The Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
by VP
Posted on Monday June 24, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
Daily Missal with Vespers for Sunday
"He was sanctified in his mother's womb. A good instruction for mothers, to pray for their children before they are born. Very much depends on their natural constitution and temper; the difference of inclinations is very observable. Why then should not they pray for such as may lead to virtue and happiness?
St. John was the forerunner of Christ, and proclaimed Him to the world, preparing His way before Him, by preaching penance and conversion from sin. Pray that you may hear his voice, and enter into those holy dispositions which he requires. Prepare your soul, as he directs, that Christ may follow, and take up his abode in your heart.
We have it from the mouth of Christ himself, that amongst all born of women there is none greater than St. John Baptist. And yet we find nothing in him which the world esteems great; his whole life being a contempt of the world, and an entire renunciation of all that which is reputed valuable in it. For, his habitation being a desert, his clothing being of camel's hair, and his food locusts and wild honey, it is evident that neither riches, nor honour, nor pleasures, nor the satisfaction of any sense, nor any sort of vanity, had place in him. Making no further use of the world than necessity required, he renounced all that which could contribute to these common objects of human greatness. His greatness therefore, was in the contempt of all these things; and this was necessary in him, who was to be the precursor of the Messias; that so not only in words, but by example too, he might teach the world to prepare the ways of the Lord, and make good what he said of himself: I am a voice. For thus was he a voice, whilst all that he did carried with it the same instruction with what he said.
This instruction we are to receive this day, by learning from St. John the only methods of preparing the ways of Christ, and obtain some degrees of that greatness, which rendered him the just subject of our Redeemer's love and praise. This instruction has but one point, and that is, forsaking or contemning the world and ourselves. This is the lesson which he teaches: and the case is plain. For as to prepare for the world, and seek its greatness, there is a necessity of pursuing all those ways which the world
values, and are calculated to raise its admiration and esteem; and
since to be great in our own eyes, there is a necessity of observing the dictates of self-love; -so, to prepare the ways of Christ, and obtain some part of that greatness which he commends, there is a like necessity of contemning
what he disesteems, and walking in all those ways which he approves and
teaches, as ways that lead to Him. And since he has declared the world to be his enemy; since the great things of the world are the very things which he has rejected; since we are taught that all its ways are vanity, and that self-love is the root of all evil; it is no less than demonstration, that the only means of preparing the ways of our Lord, and being great with him, is to forsake or despise the world and ourselves. Not that all are bound to retire into a desert with St. John, or confine themselves to the rigours of his eating or clothing; but that in all these particulars, whilst great allowances are granted, in consideration of health and education, degrees and custom, great care likewise ought to be had by Christians, not to seek themselves or the world, any more than the Baptist did, who renounced them all. Because, whatever we do, pushed on by the love of the world or ourselves, we do not in this prepare the ways of Christ; nor can we by such ways become great with him. By frequent selfdenial, a Christian comes near to the spirit of St. John. And is not this the only means for preparing the ways of our Lord, and arriving at that greatness, which he commends? This indeed is contrary to what the world expects; but since the world is opposite to Christ, the ways of Christ must necessarily be opposite to those of the world; and there can be no engaging in the one, but by forsaking the other.
Teach us therefore, O Jesus thy ways: and may thy holy Baptist obtain
for us that spirit, without which we can have no hopes of coming to thee." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayers in Honor of St. John the Baptist
O Glorious St. John the Baptist, of those born of women the greatest of prophets (Luke vii. 28); thou, though sanctified from thy mother's womb and most innocent, didst nevertheless will to retire into the desert, there to practice austerities and penance; obtain for us from Our Lord the grace to be detached, at least in the affections of our hearts, from all earthly treasure, and to practice Christian mortification with interior recollection and a spirit of holy prayer,
Pater, Ave, and Gloria.
Most zealous apostle, who, without working any miracle on others, but solely by the example of thy life of penance and the power of thy words, didst draw after thee crowds, in order to prepare them to worthily receive the Messiah, and listen to His heavenly teaching; grant that it may be given to us also, by the example of a holy life and the practice of good works, to lead many souls to God and, above all, those who have been enveloped in the darkness of error and ignorance, and led astray by vice.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.
O unconquered martyr, who for the honor of God and the salvation of souls, didst, with heroic constancy, and at the cost of life itself, withstand the impious Herod reproving him openly for his bad and dissolute life; obtain for us a brave and generous heart, so that, overcoming all human respect, we may boldly profess our faith, and follow the teaching of our divine master, Jesus Christ.
Pater, Ave, Gloria.
V. Pray for us, St. John the Baptist.
R.That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
O God, Who hast made this day worthy of honor in the nativity (commemoration) of St. John, grant to thy people the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the minds of all the faithful into the way of eternal salvation through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Pius X, Jan 11, 1904 (Indulgences.) Blessed Sacrament Book by Father Francis Lasance p1131)
"A Prophet of the Most High" (Alleluia), St. John is pre-figured by Isaias and Jeremias (Introit, Epistle, Gradual); still more, he was consecrated before birth to announce Jesus (Secret) and to prepare souls for His coming.
The Gospel narrates the prodigies which accompanied his birth. Zachary gives his child the name which St. Gabriel has brought him from heaven, which signifies: The Lord has pardoned. He immediately recovers his speech and, filled with the Holy Ghost, he foretells the greatness of his son: "He shall walk before the face of the Lord to give unto the people the knowledge of salvation." The angel Gabriel had announced to Zachary that "many would rejoice in the birth of St. John the Baptist". Indeed, not only “the neighbors and relations of Elizabeth" solemnized the event, but every year, on its anniversary, the whole Church invites her children to share in this holy joy. She knows that the nativity "of this Prophet of the Most High " at this summer Christmas is intimately connected with the Advent of the Messiah.
After the feast of the Nativity of St. John, the days become shorter, while, on the contrary, after the Nativity of the Savior, of which this feast is the prelude, the days become longer. The Precursor must efface himself before Jesus Who is the true light of souls. "He must increase," says St. John," and I must decrease."
The solstices were the occasion of pagan feasts when fires were lighted to honor the orb which gives us light. The Church Christianized these rites seeing in them a symbol of St. John who was a burning and brilliant lamp." Indeed "she encouraged this kind of manifestation which corresponded so well with the character of the feast. The St. John bonfires happily completed the liturgical solemnity; they showed the Church and the earthly city united in one thought." The name of the Precursor is inscribed in the Canon of the Mass at the head of the Second List.
Formerly, on his feast day three masses were celebrated in his honor, and numerous churches were dedicated to him. Parents loved to give his name to their children.
Paul the Deacon, a monk of Monte Cassino and a friend of Charlemagne, had composed, in honor of St. John the Baptist, the hymn: “Ut queant laxis." In the thirteenth century the Benedictine monk Guy of Arezzo noticed that the notes sung on the first syllables formed the sequence of the first six degrees of the scale. He named each degree by the corresponding syllable: (Ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si) and thereby greatly facilitated the study of musical intervals.
"That Thy servants may sing with full voice the marvels of Thy works, purify their sullied lips, O St. John."Immediately Zachary made signs that he wished to call his son John,. he recovered his speech; and lo! a hymn composed in honor of the Prophet, whose voice resounds in the desert, becomes the occasion of a new progress in music. Every Parish Priest celebrates Mass for the welfare spiritual and temporal of his Parishioners." Daily Missal with Vespers page 1436 1925
The Words of Christ
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 23, 2024 at 01:00AM in Sermons
"But I say to you." -MATT. V. 22.
1. The words of Christ, the Son of God.
2. What are they? Words that countermand the law of Moses, as regards murder, adultery, swearing, revenge.
3. Finally, His word of love and forgiveness.
4. Even many Catholics careless in respecting these words of Christ.
"In this chapter of St. Matthew these words, "But I say to you," are repeated by our divine Lord six times. They occur in His first sermon on the mount; and were a bold and manifest declaration that Christ our Lord came to change the traditions and customs of the Jews, and to insist on His own doctrine.The multitude that listened must have been amazed. Teachings and practices sanctioned for centuries were ruthlessly condemned and set aside, and a new code of conduct laid down by this new Teacher. And it came to pass, when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at His doctrine. For He was teaching them as one having power" (Matt. vii. 28, 29).
And if they, who heard Him for the first time, were subdued and awed, how much more reverential and obedient should we be, who know Who this is Who repeated these words so often, "But I say to you." Christ our Lord, the Son of God! Yes, that is what He claimed and proved Himself to be. But that multitude knew it not. To them He was the new Teacher from Nazareth. It was after this He claimed to be Son of God. You remember how, after He had opened the eyes of the man born blind, and who had been cast out of the synagogue for his adherence to Him, Jesus said to him: "Dost thou believe in the Son of God? He answered and said: Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him? And Jesus said to him: Thou hast both seen Him" (yes, with the eyes He had opened),"and it is He that talketh with thee. And he said: I believe, Lord! and falling down adored Him" (John ix. 35, 38).Yes, we also adore Him as God, and accept His words as eternal truth, for God can never change and never err. Then let us look into this chapter of St. Matthew, and find what are these words, which being the words of the Son of God must never be disobeyed, omitted, nor altered by man.
First: "You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill . . . but I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment . . . be reconciled to thy brother " (Matt. v. 21). Alas! how often is this doctrine disobeyed and disregarded by the world.
Secondly: "Of old it was said: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart" (ibid. 28). Not actions alone, but thoughts and desires denounced as guilty before the eyes of God.
Thirdly: "But I say to you, that whosoever putteth away his wife and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery" (ibid. 32). With these words of the Son of God before them, how dare the iniquitous laws of divorce be passed, to make sin easy and to be thought of no account?
Fourthly: not only perjury forbidden, "But I say to you not to swear at all . . . but let your speech be yea, yea; no, no; and that which is over and above these is evil" (ibid. 34, 37).
Fifthly: the law of retaliation is condemned--" an eye for an eye," and instead, this neighbourly spirit insisted on: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not away (ibid. 42).
And the last word: Instead of "love thy neighbour and hate thy enemy," the Son of God inculcates that doctrine of love and perfection: "But I say to you: love your enemies, do good to them that hate you; pray for them that persecute and calumniate you; that you may be the children of your Father Who is in heaven" (ibid. 43-45.)
How sad it is to look around us and behold the world ignoring these emphatic words of Christ; at variance with them; yea, acting in defiance of some of them. Christian states passing laws about divorce, utterly abrogating the law of Christ, as if the divine Lawgiver were a God of yesterday and not of today. What answer at the judgment day will be found for having gainsaid the words of Christ? Have they forgotten that He said, "My words shall not pass away" (Luke xxi. 33; Mark xiii. 31)?
And do Catholics, even those who think that they are fairly good Catholics, take all these words to heart and keep them as religiously as they should? Are they as careful about being angry and unforgiving as He commands? Lustful thoughts, swearing -are they avoided with that holy fear that they should be? Have they learned and do they practice, "Give to him that asketh" and "Love your enemies and pray for them that calumniate you"? And if not, are they Christ's disciples? for He says, "If you continue in My word, you shall be My disciples indeed" (John viii. 31). "And if any one love Me, he will keep My word " (John xiv. 23).
We must beware of being led astray by the maxims of the world. We have in very truth and in all exactitude to accept the words of Christ and keep them. It is hard for flesh and blood; it is supernatural work, beyond our powers; but grace and help from God will crown our endeavours to obey, if we ask for His assistance. Be solicitous to remember His words and to keep them, for if we fail and disobey He has said, "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him at the last day " (John xii. 48)." Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Francis Paulinus Hickey 1922 (5th Sunday after Pentecost)
St. Ethelreda, Abbess
by VP
Posted on Sunday June 23, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"ANOTHER FAMILY OF SAINTS.-The pious Anna, king of the East Angles, was the father of St. Ethelreda, and her mother was St. Heruwyda; her sisters were St. Sexburga, St. Withburga, and St. Ethelburga, who died as a nun in France. Ethelreda was born at Ermyng, in the county of Suffolk, and was brought up in the fear of God. After having passed three years in married life, though in a state of continence, she retired to the island of Ely, in order to devote herself to practices of piety. Afterwards yielding to the entreaties of Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians, she consented to assume the dignity of queen, but only on condition of still keeping holy continence.
Notwithstanding all the good she effected by the influence of her example in the world, she preferred seeking anew the calm of retirement, and withdrew to the nunnery of Coldingham, and subsequently to the isle of Ely, where she founded a nunnery herself, and there died in 679. Her body having been exhumed eleven years after, was found exempt from corruption, and many miracles were wrought by mere contact therewith.
MORAL REFLECTION. -Happy
those families where "the children's children are the crown of the old,
and the glory of children are their fathers!"-(Prov. xvii. 6.)" The Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu
St. Alban, First Martyr of England, a.d. 303. and St. Paulinus, Bishop and Confessor
by VP
Posted on Saturday June 22, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"So great was the glory of this first martyr of our country, that his name was famous over the whole Church. He was as yet a pagan, when the edicts of the Roman emperors against the Christians began to be put into execution in Britain. A certain priest sought by flight to escape the persecutors, and Alban afforded him a shelter in his house. He was much edified by the holy deportment of the stranger, and admired his faith and piety, and in particular his assiduity in prayer. Alban listened to his instructions, and in a short time became a Christian. Information was soon given to the Roman governor that the priest lay hid at the house of St. Alban. Soldiers were sent to search for him; but St. Alban changed clothes with his guest, that he might more easily escape, and he himself put on the garment worn by the priest. In this dress he presented himself boldly to the soldiers, and was by them led to the judge. He was highly provoked to find the cheat which the saint had put upon him, and ordered him to sacrifice to the pagan gods. Upon his heroic refusal, the judge commanded him to be scourged; and seeing him bear with unshaken constancy, and even with joy, the most cruel torments, he at last condemned him to be beheaded.
The saint, impatient to obtain the crown of martyrdom, by his prayers dried up the river, so as to afford a passage for himself and a great multitude who went out to witness his execution. At this miracle, the executioner was converted, and throwing away his sword, fell at the saint's feet, begging to die with him, or rather in his place. Another executioner was called in, who struck off the head of the martyr; but his own eyes fell to the ground at the same time. The first executioner who had declared himself a Christian was also beheaded. They suffered on the 22nd of June, according to most authors in the year 303, and at the place where the town of St. Albans now stands.
Pray for your country, that God may bless it with the love of justice and truth. Pray for all who suffer for the faith, and beseech God to give you the courage and constancy of his primitive servants.
"ADVANTAGES DERIVABLE FROM ADVERSITY. - Paulinus was born at Bordeaux in 353. He reckoned among his ancestors a long line of senators, and his father was prefect of Gaul. He had as preceptor the celebrated Ausonius, and at the age of twenty-five became prefect of the town of Rome. Theresa, belonging to one of the most noble families in Spain, brought him a large accession of wealth in marriage. He was at the height of worldly dignities when sudden changes happening in the empire snatched from him all his honours and a goodly portion of his wealth. Paulinus and Theresa thereupon, apprehending the nothingness of the things of the world, sold the remainder of their possessions in favour of the poor; Theresa dedicated her life to their service, and Paulinus embraced the religious state. His great virtue soon rendered his name famous, and caused him to be raised to the bishopric of Nola. This town, which was devastated by the Goths a year afterwards, stood in need of such a bishop, to prevent its entire destruction. He became the providence of the poor and the unfortunate. Although poor himself, he always found means to give in abundance. St. Paulinus died in 431.
MORAL REFLECTION.-We read in the book of Proverbs:
"Whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth, even as a father the son in whom he
delighteth."-(Prov. iii. 12.)" Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1591.
by VP
Posted on Friday June 21, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"THIS saint was born of noble and pious parents. From the instructions and example of his devout mother, the deepest sentiments of religion and the fear of God were impressed upon his soul from his childhood, In the seventh year of his age, he began to conceive greater sentiments of piety, and recited every day the office of our Blessed Lady, the seven penitential psalms, and other prayers, which he never omitted even in sickness. He had a great esteem for the angelic virtue of chastity; and cultivated this by assiduous prayer, universal mortification, and careful avoidance of all dangerous occasions. But humility was in him the guardian of purity. When he was nine years old he made a vow of perpetual virginity before an altar of the Blessed Virgin at Florence. He had so tender a devotion to the B. Eucharist, that when hearing Mass, after the consecration, he often melted into tears, in profound sentiments of love and adoration. He frequently approached to the Holy Communion, and this great Sacrament became his greatest joy and consolation.
St Aloysius at length determined to enter into the Society of Jesus, in order to devote himself to the instructing and conducting souls to God. He renounced his right of succession to his father's title of Marquis, in favour of his younger brother; and entered his noviceship at Rome, in his eighteenth year. Here he strove to surpass all his companions in every religious duty. He was exact in the observance of every rule; possessed a thorough contempt of the world, and a most ardent love of God. Such was the general mortification of his senses, that he seemed wholly inattentive to exterior things. He never listened to reports or discourse about worldly matters; spoke very little, and never about himself. His whole life seemed a continual prayer. To appear poor, little, and contemptible was his delight, and he rejoiced to see the last and worst portion of any thing fall to his share.
In 1591 St. Aloysius obtained leave to serve the sick, when a pestilential distemper swept off great multitudes in Rome. He catechised and exhorted the poor patients, washed their feet, made their beds, and performed the most loathsome and painful offices of the hospital. He soon fell sick, and though he recovered of this attack, he was reduced three months after to the last extremity, and died the death of the just, on the 21st of June, it being that year the octave day of Corpus Christi.
When we see a young prince sacrifice nobility, sovereignty, riches, and pleasures, the more easily to secure the treasure of divine love, and eternal happiness, how much ought we to condemn our own sloth, who live as if heaven were to cost us nothing? Let us imitate his diligence, if we wish to secure his reward." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer to Saint ALoysius Gonzaga to Obtain the Virtue of Purity:
Amiable Saint, whose life was more angelical than human! I, thy most unworthy servant come to confide, in a special manner, to thy pure hands, and to thy watchful solicitude, the purity of my soul and body. Angel of purity, I earnestly beseech thee to intercede for me with Jesus Christ, the immaculate Lamb, and with his holy Mother, the Virgin of virgins, that I may be preserved from every grievous sin, and from the least stain of impurity.
When thou seest me
tempted, and in danger of sinning against that virtue which was so dear
to thee, remove far from my mind and heart every unchaste thought and
desire; bring to my mind the thought of eternity, and of Jesus
crucified; fill my heart with the fear of God; kindle within it the fire
of divine love, and obtain, that after having imitated thy virtues here
below, I may enjoy with thee, in heaven, the happiness to possess God,
and to possess him for ever. Our Father and Hail Mary. (St. Vincent's Manual)
THE DEVOUT CLIENT'S ADDRESS TO SAINT ALOYSIUS:
ANGELICAL Youth, Aloysius, by the particular appointment of God's vicar upon earth, patron of those who apply to studies: thou who hast illustrated the Church by a holy contempt of an earthly principality, but more by the innocence of thy manners, sanctity of thy life, and glory of thy miracles, allow me, from this day, to choose and adopt thee, patron and protector of my life and studies, firmly resolved to follow the example and pattern, as well of piety as of industry, thou hast put before me. For the love thou hadst for Christ crucified, and his most blessed Mother, receive me as thy client and obedient servant; aid and assist me in the pursuit of virtue and learn. ing; nourish and increase in me a purity of body and mind; turn off the snares laid against my chastity; ward and defend me against the dangers of the world; inspire my heart with a true and filial confidence in the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of good counsel; govern and direct me in my choice of a state of life, and let the grace of God be my perpetual defence against all mortal sin: that as thou always livedst in a purity and integrity truly angelical, so assisted by thy patronage, and aided by the grace of God, I may live chastely and holily in this world, and deserve to De associated with thee and joined to the company of the angels in heaven. Amen. Recite six Paters and Aves, with the Gloria Patri.
LITANY OF ST. ALOYSIUS.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, Graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, have mercy on us.
Holy Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, have mercy on us.
St. Aloysius, Most beloved of Christ, have mercy on us.
The delight of the blessed Virgin, have mercy on us.
Most chaste youth, have mercy on us.
Angelic youth, have mercy on us.
Most humble youth, have mercy on us.
Model of young students, have mercy on us.
Despiser of riches, have mercy on us.
Enemy of vanities, have mercy on us.
Scorner of honors, have mercy on us.
Honor of princes, have mercy on us.
Jewel of the nobility, have mercy on us.
Flower of innocence, have mercy on us.
Ornament of a religious state, have mercy on us.
Mirror of mortification, have mercy on us.
Mirror of perfect obedience, have mercy on us.
Lover of evangelical poverty, have mercy on us.
Most affectionately devout, have mercy on us.
Most zealous observer of rules, have mercy on us.
Most desirous of the salvation of souls, pray for us.
Perpetual adorer of the holy Eucharist, pray for us.
Particular client of St. Ignatius, pray for us
Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, hear us, O Lord.
From the concupiscence of the eyes, O Lord, deliver
us.
From the concupiscence of the flesh, O Lord, deliver us.
From the pride of life, O Lord, deliver us.
Through the merits and intercession of St. Aloysius, O Lord, deliver us.
Through his angelical purity, O Lord, deliver us.
Through his sanctity and glory, O Lord, deliver us.
We sinners, beseech thee to hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Y. Pray for us, St. Aloysius,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY.
O GOD! the distributor of heavenly gifts; who didst unite in the angelic youth Aloysius, wonderful inno. cence of life, with an equal severity of penance; grant through his merits and prayers that we, who have not fol lowed the example of his innocence, may imitate his practice of penance; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
St. Silverius, POPE AND MARTYR, A.D. 538.
by VP
Posted on Thursday June 20, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"He was bishop of Rome; and for refusing to restore an heretical bishop who had been deposed by his predecessor, was persecuted by the Empress Theodora. He was stripped of his pontifical ornaments, and clothed with the habit of a monk. After this it was proclaimed that the pope was deposed, and become a monk. He was then led into banishment to Patara in Lycia. The emperor Justinian appeared startled at the atrocity of the proceedings against the holy pope, and gave orders that St. Silverius should be restored to his see. His enemies, however, contrived to seize him, and conveyed him into a small inhospitable island, where he died in a short time of hard usage; and it appears most probable that he was murdered at the instigation of his persecutors. His death happened in 538.
Pray for all that are oppressed for justice. They want help from above who are under these trials: beg it in their behalf. And for yourself, resolve to make the eternal truth and justice your constant rule, in letting these be the measure of whatever you do. It is not always agreeable to your convenience and interest to do so: but a Christian has no remedy. He must lay down the cause of temporal advantage, when God forbids such proceedings. Therefore, let neither the desire of quiet, gain, or preferment, persuade you to any weak compliance, nor temporal concerns prevail on you to transgress against your eternal interest. Be constant to your duty; and let God and His law be your guide. Pray for all those, who, being sensible of their duty, have not courage to perform it. It is but too common for Christians to hazard the displeasure of God, to gain the favour of men, and to enrich and raise themselves by ways contrary to justice and truth. Let all these partake of your prayers. They are certainly miserable, and deserve your compassion: let therefore your charity be extended to them." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer for Persecuted Priests:
All Powerful and Eternal God, through
the merits of Your Son Jesus, and Through Your love for Him, I implore
You, have pity on the priests of the Holy Church. In spite of their
sublime dignity, they are fearful and weak, like all created beings. In
your infinite mercy, inflame their hearts with the fire of Divine Love.
For the sake of Jesus, Your Son, bestow grace on the priests and uphold
them. Do not let them fall into temptation and tarnish their noble
vocation.
O Jesus, we implore you. Look with pity on the priests of the Holy
Church: those who are serving You faithfully and proclaiming Your glory;
those who are persecuted for tending your flock; those who are
abandoned, weary and sorrowful: those who are lukewarm, confused and who
have denied their faith; those who are sick, dying, or in Purgatory.
Lord Jesus, we entreat You. Listen to our supplication, have pity and
console them.
O Jesus, we entrust to You the priests of the whole world: the priests
who baptized me, absolved my sins, offered Holy Mass and consecrated the
Eucharist to nourish my soul. We entrust to You the priests that
instructed me when I was ignorant, gave me strength in my weakness,
showed me the Way and the Truth and comforted me in my sorrow and
affliction. For all the blessings they obtained for me, I implore You to
support them in Your Loving Kindness.
O Jesus, shelter our priests in Your Sacred Heart. Let them take refuge
in Your mercy and love, in this life, and to the hour of death. Amen.
By his Eminence the late Ignatius Cardinal Kung, Bishop of Shanghai. Published 7/16/1953 during the early years of persecution of the Roman
Catholic Church in China by its communist government. He was imprisoned
from 1955 to 1988
#21 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 20, 2024 at 01:00AM in Thursday Reparation
21. We adore Thee, O God of all purity! And to make reparation for all the sins which have hitherto been committed against the virtue of purity, we offer up to Thee the modesty and penance of all holy religious men and women. 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.
CAPGThe Victories of the Saints: Saints Gervaise and Protase
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 19, 2024 at 01:03AM in Saints
Gervasius and Protasius, by Philippe de Champaigne
"The Victories of the Saints: To be ready to confront death rather than renounce one's faith, is to achieve a great victory over one's self; but this victory gained by the saints is not their final triumph, for their power does not perish with their death, it then really commences. SS. Gervaise and Protase, who were brothers, suffered martyrdom together at Milan during the persecution of Domitian. The mighty events subsequently occurring, caused their memory to slumber. St. Ambrose, archbishop of Milan, finding himself exposed to the persecution of the empress Justina, who sought to drive him from his see, so as to be able to allow Arianism to get the upper hand in his diocese, had a revelation indicating the spot where the bodies of the martyrs lay buried. He had them exhumed, and caused them to be exposed to the veneration of the faithful; the concourse of reverent votaries was immense, and so many and such striking miracles were manifested that it became impossible for the Arians to deny either the existence of the miracles, or to give a wrong interpretation thereto. They no longer ventured to raise further opposition to the Holy Archbishop, or attempt anything in favor of their own doctrine. Thus did these holy martyrs obtain a fresh triumph.
Moral reflection: "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do to me. Remember the prelates who have spoken the word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end." (Heb. 13. 7) Pictorial half hours with the saints. By Abbe Auguste François Lecanu
St. Juliana Falconieri, VIRGIN, A.D. 1340.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday June 19, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"This saint in her infancy seemed almost to anticipate the use of reason by her early piety; and the first words she learned to pronounce were the sacred names of Jesus and Mary. Fervent prayer and mortification chiefly took up her attention, at an age which usually seems incapable of any thing serious. Such was her angelical purity, that she never durst look any man in the face: and so great was her horror of sin, that the very name of it made her almost swoon away. In her sixteenth year, she bid adieu to the world, and consecrated her virginity to God, receiving the religious veil from the hands of St. Philip Beniti. She entered an order instituted for the service of the sick, and other offices of charity. The reputation of her prudence and sanctity drawing to her many devout ladies, who desired to follow the same institute, she was obliged to accept the charge of prioress. Though she was the spiritual mother of the rest, she made it her delight to serve every one. She often spent whole days in prayer, and frequently received great heavenly favours. She seized every opportunity of performing offices of charity, especially of reconciling enemies, reclaiming sinners, and serving the sick. She practiced incredible austerities. In her old age she bore various painful distempers with inexpressible joy and cheerfulness. In her last sickness, she was much afflicted at not being able to receive the Blessed Sacrament on account of her stomach not being able to retain any food. The sacred host, however, was brought into her cell, and there suddenly disappeared out of the hands of the priest. After her death, the figure of the sacred host was found imprinted on the left side of her breast; by which it was judged that our Blessed Saviour had miraculously satisfied her holy desire. She died in 1340, at the age of seventy.
Pray for her spirit of charity and self-denial. If you are eagerly bent on your own ways and will, indulge your inclinations, gratify your passions, love niceness and softness, study your palate and appetite, your faith may be right, but your practice is not. This is not the spirit of the Gospel, but of corruption; and must be reformed." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer to St. Juliana Falconieri: O Faithful spouse of Jesus Christ and most humble servant of the Virgin Mary, Mother of sorrows, glorious St. Juliana; at the end of a life entirely spent in the exercise of heroic virtues thou didst undergo one last trial, in that thou couldst not be united in holy Viaticum to thy Beloved by reason of bodily infirmity. But this trial was so acceptable to thy heavenly spouse, Jesus that He deigned Himself to the reward it with an extraordinary miracle; for at thy request Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was placed on thy virginal breast, and He instantly entered within, leaving outwardly im pressed the image of Him self crucified, while with a sweet smile thou didst breathe forth thy soul in his holy embrace. O great saint and my special patroness obtain from God, I beseech thee, that like thee I may live a good life and die a holy death; and that being so prepared for the last passage, fortified with the holy sacraments, and invigorated by divine grace, I may finish my days in holiness and be preserved from eternal death.
St. Calogerus the Anchorite
by VP
Posted on Tuesday June 18, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
VICTORY OVER THE DEMON.- During the reign of Theodosius the Younger, that is, in the first part of the fifth century, a holy hermit, whose real name has not reached us, but who is known under the designation of "Calogerius," meaning "the good old man," came from Constantinople to seek an asylum in Sicily. This island and the Lipari isles were still involved in paganism, and, just as with every country into which the Gospel has not penetrated, there existed numerous cases of persons possessed by the Devil. Calogerius had been promoted to the order of "Exorcist," and had moreover been invested, at his own prayer, by the successor of St. Peter, with full authority to act. Armed with these powers, in conjunction with austere fasting and earnest prayer, he undertook to vanquish the demon, and succeeded in achieving a complete victory. At a word, he cured the demoniacs, and laid bare the trickery of the oracles and vain power of the idols. Sicily and the neighbouring isles were won over to the faith. The holy hermit fasted every day, excepting Sundays, and all the time which was not spent by him in apostolic labours was devoted to prayer. Holiness of life was the groundwork of his eloquence.
MORAL REFLECTION. - Jesus Christ told His disciples:
"There are demons that can go out by nothing, save by prayer and
fasting.". (Mark ix. 28.)" Pictorial half Hours with the Saints by Fr. LeCanu
PRAYER: All you legions and choirs of Angels, please make haste to come to the aid and defense of our One Holy Roman Catholic Church. Led by St. Michael, may She be protected from destruction within by all modernistic attempts that try to diminish the true presence of God and take away His proper and due respect! In particular, come to the aid of my parish (name your parish) that it may remain or be remade to be a place of reverence and a stronghold from which the One True Triune God may continue to lead and strengthen us. Amen.
