St. Genevieve, Patron of Paris, France
by VP
Posted on Saturday January 03, 2026 at 03:00AM in Saints
"IN RETURN FOR EVIL, DO GOOD. -Genevieve was born about 422, at a village in the environs of Paris, called Nanterre. St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre, passing near the spot while Genevieve was as yet a child, discerning her in the midst of the pressing crowd, asked her whether she desired to dedicate herself to God's service, and with his own hands invested her with the insignia of the religious life. The youthful virgin made such rapid progress in piety, that the inhabitants of the country grew accustomed to regard her as a saint. But later on, their homage was converted into scoffing, and they treated her most evident virtues as hypocrisy. St. Germain once more came to her aid, and publicly demonstrated the reality of her virtues. At a subsequent period, Genevieve herself afforded the highest proofs thereof by twice saving Paris: on the first occasion by her prayers, when Attila, king of the Huns, at the head of an armed host, was threatening its destruction, and again, by providing the citizens with food, when Merovée, king of the Francs, was besieging it. Genevieve died in 512, and is invoked by Paris as its patron saint.
MORAL REFLECTION. -Never to allow oneself to be
discouraged by the ingratitude and injustice of men; persecution is the
crucible wherein the gold of virtue is refined. "All that will live
godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution."-(2 Tim. iii. 12.)" Pictorial half hours with the saints By Abbe Auguste François Lecanu 1865
The Priest's Saturday:
by VP
Posted on Saturday January 03, 2026 at 01:00AM in Priests' Saturday
1. The Priest’s Saturday brings about an intimate union between
priests and people. Surely the people will welcome with great joy the
opportunity thus given to co-operate, by prayer and sacrifice, with the
priest in all the work that he does for the parish. They will thus merit
to have, and will efficaciously make, zealous and holy priests.
Experience shows that also the children easily understand the Priest’s
Saturday and enter with joy upon this apostolate.
2. Especially
the sick, the convalescent, and the body disabled. Who are often so
deeply pious and abounding in virtue, will find Priest’s Saturday a
great and apostolic field of holy endeavor and their lonely days will
take on a new and profound significance as they realize that a marvelous
life-work lies open before them. Such unselfish and holy effort in
behalf of priests, such prayers and sacrifices, will yield most glorious
fruits and the world will soon feel the blessed influence of the
Priest’s Saturday.
3. New vocations to the priesthood will be
aroused and fostered, and surely in many a woman’s soul, as she prays
and sacrifices for the sanctification of priests, the hidden wish will
be felt: “ Oh, if I myself might become the mother of a priest!”
4. God grant that all take part in this great “apostolate to the
apostles”! Surely it is a thing most pleasing to God and most fruitful
in blessings here upon earth even as it redounds to the salvation of
countless souls. Spread this idea wherever and whenever you can. Be a
promoter. Get others to spread and promote it. Remember that concern for
the sanctification of priests is most dear to the Sacred Heart of the
Divine Savior and to the Sweet Heart of His Blessed Mother. It is their
concerns. (Tr. W. H. , S.D.S.)
imprimatur: +Paulus Petrus, Epps. Sinus Viridis 22 Jan. 1935. The Salvatorian Fathers.
Give truly holy priests who, inflamed with the fire of Thy divine love, seek nothing but Thy greater glory and the salvation of our souls.
And thou, Mary, good Mother of priests, protect all priests in the dangers of their holy vocation and, with the loving hand of a Mother, also lead back to the Good Shepherd those poor priests who have become unfaithful to their exalted vocation and have gone astray.
Let them ever give us a glowing example of love and fidelity towards Holy Mother Church, towards the Pope, and bishops, and grant that by word and example they may shine as models of every virtue.
Most loving Jesus, bless all their priestly labors and sacrifices! Bless all their prayers and words at the altar and in the confessional, in the pulpit, and in school, in confraternities, and at the bedside of the sick! Protect and preserve them in all dangers from within and from without.
Divine Savior, give to Thy Church priests who abound in true
holiness! Call many good boys and young men to the priestly and
religious state! Aid and sanctify all those who are to become Thy
priests! And to the souls of departed priests grant everlasting rest.
But
to me give a true spirit of faith and humble obedience, in order that
in my pastor I may ever behold the representative of God and willingly
follow all his teachings. Amen
Source: Priest's Saturday
The doctrines of Godliness are overturned (Saint Basil)
by VP
Posted on Saturday January 03, 2026 at 12:51AM in Books
"The doctrines of Godliness are overturned; the rules of the Church are
in confusion; the ambition of the unprincipled seizes upon places of
authority; and the chief seat is now openly proposed as a reward for
impiety; so that he whose blasphemies are the more shocking, is more
eligible for the oversight of the people.
Priestly gravity has perished; there are none left to feed the Lordʼs
flock with knowledge; ambitious men are ever spending, in purposes of
self-indulgence and bribery, possessions which they hold in trust for
the poor. The accurate observation of the canons are no more; there is
no restraint upon sin.
Unbelievers laugh at what they see, and the weak are unsettled; faith is
doubtful, ignorance is poured over their souls, because the
adulterators of the word in wickedness imitate the truth. Religious
people keep silence, but every blaspheming tongue is let loose. Sacred
things are profaned; those of the laity who are sound in faith avoid the
places of worship, as schools of impiety, and raise their hands in
solitude with groans and tears to the Lord in heaven."
Source: St. Basil the Great, The Church of the Fathers, John Henry Newman 1868
Mary at the Circumcision
by VP
Posted on Saturday January 03, 2026 at 12:00AM in Meditations for Christmas
"I. The week succeeding the birth of her Son had been to Mary a week of exquisite joy, one long ecstasy of heavenly delight, with no sorrow to mar the brightness of the sunshine of His presence. But on the octave of His Nativity all was changed. She began to realize the fact that Jesus had come to suffer — that He Who was infinitely dearer to her than the whole world was to be the Man of Sorrows — and Mary's joy was changed to bitter sorrow. Thus it is for all those who love God. The times when earth seems unable to contain the greatness of their joy are sure to be followed by sorrow and by pain.
2. It seemed but a trifle which thus changed the complexion of Mary's life. The pain that Jesus had to suffer had but a passing smart. Why should she thus grieve over it? It was because it betokened the indignities that He would have to suffer, the character of a victim for sin that He had taken upon Himself. Often a mere trifle destroys the brightness of our life. God uses matters seemingly trivial to teach us our weakness.
3. Yet Mary would not have had it otherwise. She knew it was the will of God, and that was enough for her. Would that I could learn this lesson more perfectly! Then nothing would destroy my peace, as nothing destroyed Mary's. "
Meditations for Christmas . By Rev. Richard F. Clarke S.J. The Catholic Truth Society, London 1891
