St. Raymond of Penafort Confessor A.D. 1275
by VP
Posted on Thursday January 23, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"He made so rapid progress in his studies, that at the age of twenty he taught philosophy. He was a perfect model to the clergy, by his innocence, zeal, devotion, and boundless liberalities to the poor. He took the habit of the Dominicans, eight months after the death of their holy founder. To the exercises of his solitude, he joined the functions of an apostolical life, by labouring without intermission in preaching, instructing, hearing confessions with wonderful fruit, and converting heretics, Jews, and Moors. Except on Sundays, he never took more than one small refection in the day. Amidst honours and applause, he was ever little in his own eyes.
Being informed that he was chosen general of his order, he was thunderstruck at the news; he wept and entreated, and acquiesced only through obedience. On one occasion, being unjustly detained by the king in the island of Majorca, full of confidence in God, he spread his cloak upon the sea, tied up one corner of it to his staff for a sail, and having made the sign of the cross, stepped upon it without fear, and was wafted with such rapidity, that in six hours he reached Barcelona, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles. He was received on the shore with great acclamations; but gathering up his cloak dry, he put it on, stole through the crowd, and entered his monastery.
Pray for all the religious of the order of St. Dominic. Pray for the charity of this saint, that you may not be wanting to whatever part of it falls within your power, whether in visiting, comforting, or relieving such as are in distress. It is the best reparation you can make for your past hardheartedness, idle visits, and time and money misspent. It is the surest way of obtaining mercy for yourself.
It was by means of this saint that was founded the order for the redemption of captives. Pray for all those who live captives to sin. Bless God if you are none of these, and fail not daily to put up your prayers in behalf of those who lie under this misfortune." The Catholic Year, by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Litany and Prayer to St. Raymond of Peñafort
(Used with Permission Litany and Prayer to St. Raymond of Peñafort)
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy, Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
St. Raymond of Peñafort, pray for us.
Master of Preachers, pray for us
Patron of Lawyers, pray for us
Father of Confessors, pray for us
Counselor of Penitents, pray for us
Apostle to Gentiles, pray for us
Evangelist to Israelites, pray for us
Ransomer of Captives, pray for us
Teacher of the Learned and the Ignorant, pray for us
Friend of Princes and Paupers, pray for us
Protector of Sailors, pray for us
Comforter of the Aged, pray for us
Defender of Marriage, pray for us
Champion of Religious Rights, pray for us
Advocate of Reason, pray for us
Guardian of Justice, pray for us
Promoter of Freedom, pray for us
Worker of Miracles, pray for us
Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us
Son of St. Dominic, pray for us
Son of the Church, pray for us
Holy Priest of Jesus Christ, pray for us
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Let us pray. Glorious Saint Raymond of Peñafort, wise and holy patron, come to the aid of those entrusted to your care,
and all who flee to your protection. Intercede for us in our need, and help us through your prayers, example, and teaching, to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to all we meet. And when we have reached the fullness of our years,
we beseech you to guide us home to heaven, to live in peace with you, Our Mother Mary, and Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Imprimatur: Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, June 22, 2018
January 23: Feast of the Espousal of Mary and Joseph
by VP
Posted on Thursday January 23, 2025 at 12:00AM in From the Past
Vitrail de Saint-Quiriace in Provins, Département Seine-et-Marne (Île-de-France)
"In this festival we are called upon to admire the wise disposition of divine Providence in preparing for the birth of the world's Redeemer. The blessed Virgin Mary was espoused to St. Joseph. This was decreed by heaven for several important reasons. By the genealogy of St. Joseph, which the evangelist St. Matthew has carefully recorded, the origin of the Blessed Virgin was also proclaimed. St. Joseph was given her from heaven to be the protector of her chastity; and that the honour and reputation of our Blessed Lady might be preserved when she became the mother of our divine Redeemer. He was also given to accompany and protect her when the holy family were obliged to fly into Egypt, as well as in her other journeys, fatigues, and persecutions. O how great was the purity and sanctity of that spouse, who was chosen to be the guardian of the most spotless Virgin! Another reason is assigned by St. Ignatius the Martyr, that the mystery of the birth of Christ might be concealed from the devil, who was not permitted to know that He was born of a virgin.
It was therefore the will of the Almighty that His divine Son should be born of a virgin, and yet that His holy mother should be espoused to St. Joseph. She did not demur, nor did she fear for her holy vow of perpetual virginity; because she had given herself up entirely to the disposal of God, and to His divine will. She never doubted that He would preserve her purity, when she was accomplishing His holy will. Suffer yourself in like manner to be governed and disposed of at all times as God pleases, and you will never incur any danger. You may well fear, when following your own will; but in doing the will of God you will always be secure.
Observe in this mysterious desponsation of the Blessed Virgin to St. Joseph, that one object of it was to conceal for a time the mystery of the Incarnation.
Learn hence to conceal your virtues by profound humility, till it be
necessary that they should appear for God's greater glory and the good of your neighbour. See how different is the judgment of God from the estimation of the world. God preferred in this holy couple, justice, sanctity, virginity, and humility; whereas the world
seeks after high birth, riches, and temporal advantages. Judge then
like God, and you will not be so enslaved to earthly goods. And beg the Blessed Virgin and her chaste spouse to intercede for you." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
