#20 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 June 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Thursday Reparation
20. We adore Thee, true Bread of Angels! And to make reparation for the sins committed against Thy command of abstinence, we offer up to Thee the fasts and temperance of the holy Anchorets. 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.
CAPGBl. Guido of Cortona, Confessor Priest, Franciscan
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: O God, who hast given to us blessed Guy, Thy confessor, to be an example of perfection in religious life, and a minister of evangelical preaching; grant, we beseech Thee, that through his intercession we may by good works set a bright example before our neighbours. Manual of the Third order of st. Francis of Assisi, Volume 2
"(Yet) it was chiefly in the country around Lake Thrasymene that Francis had worked that year. He had passed the whole of the great Lent in seclusion upon one of the islands in the lake-the Isola Maggiore; then he went forth to evangelize the neighbourhood.
So he came to Cortona and preached there. Now when the sermon was concluded a youth named Guy approached Francis and offered him a lodging in his house. He was a noble youth and very wealthy, but quite unspoiled by his possessions which he held as a trust for the poor; and always he gave to the poor whatever he did not need for his own frugal maintenance. Francis gladly accepted his proffered hospitality. That evening Guy waited upon Francis and his companion as upon most honoured guests; he washed their feet with reverence and himself served them at supper; and when the meal was over he begged that they would consider his goods as their own and whenever they were in want of habits or anything else allow him to supply their need. Francis was entirely won by the youth's open-handed generosity and his delicate courtesy; and when he and his companion were retiring to rest, he said: "My dear brother, this noble youth, who is so mindful of and grateful to God, and so loving and courteous towards his neighbours and the poor, would do well for our life and company. For know you, dear brother, that courtesy is one of the properties of God, who of His courtesy, gives His sun and rain to the just and the unjust: and courtesy is the sister of charity by which hatred is extinguished and love is cherished. And because I have seen so much divine virtue in this man, therefore gladly would I have him for a companion." And at that Francis began to pray that Guy might become one of the fraternity. Guy meanwhile felt a keen desire not merely to befriend his guests in their needs but to be one with them in their life, and shortly afterwards he came and cast himself on his knees before Francis, asking to be admitted into his company. So he distributed all his goods to the poor, and afterwards in the public church received the habit of Poverty.
Now some little distance from Cortona, at the foot of the high hill on which the city is built, and on the other side from the low ground which stretches out to Lake Thrasymene, there is a gurgling rivulet which comes from the mountains, passing down its rocky course through a deep ravine; and by the side of this rivulet there were then some rock caves.
Hither Francis and Guy now betook themselves, and made a narrow hermitage so near to the rivulet that its waters sprayed the walls of their caves. And there Guy made
his abode until his death many years later. He divided his days between
prayer and manual work, even when after a time he was ordained priest by obedience. Now and then he interrupted his life of contemplation and climbed the long hill and preached to the people of the city: but it was mostly by his life that he preached to them: and the Celle-the caves in which Guy and his companions lived—became a constant admonition to the citizens, of the life which is beyond this earth." Life of St. Francis by Father Cuthbert (O.S.F.C.)
St. John a Facundo, Confessor, A.D. 1479.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"This saint lived in the strictest evangelical poverty and mortification, retired from the world; and learned by experience that pious reading, meditation, and prayer, afford a purer joy than all worldly pleasures can give. He took the religious habit among the hermits of St. Augustin in Salamanca. He so perfectly attained the spirit of his rule, that no one was more mortified, more obedient, more humble, or more disengaged from creatures than he appeared to be in all his actions. By his pathetic sermons and private exhortations, he introduced an entire reformation of manners throughout the city. By the spirit of meekness with which he was endued, he had a particular talent in reconciling enemies and appeasing dissensions. The high opinion which every one had of his sanctity, contributed to give the greatest weight to his words and example. Without any respect of persons, he reproved vice in the great, with a liberty which often drew upon him severe persecutions. St. John was favoured with a sight of Christ our Lord, when he was saying Mass, and learned heavenly secrets from the very fountain of the Divinity. He often was enabled to penetrate the secret recesses of men's hearts, and to foretel future events. He also raised to life his brother's daughter, who died at the age of seven years. At length, being visited with his last sickness,he foretold the day of his death, and happily slept in the Lord on the 11th of June, 1479.
The example of the saints teaches us that virtue can never thrive in a life of dissipation. Worldly conversation, which turns on vanity and trifling amusements, insensibly turns off the mind from virtue, and the vigour of the soul is thereby impaired, no less than the bodily constitution is by means destructive of its health. Every good Christian ought from time to time to retire from the world to be alone, and to have regular hours for pious reading and consideration. The divine wisdom says: I will lead her into the wilderness: and I will speak to her heart." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ember Wednesday in Whitsun Week.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
"It may appear extraordinary, that in this great solemnity of joy and thanksgiving, the Church should oblige her children to fasting, humiliation, and penance. The reason is, that in this week bishops confer Holy Orders, ordaining priests, deacons, and other ministers of the Church. Being sensible how absolutely necessary the Holy Ghost is for them, in the discharge of their sacred functions, the Church summons the faithful to make their addresses to God in their behalf, in fasting and prayer; that so this spirit may be abundantly poured forth upon them, and they may thus be made worthy ministers of God's Church. This summons ought to be faithfully obeyed by all; inasmuch as this is a great concern of the whole body, of which they are members. Unhappy those, who on these days, when the Church obliges, never concern themselves about imploring the assistance of God's Holy Spirit for such as are presented for this important charge, but seek profanely their own amusement and satisfaction, when they should be making their application to God in the spirit of humility, for this public good. How ought we all then to pray this day, that none may be promoted to Holy Orders, but such as are called by Almighty God, and prepared by His special grace to be fit ministers in his Church. By the blood of His only Son, He has purchased to Himself a Church, for the glory of His name, and for instructing the whole world in His saving truths. Beg of Him therefore mercifully to secure it under His protection, and fulfil all His promises to it, that it may answer all those holy purposes, for which it was ordained. Pray to Him to be the pastor of all its pastors; and by the influence of His grace, so to direct and govern them, that they may be so many lights to the flock, and both by word and example, lead them in the way of salvation. And in a special manner recommend to His fatherly care, all, who at this time are promoted to Holy Orders throughout the Church." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Let us pray the Holy Spirit to enlighten our bishop in the choice of worthy candidates for the Holy Priesthood.
"On Ember days we pray and make sacrifices for ourselves, our families, the Church and the world." We should never let these seasons pass without adding prayer to our fasts, or it may be compensating fast by prayer. Our prayer should be for the clergy, not only those ordained, though for them especially; but for the Sovereign Pontiff, the cardinals, bishops, parochial clergy, missionaries and religious orders, seminarians; and for the grace of vocation to the priesthood.
Brief Meditations for Pentecost Ember Days
Today is Ember Wednesday of the Summer or Pentecost Embertide. These Ember Days fall during the week after Pentecost (the traditional octave of Pentecost), near the summer solstice. The three focal points for the Ember Days of this period of the year are:
1) to ask God to bless especially the wheat harvest,
2) to thank God for the season of summer, and
3) to ask for special graces for those being ordained as priests during this season.
- An excellent prayer for this purpose is the Litany of the Saints, in which so many bishops, priests, and levites are invoked; or the Rosary may be appropriately said, grouping those for whom we pray into five classes (Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and Seminarians), corresponding to the five decades.
- Listen, Almighty God, we beseech Thee, to the prayers which Thy universal Church offers to Thee at this time, beseeching Thy blessing on those who are about to be admitted to Thy Holy Service of the Altar. Give Thy grace to all who are called to any office and administration amongst Thy clergy, and so replenish them with the truth of Thy doctrine, and indue them with innocence of life, that they may faithfully serve Thee, to the glory of Thy great name and the benefit of Thy Holy Church. Amen
- O God, of Whose mercies there is no number, and of Whose goodness the treasure is infinite, we humbly thank Thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed upon us. Continue Thy mercy to us, and give us also so much of Thy temporal blessings as Thou knowest to be for our good. Grant that the fruits of the earth may, by Thy holy favor, increase and multiply. Defend them from all drought, frosts or tempests, or whatever else may be hurtful to them. It is from Thy hand only that we look for succor, and to Thee we have recourse in all our necessities. Amen. Source: St. John's Manual 1856, Archbishop of New York John J. Hugues
Source: Ember Days (Cure d'Ars Prayer Group)
St. Barnabas, APOSTLE.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He was a disciple of Christ, and companion of St. Paul in his preaching and suffering. His first labour was in confirming the faithful at Antioch, where they were first called Christians; amongst whom he had great success, because he was esteemed, as the scripture says, a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost. Pray for all those, whose function obliges them to preach the gospel. The success of their labours depends very much on the disposition of the preachers.
When the Gentiles heard the preaching of Paul and Barnabas, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. It is a good sign to find satisfaction in hearing and reading what is good. If you experience anything of this, give thanks, and endeavour to improve it, by being as constant in the practice of it, as you can. But if you observe an aversion in yourself, or in those under your care, to hearing or reading what may be helpful to salvation, remember that it is an ill constitution which does not relish wholesome food, and great care must be taken for obtaining a more Christian temper. Such souls are very much indisposed for the eternal enjoyment of God, who take no delight in what belongs to him, or in the way that leads to him. There were Jews at Antioch, who contradicted and opposed the preaching of Barnabas: and he said to them: Seeing you reject the word of God, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life; behold we turn to the Gentiles. Christians must be careful not to make this their case, and not to reject God's word by having a dislike to what is good.
The Jews stirred up devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas. Devout people may be engaged in great sins by a false zeal. Pray to be secured against this misfortune. Provide against it by suspending your judgment in all matters of contention, and not easily believing any party. Call in God to your assistance, that no heat or passion may carry you against truth and justice" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Widow, A.D. 1093.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 10, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"She was grand-daughter of Edmund Ironside, and married to Malcolm, king of Scotland. By the most tender complaisance and condescending behaviour, she gained a great influence over her husband; but this she exerted only to make religion and justice reign, and to render her subjects happy. In the midst of the cares of a kingdom, St. Margaret always kept her heart disengaged from the love of the world, and recollected in God. The continual attention of her soul to him in all her actions, assiduous prayer, and the constant practice of self-denial, were the chief means by which she attained to this perfection. Her greatness was not in enjoying, but despising the greatness of this world. She was a Christian wife, in her respect and obedience to her husband; a Christian mother, in the holy education of her children, ever endeavouring by example, advice, and tears, to arm them against the false pleasures of the world, and to quicken in them the love of God. She was a Christian queen, in discouraging all injustice in her subjects, in her zeal for reforming abuses, in her great charity to the poor, and employing persons to seek out such as were in distress. For the government of her own soul, she desired her director at all times, with freedom to put her in mind of whatever he observed amiss either in her words or actions. In this method of sanctity she lived, and in the same she died, in the eleventh century.
Whatever your condition be, you have lessons for improvement in this holy queen. A soul zealous for heaven cannot be barren, but will make all circumstances serviceable to a better life. Do you make this use of your authority, of your riches, of your charge? By fidelity in these, you may advance by large steps towards heaven. The surest means for going right, is to desire some discreet friend to point out all your false steps, and freely put you in mind of all your errors. Such a request will show your sincerity and humility; and there is no danger of failure, where these have the guidance." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
SS. Primus and Felicianus, MARTYRS, A.D. 286.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THESE two martyrs were brothers, and lived in Rome many years, mutually encouraging each other in the practice of all good works. They seemed to possess nothing but for the poor, and often spent both nights and days with the confessors in their dungeons, or at the places of their torments and execution. Some they encouraged to perseverance; others who had fallen, they raised again; and they made themselves the servants of all in Christ, that all might attain to salvation through him. Though their zeal was most remarkable, they had escaped the dangers of many bloody persecutions, and were grown old in the heroic exercises of virtue, when it pleased God to crown their labours with a glorious martyrdom. The Pagans raised so great an outcry against them, that they were apprehended, and put in chains. They were inhumanly scourged, and then sent to a town twelve miles from Rome, to be further chastised. They were cruelly tortured, first together, afterwards separately. But the grace of God strengthened them, and they were at length both beheaded in the year 286, on the 9th of June.
Pray for all under persecution for their faith; that by patience and constancy they may give testimony of the truth. Pray for patience for yourself in all troubles. He that has overcome death and hell, could easily deliver us from the evils of this life: but it is more for his glory, and our advantage, to triumph over them by his grace, in suffering them with an humble and patient mind. Troubles and persecution separate the reprobate from Jesus Christ; but they are the means of uniting the elect more closely to him, by adoration, love, and fidelity. Let these be the exercises of your heart under all oppressions. Pray for all your kindred and relations, that they may be all united, as in one blood, so by faith and charity, and in the hopes of meeting in bliss. If any of them go astray, let them have your prayers. Look upon all persons with whom you live as your relations, and keep peace and holy charity with all." The Catholic Year by Fr. John GotherSt. William, Arbishop of York, Confessor, A.D. 1154.
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THIS saint was of noble parentage, but the lustre of his virtues far exceeded that of his birth. These virtues, which as he grew up became more and more conspicuous in him, recommended him, after he had received holy orders, to be elected treasurer in the church of York. But the saint, who thought no treasure so valuable as that which is laid up in heaven by works of mercy to the poor, was ever solicitous to convey his wealth into their hands.
On the death of the archbishop of York, St. William was elected to that dignity; but another was preferred before him, through the opposition of the archdeacon Osbert, a turbulent and factious man. St. William patiently endured this repulse, and quietly withdrew to his uncle, the bishop of Winchester, with whom he remained seven years, leading a retired and mortified life, in much fasting, watching, and prayer. He abhorred the pomps of the world, and employed his time in bewailing his sins, and extinguishing the flames of divine justice by penitential tears. He lived in great silence, his behavior was full of calmness and tranquillity: no vain words or superfluous discourse interrupted his divine contemplation. He had ever before his eyes the memory of heaven and hell, and of the strict account to be given at the last day. He restrained his appetite within the bounds of necessity, and allowed nothing to sensuality: and if sometimes he was obliged to admit of visits, his conversation and very countenance were so graceful and amiable, as to appear to have more of an angel than of a man.
The see of York being again vacant, after seven years, St. William was again chosen archbishop. As he proceeded to York, he was received with incredible joy by his people. The great numbers who assembled on that occasion to see and welcome him, broke down the wooden bridge over the river Ouse, in the middle of the city, and many persons, of all ages, especially children, fell into the river. The saint, seeing this terrible accident, earnestly implored with tears the divine mercy, and made the sign of the cross over the river. Every one ascribed to his sanctity and prayers the miraculous preservation of the whole multitude, who all escaped out of the waters without hurt.
St. William formed many great projects for the good of his diocese; but within a few weeks he was seized with a fever, of which he died on the 8th of June,
1154. Pray for your country: and learn from this saint to love humility
and retirement rather than dignities and honours, as being most
favourable to the great end of our creation, the salvation of our precious souls." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Sunday for Priests
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
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
Pentecost
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Sunday Sermons
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
"Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid". Saint John xiv. 27.
Our Lord spoke these words to His apostles before His Passion, but they were not to have effect till after His ascension into heaven. It was not His will that they should have the courage and confidence to which He here exhorts them till that time which we celebrate today, when the Holy Ghost came upon them and fitted them for the great work to which they were appointed. Even while our Lord was with them after His resurrection, and still more after He had ascended and left them to themselves, they were anxious and fearful, not daring to call themselves His disciples or to risk anything for His sake. But when they received the Holy Ghost all this was changed. They confessed Christ openly; all their doubts and fears were gone; and "they rejoiced," as we read in the Acts, "that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. And they ceased not every day, in the temple and from house to house, to teach and preach Christ Jesus."
Now, we ought to imitate their conduct after Pentecost, and not that before. For we have not the excuse that they had before that time. We have received the Holy Ghost, as they did. He has not come on us visibly in fiery tongues, but He has come just as really and truly in the sacrament of confirmation which we have received. There is no reason for us to be troubled or afraid; when the Holy Ghost came into our hearts He brought courage and confidence with Him; He brought them to each one of us, as He did to the holy apostles.
And He gave this courage and confidence to each of us for the same reason as to them, because we have all to be apostles in our own way and degree. We have not all got to preach Christ publicly, as they did, but we have all got to speak a word for Him when the proper occasion comes. We have not all got to die for Christ, as they did, but we have got to suffer something for the sake of our faith in Him, and that quite often, too, it may be. We have a real duty in this matter; we shall be rewarded if we fulfill it, and punished if we do not. It was not for His apostles only but for each one of us that those words of His were meant: "Everyone that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven ; but he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven."
And yet how often must it be acknowledged, to our shame and disgrace, that Christians do deny their Lord and Master before men! I do not mean that they deny their faith, and say they are not Catholics when they are asked; this, thank God ! though it does happen, is not so very common. But is it not common enough to find young Catholic men and women with whom one might associate for years and never suspect them to be Catholics, and, in fact, be quite sure that they were not and this not merely because they do not parade their religion, but because they do not defend it when it is attacked; because they agree with, and even express, all sorts of infidel, heretical, false, and so-called liberal opinions, that they may not give offense; or even, perhaps, without any sort of need, but only to win favor for themselves by falling in with the fashion of those with whom they associate.
And how often, again, do Christians, even if they do stand up for their faith, cast contempt on it in the eyes of the world by acting and talking just as if it had no power over their lives, and was never meant to have any! They curse, and swear, and talk immodestly, just as those do who do not profess to believe in God and Christ, and even, perhaps, worse. Or if they do not go so far as this, they laugh at profanity and impurity, and make companions of those who are addicted to these vices; and this they do, not because they really wish to do or to sanction such things, but merely from a miserable weakness that prevents them from facing a little contempt and unpopularity. What would they do, if called on to shed their blood for Christ, who cannot bear even to be laughed at a little for being practical Catholics? They are like cowardly soldiers who run away from a battle at the first smoke from the enemy's guns.
You know what a shame it is for a soldier to be a coward. And now try to remember, dear Christians, especially on this holy day, that a Christian has got to be a soldier, and that if he is a coward he disgraces himself and his cause. The Holy Ghost is given to us in confirmation that we may not be weak and cowardly, but strong and perfect Christians, and true soldiers of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet received Him in this way make haste to do so; if you have, make use of the graces which He has given you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid; there is nothing to be afraid of, for God is on your side. Do not fear but rather count it a joy to suffer a little persecution for his name. " Five-minute Sermons for Low Masses on All Sundays of the Year, By Priests of the Congregation of St. Paul 1879
