and perfect that he could have said: “I have been
crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in
me” (Gal 2:20). And the treasures of grace which God had granted him
so lavishly and unceasingly he passed on through his ministry, serving the
men and women who came to him in ever greater numbers, and bringing to birth
an immense host of spiritual sons and daughters.
This worthy follower of Saint
Francis of Assisi was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina in the Archdiocese
of Benevento, the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. He
was baptized the next day and given the name Francesco. At the age of twelve
he received the Sacrament of Confirmation and made his First Holy Communion.
On 6 January 1903, at the age of
sixteen, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at Morcone, where
on 22 January he took the Franciscan habit and the name Brother Pio. At the
end of his novitiate year he took simple vows, and on 27 January 1907 made
his solemn profession.
After he was ordained priest on 10
August 1910 at Benevento, he stayed at home with his family until 1916 for
health reasons. In September of that year he was sent to the friary of San
Giovanni Rotondo and remained there until his death.
Filled with love of God and love of
neighbour, Padre Pio lived to the full his vocation to work for the
redemption of man, in accordance with the special mission which marked his
entire life and which he exercised through the spiritual direction of the
faithful: the sacramental reconciliation of penitents and the celebration of
the Eucharist. The pinnacle of his apostolic activity was the celebration of
Holy Mass. The faithful who took part witnessed the summit and fullness of
his spirituality.
On the level of social charity, he
committed himself to relieving the pain and suffering of many families,
chiefly through the foundation of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House
for the Relief of Suffering), opened on 5 May 1956.
For Padre Pio, faith was life: he
willed everything and did everything in the light of faith. He was
assiduously devoted to prayer. He passed the day and a large part of the
night in conversation with God. He would say: “In books we seek God, in
prayer we find him. Prayer is the key which opens God's heart”. Faith led
him always to accept God's mysterious will.
He was always immersed in
supernatural realities. Not only was he himself a man of hope and total
trust in God, but by word and example he communicated these virtues to all
who approached him.
The love of God filled him, and
satisfied his every desire; charity was the chief inspiration of his day: to
love God and to help others to love him. His special concern was to grow in
charity and to lead others to do so.
He demonstrated to the full his love
of neighbour by welcoming, for more than fifty years, countless people who
had recourse to his ministry and his confessional, his counsel and his
consolation. He was almost besieged: they sought him in church, in the
sacristy, in the friary. And he gave himself to everyone, rekindling faith,
dispensing grace, bringing light. But especially in the poor, the suffering
and the sick he saw the image of Christ, and he gave himself particularly to
them.
He exercised to an exemplary degree
the virtue of prudence, acting and counselling in the light of God.
His concern was the glory of God and
the good of souls. He treated everyone with justice, frankness and great
respect.
The virtue of fortitude shone in
him. He understood very early in life that his would be the way of the
Cross, and he accepted it at once with courage and out of love. For many
years, he experienced spiritual sufferings. For years he endured the pains
of his wounds with admirable serenity.
When he had to submit to
investigations and restrictions in his priestly ministry, he accepted
everything with profound humility and resignation. In the face of unjust
accusations and calumnies he remained silent, trusting always in the
judgement of God, of his immediate superiors and of his own conscience.
He habitually practised
mortification in order to gain the virtue of temperance, in keeping with the
Franciscan style. He was temperate in his attitude and in his way of life.
Conscious of the commitments which
he had undertaken when he entered the consecrated life, he observed with
generosity the vows he had professed. He was obedient in all things to the
commands of his Superiors, even when they were burdensome. His obedience was
supernatural in intention, universal in its scope and complete in its
execution. He lived the spirit of poverty with total detachment from self,
from earthly goods, from his own comfort and from honours. He always had a
great love for the virtue of chastity. His behaviour was modest in all
situations and with all people.
He sincerely thought of himself as
useless, unworthy of God's gifts, full of weakness and infirmity, and at the
same time blessed with divine favours. Amid so much admiration around him,
he would say: “I only want to be a poor friar who prays”.
From his youth, his health was not
very robust, and especially in the last years of his life it declined
rapidly. Sister Death took him well-prepared and serene on 23 September 1968
at the age of eighty-one. An extraordinary gathering of people attended his
funeral.
On 20 February 1971, barely three
years after the death of Padre Pio, Pope Paul VI, speaking to the Superiors
of the Capuchin Order, said of him: “Look what fame he had, what a worldwide
following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a
philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal?
Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was –
it is not easy to say it – one who bore the wounds of our Lord. He was a man
of prayer and suffering”.
Even during his lifetime, he enjoyed
a vast reputation for sanctity, because of his virtues, his spirit of
prayer, sacrifice and total dedication to the good of souls.
In the years following his death,
his reputation for sanctity and miracles grew steadily, and became
established in the Church, all over the world and among all kinds of people.
God thus showed the Church his
desire to glorify on earth his faithful servant. In a short time the
Capuchin Order took the steps prescribed by canon law to begin the Cause of
Beatification and Canonization. After examining the case, the Holy See, in
accordance with the norm of the Motu Proprio “Sanctitas Clarior”,
granted the nihil obstat on 29 November 1982. The Archbishop of
Manfredonia was thus enabled to introduce the Cause and set up the
informative process (1983- 1990). On 7 December 1990, the Congregation for
the Causes of Saints recognized its juridical validity. When the Positio
had been completed, there was the usual discussion on whether the
Servant of God had exercised the virtues to a heroic degree. On 13 June 1997
the Special Meeting of the Theological Consultors was held and gave a
positive judgement. In the Ordinary Session on 21 October 1997, with Bishop
Andrea Maria Erba of Velletri‑Segni, the Proposer of the Cause, together
with the Cardinals and Bishops, recognized that Padre Pio da Pietrelcina had
lived to a heroic degree the theological, cardinal and associated virtues.
On 18 December 1997, in the presence
of Pope John Paul II, the Decree on heroic virtue was promulgated.
For the Beatification of Padre Pio,
the Postulation presented to the competent Congregation the healing of
Signora Consiglia De Martino of Salerno. The regular canonical process on
this case was held at the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Archdiocese of
Salerno-Campagna-Acerno from July 1996 to June 1997. On 30 April 1998 at the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints the Medical Board examined the
miracle, and on 22 June 1998 the Special Meeting of Theological Consultors
gave its judgement. On 20 October 1998 the Ordinary Congregation of the
Cardinals and Bishops belonging to the Congregation was held in the Vatican.
On 21 December 1998 in the presence of Pope John Paul II the Decree on the
miracle was promulgated.
On 2 May 1999, in the course of a
solemn concelebrated Mass in St Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II by his
apostolic authority beatified the Venerable Servant of God Padre Pio of
Pietrelcina, naming 23 September as the date of his liturgical feast.
For the canonization of Blessed
Padre Pio of Pietrelcina the Postulation presented to the competent
Dicastery the cure of the young Matteo Pio Colella of San Giovanni Rotondo.
The regular canonical process on the case was held at the Ecclesiastical
Tribunal of the Diocese of Manfredonia-Vieste from 11 June to 17 October
2000. On 23 October the documents were forwarded to the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints. On 21 November 2001 the medical testimony was examined by
the same Congregation. The Theological Consultors held a special Congress on
11 December and on 18 December the ordinary Session of Cardinals and Bishops
took place. On 20 December, in the presence of John Paul II, the Decree on
the miracle was promulgated. Finally, on 28 February 2002 the Decree of
Canonization was promulgated.
Reading 1 - A reading from
the book of Wisdom (Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24):
God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,
and there is not a destructive drug among them
nor any domain of the netherworld on earth,
for justice is undying.
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.
R. (2a) I will praise you,
Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have
rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have
rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you
have rescued me.
Reading 2 - A reading from
the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15):
Brothers and sisters:
As you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse,
knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you,
may you excel in this gracious act also.
For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,
so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Not that others should have relief while you are burdened,
but that as a matter of equality
your abundance at the present time should supply their needs,
so that their abundance may also supply your needs,
that there may be equality.
As it is written:
Whoever had much did not
have more, and whoever had
little did not have less.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 5:21-43):
When Jesus had crossed again in the
boat
to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to
the sea.
One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.
Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,
"My daughter is at the point of death.
Please, come lay your hands on her
that she may get well and live."
He went off with him,
and a large crowd followed him and pressed upon him.
There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.
She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
and had spent all that she had.
Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.
She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd
and touched his cloak.
She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."
Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"
But his disciples said to Jesus,
"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,
and yet you ask, 'Who touched me?'"
And he looked around to see who had done it.
The woman, realizing what had happened to her,
approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.
He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.
Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."
While he was still speaking,
people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,
"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"
Disregarding the message that was reported,
Jesus said to the synagogue official,
"Do not be afraid; just have faith."
He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside
except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,
he caught sight of a commotion,
people weeping and wailing loudly.
So he went in and said to them,
"Why this commotion and weeping?
The child is not dead but asleep."
And they ridiculed him.
Then he put them all out.
He took along the child's father and mother
and those who were with him
and entered the room where the child was.
He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum,"
which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"
The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.
At that they were utterly astounded.
He gave strict orders that no one should know this
and said that she should be given something to eat.
------------------------
07/01/2012 - Blessed Henry
Suso (1295-1366) Dominican mystic, preacher, poet and author. A. K. A.
Amandus:
Henry Suso was born Heinrich von Berg in Constance, Swabia, to a noble
family on March 21, about 1295. He took his name from his mother’s family,
Sus or Süs. He was creative, quick, highly imaginative and restless. He was
of frail health and often ill. Perhaps because of this, his parents took him
at age 13 to the Dominican convent at Constance, where he would spend a
large part of his life. He was professed at age 14. At age 18, he had a
mystical experience that propelled him to become “the Servant of the Eternal
Wisdom.” He was flooded with divine light and joy and felt transported out
of the world. This experience changed his thinking and opened the way for
frequent visions and ecstasies throughout his life. He initiated a practice
of severe austerities. Henry excelled in his studies, and in 1324 he was
sent to Cologne to the Dominican house of advanced studies. There he had the
privilege of studying with the great and controversial German mystic, Johann
Eckhart, or Meister Eckhart, for three years, becoming his ardent supporter.
He also studied the works of SS. Thomas Aquinas, Peter Lombard and
Dionysius. After his return to Constance, he was named lector and pursued
his writing. In 1329, Pope John XXII (r. 1316–34) condemned Meister Eckhart.
Henry defended him, earning censure from his superiors and suffering the
loss of his teaching job. In 1334 Henry began his apostolic career, earning
an outstanding reputation for his preaching throughout Europe. In particular
he worked with the Friends of God, whom he called the Brotherhood of Eternal
Wisdom, helping to restore religious practices. He especially influenced
Dominican convents of women, including the famous Katherinenthal, a home to
mystics in the 13th and 14th centuries, and Toss, where Elsbeth Stagel
preserved some of his writings and most of his letters. Throughout his life,
Henry suffered the persecutions and ill will of others, despite his
brilliance as a preacher. A woman accused him of fathering her child, and
the gossip destroyed his reputation for a time. Henry was crushed by this
defamation. At the height of the scandal, another woman came to him in
secret and offered to destroy the child. She argued that unless the child
were eliminated, he would be forced to accept it. Henry, of course, could do
no such thing. He accepted the child as his and gave it to the care of the
woman. This damaged his reputation even further. Friends deserted him and he
was nearly expelled from the religious life. Henry was devoted to the
Blessed Virgin Mary and venerated the holy name of Jesus. He took a stiletto
and carved the name into his chest above his heart, so that the name moved
with every beat of his heart. He never revealed the carving to anyone, but
once while in ecstasy, a brilliant radiance streamed from his heart. Henry
died on January 25, 1366, in Ulm. Henry began writing while he was a student
in Cologne. His early works, heavily influenced by Eckhart, were The Little
Book of Truth and The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom. The latter is
considered a classic, and was the most widely read meditation book in German
until Thomas à Kempis produced Imitation of Christ. Kempis was influenced by
Suso. Henry also wrote his autobiography, The Life of the Servant, which
discusses his inner life. Extant are 28 letters and five sermons.
(Also called Amandus, a
name adopted in his writings). German mystic, born at
Constance on 21 March, about 1295; died at Ulm, 25 January, 1366;
declared Blessed in 1831 by
Gregory XVI, who assigned his feast in the
Dominican Order to 2 March.
His life
His father belonged to the noble
family of Berg; his mother, a
holy woman from
whom he took his name, to a family of Sus (or
Süs). When thirteen years of age he entered the
Dominican convent at
Constance, where he made his preparatory,
philosophical, and
theological studies.
From 1324 to 1327 he took a
supplementary course in theology in the
Dominican studium generale at
Cologne, where he sat at the feet of
Johann Eckhart, "the Master", and probably at
the side of
Tauler, both celebrated mystics. Returning
to Constance, he was appointed to the office of
lector, from which he seems to have been
removed some time between 1329 and 1334. In the latter year he began his
apostolic career. About 1343 he was elected prior
of a convent, probably at Diessenhofen. Five
years later he was sent from Constance to Ulm
where he remained until his death.
Suso's life as a mystic began in his
eighteenth year, when giving up his careless habits of the five preceding
years, he made himself "the Servant of the Eternal Wisdom", which he
identified with the Divine essence and, in a concrete form, with the
personal Eternal Wisdom made man. Henceforth a burning
love for the Eternal Wisdom dominated his thoughts and controlled his
actions. He had frequent visions and ecstasies,
practised severe austerities (which he prudently moderated in maturer
years), and bore with rare patience corporal afflictions, bitter
persecutions and grievous calumnies.
He became foremost among the
Friends of God in the work of restoring
religious observance in the cloisters. His
influence was especially strong in many convents
of women, particularly in the
Dominican convent
of Katherinenthal, a famous nursery of mysticism
in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and in that of Toss, where lived
the mystic Elsbeth Stagel, who turned some of his Latin into German,
collected and preserved most of his extant letters, and drew from him the
history of his life which he himself afterwards developed and published.
In the world he was esteemed as a
preacher, and was heard in the cities and towns of Swabia,
Switzerland, Alsace, and the
Netherlands. His apostolate, however, was not
with the masses, but rather with individuals of
all classes who were drawn to him by his singularly attractive
personality, and to whom he became a personal
director in the spiritual life.
It has often been incorrectly said
that he established among the
Friends of God a
society which he called the Brotherhood of the Eternal Wisdom. The
so-called Rule of the Brotherhood of the Eternal Wisdom is but a free
translation of a chapter of his "Horologium Sapientiae", and did not make
its appearance until the fifteenth century.
His writings
The first writing from the pen of
Suso was the "Büchlein der Wahrheit", which he issued while a student at
Cologne. Its doctrine was unfavourably
criticized in some circles — very probably on account of its author's close
relations with
Eckhart, who had just been called upon to
explain or to reject certain propositions — but it was found to be entirely
orthodox.
As in this, so in his other writings
Suso, while betraying Eckhart's influence,
always avoided the errors of "the Master". The
book was really written in part against the
pantheistic teachings of the
Beghards, and against the libertine teachings of the Brethren of
the Free Spirit. Father
Denifle considers it the most difficult
"little book" among the writings of the German mystics.
Whereas in this book Suso speaks as
a contemplative and to the intellect, in his
next, "Das Büchlein der ewigen Weisheit", published early in 1328, he is
eminently practical and speaks out of the fullness of his heart to "simple
men who still have imperfections to be put off". Bihlmeyer accepts
Denifle's judgment that it is the "most beautiful fruit of German
mysticism", and places it next to the "Homilies" of
St. Bernard, and the
"Imitation of Christ" by Thomas à Kempis.
In the second half of the fourteenth and in the fifteenth century there was
no more widely read meditation book in the German
language.
In 1334 Suso translated this work
into Latin, but in doing so added considerably to its contents, and made of
it an almost entirely new book, to which he gave the name "Horologium
Sapientiae". Even more elevating than the original, finished in language,
rich in figure, rhythmic in movement, it became a favourite book in the
cloisters at the close of the
Middle Ages, not only in
Germany, but also in the Netherlands,
France, Italy, and
England.
To the same period of Suso's
literary activity may belong "Das Minnebüchlein" but its
authenticity is doubtful.
After retiring to Ulm Suso wrote the
story of his inner life ("Vita" or "Leben Seuses"), revised the "Büchlein
der Wahrheit", and the "Büchlein der ewigen Weisheit", all of which,
together with eleven of his letters (the "Briefbüchlein"), and a prologue,
he formed into one book known as the "Exemplar Seuses".
Besides the above-mentioned writings
we have also five sermons by Suso and a
collection of twenty-eight of his letters (Grosses Briefbuch), which may be
found in Bihlmeyer's edition.
Suso is called by Wackernagel and
others a "Minnesinger in prose and in the spiritual order." The mutual
love of God and
man which is his principal theme gives warmth and colour to his style. He
used the full and flexible Alamannian idiom with rare skill, and contributed
much to the formation of good German prose, especially by giving new shades
of meaning to words employed to describe inner sensations. His
intellectual equipment was characteristic of
the schoolmen of his age. In his
doctrine there was never the least trace of an
unorthodox tendency.
For centuries he exercised an
influence upon spiritual writers. Among his readers and admirers were Thomas
à Kempis and Bl. Peter Canisius.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 49:1-6):
Hear me, O coastlands,
listen, O distant peoples.
The LORD called me from birth,
from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
He made of me a sharp-edged sword
and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.
He made me a polished arrow,
in his quiver he hid me.
You are my servant, he said to me,
Israel, through whom I show my glory.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain,
and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,
yet my reward is with the LORD,
my recompense is with my God.
For now the LORD has spoken
who formed me as his servant from the womb,
that Jacob may be brought back to him
and Israel gathered to him;
and I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,
and my God is now my strength!
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and restore the survivors of Israel;
I will make you a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
you know when I sit and when I stand;
you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
with all my ways you are familiar.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
Truly you have formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother's womb.
I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made;
wonderful are your works.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully made.
My soul also you knew full well;
nor was my frame unknown to you
When I was made in secret,
when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth.
R. I praise you, for I am wonderfully
made.
Reading II - A reading
from the acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:22-26):
In those days, Paul said:
"God raised up David as king;
of him God testified, I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish.
From this man's descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
'What do you suppose that I am' I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet."
"My brothers, sons of the family of Abraham,
and those others among you who are God-fearing,
to us this word of salvation has been sent."
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:57-66, 80):
When the time arrived for Elizabeth
to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
"No. He will be called John."
But they answered her,
"There is no one among your relatives who has this name."
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
"What, then, will this child be?"
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.
---------------------
06/24/2012 - St. Gertrude
the Great (1256-1301 or 1302):
St. Gertrude the Great is another mystical
saint, and she had daily visions of the Lord Jesus Christ for over 20 years,
except a brief period of 2 weeks as punishment to her for having a worldly
conversation. The Lord Jesus espoused himself to her and gave her 7
spiritual ringlets, and bestowed a variety of graces upon her. She's also
known as the saint for the souls in purgatory and for the dead. The Lord
Jesus Christ gave her a prayer in a vision that would release 1000 souls from
purgatory each time it is said. Later the prayer included living sinners.
A
Brief Overview of Her Remarkable Life
January 6, 1232----------------November 17, 1291
Saint Gertrude, Virgin, Mystic, and Benedictine Abbess, was called by Our
Lord Himself, "My chosen Lily", and the Church has given her the title of
"Great" although she is not counted among the Doctors of the Church, at
least as of yet. She is the only woman Saint to have been accorded this
honor. There are are more than one Saint named Gertrude, one of whom was
the Abbott of the monastery when Gertrude entered there at five, so it is an
added blessing that she is distinguished by the term Great, for our sakes,
because there is one less opportunity for confusion. It ought to come as no
surprise that she was born in that great age of Saints, the 13th century,
among which are numbered St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and
in the later years of which, both St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic, the
latter two being born in the 12th century. Not only was this century the
"Century of Saints", but the age of the most wondrous of Saints.
Our Gertrude the Great was born at Eisleben, Germany, the same town as that
of the unfortunate heretic, Martin Luther. But when she was born there were
no Lutherans or any kind of Protestants because all of Christendom was
Catholic. The revolt and upheaval would begin a scarce two centuries later.
Note that she was born on the Feast of the Epiphany, destined as she was by
God's providence to be one of the Stars in the Communion of Saints. Her
parentage is unknown for certain, although it is thought that she was born a
countess, but we do know that when she was five years old, she was placed in
the care of the Benedictine nuns at Helfta in Saxony, where she became the
pupil and close friend of St. Mechtilde. The nuns there were known for their
thoroughness in training and study, which only served to augment the
intellectual gifts that God had bestowed on Gertrude. Very early on she was
versed in Latin, the Bible, and the works of the Fathers of the Church. Yet,
compared to her capacity for loving God, they pale. While still a child she
began to speak to the Heart of Our Lord, her chosen One. She already had the
capacity and the readiness to withdraw as much as possible from worldly
pursuits in order to spend time with Him. And Jesus did come to her; the
Benedictine sisters were not slow to learn that she was favored by Heaven.
One nun, who suffered the torment of terrible temptations, had a dream in
which she was told to ask Gertrude for help, to ask for her prayers. And as
soon as Gertrude began to pray for her, the temptations ceased. Another
religious had a similar urgent need of help. She took a cloth which had been
used by the Saint, applied it to her heart and she was instantly healed of
her spiritual malady.
[2]
Our Lord Himself conveyed to another favored soul that Gertrude "contains
and perfects in her soul those five virtues which please Me above all
others, and which I have placed therein by a singular liberality; she
possesses purity, by a continual
influence of My grace; she possesses
humility, amidst the great diversity of gifts which I have bestowed
on her --- for the
more I effect in her, the more she abases herself; she possesses a true
benignity, which makes her desire the
salvation of the whole world for My greater glory; she possesses a true
fidelity, spreading abroad, without
reserve, all her treasures for the same end. Finally, she possesses a
consummate charity; for she loves Me
with her whole heart, with her whole soul, and with her whole strength; and
for love of Me, she loves her neighbor as herself."
[3]
St. Gertrude was elected Abbess of her monastery in 1294 when she was but
thirty. And for forty more years she continued to guide her spiritual
children, many of whom attained a high degree of sanctity. As superior she
was known for her zeal, and for her charity. Whenever anyone was suffering,
whether in body or in spirit, she could not rest. If repentance was required
she prayed and wept until the person had repented. She preferred this
approach to severe upbraiding. So fervent were her nuns because this
approach that not only did they attain sanctity but a number of them
received singular favors from Heaven.
By this time Gertrude's mystical union with her Spouse, Our Lord, Jesus, was
so ardent and intimate that even the thought of sudden death could not
disturb her. In fact she expressed her desire to join her Spouse. But she
surrendered her will to His in this matter, saying that she preferred His
will and providence even to the Sacraments.
Her confidence, which we shall speak about later, was so preeminent that it
is impossible to think that his Sacred Heart could refuse her anything. It
was not always thus. Once she had been praying fervently for a favor, which
He had not yet granted. When asked Him why the delay, He replied that it was
because she was lacking in confidence of the effects of His Mercy.
Later, He told St. Mechtilde, "I have united My Heart so closely to her soul
by the ties of My Mercy that she has become one spirit with Me. It is on
this account that she obeys so promptly all the desires of My will . . ."
[4]
One year, before the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, St. Gertrude,
addressing Our Lord's Five Wounds, repeated the following salutation five
thousand four hundred and sixty-six times: "Glory be to Thee, most sweet,
most gentle, most benign, most noble, most excellent, effulgent, and
ever-peaceful Trinity, for the roseate wounds of my only Love!" As she
repeated this salutation, our Lord Jesus appeared to her, more beautiful
than the Angels, bearing golden flowers on each Wound, and saluted her thus,
with a serene countenance and the tenderest charity: "Behold in what glory I
now appear to you. I will appear in the same manner to you at your death,
and will cover all the stains of your sins, and of those also who salute My
Wounds with the same devotion."
[5]
Gertrude's life became daily more supernatural and often she experienced
ecstasies in which she not only enjoyed the company of Our Lord, but His
Holy Mother as well. Even her favorite Saints came to visit her.
She also wrote with St. Mechtilde a series of prayers that became very
popular, and because of this and her writing, devotion to the Sacred Heart
began to spread. After numerous sufferings and an almost lifelong set of
infirmities, she now neared her death. The Sisters were reading the Passion
of Christ at her bedside where Jesus appeared to her with Our Lady at His
right hand. The the nuns pronounced the words, "And bowing His Head, He gave
up the ghost," Jesus leaned toward the Saint, opening wide His adorable
Heart, pouring forth all His love while the Angels surrounded her bed; she
beheld them inviting her to Paradise and heard then singing, "Come, come, O
mistress! . . . Alleluia, alleluia!"
[6] She died at Helfta on November 17 and
although never formally canonized, Pope Clement XII in 1677 directed that
her Feast [Originally November 17, but in this past century, the 16th] be a
universal Feast in the Church. She is listed in the Roman Martyrology, which
lists all the Saints and Martyrs.
She is the patron of the West Indies because of a petition to the Holy See
made by the King of Spain.
1.
The date of her birth is in dispute, varying by as much as 7
years [1256]. There are two source books for her Revelations and the dates
in these are not identical. Delaney's book on the Saints gives us the date
of 1256. We are using the oldest known source, her Manual
2. THE LIFE AND REVELATIONS OF ST.
GERTRUDE, Christian Classics, TAN BOOKS, pp. 4-5.
3. Ibid., p. 6.
4. Ibid., p. 19.
5. Ibid., pp. 405-406.
6. SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT: HERALD OF
DIVINE LOVE, TAN BOOKS, pp. 49-50. Excerpts Published on the web with
permission of Tan Books.
Forward for the Boundless Confidence in Our Lord that St. Gertrude the Great
Attained
(which includes the prayer
the Lord Jesus revealed to her which would release 1000 souls from purgatory
each time it is said:
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the
Most
Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in
union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy
Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal
church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
)
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17:22-24):
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar,
from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot,
and plant it on a high and lofty mountain;
on the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it.
It shall put forth branches and bear fruit,
and become a majestic cedar.
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it,
every winged thing in the shade of its boughs.
And all the trees of the field shall know
that I, the LORD,
bring low the high tree,
lift high the lowly tree,
wither up the green tree,
and make the withered tree bloom.
As I, the LORD, have spoken, so will I do.
R. (cf. 2a) Lord, it is good
to give thanks to you.
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praise to your name, Most High,
To proclaim your kindness at dawn
and your faithfulness throughout the night.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
The just one shall flourish like the palm tree,
like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
They that are planted in the house of the LORD
shall flourish in the courts of our God.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.
They shall bear fruit even in old age;
vigorous and sturdy shall they be,
Declaring how just is the LORD,
my rock, in whom there is no wrong.
R. Lord, it is good to give thanks to
you.
Reading II - A reading
from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:6-10):
Brothers and sisters:
We are always courageous,
although we know that while we are at home in the body
we are away from the Lord,
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet we are courageous,
and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord.
Therefore, we aspire to please him,
whether we are at home or away.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each may receive recompense,
according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 4:26-34):
Jesus said to the crowds:
"This is how it is with the kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and through it all the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.
Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once,
for the harvest has come."
He said,
"To what shall we compare the kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade."
With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
---------------------
06/17/2012 - St. Gerard
Majella (1726-1755): St.
Gerard Majella is another saint known as the Wonder-Worker. In his short
life, he experienced a variety of mystical experiences and performed many
miracles, including the bi-location, raptures, ecstatic prayer (including at
times having rays of light shot from him and made his body and face glow like
the sun), levitation before witnesses and the gift of flight, invisibility, was
attacked by demons who left him bruised, having a heavenly sweet odor permeating
from him, walking on water, great rapport with animals and birds, manifesting
money for the poor and for church projects, the gift of prophecy, mystical
knowledge (like knowing the sins of others, reading souls and hearts, even to
the point of knowing when a person had not made a full or proper confession).
Feast day: October 16
Patron of expectant mothers
Died: 1755
St. Gerard Majella, religious, is
the patron of expectant mothers. He was born at Muro, Italy, in 1726 and
joined the
Redemptorists at the age of 23, becoming a professed lay brother
in 1752. He served as sacristan, gardener, porter, infirmarian, and tailor.
However, because of his great piety, extraordinary wisdom, and his gift of
reading consciences, he was permitted to counsel communities of religious
women.
This humble servant of
God also had the faculties of levitation and bi-location associated with
certain mystics. His charity, obedience, and selfless service as well as his
ceaseless
mortification for Christ, made him the perfect model of lay brothers. He
was afflicted with tuberculosis and died in 1755 at the age of twenty-nine.
This great saint is invoked as a
patron of expectant mothers as a result of a miracle
effected through his prayers for a
woman in labor.
Prayer: O Great Saint Gerard,
beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect
imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of
God: enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity
which glowed in your heart and made you an angel
of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you
did bear, like your Divine master, without murmur or complaint, the
calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by
God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me
from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield
the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive
the lustral waters of baptism through
Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Much of his life as a brother was spent in traveling with and assisting the
missionaries. They deemed him an invaluable companion, because he had such
remarkable success in bringing sinners to the Sacraments and in inducing
many to repair their past bad Confessions. People followed him everywhere,
and already called him "il santo"
-----the
Saint.
True sanctity must always be tested by the cross, and it was in 1754 that
Gerard had to undergo a great trial, one that may well have merited for him
the special power to assist mothers and their children. One of his works of
zeal was that of encouraging and assisting girls who wanted to enter the
convent. Often he would even secure the necessary dowry for some poor girl
who could not otherwise be admitted into a religious order.
Neria Caggiano was one of the girls thus assisted by Gerard. However, she
found convent life distasteful and within three weeks had returned home. To
explain her action, Neria began to circulate falsehoods about the lives of
the nuns, and when the good people of Muro refused to believe such stories
about a convent recommended by Gerard, she determined to save her reputation
by destroying the good name of her benefactor. Accordingly, in a letter to
St. Alphonsus, the superior of Gerard, she accused the latter of sins of
impurity with the young daughter of a family at whose house Gerard often
stayed on his missionary journeys.
Gerard was called by St. Alphonsus
to answer the accusation. Instead of defending himself, however, he remained
silent, following the example of his Divine Master. In the face of his
silence, St. Alphonsus could do nothing but impose a severe penance on the
young religious. Gerard was denied the privilege of receiving Holy
Communion, and forbidden all contact with outsiders.
It was not easy for Gerard to give up his labours in behalf of souls, but
this was a small penance compared with being deprived of Holy Communion. He
felt this so keenly that he even asked to be freed from the privilege of
serving Mass for fear that the vehemence of his desire to receive would make
him seize the consecrated Host from the very hands of the priest at the
altar.
Some time later Neria fell dangerously ill and wrote a letter to St.
Alphonsus confessing that her charges against Gerard had been sheer
fabrication and calumny. The Saint was filled with joy by the news of the
innocence of his son. But Gerard, who had not been depressed in the time of
his trial, was not unduly elated in the hour of his vindication.
In both cases he felt that the will of God had been fulfilled, and that was
sufficient for him.
THE MIRACLE
WORKER
Of few Saints have there been so many wonderful events recorded as of
St. Gerard. The process of his beatification
and canonization reveals that his miracles were of the widest variety and
profusion.
He frequently fell into ecstasy while meditating on God or His holy will and
at such times his body was seen raised several feet above the ground. There
are authentic records to prove that on more than one occasion he was granted
the unusual miracle of being seen and spoken to in two places at the same
time.
Most of his miracles were performed in the service of others. Such
extraordinary happenings as the following begin to seem commonplace when one
reads his life. He restored life to a boy who had fallen from a high cliff;
he blessed the scanty supply of wheat belonging to a poor family and it
lasted until the next harvest; several times he multiplied the bread that he
was distributing to the poor. One day he walked across the water to lead to
the safety of the shore a boatload of fishermen threatened by the stormy
waves. Many times Gerard told people of secret sins on their souls which
they had been ashamed to confess, and brought them to penance and
forgiveness.
His miraculous apostolate for mothers also began during his lifetime. Once,
as he was leaving the home of his friends, the Pirofalo family, one of the
daughters called after him that he had forgotten his handkerchief. In a
moment of prophetic insight Gerard said: "Keep it. It will be useful to you
some day." The handkerchief was treasured as a precious souvenir of Gerard.
Years later the girl to whom he had given it was in danger of death in
childbirth. She remembered the words of Gerard, and called for the
handkerchief. Almost immediately the danger passed and she delivered a
healthy child. On another occasion the prayers of Gerard were asked by a
mother when both she and her unborn child were in danger. Both she and the
child came through the ordeal safely.
HIS
GLORIFICATION
At the death of Gerard, the Brother sacristan, in his excitement, rang the
bell as if for a Feast, instead of tolling it for a death. Thousands came to
view the body of "their Saint" and to try to find a last souvenir of the one
who had helped them so often. After his mother's death miracles began to be
reported from almost all parts of Italy, attributed to the intercession of
Gerard. In 1893, Pope Leo XIII beatified him, and on December 11, 1904, Pope
Pius X canonized him as a Saint.
WONDER WORKER OF OUR DAY
Devotion to St. Gerard spread rapidly beyond Italy and throughout the world
and he came to be called "the wonder worker of our day." Because he had so
often helped sinners to make a good Confession, he was adopted by many as
the patron of a good Confession. Others revere the young apprentice tailor
and Redemptorist lay brother as the patron of workingmen. Because he had so
much difficulty getting into a religious order and because he sent so many
girls to the convent he is often called upon as the patron of vocations.
THE MOTHER'S
SAINT
Above all, the mothers of Italy took Gerard to their hearts and made him
their patron. At the process of his beatification one witness testified that
he was known as "il santo dei felice parti"
-----the
Saint of happy childbirth. His fame in this regard spread so that in many
countries of the world mothers would not think of entering into their
confinement without having a medal of St. Gerard. This devotion has become
very popular in America, both in the United States and in Canada. Thousands
of mothers have experienced his power. Many hospitals dedicate their
maternity wards to him and give medals and prayer leaflets of St. Gerard to
their patients. Thousands of children have been named after St. Gerard by
parents who are convinced that it was his intercession that helped them to
have healthy children. Even girls are named after him, and it is interesting
how variously "Gerard" is given a feminine form. Some of the more popular
names are: Gerarda, Geralyn, Gerardine, Gerianne and Gerardette.
NOT ONLY A HELPER
St. Gerard obtains great favours for mothers and their children, but that is
not his only office. He also teaches parents and especially mothers the
duties of their state in life. The terrible and all too common evils in
marriage today are the crimes of contraception and abortion. Under pretext
of poor health, or lack of material means, or fear of the future or of what
others may say, so many women accept pagan practices and limit their
families by sinful means. The only adequate defence against this evil is an
unlimited trust in God.
God made marriage a Sacrament and thereby promised to provide every
Christian married couple with all the graces necessary to fulfil the laws He
had made for marriage.
One of Gerard's greatest virtues was trust, and his favourite slogan was
"God will provide." Once while he was on a pilgrimage with some clerical
students, he used the last few coins to buy some flowers for the altar. When
he placed the flowers before the altar he said: "Lord, I have taken care of
You. Now You take care of my students and me." And the Lord did provide
sufficient money for the rest of the trip. When the false accusation was
made against him, to all the entreaties of friends to defend himself he
replied: "It is for God to see to that." In poor health and in danger of
death his trust in God did not waver one bit. Thus Gerard showed himself as
a model that mothers can imitate in the confidence in God on which marriage
must be based, if they are to avoid the forces of "anti-life."
Sunday,
June 10, 2012: (SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY
BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST)
Readings for today: Exodus 24:3-8 / Hebrews 9:11-15 /
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26:
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Exodus (Exodus 24:3-8):
When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
R. (13) I will take the cup
of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I
will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call
on the name of the Lord.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation,
and call on the name of the Lord.
Reading II - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 9:11-15):
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came as high priest
of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle
not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves
but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works
to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place for deliverance
from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
Gospel - A reading from the holy
Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26):
On the first day of the Feast of
Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
Jesus' disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
-----------------------
06/10/2012 - St. Anthony of Padua
(1195-1231): This saint's feast day is June 13, and he is one of the most
beloved and revered of the saints.
Saint Anthony was canonized (declared a saint) less than one year after his
death.
There is perhaps no more loved and admired saint in the
Catholic Church than Saint Anthony of Padua, a
Doctor of the Church. Though his work was
in Italy, he was born in Portugal. He first joined the Augustinian Order and
then left it and joined the
Franciscan Order in 1221, when he was 26 years old. The
reason he became a Franciscan was because of
the death of the five Franciscan protomartyrs -- St. Bernard, St. Peter, St.
Otho, St. Accursius, and St. Adjutus -- who shed their blood for the
Catholic Faith in
the year 1220, in Morocco, in North Africa, and whose headless and mutilated
bodies had been brought to St. Anthony’s monastery on their way back for
burial. St. Anthony became a Franciscan in the
hope of shedding his own blood and becoming
a martyr. He lived only ten years after joining the Franciscan Order.
So simple and resounding was his teaching of the
Catholic Faith, so that the most unlettered and innocent might
understand it, that he was made a Doctor of the
Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Saint Anthony was only 36 years old when he
died. He is called the “hammer of the Heretics” His great protection against
their lies and deceits in the matter of
Christian doctrine was to utter, simply and
innocently, the Holy Name of Mary. When St. Anthony
of Padua found he was preaching the true Gospel
of the Catholic Church to
heretics who would not listen to him, he then went out and preached
it to the fishes. This was not, as liberals and naturalists are trying to
say, for the instruction of the fishes, but rather for the
glory of God, the delight of the angels,
and the easing of his own heart. St. Anthony
wanted to profess the Catholic
Faith with his mind
and his heart, at every moment.
He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus, to whom He
miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of
lost articles." Upon exhumation, some 336 years after his death, his body
was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect
were the teachings that had been formed upon it.
Franciscan
Thaumaturgist (Wonder Worker), born at Lisbon,
1195; died at Vercelli [actually Arcella --Ed.],
13 June, 1231. He received in baptism the
name of Ferdinand.
Later writers of the fifteenth
century asserted that his father was Martin Bouillon, descendant of the
renowned Godfrey de Bouillon, commander of the
First Crusade, and his mother, Theresa Tavejra,
descendant of Froila I, fourth king of Asturia. Unfortunately, however, his
genealogy is uncertain; all that we know of his
parents is that they were noble, powerful, and
God-fearing people, and at the time of Ferdinand's birth were both still
young, and living near the Cathedral of
Lisbon.
Having been
educated in the Cathedral
school, Ferdinand, at the age of fifteen,
joined the
Canons
Regular of St. Augustine, in the convent of
St. Vincent, just outside the city walls (1210). Two years later to avoid
being distracted by relatives and friends, who frequently came to visit him,
he betook himself with permission of his superior to the Convent of Santa
Croce in Cóimbra (1212), where he remained for
eight years, occupying his time mainly with study and
prayer.
Gifted with an excellent understanding and a prodigious
memory, he soon gathered from the
Sacred Scriptures and the writings of the
Holy Fathers a treasure of
theological knowledge.
In the year 1220, having seen
conveyed into the Church of Santa Croce the bodies of the first
Franciscan martyrs,
who had suffered death at Morocco, 16 January
of the same year, he too was inflamed with the desire of
martyrdom, and resolved to become a
Friar Minor, that he might preach the Faith to
the Saracens and suffer for
Christ's sake. Having confided his intention to
some of the brethren of the convent of Olivares
(near Cóimbra), who came to beg
alms at the Abbey of the
Canons Regular, he received from their hands the Franciscan habit in
the same Convent of Santa Croce. Thus Ferdinand left the
Canons Regular of St. Augustine to join the
Order of Friars Minor, taking at the same time
the new name of Anthony, a name which later on the Convent of Olivares also
adopted.
A short time after his entry into
the order, Anthony started for Morocco, but,
stricken down by a severe illness, which affected him the entire winter, he
was compelled to sail for Portugal the
following spring, 1221. His ship, however, was overtaken by a violent storm
and driven upon the coast of Sicily, where
Anthony then remained for some time, till he had regained his health. Having
heard meanwhile from the brethren of Messina
that a general chapter was to be held at Assisi,
30 May, he journeyed thither, arriving in time to take part in it. The
chapter over, Anthony remained entirely unnoticed.
"He said not a word of his studies",
writes his earliest biographer, "nor of the services he had performed; his
only desire was to follow Jesus Christ and Him
crucified". Accordingly, he applied to Father Graziano,
Provincial of Cóimbra,
for a place where he could live in solitude and penance, and enter more
fully into the spirit and discipline of Franciscan life. Father Graziano,
being just at that time in need of a priest for
the hermitage of Montepaolo (near Forli), sent
him thither, that he might celebrate Mass for
the lay-brethren.
While Anthony lived retired at
Montepaolo it happened, one day, that a number of Franciscan and
Dominican friars
were sent together to Forli for
ordination. Anthony was also present, but
simply as companion of the Provincial. When the
time for ordination had arrived, it was found
that no one had been appointed to preach. The superior turned first to the
Dominicans, and asked that one of their number
should address a few words to the assembled brethren; but everyone declined,
saying he was not prepared. In their emergency they then chose Anthony, whom
they thought only able to read the Missal and
Breviary, and commanded him to speak whatever
the spirit of God might put into his mouth.
Anthony, compelled by obedience, spoke at first slowly and timidly, but soon
enkindled with fervour, he began to explain the most hidden sense of
Holy Scripture with such profound erudition and
sublime doctrine that all were struck with
astonishment. With that moment began Anthony's public career.
St. Francis,
informed of his learning, directed him by the following letter to teach
theology to the brethren:
To Brother Anthony, my
bishop (i.e. teacher of
sacred sciences), Brother Francis sends his
greetings. It is my pleasure that thou teach
theology to the brethren, provided,
however, that as the Rule prescribes, the spirit of
prayer and devotion may not be
extinguished. Farewell. (1224)
Before undertaking the instruction,
Anthony went for some time to Vercelli, to
confer with the famous Abbot, Thomas Gallo; thence he taught successively in
Bologna and Montpellier in 1224, and later at
Toulouse. Nothing whatever is left of his
instruction; the primitive documents, as well as the legendary ones,
maintain complete silence on this point. Nevertheless, by studying his
works, we can form for ourselves a sufficient idea
of the character of his doctrine; a
doctrine, namely, which, leaving aside all arid
speculation, prefers an entirely seraphic character, corresponding to the
spirit and ideal of St. Francis.
It was as an orator, however, rather
than as professor, that Anthony reaped his richest harvest. He possessed in
an eminent degree all the good qualities that characterize an eloquent
preacher: a loud and clear voice, a winning countenance, wonderful
memory, and profound learning, to which were
added from on high the spirit of prophecy and an extraordinary
gift of
miracles. With the zeal of an apostle he
undertook to reform the morality of his time by
combating in an especial manner the vices of
luxury, avarice, and tyranny. The fruit of his
sermons was, therefore, as admirable as his
eloquence itself. No less fervent was he in the extinction of
heresy, notably that of the
Catharses and the Patarines, which infested the
centre and north of Italy, and probably also
that of the Albigenses in the south of
France, though we have no authorized documents
to that effect. Among the many miracles St.
Anthony wrought in the conversion of
heretics; the three most noted recorded by his
biographers are the following:
The first is that of a horse,
which, kept fasting for three days, refused
the oats placed before him, till he had knelt down and
adored the
Blessed Sacrament, which St. Anthony held in his hands. Legendary
narratives of the fourteenth century say this
miracle took place at Toulouse, at
Wadding, at Bruges; the real place,
however, was Rimini.
The second most important
miracle is that of the poisoned food
offered him by some Italian
heretics, which he rendered innoxious by
the
sign of the cross.
The third
miracle worthy of mention is that of the famous
sermon to the fishes on the bank of the
river Brenta in the neighbourhood of Padua;
not at Padua, as is generally
supposed.
The zeal
with which St. Anthony fought against
heresy,
and the great and numerous conversions he made
rendered him worthy of the glorious title of Malleus hereticorum
(Hammer of the Heretics). Though his preaching was always seasoned with the
salt of discretion, nevertheless he spoke openly to all, to the
rich as to the poor,
to the people as well as those in authority. In a
synod at Bourges in the presence of many
prelates, he reproved the
Archbishop, Simon de Sully, so severely, that he induced him to
sincere amendment.
After having been Guardian at Le-Puy
(1224), we find Anthony in the year 1226, Custos Provincial in the province
of Limousin. The most authentic miracles of
that period are the following:
Preaching one night on
Holy Thursday in the
Church of St. Pierre du Queriox at Limoges,
he remembered he had to sing a Lesson of the
Divine Office. Interrupting suddenly his discourse, he
appeared at the same moment among the
friars in choir to sing his Lesson, after
which he continued his sermon.
Another day preaching in the
square des creux des Arenes at Limoges,
he miraculously preserved his audience from
the rain.
At St. Junien during the
sermon, he predicted that by an artifice of
the devil the pulpit
would break down, but that all should remain safe and sound. And so it
occurred; for while he was preaching, the pulpit
was overthrown, but no one hurt; not even the saint himself.
In a
monastery of Benedictines, where he
had fallen ill, he delivered by means of his tunic one of the
monks from great
temptations.
Likewise, by breathing on the
face of a
novice (whom he had himself received
into the order), he confirmed him in his vocation.
At Brive, where he had founded a
convent, he preserved from the rain the
maid-servant of a benefactress who was bringing some vegetables to the
brethren for their meager repast.
This is all that is historically
certain of the sojourn of St. Anthony in Limousin.
Regarding the celebrated
apparition of the Infant
Jesus to our saint, French writers
maintain it took place in the province of Limousin at the Castle of
Chateauneuf-la-Forêt, between Limoges and
Eymoutiers, whereas the Italian hagiographers
fix the place at Camposanpiero, near Padua. The
existing documents, however, do not decide the question. We have more
certainty regarding the
apparition of St. Francis to St. Anthony
at the Provincial Chapter of Arles, whilst the latter was preaching about
the mysteries of the Cross.
After the death of
St. Francis, 3 October, 1226, Anthony returned
to Italy. His way led him through La Provence
on which occasion he wrought the following miracle:
Fatigued by the journey, he and his companion entered the house of a poor
woman, who placed bread and wine before them.
She had forgotten, however, to shut off the tap of the wine-barrel, and to
add to this misfortune, the Saint's companion broke his glass. Anthony began
to pray, and suddenly the glass was made whole,
and the barrel filled anew with wine.
Shortly after his return to
Italy, Anthony was elected Minister Provincial
of Emilia. But in order to devote more time to preaching, he resigned this
office at the General Chapter of Assisi, 30
May, 1230, and retired to the Convent of
Padua, which he had himself founded. The last
Lent he preached was that of 1231; the crowd of
people which came from all parts to hear him, frequently numbered 30,000 and
more. His last sermons were principally
directed against hatred and enmity, and his
efforts were crowned with wonderful success.
Permanent reconciliations were effected, peace and concord re-established,
liberty given to debtors and other prisoners,
restitutions made, and enormous scandals
repaired; in fact, the priests of
Padua were no longer sufficient for the number
of penitents, and many of these declared they had been warned by
celestial visions, and sent to St. Anthony, to
be guided by his counsel. Others after his death said that he appeared to
them in their slumbers, admonishing them to go
to confession.
At Padua
also took place the famous miracle of the
amputated foot, which Franciscan writers attribute to St. Anthony. A young
man, Leonardo by name, in a fit of anger kicked
his own mother. Repentant, he confessed his
fault to St. Anthony who said to him: "The foot of him who kicks his mother
deserves to be cut off." Leonardo ran home and cut off his foot. Learning of
this, St. Anthony took the amputated member of the unfortunate youth and
miraculously rejoined it.
Through the exertions of St.
Anthony, the Municipality of Padua, 15 March,
1231, passed a law in favour of debtors who could not pay their
debts. A copy of this law
is still preserved in the museum of Padua. From
this, as well as the following occurrence, the civil and religious
importance of the Saint's influence in the thirteenth century is easily
understood. In 1230, while war raged in
Lombardy, St. Anthony betook himself to
Verona to solicit from the ferocious Ezzelino
the liberty of the Guelph
prisoners. An apocryphal legend relates
that the tyrant humbled himself before the Saint and granted his request.
This is not the case, but what does it matter, even if he failed in his
attempt; he nevertheless jeopardized his own life
for the sake of those oppressed by tyranny, and thereby showed his
love and sympathy for the people. Invited to
preach at the funeral of a usurer, he took for
his text the words of the Gospel: "Where thy
treasure is, there also is thy heart." In the course of the
sermon he said: "That
rich man is dead and buried in hell; but
go to his treasures and there you will find his heart." The relatives and
friends of the deceased, led by curiosity, followed this injunction, and
found the heart, still warm, among the coins.
Thus the triumph of St. Anthony's missionary career manifests itself not
only in his holiness and his numerous
miracles, but also in the popularity and
subject matter of his sermons, since he had to
fight against the three most obstinate vices of
luxury, avarice and tyranny.
At the end of
Lent, 1231, Anthony retired to Camposanpiero, in the neighbourhood of
Padua, where, after a short time he was taken
with a severe illness. Transferred to Vercelli,
and strengthened by the apparition of
Our Lord, he died at the age of thirty-six
years, on 13 June, 1231. He had lived fifteen years with his
parents, ten years as a Canon Regular of St.
Augustine, and eleven years in the Order of Friars
Minor.
Immediately after his death he
appeared at Vercelli
to the Abbot, Thomas Gallo, and his death was also announced to the citizens
of Padua by a troop of children, crying: "The
holy Father is dead; St. Anthony is dead!"
Gregory IX, firmly persuaded of his
sanctity by the numerous
miracles he had wrought, inscribed him within a year of his death
(Pentecost, 30 May, 1232), in the calendar of
saints of the Cathedral
of Spoleto. In the Bull
of canonization he declared he had personally
known the saint, and we
know that the same pontiff, having heard
one of his sermons at
Rome, and astonished at his profound knowledge
of the Holy Scripture called him: "Ark of the
Covenant". That this title is well-founded is also shown by his several
works: "Expositio in Psalmos", written at Montpellier,
1224; the "Sermones de tempore", and the "Sermones de Sanctis", written at
Padua, 1229-30.
The name of Anthony became
celebrated throughout the world, and with it the name of
Padua. The inhabitants of that city erected to his memory a
magnificent temple, whither his precious relics
were transferred in 1263, in presence of St.
Bonaventure, Minister General at the time. When the vault in which
for thirty years his sacred body had reposed was opened, the flesh was found
reduced to dust but the tongue uninjured, fresh, and of a lively red colour.
St. Bonaventure, beholding this wonder, took
the tongue affectionately in his hands and kissed
it, exclaiming: "O Blessed Tongue that always praised the
Lord, and made others
bless Him, now it is evident what great merit
thou hast before God."
The fame of St. Anthony's
miracles has never diminished, and even at the
present day he is acknowledged as the greatest thaumaturgist of the times.
He is especially invoked for the recovery of things lost, as is also
expressed in the celebrated responsory of
Friar Julian of Spires:
Si quaeris miracula . . .
. . . resque perditas.
Indeed his very popularity has to a
certain extent obscured his personality. If we
may believe the conclusions of recent critics, some of the
Saint's biographers, in order to meet the
ever-increasing demand for the marvellous displayed by his devout clients,
and comparatively oblivious of the historical features of his life, have
devoted themselves to the task of handing down to posterity the posthumous
miracles wrought by his
intercession. We need not be surprised, therefore, to find accounts
of his miracles that may seem to the modern
mind trivial or incredible occupying so large a space in the earlier
biographies of St. Anthony. It may be true that
some of the miracles attributed to St. Anthony
are legendary, but others come to us on such
high authority that it is impossible either to eliminate them or explain
them away a priori without doing violence to the facts of
history.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40):
Moses said to the people:
"Ask now of the days of old, before your time,
ever since God created man upon the earth;
ask from one end of the sky to the other:
Did anything so great ever happen before?
Was it ever heard of?
Did a people ever hear the voice of God
speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?
Or did any god venture to go and take a nation for himself
from the midst of another nation,
by testings, by signs and wonders, by war,
with strong hand and outstretched arm, and by great terrors,
all of which the LORD, your God,
did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
This is why you must now know,
and fix in your heart, that the LORD is God
in the heavens above and on earth below,
and that there is no other.
You must keep his statutes and commandments that I enjoin on you today,
that you and your children after you may prosper,
and that you may have long life on the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever."
R. (12b) Blessed the people
the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to
be his own.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to
be his own.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to
be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has
chosen to be his own.
Reading II -A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 8:14-17):
Brothers and sisters:
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear,
but you received a Spirit of adoption,
through whom we cry, "Abba, Father!"
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs,
heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
if only we suffer with him
so that we may also be glorified with him.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20):
The eleven disciples went to
Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they all saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
--------------------
06/03/2012 - St. Teresa of
Avila: A week or so ago, I
finished reading the Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila (this is the book:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/autobiography-of-st-teresa-of-avila-st-teresa-of-avila/1019038411
and here's an online .pdf file of her autobiography:
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/The-Life-of-Teresa-of-Jesus.pdf
which actually begins on page 34 of the document). St. Teresa lived from
1515 - 1582, and thought herself to be a very wicked person, though in her life
she was considered quite pious and lived a holy life. She was a mystic as
well, being granted (in her words) such great graces from God such as visions,
locutions, and she even experienced the Transverberation of the Heart (an
experience in which she saw an angel holding an arrow with a fiery tip and
repeatedly piercing her heart with it, causing her excruciating pain yet at the same time
filling her with the ecstatic love of and for God). She also experienced several
raptures (ecstatic states in which her body was non-responsive to its
surroundings, but at times would levitate her) while practicing silent prayer.
Teresa also wanted to better perfect herself before God, and wanted to form a
stricter convent further removed from the worldly distractions, and through God's help and intercession she did so and they
thrived though they faced fierce opposition from the church and from within her own
regular convent. Other mystical occurrences included seeing the souls of
various people she had known who had died and for whose souls she worried
greatly and prayed to God earnestly. These she would either see rise from
the ground up to heaven in spirit, or they would visit her while she was in
prayer to console her.
Born at Avila,
Old Castile, 28 March, 1515; died at Alba de
Tormes, 4 Oct., 1582.
The third child of Don Alonso
Sanchez de Cepeda by his second wife, Doña Beatriz Davila y Ahumada, who
died when the saint was in her fourteenth year,
Teresa was brought up by her saintly father, a lover of serious books, and a
tender and pious mother. After her death and
the marriage of her eldest sister, Teresa was sent for her
education to the Augustinian
nuns at Avila, but
owing to illness she left at the end of eighteen months, and for some years
remained with her father and occasionally with other relatives, notably an
uncle who made her acquainted with the Letters of St.
Jerome, which determined her to adopt the
religious life, not so much through any attraction towards it, as
through a desire of choosing the safest course. Unable to obtain her
father's consent she left his house unknown to him on Nov., 1535, to enter
the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation at
Avila, which then counted 140
nuns. The wrench from her
family caused her a pain which she ever afterwards compared to that
of death. However, her father at once yielded and Teresa took the habit.
After her profession in the
following year she became very seriously ill, and underwent a prolonged cure
and such unskillful medical treatment that she was reduced to a most pitiful
state, and even after partial recovery through the intercession of
St. Joseph, her health remained permanently
impaired. During these years of suffering she began the practice of
mental prayer, but fearing that her
conversations with some world-minded relatives, frequent visitors at the
convent, rendered her unworthy of the
graces God
bestowed on her in prayer, discontinued it,
until she came under the influence, first of the
Dominicans, and afterwards of the
Jesuits. Meanwhile
God had begun to visit her with
"intellectual visions and locutions", that
is manifestations in which the exterior senses were in no way affected, the
things seen and the words heard being directly impressed upon her mind, and
giving her wonderful strength in trials, reprimanding her for
unfaithfulness, and consoling her in trouble. Unable to reconcile such
graces with her shortcomings, which her
delicate conscience represented as grievous
faults, she had recourse not only to the most spiritual confessors she could
find, but also to some saintly laymen, who,
never suspecting that the account she gave them of her
sins was greatly exaggerated, believed these manifestations to be the
work of the evil spirit. The more she
endeavored to resist them the more powerfully did God
work in her soul. The whole city of
Avila was troubled by the reports of the
visions of this nun.
It was reserved to
St. Francis Borgia and
St. Peter of Alcantara, and afterwards to a
number of Dominicans (particularly Pedro Ibañez
and Domingo Bañez),
Jesuits, and other religious and secular
priests, to discern the work of God and
to guide her on a safe road.
The account of her spiritual life
contained in the "Life written by herself" (completed in 1565, an earlier
version being lost), in the "Relations", and in the "Interior Castle", forms
one of the most remarkable spiritual biographies with which only the
"Confessions of St. Augustine" can bear
comparison. To this period belong also such extraordinary manifestations as
the piercing or transverberation of her heart, the spiritual espousals, and
the
mystical marriage. A
vision of the place destined for her in
hell in case she should have been
unfaithful to grace, determined her to seek a
more perfect life. After many troubles and much
opposition St. Teresa founded the convent of
Discalced
Carmelite Nuns of the Primitive Rule of St.
Joseph at Avila (24 Aug., 1562), and after six
months obtained permission to take up her residence there. Four years later
she received the visit of the General of the
Carmelites, John-Baptist Rubeo (Rossi), who not only approved of what
she had done but granted leave for the foundation of other
convents of friars
as well as nuns. In rapid succession she
established her nuns at Medina del Campo
(1567), Malagon and Valladolid (1568), Toledo and Pastrana (1569), Salamanca
(1570), Alba de Tormes (1571), Segovia (1574), Veas and Seville (1575), and
Caravaca (1576). In the "Book of Foundations" she tells the story of these
convents, nearly all of which were established
in spite of violent opposition but with manifest assistance from above.
Everywhere she found souls generous enough to
embrace the austerities of the primitive rule of
Carmel. Having made the acquaintance of Antonio de Heredia,
prior of Medina, and St.
John of the Cross, she established her reform
among the friars (28 Nov., 1568), the first
convents being those of Duruelo (1568),
Pastrana (1569), Mancera, and Alcalá de Henares (1570).
A new epoch began with the entrance
into religion of Jerome Gratian, inasmuch as
this remarkable man was almost immediately entrusted by the
nuncio with the authority of visitor Apostolic
of the Carmelite friars
and nuns of the old observance in
Andalusia, and as such considered himself
entitled to overrule the various restrictions insisted upon by the general
and the general chapter. On the death of the nuncio
and the arrival of his successor a fearful storm burst over St. Teresa and
her work, lasting four years and threatening to annihilate the nascent
reform. The incidents of this
persecution are best described in her letters.
The storm at length passed, and the province of
Discalced Carmelites, with the support
of Philip II, was approved and canonically established on 22 June, 1580. St.
Teresa, old and broken in health, made further foundations at Villanuava de
la Jara and Palencia (1580), Soria (1581), Granada
(through her assistant the Venerable Anne of Jesus), and at
Burgos (1582). She left this latter place at
the end of July, and, stopping at Palencia,
Valladolid, and Medina del Campo, reached Alba
de Torres in September, suffering intensely. Soon she took to her bed and
passed away on 4 Oct., 1582, the following day, owing to the reform of the
calendar, being reckoned as 15 October. After some years her body was
transferred to Avila, but later on reconveyed
to Alba, where it is still preserved incorrupt. Her heart, too, showing the
marks of the Transverberation, is exposed there to the veneration of the
faithful. She was
beatified in 1614, and
canonized in 1622 by
Gregory XV, the feast being fixed on 15 October.
St. Teresa's position among writers
on
mystical theology is unique. In all her
writings on this subject she deals with her personal experiences, which a
deep insight and analytical gifts enabled her to explain clearly. The
Thomistic substratum may be traced to the influence of her
confessors and directors, many of whom belonged to the
Dominican Order. She herself had no pretension to found a
school in the accepted sense of the term, and
there is no vestige in her writings of any influence of the
Areopagite, the Patristic, or the
Scholastic Mystical schools, as
represented among others, by the German Dominican
Mystics. She is intensely personal, her system going exactly as far as her
experiences, but not a step further.
St. Teresa was born March 28,
1515 in Avila, Spain. She was a normal
upper class girl growing up. She liked good food, dancing and reading romance novels.
When she was about 20 years old
she entered the Carmelite convent. Her
life in the convent did not change much, because she was not bound to follow any rules
and when she had friends visit,
they were never bored.
Sometime between entering the convent and turning 40, she
started to feel that God was disappointed by the way she was
conducting her life and her worldly belongings started to disturb
her as well.
In 1555, when she was 40 she stared at a painting of the
Passion of
Christ displayed for an upcoming feast at the convent and
this
gave her the feeling of truly understanding Christ's
suffering. She then threw herself down
and felt that all vain and worldly ambitions died inside of her. After that
she made more time for prayer, she was different from the way she was
that the others in
the convent thought she was mislead by the devil.
St. Teresa then went to the Jesuits for spiritual direction.
They
gave her a more thorough penance, and this did not help with
her
visions that were getting more dramatic.
The most famous vision was, the Transverberation of the
Heart,
during which St. Teresa saw an Angel with a golden spear
tipped
with fire, which was then driven again and again into her
heart.
She described it as "an imaginary vision seen by the eyes of
the soul." The pain she felt was very real and lasted several days.
That
summer on July 16, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Teresa and
her closest friends gathered in her cell and decided they would need a house
for them to be able to truly follow the original Carmelite Rule: sleeping on
straw, fasting eight months a year, abstaining from meat and living in total
seclusion. They went barefoot, and that is where the name Discaled
Carmelites came from. The other nuns criticized her and refused to
recognize St. Teresa's new Foundation.
The
bishop on the other hand thought this would reinvigorate the Church and
encouraged her to travel all over Spain and establish new foundations and
reforming existing ones.
In
Toledo (Spain), she was placed under house arrest for two years and while
under arrest she wrote books. Her autobiography and "The Interior Castle"
and "The Way of Perfection."
She
died in the arms of Anne of St. Bartholomew on October 4, 1582 in Alba de
Tormes in Spain.
Her
incorrupt body is adored in Alba de Tormes, Spain. Pilgrims can come and
see her heart; it still bears the mark where the angel pierced it with its
golden arrow.
She was
beatified in 1614 and canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV (15th) and in
1970 was made a Doctor of the Church.
Lord Jesus Christ, You raised up
Saint Teresa to be a guide in the ways of prayer and contemplation. Give me
the grace to follow
her example with fidelity and generosity. Lead
me into the wine cellar of Your love where, refreshed by Your Spirit,
I too, may sing of Your mercies and be
set aflame with the fire of Your love.
Traditional Carmelite prayer
Like
many saints, Teresa was an ordinary woman who rose to greatness - in her
case, as a teacher and a writer. It's good to keep this in mind when we
consider our own live: we all have something to teach others. Maybe you
have a skill or hobby that you could share with someone. Or you could
volunteer to teach an illiterate person to read, changing their entire life.
It
doesn't even have to be as concrete as a skill or a lesson: couldn't you
teach other people how to love one another, through your own example? If
you are a parent, you children are watching you to learn how they should
treat others.
Sunday,
May 27, 2012: (PENTECOST SUNDAY)
Readings for today: Acts 2:1-11 / 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
or Galatians 5:16-25 / John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15:
Reading I - A reading from
the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-11):
When the time for Pentecost was
fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in
Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
"Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God."
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out
your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and
renew the face of the earth.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,
12-13):
Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;
there are different workings but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
OR
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 5:16-25):
Brothers and sisters, live by the
Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 20:19-23):
On the evening of that first day of
the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."
OR
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 15:26-27; 16:12-15):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
And you also testify,
because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you."
Feastday:
September 29
Patron of communications workers
The name Gabriel means "man of God,"
or "God has shown himself mighty." It appears first in the prophesies of
Daniel in the Old Testament. The
angel announced to
Daniel the
prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name
also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the
angel who appeared to Zachariah to announce
the birth of
St. John the Baptizer. Finally, he
announced to
Mary that she would bear a Son Who would be
conceived of the Holy Spirit, Son of the Most High, and Saviour of the
world. The
feast day is September 29th.
St. Gabriel is the patron of communications
workers.
"Fortitudo Dei", one of the three archangels mentioned in the
Bible.
Only four appearances of Gabriel are recorded: In
Daniel 8, he explains
the vision of the horned ram as portending the destruction of the Persian Empire
by the Macedonian Alexander the Great, after whose death the kingdom will be
divided up among his generals, from one of whom will spring Antiochus Epiphanes.
In
chapter 9, after
Daniel had
prayed for
Israel, we read that
"the man Gabriel . . . . flying swiftly touched me" and he communicated to him
the mysterious prophecy of the
"seventy weeks" of years which should elapse before the coming of
Christ. In
chapter 10, it is not
clear whether the
angel
is Gabriel or not, but at any rate we may apply to him the marvellous
description in
verses 5
and 6. In the New
Testament he foretells to Zachary the birth of the
Precursor, and to
Mary that of the
Saviour.
Thus he is throughout the
angel of the
Incarnation and of
Consolation, and so in Christian
tradition
Gabriel is ever the angel
of mercy while Michael is rather the
angel of judgment. At
the same time, even in the
Bible,
Gabriel is, in accordance with his name, the
angel of the Power of
God, and it is worth
while noting the frequency with which such words as "great", "might", "power",
and "strength" occur in the passages referred to above. The
Jews indeed seem to
have dwelt particularly upon this feature in Gabriel's
character, and he is
regarded by them as the angel of judgment, while Michael is called the
angel of mercy. Thus
they attribute to Gabriel the destruction of
Sodom and of the host
of Sennacherib, though they also regard him as the
angel who buried
Moses, and as the man
deputed to mark the figure Tau on the foreheads of the he
elect (Ezekiel
4). In later Jewish
literature the names of angels were considered to have a peculiar efficacy, and the British Museum
possesses some magic bowls inscribed with Hebrew, Aramaic, and
Syriac incantations in
which the names of Michael,
Raphael, and Gabriel occur. These bowls were found at Hillah, the site of
Babylon, and constitute an interesting relic of the
Jewish captivity. In
apocryphal
Christian literature
the same names occur, cf. Enoch, ix, and the
Apocalypse of the Blessed
Virgin.
As remarked above, Gabriel is mentioned only twice in the
New Testament, but it
is not unreasonable to suppose with
Christian
tradition that it is he
who appeared to
St. Joseph
and to the shepherds, and also that it was he who "strengthened"
Our Lord in the
garden (cf. the
Hymn for
Lauds on 24 March).
Gabriel is generally termed only an archangel, but the expression used by
St. Raphael, "I am the
angel
Raphael, one of the
seven, who stand before the Lord" (Tobit
12:15) and St. Gabriel's own words, "I am Gabriel, who stand before
God" (Luke
1:19), have led some to think that these
angels must belong to
the highest rank; but this is generally explained as referring to their rank as
the highest of God's
messengers, and not as placing them among the
Seraphim and
Cherubim (cf.
St. Thomas,
I.112.3;
III.30.2 ad 4um).
Reading I - A
reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:1-11):
In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for "the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
When they had gathered together they asked him,
"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, "Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9):
R. (6)
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a
blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of
joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a
blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of
joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 4:1-13):
Brothers and sisters,
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Therefore, it says:
He ascended on high and took prisoners captive;
he gave gifts to men.
What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended
into the lower regions of the earth?
The one who descended is also the one who ascended
far above all the heavens,
that he might fill all things.
And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 16:15-20):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
----------------------
05/20/2012 - St.
Michael the Archangel: The
link below gives the most detailed information about Michael the Archangel,
including references to him in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the
Qur'an. Also, the religious traditions regarding Michael the Archangel in
Judaism, Midrash, Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Protestant
views, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, and Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints. All that information seems to come from Wikipedia.
Feastday:
September 29 Patron of grocers,
mariners, paratroopers, police, and sickness
St. Michael, the Archangel -
Feast day - September 29th The name Michael
signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the
good
angels in the battle fought in
heaven against
satan and his followers. Holy
Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of
the chief princes," and leader of the forces of
heaven in their triumph over the powers of
hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by
the Church from the
time of the Apostles.
Although he is always called "the
Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the
angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St.
Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and
sickness.
Roman Catholicism
Archangel Michael
reaching to save souls in purgatory, by Jacopo Vignali, 17th
century
Roman Catholics often refer to
Michael as "Saint Michael", a title that does not indicate canonisation, any
more than it does for Saint Peter and Saint Paul. He is generally referred
to in Christian litanies as "Saint Michael", as in the Litany of the Saints.
In the shortened version of this litany used in the Easter Vigil, he alone
of the angels and archangels is mentioned, omitting Saint Gabriel and Saint
Raphael.[28]
In the Roman Catholic teachings
Saint Michael has four main roles or offices.[29]
His first role is the leader of the Army of God and the leader of heaven's
forces in their triumph over the powers of hell.[30]
He is viewed as the angelic model for the virtues of the spiritual
warrior, with the conflict against evil at times viewed as the battle
within.[31]
The second and third roles of
Michael in Catholic teachings deal with death. In his second role, Michael
is the angel of death, carrying the souls of all the deceased to heaven. In
this role, at the hour of death, Michael descends and gives each soul the
chance to redeem itself before passing, thus consternating the devil and his
minions. Catholic prayers often refer to this role of Michael. In his third
role, he weighs souls in his perfectly balanced scales (hence Michael is
often depicted holding scales).[32]
In his fourth role, St Michael, the
special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament, is also the
guardian of the Church; it was thus not unusual for the angel to be revered
by the military orders of knights during the Middle Ages. This role also
extends to his being the patron saint of a number of cities and countries.[33][34]
Roman Catholicism includes
traditions such as the Prayer to Saint Michael which specifically
asks for the faithful to be "defended" by the saint.[35][36][37]
The Chaplet of Saint Michael consists of nine salutations, one for
each choir of angels.[38][39]
It should be noted that the Roman
Catholic traditions and teachings concerning St. Michael the Archangel are
not required beliefs and practices but rather are strongly encouraged
as a means of individuals and congregations increasing in spiritual strength
against evil.
Feasts
In the Roman Catholic calendar of
saints, Anglican Calendar of Saints, and the Lutheran Calendar of Saints,
the archangel's feast is celebrated on Michaelmas Day. The day is also
considered the feast of Saints Gabriel, and Raphael or the Feast of Saint
Michael and All Angels. On the Western Christian calendar the feast is
celebrated on 29 September.[66]
Patronages and orders
In late medieval Christianity,
Michael, together with Saint George, became the patron saint of chivalry and
is now also considered the patron saint of police officers and the military.[34][69]
Coat of arms of Kiev
In mid to late 15th century, France
was one of only four courts in Western Christendom without an order of
knighthood.[70]
Later in the 15th century, Jean Molinet glorified the primordial feat of
arms of the archangel as "the first deed of knighthood and chivalrous
prowess that was ever achieved."[71]
Thus Michael was the natural patron of the first chivalric order of France,
the Order of Saint Michael of 1469.[70]
In the British honours system, a chivalric order founded in 1818 is also
named for these two saints, the Order of St Michael and St George.[72]
The Order of Michael the Brave is Romania's highest military decoration.
Apart from his being a patron of
warriors, the sick and the suffering also consider Archangel Michael their
patron saint.[73]
Based on the legend of his 8th century apparition at Mont-Saint-Michel,
France, the Archangel is the patron of mariners in this famous sanctuary.[25]
After the evangelisation of Germany, where mountains were often dedicated to
pagan gods, Christians placed many mountains under the patronage of the
Archangel, and numerous mountain chapels of St. Michael appeared all over
Germany.[25]
He has been the patron saint of Brussels since the Middle Ages.[74]
The city of Arkhangelsk in Russia is named for the Archangel. Ukraine and
its capital Kiev also consider Michael their patron saint and protector.[40]
An Anglican sisterhood dedicated to
Saint Michael under the title of the Community of St Michael and All Angels
was founded in 1851.[75]
The Congregation of Saint Michael the Archangel (CSMA), also known as the
Michaelite Fathers, is a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church
founded in 1897.
Legends
Judaism
There is a legend which seems to be of
Jewish origin, and which was adopted by the Copts, to the effect that
Michael was first sent by God to bring Nebuchadnezzar (c. 600 BC) against
Jerusalem, and that Michael was afterward very active in freeing his nation
from Babylonian captivity.[76]
According to midrash Genesis Rabbah, Michael saved Hananiah and his
companions from the Fiery furnace.[77]
Michael was active in the time of Esther: "The more Haman accused Israel on
earth, the more Michael defended Israel in heaven".[78]
It was Michael who reminded Ahasuerus that he was Mordecai's debtor;[79]
and there is a legend that Michael appeared to the high priest Hyrcanus,
promising him assistance.[80]
Christendom
A 12th-century icon of
the Miracle at Chonae, from Saint Catherine's Monastery,
Mount Sinai.
The Orthodox Church celebrates the
Miracle at Chonae on September 6.[25]
The legend states that the pagans directed a stream against the sanctuary of
St Michael to destroy it, but Archippus (the custodian) prayed to Michael,
the archangel appeared and split the rock to open up a new bed for the
stream, directing the flow away from the church and sanctifying forever the
waters which came from the new gorge.[25]
The spring which came forth after this event is said to have special healing
powers.[81]
The legend existed in earlier times, but the 5th-7th century texts that
refer to the miracle at Chonae formed the basis of specific paradigms for
"properly approaching" angelic intermediaries for more effective prayers
within the Christian culture.[82]
According to Roman legends, while a
devastating plague persisted in Rome, Archangel Michael appeared with a
sword over the mausoleum of Hadrian, in apparent answer to the prayers of
Pope St Gregory I the Great (c. 590-604) that the plague should cease. After
the plague ended, in honor of the occasion, the pope called the mausoleum
"Castel Sant'Angelo" (Castle of the Holy Angel), the name by which it is
still known.[25][27]
The Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy,
France
According to Norman legend, Michael is
said to have appeared to St Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, in 708, giving
instruction to build a church on the rocky islet now known as Mont Saint
Michel.[87][88][89]
In 966 the Duke of Normandy commissioned a Benedictine abbey on the mount,
and it remains a major pilgrimage site.[89]
A Portuguese Carmelite nun, Antónia
d'Astónaco, had reported an apparition and private revelation of the
Archangel Michael who had told to this devoted Servant of God, in 1751, that
he would like to be honored, and God glorified, by the praying of nine
special invocations. These nine invocations correspond to invocations to the
nine choirs of angels and origins the famous Chaplet of Saint Michael. This
private revelation and prayers were approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851.[90][91]
From 1961 to 1965, four young
schoolgirls had reported several apparitions of Archangel Michael in the
small village of Garabandal, Spain. At Garabandal, the apparitions of the
Archangel Michael were mainly reported as announcing the arrivals of the
Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church has neither approved, nor condemned the
Garabandal apparitions.[92]
Reading I - A reading from
the acts of the Apostles (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48):
When Peter entered, Cornelius met
him
and, falling at his feet, paid him homage.
Peter, however, raised him up, saying,
"Get up. I myself am also a human being."
Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,
"In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him."
While Peter was still speaking these things,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.
The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter
were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit
should have been poured out on the Gentiles also,
for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
Then Peter responded,
"Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people,
who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?"
He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4):
R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has
revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his
saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his
saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations
his saving power.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. John (1 John 4:7-10):
Beloved, let us love one another,
because love is of God;
everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us:
God sent his only Son into the world
so that we might have life through him.
In this is love:
not that we have loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 15:9-17):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's commandments
and remain in his love."
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one's life for one's friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another."
---------------------
05/13/2012: Prayer
to the Mother of the Lord for All Mothers -
Mary, on this day when we honor all
mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom
you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that
anyone who sought your intercession was left
unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your “Yes” to the invitation of
the angel which brought
heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to
God’s word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.
Dear mother, intercede for all of our mothers. Ask your Divine Son to give
them the grace of surrendered love so that they
could join with you in giving their own “Fiat.” May they find daily
strength to say yes to the call to the
sacrificial love- the very heart of the vocation of motherhood. May their
love and witness be a source of great
inspiration for all of us called to follow your
Son.
On this Mothers day, Mother of the Word Incarnate, pray for us who have
recourse to you…
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Reading I - A reading from
the acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:26-31):
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem he
tried to join the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him,
not believing that he was a disciple.
Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles,
and he reported to them how he had seen the Lord,
and that he had spoken to him,
and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem,
and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.
He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,
but they tried to kill him.
And when the brothers learned of this,
they took him down to Caesarea
and sent him on his way to Tarsus.
The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace.
It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord,
and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.
R. (26a) I will praise you,
Lord, in the assembly of your people.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear the LORD.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts live forever!"
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of
your people.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
all the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of
your people.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
before him shall bend
all who go down into the dust.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of
your people.
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. I will praise you, Lord, in the
assembly of your people.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. John (1 John 3:18-24):
Children, let us love not in word or
speech
but in deed and truth.
Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truth
and reassure our hearts before him
in whatever our hearts condemn,
for God is greater than our hearts and knows everything.
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence in God
and receive from him whatever we ask,
because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
And his commandment is this:
we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,
and love one another just as he commanded us.
Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,
and the way we know that he remains in us
is from the Spirit he gave us.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 15:1-8):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."
Reading I - A reading from
the acts of the Apostles (Acts 4:8-12):
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,
said:
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved."
R. (22) The stone rejected
by the builders has become the cornerstone.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has
become the cornerstone.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has
become the cornerstone.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his kindness endures forever.
R. The stone rejected by the builders has
become the cornerstone.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. John (1 John 3:1-2):
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 10:11-18):
Jesus said:
"I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father."
--------------------
04/29/2012 - St. Rose of
Viterbo (1235-1252): In St.
Rose of Viterbo is remarkable grace. At only the age of 3 she is said to
have raised her aunt from the dead. By age 7 she lived in seclusion and
gave herself harsh penances which hurt her health...at age 8 the Blessed Virgin
Mary appeared to her and miraculously cured her. The Virgin Mary also
instructed her to join the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi and preach
penance in Viterbo. Later in life, numerous miracles were attributed to
St. Rose of Viterbo, including communicating with animals, especially birds;
also, she and a stone platform she stood on levitated before spectators as she
spoke to the crowd. Her body at death has remained incorruptible (mostly
her heart)...her body (still incorrupt) is now dark, but still flexible and is
exposed in a reliquary. Her incorruptible heart is paraded through the
city every September 4th, which is her feast day.
Almighty God did marvelous things in
the soul of St. Rose. It appears that her parents gave her that name by
divine inspiration, for it was symbolic of her entire career. As long as she
lived, she bloomed like a sweet-scented rose in the garden of the Church,
and in full bloom as she transplanted to Paradise. Before she was able to
speak, Rose attempted to pronounce the sweet names of Jesus and Mary; and as
soon as she had learned to walk, she asked to be taken to church and to
other retired and quiet places to pray. When religious discourses were
given, she would listen with great attention.
When Rose was only 3 years old, God
showed how pleased He was with her in a most wonderful way. One of her
maternal aunts died. The family were standing around the bier weeping aloud.
Deeply moved by the sorrow of her relatives, little Rose went to the coffin,
raised her eyes to heaven, and prayed silently. Then she placed her little
hand on the body of her deceased aunt and called her by name. The dead woman
immediately opened her eyes and reached out to embrace her little niece, who
had raised her to life again.
The child entertained a great
compassion for the poor; she always tried to save some food to give to the
poor. One day when she left the house with some bread in her apron, she met
her father, who asked her in curt fashion what she was carrying off now. The
affrighted child opened her apron and fragrant roses were found in it.
When she was 7 years old, Rose
retired to a little cell in her father's house. There she spent almost all
her time in contemplation and in practicing rigorous penance. She prayed
much for the conversion of sinners. Meanwhile our dear Lord was preparing
her for an extraordinary mission.
Rose was not yet 10 years old when
the Blessed Mother of God instructed her to join the Third Order of St.
Francis. Shortly after, our Lord appeared to her on the Cross, wearing the
crown of thorns on His head and bleeding profusely from all His wounds.
Rose, aghast at the sight, called out: "O my Lord, who has reduced Thee to
this state?" Our Lord replied, "My love, my deep love for men has done
this." "But," asked Rose, "who has so pierced and torn Thee?" "The sins of
men have done it," was our Lord's answer. "Sin, sin!" cried the saint, and
she scourged herself to make atonement for the sins of the world.
By divine inspiration, Rose then
took a cross in her hand and went up and down the streets and public squares
of her city telling people of the terrible tortures our Lord suffered and of
the heinousness of sin. Every now and then she would emerge from her
solitude to entreat the people to do penance.
The town of Viterbo, which belonged
to the Papal States, had revolted against the authority of the pope.
Disregard for religion and moral degradation were the order of the day. But
the sermons of this little missionary had marvelous results. the people came
in crowds to hear her. The stone on which she stood was seen to rise in the
air, and she was sustained there by a miracle while burning words issued
from her lips. The greater part of the citizenry had already resolved to do
penance and to return to the legitimate papal allegiance when Rose and her
parents were repelled by the civil authorities.
The result was that she now had a
wider field of activity. At Soriano and later at Vitorchiano, her preaching
had the same blessed results. In the latter place, a sorceress had done much
harm among the inhabitants. Fearing that after her departure this woman
would undo the good effected there, Rose was desirous of her conversion. Her
initial efforts failed. Then our saint had an immense pile of wood prepared
in the public square; fire was set to it, and Rose stepped into the fire and
mounted to the top of the pile. She remained untouched for three hours in
the midst of the flames, singing the praises of God. The sorceress now cast
herself at Rose's feet and was sincerely converted.
Meanwhile the rightful authority of
the pope had been re-established at Viterbo, and Rose could return. She was
now 15 years old and anxious to enter the convent of the Poor Clares. As she
had no dowry, she could not be admitted. "Well," said Rose, "you will not
receive me while I am alive, but you will receive me after I am dead." She
and several companions repaired to a secluded dwelling, where they intended
to live as a community. The ecclesiastical authorities, however, did not
approve of the plan, and Rose returned home. She died 2 years later, filled
with the joyous desire of being united with her God.
Two and a half years after her death
she appeared three times to Pope Alexander IV, who was in Viterbo at the
time, told him to have her body removed to the convent of the Poor Clares.
When this was done, her body was found incorrupt; and it has remained in
that condition to this day. Miracles are constantly occurring at her tomb.
Pope Callistus III canonized her in 1457.
Reading I - A reading from
the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19):
Peter said to the people:
"The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9):
R. (7a)
Lord, let your face shine on us.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you alone, O LORD,
bring security to my dwelling.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. John (1 John 2:1-5a):
My children, I am writing this to
you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep
his commandments.
Those who say, "I know him," but do not keep his commandments
are liars, and the truth is not in them.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 24:35-48):
The two disciples recounted what had
taken place on the way,
and how Jesus was made known to them
in the breaking of bread.
While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have."
And as he said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of baked fish;
he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them,
"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them,
"Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things."
--------------------
04/22/2012 - St. Martin de
Porres (1579-1639) - Dominican
known for his charitable works, austerity, ministrations and miraculous healings
of people, service to animals (and he seemed able to communicate with them), as
well as prophecy, clairvoyance, levitations and bilocations. He could also
enter and exit closed monastery doors without a key.
Saint Martin de Porres was born in
Lima, Peru in 1579, during the days when Spanish noblemen and many
adventurers were still in the land, fascinated by the lure of the gold and
silver which abounded there. He was the natural son of one of these and a
young Indian woman. It was not long before his dark complexion caused his
father to be ashamed of him and his mother, and to abandon them. Later the
father would regret his too rapid decision, and take Martin under his
protection.
When he was 24, he was given the
habit of a Coadjutor Brother and assigned to the infirmary of that convent,
where he would remain in service until his death at the age of sixty. His
superiors saw in him the virtues necessary to exercise unfailing patience in
this difficult role, and he never disappointed them. On the contrary, it was
not long before miracles began to happen, and Saint Martin was working also
with the sick outside his convent, often bringing them healing with only a
simple glass of water. He begged for alms to procure for them necessities
the Convent could not provide, and Providence always supplied what he
sought.
One day an aged beggar, covered with
ulcers and almost naked, stretched out his hand, and Saint Martin, seeing
the Divine Mendicant in him, took him to his own bed, paying no heed to the
fact that he was not perfectly neat and clean. One of his brethren,
considering he had gone too far in his charity, reproved him. Saint Martin
replied: “Compassion, my dear Brother, is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect
that with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a
torrent of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness
toward the unfortunate would create.”
When an epidemic struck Lima, there
were in this single convent of the Rosary sixty religious who were sick,
many of them novices in a distant and locked section of the convent,
separated from the professed. Saint Martin is known to have passed through
the locked doors to care for them, a phenomenon which was observed in the
residence more than once. The professed, too, saw him suddenly beside them
without the doors having been opened; and these facts were duly verified by
the surprised Superiors. Martin continued to transport the sick to the
convent until the provincial Superior, alarmed by the contagion threatening
the religious, forbid him to continue to do so. His sister, who lived in the
country, offered her house to lodge those whom the residence of the
religious could not hold. One day he found on the street a poor Indian,
bleeding to death from a dagger wound, and took him to his own room until he
could transport him to his sister’s hospice. The Superior, when he heard of
this, reprimanded his subject for disobedience. He was extremely edified by
his reply: “Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know
that the precept of obedience took precedence over that of charity.” In
effect, there are situations where charity must prevail; and instruction is
very necessary. The Superior gave him liberty thereafter to follow his
inspirations in the exercise of mercy.
In normal times Saint Martin
succeeded with his alms to feed 160 poor persons every day, and distributed
a remarkable sum of money every week to the indigent — the latter phenomenon
hard to explain by ordinary calculations. To Saint Martin the city of Lima
owed a famous residence founded for orphans and abandoned children, where
they were formed in piety for a creative Christian life. This lay Brother
had always wanted to be a missionary, but never left his native city; yet
even during his lifetime he was seen elsewhere, in regions as far distant as
Africa, China, Algeria, Japan. An African slave who had been in irons said
he had known Martin when he came to relieve and console many like himself,
telling them of heaven. When later the same slave saw him in Peru, he was
very happy to meet him again and asked him if he had had a good voyage; only
later did he learn that Saint Martin had never left Lima. A merchant from
Lima was in Mexico and fell ill; he said aloud: “Oh, Brother Martin, if only
you were here to care for me..!” and immediately saw him enter his room. And
again, this man did not know until later that he had never been in Mexico.
When he died in 1639, Saint Martin
was known to the entire city of Lima; word of his miracles had made him
known as a Saint to every resident of the region. After his death, the
miracles and graces received when he was invoked multiplied in such
profusion that his body was exhumed after 25 years and found intact, and
exhaling a fine fragrance. Letters to Rome pleaded for his beatification;
the decree affirming the heroism of his virtues was issued in 1763 by
Clement XIII; Gregory XVI beatified him in 1836, and in 1962 Pope John XXIII
canonized him. The poor and the sick will never fail to find in him a friend
having great power over the Heart of God.
Moreover, he had the gift of prophecy and invisibility. He
could read the people’s hearts and understand unexpressed desires even at
great distances. He experienced visions and ecstasies. At certain times, God
allowed the friars to see him accompanied by angels or enveloped in light
during ecstasy. He had bilocations and levitations. Although he never left
Lima, he personally assisted the sick and distressed people in France,
Alegria, Mexico, the Philippines, China, and Japan. Aware of his boundless
charity, his superiors grave him free hand to distribute the convents daily
alms of food to the poor and abandoned. Sometimes he increased the food
supplies miraculously. He cared for the slaves who were brought to Peru from
Africa and visited the hovels of the wretched, the miserable, and the dying.
Filled with love and sympathy for mankind, everywhere he went St. Martin
brought comfort and consolation to all classes in every condition of life.
Selfless, practical, and capable, he used the money and goods that he
solicited carefully and methodically in his charities. It was through his
efforts that the Orphanage of the Holy Cross was built for the poor and
homeless children of Peru. Thus, he was affectionately called the “Father of
the Poor.” He also showed a great control and care for animals, which
surprised Spaniards, extending his love even to rats and mice whose
scavenging he excused on the grounds that the poor little things were
insufficiently fed.
Reading I - A reading from the Acts
of the Apostles (Acts 4:32-35):
The community of believers was of
one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.
R. (1)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
"His mercy endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His mercy endures forever."
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
I was hard pressed and was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just:
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us be glad and rejoice in it.
R. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
his love is everlasting.
Reading II - A reading
from the first epistle of John (1 John 5:1-6):
Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one that testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 20:19-31):
On the evening of that first day of
the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained."
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord."
But he said to them,
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples
that are not written in this book.
But these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that through this belief you may have life in his name.
---------------------
04/15/2012 - Venerable
Mary of Agreda (1602-1665) Abbess; mystic:
Here you find a saint whose parents
founded the Convent of the Immaculate Conception for discalced nuns in Agreda,
Spain. Her mother, herself, and her sister entered a convent and her
father entered the order of St. Francis of Assisi. After entering the
convent, Mary began to experience numerous ecstasies, bilocations, was witnessed
levitating, and had several other mystical experiences. During her
bilocations, she travelled extensively to isolated tribes in the Americas,
especially in New Mexico and Texas, teaching the Indians, and telling them where
to find missions. The Indians called her the Lady in Blue, because of her
blue mantle. She spoke in Spanish, but the Indians understood as if she
spoke their own language. Mary also had several visitations by Mary the
virgin mother of God, and received instruction to write "The Mystical City of
God."
Mary of Agreda was born at
Agreda in Spain in 1602, of noble parents, whose virtues surpassed the
nobility of their birth. Very early the child showed special signs of grace.
At the age of six she had attained a high degree of prayer, which was
noticeable in her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the sufferings
of our Lord. Her confessor recognized the great graces with which she was
favored, and permitted her at a tender age to receive Holy Communion and to
practice extraordinary works of penance. Painful illness which afflicter
her, she bore with the greatest patience, strengthened by the remembrance of
Christ’s sufferings.
In her seventeenth year Mary
entered the convent of Poor Clares of the Immaculate Conception at Agreda.
As a novice she excelled in the exercises of convent life. She made her
profession on the feast of the Purification in 1620 as Sister Mary of Jesus.
After she had consecrated herself to God through the holy vows, the young
religious strove for perfection with holy earnestness and cheerful surrender
to God. At the same time her unassuming humility and kindness of heart made
her so beloved by her fellow sisters, that at the age of twenty-five she was
elected abbess. The pope confirmed her election to office; and she was
obliged to accept it repeatedly for thirty-eight years until her death. Only
once, at her most earnest request, was she released for a period of three
years.
As the superior, Mary was
always the first among her associates to engage in lowly work. She swept the
halls, nursed the sick, washed their linens, and appeared to have a special
preference for the most menial services. Her way of life was so austere that
one wonders how she could do her work. She not only abstained from meat, but
never partook of eggs, milk, or cheese; she slept on a board for only two or
three hours; the remaining time of the night she spent in exercises of
devotion.
Every night, laden with a heavy
cross, she made the Way of the Cross. Even as the superior she strove to
practice obedience, following the suggestions of her higher superiors, and
in spiritual matters submitting wholly to the guidance of her confessor. For
a time she had a confessor who dealt harshly with her and never granted her
any request she made; but Mary obeyed him cheerfully, and often said later:
“He acted well; I always thought that he was right, and because of obedience
I felt great peace of soul.”
Venerable Mary
of Agreda governed her subjects with as much wisdom as love. She was endowed
with great wisdom, so that persons of the highest rank, also prelates and
bishops, and even the king of Spain, asked her for advice. When she spoke of
God, all who heard her were inflamed with the love of God. She received
special revelations concerning the life of the Virgin Mother Mention should
be made about Mary of Agreda’s work among the Indians of Texas and New
Mexico. Her ardent desire, prayers, and sacrifices for their conversion were
apparently rewarded with the gift of bilocation. Between 1621 and 1631, when
Mary of Agreda was between nineteen and twenty-nine years of age, she made
some five hundred visits to the Texas Indians, coming, as it seemed to them,
from the hills on their horizon and returning that way after her
instructions were over. When these Indians presented themselves to the
Franciscan missionaries in New Mexico and asked that fathers be sent among
them, it was learned that a Lady in Blue had often come among them,
instructed them, and ordered them to seek out missionaries to baptize them.
Upon investigation it was
learned that this Lady in Blue was Mary of Agreda, who, when she was put
under obedience to tell what had happened, said she had no explanation. She
could not say how she got there, only that when she was praying for the
welfare of the Indians, she just found herself among them and began to
instruct them. Presently she found herself home again. This happened many
times.
A bishop testified that when
Venerable Mary of Agreda went into an ecstacy her body was raised a bit
above the ground and appeared to have no weight, moving even to a slight
breeze. Her face was very beautiful, though somewhat pallid compaired to her
normal swarthy hue. She would often remain in this state for hours.
Mary
died on Pentecost morning, May 24, 1667, at nine o’clock, at the time the
Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles and when the “Veni, Creator Spiritus,
Come, Holy Ghost Creator!” was being recited in the canonical hours.
When she passed away a heavenly
voice was heard to say: “Come! – Come! – Come!”
At her grave many miracles were
wrought; and her cause of beatification is now being carried on in Rome.
from The
Franciscan Book of Saints, edited by Marion Habig, OFM
In the early days of her novitiate,
the rarified experiences of Sister Maria increased. One day 1620, in the
throes of ecstasy after receiving communion, Sister Maria levitated while in
deep prayer. There were witnesses. Sister Maria became an overnight
sensation although she was not aware of it. No one told her that she had
been seen levitating. Soon the other nuns took turns watching her during her
private prayer session. They even carved a hole in her cell door to observe
her and brought in outsiders to observe her who would try to move her while
she was levitating by fanning or blowing through the hole.
Ximinez Samaniego wrote “Whenever
she was rapt in ecstasy, her body was raised a little distance above the
earth where it remained motionless”. Many religious and seculars tried the
experiment on her body, which by a slight motion of air, could be moved
easily as if it had been a feather. When sister later Maria found out about
these violations of her privacy she was mortified and tried to prevent the
ecstasies by locking herself in the lower choir and breaking her fasts so
she could not receive communion but she was not successful. The ecstasies,
levitations and violations of her privacy continued.
Sunday,
April 8, 2012: (THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD -
THE MASS OF EASTER SUNDAY)
Readings for today: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Colossians 3:1-4
/ John 20:1-9:
Reading I - A reading from the Acts
of the Apostles (Acts 10:34a, 37-43):
Peter proceeded to speak and said:
"You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all that he did
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,
not to all the people, but to us,
the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commissioned us to preach to the people
and testify that he is the one appointed by God
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."
R. (24)
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us
rejoice and be glad.
"The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD."
R. This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.
The stone which the builders
rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 3:1-4):
Brothers and sisters:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears,
then you too will appear with him in glory.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 20:1-9):
On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
"They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him."
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
--------------------
04/08/2012- What is Easter
in the Catholic tradition?:
Easter is the greatest feast in
the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday
comes at the end of 40 days of
prayer,
fasting, and almsgiving known as
Lent. Through spiritual struggle and
self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ
on
Good Friday, the day of His
Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in new life on Easter.
Easter is a day of celebration
because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. St.
Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain
(1 Corinthians 15:17). Through his death, Christ saved mankind from
bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us;
but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both
in this world and the next.
The Coming of the Kingdom:
That new life began on Easter
Sunday. In the
Our Father, we pray that "Thy Kingdom
come, on earth as it is in Heaven." And Christ told His disciples that
some of them would not die until they saw the Kingdom of God "coming in
power" (Mark 9:1). The early Christian Fathers saw Easter as the
fulfillment of that promise. With the resurrection of Christ, God's
Kingdom is established on earth, in the form of the Church.
New Life in Christ:
That is why people who are
converting to Catholicism traditionally are baptized at the Easter Vigil
service, which takes place on
Holy Saturday (the day before Easter),
starting sometime after sunset. They have usually undergone a long
process of study and preparation known as the Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Their
baptism parallels Christ's own Death
and Resurrection, as they die to sin and rise to new life in the Kingdom
of God.
Because of the central
importance of Easter to the Christian faith, the Catholic Church
requires that all Catholics who have made their
First Communion receive the Holy
Eucharist sometime during the
Easter season, which lasts through
Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. (The
Church also urges us to take part in the
Sacrament of Confession before
receiving this Easter communion.) This reception of the Eucharist is a
visible sign of our faith and our participation in the Kingdom of God.
Of course, we should receive
Communion as frequently as possible;
this "Easter
Duty" is simply the minimum requirement set by the Church.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Genesis (Genesis 1:1-2:2):
In the beginning, when God created
the heavens and the earth,
the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss,
while a mighty wind swept over the waters.
Then God said,
"Let there be light," and there was light.
God saw how good the light was.
God then separated the light from the darkness.
God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night."
Thus evening came, and morning followed-the first day.
Then God said,
"Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters,
to separate one body of water from the other."
And so it happened:
God made the dome,
and it separated the water above the dome from the water below it.
God called the dome "the sky."
Evening came, and morning followed-the second day.
Then God said,
"Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin,
so that the dry land may appear."
And so it happened:
the water under the sky was gathered into its basin,
and the dry land appeared.
God called the dry land "the earth, "
and the basin of the water he called "the sea."
God saw how good it was.
Then God said,
"Let the earth bring forth vegetation:
every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth
that bears fruit with its seed in it."
And so it happened:
the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed
and every kind of fruit tree on earth
that bears fruit with its seed in it.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed-the third day.
Then God said:
"Let there be lights in the dome of the sky,
to separate day from night.
Let them mark the fixed times, the days and the years,
and serve as luminaries in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth."
And so it happened:
God made the two great lights,
the greater one to govern the day,
and the lesser one to govern the night;
and he made the stars.
God set them in the dome of the sky,
to shed light upon the earth,
to govern the day and the night,
and to separate the light from the darkness.
God saw how good it was.
Evening came, and morning followed-the fourth day.
Then God said,
"Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures,
and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky."
And so it happened:
God created the great sea monsters
and all kinds of swimming creatures with which the water teems,
and all kinds of winged birds.
God saw how good it was, and God blessed them, saying,
"Be fertile, multiply, and fill the water of the seas;
and let the birds multiply on the earth."
Evening came, and morning followed-the fifth day.
Then God said,
"Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures:
cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds."
And so it happened:
God made all kinds of wild animals, all kinds of cattle,
and all kinds of creeping things of the earth.
God saw how good it was.
Then God said:
"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and the cattle,
and over all the wild animals
and all the creatures that crawl on the ground."
God created man in his image;
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, saying:
"Be fertile and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it.
Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and all the living things that move on the earth."
God also said:
"See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth
and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food;
and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air,
and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground,
I give all the green plants for food."
And so it happened.
God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.
Evening came, and morning followed-the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed.
Since on the seventh day God was finished
with the work he had been doing,
he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken.
R. (30)Lord, send out your
Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
You are clothed with majesty and glory,
robed in light as with a cloak.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
You fixed the earth upon its foundation,
not to be moved forever;
with the ocean, as with a garment, you covered it;
above the mountains the waters stood.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
You send forth springs into the watercourses
that wind among the mountains.
Beside them the birds of heaven dwell;
from among the branches they send forth their song.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
You water the mountains from your palace;
the earth is replete with the fruit of your works.
You raise grass for the cattle,
and vegetation for man's use,
Producing bread from the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.
How manifold are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you have wrought them all-the earth is full of your creatures.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and
renew the face of the earth.
Reading II - A reading
from the book of Genesis (Genesis 22:1-18):
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am, " he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you."
Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey,
took with him his son Isaac and two of his servants as well,
and with the wood that he had cut for the holocaust,
set out for the place of which God had told him.
On the third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar.
Then he said to his servants:
"Both of you stay here with the donkey,
while the boy and I go on over yonder.
We will worship and then come back to you."
Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the holocaust
and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders,
while he himself carried the fire and the knife.
As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father Abraham:
"Father!" Isaac said.
"Yes, son, " he replied.
Isaac continued, "Here are the fire and the wood,
but where is the sheep for the holocaust?"
"Son," Abraham answered,
"God himself will provide the sheep for the holocaust."
Then the two continued going forward.
When they came to the place of which
God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Next he tied up his son Isaac,
and put him on top of the wood on the altar.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Abraham named the site Yahweh-yireh;
hence people now say, "On the mountain the LORD will see."
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11):
R. (1) You are my
inheritance, O Lord.
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Reading III - A reading
from the book of Exodus (Exodus 14:15-15:1):
The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you
crying out to me?
Tell the Israelites to go forward.
And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea,
split the sea in two,
that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land.
But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate
that they will go in after them.
Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army,
his chariots and charioteers.
The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD,
when I receive glory through Pharaoh
and his chariots and charioteers."
The angel of God, who had been leading Israel's camp,
now moved and went around behind them.
The column of cloud also, leaving the front,
took up its place behind them,
so that it came between the camp of the Egyptians
and that of Israel.
But the cloud now became dark, and thus the night passed
without the rival camps coming any closer together
all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,
and the LORD swept the sea
with a strong east wind throughout the night
and so turned it into dry land.
When the water was thus divided,
the Israelites marched into the midst of the sea on dry land,
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
The Egyptians followed in pursuit;
all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and charioteers went after them
right into the midst of the sea.
In the night watch just before dawn
the LORD cast through the column of the fiery cloud
upon the Egyptian force a glance that threw it into a panic;
and he so clogged their chariot wheels
that they could hardly drive.
With that the Egyptians sounded the retreat before Israel,
because the LORD was fighting for them against the Egyptians.
Then the LORD told Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea,
that the water may flow back upon the Egyptians,
upon their chariots and their charioteers."
So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,
and at dawn the sea flowed back to its normal depth.
The Egyptians were fleeing head on toward the sea,
when the LORD hurled them into its midst.
As the water flowed back,
it covered the chariots and the charioteers of Pharaoh's whole army
which had followed the Israelites into the sea.
Not a single one of them escaped.
But the Israelites had marched on dry land
through the midst of the sea,
with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
Thus the LORD saved Israel on that day
from the power of the Egyptians.
When Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore
and beheld the great power that the LORD
had shown against the Egyptians,
they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD:
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
R. (1b) Let us sing to the
Lord; he has covered himself in glory.
I will sing to the LORD, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered
himself in glory.
The LORD is a warrior,
LORD is his name!
Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea;
the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea.
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered
himself in glory.
The flood waters covered them,
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O LORD, magnificent in power,
your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered
himself in glory.
You brought in the people you redeemed
and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance
the place where you made your seat, O LORD,
the sanctuary, LORD, which your hands established.
The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
R. Let us sing to the Lord; he has
covered himself in glory.
Reading IV - A reading
from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 54:5-14):
The One who has become your husband
is your Maker;
his name is the LORD of hosts;
your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
called God of all the earth.
The LORD calls you back,
like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,
a wife married in youth and then cast off,
says your God.
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with great tenderness I will take you back.
In an outburst of wrath, for a moment
I hid my face from you;
but with enduring love I take pity on you,
says the LORD, your redeemer.
This is for me like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah
should never again deluge the earth;
so I have sworn not to be angry with you,
or to rebuke you.
Though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be shaken,
my love shall never leave you
nor my covenant of peace be shaken,
says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled,
I lay your pavements in carnelians,
and your foundations in sapphires;
I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of carbuncles,
and all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
In justice shall you be established,
far from the fear of oppression,
where destruction cannot come near you.
R. (2a) I will praise you,
Lord, for you have rescued me.
I will extol you, O
LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Reading V - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 55:1-11):
Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread,
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,
and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.
Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.
For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6):
R. (3) You will draw water
joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my
savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Reading VI - Baruch
3:9-15, 32-4:4):
Hear, O Israel, the commandments of
life:
listen, and know prudence!
How is it, Israel,
that you are in the land of your foes,
grown old in a foreign land,
defiled with the dead,
accounted with those destined for the netherworld?
You have forsaken the fountain of wisdom!
Had you walked in the way of God,
you would have dwelt in enduring peace.
Learn where prudence is,
where strength, where understanding;
that you may know also
where are length of days, and life,
where light of the eyes, and peace.
Who has found the place of wisdom,
who has entered into her treasuries?
The One who knows all things knows her;
he has probed her by his knowledge—
The One who established the earth for all time,
and filled it with four-footed beasts;
he who dismisses the light, and it departs,
calls it, and it obeys him trembling;
before whom the stars at their posts
shine and rejoice;
when he calls them, they answer, "Here we are!"
shining with joy for their Maker.
Such is our God;
no other is to be compared to him:
He has traced out the whole way of understanding,
and has given her to Jacob, his servant,
to Israel, his beloved son.
Since then she has appeared on earth,
and moved among people.
She is the book of the precepts of God,
the law that endures forever;
all who cling to her will live,
but those will die who forsake her.
Turn, O Jacob, and receive her:
walk by her light toward splendor.
Give not your glory to another,
your privileges to an alien race.
Blessed are we, O Israel;
for what pleases God is known to us!
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11):
R.
(John 6:68c) Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Reading VII - A reading
from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28):
The word of the LORD came to me,
saying:
Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their land,
they defiled it by their conduct and deeds.
Therefore I poured out my fury upon them
because of the blood that they poured out on the ground,
and because they defiled it with idols.
I scattered them among the nations,
dispersing them over foreign lands;
according to their conduct and deeds I judged them.
But when they came among the nations wherever they came,
they served to profane my holy name,
because it was said of them: "These are the people of the LORD,
yet they had to leave their land."
So I have relented because of my holy name
which the house of Israel profaned
among the nations where they came.
Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD:
Not for your sakes do I act, house of Israel,
but for the sake of my holy name,
which you profaned among the nations to which you came.
I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations,
in whose midst you have profaned it.
Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD,
when in their sight I prove my holiness through you.
For I will take you away from among the nations,
gather you from all the foreign lands,
and bring you back to your own land.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you
to cleanse you from all your impurities,
and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you,
taking from your bodies your stony hearts
and giving you natural hearts.
I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes,
careful to observe my decrees.
You shall live in the land I gave your fathers;
you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6):
When baptism is not celebrated.
R. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs
of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of
salvation.
Epistle - A reading from
the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 6:3-11):
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his,
we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with him,
so that our sinful body might be done away with,
that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.
As to his death, he died to sin once and for all;
as to his life, he lives for God.
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin
and living for God in Christ Jesus.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
Let the house of Israel say,
"His mercy endures forever."
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The right hand of the LORD has struck with power;
the right hand of the LORD is exalted.
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the LORD has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
R. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 16:1-7):
When the sabbath was over,
Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome
bought spices so that they might go and anoint him.
Very early when the sun had risen,
on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.
They were saying to one another,
"Who will roll back the stone for us
from the entrance to the tomb?"
When they looked up,
they saw that the stone had been rolled back;
it was very large.
On entering the tomb they saw a young man
sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe,
and they were utterly amazed.
He said to them, "Do not be amazed!
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here.
Behold the place where they laid him.
But go and tell his disciples and Peter,
'He is going before you to Galilee;
there you will see him, as he told you.'"
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 52:13-53:12):
See, my servant shall prosper,
he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.
Even as many were amazed at him—
so marred was his look beyond human semblance
and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man—
so shall he startle many nations,
because of him kings shall stand speechless;
for those who have not been told shall see,
those who have not heard shall ponder it.
Who would believe what we have heard?
To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up like a sapling before him,
like a shoot from the parched earth;
there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him,
nor appearance that would attract us to him.
He was spurned and avoided by people,
a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity,
one of those from whom people hide their faces,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.
Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured,
while we thought of him as stricken,
as one smitten by God and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our offenses,
crushed for our sins;
upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole,
by his stripes we were healed.
We had all gone astray like sheep,
each following his own way;
but the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted
and opened not his mouth;
like a lamb led to the slaughter
or a sheep before the shearers,
he was silent and opened not his mouth.
Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away,
and who would have thought any more of his destiny?
When he was cut off from the land of the living,
and smitten for the sin of his people,
a grave was assigned him among the wicked
and a burial place with evildoers,
though he had done no wrong
nor spoken any falsehood.
But the LORD was pleased
to crush him in infirmity.
If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
he shall see his descendants in a long life,
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.
Because of his affliction
he shall see the light in fullness of days;
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
and their guilt he shall bear.
Therefore I will give him his portion among the great,
and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty,
because he surrendered himself to death
and was counted among the wicked;
and he shall take away the sins of many,
and win pardon for their offenses.
R. (Lk 23:46) Father, into
your hands I commend my spirit.
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit.
For all my foes I am an object of reproach,
a laughingstock to my neighbors, and a dread to my friends;
they who see me abroad flee from me.
I am forgotten like the unremembered dead;
I am like a dish that is broken.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God.
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors."
R. Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the LORD.
R. Father, into your hands I commend my
spirit.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9):
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
In the days when Christ was in the flesh,
he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 18:1-19:42):
Jesus went out with his disciples
across the Kidron valley
to where there was a garden,
into which he and his disciples entered.
Judas his betrayer also knew the place,
because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards
from the chief priests and the Pharisees
and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him,
went out and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?"
They answered him, "Jesus the Nazorean."
He said to them, "I AM."
Judas his betrayer was also with them.
When he said to them, "I AM, "
they turned away and fell to the ground.
So he again asked them,
"Whom are you looking for?"
They said, "Jesus the Nazorean."
Jesus answered,
"I told you that I AM.
So if you are looking for me, let these men go."
This was to fulfill what he had said,
"I have not lost any of those you gave me."
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it,
struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear.
The slave's name was Malchus.
Jesus said to Peter,
"Put your sword into its scabbard.
Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?"
So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus,
bound him, and brought him to Annas first.
He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,
who was high priest that year.
It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews
that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus.
Now the other disciple was known to the high priest,
and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus.
But Peter stood at the gate outside.
So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest,
went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in.
Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter,
"You are not one of this man's disciples, are you?"
He said, "I am not."
Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire
that they had made, because it was cold,
and were warming themselves.
Peter was also standing there keeping warm.
The high priest questioned Jesus
about his disciples and about his doctrine.
Jesus answered him,
"I have spoken publicly to the world.
I have always taught in a synagogue
or in the temple area where all the Jews gather,
and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me?
Ask those who heard me what I said to them.
They know what I said."
When he had said this,
one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said,
"Is this the way you answer the high priest?"
Jesus answered him,
"If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong;
but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?"
Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm.
And they said to him,
"You are not one of his disciples, are you?"
He denied it and said,
"I am not."
One of the slaves of the high priest,
a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said,
"Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"
Again Peter denied it.
And immediately the cock crowed.
Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium.
It was morning.
And they themselves did not enter the praetorium,
in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover.
So Pilate came out to them and said,
"What charge do you bring against this man?"
They answered and said to him,
"If he were not a criminal,
we would not have handed him over to you."
At this, Pilate said to them,
"Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law."
The Jews answered him,
"We do not have the right to execute anyone, "
in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled
that he said indicating the kind of death he would die.
So Pilate went back into the praetorium
and summoned Jesus and said to him,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered,
"Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered,
"I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered,
"My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him,
"Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered,
"You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"
When he had said this,
he again went out to the Jews and said to them,
"I find no guilt in him.
But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover.
Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
They cried out again,
"Not this one but Barabbas!"
Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.
And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head,
and clothed him in a purple cloak,
and they came to him and said,
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
And they struck him repeatedly.
Once more Pilate went out and said to them,
"Look, I am bringing him out to you,
so that you may know that I find no guilt in him."
So Jesus came out,
wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak.
And he said to them, "Behold, the man!"
When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out,
"Crucify him, crucify him!"
Pilate said to them,
"Take him yourselves and crucify him.
I find no guilt in him."
The Jews answered,
"We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God."
Now when Pilate heard this statement,
he became even more afraid,
and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus,
"Where are you from?"
Jesus did not answer him.
So Pilate said to him,
"Do you not speak to me?
Do you not know that I have power to release you
and I have power to crucify you?"
Jesus answered him,
"You would have no power over me
if it had not been given to you from above.
For this reason the one who handed me over to you
has the greater sin."
Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out,
"If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar.
Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar."
When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out
and seated him on the judge's bench
in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha.
It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon.
And he said to the Jews,
"Behold, your king!"
They cried out,
"Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!"
Pilate said to them,
"Shall I crucify your king?"
The chief priests answered,
"We have no king but Caesar."
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself,
he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull,
in Hebrew, Golgotha.
There they crucified him, and with him two others,
one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.
Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross.
It read,
"Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews."
Now many of the Jews read this inscription,
because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city;
and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate,
"Do not write 'The King of the Jews,'
but that he said, 'I am the King of the Jews'."
Pilate answered,
"What I have written, I have written."
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus,
they took his clothes and divided them into four shares,
a share for each soldier.
They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless,
woven in one piece from the top down.
So they said to one another,
"Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, "
in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.
This is what the soldiers did.
Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
After this, aware that everything was now finished,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
Jesus said, "I thirst."
There was a vessel filled with common wine.
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop
and put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said,
"It is finished."
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath,
for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one,
the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken
and that they be taken down.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first
and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.
But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately blood and water flowed out.
An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;
he knows that he is speaking the truth,
so that you also may come to believe.
For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken.
And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced.
After this, Joseph of Arimathea,
secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus.
And Pilate permitted it.
So he came and took his body.
Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night,
also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes
weighing about one hundred pounds.
They took the body of Jesus
and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices,
according to the Jewish burial custom.
Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden,
and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried.
So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day;
for the tomb was close by.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Exodus (Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14):
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in
the land of Egypt,
"This month shall stand at the head of your calendar;
you shall reckon it the first month of the year.
Tell the whole community of Israel:
On the tenth of this month every one of your families
must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.
If a family is too small for a whole lamb,
it shall join the nearest household in procuring one
and shall share in the lamb
in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it.
The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish.
You may take it from either the sheep or the goats.
You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month,
and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present,
it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight.
They shall take some of its blood
and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel
of every house in which they partake of the lamb.
That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh
with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
R. (cf. 1 Cor 10:16) Our
blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the
Blood of Christ.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with the
Blood of Christ.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. Our blessing-cup is a communion with
the Blood of Christ.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26):
Brothers and sisters:
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,
that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,
took bread, and, after he had given thanks,
broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,
you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 13:1-15):
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus
knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him
over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples' feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
"Master, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later."
Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered him,
"Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me."
Simon Peter said to him,
"Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
Jesus said to him,
"Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all."
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."
So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another's feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do."
Sunday,
April 1, 2012: (PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF
THE LORD)
Readings for today: Mark 11:1-10 / Isaiah 50:4-7 /
Philippians 2:6-11 / Mark 14:1 - 15:47:
At the Procession With
Palms - Gospel - A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark
11:1-10):
When Jesus and his disciples drew
near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
'Why are you doing this?' reply,
'The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.'"
So they went off
and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street,
and they untied it.
Some of the bystanders said to them,
"What are you doing, untying the colt?"
They answered them just as Jesus had told them to,
and they permitted them to do it.
So they brought the colt to Jesus
and put their cloaks over it.
And he sat on it.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!"
At the Mass - Reading I -
A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4-7):
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
R. (2a) My
God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: "He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him."
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; They have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: "You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
R. My God, my God,
why have you abandoned me?
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:6-11):
Christ Jesus, though he was in the
form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 14:1: 15:47):
The Passover and the Feast of
Unleavened Bread
were to take place in two days' time.
So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way
to arrest him by treachery and put him to death.
They said, "Not during the festival,
for fear that there may be a riot among the people."
When he was in Bethany reclining at table
in the house of Simon the leper,
a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil,
costly genuine spikenard.
She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head.
There were some who were indignant.
"Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?
It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages
and the money given to the poor."
They were infuriated with her.
Jesus said, "Let her alone.
Why do you make trouble for her?
She has done a good thing for me.
The poor you will always have with you,
and whenever you wish you can do good to them,
but you will not always have me.
She has done what she could.
She has anticipated anointing my body for burial.
Amen, I say to you,
wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world,
what she has done will be told in memory of her."
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,
went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them.
When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money.
Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
his disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, he came with the Twelve.
And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said,
"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me,
one who is eating with me."
They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one,
"Surely it is not I?"
He said to them,
"One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish.
For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born."
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them,
"All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be dispersed.
But after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee."
Peter said to him,
"Even though all should have their faith shaken,
mine will not be."
Then Jesus said to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
this very night before the cock crows twice
you will deny me three times."
But he vehemently replied,
"Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you."
And they all spoke similarly.
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
"Sit here while I pray."
He took with him Peter, James, and John,
and began to be troubled and distressed.
Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch."
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed
that if it were possible the hour might pass by him;
he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me,
but not what I will but what you will."
When he returned he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing.
Then he returned once more and found them asleep,
for they could not keep their eyes open
and did not know what to answer him.
He returned a third time and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
It is enough. The hour has come.
Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go.
See, my betrayer is at hand."
Then, while he was still speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs
who had come from the chief priests,
the scribes, and the elders.
His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying,
"The man I shall kiss is the one;
arrest him and lead him away securely."
He came and immediately went over to him and said,
"Rabbi." And he kissed him.
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
One of the bystanders drew his sword,
struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs, to seize me?
Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area,
yet you did not arrest me;
but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled."
And they all left him and fled.
Now a young man followed him
wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body.
They seized him,
but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.
They led Jesus away to the high priest,
and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest's courtyard
and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin
kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus
in order to put him to death, but they found none.
Many gave false witness against him,
but their testimony did not agree.
Some took the stand and testified falsely against him,
alleging, "We heard him say,
'I will destroy this temple made with hands
and within three days I will build another
not made with hands.'"
Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus,
saying, "Have you no answer?
What are these men testifying against you?"
But he was silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him and said to him,
"Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?"
Then Jesus answered, "I am;
and 'you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power
and coming with the clouds of heaven.'"
At that the high priest tore his garments and said,
"What further need have we of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?"
They all condemned him as deserving to die.
Some began to spit on him.
They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, "Prophesy!"
And the guards greeted him with blows.
While Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the high priest's maids came along.
Seeing Peter warming himself,
she looked intently at him and said,
"You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus."
But he denied it saying,
"I neither know nor understand what you are talking about."
So he went out into the outer court.
Then the cock crowed.
The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders,
"This man is one of them."
Once again he denied it.
A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more,
"Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean."
He began to curse and to swear,
"I do not know this man about whom you are talking."
And immediately a cock crowed a second time.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him,
"Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times."
He broke down and wept.
As soon as morning came,
the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,
that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him,
"Are you the king of the Jews?"
He said to him in reply, "You say so."
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
"Have you no answer?
See how many things they accuse you of."
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them
one prisoner whom they requested.
A man called Barabbas was then in prison
along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
The crowd came forward and began to ask him
to do for them as he was accustomed.
Pilate answered,
"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?"
For he knew that it was out of envy
that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd
to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate again said to them in reply,
"Then what do you want me to do
with the man you call the king of the Jews?"
They shouted again, "Crucify him."
Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?"
They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him."
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,
released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,
handed him over to be crucified.
The soldiers led him away inside the palace,
that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed him in purple and,
weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
They began to salute him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.
They knelt before him in homage.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the purple cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him out to crucify him.
They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.
They brought him to the place of Golgotha
— which is translated Place of the Skull —
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read,
"The King of the Jews."
With him they crucified two revolutionaries,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying,
"Aha! You who would destroy the temple
and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself by coming down from the cross."
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,
mocked him among themselves and said,
"He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel,
come down now from the cross
that we may see and believe."
Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.
At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?"
which is translated,
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
"Look, he is calling Elijah."
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
"Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down."
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
saw how he breathed his last he said,
"Truly this man was the Son of God!"
There were also women looking on from a distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome.
These women had followed him when he was in Galilee
and ministered to him.
There were also many other women
who had come up with him to Jerusalem.
When it was already evening,
since it was the day of preparation,
the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea,
a distinguished member of the council,
who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God,
came and courageously went to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus.
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.
He summoned the centurion
and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion,
he gave the body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down,
wrapped him in the linen cloth,
and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.
Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses
watched where he was laid.
--------------------
04/01/2012 - St. Dominic
(Founder of the Order of Preachers, known as the Dominicans) [ca. 1170-1221]:
St. Dominic is known for
much, and especially for numerous miracles of various sorts. He used holy
water and prayer to raise from the dead a cardinal's nephew who was killed
after being thrown from a horse; he had the gift of miraculous transport (of
himself and of others); he once prayed and angels in guise of beautiful young men
gave each brother an entire loaf of bread and wine before disappearing; he was an
accurate prophet and foretold deaths; he had the gift of tongues; he could control the
elements and even tame storms; he was immune to fire, and once in a debate with
heretics, the heretic judges decided on a trial by fire on the writings of their
leaders vs. the writings of St. Dominic...the writings of the heretics burned
instantly, but those of St. Dominic flew out of the fire, not once, not twice,
but THREE times.
In the year 1170, the same year in which Saint
Thomas Becket was martyred in England, Dominic de Guzman was born in Calarogo,
now Caleruega, Spain, about 20 miles from the Cathedral in Osma.
Before his mother conceived him, she saw in a vision that a dog
with a burning torch in its mouth would come forth from her womb and set the
world aflame. Later, she saw the moon on his forehead, yet at his Baptism, his
godmother perceived it as a star. The boy was christened probably after Saint
Dominic of Silas whose nearby shrine was a favorite of his mother.
Dominic
accompanied his holy bishop in 1203 to the Marches of France, in the Languedoc
region, because of a royal wedding. It was there that they were struck by the
spread of falsehood. People were adopting Albigensianism which considered all
material things to be evil. While at Toulouse, Dominic stayed up all night
until he had persuaded the innkeeper to accept the true faith. About that time,
the pope had called upon the Cistercian abbots to preach against this heresy.
At Montpellier, Bishop Diego convinced them to abandon their ostentatious
retinues. He himself put on the Cistercian habit and joined the mission, taking
Dominic with him. From then on, the subprior was called "Brother Dominic."
The preachers held disputations from town to town, attended by the lowly and
the noble alike. At Fanjeaux, arbiters held a trial by fire for the manuscripts
written by Dominic and his adversaries. The one written by Saint Dominic flew
out of the flames three times. A similar miracle took place at Montreal.
The
Albigensians were extremely austere, but Dominic surpassed them all by his
charitable sacrifices. He might eat a bit of dried fish or a little bread and
soup. Women who often fed him testified that he never ate more than two eggs,
and his wine was about two-thirds water. Dominic wore an abrasive hairshirt,
and had an iron chain forged around his waist. He slept very little, and when
he did, it was always on the floor, preferably in the chapel. There, the fire
of the Holy Spirit even dried his rain-soaked habit better than those of his
companions who spent the night by the fireplace.
In 1211, while the war continued , a group of English pilgrims were on their
way to Saint James of Compostela in Spain. While crossing the River Garonne,
the overloaded boat capsized. Dominic, in a nearby church, heard the cries of
bystanders and soldiers. Many of the pilgrims were already underwater. Dominic
prostrated himself, prayed and loudly commanded their safety in the Name of
Jesus Christ. Immediately, the pilgrims emerged near the shore and were pulled
to the riverbank. One of the pilgrims, named Lawrence, would be one of the
first members of the Order of Preachers. In another incident, a ferryman
demanded payment from Dominic, who then prayed and picked up a coin at his
feet. Later, eyewitnesses would testify to these and many other miracles at his
canonization process.
At Castres, Dominic was praying in the church. The prior sent one of the
canons to fetch him for dinner. Seeing Dominic floating in the air, he returned
to tell the prior who went to see for himself. So moved was he by the
phenomenon, the prior, Matthew of France, became another of Dominic's first
followers. Eventually, a new group of preachers gathered to support his
mission.
In 1215, Dominic accompanied Foulques to Rome for the Lateran Council.
While in Rome for the Council, it is believed that Saint Dominic met Saint
Francis of Assisi. Both of them would establish a new kind of religious life,
which is mendicant and apostolic. At a later time, one or the other founder got
angry at his sons for extravagant buildings and held up the other Order as an
example of simplicity. Members of both Orders call both saints "Holy Father."
For centuries, it has also been the custom for Friars Preachers to invite a
Friar Minor to preach on the feast of Saint Dominic, and vice versa. Pope
Innocent III was inspired to approve these new Orders because he saw in a dream
one or the other of these saints reaching up to support the tottering Church,
lest it fall to ruins. Today in Saint Peter's Basilica, colossal statues of
Saints Francis and Dominic flank both sides of the Chair of Saint Peter.
Once, while praying in the old Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint
Dominic saw a vision. The Apostle Peter handed him a staff, and the Apostle
Paul handed him a book. Together, they spoke to him, saying, "Go and preach,
because you have been chosen by God for this work." Immediately, it seemed to
Dominic that he saw all his children preaching two by two throughout the world.
From then on, Saint Dominic was often seen on the road carrying a walking stick
and the Epistles of Saint Paul. He also carried the Gospel of Saint Matthew,
and could recite these Scriptures by heart.
Saint Dominic too had seen visions of Our Lady. Once he saw Her
in the dormitory sprinkling the brethren with holy water as they slept.
Therefore, today, the prior or prioress in every Dominican convent sprinkles the
community at night prayers (Compline) during the Hail, Holy Queen (Salve
Regina).
Due to the generosity of Pope Honorius, a Dominican priory was established at
San Sisto (Pope Saint Sixtus II, Martyr) on the Appian Way. Dominic, having
received a revelation from God, called the brethren to the chapter room to
announce the proximate deaths of four friars, two physically and two
spiritually. Soon thereafter, his prediction proved true, for two men died, and
two others left the Order for worldliness.
The community at San Sisto had grown very numerous. One day, Dominic was
informed by the procurator that their begging had produced almost no food. He
ordered the brethren, nevertheless, to gather at table for their meal. He then
prayed and suddenly two young men or angels, looking mysteriously alike, came
into the refectory to dispense a portion of bread and wine to each friar. The
same procurator told of a similar miracle on another occasion.
Dominic then traveled through France to his Spanish homeland,
and then as far as Paris by June of 1219. For a few days, German pilgrims, who
traveled on the same road, fed him, so he prayed for the ability to speak their
language, and the gift was given to him. Neither language nor locked doors
could obstruct him. More than one porter wondered how he got beyond their
gates.
Dominic is a saint because of his great charity, not because of
his miracles, yet the greatness of his miracles is a sign of his love. Of all
his well attested prodigies, the most remarkable are the resuscitations of the
dead. Our saintly Father once rescued a workman who was crushed by a fallen
wall at San Sisto. Another time, the nephew of a cardinal fell from his horse
and suffered mortal injuries. Almost immediately, Dominic celebrated Mass.
Hours passed before he raised the man to life, with all his wounds healed. In
another case, a woman went to hear Dominic preach at San Marco in Rome, but
later she returned home and found her little boy dead. She rushed the child to
Dominic who brought him back to life. When the pope expressed his desire to
publicize the miracle, Dominic threatened to leave town. People were already
clipping bits of his habit for relics.
When he was about to die,
he told his order:
Heaven had warned the "Athlete of Christ" that his life was about to end.
His work was bearing fruit. Already the Order had grown to eight provinces:
Spain, Provence, France, Lombardy, Rome, Germany, Hungary, and England. By the
time he reached Bologna in August, it was very hot and humid.
The heat compounded his fever. He could no longer stand, but refused to be
put on a bed. He lay on the floor of a borrowed cell, in a borrowed habit, for
he had none of his own. He had bequeathed to his children this testimony:
"Have charity one for another; guard humility; make your treasure out of
voluntary poverty." He then emphasized poverty, saying, "May my malediction and
that of God fall upon him who shall bring possessions into this Order." When
asked about burial, he expressed his wish to be "under the feet of the
brethren," that is, under the feet of those who bring Good News. He assured
them, "Do not weep, my children; I shall be more useful to you where I am now
going, than I have ever been in this life."
Saint Dominic had lived 51 years.
He died Friday, August 6, 1221, about 6 o'clock in the evening: fittingly the
Transfiguration, a feast regarding prophets and apostles.
Miracles followed and devotion to the
saint grew, so the church building needed to be expanded and Dominic's body
moved. Hundreds of people of every rank attended the Translation on May 24,
1233. When the stone covering his remains was lifted, a gentle aroma, like a
sweet perfume, filled the air to the delight of all. The sacred relics have
since been revered in a sepulcher befitting his glory. Within a year after the
Translation of the Body, after collecting depositions and testimonies, Dominic
was canonized a saint. His feast is celebrated on the eighth of August.
Reading I - A reading from
the book of the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34):
The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers
the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they broke my covenant,
and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.
I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R.
Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:7-9):
In the days when Christ Jesus was in
the flesh,
he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears
to the one who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverence.
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 12:20-33):
Some Greeks who had come to worship
at the Passover Feast
came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,
and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus."
Philip went and told Andrew;
then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.
Jesus answered them,
"The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me.
"I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?
'Father, save me from this hour?'
But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.
Father, glorify your name."
Then a voice came from heaven,
"I have glorified it and will glorify it again."
The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder;
but others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
Jesus answered and said,
"This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.
Now is the time of judgment on this world;
now the ruler of this world will be driven out.
And when I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to myself."
He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.
-----------------------
03/25/2012 - St. Gemma
Galgani: Another mystical
saint that is a favorite of mine is St. Gemma Galgani, who had numerous visions
of Jesus, saw the body of Christ on a crucifix come to life and speak with her,
and was seen levitating when Jesus beckoned her to come to him on the
cross...she was seen levitating while kissing Jesus on the crucifix.
Source for this information is from a rare book entitled
“A Lover of the Cross –St Gemma Galgani” published in May 1940 by
the Passionist Nuns of the Monastero-Santuario di Santa Gemma in Lucca,
Italy and also “The
Life of St Gemma Galgani” by her spiritual director, Venerable
Father Germano Ruoppolo CP
The Miracle of the Crucifix
"In September 1901, while working in the kitchen, Gemma frequently
paused out of her great love for Jesus to contemplate the large Crucifix
that hung on the kitchen wall of the Giannini home.
“The more she looked at it” - says
Venerable Father Germano in his biography of St Gemma – “the more her
heart beat in her breast". She strongly desired to come to Him
and unite with Him, and many a time she attempted to. At last she cried:
- ’Let me come to You, for I am thirsting for You!’. -
Marvellous to say, as it already happened to St. Francis of Assisi and
our holy Father, St. Paul of the Cross,
the Corpus on the Cross became alive, and Jesus appeared to her and with
His right hand detached from the Cross, with a loving look He beckoned
his faithful Bride to come to Him. Immediately, Gemma rushed to Him and
reached Him, and while miraculously held aloft in the air, Jesus
embraces her and lays her lips on the wound in His Holy Side; Gemma,
keeping tight to Him with both arms, drank plentifully out of that
divine spring, while remaining with her body as if she rested upon a
cloud”.
(Note: The Photograph above is the actual Crucifix that came alive
during the miraculous vision related above. It is currently on display
along with other articles pertaining to the life of St Gemma at the
"Casa Della Stimmate" or "House of the Stigmata" in Lucca, Italy.
-Editor).
"I am the Alpha and
the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from
the fountain of the water of life without payment."
(Revelation 21:6)
On another occasion Jesus appeared to Gemma with the Cross on His
shoulders and said: "Gemma, will you
take my Cross? See, this is the present I have prepared for you."
And she replied, "My Jesus, yes, give
it me, but give me also the strength to carry it, because my shoulders
are weak; at least that I may not fall under it."
And Jesus again: "Would it sadden you if
I were to give you to drink of My chalice, even to the last drop?"
And Gemma replied: "Jesus, may Your most Holy Will be done."
(Photograph
on the left is a closeup of the actual Crucifix that came alive during
the miraculous vision related at the top of this article) .
Her devotion to the Passion and Jesus
Crucified
On another occasion, He appeared to Gemma nailed to the Cross, all
covered with wounds and bleeding. "At
that sight," she said to me [Father Germanus], "I felt such a great
sorrow, thinking of the infinite love of Jesus for us, and of the
sufferings that He had endured for our salvation, I then fainted and
fell. After the lapse of an hour or so I came to myself, and then there
arose in my heart such an immense desire to suffer something for Him who
had suffered so much for me."
From that day forward Gemma did not seem herself. The sight of Jesus
suffering and the thought of the mission entrusted to her by God had, as
it were, transformed her into another creature. The thirst to suffer
torments of every kind seemed to consume and rend her whole being. To
satisfy her, torrents of fire would be needed. Listen to her
exclamation: "To suffer, but without
any consolation, without any comfort; to suffer for love alone."
Her sufferings were but trials in which grace advanced step by step,
preparing her for the grand immolation that was to be accomplished on
the Calvary of Jesus-her deathbed. Hence she added: "I am very happy.
Jesus does not cease to love me; I mean that He does not cease to
afflict me more than usual." It was indeed Our Lord Himself who had
taught her this sublime doctrine.
"On Saturday evening," she writes to me,
"I went to make a visit to the most holy crucifix. There came upon me an
ardent longing for suffering, and with all my heart I implored of Jesus
to satisfy me. And, since that
evening, He has granted me a ceaseless pain in my head, but such a
violent pain! And I am almost always crying through fear of not being
able to bear it." We can see by these words that she feels that
she may not be able to hold out, and yet she does not desist, but
continues to pray that her great longing to suffer more and more may be
gratified. Nay, she declares that in suffering she finds all her
delight. "Yes," she says, "I am happy
in every way that Jesus wills, and if Jesus wants the sacrifice of my
life, I give it to Him at once. If He wants anything else I am ready.
One thing alone is enough for me, to be His victim, in order to atone
for my own innumerable sins, and, if possible, for those of the whole
world."
From Thursday evening to Friday afternoon each week, as we know, this
heroic child went over all Calvary in body and soul, suffering
unspeakable agony in company with Jesus Crucified. Whoever could have
passed but once through such torments would shudder at the thought of
them. Gemma, who again and again passed over that way of sorrow and
pain, longed for the day, counted the hours she had to wait until it
came, and, in the words of those who were around her, "prepared to
suffer as if she were preparing for a banquet."
(Picture
on the left is a image of Gemma embracing Jesus as occured in several of
her visions) Our Lord took infinite delight in such great generosity and
heroism, and by open proofs of tenderness, showed His great joy and
happiness at having chosen a spouse so entirely according to His Heart.
Thus, on one of many occasions, making His presence felt in her soul, He
asked her if she had suffered much in a long trial that she was still
undergoing. Gemma's answer: "With Thee,
oh Jesus, one suffers so well! What is it to suffer thus for many days,
if afterwards You come quickly and console?" And Jesus replied:
"Know that when you were suffering, I
was always at your side. I beheld your distress and I was gratified by
it."
Then to reward her for the courage she had displayed in the conflict, He
told her she might draw close and kiss His sacred Wounds. And she, all
humility: "But, oh Jesus, why for so little, do
you give me a reward so great?" Then emboldened by her filial
confidence she approached her Saviour, and kneeling with her heart all
on fire, she kissed one by one those precious Wounds. But when she came
to the Wound in His Side she could hold out no longer, and fell in a
swoon at the Feet of her Jesus."
"Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me
and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his
heart shall flow rivers of living water'."
(John 7:37-38)
Thanks be to Thee,
oh God, forever! Thanks be to Jesus for His gifts and for His Cross!
-St Gemma Galgani
Reading I - A reading from the
second book of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23):
In those days, all the princes of
Judah, the priests, and the people
added infidelity to infidelity,
practicing all the abominations of the nations
and polluting the LORD's temple
which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.
Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers,
send his messengers to them,
for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.
But they mocked the messengers of God,
despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets,
until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed
that there was no remedy.
Their enemies burnt the house of God,
tore down the walls of Jerusalem,
set all its palaces afire,
and destroyed all its precious objects.
Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon,
where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons
until the kingdom of the Persians came to power.
All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah:
"Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths,
during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest
while seventy years are fulfilled."
In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia,
in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah,
the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia
to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom,
both by word of mouth and in writing:
"Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia:
All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me,
and he has also charged me to build him a house
in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people,
let him go up, and may his God be with him!"
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm
137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6:
R. (6ab) Let my tongue be
silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget
you!
For there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
"Sing for us the songs of Zion!"
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget
you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget
you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R.
Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever
forget you!
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 2:4-10):
Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ -by grace you have been saved-,
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 3:14-21):
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
--------------------
03/18/2012:
St. Anthony Mary Claret
- Another
saint in Catholic tradition. This particular saint was known as a wonder
worker, had the gift of prophecy and could read peoples' consciences, was
witnessed on several occasions levitating while in prayer, and had the gift of
miraculous transport.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Exodus (Exodus 20:1-17):
In those days, God delivered all
these commandments:
"I, the LORD, am your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.
You shall not have other gods besides me.
You shall not carve idols for yourselves
in the shape of anything in the sky above
or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth;
you shall not bow down before them or worship them.
For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God,
inflicting punishment for their fathers' wickedness
on the children of those who hate me,
down to the third and fourth generation;
but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation
on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.
"You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.
For the LORD will not leave unpunished
the one who takes his name in vain.
"Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.
Six days you may labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.
No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter,
or your male or female slave, or your beast,
or by the alien who lives with you.
In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
but on the seventh day he rested.
That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
"Honor your father and your mother,
that you may have a long life in the land
which the LORD, your God, is giving you.
You shall not kill.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife,
nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass,
nor anything else that belongs to him."
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 19:8, 9,
10, 11:
R. (John 6:68c)Lord, you
have the words of everlasting life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting
life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting
life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting
life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R.
Lord, you have the words of
everlasting life.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:22-25):
Brothers and sisters:
Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 2:13-25):
Since the Passover of the Jews was
near,
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,
as well as the money changers seated there.
He made a whip out of cords
and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen,
and spilled the coins of the money changers
and overturned their tables,
and to those who sold doves he said,
"Take these out of here,
and stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.
At this the Jews answered and said to him,
"What sign can you show us for doing this?"
Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
The Jews said,
"This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,
and you will raise it up in three days?"
But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
Therefore, when he was raised from the dead,
his disciples remembered that he had said this,
and they came to believe the Scripture
and the word Jesus had spoken.
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
many began to believe in his name
when they saw the signs he was doing.
But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all,
and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.
He himself understood it well.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Genesis (Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18):
God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you."
When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing-
all this because you obeyed my command."
R. (116:9) I will walk
before the Lord, in the land of the living.
I believed, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of
the living.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
R.
I will walk before the Lord, in the
land of the living.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 8:31b-34):
Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died-or, rather, was raised-
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 9:2-10):
Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,
and they were conversing with Jesus.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!
Let us make three tents:
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;
from the cloud came a voice,
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone
but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what rising from the dead meant.
----------------------
03/04/2012 - New Roman
Missal Changes to Greeting, the Penitential Act, Gloria, Dialogue at Gospel,
Nicene Creed, Apostles' Creed, the Invitation to Prayer, Preface Dialogue,
Preface Acclamation, Mystery of Faith, Sign of Peace, Invitation to Communion,
and Concluding Rites of Mass:
Changes in the Parts of
the People in the Order of Mass in the Roman
Missal, Third
Edition (approved June
15, 2006 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; confirmed March
26, 2010 by the Holy See [Prot n. 1464/06/L]) Page 1 of 4
www.USCCB.org/romanmissal
PART
OF MASS
PRESENT TEXT FOR PEOPLE
NEW TEXT FOR PEOPLE
Greeting
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also
with you.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with
your spirit.
Penitential Act (Form A)
I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and
sisters, that I have sinned
through my own fault,in my
thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do;
andI ask
blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have
greatly
sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
(beating your breast with a fist) through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
thereforeI ask
blessed Mary ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Penitential Act (Form B)
Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you:
Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have
mercy.
Priest: Lord, show
us your mercy and love.
People:
And grant us your salvation.
Priest: Have mercy
on us, O Lord.
People: For we have
sinned against you.
Priest: Show us, O
Lord, your mercy.
People:
And grant us your salvation.
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest, and
peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of
the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of
good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only begotten
Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Dialogue at the Gospel
Deacon (or Priest): A reading
from the Holy Gospel according to N.
People: Glory to
you, Lord.
Deacon (or Priest): A reading
from the Holy Gospel according to N.
People: Glory to
you, OLord.
Nicene Creed
We believein one God,
the Father, theAlmighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believein one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begottenof the
Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
(Bow in reverence) For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of
the Holy Spirit
he was bornof the
Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he
suffered, died,
and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in
fulfillment
of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believein the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son
he is worshippedand
glorified. Hehas spoken through the Prophets.
We believein one holy
catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledgeone baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forthe
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
I believein one God,
the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all
things visible and
invisible.
I believein one Lord
Jesus Christ, the only begottenSon of God,
bornof the
Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
(Bow in reverence) For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
andby the Holy
Spirit
was incarnateof the
Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he
suffered death
and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in
accordance
with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believein the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
whowith the
Father and the Son
is adoredand
glorified,
whohas spoken
through the prophets.
I believein one,
holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confessone Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward tothe
resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven
and earth.
I believein Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
Hewas
conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit andborn of the
Virgin Mary.
Hesuffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended
to the dead.
On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come
again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
the
life everlasting.
Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven
and earth,
andin Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
whowas
conceived
bythe Holy
Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended
into
hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of
God
the Father
almighty;
from therehe will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
Invitation to Prayer
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his
holy
Church.
Preface Dialogue
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest:
Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them
up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right
to give him thanks and praise.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them
up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.
Preface Acclamation
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Godof
power and might.
Heaven and
earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God
of
hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The
Mystery of Faith
Priest: Let us proclaim
the mystery of faith:
People:
A –
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
or B – Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
or C – When we eat this bread
and drink this cup, we proclaim your death,
Lord
Jesus,
until you come in glory.
or D – Lord,
by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free.
You are the Savior of the World.
Priest:
The mystery of faith.
People: A – We proclaim
your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
or B (Old "C") – When we eat
this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.
or C (Old "D")– Save us,
Savior of the world, forby your
Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
Sign of Peace
Priest: The peace of the Lord
be with you always.
People:
And also with you.
Priest: The peace of
the Lord be with you always.
People:
And with your spirit.
Invitation to Communion
Priest: This is
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Happyare those
who are calledto his supper.
All: Lord, I am not worthyto receive you, but only say the word and I
shall be healed.
Priest: Behold
the Lamb of God,
behold himwho takes
away the sins of the world.
Blessedare those
calledto the supper of the Lamb.
All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and
my soul
shall be healed.
Concluding Rites
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also
with you.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with
your spirit.
Excerpts from the
English translation of The Roman Missal
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Genesis (Genesis 9:8-15):
God said to Noah and to his sons
with him:
"See, I am now establishing my covenant with you
and your descendants after you
and with every living creature that was with you:
all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals
that were with you and came out of the ark.
I will establish my covenant with you,
that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed
by the waters of a flood;
there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth."
God added:
"This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come,
of the covenant between me and you
and every living creature with you:
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign
of the covenant between me and the earth.
When I bring clouds over the earth,
and the bow appears in the clouds,
I will recall the covenant I have made
between me and you and all living beings,
so that the waters shall never again become a flood
to destroy all mortal beings."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9):
R. (cf. 10) Your ways, O
Lord, are love and truth to those who keep your covenant.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to
those who keep your covenant.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to
those who keep your covenant.
Good and upright is the LORD,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and he teaches the humble his way.
R.
Your ways, O Lord, are love and
truth to those who keep your covenant.
Reading II - A reading
from the first epistle of St. Peter (1 Peter 3:18-22):
Beloved:
Christ suffered for sins once,
the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous,
that he might lead you to God.
Put to death in the flesh,
he was brought to life in the Spirit.
In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison,
who had once been disobedient
while God patiently waited in the days of Noah
during the building of the ark,
in which a few persons, eight in all,
were saved through water.
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.
It is not a removal of dirt from the body
but an appeal to God for a clear conscience,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven
and is at the right hand of God,
with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 1:12-15):
The Spirit drove Jesus out into the
desert,
and he remained in the desert for forty days,
tempted by Satan.
He was among wild beasts,
and the angels ministered to him.
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."
--------------------
02/26/2012 - Fifteen
Promises of Mary the mother of God to St. Dominic For Those Who Faithfully
Recite the Rosary): Though I
have only prayed the rosary once in my life (at the wake of a neighbor down the
street from me a couple of decades ago), I do endeavor to recite it often before
I die.
1. To all those who shall pray my
Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.
What a consoling thought, having the
Queen of Heaven and earth's special protection.
2
Rosary Promises
2.
Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some
special grace.
As you can see, you must persevere
and say the Rosary daily to receive these promises.
3
Rosary Promises
3.
The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice,
deliver from sin and dispel heresy.
Just imagine the serenity and peace
that comes from knowing for certain you are going to heaven. Sin hurts your
soul and in the long run makes you unhappy.
Being a slave to your vices is
unbearable. Mary will keep you safe from your own bad habits.
How reassuring to know you will be
free from falling for false teachings especially during these times when as
St. Paul says in his second letter to Timothy,
"For there shall be a time, when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires,
they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"
-2 Timothy 4:3
4.
The Rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for
souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from
the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of
eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
Divine mercies describe the mercy of
Jesus. When you die He will bestow His boundless mercy upon you.
Knowing that you will be treated
with the utmost love and forgiveness can bring much comfort when reviewing
your mistakes and shortcomings.
Mary greatly desires that we become
more holy by praying the Rosary everyday. This promise complements what St.
Paul says in Romans 12:3.
"And be not conformed to this world;
but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the
good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God."
-Romans 12:3
5.
Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.
6
Rosary Promises
6.
Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never
be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor
will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the
just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.
You may experience misfortune but
you can rest assured that you will never be overwhelmed by it.
By "unprovided death" the promise
means that your soul will be prepared for the final judgement before you
die.
7. Those truly devoted to
my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
This is truly a wonderful promise.
Last Rites is one of the seven sacraments.
When a person is sick or injured and
in danger of dying they receive this sacrament. It involves the certain
prayers and anointing with holy oil by a priest.
Sometimes the recipient's health is
regained. But even if they do not get well they will experience an increase
of grace and they will be strengthened against temptation.
The most important benefit of
receiving this sacrament is that it prepares you to enter into heaven by
forgiving your sins and cleaning your soul which has been stained due to the
effects of sin.
"Is any one among you sick? Let him
bring in the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the
sick man, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall
be forgiven him."
-James 5:14-15
By this promise, you can be
confident and rest assured that you will receive this very important and
beneficial sacrament before you die.
8
Rosary Promises
8.
Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and
at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will
share in the merits of the blessed.
Nothing can be more reassuring than
this promise that give the hope of spending a life and particularly at the
moment of death, being showered with God's grace and receiving the prayers
of the saints already in heaven.
9
Rosary Promises
9. I will deliver promptly from
purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
Purgatory is a place of cleansing.
It is God's mudroom.
Here you will be cleansed of all the
effects that sin has caused in your soul.
The most horrible thing about
purgatory is the fact that you know God, but you cannot be with Him.
This longing is agonizing...
Yet it is very joyful because you
know that you will eventually go to heaven, it's just a matter of time.
Here Mary promises that your time
there will be brief.
13. I have obtained from my Son that
all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their
intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.
Because Mary is our Advocate, she
assists us during our life and at our death.
The Celestial Court is better known
as the Communion of Saints.
The Saints already in heaven pray
for us on earth.
All the Saints will ask God to
supply for your needs if you become a member of the Rosary Confraternity.
The Rosary Confraternity [new window
will open] is a world-wide group whose members pray the fifteen decade
Rosary at least once a week.
It is entrusted to the Dominican
order, the order of priests founded by St. Dominic.
Since the Holy Father has recently
added the five luminous mysteries, we encourage members of the Confraternity
to include that extra weekly Rosary.
However, we have as yet received no
official statement regarding this matter.
Those who recite only the fifteen
traditional mysteries will continue to share in the benefits of the
Confraternity until some official source declares the contrary.
"Whenever a
person fulfills his obligation of reciting the Rosary according to the rule
of the Confraternity, he includes in his intentions all its members, and
they in turn render him the same service many times over."
-Pope Leo XIII
Each member includes deceased fellow
members as well; and thus he knows that in turn he will be included in the
prayers of hundreds of thousands both now and hereafter.
This led the Cure of Ars to say:
"If anyone has
the happiness of being in the Confraternity of the Rosary, he has in all
corners of the world brothers and sisters who pray for him."
-Cure of Ars
14. Those who recite my Rosary
faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus
Christ.
15
Rosary Promises
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a
special sign of predestination.
Predestination in this context means
that, by the sign which is present to a person from the action of devoutly
praying the Rosary, God has pre-ordained your salvation.
Absolute certainty of salvation can
only be truly known if God reveals it to a person because, although we are
given sufficient Grace during life, our salvation depends upon our response
to said Grace.
Said another way, if God has
guaranteed a person's salvation but has not revealed it to Him, God would
want that person to pray the Rosary because of all the benefits and Graces
obtained.
Therefore the person gets a hint by
devotion to the Rosary.
This is not to say that praying the
Rosary guarantees salvation - by no means.
In looking at promises #3 and #4
above, praying the Rosary helps one to live a holy life...
which is itself a great sign that a
soul is on the road to salvation.
"Who hath predestinated us unto the
adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the
purpose of his will: Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he
hath graced us in his beloved son. In whom we also are called by lot, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things
according to the counsel of his will."
-Ephesians 1:5-6,11-12
Wednesday, February 22, 2012: (ASH
WEDNESDAY)
Readings for today: Joel 2:12-18 / 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
/ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18:
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:12-18):
Even now,
says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13. 14. and 17):
R. (see 3a) Be merciful,
O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord,
for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
R. Be merciful, O Lord,
for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord,
for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord,
for we have sinned.
Reading II - A reading
from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2):
Brothers and sisters:
We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18):
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
--------------------
02/22/2012 - What is Ash
Wednesday in Catholic culture?:
Our observance of Lent begins
on Ash Wednesday, a day of fast and abstinence for Catholics. At Mass on Ash
Wednesday, the imposition of ashes replicates an ancient penitential
practice and symbolizes our dependence upon God's mercy and forgiveness.
During Lent, the baptized are
called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized
through the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults,
a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their
desire to become Catholics.
The three traditional pillars
of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church asks us
to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting
and to giving alms. The fasting that all do together on Fridays is but a
sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting
for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting
from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is some
effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of
money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.
The key to fruitful observance
of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are
called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion of
our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which
we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new
life in Christ.
At this site, you will find a
variety of suggestions and resources to support your Lenten practice,
enhance your prayer, and embrace your baptismal commitment.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25):
Thus says
the LORD:
Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the desert I make a way,
in the wasteland, rivers.
The people I formed for myself,
that they might announce my praise.
Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob,
for you grew weary of me, O Israel.
You burdened me with your sins,
and wearied me with your crimes.
It is I, I, who wipe out,
for my own sake, your offenses;
your sins I remember no more.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14):
R. (5b) Lord,
heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
Blessed is the one who has regard for the lowly and the poor;
in the day of misfortune the LORD will deliver him.
The LORD will keep and preserve him;
and make him blessed on earth,
and not give him over to the will of his enemies.
R. Lord, heal my
soul, for I have sinned against you.
The LORD will help him on his sickbed,
he will take away all his ailment when he is ill.
Once I said, "O LORD, have pity on me;
heal me, though I have sinned against you."
R. Lord, heal my
soul, for I have sinned against you.
But because of my integrity you sustain me
and let me stand before you forever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
from all eternity. Amen. Amen.
R. Lord, heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
Reading II - A reading
from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:18-22):
Brothers and
sisters:
As God is faithful,
our word to you is not "yes" and "no."
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,
who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me,
was not "yes" and "no, " but "yes" has been in him.
For however many are the promises of God, their Yes is in him;
therefore, the Amen from us also goes through him to God for glory.
But the one who gives us security with you in Christ
and who anointed us is God;
he has also put his seal upon us
and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 2:1-12):
When Jesus
returned to Capernaum after some days,
it became known that he was at home.
Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them,
not even around the door,
and he preached the word to them.
They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd,
they opened up the roof above him.
After they had broken through,
they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,
"Child, your sins are forgiven."
Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves,
"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming.
Who but God alone can forgive sins?"
Jesus immediately knew in his mind
what they were thinking to themselves,
so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,'
or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?'
But that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth"
-he said to the paralytic,
"I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home."
He rose, picked up his mat at once,
and went away in the sight of everyone.
They were all astounded
and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."
----------------------
02/19/2012 - What is Lent
in Catholic culture? Let's take a look:
Although today is the Seventh Sunday in
Ordinary Time, this coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday (the day AFTER Fat Tuesday
to most everyone else) which marks the beginning of Lent for Catholics.
So, here's what it means to them, just so non-Catholic Christians and
non-Christians can understand this Catholic-cultural season.
An explanation of the history and
significance of Lent to our spiritual lives.
What Is Lent? Lent is the
penitential season of approximately 40 days set aside by the Church in order
for the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Death
and Resurrection. During this holy season, inextricably connected to
the Paschal Mystery, the Catechumens prepare for Christian initiation, and
current Church members prepare for Easter by a recalling of Baptism and by
works of penance, that is, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Even in the early Church, Lent
was the season for prayerful and penitential preparation for the feast of
Easter. Though the obligation of penance was originally only imposed
on those who had committed public sins and crimes, by medieval times all the
faithful voluntarily performed acts of penance to repair for their sins.
Ash Wednesday is the clarion
call to “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mk 1:15). For the next forty days,
the faithful willingly submit to fasting and self-denial in imitation of Our
Lord’s forty-day fast in the desert. It is in these dark and still
nights, these desert-times, that the soul experiences its greatest growth.
There, in the inner arena, the soul battles the world, the flesh and the
devil just as Our Lord battled Satan's triple temptation in the desert.
His battle was external, for Jesus could not sin; our battle is interior,
but with a hope sustained by the knowledge of Christ’s Easter victory over
sin and death.
His victory is our renewal, our
“spring” — which is the meaning of the Anglo-Saxon word, “lengten” or Lent.
In this penitential season we have the opportunity to make an annual
spiritual “tune-up”, a 40-day retreat with Our Lord. Have we allowed worldly
cares and the “daily drama” to obscure our call to holiness? Have
self-love and materialism eroded our relationship with God? Then let
us renew our efforts, and through our Lenten observance, discipline the body
and master it as we “follow in the footsteps of the poor and crucified
Christ” (St. Francis of Assisi).
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM & MG) by
Jennifer Gregory Miller and Margaret Gregory
Sunday,
February 12, 2012: (SIXTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME)
Readings for today: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 / 1 Corinthians
10:31-11:1 / Mark 1:40-45:
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Leviticus (Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46):
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
"If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch
which appears to be the sore of leprosy,
he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest,
or to one of the priests among his descendants.
If the man is leprous and unclean,
the priest shall declare him unclean
by reason of the sore on his head.
"The one who bears the sore of leprosy
shall keep his garments rent and his head bare,
and shall muffle his beard;
he shall cry out, 'Unclean, unclean!'
As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean,
since he is in fact unclean.
He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11):
R. (7) I turn to you, Lord,
in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble,
and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble,
and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R.
I turn to you, Lord, in time of
trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1):
Brothers and sisters,
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for the glory of God.
Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or
the church of God,
just as I try to please everyone in every way,
not seeking my own benefit but that of the many,
that they may be saved.
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 1:40-45):
A leper came to Jesus and kneeling
down begged him and said,
"If you wish, you can make me clean."
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand,
touched him, and said to him,
"I do will it. Be made clean."
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
He said to him, "See that you tell no one anything,
but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed;
that will be proof for them."
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter.
He spread the report abroad
so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly.
He remained outside in deserted places,
and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
--------------------
02/12/2012 - Promises of
the Lord to those that have a devotion to the "Way of the Cross":
At the age of 18, a young Spaniard
entered the Novitiate of The Brothers of the Christian Schools at Bugedo,
Spain. He took the Vow of Regularity, Perfection and Pure Love. In October
1926, he offered himself to Jesus through Mary. Soon after this heroic
donation, he fell ill. Within several months he died saintly in March 1927.
He was according to the Master of Novices, a Privileged Soul, who received
Messages from Heaven. Confessors and Theologians recognized these
Supernatural facts. His Director asked him to write
the Promises made by Our Lord to those who have devotion to The Way Of The
Cross:
“I will grant everything that’s
asked of Me with Faith when making The Way of The Cross”.
“I promise Eternal Life to those
who pray from time to time, The Way of The Cross”.
“I will follow them everywhere
in life and I will help them, especially at the hour of death”.
“Even if they have more sins
than blades of grass in the fields, and grains of sand in the sea, all
of them will be erased by The Way of The Cross”. Note:
This promise does not eliminate the obligation to confess all mortal
sins before we receive Holy Communion).
“Those who pray The Way of The
Cross often, will have a special glory in Heaven”.
“I will deliver them from
Purgatory, indeed if they go there at all, the first Tuesday or Friday
after their death”.
“I will bless them at each Way
of The Cross, and My blessing will follow them everywhere on earth and,
after their death, in Heaven for all Eternity”.
“At the hour of their death I
will not permit the devil to tempt them; I will lift all power from him
in order that they will repose tranquilly in My Arms”.
“If they pray it [The Way of The
Cross] with true love, I will make each one of them a living Ciborium in
which it will please Me to pour My grace”.
“I will fix My Eyes on those who
pray The Way of The Cross often; My hands will always be open to protect
them”.
“As I am nailed to the Cross, so
also will I always be with those who honor Me in making The Way of The
Cross frequently”.
“They will never be able to
separate themselves from Me, for I will give them the grace never again
to commit a Mortal sin”.
“At the hour of death I will
console them with My Presence and we will go together to Heaven. Death
will be sweet to all those who have honored Me during their lives by
praying The Way of The Cross”.
“My Soul will be a protective
shield for them, and will always help them, whenever they have
recourse”.
The Stations of the Cross
First Station
Jesus is Condemned to Death O Jesus! So meek and uncomplaining, teach me resignation in trials and
tribulations.
Second Station
Jesus Carries His
Cross Jesus help me to also carry my cross.
Third Station
Our Lord Falls the First Time O Jesus! by this first fall, help me when I fall.
Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His
Mother O Jesus! may no human tie, however dear, keep me from following the road
of the Cross.
Fifth Station
Simon the Cyrenean Helps
Jesus Carry His Cross Simon unwillingly assisted You; may I also assist You.
Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes the Face of
Jesus O Jesus! You imprinted Your sacred features upon Veronica’s veil; stamp
them also indelibly upon my heart.
Seventh Station
The Second Fall of
Jesus By Thy second fall, preserve me, dear Lord, from relapse into sin.
Eighth Station
Jesus Consoles the
Women of Jerusalem My greatest consolation would be to hear You say: “Many sins are
forgiven thee, because thou hast loved much”.
Ninth Station
The Third Fall of Jesus O Jesus! when weary upon life’s long journey, be my strength and my
perseverance.
Tenth Station
Jesus is Stripped of His
Garments My soul has been robbed of its robe of innocence; clothe me, dear Jesus,
with the garb of penance and contrition.
Eleventh Station
Jesus is Nailed to
The Cross You forgave Your enemies and continue to forgive; my God, teach me to
forgive all those who have injured me or who I have injured.
Twelfth Station
Jesus Dies on the
Cross You are dying, my Jesus, but Your Sacred Heart still throbs with love
for all of God’s children.
Thirteenth Station
Jesus is Taken Down
From the Cross Receive me into your arms, O Sorrowful Mother; and obtain for me
contrition for my sins.
Fourteenth Station
Jesus is Laid in the
Sepulcher When I receive You into my heart in Holy Communion, O Jesus, make it a
fit abiding place for Thy adorable Body.
Amen
Note:
These beautiful hand-carved Stations of the Cross where rescued from
an antique dealer in the streets of New York City. They are about 100 years
old. For many decades they remained in an abandoned hospital/nursing home.
We have decided to keep them just as
they are. In our humble opinion these 14 Wounded Stations of the Cross are
perhaps even more reflective of Our Wounded Lord and His Mother, especially
during the times we are presently living through. It seems that no one
escapes from this earthly Valley of Tears.
We invite you to spend some time
uniting your sufferings with those of Jesus and Mary as you make the Way of
the Cross. May the time you spend in prayer and meditation lead you to the
Stations of the Cross that await your presence within your Church.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Job (Job 7:1-4, 6-7):
Job spoke, saying:
Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?
Are not his days those of hirelings?
He is a slave who longs for the shade,
a hireling who waits for his wages.
So I have been assigned months of misery,
and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?"
then the night drags on;
I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle;
they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is like the wind;
I shall not see happiness again.
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 147:1-2,
3-4, 5-6:
R. (cf. 3a) Praise the Lord,
who heals the brokenhearted.
Praise the LORD, for he is good;
sing praise to our God, for he is gracious;
it is fitting to praise him.
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem;
the dispersed of Israel he gathers.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He tells the number of the stars;
he calls each by name.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
to his wisdom there is no limit.
The LORD sustains the lowly;
the wicked he casts to the ground.
R. Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 9: 16-19,
22-23):
Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it!
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,
but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense?
That, when I preach,
I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Although I am free in regard to all,
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.
All this I do for the sake of the gospel,
so that I too may have a share in it.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 1:29-39):
On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
----------------------
02/05/2012 - Short Way of
the Cross: Video of the Short Way of the Cross as practiced by Franciscan
missionaries.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 18:15-20):
Moses spoke to all the people,
saying:
"A prophet like me will the LORD, your God, raise up for you
from among your own kin;
to him you shall listen.
This is exactly what you requested of the LORD, your God, at Horeb
on the day of the assembly, when you said,
'Let us not again hear the voice of the LORD, our God,
nor see this great fire any more, lest we die.'
And the LORD said to me, 'This was well said.
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin,
and will put my words into his mouth;
he shall tell them all that I command him.
Whoever will not listen to my words which he speaks in my name,
I myself will make him answer for it.
But if a prophet presumes to speak in my name
an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak,
or speaks in the name of other gods, he shall die.'"
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9):
R. (8) If today you hear his
voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not
your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
R.
If today you hear his voice, harden
not your hearts.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:32-35):
Brothers and sisters:
I should like you to be free of anxieties.
An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,
how he may please the Lord.
But a married man is anxious about the things of the world,
how he may please his wife, and he is divided.
An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord,
so that she may be holy in both body and spirit.
A married woman, on the other hand,
is anxious about the things of the world,
how she may please her husband.
I am telling you this for your own benefit,
not to impose a restraint upon you,
but for the sake of propriety
and adherence to the Lord without distraction.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 1:21-28):
Then they came to Capernaum,
and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are, the Holy One of God!"
Jesus rebuked him and said,
"Quiet! Come out of him!"
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
"What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him."
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy,
catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
---------------------
01/29/2012 - Original
Nicene Creed (Catholic Profession of Faith):
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Jonah (Jonah 3:1-5, 10):
The word of the LORD came to Jonah,
saying:
"Set out for the great city of Nineveh,
and announce to it the message that I will tell you."
So Jonah made ready and went to Nineveh,
according to the LORD'S bidding.
Now Nineveh was an enormously large city;
it took three days to go through it.
Jonah began his journey through the city,
and had gone but a single day's walk announcing,
"Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, "
when the people of Nineveh believed God;
they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way,
he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them;
he did not carry it out.
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9):
R. (4a) Teach me your ways,
O Lord.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
R. Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice
and teaches the humble his way.
R.
Teach me your ways, O Lord.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 7:29-31):
I tell you, brothers and sisters,
the time is running out.
From now on, let those having wives act as not having them,
those weeping as not weeping,
those rejoicing as not rejoicing,
those buying as not owning,
those using the world as not using it fully.
For the world in its present form is passing away.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Mark (Mark 1:14-20):
After John had been arrested,
Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
"This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel."
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea;
they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
He walked along a little farther
and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They too were in a boat mending their nets.
Then he called them.
So they left their father Zebedee in the boat
along with the hired men and followed him.
---------------------
01/22/2012- Prayer- "The
Golden Arrow": In 1843 the
Lord Jesus Christ revealed this prayer to a Carmelite Nun, Sr. Mary of St. Peter
of Tours, as a means of healing blasphemy. He said, "This Golden Arrow
will wound My Heart delightfully, and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy."
The website below also states that "After
receiving this prayer, Sister Mary of St. Peter was given a vision in which she
saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus delightfully wounded by this "Golden Arrow" as
torrents of graces streamed from It for the conversion of sinners."
MAY THE MOST HOLY, MOST SACRED, MOST
ADORABLE, MOST INCOMPREHENSIBLE AND UNUTTERABLE NAME OF GOD BE ALWAYS
PRAISED, BLESSED, LOVED, ADORED AND GLORIFIED, IN HEAVEN, ON EARTH AND UNDER
THE EARTH, BY ALL THE CREATURES OF GOD, AND BY THE SACRED HEART OF OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST, IN THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR. AMEN.
Reading I - A reading from the first
book of the Prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19):
Samuel was sleeping in the temple of
the LORD
where the ark of God was.
The LORD called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am."
Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me."
"I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep."
So he went back to sleep.
Again the LORD called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
"Here I am, " he said. "You called me."
But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."
At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD,
because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The LORD called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me."
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
R. (8a and 9a) Here am I,
Lord; I come to do your will.
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R.
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your
will.
Reading II - A reading
from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a,
17-20):
Brothers and sisters:
The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord,
and the Lord is for the body;
God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?
But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.
Avoid immorality.
Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,
but the immoral person sins against his own body.
Do you not know that your body
is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,
whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
For you have been purchased at a price.
Therefore glorify God in your body.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. John (John 1:35-42):
John was standing with two of his
disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" - which translated means Teacher -,
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and you will see."
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah" - which is translated Christ -.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas" - which is translated Peter.
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-6):
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your
light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every
nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R.
Lord, every nation on earth will
adore you.
(Responsorial Psalm
for 2012 Epiphany of the Lord from:
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6):
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God's grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Gospel - A reading from
the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (Matthew 2:1-12):
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage."
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel."
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
"Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage."
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.
Sunday,
January 1, 2012: (THE OCTAVE DAY
OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD / SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD)
Readings for today: Numbers 6:22-27 / Galatians 4:4-7 /
Luke 2:16-21:
Reading I - A reading from
the book of Numbers (Numbers 6:22-27):
The LORD said to Moses:
"Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8):
R. (2a) May God bless us in
his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R.
May God bless us in his mercy.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 4:4-7):
Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, "Abba, Father!"
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Gospel - A reading
from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 2:16-21):
The shepherds went in haste to
Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
--------------------
01/01/2012 - Prayer to
Mary, "The Memoraré":
The prayer to read, and 2 videos to
watch...the first is 43 seconds, just read along with the words onscreen.
The second one's a bit longer, but only because it repeats several times...more
visually interesting and has background music to keep your interest, and again
it's just reading the prayer onscreen a little bit at a time.
Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you,
O Virgin of virgins, our Mother.
To you we come, before you we stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
do not despise our petitions,
but in your mercy hear us and answer us. Amen.
And here's a quick video
you to which you can pray along:
Sunday,
December 25, 2011: (SOLEMNITY OF
THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD (CHRISTMAS) MASS AT MIDNIGHT)
Readings for today: Isaiah 9:1-6 / Titus 2:11-14 /
Luke 2:1-14:
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:1-6):
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David's throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
R. (Lk 2:11)Today is born
our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R.
Today is born our Savior, Christ the
Lord.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to Titus (Titus 2:11-14):
Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
Gospel - A reading from
the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 2:1-14):
In those days a decree went out from
Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
--------------------
12/25/11- The Fab
Four Sing "Joy to the World":
Merry Christmas everybody! Enjoy
this nice twist to Christmas classics...a Beatles cover band, The Fab Four.
Enjoy...
Sunday,
December 18, 2011: (FOURTH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT)
Readings for today: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 / Romans
16:25-27 / Luke 1:26-38:
Reading I - A reading from the book
of the Prophet Samuel (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16):
When King David was settled in his
palace,
and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet,
"Here I am living in a house of cedar,
while the ark of God dwells in a tent!"
Nathan answered the king,
"Go, do whatever you have in mind,
for the LORD is with you."
But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD:
Should you build me a house to dwell in?'
"'It was I who took you from the pasture
and from the care of the flock
to be commander of my people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went,
and I have destroyed all your enemies before you.
And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.
I will fix a place for my people Israel;
I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place
without further disturbance.
Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,
since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.
I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The LORD also reveals to you
that he will establish a house for you.
And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever."
Responsorial Psalm -
(Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29):
R. (2a) For ever I will sing
the goodness of the Lord.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the
Lord.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the
Lord.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R.
For ever I will sing the goodness of
the Lord.
Reading II - A reading
from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Romans 16:25-27):
Brothers and sisters:
To him who can strengthen you,
according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and,
according to the command of the eternal God,
made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ
be glory forever and ever. Amen
Gospel - A reading from
the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (Luke 1:26-38):
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
--------------------
12/18/11 - Memorial of St.
Lucy the Virgin & Martyr (Feast Day December 13):
Sunday,
December 11, 2011: (THIRD SUNDAY
OF ADVENT)
Readings for today: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 / 1 Thessalonians
5:16-24 / John 1:6-8, 19-28:
Reading I - A reading from the book of the Prophet
Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11):
The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon
me,
because the LORD has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to announce a year of favor from the LORD
and a day of vindication by our God.
I rejoice heartily in the LORD,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
R. My soul rejoices in my God.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
R.
My soul rejoices in my God.
Reading II - A reading from the first
letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24):
Brothers and sisters:
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophetic utterances.
Test everything; retain what is good.
Refrain from every kind of evil.
May the God of peace make you perfectly holy
and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,
be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful,
and he will also accomplish it.
Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. John (John 1:6-8, 19-28):
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John.
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests
and Levites to him
to ask him, "Who are you?"
He admitted and did not deny it,
but admitted, "I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,
"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
So they said to him,
"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?
What do you have to say for yourself?"
He said:
"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,
'make straight the way of the Lord,'"
as Isaiah the prophet said."
Some Pharisees were also sent.
They asked him,
"Why then do you baptize
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"
John answered them,
"I baptize with water;
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,
the one who is coming after me,
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
Thursday,
December 8, 2011: (SOLEMNITY OF
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY)
Readings for today: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 / Ephesians 1:3-6,
11-12 / Luke 1:26-38:
Reading I - A reading from the book of Genesis
(Genesis 3:9-15, 20):
After the man, Adam, had eaten of
the tree,
the LORD God called to the man and asked him, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden;
but I was afraid, because I was naked,
so I hid myself."
Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked?
You have eaten, then,
from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!"
The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with me
she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it."
The LORD God then asked the woman,
"Why did you do such a thing?"
The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this, you shall be banned
from all the animals
and from all the wild creatures;
on your belly shall you crawl,
and dirt shall you eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike at your head,
while you strike at his heel."
The man called his wife Eve,
because she became the mother of all the living.
Responsorial Psalm - (Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab,
3cd-4):
R. (1) Sing to the Lord a
new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has
done marvelous deeds.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has
done marvelous deeds.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he
has done marvelous deeds.
Reading II - A reading from the letter of
St. Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12):
Brothers and sisters:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
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 favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
In him we were also chosen,
destined in accord with the purpose of the One
who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,
we who first hoped in Christ.
Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Luke (Luke 1:26-38):
The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.
--------------------
12/08/11- Prayer to Mary
by Berthe Petit (Franciscan Tertiary):
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of
Mary, dwelling pure and holy,
cover my soul with thy maternal protection so that being ever
faithful to the voice of Jesus, it responds to His love and
obeys His Divine Will.
I wish, O, my Mother, to keep
unceasingly before me thy
co-redemption in order to live intimately with thy Heart
that is totally united to the Heart of thy Divine Son.
Fasten me to this Heart by thine own
virtues and sorrows.
Protect me always.
Amen.
THIS MESSAGE WAS CONFIDED BY OUR
LORD TO
BERTHE PETIT, A HUMBLE FRANCISCAN
TERTIARY,
BORN JANUARY 23, 1870 IN BELGIUM:
"Teach souls to love the Heart of
Mary pierced by the very sorrows
which pierced Mine." [Dec. 25, 1909]
AT THE HOLY HOUR [MARCH 25, 1912]
THE BLESSED VIRGIN SPOKE THUS:
"I have called myself the Immaculate
Conception. To you I call myself
Mother of the Sorrowful Heart. This
title willed by my Son is dear to me
above all others. According as it is
spread everywhere, there will be granted
graces of mercy, spiritual renewal
and salvation."
Reading I - A reading from the book of the Prophet
Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11):
Comfort, give comfort to my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her service is at an end,
her guilt is expiated;
indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD
double for all her sins.
A voice cries out:
In the desert prepare the way of the LORD!
Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill shall be made low;
the rugged land shall be made a plain,
the rough country, a broad valley.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together;
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Go up on to a high mountain,
Zion, herald of glad tidings;
cry out at the top of your voice,
Jerusalem, herald of good news!
Fear not to cry out
and say to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes with power
the Lord GOD,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.
R. (8) Lord, let us see your
kindness, and grant us your salvation.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD--for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant
us your salvation.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant
us your salvation.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.
R.
Lord, let us see your kindness, and
grant us your salvation.
Reading II - A reading from the second
epistle of St. Peter (2 Peter 3:8-14):
Do not ignore this one fact,
beloved,
that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years like one day.
The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay,"
but he is patient with you,
not wishing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a mighty roar
and the elements will be dissolved by fire,
and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.
Since everything is to be dissolved in this way,
what sort of persons ought you to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames
and the elements melted by fire.
But according to his promise
we await new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things,
be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
Gospel - A reading from the Holy Gospel
according to St. Mark (Mark 1: 1-8):
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus
Christ the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
"Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths." John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel's hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
"One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Introduction
Reading
1 - A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 9:1-6):
PRAYER
FOR PRIESTS - NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST
Bishop
of Myra in Lycia; died 6 December, 345 or 352. Though he is one of the most
popular saints in the Greek as well as the Latin Church, there is scarcely
anything historically certain about him except that he was Bishop of Myra in
the fourth century.
The
Catholic Church has designated the four weeks preceding Christmas as Advent,
a time to “prepare the way of the Lord” for His coming as our King and
Savior. In addition, the Church teaches that:
Devotion to the Infant Jesus is as old as Christianity itself. It ever tends
to keep the great mystery of Our Lord's birth vividly before us.
The spiritual program of the Apostleship of Prayer is deeply Eucharistic. The
Eucharist is Christ's gift of His own Divine Life to each one who follows Him.
We participate at Mass by giving ourselves wholly to the Lord as we receive Him.
Whether or not we are able to attend daily Mass, as we pray the Morning Offering
we give ourselves to the Lord. In our traditional prayer, we offer ourselves "in
union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world." By offering
ourselves to God, we are living as a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), sharing
Christ's identity and mission. We have this privilege by Baptism, not by
ordination.
Saint
Margaret Mary Alacoque, pictured at right, championed devotion to the Sacred
Heart of Jesus in the 17th century after our Lord showed her His Sacred Heart
burning with tremendous love for us.
Saint
Clare of Montefalco
The son of a Catalonian farmer, was born at
Verdu, in 1581; he died 8 September, 1654. He obtained his first degrees at
the University of Barcelona. At the age of
twenty he entered the
Feastday:
September 9
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Henry Suso was born Heinrich von Berg in Constance, Swabia, to a noble
family on March 21, about 1295. He took his name from his mother’s family,
Sus or Süs. He was creative, quick, highly imaginative and restless. He was
of frail health and often ill. Perhaps because of this, his parents took him
at age 13 to the Dominican convent at Constance, where he would spend a
large part of his life. He was professed at age 14. At age 18, he had a
mystical experience that propelled him to become “the Servant of the Eternal
Wisdom.” He was flooded with divine light and joy and felt transported out
of the world. This experience changed his thinking and opened the way for
frequent visions and ecstasies throughout his life. He initiated a practice
of severe austerities. Henry excelled in his studies, and in 1324 he was
sent to Cologne to the Dominican house of advanced studies. There he had the
privilege of studying with the great and controversial German mystic, Johann
Eckhart, or Meister Eckhart, for three years, becoming his ardent supporter.
He also studied the works of SS. Thomas Aquinas, Peter Lombard and
Dionysius. After his return to Constance, he was named lector and pursued
his writing. In 1329, Pope John XXII (r. 1316–34) condemned Meister Eckhart.
Henry defended him, earning censure from his superiors and suffering the
loss of his teaching job. In 1334 Henry began his apostolic career, earning
an outstanding reputation for his preaching throughout Europe. In particular
he worked with the Friends of God, whom he called the Brotherhood of Eternal
Wisdom, helping to restore religious practices. He especially influenced
Dominican convents of women, including the famous Katherinenthal, a home to
mystics in the 13th and 14th centuries, and Toss, where Elsbeth Stagel
preserved some of his writings and most of his letters. Throughout his life,
Henry suffered the persecutions and ill will of others, despite his
brilliance as a preacher. A woman accused him of fathering her child, and
the gossip destroyed his reputation for a time. Henry was crushed by this
defamation. At the height of the scandal, another woman came to him in
secret and offered to destroy the child. She argued that unless the child
were eliminated, he would be forced to accept it. Henry, of course, could do
no such thing. He accepted the child as his and gave it to the care of the
woman. This damaged his reputation even further. Friends deserted him and he
was nearly expelled from the religious life. Henry was devoted to the
Blessed Virgin Mary and venerated the holy name of Jesus. He took a stiletto
and carved the name into his chest above his heart, so that the name moved
with every beat of his heart. He never revealed the carving to anyone, but
once while in ecstasy, a brilliant radiance streamed from his heart. Henry
died on January 25, 1366, in Ulm. Henry began writing while he was a student
in Cologne. His early works, heavily influenced by Eckhart, were The Little
Book of Truth and The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom. The latter is
considered a classic, and was the most widely read meditation book in German
until Thomas à Kempis produced Imitation of Christ. Kempis was influenced by
Suso. Henry also wrote his autobiography, The Life of the Servant, which
discusses his inner life. Extant are 28 letters and five sermons.
Feast day: October 16
Mary
died on Pentecost morning, May 24, 1667, at nine o’clock, at the time the
Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles and when the “Veni, Creator Spiritus,
Come, Holy Ghost Creator!” was being recited in the canonical hours.
Dominic
accompanied his holy bishop in 1203 to the Marches of France, in the Languedoc
region, because of a royal wedding. It was there that they were struck by the
spread of falsehood. People were adopting Albigensianism which considered all
material things to be evil. While at Toulouse, Dominic stayed up all night
until he had persuaded the innkeeper to accept the true faith. About that time,
the pope had called upon the Cistercian abbots to preach against this heresy.
At Montpellier, Bishop Diego convinced them to abandon their ostentatious
retinues. He himself put on the Cistercian habit and joined the mission, taking
Dominic with him. From then on, the subprior was called "Brother Dominic."
(Photograph
on the left is a closeup of the actual Crucifix that came alive during
the miraculous vision related at the top of this article) .
(Picture
on the left is a image of Gemma embracing Jesus as occured in several of
her visions) Our Lord took infinite delight in such great generosity and
heroism, and by open proofs of tenderness, showed His great joy and
happiness at having chosen a spouse so entirely according to His Heart.
Thus, on one of many occasions, making His presence felt in her soul, He
asked her if she had suffered much in a long trial that she was still
undergoing. Gemma's answer: 
