Jan 19: Return of Oriental Separatists (Church Unity Octave Prayer)
by VP
Posted on Sunday January 19, 2025 at 12:00AM in Poetry
"Once more thy guiding star place in the sky,
And lead - lead back the Magi of the East
To thy One See on earth through which from High
Thou speakest to the world's greatest and least:
Communion with the Apostolic See
Will banish schism in true unity.
"Ut omnes unum sint," O lord, we pray
That all be drawn within thy one, true fold,
Back to thy Church - from which the wand'rers stray
And the true Faith she keeps like saints of Old.
O bring them back, Good Shepherd of the sheep;
And rouse the heathen nations from their sleep. Amen"
Source: Catholic Hymns for the People, James Martin Raker 1919 -
Prayer intention: Return of Oriental Separatists to the one fold of St. Peter, the one Shepherd
- Ant. That they all may be one, as
Thou, Father, in me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that
the world may believe that Thou has sent me.
℣. I say to thee, that thou art Peter,
℟. And upon this rock I will build my Church.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst say to Thine Apostles: peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church; and vouchsafe unto Her that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will: Who livest and reignest God forever and ever. Amen.
Reflection:
"On this second day of the Unity octave our prayers are for a special group cut off from the Church, but united to her in may ways. These dissidents of the East who can trace their spiritual lineage to Ignatius of Antioch, John Chrystostom, the two Gregorys, John Damascene and so many other illustrious saints, have the seven sacraments and the Mass; they have bishops and priests with valid orders. They treasure a deep devotion to the Mother of God, but they lack the fullness of love because they reject the oneness of government and authority in the Holy Father.
Among the so-called Orthodox there are many manifestations of love for Mary. The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Byzantine in style, is the most popular representation of Mary in the Near East and before the Bolsheviks and Communists defamed her image it was most widely venerated in "Holy Russia." Despite the suffering and persecution of the present hour an ardent love for Mary lives on in the hearts of the Russian people and of others enslaved by the same oppressor, with smuggled pictures and hidden icons that testify to a love that cannot be uprooted by force. The flames now concealed will burst forth again and the Bogoroditza (She-who-gave-birth-to-God) will once more reign as Queen and Mother.
Even in the Kremlin there is a church building dedicated to Mary under the title of the Assumption. Assuredly it is not used for divine services today, but in the future it will again re-echo the prayers and hymns in honor of the Mother of God and the prophecy of a holy priest and Apostles of Mary, Maximilian Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv., will be fulfilled: "One day you will see the statue of the Immaculate atop the Kremlin."
When the Catholics of Zhorimir, Russia, asked Pope Leo XIII for a copy of the most popular picture of Our Lady of Rome, the Pontiff sent a copy of the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. He likewise made it the official seal of the Pontifical Mission for Russia. The same inscription is used as the cover of a publication, Balcan, devoted to the study of Christian Unity, it adorns the walls of the Institute of Oriental Studies in Rome, an inspiration for the Europeans and Asiatics who gather there to discuss plans for reunion.
In 1931 Pope Piux XI issued an encyclical, Lux Veritatis, on the fifteenth centenary of the Council of Ephesus. His reference to Our Lady at the end of the document is most appropriate at the present time:
Under the auspices of the Heavenly Queen, We desire all to beg for a very special favor of the greatest importance, that she who is loved and venerated with such ardent piety by the people of the East, may not permit that they should be unhappily wandering and still kept apart from the unity of the Church, and thus from her Son, whose vicar We are. (...) Would, moreover, that very soon the happiest of days might dawn when the Virgin Mother of God, looking through her image so exquisitely worked in mosaic under Our Predecessor, Sixtus III, in the Liberian Basilica, and restored by Us to its original beauty, would see the separated children returning to venerate her with Us with one mind and one faith." Lux Veritatis, Dec. 25 1931
Source: Father Titius Crannis, S.A. The American Ecclesiastical Review, Volume 130, Herman Joseph Heuser Catholic University of America Press, 1954
St. Paul, The First Hermit, Confessor, A.D. 343
by VP
Posted on Wednesday January 15, 2025 at 12:00AM in Poetry
St. Paul lived in the desert about a hundred years, clothed with the leaves of the trees, feeding on dates and bread, — a crow bringing him daily half a loaf, as St. Jerome relates in his life, and drinking at the fountain. Pray that you may understand something of this spirit. A little is sufficient to sustain nature; and all beyond this is some degree of excess. It is the will of God that you should eat and drink, to preserve the life which he has given you: but if in this you study to indulge a disorderly appetite, what is this but an abuse? It is an act of injustice, in feeding that which you are obliged to weaken and overcome. And what is all your expense in that way, but defrauding the poor, who have a right to all that is superfluous to you? To what account will you place what is thus laid out? Consider if it will be accepted by Him, who cannot be imposed upon by vain pretexts.
Reflect too on the penitential life of this saint. If these holy men did so much for salvation, have you not reason to fear when you do so little? If theirs was the way to heaven, is yours so too, when you take quite a contrary method?" The Catholic Year, by Rev. Fr. John Gother
St. Hilary of Poitiers, France. Bishop and Confessor, Doctor of the Church A.D. 368 (the Hammer of the Arians)
by VP
Posted on Tuesday January 14, 2025 at 12:00AM in Poetry
Saint Hilaire, peint par Pierre-Floréal Crémière
- The Church is the Ship outside which it is impossible to understand the Divine Word, for Jesus spoke from the boat to the people gathered on the shore.
- The utter folly of our time is lamentable, that men should think to assist God with human help and to protect the Church of Christ by worldly ambition.
He was of a most illustrious family in Gaul, and brought up in idolatry. But by the divine grace he was happily converted to the Christian faith; and from his baptism led a life of eminent zeal and piety. He had lived with so much regularity in a conjugal state, that for his extraordinary virtues he was made choice of to be bishop of the diocese wherein he lived. Pray for all who have the care of families: they have the charge of them under God, being his vicegerents, and must give an account of all the disorders, whether in children or servants, which are occasioned by their ill example or neglect. How few families are to be found, in which Christian discipline and order are observed! Those who should give the example, are irregular themselves; and then what becomes of those who are under their charge? Spare not your prayers on a subject which demands your tears; and if you have any part in this duty, pray that you may be faithful in it. Beg pardon for past errors, and take effectual care to amend. Think not your charge small: weigh it in all its particulars, and you will find it very great.
St. Hilary, being made bishop, applied himself wholly to the discharge of his duty. He stood resolutely against the enemies of the Christian faith, by preaching, writing, and disputing, and opposed the then prevailing errors of the Arians. Pray for the extirpation of all errors, especially that of the Arians. Pray for all the bishops of Christ's Church; that in their piety, vigilance, and zeal, they may follow the example of this saint in reforming all abuses destructive of faith and a good life. Do your part in being an advocate for truth by your good example.
St. Hilary died in the year 368. He is styled by St. Augustin, "the illustrious doctor of the Churches :" and St. Jerome says that he was a "most eloquent man, and the trumpet of the Latins against the Arians." Recommend yourself and all belonging to you on this his festival to his holy intercession." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
To the Divine Infant
by VP
Posted on Tuesday January 14, 2025 at 12:00AM in Poetry
Infant of Prague: Mother Of Mercy, Washington NC)
Prayer to the Holy Infant for priests
Jesus, Divine Infant, I bless and thank
Your most loving Heart for the institution of the priesthood. Priests
are sent by You, as You were sent by the Father. To them You entrusted
the treasures of Your doctrine, of Your Law, of Your Grace, and souls
themselves.
Grant me the grace to love them, to listen to them,
and to let myself be guided by them in Your ways. Jesus, send good
laborers into Your harvest. May priests be the salt that purifies and
preserves; may they be the light of the world; may they be the city
placed on the mountain. May they all be formed after Your own Heart. And
in heaven may they be surrounded by a joyous throng of those they
shepherded on earth. Amen.
Glory Be three times.
Infant Jesus, make me love You more and more!
To the Divine Infant:
Sweet Infant - God! I humbly fly to Thee,
For I have heard Thy whisper all divine:
"Come all who labor, come with trust to me,"
"Your hearts can only rest in love of mine."
Sweet Infant - Jesus! I believe in Thee,
And hope for mercy from Thy loving Heart.
O may I love and serve Thee fervently!
"The Prince of peace," "Emmanuel" Thou art!
Sweet little Jesus! Souls so dear to Thee
Shall be the objects of my tender love.
O grant that we may all eternally
Rejoice and praise Thee in the land above.
Written by: Enfant de Marie (These lines were suggested by the beautiful prayer in honor of the Holy Infant of Prague, composed by the Carmelite, Father Cyril a Matre Dei.)The Carmelite review, 1898
St. Flavian, MARTYR.
by VP
Posted on Sunday December 22, 2024 at 12:00AM in Poetry
"A NOBLE Roman, who by order of Julian the Apostate had his face disfigured with those marks of infamy, which were the usual punishment of thieves and malefactors. Being afterwards cast forth into banishment, he there gave himself wholly to prayer, and prepared for that life, for which he had contemned all that is in this.
The festivals of martyrs often return, that you may give glory to the Head of the martyrs, and learn something of their spirit. And what advance have you hitherto made? How do you bear reproaches and contempts? How do you submit to the daily difficulties of your state: to the distempers and pains, with which God is pleased to visit you? How do you bear the trouble of your own infirmities and indiscretion? Resentments, impatience, and passion may be your inclination, but ought not to be allowed and indulged in, if уou think to walk by the patterns so often set before you. Stand then with resolution against all such weakness, and begging the patience of the martyrs, bend down your neck to the trouble, whatever it be, that so you may come to the practice of what you profess.
Pray that you may improve in virtue under all trials; and take care, while you profess to honour the martyrs, that you dishonour not their festivals, by passion or impatience. If you can happily overcome these evils, and quietly submit to those exercises of trouble,
which God is pleased to ordain for your portion, this will lay good
dispositions in your soul, such as will bring you to the reward of a martyr, though you may never be called to shed your blood for Christ, patience and contentment under all troubles are the dispositions of a martyr; there is nothing wanting, but the hand of the executioner." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ballade to our Lady of Czestochowa by Hilaire Belloc
by VP
Posted on Monday August 26, 2024 at 01:42AM in Poetry
The image of the Holy Virgin of Częstochowa (derivative, after 1714), collection of Radomysl Castle
I
LADY and Queen and Mystery manifold
And very Regent of the untroubled sky,
Whom in a dream St Hilda did behold
And heard a woodland music passing by :
You shall receive me when the clouds are high
With evening and the sheep attain the fold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
II
Steep are the seas and savaging and cold
In broken waters terrible to try;
And vast against the winter night the wold,
And harbourless for any sail to lie.
But you shall lead me to the lights, and I
Shall hymn you in a harbour story told.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
III
Help of the half-defeated, House of gold,
Shrine of the Sword, and Tower of Ivory;
Splendour apart, supreme and aureoled,
The Battler's vision and the World's reply.
You shall restore me, O my last Ally,
To vengeance and the glories of the bold.
This is the faith that I have held and hold,
And this is that in which I mean to die.
Envoi
These verses, written in your crumbling sty,
Proclaim the faith that I have held and hold
And publish that in which I mean to die.
Source: Sonnets and Verse by Hilaire Belloc Duckworth, 1923
St. Cyril, Bishop and Martyr, A.D. 200
by VP
Posted on Tuesday July 09, 2024 at 01:00AM in Poetry
"He was bishop of Gortina in Candia. He had faithfully observed the divine law from his childhood, and governed the church of Gortina fifty-four years. Not content with preserving those of his flock in the purity of their faith, he laboured so effectually to increase the fold, that he converted a great number of pagans, and at the end of his life had the consolation to see almost the whole city submit to the true religion. He was apprehended at the age of eighty-eight, and upon his refusal to sacrifice to idols, was threatened with death, and exhorted to have pity on his venerable old age. "Do not regard my old age," he replied: "the God whom I serve has promised to renew my youth as that of an eagle.” The judge seeing him resolute, condemned him to the fire. This sentence filled the holy prelate with joy. Being cast into the flames, they left him untouched, and upon the surprise of the miracle, he was set at liberty. But the governor, being again provoked by new information of his zeal in the conversion of heathens, ordered him to die by the sword.
It is an ill sign, if you find all in peace about you. For the malice of the devil is so great against those, who live up to their duty, and give example of good to all who are witnesses of their conversation, that he seldom fails of giving those disturbance by an inward war, or by raising enemies against them. If you experience this his perverseness; to be dejected with the thoughts of your being unhappy, or to be impatient under the trouble, is that which will give him matter of triumph. For it is a part of his victory, to cast those into discouragement, whom he cannot draw into sin. But if you can keep up your spirits in the midst of his attempts, and learn to rejoice in what you suffer in the cause of virtue, and for being faithful to your God, the victory
will be yours, and though encompassed with flames, you will escape
without hurt. Therefore never yield to dejection, if you desire to
overcome." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Ulrich
by VP
Posted on Thursday July 04, 2024 at 01:00AM in Poetry
Leonhard Beck: Saint Ulrich of Augsburg
A FAULT AND ITS REPARATION.-When St. Ulrich was promoted to the see of Augsburg, the town had just been devastated by the Hungarians and the Sclaves; all its monuments were destroyed, the churches in ruins, the cathedral reduced to ashes, the clergy driven away, and the flock scattered. The bishop restored the ruined structures, rebuilt the churches, surrounded the town with a girdling wall, gathered his flock about him, re-established discipline, regulated the ecclesiastical chant and the public services of the Church, in a word, gave back life to his entire diocese. But these external cares did not absorb all his time, he still found sufficient to devote to works of piety, and his clergy might in every respect have taken him for their model. Having reached a great age, however, he thought he had done enough, appointed his nephew bishop in his stead, and retired to the abbey of St. Gall. Such a mode of acting being contrary to the discipline of the Church, the bishops of the province cited him to appear at Ingelheim, in order to hear his sentence. The aged man, with all humility, avowed that he had committed a fault, and begged, with tears in his eyes, that pardon might be accorded to him. His prayer was granted, but he had to resume the government of his diocese, where he died in 973, at the age of eighty.
MORAL REFLECTION.-The avowal of a fault is the best apology. 'Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but strive for the justice of thy soul."-(Eccles. iv. 31.)
St. Thomas, Apostle
by VP
Posted on Wednesday July 03, 2024 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
To St. John Francis Regis (June 16.)
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 16, 2024 at 01:00AM in Poetry
Wikipedia
"Everything good that I have done, I owe to him" St. John Baptiste Vianney Catholic Encyclopedia p 465
"A
sudden inspiration one day entered his mind, which, after consulting
his director, he carried into effect. He made a vow to go on foot,
asking alms as he went, to the tomb of St. John Francis Regis; to ask,
through his intercession, the gift of sufficient learning to enable him
to become a good and faithful labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. His
prayer was heard. St. John Francis Regis, to who he ever afterwards bore
a special devotion, obtained for him the grace he had asked in a
measure which astonished his master and those who had felt most hopeless
of his success." Life of Saint John-Baptist Vianney, Curé d'Ars by
Monnin, Alfred, p22.
To St. John Francis Regis (June 16.)
[A.D. 1507-1640]
Few know thy name, St. Francis Regis! Few
Beyond thy native hills pay homage due,
Save those thy brothers and dear friends, who share
That slandered name it was thy pride to bear.
Nay, some who know thee need to ask thy claim
To shining aureole and saintly fame.
What wast thou? what hast suffered? what hast done,
That 'mid his heroes God hath ranked thee one?
No novice-prince who, yet a boy hath given
Honour, and wealth, and prouder hopes for heaven -
No hermit hoar, who long, long years hath passed
In lonely watching and in cruel fast;
No fiery martyr, who hath meek defied
The tyrant at the stake, and smiling died.
Thy story reads not like a wild romance,-
It never strays from polished modern France,
Where, 'mid the rudest of her southern steeps,
Its stream unseen, but fertilizing, creeps.
Yet in that homely sphere of some score miles,
What restless, tranquil zeal - what saintly wiles
For luring souls to God! Ah, wherefore roam?
The hero finds a hero's work at home.
Oh, thou hard-toiling missionary-saint!
Not thine in such dull martyrdom to faint.
The winter's ice, men's freezing doubts and sneers,
Chilled not thy glow, but thawed beneath thy tears.
Dauntless in labour, patient to endure,
The firm, the mild apostle of the poor.
Francis and Lewis here in one behold -
Xavier at home, Gonzaga twice as old.
Oh, gray-haired Aloysius! Yes, that name
When thou wast young, thy virtues well might claim,
Hadst thou, like him, been early snatched away,
Not left to bear the "burden of the day."
But thou liv'dst on, God spared thee to his earth,
Keeping thee innocent as at thy birth,
That first true birth when o'er thy baby-brow
The waters flowed, and left thee pure as snow-
Pure none the less when, after many a year
Of earnest faith, of humble, loving fear,
After great things for his sake done and borne,
God bade the peasant of the Velais mourn,
Mourn for thy loss.
Oh, great St. Regis, pray
That we, thy brothers, in our meaner way
God's work may do: from many a soul to burst
The glittering fetters of the king accursed.
Teach us to share thy burning, melting love
For Him who on the right-hand reigns above,
Yet hides upon our altars. Oh, great heart!
In thy rich treasures gain for us a part: -
The meekness of thy strength, so gay, so sure -
Thy wistful fondness for God's outcast poor -
Thy yearning for the sinner, hate of sin -
Thy filial pride in her whose breast within
Thy boyhood and thy manhood calmly sped.
Ah! may she lead us on as thou wast led.
She is the same great Mother still; but we,
St. Francis Regis! are not like to thee.
source: Madonna: Verses on Our Lady and the Saints, by the Rev. Matthew Russell, S.J. 1880
