St. Nicholas of Tolentino, CONFESSOR, A.D. 1306.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday September 10, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
- Weekly Devotion to St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Perpetual Novena) For the suffering Souls in Purgatory
- Prayer to St. Nicholas of Tolentino (Augustinian order, Philippines)
"THIS saint received his surname from the town which was his residence for the greater part of his life, and where he died. He was piously educated, and gave early signs of a virtuous life. In his childhood, he spent hours together at his prayers, with wonderful application of his mind to God. He had a tender love for the poor, and from his tender age had a habit of fasting three days in the week on bread and water. When grown up he became a religious of the Order of the reformed Augustins; and here he lived a wonderful example, not only of great austerity, but also of charity, patience, and humility. He suffered very much in his devotions from the malice of a subtle enemy, without being discouraged. Thus he went on, till he was called to a better life, in the year 1306.
What can you now learn from the method of this
saint? You are not to oblige children at his tender years to fast. But
if you will be kind to them, flatter not their appetites with choice
bits; give them what is wholesome, but teach them not to be nice. For by
courting their palates, you would teach them to love themselves, make
them unfit for the penitential way of the Gospel, and very miserable, if forced at any time to struggle with the difficulties of the world. Observe the rigors of this
saint: for though you cannot follow them, they will yet serve as a
reproach to your selfish way, in seeking every thing that pleases. Did
he think Heaven worth all his self-denials; and will you suffer nothing
for it? Reflect well on this point: for all who follow Christ being commanded to deny themselves, he can be no true disciple, who is a stranger to the practice of self-denial. Learn something as to prayer. Be not discouraged with the distractions of wandering thoughts; and let no temptations frighten you from your usual exercise. Do the best you are able, and hope that God will pardon your weakness. Endeavor to prevent the growth of tares; but do not think your labor unprofitable if there be some tares among the corn.The harvest may turn to good account notwithstanding this mixture." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
St. Peter Claver, of the Society of Jesus.
by VP
Posted on Monday September 09, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"At the beginning of the seventeenth century the Jesuit College of Majorca was blessed with the presence of a holy lay brother, called Alphonsus Rodriguez, whose name has lately been added to the catalogue of the Saints. Though holding the humble office of college porter, he was able by his admirable example and burning words, issuing from a heart inflamed with Divine love, to exercise a powerful influence for good upon the students. Among these was a youth of noble birth, a native of Catalonia, named Peter Claver, whom he inflamed with so ardent a zeal for the salvation of the poor abandoned negro slaves in the Spanish colonies of South America, that the labours and sacrifices of this painful apostolate became the object of his longing desires and his highest ambition. Almighty God responded to his generous aspirations, and in the year 1615 he was sent by his superiors to reinforce the mission at Carthagena, the principal seaport of Peru.
Upon his arrival at his destination, Father Claver was moved with the most tender compassion on beholding the sufferings of the poor negroes who were landed at this port from the slave ships, and bought and sold like cattle. Their fate was indeed a hard one, for no sooner were they discharged from the vessel where they had been crowded together for weeks beneath the hatchways, enduring all the horrors of hunger, thirst and foul air, than they found that their sufferings were just commencing. The silver mines where they had to labour in the bowels of the earth, and the plantations where they had to toil beneath the burning sun, were to be the scene of their life-long misery; and when exhausted by excessive labours and debilitated by hardship and disease, they became no longer of service to their brutal masters, they were often thrust aside and left to perish uncared for either in soul or body. It was to alleviate the cruel sufferings of these poor outcasts and ensure them the enjoyment of eternal happiness hereafter that Claver devoted the forty years of his missionary life.
During the long course of his laborious apostolate the following was the routine of his daily life. As soon as a slave ship anchored in the harbour, Father Claver hastened on board, carrying with him a supply of biscuits, lemons, brandy and tobacco, for the use of the unhappy negroes. Upon these poor creatures, already half brutalized by the hardships and cruelties which they had endured during the course of their long voyage, he lavished the most tender affection. He spoke to them-exiles from their native land and dearest friends of their Heavenly Father who loved them tenderly, and of a happy home beyond the skies which was still within their reach. He nursed the sick, he baptised the infants, he encouraged every one, assuring them that he would be ever at their service, ready to share their sorrows, to advise and instruct them, and in a word to devote to them his time, his means, his labour and his whole existence.
To supply their wants he was not ashamed to beg from door to door, and to stand with his hand stretched out in the public places. But he was not content with assisting them on their first arrival. With staff in hand, and bearing on his shoulders the supplies intended for them, he followed them to the mines and plantations, enduring incredible hardships, and braving every danger in order to bring them consolation and relief.
Upon his arrival at a slave settlement, his first care was to visit the quarters of the sick, whom he considered to have the earliest claim upon his charity. After washing their hands and faces and dressing their wounds, he would distribute among them remedies for their ailments, and various little delicacies, at the same time raising their thoughts and hearts to God, and exhorting them to bear their sufferings patiently for the love of Jesus who had shed all His Blood for them. When he had soothed and calmed the minds of all, he assembled them before a little Altar which he had set up and decorated, and over which he had placed a picture of Jesus crucified. He arranged the men on one side and the women on the other upon seats or mats which he had prepared, and then in the midst of these degraded beings, naked and covered with vermin, he with a smiling countenance and in simple and loving words began to explain to them the truths of our holy Faith, especially the mystery of the Blessed Trinity, and that of a God made man who shed his Precious Blood for the salvation of all, master and slave, negro and European.
When taking his four final vows Father Claver added
a fifth, intended to bind him more closely to his heroic work. It is
expressed by the words in which he signed his solemn act of profession, "Peter,
slave of the negroes for ever." Faithful to his vow he wore himself out
by his unceasing labours in their behalf, until at length, utterly
exhausted in body and paralysed in all his limbs, he breathed out his
soul to God on September 8, A.D. 1654, at the age of seventy-four." Short lives of the saints, for every day in the year, Volume 3,Catholic Truth Society By Rev. Fr. Henry Gibson, 1897 p. 29
Nativity of our Lady: Mary's Sublime Vocation
by VP
Posted on Sunday September 08, 2024 at 12:00AM in Meditations
Giotto di Bondone: Scenes from the Birth of Our Lady
"Mary was born in order to be the Mother of Jesus. : "Of whom was
born Jesus." This is the principle of all her privileges, the summing up
of all her praises. (...) It is as the Mother of the Redeemer of
mankind that she will be the refuge and advocate of sinners. She is the
aurora which precedes and ushers in the morning sun. (...) Certain it is
that if men had known the blessings which Mary's nativity drew upon
them, there would have been throughout the whole world a repetition of
that which occurred among the Jews at their having been preserved from
death through the meditation of Ester. "A new light seemed to rise, you,
honor, dancing in all peoples...wonderful rejoicing." (Est. viii.
16,17).
You also, O Priests, were born for a sublime destiny! Accomplish it faithfully, and you shall be the cause of an unspeakable joy for heaven and earth. To give Jesus to the world, and with Jesus to give it all blessings, such is your vocation, and such was the vocation of Mary. This is the reason why the holy Virgin has such a warm affection for good priests and lavishes upon them such truly maternal cares.
Source: September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin p444. Meditations for the Use of the Secular Clergy, from the French of Father Chaignon, S.J. Volume 2. 1907St. Cloud, Confessor
by VP
Posted on Saturday September 07, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"St Cloud, or Clodoald, was the only son of Clodomir, king of Orleans, the brothers of the young prince having been murdered by their uncle clothaire in his guilty desire to become master of their possessions. Brought up in retirement, Saint Cloud was so impressed with the nothingness of all earthly things, that, even when he reached the age to assert his claim to the throne, he declined to embrace the favorable opportunities of success which were offered to him. He renounced the world, and placed himself under the direction of St. Severinus, then living as a recluse near Paris. Later, having been ordained priest, St. Cloud spent a few years in the exercise of his holy ministry but again mastered by the charms of a secluded life, he withdrew to the spot which now bears his name, founded a monastery there, and died in the year 560, after having edified all by a career of prayer, preaching, and good deeds." source: Short lives of the Saints by Eleanor C. Donnelly 1910
Prayer
Collect: O God, who didst exalt Blessed Clodoald thy confessor, humbled for thy sake in this world, both by raising him to the dignity of the priesthood and by enduing him with the splendor of many virtues: grant unto us, following his example, to do thee worthy service and, helped by his prayers, ever grow in virtue and merit.
Secret: With thy Holy priest, Clodoald, we confess thee, O Lord, to be the author of our faith and of our salvation: and we beseech thee mercifully to receive at our hands this sacrifice of praise; and to grant that with the same fervor as he, we may render our vows to thee.
St. Eleutherius, Abbot
by VP
Posted on Friday September 06, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Jacques Gallot 1636, St. Eleutherius, Abbot
"St. Eleutherius, was abbot of St. Mark's, near Spoleto in Italy, and favored by Almighty God with the gift of miracles. A wonderful simplicity and spirit of compunction were the distinguishing virtues of this holy man. A child who was possessed by the devil, being delivered by being educated in his monastery, the abbot said one day that since the child had been among the servants of God, the devil had not dared to approach him. These words seemed to savor of vanity, and they were no sooner spoken, than the devil began again to torment the child. The abbot humbly confessed his fault, and fasted with his whole community, till the child was again freed from the devil, who never more entered into him. St. Gregory the Great not being able to fast on Easter Eve, on account of the extreme weakness of his breast, engaged St. Eleutherius to go with him to the church of St. Andrew, and put up his prayers to God for his health, that he might join the faithful in that solemn practice of penance. The saint prayed with many tears, and St. Gregory coming out of the church found himself suddenly strengthened, so that he was enabled to keep the fast as he desired. St. Eleutherius also raised a dead man to life. Resigning his abbacy, he died in St. Andrew's monastery in Rome, about the year 585. From the first event above related, you see the evil of vanity, and how great reason you have to be on your guard, since the elect of God are thus in danger. As vanity is displeasing to God, be careful to oppose the first approaches of it; and set the memory of your sins against whatever supposed advantages come into your mind. Never praise yourself, nor think well of yourself; and never put others upon praising you. Boast not of anything belonging to you: but if after your boasting, you find something unusual befall you, wonder not; for it is thus that God punishes your rashness, and brings you to the true knowledge of yourself." The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church by Rev. Fr. John GOTHER
Moral reflection: "Appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father who is in heaven, and thy Father, Who seeth in secret, He will repay thee." (St. Matthew 6.18) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Rev. Fr. Auguste François Lecanu
Saint Teresa of Calcutta
by VP
Posted on Thursday September 05, 2024 at 12:34AM in Saints
"Jesus loves His priests very much and wants them to grow in holiness by
living the priesthood to the full – this simple way will help very
much. Let us pray and ask Our Lady to take care of them as she did of
Jesus.”
-- Mother Teresa of Calcutta ©Mother Teresa Center. Used with Permission.
Our Lady, Holy Name Cathedral, Raleigh NC
Prayer for Priests
Mary, Mother of Jesus, throw your mantle of purity over our priests.
Protect them, guide them, and keep them in your heart.
Be a Mother to them, especially in times of discouragement and loneliness.
Love them and keep them belonging completely to Jesus.
Like Jesus, they, too, are your sons, so keep their hearts pure and virginal.
Keep their minds filled with Jesus, and put Jesus always on their lips,
so that He is the one they offer to sinner and to all they meet.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, be their Mother, loving them and bringing them joy.
Take special care of sick and dying priests, and the ones most tempted.
Remember how they spent their youth and old age, their entire lives serving and giving all to Jesus.
Mary, bless them and keep a special place for them in your heart.
Give them a piece of your heart, so beautiful and pure and immaculate,
so full of love and humility, so that they, too, can grow in the likeness of Christ.
Dear Mary, make them humble like you, and holy like Jesus.
Amen.
St. Cuthbert, Bishop and confessor
by VP
Posted on Wednesday September 04, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
The Journey by Fenwick Lawson, showing the coffin of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne being carried by 6 monks, eventually to Durham.
"St. Cuthbert, before his death, charged his disciples, that rather than fall under the yoke of schismatics or infidels, they should, when threatened with such a calamity, take with them his mortal remains, and choose some other dwelling. In the year 875, to escape from the Danish pirates, the monks quitted Lindisfarne, and carrying with them that sacred treasure, wandered to and fro for seven years. In 882, they rested with it a Concester, a small town near the Roman wall, now called Chester-le Street. In 995, the fresh inroads of the Danes obliged the bishop to retire with the saint's body to Ripon, and four months after to Durham. The body of the saint remained without the least taint of corruption; and many miracles were wrought at his shrine. This day was appointed to be kept as a yearly memorial of the translation of the body of St. Cuthbert to Durham.
Pray for your country, that God would deliver it from all corruptions. Give no countenance to any of them, by your bad example; but endeavor to be a light to all that sit in darkness. Let the primitive zeal of the saints for God's honor inspire you with some degree of this generous spirit, so as not to permit you in silence to see and hear God and His holy Law brought into contempt. This is what you are obliged to pray for, since you cannot prove yourself faithful to him, whom you serve, if you can be a silent witness of his cause being so often betrayed.
Remember too that no state is secure from the devil's snares. His attempts against Christ Himself in the desert are an instruction that no retirement can depend upon an exemption; but that there is to be expected the greater violence, where there are endeavors to approach the nearest to perfection. If you experience his malice however, be not discouraged. Remember only to go on with fear, without any confidence of yours own strength, but in an entire distrust of yourself. Thus you will certainly defeat the worst designs of the enemy."
The Catholic Year; Or Daily Lessons on the Feasts of the Church By Rev. Fr. John GOTHER
September 4th: Prayer to Our Lady of Consolation, Consolatrix Afflictorum
by VP
Posted on Wednesday September 04, 2024 at 12:00AM in Prayers
La Consolatrix Afflictorum du Luxembourg in the Royal Cathedral of Luxembourg
"O Mary, most sweet, most amiable, and most glorious, thy name cannot be uttered in the secret of the heart without inflaming it with thy love; and they who love thee cannot think of thee without feeling themselves animated to love thee more and more, and putting all their confidence in thee.
O Mary, O my Mother, thou sees my trouble, look upon me with an eye of pity; thou art the consolation of all who call upon thee in affliction, be thou, then mine. Hearken to the sighs graciously hear the prayers of my poor heart; forsake me not, but support me in affliction, and strengthen me in danger. Thou art the heavenly dew that sweetenest our sorrows; O Mother of consolation, I pray thee, sweeten mine; give peace to my soul, grant me all that thou knowest I desire of thee; obtain for me, from thy divine Son, the pardon of all my sins, the grace to sin no more, the blessedness to imitate thy virtues all the rest of my live, and finally a holy and happy death. At that tremendous hour, be thou my protectress and my consolation, I beseech thee; O my tender Mother, come and receive my soul, to present it at the tribunal of the sovereign Judge, and to obtain for me a favorable sentence. I deserve both this at thy hands: but I am thy child. I love thee, and I desire to make thee loved by all hearts. Amen
Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Confessor
by VP
Posted on Tuesday September 03, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer to Saint Gregory, Pope and Confessor
O invincible defender of Holy Churchʼs
freedom, Saint Gregory of great Renown by that firmness thou didst show
in maintaining the Churchʼs rights against all her enemies, stretch
forth from heaven thy mighty arm, we beseech thee, to comfort her and
defend her in the fearful battle she must ever wage with the powers of
darkness.
Do thou, in an especial manner, give strength in this
dread conflict to the venerable Pontiff who has fallen heir not only to
thy throne, but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart; obtain
for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned by the triumph
of the Church and the return of the lost sheep into the right path.
Grant,
finally, that all may understand how vain it is to strive against that
faith which has always conquered and is destined always to conquer:
"this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith." This is the
prayer that we raise to thee with one accord; and we are confident,
that, after thou has heard our prayers on earth, thou wilt one day call
us to stand with thee in heaven, before the eternal High Priest, who
with the Father and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth world without
end. Amen.
Saint Eucherius of Orleans, Bishop
by VP
Posted on Tuesday September 03, 2024 at 12:00AM in Saints
"Retirement: God has oftentimes selected from the retirement and silence of the cloister the eminent whom He would place in the Church as a shining light. In retirement it is that the soul collects and concentrates its strength; there it gets attempered, like true steel in the water. Eucherius, of an illustrious family of Orleans, and nephew of Savarius, the bishop of that town, lived retired for some years in the Abbey of Jumieges, which he was edifying but his virtues and never meant to quit, when the inhabitants of Orleans came to draw him, despite all opposition on his side, from his retreat, in order that he might replace his uncle. Their calculations were well founded, for they gained a pastor according to God's own heart. Charles Martel, who was fond of lavishing upon his warriors the property of the Church, found Eucherius wanting in compliance, for the bishop regarded it as the patrimony of the poor. He was driven into exile, and dragged from town to town by the satellites of Charles. The persecution lasted for six years, and Eucherius died, in 793, worn out with fatigue and suffering, though in nowise wroth nor failing in courage, after having borne the episcopal charge for twenty-two years.
Moral Reflection: Nothing softens the soul and weakens piety so much as frivolous indulgence. God has revealed what high store He sets by "Retirement," in these words: "I will lead her into solitude, and I will speak to her heart." _ (Osea 2.14.) Pictorial half hours with the saints by Fr. Auguste François Lecanu