St. Nemesion, Martyr, A.D. 250.
by VP
Posted on Friday December 19, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
"In the persecution of Decius, Nemesion, an Egyptian, was apprehended at Alexandria, and accused of theft, by certain enemies of his faith, whose malice suggested this way of destroying both his life and reputation. The servant of Christ easily cleared himself of that false charge; but his faith in Christ was then made his crime, and he was accused of being a Christian. Hereupon he was sent to the prefect of Egypt, and confessing his faith at his tribunal, he was ordered to be scourged, and tormented even more grievously than the thieves. After this he was condemned to be burnt with the most criminal among the robbers and other malefactors; whereby he had the honour and happiness more perfectly to imitate the death of our divine Redeemer.
False accusations are a
severe trial: therefore, let not your charity be wanting in praying for
those who are under it. And for yourself, consider this matter
seriously. Reproach, ignominy, and disgrace, were some of those evils, to which Christ Himself submitted; and being sanctified in His sacred person, may be to you a sanctification, if you receive them in the spirit of Jesus
Christ, that is, with His patience, charity, and meekness. It is
allowable, in such cases, to justify yourself with moderation and peace:
but if your plea be not received, then is the time to join yourself to Christ, and imitate His humility and silence in submitting to the scourge
which God is pleased to lay upon you. It may be just from His hand,
though not from those who appear against you. Let this be your rule, and
permit not every ordinary provocation of this kind to fill your mind with resentment and passion. This is a sure mark of pride, a certain proof that you have not yet learnt the maxims of the Cross, and are far from the humility of your Saviour, who delivered Himself up to him who judged him unjustly. It is unworthy of your Christian profession, and will be the loss of that advantage which God puts into your hands, when He sends you these trials. Pray then for the grace to bear them with humility and patience, prepare for their approach, and practise these virtues when the trial comes." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
O Radix Jesse. (Advent Meditations)
by VP
Posted on Friday December 19, 2025 at 12:00AM in Advent Sermons
“O
Root of Jesse, Who standest for a sign to the nations, before Whom
kings shall shut their mouth, of Whom the Gentiles shall entreat mercy ;
come to set us free, and no longer delay.”
1. The King Who is
to come is of the root of Jesse, since He is of David’s royal line. He
is the true David, Who laid low the spiritual Goliath, the prince of
darkness, who in pagan times defied the power of the living God. He is
above all the Man after God’s own heart, in that the one motive of His
heart was to carry out His Father’s will. If this is the motive power of
my life, then I too am of the root of Jesse, and in spite of failings
am a man after God’s own heart, just in proportion as this motive is
ever present to me.
2. Jesus is a sign to the nations; a sign of
contradiction to His enemies, but before Whom the most powerful will
have to shut their mouth in humble subjection; a sign to His friends,
the men of good-will in every clime and country, who will be drawn to
Him to offer their joyful homage at His feet, entreating of Him that
mercy which He is more ready to grant than they to ask. To me He is a
sign, either fondly loved, or neglected and treated as of no account.
3.
O Root of Jesse, O King and Savior, come and set us free ; free from
all that displeases Thee, free from the snares that entangle our feet,
free from our perverse attachment to our own will, free from the power
of the devil, free from our slowness in obeying Thy commands and holy
inspirations, free from all that hinders us in Thy service ; come and
say the word, and we shall be delivered. "
Saint Andrew Christmas Novena: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. (15 times)
Glory Be (three times).
Infant Jesus, make me love Thee more and more.
Ember Friday Advent : Christ was crucified (Fast and abstinence)
by VP
Posted on Friday December 19, 2025 at 12:00AM in Ember Days
Station of the Cross, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh NC
Friday in Ember Week.
"This being an Ember-day,
fail not to pray for all the intentions of the Church in the institution
of these days. One important object of your prayers should be, to beg a
blessing upon all those who are at this time promoted to Holy Orders.
God has ordained His Church to be provided with pastors for the good of
the flock: beseech Him therefore to have mercy on all who at this time
receive Holy Orders. Beg of Him to give them a spirit answerable to
their function; that they may be a light to all those, who are to be under their charge. Pray to Him
to give them a zeal for the good of souls, that they may be ready to do
good to all, according to their necessities, and be prepared at all
times to give their life for their flock." The Catholic Year, Fr. John Gother
Prayer for our Bishop:
O Jesus, Prince of Pastors, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, give our bishops ................ all those virtues, which they need for their sanctification! May they watch over themselves and the entire flock, with which the Holy Spirit has entrusted them! Fill their hearts with Thine own Spirit! Give them faith, charity, wisdom and strength! Send them faithful co-laborers in the great work of saving and guiding souls! Make them shepherds after Thine own heart, living only for their holy office, fearing nobody but Thee, and hoping for nothing but Thee, in order that when Thou shalt come, to judge shepherds and flocks, they may obtain the unfading reward of eternal life! Amen Imprimatur: Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, D.D. Raleigh, N.C. March 25, 1956
"The violence of the enemy is always directed against those priests who
are most generous and most loyal.The more you are like your Divine
Model, your Savior and your God, the more certainly will you be the
target for the calumnies, the abuse and persecutions of the wicked." Revs. Jacques Nicolas et P. Millet, S.J. (Jesus Living in the Priest: Considerations on the greatness and Holiness of the Priesthood)
Way of the Cross for Priests ( Especially for those who are suffering persecution)
