Finding of the Body of St. Stephen, THE FIRST MARTYR, A.D. 415.
by VP
Posted on Saturday August 03, 2024 at 01:00AM in Saints
"A FESTIVAL in memory of that day, when by divine revelation the body of St. Stephen, the first martyr, mentioned in the Acts, was found at Jerusalem, together with the bodies of Nicodemus, Gamaliel, and his son Abibas, in the year 415, under the Emperor Honorius. Upon the opening of St. Stephen's coffin, the earth shook, and there came from it so agreeable an odor, that no one remembered any thing like it. Seventy-three persons, afflicted with various distempers, recovered their health upon the spot. The sacred relics were removed with great solemnity by the Christians into the church of Sion; afterwards to Constantinople, under Theodosius the younger; and at length to Rome, in the time of Pelagius I. At the removal of this sacred body, God was pleased to work many miracles, by giving sight to the blind, and health to the sick, as recorded by St. Augustin in his book Of the City of God, and by other writers of those primitive times. Bless God in his saints, for all his graces bestowed on them, and for all his wonders wrought by them. Revive this day in your mind the virtues of St. Stephen, his great zeal for the faith of Christ, his patience in suffering, and wonderful charity in praying for his enemies, even those who stoned him. Pray that on this day of miracles, God would work one more o you, by changing your obstinate and rebellious heart, and subjecting it entirely to the impression of his grace and the accomplishment of his holy will. Pray for the zeal, patience, and charity of this saint. Offer yourself to do and suffer whatever your profession of a Christian, and the obligations of your state call you to; for this is the manifest will of God Pardon all your enemies, and pray for them. Depart not from your prayers, till this perfect charity be wrought in you. Admit of no false coloring or pretexts to disguise your passion. Resolve to speak freely to those who seem averse to you, and never permit yourself in discourse, to express any resentments, or dislike of them, If this be hard, the difficulty is from the corruption and pride of your heart: pray for remedy." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Novena for Priests to St. John Vianney Day 9
by VP
Posted on Saturday August 03, 2024 at 01:00AM in Prayers
John Vianney, Good and Holy Priest O holy Priest of Ars, you lived in an
age of much upheaval, in a time when men turned their backs on God.
Your bishop told of a parish to which he wished to send you where there
was no love. He assigned you to Ars and said that you would be the
Priest who would enable the people to know the love of God. Not only did
you draw these people back to God, but your saintly reputation soon
spread and many people were converted to a life of holiness. You said
that a good Priest, a Priest after Christʼs own heart is the greatest
treasure that God can give a parish. Give us such Priests!
O great St. John Vianney, once again we are living in day of upheaval.
There is much evil in the word.
Obtain for Father ___ the grace to persevere in his faith and never to
despair. May he walk
with the Lord and trust in Him all the days of his life. Obtain through
your heavenly intercession, for Father ___ the grace of modeling his
life after that of Jesus Christ, that his people will
know the love of God. More than ever the people need him to be able to
bring the world to Christ.
Pray for Father ___ and all Priests, O great Priest of Ars.
Novena Prayer:
O holy Priest of Ars, St. John Marie Vianney, you loved God and served
Him faithfully as
His Priest. Now you see God face to face in heaven. You never despaired
but persevered in your faith
until you died. Remember now the dangers, fears and anxieties that
surround Father ___ and intercede for him in all his needs and troubles
especially console him in his most difficult moments, grant him serenity
in the midst of crisis, and protect him from evil. O St. John Vianney, I
have confidence in your intercession.
Pray for Father ___ in a special way during this novena.
