Saint Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church, A.D. 1274
by VP
Posted on Monday July 14, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He is surnamed the seraphic doctor. His devout mother was careful to inspire into him, from the cradle, most ardent sentiments of piety, and to inure him betimes to assiduous practices of self-denial, humility, obedience, and devotion. At twenty-two years of age, he entered into the Order of St. Francis. He referred all his studies to the divine honour, and the sanctification of his own soul, and may be said to have made them a continued prayer. When St. Thomas Aquinas asked him in what books he had learned his sacred science, pointing to his crucifix he said: "This is the source of all my knowledge. I study only Jesus Christ, and him crucified." He prepared himself to receive the holy order of priesthood, by long fasts, humiliations, and fervent prayer. At the age of thirty-five, he was chosen general of his Order. He was afterwards created cardinal, and consecrated bishop of Albano by Pope Gregory X. He assisted at the general council of Lyons, but was taken ill before its conclusion. The Pope himself gave him Extreme Unction. He kept his eyes constantly fixed on a crucifix, till he expired in great tranquillity on the 14th of July, in the year 1274, in the fifth-third year of his age. It was said of him in his funeral panegyric, that "no one ever beheld him, who did not conceive a great esteem and affection for him; for he was gentle, affable, humble, pleasing to all, compassionate, prudent, chaste, and adorned with all virtues."
Pray for all the bishops of Christ's church, that they may follow the spirit of this prelate; pray for all the college of cardinals, of which he was an honorable member; that by exemplary piety they may draw down the blessings of heaven upon them. Pray that you may be faithful in your own station. There is no condition but what has many obligations annexed to it; few are solicitous to consider them all, and fewer still perform them. Heavenly light and grace are necessary for this; reflect on your own wants, and let your prayers be proportioned to them." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
- "Ah, yes! "It is the Mass that matters" for us Catholics; and herein lies the explanation of the sinister efforts of the enemies of our holy Faith to render the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice impossible. For, says St. Bonaventure, "take away the Sacrament, and what will there be left in the world but error and infidelity?" (...) "But by this Sacrament," continues the Saint, "the Church stands, faith is confirmed, the Christian religion and Divine worship flourish." (On the Preparation for Mass, I i 3)" Source: The psychology of Practical Godlessness The American Catholic Quarterly Review, Volume 47 edited by James Andrew Corcoran, Patrick John Ryan, Edmond Francis Prendergast
A Prayer of St. Bonaventure. (After Holy Communion)
INSPIRE, most dear Lord Jesus, I beseech thee, inspire into every recess of my heart, and into every tendency of my affections, thy dear and saving love; thy true, thy calm, thy holy, and apostolic charity; so that my soul may ever long for thee; may ever raise itself in spirit to thy heavenly abode; may ever desire to be dissolved and to be with thee.
Oh grant that my soul may ever tend towards thee, thou bread of angels; thou refreshment of holy hearts; thou most needful of all daily bread, containing all sweetness and delight. For thee, on whom the angels joy to look, may my heart ever aspire, and my soul ever feel the effects of thy presence! Oh may it ever long for thee, thou fountain of life, thou fountain of wisdom and knowledge, thou fountain of eternal light-overflowing with the sweets and the riches of the kingdom of heaven. May my soul ever seek thee, ever long for thee, tend towards thee, and find thee. May it meditate on thee, may it speak of thee, may it do all things to the praise and glory of thy name; with humility and discretion, with delight and affection, with perseverance unto the end.
O my God! do thou alone be
my hope, my trust, my wealth, my delight, my rest and peace, my
pleasure, and my aim. Do thou be my food and my refreshment; my refuge
and my assistance; my comfort, my wisdom, and my treasure; in which my
mind and my heart may be firmly and immovably fixed, now and for ever. Amen.
Vision of Hell
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
John Martin (1789–1854)
"As Our Lady spoke these last words, she opened her hands once more, as she had done during the two previous months. The rays of light seemed to penetrate the earth, and we saw as it were a sea of fire. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke now falling back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. (It must have been this sight which caused me to cry out, as people say they heard me).
This vision lasted but an instant. How can we ever be grateful enough to our kind heavenly Mother, who had already prepared us by promising, in the first Apparition, to take us to heaven. Otherwise, I think we would have died of fear and terror.
The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and transparent like burning coals.
Terrified and as if to plead for succour, we looked up at Our Lady, who said to us, so kindly and so sadly: You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace." Source: Sister Lucia, July 13th, 1917
"Those people burning in hell, don't they ever die? And don't they turn into ashes? And if people pray very much for sinners, won't Our Lord get them out of there? And if they make sacrifices as well? Poor sinners! We have to pray and make sacrifices for them!" Source: Jacinta. Fatima in Lucia's own words 1976
"And so we come to the final question: What is the meaning of the «secret» of Fatima as a whole (in its three parts)? What does it say to us? First of all we must affirm with Cardinal Sodano: «... the events to which the third part of the 'secret' of Fatima refers now seem part of the past». Insofar as individual events are described, they belong to the past. Those who expected exciting apocalyptic revelations about the end of the world or the future course of history are bound to be disappointed. Fatima does not satisfy our curiosity in this way, just as Christian faith in general cannot be reduced to an object of mere curiosity. What remains was already evident when we began our reflections on the text of the «secret»: the exhortation to prayer as the path of «salvation for souls» and, likewise, the summons to penance and conversion.
I would like finally to mention another key expression of the «secret» which has become justly famous: «my Immaculate Heart will triumph». What does this mean? The Heart open to God, purified by contemplation of God, is stronger than guns and weapons of every kind. The fiat of Mary, the word of her heart, has changed the history of the world, because it brought the Saviour into the world - because, thanks to her Yes, God could become man in our world and remains so for all time. The Evil One has power in this world, as we see and experience continually; he has power because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this: «In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world» (Jn 16:33). The message of Fatima invites us to trust in this promise. "
Source: Joseph Card. Ratzinger Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
St. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr, A.D. about 109.
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"ST. ANACLETUS was bishop of Rome, and the third after St. Peter. He governed the Church after St. Clement, nine years and three months, according to the Liberian pontifical, and another very old Vatican manuscript register; but according to some later pontificals, twelve years and three months. The Emperor Trajan raised the third persecution against the Church, while he was in the East, in 107. In those difficult times, St. Anacletus suffered much, and probably laid down his life in testimony of the Christian faith, as he is styled a martyr in very ancient martyrologies. Pray for his present holiness. As he has the care of all, so he ought to have the prayers of all; since the good of the Church very much depends upon the faithful performance of his charge. Pray for all the pastors, and for yourself, that you may never make the enemies of God blaspheme, nor any way bring a scandal on the faith which you profess. How many are averse to the Church, through the ill lives of its members! See that you have no part in this; for so many souls must you answer for, as are discouraged from seeking the truth by your bad example.
Beg heartily for patience under all troubles. Humility and patience are the best preachers. By these you have frequent opportunities of doing good, both to the faithful
and unbelievers. To be easy in resenting small injuries, to be sharp in
reproving ordinary failings, to be fretful and passionate upon
mistakes, or trivial provocations, is what certainly gives offence to those who are weak; and if they have only a glimpse of light, is a temptation sufficient to discourage them from making further enquiry after truth. No doubt, this has been the occasion of many
failing, and being utterly lost; because they concluded however
falsely, that there could be no truth, where they saw no spirit of the Gospel. While therefore you give God thanks for all His graces bestowed on the martyrs, pray for their humility, patience, meekness, and charity." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Priests and Reparation
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Books
"George Goyau, when giving notice of the forthcoming publication of a book entitled Lettres de Prêtres aux Armées ( Priests' Letters to the Armies), calls the Holy Mass "the greatest event in the history of humanity," and he adds:
"Daily, the priest brings the effective operation of our Divine Redeemer to bear upon the destinies of the human family. By a supreme act he interweaves the weft of our daily sins with the Divine Ransom; above the chaos of both open and hidden faults he raises the Victim. Our human history is continually being permeated with this Divine sacrifice, a sacrifice both multiple and one. To many this sacred rite is a mere commonplace thing. Nevertheless, through the agency of the priest, they are present at the recurrence of the decisive moment when our guilty world, so justly disinherited, was suddenly put on the way to the plenitude of the supernatural life by the two Mysteries of the Incarnation and the Redemption. God has chosen the priest to perpetuate these two Mysteries, and no human catastrophe can draw him away from this duty, which from the day of his ordination is one, for eternity, with the very life of his soul."
We could not express more briefly the grandeur and the responsibility of the priesthood. What is the priest? One who carries Christ on through the ages. But Jesus Christ came upon earth to give, to His Eternal Father, a Pontiff, a priest who could adequately make Reparation and Expiation. The priest, therefore, who is charged to prolong, as it were, the role of Christ, ought to imitate Him by offering himself with Christ as an evidence of adoration and expiation. The priest who consecrates will therefore be a victim with Jesus. He does not understand his whole ministry if he confines it to the distribution of the Body of Christ, of the word of God, of the forgiveness of Christ, and does not at the same time accept the role of the victim like his Master, of whom he takes the place and perpetuates the work.
All the years Jesus spent upon earth He was a victim, but He was not satisfied with this, for He had determined to prolong His Sacrifice by the agency of His priests. This He accomplished at the Last Supper, on the eve of His death; hence the Mass sets forth, without the shedding of blood, the immolation of Christ bleeding upon the Cross. Uplifted on Golgotha, Christ between Heaven and earth will be a shield interposed between God's justice and man's sin.
Jesus' mediation will be accepted by God, because of His wounds and His precious blood poured forth. But Jesus is is likewise the shield between Heaven and earth, between God's justice and our sins in every Mass. Each "elevation" compensates for our manifold scandals; each uplifting of the Hose atones for some decadence of ours, for our falls into sin, because the virtue of His blood and wounds lasts on. There are not two sacrifices, but this is the same as that of the Cross, though set forth differently. This is the formal teaching of the Council of Trent.
How many of the faithful, who hear Mass, do not seem to have any knowledge of this adorable Mystery! How many use prayers which have no reference whatever to the Mass, though perhaps appropriate for other occasions! How many know the term "Holy Sacrifice," without any conception of the exact truth and stupendous reality with which it corresponds!"
Source: The Ideal of Reparation by Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J. 1852
O Holy Spirit, Creator, be propitious to the Catholic Church; and by Thy heavenly power make it strong and secure against the attacks of its enemies; and renew in charity and grace the spirit of Thy servants, whom Thou has anointed, that they may glorify Thee and the Father and His Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. amen.
Manual of prayers to the Holy Ghost by Very Rev. Fr. Felix of Jesus 1941
Five-minute Sermons: Good Reading
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Sunday Sermons
"Converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here."-I. St. Peter i. 17.
"PRINTING as an art has been of such great value to the human race that it may seem to some like an attack upon the liberty of men to say anything against the use of it. So many books have been written, so much knowledge has been spread abroad by means of them, so many evils and abuses exposed, and so many thousands, indeed hundreds of thousands, of lives made happier because of the printingpress, that it deserves a place among the greatest of God's blessings to men.
This we admit, and gladly and heartfeltly thank the Lord for the benefits He has been pleased to bestow upon us through the press. We know it has had, and still has a noble office, and has done a noble work. It has uprooted evil and righted wrong; it has advanced knowledge and has given joy to many a heart. And it has done well when it has done these things. It has done well when it has aided justice and truth and the living of a good life.
For all these reasons its influence and power are deservedly great, so great that to lightly estimate them or overlook them would be to ignore great factors in human affairs. Nor do we wish, nor do we seek to lessen this influence as long as it is exerted in the cause of what is right; but the press, like many another thing good in itself, has been misused.
It has been made to pander to the grossest vices of men. It has been made to lie, to steal, to be impure. It has been made to teach false religion, false politics, and false morality. At times it has been the very worst enemy of mankind; filling men's minds with theories entirely impracticable, or such as, put into effect, would destroy their happiness.
Nor have men hesitated to prostitute its high calling for the sake of furthering personal gain and ambition, or even revenge. The trust and confidence of the public have not unfrequently been abused, and error commingled with truth so subtly, and right with wrong, that the public sentiment has been arrayed against truth and justice; for there is an almost unaccountable impression given many people that what they find printed is of necessity true unless it is absolutely proved to be false.
Our care must be, in the light of the facts before us, to distinguish between the good and the bad press. We must beware of the evil sent flying, as it were, upon the air, and hold ourselves aloof from the crowd, when it is being hurried along to its ruin by bad advice and by bad principles. Good books and good papers are doing God's work in the world-as apostles in their way; but those that are bad are working in the interest of the "prince of darkness."
A good press sheds a bright light over the earth -the light of truth; a bad press is like a heavy cloud obscuring the sun. We can have nothing to do
with evil; we should hate evil. Let us have nothing to do with bad books
and bad papers. Let us neither read them ourselves, nor permit others
to read them, when we have authority to prevent them. Let us banish them
from our houses; that at least we can do, for there we are supreme. Let
us strive also to have them banished from the shops where we deal and
from the land wherein we live." Five-minute Sermons by the Paulist Fathers 5th Sunday after Pentecost
The Words of Christ
by VP
Posted on Sunday July 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Sermons
"But I say to you." -MATT. V. 22.
1. The words of Christ, the Son of God.
2. What are they? Words that countermand the law of Moses, as regards murder, adultery, swearing, revenge.
3. Finally, His word of love and forgiveness.
4. Even many Catholics careless in respecting these words of Christ.
"In this chapter of St. Matthew these words, "But I say to you," are repeated by our divine Lord six times. They occur in His first sermon on the mount; and were a bold and manifest declaration that Christ our Lord came to change the traditions and customs of the Jews, and to insist on His own doctrine.The multitude that listened must have been amazed. Teachings and practices sanctioned for centuries were ruthlessly condemned and set aside, and a new code of conduct laid down by this new Teacher. And it came to pass, when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at His doctrine. For He was teaching them as one having power" (Matt. vii. 28, 29).
And if they, who heard Him for the first time, were subdued and awed, how much more reverential and obedient should we be, who know Who this is Who repeated these words so often, "But I say to you." Christ our Lord, the Son of God! Yes, that is what He claimed and proved Himself to be. But that multitude knew it not. To them He was the new Teacher from Nazareth. It was after this He claimed to be Son of God. You remember how, after He had opened the eyes of the man born blind, and who had been cast out of the synagogue for his adherence to Him, Jesus said to him: "Dost thou believe in the Son of God? He answered and said: Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him? And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen Him" (yes, with the eyes He had opened),"and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said: I believe, Lord! and falling down adored Him" (John ix. 35, 38).Yes, we also adore Him as God, and accept His words as eternal truth, for God can never change and never err. Then let us look into this chapter of St. Matthew, and find what are these words, which being the words of the Son of God must never be disobeyed, omitted, nor altered by man.
First: "You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill . . . but I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment . . . be reconciled to thy brother " (Matt. v. 21). Alas! how often is this doctrine disobeyed and disregarded by the world.
Secondly: "Of old it was said: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart" (ibid. 28). Not actions alone, but thoughts and desires denounced as guilty before the eyes of God.
Thirdly: "But I say to you, that whosoever putteth away his wife and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery" (ibid. 32). With these words of the Son of God before them, how dare the iniquitous laws of divorce be passed, to make sin easy and to be thought of no account?
Fourthly: not only perjury forbidden, "But I say to you not to swear at all . . . but let your speech be yea, yea; no, no; and that which is over and above these is evil" (ibid. 34, 37).
Fifthly: the law of retaliation is condemned--" an eye for an eye," and instead, this neighbourly spirit insisted on: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not away (ibid. 42).
And the last word: Instead of "love thy neighbour and hate thy enemy," the Son of God inculcates that doctrine of love and perfection: "But I say to you: love your enemies, do good to them that hate you; pray for them that persecute and calumniate you; that you may be the children of your Father Who is in heaven" (ibid. 43-45.)
How sad it is to look around us and behold the world ignoring these emphatic words of Christ; at variance with them; yea, acting in defiance of some of them. Christian states passing laws about divorce, utterly abrogating the law of Christ, as if the divine Lawgiver were a God of yesterday and not of today. What answer at the judgment day will be found for having gainsaid the words of Christ? Have they forgotten that He said, "My words shall not pass away" (Luke xxi. 33; Mark xiii. 31)?
And do Catholics, even those who think that they are fairly good Catholics, take all these words to heart and keep them as religiously as they should? Are they as careful about being angry and unforgiving as He commands? Lustful thoughts, swearing -are they avoided with that holy fear that they should be? Have they learned and do they practice, "Give to him that asketh" and "Love your enemies and pray for them that calumniate you"? And if not, are they Christ's disciples? for He says, "If you continue in My word, you shall be My disciples indeed" (John viii. 31). "And if any one love Me, he will keep My word " (John xiv. 23).
We must beware of being led astray by the maxims of the world. We have in very truth and in all exactitude to accept the words of Christ and keep them. It is hard for flesh and blood; it is supernatural work, beyond our powers; but grace and help from God will crown our endeavours to obey, if we ask for His assistance. Be solicitous to remember His words and to keep them, for if we fail and disobey He has said, "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day " (John xii. 48)." Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Francis Paulinus Hickey 1922 (5th Sunday after Pentecost)
St. John Gaulbert. Abbot, A.D. 1073
by VP
Posted on Saturday July 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was born at Florence, and for some time a soldier; but upon showing mercy to the murderer of his brother, God rewarded this his charity in forgiving an enemy, by inspiring him with holy resolutions of changing his life. Entering into a religious house, where he became an example of all virtues, he afterwards instituted a new order, under the rule of St. Benedict, which from the valley where the saint built the first monastery, was called the order of Vallis Umbrosa, or the shady valley. St. John was chosen the first abbot; and, with other religious men who followed him, wholly applied himself to make war against error, and all the practices of simony. In this undertaking, he met with great opposition, and suffered much : but God blessed his endeavours with great success. Being at length exhausted with labour, fasting, watching, prayer, mortification, and old age, he died in the year 1073.
Pray for all the religious of this order, that they may keep up the spirit of their holy founder. Pray for his charity, that you may learn that gospel-lesson of forgiving and loving your enemies. Great blessings are entailed upon it; and so you are to expect pardon of God
for your own sins, as you forgive others, who have offended you. But
then see that you be sincere in this. It is easy to say that you forgive
them; but this must be from your heart; and the charity of your
heart must manifest itself in your behaviour, in your words and
actions. If you cannot come up to this, remember that your profession of charity
is to be suspected as false and counterfeit ; and you cannot have true
peace, till you have gained this point. Pray for grace, that you may be
no ways wanting in this essential duty. Join likewise your prayers this
day for rooting out all practices of simony from among the faithful; they are very provoking to God, who manifested his early anger against them in Simon Magus. Let no kind of temporal advantage influence you in spiritual affairs." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Pius I. POPE AND MARTYR, A.D. 157.
by VP
Posted on Friday July 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"ST. PIUS was a native of Aquileia. He had served the church among the clergy at Rome many years under the Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius, when he succeeded St. Hyginus in the pontifical throne in the year 142. He condemned the heresiarch Valentinus, and rejected Marcion, who came from Pontus to Rome after the death of St Hyginus. He appears to have died by the sword, and thus obtained the crown of martrydom; though some suppose that he is styled a martyr merely on account of the severe conflicts which he sustained. He passed to a better life in the year 157.
Pray for the present bishop of that holy see; that God would assist him for the faithful discharge of all duties. Pray for all pastors and for all the faithful. Pray for yourself, that your life may be answerable to your faith. Pray for all that are out of the church; that God would shew mercy to them, and bring them into the fold of Christ. Study to obtain the spirit of the martyrs; that the love of God and the faith of the life to come may make all that welcome, which may any way help to secure to you the possession of what you desire. How are you to think yourself unhappy under the afflictions of this life, when an humble submission to them is of so great value in the purchase of heaven? Comfort and relieve, as far as you can, such as are persecuted for truth or justice. If you know any, whom the iniquity of men
has made miserable, show your compassion; for thus you will oblige God
to your assistance, and lay up treasures in heaven. Be not one of those who court such as are in prosperity; but if the world has frowned upon them, then know them not; for this is a baseness of spirit unworthy of a Christian. Let your conduct be regulated by duty, and not by human respects or worldly considerations." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
#24 Acts of Adoration Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for all the offenses committed against Him by mankind [Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament]
by VP
Posted on Thursday July 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Thursday Reparation
24. We adore Thee, Son of the ever-glorious Virgin! And to make a general reparation, as much as lies in our power, for all the indignities Thou hast suffered from men, since the institution of this Adorable Mystery, we have recourse to Thy Holy Mother, looking upon her, as, under Thee, the greatest and most secure refuge of sinners. Eternal praise and thanksgiving be to the Most Holy and Most Divine Sacrament.
O Queen of heaven and earth, hope of mankind, who adores thy Divine Son incessantly! We entreat thee, that, since we have the honor to be of the number of thy children, thou would interest thyself in our behalf and make satisfaction for us, and in our name, to our Eternal Judge, by rendering to Him the duties which we ourselves are incapable of performing. Amen.
CAPGSeven Brothers, Felicitas their mother and Ss. Rufina and Secunda, Virgins, Martyrs second century
by VP
Posted on Thursday July 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
St. Felicitas and her Seven Sons
"The seven brothers were the sons of St. Felicitas, a noble pious Christian widow in Rome, who brought them up in the most perfect sentiments and practice of heroic virtue. The mother and sons were apprehended, and brought before Publius, the prefect of Rome. He used the strongest inducements to bring them to sacrifice to the pagan gods; but despairing of overcoming their resolution, the prefect laid the whole process of the examination before the Emperor Antoninus. He, having read the interrogatory, gave orders that they should be condemned to different deaths. One of the brothers was scourged to death; two were beaten with clubs till they expired. Another was thrown headlong down a steep precipice. The three youngest were beheaded; and the same sentence was executed upon the mother four months after.
SS. Rufina and Secunda were sisters, who having consecrated their virginity to God, and resolutely refused all offers of marriage made by their parents, were accused for their faith in Christ; and after many torments of scourges and fire, were beheaded at Rome under Valerian. Pray for all those who are dejected in troubles; that God would give them the patience of the martyrs.
Consider what it is to want comfort; have compassion on those who stand in need of it, and pray for their relief. Humble yourself under your present troubles, and beseech God to sanctify them to you. All your disquiets avail you nothing; but a patient submission may save your soul. Pray for all those who have consecrated their virginity to God, and for those who live in that state in the world. The devil and the world are so much their enemies, and so many snares are before them, that all good Christians have reason to stand on their side. Be ever cautious in making vows; and never do it but with good advice. But if you have obliged yourself, see that you be faithful in the performance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
"The Christian Mother: A mother has not done her entire
duty when she has trained for the world, and according to the spirit
prevailing in the world, her children as honorable citizens. A Roman
matron, name Felicitas, has inspired her seven sons with sentiments of
the purest Christianity, and the example of this excellent family
exercised so great an influence, that many pagans, at the sight thereof,
became Christians. The pagan priests denounced her to the emperor
Antoninus, and Felicitas and her sons were soon cited to appear before
the prefect Publius. No manner of remonstrance, threat, or promise did
he refrain from making to each one separately, but all in vain; and when
the generous mother beheld the moment of their sentence approaching,
she thus addressed her sons: "Look heavenward, my children, behold Jesus
Christ stretching forth His arms and battling for your souls!" They
were condemned to difference kinds of torture, and martyred at
intervals. Felicitas died with the last of her children, four months
after the death of the first who had suffered martyrdom. This glorious
event occurred in the year 164 of the Christian era.
Moral reflection:
A Christian mother should ever keep before her eyes this example, as
also that of the mother of the Maccabees, ever "to be admired above
measure, and worthy to be remembered by good men." (2 Mach.7.20) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Auguste François Lecanu
A Motherʼs Prayer
O God, grant that one of my sons may become a priest!
I myself want to live as a good Christian
and want to guide my children always to do what is right,
so that I may receive the grace, O God,
to be allowed to give you a holy priest! Amen.
Mothers of Lu (Italy)
A Mother’s Prayer for a Seminarian
O Jesus, eternal High Priest, Who hast
entrusted to priests the important work of saving souls, and Who has
deigned to inspire my child, my own flesh and blood, to strive after the
high office of the Priesthood, I pray Thee most fervently to bless and
assist him, and to make him more worthy day by day.
Give him success and perseverance in his studies and constant growth in
virtue and holiness. Help him, O Jesus, overcome all temptations arising
from the world, the flesh and the devil, which seek to frustrate his
holy vocation. Fill his heart with burning love for God and for souls
redeemed by Thy most Precious Blood.
Grant me, O Lord, the unmerited grace one day to behold my own child in
priestly garb ascending the holy altar of God, and to receive from his
consecrated hands the priestly blessing and the Bread of Life Eternal.
As long as I live, O Jesus, I shall every day offer Thee, through the
hands of Mary, the Mother of priests, all my prayers, works and
sacrifices, to call down God’s blessing upon the work of priests, and
especially upon my son.
The Catholic Standard and Times, Volume 61, Number 32, 4 May 1956
