St. Antony of Padua, Confessor and doctor, A.D. 1231.
by VP
Posted on Friday June 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer: Saint Anthony, glory of the Church and hammer of heretics, pray for our Holy Father, our bishops, our priests, our Religious Orders, that, through their pious zeal and apostolic labors, infidels, heretics, and all those outside the true Church of Christ may be converted and, united in faith, give greater glory to God. Amen. Blessed Sacrament Book. Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance
St. Anthony of Padua, defender of the Holy Eucharist, obtain for us holy priests
- Chastity unites (the priest) to Jesus by a certain mysterious tie. "Although all the just are spouses of Christ," says St. Anthony of Padua, "yet virgins are his spouses in a far more special manner; for as husband and wife are one flesh, so are virgins one flesh with Christ, their Spouse." The Catholic Priesthood, by Rev. Fr. Michael Muller 1885
"He was born at Lisbon in Portugal; and having been piously educated, entered into a house of canon regulars. But seeing the bodies of five holy men, of the Order of St.Francis, brought from Morocco, where they had ben martyred for their faith, the desire of giving his life for Christ put him upon soliciting to be admitted into that Order, where being received, after a fitting preparation, he embarked for Morocco. But a violent sickness obliging him to return, he applied himself wholly to instructing the ignorant, reclaiming sinners, and giving light to those, who were engaged in error. Having thus laboured for some years, he retired into a solitude, and having there prepared his soul, by prayer and great mortification, for a better life, he was soon after seized with a violent distemper, of which he died in the year 1231. Almighty God was pleased to testify to the sanctity of this his servant, by many miracles, both in his life, and after his death.
Pray for the spirit of this saint, that it may be plentifully poured forth upon all those, whose function obliges them to seek the salvation of others. Beg it for yourself, that by prayer and good example you may encourage others to the love of virtue and truth. Pray that the example of the martyrs may raise in your soul a holy desire of suffering for Christ. If He calls you not to suffer from the hand of unbelievers, offer yourself to all those troubles which He has ordained for you in your state of life.
Such sufferings may be less glorious, but shall not lose their reward.
Your happiness is to be with God: desire to be with Him, and as you
advance in piety, let this desire increase. Your whole life ought to be a
preparation for death; and since this saint, after a life of so
extraordinary charity, thought fit to retire, so to purify his soul,
and make a more particular preparation for a happy death; consider if
spiritual retreats may not be proper for you; and whether withdrawing from the confusion of business
may not sometimes be seasonable. How many troublesome professions are
there, which almost require this to be done! Do your best to leave this
world, before the world leaves you. Set your house in order, for you shall die." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Ember Friday in Whitsun Week. Christ was crucified (Fast and abstinence)
by VP
Posted on Friday June 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Tradition
"THIS being the time, when the Holy Ghost, the Comforter as Christ had promised, came down upon the apostles, in the form of fiery tongues, and so replenished them with anew spirit, that they were now fitted for that great work, which Christ had recommended to them, of preaching His faith to all nations; with gratitude acknowledged this mercy, and give praise to God for the blessing of this time. The Holy Spirit was sent down upon the apostles to be their guide, to teach them, and lead them into all truth; to be their light, to go before them, and give them understanding: to be their comforter, to abide with them for ever. He was their life and strength; He prepared and fitted them to preach the faith of Christ to all nations, and to establish his Church as an eternal kingdom. Endeavour to be truly sensible of this goodness, and that living a faithful servant of God, you may have the benefit of His holy institution. Express your hearty desires, that as this Holy Church is your unspeakable comfort and support, amidst the distracted notions of an unbelieving world, so it may daily bring forth children to God, who may walk here by the Gospel and spirit of our Lord Jesus, and being translated from this Gis mystical body here on earth, may be added to those choirs above, there to give him eternal praises for all His mercies.
It being Ember Week, join in fasting, humiliation, and prayer, as the Church requires, and offer your petitions to God, in particular for those, who at this time are promoted to Holy Orders, throughout the Church; that the Holy
Ghost may rest upon them, and every way prepare them for that great and
difficult charge, to which they are called. Recommend to Almighty God
all the ministers of His holy altar, that they may be vested with holiness, and walk in all things, according to the sanctity of their vocation; that when the prince of pastors shall appear, they may receive an unfading crown of glory." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Prayer to the Holy Ghost for Priests
O Holy Ghost, Thou Friend of priests, send them daily Thy seven gifts, that they may live worthy of their calling, and become all to all in order to win souls for heaven. Give them patience with children, pity for the sick, humility toward the poor, and generosity toward the enemies of Thy holy Church. Make them active in teaching, untiring in the tribunal of penance, and zealous in distributing Holy Communion. Let them be terrible to the demons of hell and messengers of peace to all who are of good will. May Thy blessing accompany them wherever they may go; may Thy peace enter with them in the dwellings they may visit; mayest Thou bless all whom they may bless. Make them true apostles and saints. Amen. Come Holy Ghost, a compilation of prayers in honor of the Divine Spirit. 1932 Fr. Lester Martin Dooley.
