For the Church and Civil Authorities
by VP
Posted on Friday July 04, 2025 at 01:00AM in Prayers
“America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance — it is not. It is suffering from tolerance. Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos. Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded.”
"The refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil. The Tragedy of our time is that those who still believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction.”
“A religion that doesn’t interfere with the secular order will soon
discover that the secular order will not refrain from interfering with
it.” Rev. Fulton J. Sheen
We pray Thee, O almighty and Eternal
God, Who through Jesus Christ Hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to
preserve the works of Thy mercy; that thy Church, being spread through
the whole world, may continue, with unchanging faith, in the confession
of Thy name.
We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow
with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life our Pope
Francis, the vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ in the government of His
Church; our own bishop Bishop Zarama; all the other bishops, prelates, and pastors
of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise
among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people
into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee, O God of might,
wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered,
laws are enacted, and judgments decreed, assist, with the Holy Spirit of
counsel and fortitude, the President of the United States, that his
administration may be
conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people,
over whom he presides, by
encouraging due respect for virtue and religion;
by faithful execution of the law in justice and
mercy; and by restraining vice
and immorality.
Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the
proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government;
so that they may tend to the preservation
of peace, the promotion of national happiness,
the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful
knowledge, and may
perpetuate to us the blessings of equal liberty.
We pray for his Excellency the Governor of
this State, for the members of the Assembly,
for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who
are appointed to guard our political welfare; that they may be enabled,
by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties
of their respective stations with honesty and
ability.
We
recommend likewise to Thy unbounded mercy all our brethren and fellow
citizens, throughout the
United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge, and sanctified
in the observance of Thy
most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace
which the world cannot give;
and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those
which are eternal.
Finally, we pray Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy
servants departed who are gone
before us with the sign of faith, and repose in the sleep of peace:
the souls of our parents, relations, and friends;
of those who, when living, were members of this
congregation; and particularly of such as are lately deceased;
of all benefactors who, by their
donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the
decency of divine worship,
and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance.
To these, O Lord, and to
all that rest in Christ, grant we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment,
light, and everlasting
peace, through the same Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
( Adapted from Archbishop Carroll's prayer)
#23 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 03, 2025 at 01:00AM in Thursday Reparation
23. We adore Thee, most worthy object of the love and affection of men and Angels! And to repair the profanations committed in Thy churches by the effusion of so much innocent blood, as also to make some atonement for the poor and indigent manner Thou art entertained there, we offer up to Thee the piety of all the blessed Saints, and the distress and want in which Thy persecuted servants were. 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.
CAPGSt. Thomas, Apostle
by VP
Posted on Thursday July 03, 2025 at 01:00AM in Poetry
It is not recorded in Scripture how St. Thomas was called to the apostleship; but the indispensable condition of an apostle being to leave all and follow Christ, it cannot be questioned that he did so. This was the perfection of their state, who were chosen to spread the gospel throughout the world, and to carry the name of Christ before kings and princes. They were to renounce the earth, that they might be, without distractions, wholly attentive to the business of heaven, and give evident proof of their having no other interest, but in Jesus Christ alone.
This apostle, having once undertaken to follow Christ, continued faithful to him; and gave sufficient evidence of his sincerity, when, apprehending his Master's life to be in danger by his going up to Jerusalem, and all the other apostles dissuading him from it, he alone cried out: Let us also go, and die with him. This was the test of a true disciple, not to think of leaving Christ when dangers threatened, but readily to offer himself to take part with his Master in all his sufferings. All the followers of Christ must endeavour to observe this rule. They are not only to be faithful in their duties to him, when it is consistent with their interest, reputation, quiet, and spiritual comfort; for all this may be suspected; but they must likewise continue their fidelity, where they foresee that they arc likely to be sufferers or losers by it. If a Christian tells the truth, when it is to his purpose, and defends himself by lies, when he apprehends that the truth will prove disadvantageous to him, is such a one a true disciple? or, can he say: Let us go and die with Christ, who is so unwilling to suffer anything for him? If a Christian observes the rules of exact sobriety and discipline, when left to his own conduct, and yet joins with those who importune him to disorder and excess, rather than bear their raillery;-if, for fear of being pointed at, he follows a corrupt world, in all its prodigality, vanity, and luxury; if he would serve his neighbour, could it only be done without trouble; if his desires be to live virtuously and justly, but the apprehension of want puts him upon ways that are unjustifiable; if he would observe peace with his neighbours, but cannot bear their impertinent and disagreeable humours ;-if he would ask pardon for injuries done, but cannot submit to the humiliation, or to the thought of being reputed tame and poor-spirited; can such a man pretend to the character of Christ's disciple, who thus upon the prospect of any difficulty or uneasiness, abandons his cause, and so far forsakes him. A Christian ought ever to be in a disposition of dying with Christ it is part of this day's lesson. He is to follow him even to death: what then, if he meets with the ordinary discouragements, which commonly work by raising fear or shame? If he cannot overcome these, how will he do it when they are accompanied with the terrors of racks and death? He that surrenders to a weak enemy, how can he hope to be victorious, when assaulted by a much greater force ?
Strive therefore daily to be constant in all your duties : accustom yourself to force your way upon meeting with opposition. Let no fear or shame prevail on you, to the omission of any duty have no regard to what the world will say of you. Look on difficulties, troubles, temptations, and disquiets, as part of your portion, and an exercise of this
life, to which God has called you. Be not therefore afraid to suffer
and then if God shall call you to greater trials, you may hope to say
still with this apostle : Let us go, and die with our suffering Lord." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, In her Canticle, Mary teaches Priests how to thank God for their elevation to the Priesthood.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday July 02, 2025 at 01:00AM in Meditations
The Visitation by Gerónimo Antonio de Ezquerra (1660–1733)
"THE Blessed Virgin Mary visits St. Elizabeth, and St. John is sanctified in his mother's womb. This is the first communication of the spirit of the Word incarnate; and Jesus on this day begins to give grace and joy to souls. Open your heart to Jesus, and pray that you may partake of His grace. Leave not your prayers, till you have reason to hope that this happy effect is wrought in you. Mary no sooner spoke, but Elizabeth was filled with grace. Beg now of Mary to speak in your behalf. By her charity, she co-operates to the spiritual birth of St. John; and may not she now by the same charity co-operate to yours? Fear not to join with St. Elizabeth, and proclaim her blessed among women, and that blessed is the fruit of her womb. Profess the Incarnation of the Son of God, and that she is truly the Mother of our Lord.
Learn what your visits ought to be. As far as they are necessary to maintain charity, and keep up a good correspondence with your neighbours and friends, they are not to be censured. Nay, there may be so much trouble and mortification in making them, that if submitted to as necessary for the support of charity, they may be of great advantage to your soul. Visit then, as far as charity requires; and fail not to be punctual in visits, where you have any prospect of doing good, by bringing comfort, relief, or light. One word of a saint sometimes fills others with light and grace. Contribute what you can, in all your visits, to the good of others. Frequent opportunities are offered of defending the innocent, of doing right to justice and truth, and moderating something of that bitterness and prejudice, with which you see the minds of others unduly possessed. By such moderation, charity, and humility, your visits, like this of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may be sanctified, But if the true ground of your frequent visiting be to gratify any vain, idle, or unsettled humour; and if in your discourses you ever flatter company, by concurring with them in every subject that is brought up, you are in the way of contracting so manifold guilt, in the breach of all charity, that without any other crimes you are in danger of excluding from your soul the visits of the Divine Spirit, and of never being admitted into the company of the blessed. Pray for grace, for a prudent management of this affair; and that you may never forfeit your title to heaven, by indiscreet compliances with modes and humours. Be therefore on your guard, and beseech God to accompany you in all your visits. His protection is necessary in time of danger, and especially in the occasion of sin; and such, it is to be feared, are most of your visits." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
“I will praise the Name of God with a canticle, and I will magnify Him praise” Ps. Lxviii. 31 “My soul doth magnify the Lord.” St. Luke i. 46
1. My Soul doth magnify the Lord. In this Canticle (says St. Bonaventure) three things are to be observed; first, the affection of Her who praises; secondly, the reason of Her praise; thirdly, the enlargement of the Divine praise; for no praise is perfect unless it be accompanied by a due affection and reason, and performed in due method… The Blessed Virgin listened to the praise which St. Elizabeth bestowed on Her, and immediately referred all the praise to God. When Elizabeth told Her that her son rejoiced in her womb with joy at the voice of Her salutation, Mary replied that Her spirit rejoiced in God. “Thou magnifiest the Mother of thy Lord, by my soul doth magnify the Lord. Thy son exulteth at my voice, but my spirit rejoiceth in God my Savior.” Thus does St. Bernard explain Her words. Or (according to St. Athanasius) “the greater is the miracle of Divine goodness of which I am the instrument, the more am I constrained to glorify Him Who works wonders in me.” Now, let us enter into ourselves, and consider what the Priesthood is which God has conferred upon us. Is it not a great miracle of Divine omnipotence by reason of its divine dignity, and because of the means with which it furnishes us for exercising it aright? Do not we work miracles at the Altar, in the Confessional, in administering the other Sacraments? What, then, is the affection with which we “magnify the Lord,” and “rejoice in Him?” St. Basil says that, in Holy Scripture, by this term is signified the lively, joyful, affection of a soul which is rightly disposed! Oh that in each one of us had Mary’s spirit to rejoice in God! And yet how few are the Priests who thank God with sincere affection for their vocation! Might they not at least take pattern by the gratitude of Nebuchadnezzar, and say, “I praise and magnify and glorify the King of Heaven!” (Daniel 4, 34).
2. Because “He hath regarded the humility of His hand maid". Here (says St. Bonaventure) Mary adds the reason of Her praise. The Blessed Virgin shows forth the beneficence of grace, which had made Her amiable before God. And worthy of the praises of men; and She shows forth also the great and merciful miracle of His power which He had worked in Her (says the same St. Bonaventure). We, too, ought to acknowledge that stream of grace by which Almighty God has united us to Himself, and caused us to be called blessed by the Faithful; we, too ought to acknowledge that truly great and merciful miracle by which “ God hath chosen the weak and base things of the world to confound the strong” (1 Cor. 1. 27,28); and this should be our reason for praising God, Who hath “looked upon us for good, and hath lifted us up from our low estate” (Eccl. 11. 13). What merit had we that we should be preferred before so many millions of men? The whole reason of this act consists in the power of the doer (says St. Augustin). Who, among men, can ask of God why He should have preferred us before them? For He will do all that pleaseth Him, and His word is full of power; neither can any man say to Him, “Why dost thou so?” (Eccl. 8. 3,4) Let us speak continually the words of Azarias: “Blessed is the Holy Name of Thy glory” (Dan. 3. 52).
3. And His mercy is from generation unto generations. The third part of the Canticle enlarges the Divine praises, by celebrating God’s mercy, His power, His liberality, and the truth of His promises (as St. Bonaventure points out). Are not we Priests bound to praise the mercy of the Lord,, Who by His special providence has freed us from innumerable dangers of soul and body, in order to lead us to the Altar, and to make us what we are – so that each one of us might say with the Apostle, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace in me hath not been void… yet not I, but the grace of God with me?” (1 Cor. 15. 10) We also have experienced God’s power, Who “hath showed might in His arm;” “Who hath raised up the needy from the dust, and lifted up the poor from the dunghill; that he might sit with princes, and hold the throne of glory?” (I Kings 2. 6) Again, ought we not to praise God’s liberality in that He hath “poured forth upon us abundantly” the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3.6.), and thus “hath filled the hungry with good things, but the rich He hath sent empty away?” Lastly, the truth of the Divine promises was magnified by the Blessed Virgin in these words – “As He spoke, ect.;” and ought not we, too, to call to mind the innumerable promises, made by Almighty God in Holy Scripture, that He would “raise up among His people a faithful priest, who should do according to His heart” (1 Kings 2. 35), and give to His flocks “pastors according to His own heart: (Jer. 3. 15); “to fill the soul of the Priests with fatness” (31.14); and “to give glory, joy, and power to the Priests of the new covenant?” (Is. 56. 4) Therefore, let us bless the Lord, and in the daily recital of this magnificent Canticle, let us join ourselves in spirit with Mary in blessing Him, praying to Her to offer Him our benedictions in such wise as to obtain for us a blessing which shall enrich us with all “good things.” Source: Meditations for the use of the clergy : for every day in the year. On the Gospels for the Sundays, Volume 3 1872. (by Scotti, Angelo Antonio; Oblates of Saint Charles)
St. Junipero Serra, Spanish priest and Missionary
by VP
Posted on Tuesday July 01, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
"Twenty-five leagues from Monterey he (Junipero) came upon a little stream which watered a lovely oak-studded valley inclosed by rugged mountains. The beauty of this wild and lonely place charmed him. He decided to found the mission here. The bells were accordingly unpacked and suspended from the branch of a great oak. Junipero seized the ropes and shouted with a kind of delirious rapture, "Hear, Gentiles, come, come, to the Holy Church, come, come, to receive the faith of Jesus Christ."
One of the friars, Fray Miguel Pieras, remonstrated
with him. "Why do you tire yourself in this way?" he demanded. "There
are no Indians in sight; it is a waste of time to ring the bells.""I would like these bells
to be heard by all the world," exclaimed Junípero, " or at least by all
the Gentiles who live in the mountains." Junípero Serra; the Man and His Work By Abigail Hetzel Fitch
"With no less carefulness did this servant of God try to draw his children toward the worship of the most Holy Sacrament. He instructed them to prepare and decorate arches in the road where the procession of Corpus Christi would pass. Four chapels were placed along the way with their respective altars where our Crucified Lord might rest, and after the singing in each one of them of the corresponding anthem, verse and prayer, an Indian stood up (generally a little boy) and recited a praise to the Divine Sacrament, of which two were in Spanish and two in the Pame dialect, which were very touching and increased the devotion of all. When they had returned to the church a Mass was sung and a sermon preached on this most Holy Mystery. With the same carefulness he consecrated himself to encourage in all devotion to our Lady Mary, and especially to her Most Immaculate Conception, preparing for this celebration with a Novena at which all the people were present. On the great day of the feast Mass was sung, a sermon was preached, and afterwards they chanted The Joys of the Most Immaculate Conception. Every Sunday afternoon they recited the Crown of Our Mother of Mercy, finishing it with a Hymn of Praise and the Hymn of Joy, which were sung. In order to make this the more attractive the Venerable Father had had sent out from Mexico a sculptured image of our most Sweet Lady which was put upon a platform and taken out in procession through the town every Saturday night, the illumination being made with lanterns, and with the accompaniment of the singing of the Rosary. After coming back again into the church they sang the hymn, “Tota pulchra es Maria," which our beloved servant translated into Spanish and which the Indians learned by heart and chanted with great solemnity, producing in all who heard it the greatest tenderness, especially that verse which says: "Thou art the honor of our people" and by means of which a most ardent devotion was kindled toward our Most Merciful Mother.
In the same way he tried
to impress upon their plastic hearts devotion to Saint Michael,
Archangel, to the Most Holy Patriarch, Saint Joseph; to our Holy Father,
Saint Francis, and to the other Saints in such a fashion that the whole
people were as well instructed as if they were Spaniards and had been
brought up Catholics, all this being due to the very fervent zeal of our
Venerable Fr. Junípero. In view of the most laborious service of this
model Prelate his subordinates were set to imitate him, as well as were
also the friars of the other four Missions, and through these means the
whole of the five towns became as thoroughly Christian as if they had
always been such." Francisco Palou's Life and Apostolic Labors of the Venerable Father Junípero By Francisco Palóu 1913
Commemoration of Saint Paul
by VP
Posted on Monday June 30, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
Saint Paul, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC.
Prayer to Saint Paul: O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting
the Church you became by God's grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry
the knowledge of Jesus, our divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of
the earth you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings, and
shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the
shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ.
May your example inspire our parish priests today to be zealous in
their service to God's people. Obtain for our priests the grace to labor
strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and
tribulations that may come their way. Help them to be inspired by your
Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that
after they have finished their course they may join you in praising him
in heaven for all eternity. Amen.
St. Theobald of Provins, 1066
by VP
Posted on Monday June 30, 2025 at 01:00AM in Saints
THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE.-Thibault, son of Count Arnold of Champagne, was taken with a love for the cœnobitic life through reading the lives of the hermits of the Thebaid, and began to initiate himself therein from early childhood. While still a youth he secretly left the paternal roof, accompanied by a friend, named Walter, with whom he proceeded to Suabia, exchanging on the road their rich garments for humble attire. They took up their abode in a forest, and, subsequently, in a wild solitude near Vicenza. They gained their livelihood by the labour of their hands, returning to their quiet cell to support themselves on the proceeds, amid the most rigorous austerities. Walter dying while in this retirement, Thibault, now left alone, forthwith redoubled his fervour of life. His virtue having attracted the attention of the public, the Count and Countess de Champagne succeeded at length in finding their son. They came to seek him, and, overcome with admiration at the angelic life he was leading, prostrated themselves at his feet. The count would have remained with him had not urgent affairs precluded him from so doing. The countess, however, stayed with her son, who built a cell for her, and soon after died at the age of thirty-three. Alexander III. inscribed his name among the saints.
MORAL REFLECTION.-Thus may the example of the saints influence people living in the world, and even thus may youth "be formed from the pattern shown."-(Exod. xxv. 40.)
Authority and Discipline, Saint Peter and Paul
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 29, 2025 at 01:00AM in Sermons
Flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in heaven."-MATT. xvi. 17.
I. The chosen ones of Christ.
2. St. Peter, the pillar of the Faith.
3. St. Paul, the preacher of the Faith.
4. The same blessed Faith bestowed on us; how we should treasure it.
THE Combined festival of Saints Peter and Paul is rightly celebrated as one of the great and important festivals of the year. Rome especially glories in this festival of the Apostles who, by shedding their blood there, consecrated the eternal city to the service of God. But the whole Church, in all lands and in all ages, rejoices on this day of the triumph of the two chief Apostles, who were chosen by God to establish and consolidate His Church on earth. The Church that was destined by God to be universal and imperishable needed divine authority and divine doctrine. And these were given by the Son of God, and entrusted in a special way to the Apostles whose festival we celebrate to-day. The authority of St. Peter was to be handed down in the unbroken line of Sovereign Pontiffs; and the doctrine of St. Paul, divinely revealed to him, was to live for ever in the inspired words of his epistles.
Let us renew our faith by recalling the proofs of this authorization by Christ our Lord, that a poor illiterate fisherman should rule His Church and hold the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven; and how a Pharisee, a persecutor, should be a vessel of election to teach and preach the doctrines of the God of truth. In the gospel we read on two occasions of the great faith of St. Peter. In St. John (vi. 68), when many disciples left our Lord and walked no more with Him, our Blessed Lord said to the twelve: "Will you also go away? And Peter answered Him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known that Thou art Christ, the Son of God." And in St. Matthew (xvi. 15-19): “ Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona; because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I say to thee: Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, it shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." This was the glorious commission bestowed on St. Peter, to whom our Lord also said: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not " (Luke xxii. 32). And this authority, given to St. Peter, was destined to be handed down to all his successors, the chief pastors of the Church, the Sovereign Pontiffs, Pope after Pope, in succeeding ages. Invested with this power, their faith should fail not, as the supreme authority in the Church.
"Teach all nations" was the command of Christ, and therefore His Church was endowed with divinely revealed doctrine. And in this regard St. Paul speaks to us with no uncertain voice. "For I give you to understand, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. i. II, 12). Your memory instantly recalls the great truths of religion, with the express testimony of the Apostle regarding them, and how one after the other have been impugned, explained away, or denied, not only by the godless world --the enemy of God—but by those who profess to be Christians, and to believe in the Holy Scriptures.
Take the doctrine of the Resurrection. "For I delivered to you first of all, which I also received, how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day" (1 Cor. xv. 3, 4). Doubting, denying this is common in these days; and disbelief in it is so condoned that it does not disqualify from the highest positions in the Church in the land! Should not such men remember and fear these words of St. Paul: "If Christ be not risen from the dead, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins" (ibid. 17)?
And that sweet and blessed doctrine of our Faiththe divine Presence in the Holy Eucharist. Alas, how often denied and blasphemed by various sects in the face of such evidence as this! "I speak as to wise men; judge ye yourselves what I say. The chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ? And the Bread which we break, is it not the partaking of the Body of the Lord ?" (1 Cor. x. 15, 16).
These words, which you know so well, let them not weary you, but glory in them as the great doctrines of our Faith. We hear on all sides that religion is old-fashioned and out of date. Doctrines must be changed, so as to embrace all the variations of modern thought. And do such people think they are something new, something original ? Be not led away with various and strange doctrines," says St. Paul (Heb. xiii. 9). And St. Peter says (2 Peter iii. 3): "In the last days there shall come deceitful scoffers." Can the eternal truth be out of date? "From eternity to eternity Thou art God . . . for a thousand years in Thy sight are as yesterday which is past" (Ps. lxxxix. 2, 4).
For ourselves how grateful we should be to God for the Faith which He has bestowed upon us--its authority and its doctrines. Let us pray to those glorious Apostles - who typify this authority and doctrine - to strengthen our faith, that we may live up to it, peacefully yet manfully, humble yet glorifying God by our obedient and holy lives." Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Rev. Fr. Francis Paulinus Hickey OSB 1922 (Saint Peter and Paul)
Feast of Saint Peter and Paul
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 29, 2025 at 01:00AM in Prayers
These two apostles, having been great sinners, the one by denying his Master, and the other by persecuting His Church, and yet being raised to the dignity of pillars in the Church of Christ, commend the infinite goodness of God, and give you sufficient reason never to despair, but always confide in His mercy. Praise Him therefore, adore Him, and place your hopes firmly in Him.
Having faithfully laboured in the vineyard, and by their sufferings and miracles given proof of the doctrine which they taught; they were both put to death on the same day, at Rome, under the Emperor Nero; St. Peter being crucified, and St. Paul finishing his martyrdom by the sword. Pray for the prelates and pastors of Christ's Church; that as they receive the power of these apostles, they may act with their spirit; that by watching, preaching, mortification, and continual labours, they may seek the good of their neighbour, and venture their lives for his salvation.
In these two apostles, we have all reason to give praise and adoration to God, and admire the wonders of His power, who making choice of so weak vessels, has by them confounded all the wisdom of men, overthrown the empire of the devil, and established an eternal kingdom, which shall abide for ever. Consider the great weakness of our nature, our self-love, and the fear we have of suffering; and then compare it with the zealous labours of these apostles, with their resolution and patience under all kinds of persecutions, hated by Jews, reproached by the Gentiles, condemned by magistrates, opposed by princes, and yet preaching the faith without fear; neither tired with their labours, nor discouraged by torments, nor terrified with death, but victorious against all opposition; and you will easily discover such wonderful effects of the divine power and goodness in them, as to oblige you to pour forth your soul this day in praise and thanksgiving for the infinite mercies shown to these His servants for the good of all succeeding ages. On the other side, they will teach you how great a confidence you ought at all times to repose in God, notwithstanding all your infirmities and weakness. For though to work out your salvation be a work of difficulty, on account of the many enemies before you; yet upon reflecting how very little proportion there is between your difficulties and the discouragements which the apostles had, how great reason have you to place your trust in God, and hope that He, who so powerfully assisted them, as to give them victory over all the powers of darkness confederated against them, will likewise stand by you in those much weaker attempts, which shall be made against you.
But as the triumphs of these apostles are sufficient to raise up your dejected and sinking spirits, and fill them with hopes; so they ought to be a reproach to you of your great cowardice and general weakness, who are so often tired with ordinary difficulties, afraid of mortifications, impatient in sufferings, dejected with temptations, and so frequently overcome in small assaults. For if you would but seriously again compare your difficulties with theirs, the self-denials required of you, with their perpetual contradictions to sense and nature, in watching, nakedness, thirst, and a total renunciation of whatever the world approves; if you would contrast your sufferings with their persecutions, prisons, chains, and repeated deaths, the very little that you do, with what they did for the love of Jesus; it is to be feared that this consideration would require greater courage to support you from sinking under it than you usually show on other occasions; and that instead of celebrating the glory of these apostles with joy, you would find forcible reasons to spend this day in sighs and tears, bewailing your unworthiness, the contradiction of your life to theirs, and that professing yourself a disciple of the same master, you can scarcely produce anything whereby to make out this title.
This thought seems to invert the order of this solemnity; which being appointed for joy and thanksgiving, is thus put into mourning, and looks with the severity of Ash-Wednesday, or Good Friday. This however we cannot avoid: for though we are all obliged to give thanks for the graces, by which these apostles were raised to that eminent degree of all Christian virtues, and likewise to rejoice in their victories and glory; it must be owned that there is something very mortifying in their festival, and those of all other saints. There is something that casts a damp upon our spirits, and more strongly moves us to penance, than the ashes of the most penitential days. For when we consider the glory which they enjoy, and reflect on the method of their
lives, and all those labours, by which they arrived at that
unchangeable state; we cannot but condemn ourselves for our great
stupidity and neglects, who are not only so unmindful of our God, but so easily diverted from all those exercises, which can be the only means of obtaining
a happy eternity. How forcibly does this bring to our mind all our
sloth and indevotion, our impatience and vanity, our self-love, and
seeking our ease, our solicitude for this world, and all those
innumerable sins, by which we have provoked God, condemned His mercies,
and been rebellious against His will. And what can follow hence, but
lamentation and tears, contrition and resolution of doing penance, to redeem the time that is lost, to make some reparation for past follies and neglect, and lay a foundation of more solid hopes of one day being admitted into the fellowship and glory of the saints?
This, O God of infinite mercy, we desire may be the happy effect of the solemnity observed this day. We beg most earnestly that the virtues of these apostles may be a continual spur to our dull souls; that their rejoicing in chains may cure us of all impatience; that their continual labours may make us detest all sloth; that their sincere love of Jesus may be a perpetual reproach to us of all self-love, and love of the world; that their willingness to suffer for their Master may carry us on through all difficulties with cheerfulness; and that the consideration of their happiness may permit our souls to find no rest but in those things, which may lead us to the participation of the same bliss. Grant us this request, O Jesus, that our souls may be saved.
And for the public, we beseech thee that the spirit of these apostles may descend on all those who succeed in their function, and particularly on that prelate, who sits in the chair of St. Peter, and has the care of the whole flock. Assist all other pastors of thy Church, that being zealous for virtue and truth, they may faithfully discharge every part of their duty. Direct all believers by thy grace, that by the observance of thy law, they may be all living members of thy mystical body. And for all those, who through error or infidelity are out of thy Church, have compassion on them, O Jesus, who didst come to seek the lost sheep. Open their eyes by thy heavenly light, remove all obstinacy and blindness, and lead them into the way of truth; that being united to thee by faith, they may become a part of thy fold, and be qualified to inherit thy promises. And you, O holy apostles, join with us in our prayers; and let that charity of yours, which began this work, be now the happy means of finishing it." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer:
O holy apostles, Peter and Paul, I choose you this day and for ever to be my special patrons and advocates; thee, St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, because thou art the Rock, upon which Almighty God hath built His Church; thee, St. Paul, because thou wast forechosen by God as the Vessel of election and the Preacher of truth in the whole world. Obtain for me, I pray you, lively faith, firm hope and burning love; complete detachment from myself, contempt of the world, patience in adversity, humility in prosperity, attention in prayer, purity of heart, a right intention in all my works, diligence in fulfilling the duties of my state of life, constancy in my resolutions, resignation to the will of God and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death; that so, by means of your intercession and your glorious merits, I may be able to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil, and may be made worthy to appear before the chief and eternal Shepherd of souls, Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth for endless ages, to enjoy His presence and love Him forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be
V. Thous shalt make them princes over all the earth,
R. They shall be mindful of Thy Name, O Lord.
Let us pray
O God, whose right hand raised up blessed Peter, when he walked upon the water and began to sink, and thrice delivered his fellow-Apostle Paul from the depths of the sea, when he suffered shipwreck: graciously hear us and grant, by the merits of them both, that we also may attain unto everlasting glory: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
Source: The Raccolta, — A Manual of Indulgences by Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, Benziger Brothers, Inc. , 1957Five Minute Sermon: Love of our Neighbor
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 29, 2025 at 01:00AM in Sermons
"This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them."St. Luke xv. 2.
"THIS practice of our Divine Lord is continued by His Church to the present day. We receive sinners; we eat with them, work with them, recognize them as friends and brethren. Outside the Church religious sects act otherwise. They turn sinners out of their organizations, put a ban on them publicly, draw a plain line between the good and the bad. The result is that our sinners are always within easy reach of our words of admonition, our entreaties, our edifying example, and for the most part are finally won back to a good life.
If a man is a great public sinner he is excommunicated-a case which occurs very rarely. If he is but a poor common sinner, he is not torn from our Saviour's bosom, but is hoped for, prayed for, left among the faithful and finally reclaimed.
But, my brethren, if such is the rule in the Church generally, it is nevertheless true that a sinful man's immediate associates are bound by divine charity to let him know that he is a sinner and to endeavor to save him. There are some Catholics who seem to be ignorant of their duty in this respect. To admonish a sinner, to try to make him change his life-this, they think, is a duty which belongs exclusively to the priest. The sins of others are in no sense their concern, it is none of their business to interfere with a sinner unless he violates some of their rights. On the other hand, there are others who have some dim perception of their duty in behalf of these sinners, but are too timid and cowardly, are too much afraid of sneers and rebuffs, too much afraid of giving offence, to say a word for God's honor and their neighbor's soul.
All this is wrong, my brethren; it is un-Christian. For if we are Christians in reality, if we love God sincerely, we must have a deep concern for His honor, we must see to it that others love Him and therefore serve Him. And we can often do this better than the priest. We can in cases reach men more easily, we can talk to them more freely, we can more readily make them feel that we are in sympathy with them and understand their difficulties. It is the precept of fraternal charity that makes us realize that we are all alike children of our Father who is in heaven. It is only by our observance of this precept that we have a right to call ourselves Christians. "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples," says our Blessed Lord, "that you love one another even as I have loved you." The love our Saviour bears for each one of us is the measure of the love we should bear our neighbor; and as He loves us in spite of our sins, as He received sinners and ate with them, so should we manifest our charity in behalf of poor sinners, so should we by our words, our example, and our kindness to them seek to lead them back to their allegiance to Almighty God.
How am I going to do this? I have a friend who never goes to Mass, who has not made his Easter duty for years, who is an habitual drunkard, whose mouth is defiled with profane and filthy words, and who in many ways sets God's laws at defiance; how am I to fulfil my duty of fraternal charity in his behalf?
In the first place, make him love you. There is no influence so strong as love, there is nothing which it cannot accomplish. If you gain a man's love you have a strong hold on him. He confides in you, he will readily listen to your advice, he will be quick to follow your suggestions. In the next place, always show him good example. The strongest words of warning and exhortation are of little or no avail unless you yourself show the truth of what you say in your own life. You cannot preach from a higher platform than your own practice And the first proof of the love we bear our neighbor is the good example we show him. Finally, don't be afraid to talk to him seriously and boldly about the manner of his life. Show your concern for his soul by strong, earnest words of exhortation, of admonition and reproof. Your earnestness will be the proof of your conviction, of your sincerity. He may not like this; it may make him angry, but he will not forget your words easily; they may make him think of his soul in spite of himself, and they may, under God's providence, become the initial grace of his conversion. In any event, you will have done your duty. Yes, brethren, like our blessed Lord, we “receive sinners and eat with them"; we do not exclude them from our prayers, our solicitude, our love. We seek to regain them to Christ, to win them back again to the blessings which His love has purchased for us all." Five-minute Sermons for Low Masses on All Sundays of the Year, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
