Saint Maria Goretti
by VP
Posted on Saturday July 06, 2024 at 01:00AM in Prayers
"Venerable brethren and beloved children. Through a loving design of Divine Providence the supreme exaltation of a humble daughter of the people has been celebrated in this shining eventide with a Solemnity unequaled and in a form up to now unique in the annals of the Church.
It has been celebrated In the vastness and majesty of this place of mystery, become a sacred temple towards which is turned the firmament which chants the glories of the Most High—a temple desired by you rather than provided by Us and filled with an unnumbered amount of faithful such as other canonizations have never seen. Above all, it is a temple almost, as it were, required by the dazzling brilliance and intoxicating fragrance of this lily cloaked in purple whom We this moment with intimate joy have inscribed in the album of Saints: the tiny and sweet martyr of purity, Maria Goretti.
Why have you come in such huge numbers, beloved children, to her glorification? Why have you been softened even to tears at hearing or reading the account of her short life so like a Gospel story for its simplicity of line, the color of its environment, the very flashing violence of its death? Why has Maria Goretti so quickly captured your hearts even to becoming their darling and their favorite?
There is then in this world, apparently turned upside down and immersed in hedonism, not just a thin rank of settled elect of Heaven and the pure air, but a throng, immense multitudes on whom the supernatural perfume of Christian purity exerts an irresistible and promising fascination: promising yes, and reassuring. If it is true that in the martyrdom of Maria Goretti purity shone forth above all; nevertheless in and with it other Christian virtues also triumphed. In her purity there was the most elementary and significant affirmation of perfect mastery by the spiritual over the material. In her supreme heroism, which is not improvised, there was a tender, docile love, obedient and active, towards parents. There was sacrifice in harsh daily labor, poverty accepted in a Gospel manner and sustained by Faith in a celestial providence. There was religion intently embraced and its understanding always more desired, made ever more the treasure of life and nourished by the flame of prayer. There was a burning desire for the Eucharistic Jesus, and finally, there was the crown of charity, the heroic pardon granted to her murderer. All this made up the garland of country flowers, rustic but so dear to God, which adorned the white veil of her First Communion and shortly afterwards, that of her martyrdom.
Thus this sacred ceremony develops spontaneously into a popular assembly for purity. In the light of every martyrdom there is always a bitter contrast, the stain of some iniquity. Behind that of Maria Goretti is a scandal which at the beginning of this century seemed unheard-of. At a distance of almost 50 years, amidst the often insufficient reaction of those who are good, the conspiracy of immorality—availing itself of books, illustrations, the theater, radio programs, fashions, resorts and associations — attempts to undermine in the bosom of society and the family those who are the natural custodians of virtue, to the harm principally of those in their tenderest childhood.
Oh young people, beloved boys and girls, apples of the eyes of Jesus and of Our own — speak out! Are you resolved firmly to resist any attempt whatever that others may dare to make against your purity?
And you, fathers and mothers, in the sight of this multitude, before the image of this adolescent virgin who with her spotless purity has stolen your hearts, in the presence of her mother who having educated her to martyrdom and while living in its harrowing wake does not mourn her death and who now kneels overcome to pray to her —speak! Are you ready to assume the solemn pledge of watching over your sons and daughters, so far as in you lies, in order to preserve and defend them against such great dangers as surround them and to keep them ever away from places that prepare the way for impiety and moral perversion?
And now, oh all you who hear Us, lift up your hearts. Above the foul marshes and mud of the world there stretches a heaven of beauty. It is the heaven which drew little Maria, the heaven to which she wished to rise by the only way that leads to it: Religion, love of Christ, heroic observance of His commandments.
Hail, oh sweet and lovable Saint! Martyr on earth and angel in heaven, from your glory turn your gaze on this throng that loves you, venerates you, glorifies and exalts you. On your brow you wear clear and shining the victorious name of Christ. On your virgin countenance is the strength of love, the constancy of fidelity to your Divine Spouse. You are the spouse of blood through tracing upon yourself His image.
To you, powerful with the Lamb of God, we entrust these Our sons and daughters here present and all others spiritually united with Us. They admire your heroism but even more they wish to be your imitators in fervor of faith and incorruptible stainlessness of morals. To you fathers and mothers run that you may help them with their training mission. In you through Our hands all childhood and youth find refuge that they may be protected from every contamination and enter upon the path of life in the serenity and joy of the pure of heart. Amen."
May we preserve without stain our white baptismal robe of innocence. May we who have lost this innocence kneel humbly in Holy Penance, and with the absolution of the priest, may the torrent of Christ's precious Blood flow into our souls and give us a new courage to carry the burning light of God's love through the dangerous highways of this life until Christ our king shall call us to the courts of Heaven. Amen."
Saint Anthony Maria Zaccaria, Confessor
by VP
Posted on Friday July 05, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"Absorbed in meditating on the great Sacrifice and his heart burning with love for God, he went to the foot of the altar. A profound and religious silence prevailed among those present, and all eyes were turned on him, a sign of the great event about to take place. At the solemn moment of consecration, a marvelous light encircled him and a multitude of Angels descended, and surrounding him, assisted reverently at the Mass. This heavenly vision lasted until the end of Communion." Source: Barnabite Fathers
O Almighty and Merciful God, who moved by Thine infinite goodness,hast deigned to call Thy servant Father [N] to the ministry of Thy altar, listen graciously to our humble prayer, that, sustained by Thy grace, he may become daily less unworthy of his holy vocation, and vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to bless and sanctify both his words and his works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, model of the priestly heart, have mercy.
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.)
#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 04, 2024 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.
CAPGFor the Church and Civil Authorities
by VP
Posted on Thursday July 04, 2024 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)
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
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 Tuesday July 02, 2024 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)
July: Offerings to the Divine Incarnate Word of His own Most Precious Blood
by VP
Posted on Monday July 01, 2024 at 01:00AM in Prayers
Devotion: Precious Blood
Virtue: Simplicity
Offerings to the Divine Incarnate Word of His own Most Precious Blood (Extracted from those made by S. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi when in a state of rapture. Confraternity of the Precious Blood)
O most Holy Word! I offer Thee Thy
priests, and in their behalf I offer thee whatever is most dear to Thee
in heaven and on earth, in union with all Thy Most Precious Blood: and I
pray Thee to enable them fitly to conceive of the high degree to which
they are exalted, and to hold in extreme abhorrence whatever can
dishonor their dignity or contaminate their lives.
O most Loving Word! I offer Thee the Virgins consecrated to Thee, and in
their behalf I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst
sweat in Thine Agony, in the garden. I place these doves in their own
nest, and these lilies in their garden, Thy most amiable Heart; and I
pray Thee to make them know the height of the vocation to which Thou
hast called them, and faithfully correspond to Thy love.
O Eternal Word! I offer Thee all the faithful sons of Holy Church, Thy
Spouse, members of that body of which Thou art the Head; and I offer
Thee in their behalf the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed in
Thy scourging: I pray Thee to cause them to remember the solemn
renouncement of the world, the flesh, and the devil, which they made in
baptism; and that they may lead such lives as will not bring discredit
on the faith which they profess.
O Divine Word! I offer Thee all poor sinners, and in their behalf I
offer Thee the Most Precious Blood and Water which issued from Thy
sacred Side when pierced by the lance. I pray Thee to wash the stains
from their souls in this Blood and Water, and to grant that, with a
timely repentance, they may, by returning love for love, make up for the
sins they have committed against Thee.
O Eternal Word! I offer to Thee all heretics, and in their behalf I
offer Thee that Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy Body,
all wounded as it was, when Thou wast stripped to be crucified. I
entreat Thee to have compassion on these poor sheep, which, separated
from Thy fold, are on the way to lose themselves in the paths of error
and obstinacy; and place them in the bosom of Thy Church, where alone
truth and safety are found.
O Divine Word! I offer Thee all infidels, and in their behalf I offer
Thee the Most Precious Blood which Thou didst shed from Thy sacred Head
when crowned with thorns. I beseech Thee to remember that these souls
also are the work of Thy Hands. Enlighten them, that they may know their
true and only God, and their Savior; that they too may be made
partakers of the grace of the Sacraments, and of our common redemption.
Eternal Father! I offer Thee the intense pains which Thy only-begotten
Son did suffer, during the three hours that he was nailed to the Cross
for love of us; particularly when, in the intensity of His grief and
abandonment, He exclaimed, " My God! my God! why hast Thou forsaken me?"
I offer them to Thee in behalf of all those in their agony, together
with the Blood that flowed from His five wounds; that they, by the power
of this Blood, may be fortified and defended against all temptations,
and may reach the port of eternal bliss.
O most merciful Word! I offer to Thee all the holy souls in Purgatory,
and in then- behalf I offer Thee Thy most Precious Blood. I beseech Thee
to grant that this sacred fount of comfort may incessantly flow to
mitigate their pains, and to hasten their release, that so they may
quickly come to be united with Thee in that glory to which they are
destined. Amen.
O Eternal Father! I offer Thee the love which Jesus Christ, Thy Son,
testified towards the human race during the whole course of His Passion,
and especially in the pain which He endured in the hiding of the
Beatific Vision from the lower part of His nature. I pray Thee that Thy
complacency in this love may so delight Thee, that Thou mayest
mercifully vouchsafe to overlook the many offenses committed against
Thee in the world at this time.
Seven Glorias in honor of the Most Precious Blood.
St. Junipero Serra, Spanish priest and Missionary
by VP
Posted on Monday July 01, 2024 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
