Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Today's saint, St. Alphonsus Liguori, is a doctor of the Church, known for his contribution to moral theology and his great kindness. You can read a brief biography here.
Here are ten powerful quotes from this great moral theologian:
1. "Our Savior says, if you have not received the graces that you desire, do not complain to me, but blame yourself, because you have neglected to seek them from me."
2. "Realize that you may gain more in a quarter of an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament than in all other practices of the day."
3. "It is well known, and is daily experienced by the clients of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity".
4. "I Love Jesus Christ and that is why I am on fire with the desire to give Him souls, first of all my own, and then an incalculable number of others."
5. "He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts God can do all things."
6. "If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us. Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will. "
7. "The sovereigns of the earth do not always grant audience readily; on the contrary, the King of Heaven, hidden under the eucharistic veils, is ready to receive anyone…"
8. "If you pray, you are positive of saving your soul. If you do not pray, you are just as positive of losing your soul. "
9. “Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Speak to Him often of your business, your plans, your troubles, your fears— of everything that concerns you. Converse with Him confidently and frankly; for God is not wont to speak to a soul that does not speak to Him.”
10. The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him. This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God, and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone.
July 31, 2013. (Romereports.com) St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, and Pope Francis, as the first Jesuit Pope, celebrated his feast day at the Church of Gesù in Rome, along with his fellow Jesuits.
The Pope arrived by car and was greeted at the door by the Society's Superior General, Father Adolfo Nicolás, who commended him on his recent trip to Brazil.
-Congratulations on your trip to Brazil
In his welcome remarks, Father Nicolás told the Pope that all the Jesuits are willing to take on any task assigned by the Pope.
During his homily, Pope Francis said their lives should be decentralized to allow Jesus to be the at the center of it all.
POPE FRANCIS
“I would like to propose three simple thoughts based on three expressions: keep Christ and Church in the center; let yourselves be conquered by Him to serve others; feel shame in our limits and sins, so we can become humble before Him and before mankind.”
At the end of the Mass, the Pope approached and prayed at the altar of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He also gave a floral offering to Our Lady, and prayed before the tomb of Father Pedro Arrupe, the Jesuit superior general who served until 1981.
July 31, 2013. (Romereports.com) This year, the Vatican plans to celebrate family to highlight its role a fundamental institution in Christian life. To celebrate this, the Vatican is organizing a unique pilgrimage to St. Peter's tomb.
The event, which will take place on Saturday, October 26th and Sunday 27th, is sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family. It's included in the list of celebrations for the Year of Faith. Specifically, the Council wants to emphasize the the key role the family plays in transmitting the faith to younger generations.
Msgr. Carlos Simón Vázquez
Under-Secretary, Pontifical Council for the Family
“We think that this is an excellent way to end the Year of Faith. This pilgrimage underlines how the family is the first and fundamental means of transmitting faith in the new millennium. It is where one lives faith, passes it on and witnesses it.”
In the summer of 2012, World Day of Families in Milan was attended by nearly one million pilgrims. The five day celebration, was led by Pope Benedict XVI. This time, the pilgrimage is set to take place on Saturday between Rome's Piazza del Popolo and St. Peter's Square. There, Pope Francis is scheduled to join the pilgrims to celebrate their faith. The following day, the Pope will celebrate a Mass in St. Peter's Square to mark the end of the pilgrimage.
Msgr. Carlos Simón Vázquez
Under-Secretary, Pontifical Council for the Family
“We're very happy that the Pope, with his words and his presence, will encourage and strengthen the faith of these families."
The Pilgrimage of Families also features other side events, like a drawing, photography and song contest for both children and teenagers.
Msgr. Carlos Simón Vázquez
Under-Secretary, Pontifical Council for the Family
“Drawings, photos and songs will be judged by an experienced jury, that will select the best ones and present them to the Pope.”
Admission to the event is free, but registration is mandatory. The registration deadline is September 30th and to make it official, one simply needs to visit event's website at www.familia.va
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Today is the memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, priest, and founder of the Society of Jesus.
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in the Basque Country of Northern Spain to parents of distinguished families in that area. He was the youngest of 13 children and was called was called Iñigo. At the age of 15, he served as a page in the court of a local nobleman and later embraced a military career and became a valiant soldier.
Wounded in battle by a cannonball, which broke one leg and injured the other, he was taken prisoner by the French, who set his leg and eventually allowed him to go home to Loyola. He spent his time recuperating at the home of his brother. Confined to his sick bed , he was given pious books to read, which he grudgingly accepted. To his surprise, he enjoyed them and began to dream of becoming a "knight for Christ", pursuing the ideals of St. Francis and St. Dominic. He eventually promised to devote his life to being a knight for St. Peter if he recovered, which he did after nine months of convalescence.
Ignatius noticed that after doing good deeds for the Lord, he felt peaceful -- which he termed as a "consolation," but when he thought of being a successful soldier or of impressing a beautiful woman where he had initially felt enthused, he later felt dry. He called this a "desolation." Through this process of discernment, Ignatius was able to recognize that God was leading him to follow a path of service. Out of this experience he wrote his famous "Spiritual Exercises".
After traveling and studying in different schools, he finished in Paris, where he received his degree at the age of 43. Many initially hated St. Ignatius because of his humble and austere lifestyle. Despite this, he attracted many followers at the university, including St. Francis Xavier, and soon started his order, The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. He travelled to Europe and the Holy Land, then settled in Rome to direct the Jesuits. His health suffered in later years, and he was nearly blind at death. He died at the age of 65.
Favorite Quotes:
"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He has great designs for you, and that He certainly intends to make you a saint. And if you wish to become a great saint, entreat Him yourself to give you much opportunity for suffering; for there is no wood better to kindle the fire of holy love than the wood of the cross, which Christ used for His own great sacrifice of boundless charity."
"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly."
~ Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Monday, July 29, 2013
An adult convert, he became a deacon, then a priest, and finally the Bishop of Ravenna in 433. He fought paganism, enforced reforms, and built several churches in his see. He performed many corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and lovingly guided his flock.
As a preacher, he was recognized for his simple, plain, and humble oratorical style—delivering sermons that reached all who listened. His eloquence earned him the name “Chrysologus,” meaning “golden-worded” in Greek. Known as "The Doctor of Homilies," Peter was renowned for his short, but inspired speeches; he is said to have been afraid of boring his audience. In his homilies, Peter urged frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, saying, “the Body of the Lord should be the daily food of our souls.” 176 of his homilies have survived; it is the strength of these beautiful explanations of the Incarnation, the Creed, the place of the Blessed Virgin Mary and John the Baptist in the great plan of salvation that led to his being proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII.
St. Peter Chrysologus Quotes:
"He is The Bread sown in the Virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulchre, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful."
"Today Christ works the first of his signs from heaven by turning water into wine. But water [mixed with wine] has still to be changed into the sacrament of his blood, so that Christ may offer spiritual drink from the chalice of his body, to fulfill the psalmist's prophecy: How excellent is my chalice, warming my spirit."
"Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil cannot rejoice with Christ."
“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.”
"Mildness overcomes anger,
meekness extinguishes fury...
patience is the scourge of impatience,
gentle words vanquish quarrelsomeness,
and humility prostrates pride."
Prayer
Father,
You made Peter Chrysologus an outstanding preacher of your incarnate Word. May the prayers of St. Peter help us to cherish the mystery of our salvation and make its meaning clear in our love for others. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Last week, things seemed to be going so well. Thomas Peters (aka the American Papist), who fractured the fifth cervical vertebra in a swimming accident on July 16, had been outfitted with a HALO and it appeared that spinal surgery would not be necessary.
Today the report is not so good. Infection has set in, resulting in fever and exhaustion. Thomas’ vertebrae have shifted, making surgery likely. Read more.
Please continue to pray for Thomas, his new bride, Natalie, and their families! Also, join the prayer group on Facebook for daily prayers and reminders.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Today is the feast of St. Martha, Virgin (who died in France around 80).
Mary and Martha lived with their brother Lazarus at Bethany, a village not far from Jerusalem. They are mentioned in several episodes in the Gospels.
On one occasion, when Jesus and His disciples were their guests (Luke 10:38-42), Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him while her sister Martha busied herself with preparing food and waiting on the guests, and when Martha complained, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part.
When Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had died, Jesus came to Bethany. Martha, upon being told that He was approaching, went out to meet Him, while Mary sat still in the house until He sent for her. It was to Martha that Jesus said: "I am the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:1-44)
Again, about a week before the crucifixion, as Jesus reclined at table, Mary poured a flask of expensive perfume over Jesus' feet. Mary was criticized for wasting what might have been sold to raise money for the poor, and again Jesus spoke on her behalf. (John 12:1-8)
On the basis of these incidents, many Christian writers have seen Mary as representing Contemplation (prayer and devotion), and Martha as representing Action (good works, helping others); or love of God and love of neighbor respectively.
Martha and Mary were sisters, related not only by blood but also by religious aspirations. They stayed close to our Lord and both served him harmoniously when he was among them. Martha welcomed him as travelers are welcomed. But in her case, the maidservant received her Lord, the creature her Creator, to serve him bodily food while she was to be fed by the Spirit.
No one of you should say, "Blessed are they who have deserved to receive Christ into their homes!" Do not grieve or complain that you were born in a time when you can no longer see God in the flesh. He did not in fact take this privilege from you. As he says, "Whatever you have done to the least of my brothers, you did to me."
~ from a sermon by Saint Augustine
Patronage: Butlers; cooks; dietitians; domestic servants; homemakers; hotel-keepers; housemaids; housewives; innkeepers; laundry workers; maids; manservants; servants; servers; single laywomen; travellers.
Today's Lesson
Christ’s correction of Martha teaches us that the active life can be good, but it always lies in the shadow of the contemplative. In other words, before we can be fruitful, we must first be prayerful. Both the active and contemplative lifestyles are important in our lives. Some vocations require more of one than the other, but we all need to make the time to pray, meditate, and contemplate. However, we must continue to give emphasis to both in our lives, as they are interdependent on one another.
As Pope Francis stated in his July 21st Angelus, "Even in our Christian life dear brothers and sisters, prayer and action are always deeply united. A prayer that does not lead to concrete action towards the poor, sick, in need of help, is a sterile and incomplete prayer." But he added with equal emphasis "when we pay more attention to doing in the service of the Church, when we give more weight to objects, functions, structures, and forget the centrality of Christ, when we do not reserve time for dialogue with Him in prayer, we risk serving ourselves and not God present in the poor."
A Prayer to St. Martha
O blessed St. Martha, your faith led Jesus to proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life”; and faith let you see beyond his humanity when you cried out, “Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” With firm hope you said, “I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”, and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead. With pure love for Jesus you welcomed him into your home.
Friend and servant of our Savior, I too am “troubled about many things”. (mention your intentions) Pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love, and that Jesus, who sat at your table, will hear me and grant me a place at the banquet of eternal life. Amen.
July 28th, 2013 (Romereports.com) Millions of pilgrims took part in the world's largest flash mob, by performing a simple dance for the Pope. In fact, the title of the song they danced to is called 'Francis.' Before celebrating Sunday's closing Mass in Rio's Copacabana beach, millions of youths took a few minutes to carry out the performance.
The choreography was created by two Brazilian professional dancers, who actually created a video beforehand, so people could practice the moves, before the big day.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
July 23, 2013. (Romereports.com) Every day, hundreds of buses with thousands of pilgrims flock to a very special Brazilian known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida. With over 11 million visits per year, it is one of the most visited Marian shrines in the world. In fact, it welcomes much more pilgrims than other famous sites like that of Lourdes and Fatima.
On arrival, many pilgrims light a candle, to thank Our Lady for the graces they've received. Others spend hours praying in this room suited for over 70,000 people. In it, some leave personal items like letters and pictures to thank Our Lady or to make a special prayer.
Our Lady of Aparecida is the patroness of Brazil, and devotion to Her statue dates back to 1717. According to tradition, in October of that year, two fishermen prayed to Our Lady, asking Her to grant them a good catch for the day. As they dragged up their nets, they found this small clay statue of Our Lady and many fishes.
The name “Aparecida” comes from the Spanish word for 'appearing', since the fishermen were granted their wish, through the intercession of Our Lady.
Construction for the first Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Aparecida, began in 1834. In fact, the site attracted so many people, that over time, a nearby town came to be. A century later, a new 18,000 square meter sanctuary was needed to accommodate all the pilgrims. Now that site is a reality. It's a site that welcomes more than 200,000 pilgrims every single day.
On a certain day in 1716 three fishermen were at work on the Paraiba River. There were no fish in the nets they lifted from the water. Instead there was an artistic terracotta image of Our Lady of the Conception, which they dubbed "Nossa Señnora Aparecida". The chronicles relate that once the Virgin was placed in the boat, the catch was so great that the frightened men returned to port because, the weight of the fish threatened to sink their craft. It is not known how the small (less than three feet high) statue came to rest at the bottom of the river, but its artist is known, Frei Agostino de Jesus, a "carioca'' monk from Sao Paulo who created artistic clay sculptures. The image was made around 1650 and must have stayed submerged in the river for many years because it lost its original polychromy. The image is now a brilliant dark brown color, and is covered by a stiff mantle of richly embroidered thick cloth, allowing only her face and hands to be seen. She wears on her head the imperial crown with precious stones with which she was crowned in 1904. In 1930 Pope Pius XII proclaimed her principal patroness of Brazil.
Her feast on October 12 is a national holiday. Pope John Paul II visited the Virgin "Aparecida" in her much frequented sanctuary and gave it the title of Basilica. A few days before the visit someone got hold of the statue and threw it forcibly on the floor. Although the frail image was broken into many pieces, the loving and careful work of several artists put it together again and the Virgin, "Aparecida" returned to her niche in the Basilica.
-- Source.
World Youth Day 2013
Here is a look at the site of Pope Francis' first public liturgy for WYD 2013, the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, the world's largest Marian shrine.
July 23, 2013. (Romereports.com) With World Youth Day underway, the massive gathering is bound to break some records. The official registration number exceeds 350,000 youths, but that number could easily be multiplied during the closing ceremony, since on that day, there's no need to register to attend. Some estimate that up to 2 million youths could show up to celebrate with the Pope.
According to Brazil's Civil Aviation Department, about 70,000 pilgrims are arriving on a daily basis to Rio's airports. Young Catholics from 190 countries are making their way to Brazil, but the top 10 countries are of course Brazil, followed by Argentina, the U.S, Chile, Italy, Venezuela, France, Paraguay, Peru and Mexico.
There are over 200,000 registered Brazilians. From Argentina, the Pope's native country, there are about 20,000 pilgrims. From the United States, more than 11,000. From Chile, the number stands at 9,100, which is actually the highest number since the year 2000. From Italy, about 7,000 youths are expected in Rio.
A total of 28 cardinals and 600 bishops will accompany Pope Francis during his first World Youth Day celebration. Parishes, gyms and auditoriums will turn into key points of catechesis for the more than 250 bishops who will be in Rio. The catechesis will be offered in 26 languages in more than 270 locations.
For now, the number of journalists has also exceeded expectations. More than 5,500 journalists are accredited, which is a higher number than World Youth Day in Madrid.
Monday, July 22, 2013
July 22nd, 2013 (Romereports.com) After a 12 hour flight, Pope Francis made it to Brazil. With a cheering crowd in the background, the Pope was greeted by the country's president, Dilma Rousseff and Brazil's religious leaders.
The transportation that came afterward, seemed a bit cumbersome. He first boarded a modest gray car, where he was swarmed by enthusiastic crowds and heavy traffic. The Pope then hopped on his open air popemobile, as he went through the city's streets. He finally took a military helicopter to Rio's Guanabara Palace.
There, during his first official speech, he thanked Brazil for its hospitality, adding that he hopes to give them, the most valuable gift of all.
POPE FRANCIS
“I have neither silver nor gold, but I bring with me the most precious thing given to me: Jesus Christ! I have come in his name, to feed the flame of fraternal love that burns in every heart; and I wish my greeting to reach one and all: The peace of Christ be with you!”
Speaking in Portuguese, the Pope said that through World Youth Day, he hopes to make disciples of all nations. He also encouraged the youth, to go above and beyond what's expected.
POPE FRANCIS
“Christ has confidence in young people and entrusts them with the very future of his mission, "Go and make disciples". Go beyond the confines of what is humanly possible and create a world of brothers and sisters.”
The Pope then emphasized that even though World Youth Day is a celebration for the youth, he also wants to reach out to all generations, so that the message of Jesus is proclaimed loud and clear.
POPE FRANCIS
“As I begin my visit to Brazil, I am well aware that, in addressing young people, I am also speaking to their families, their local and national church communities, the societies they come from, and the men and women upon whom this new generation largely depends.”
The Pope's trip to Brazil, was first approved by Benedict XVI during his pontificate. During his speech Pope Francis said he believed it was providential that his first international trip is to his beloved Latin America.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Please pray for Thomas, and for his family, especially his parents at this time.
I have been praying for his healing through the intercession of Venerable Fr. Emil Kapaun. Here is the prayer, if you would like to join me:
Father Emil Kapaun gave glory to God by following his call to the priesthood and serving the people of Kansas and those in the military. Father Kapaun, I ask your intercession not only for these needs which I mention now -- the healing of Thomas Peters--but that I too may follow your example of service to God and my neighbor. For the gifts of courage in battle and perseverance of faith, we give you thanks O Lord.
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.
You can read about one of Fr. Kapaun's miracles HERE. Through his intercession, young people involved in sporting accidents and seriously injured, have been healed.
An update from Edward N. Peters:
Thom can move his arms, docs are discussing the best treatment for his neck injury. Immediate concern is for the considerable water in his lungs. We are astounded at the expressions of prayers and support. Thom & Nat know about it. Please keep them up. Love from us all, EdP.
An update from Edward N. Peters:
Thom can move his arms, docs are discussing the best treatment for his neck injury. Immediate concern is for the considerable water in his lungs. We are astounded at the expressions of prayers and support. Thom & Nat know about it. Please keep them up. Love from us all, EdP.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Today we commerorate St. Henry.
Henry II, successively Duke of Bavaria, King of Germany and Emperor, devoted himself to the spread of religion by rebuilding churches and founding monasteries.
Henry II, son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria, and of Gisella, daughter of Conrad, King of Burgundy, was born in 972. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria, and in 1002, he was elected emperor. In 1014, he went to Rome and received the imperial crown at the hands of Pope Benedict VIII.
Henry worked hard to establish peace in Europe. However, to defend justice, he had to fight many wars. He was honest in battle and insisted that his armies be honorable too.
Henry married a gentle and loving woman named Cunegund (or Kunigunda) around 998. She, too, has been proclaimed a saint. The couple remained childless. Some sources claim the two lived chastely, but there is no proof of this.
Emperor Henry was one of the best rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. He promoted needed reforms in the monasteries and strengthened the various ecclesiastical sees of his kingdom, built churches and monasteries, and ruled wisely, tempering justice with mercy. He was a man of prayer and was greatly attracted to religious life, but accepted his role as husband and ruler and fulfilled his duties generously.
Henry was just fifty-two when he died in 1024. He was proclaimed a saint by Blessed Eugene III in 1146. Pope St. Pius X named Emperor Henry the patron of Benedictine Oblates.
Patronage: Basel, Switzerland; Benedictine Oblates; childless people; disabled people; dukes; handicapped people; kings; people rejected by religious orders; physically challenged people; sterility.
Symbols: Sword and church; lily; crown; dove on an orb; model of Bamburg cathedral.
The saint of the day for July 12 is St. Ignatius Delgado, Dominican bishop and martyr.
“This stranger, who was introduced clandestinely into the kingdom, spends his life in the study of things of the heart and in the meditation on what is incomprehensible…” (From the death sentence of Bishop Ignatius Delgado).
This group of 117 martyrs, of which Bishop Delgado OP was part, suffered and shed their blood out of love for Christ in the region known today as Vietnam. Of this group, 59 were associated to the Dominican Order.
There is little known of the life of these martyrs before they were captured. Bishop Delgado died together with bishop Dominic Henares OP and a catechist. Both bishops were from Spain and bishop Delgado was born in 1762. From the sentence of condemnation itself we learn that Bishop Delgado had laboured for nearly fifty years in Tonkin, which argues that he must have been a resourceful man as well as a zealous one, before he died at the age of seventy-six.
In 1838 the two bishops and the catechist were captured, in a persecution recently stirred up. A copy of his trial showed that he answered truthfully and fearlessly where he himself was concerned, but that no amount of questioning or torture could make him reveal the whereabouts of his companions. Bishop Delgado, an old man of seventy-six, endured the tortures rather than give any clue as to where they might be found.
The death sentence was passed on Bishop Delgado, and he was left in the open cage under the summer sun, to exist in misery until it should please the mandarin to kill him. Worn out by suffering he died before the mandarin was ready to behead him. Bishop Henares was captured around at the same time as Bishop Delgado. Two weeks after the death of Bishop Delgado, Bishop Henares was led out and beheaded in company with this catechist.
This account is only one of the almost uncountable accounts that witness to the dedication of the missionaries to “proclaim the Gospel to the end of the earth”. Their knowledge of Jesus, and the joy which this brought to their lives, made them fearless even in the sight of death. The next Dominicans who came to the region, Bishop Hermosillo and his companions, would also, as they knew, also be destined to shed their blood for Christ.
Source
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
July 11 is the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, the twin brother of St. Scholastica, the patron of Europe, and the founder of Western monasticism.
Biography
Tradition teaches that St. Benedict lived from 480 to 547, though we cannot be sure that these dates are historically accurate. His biographer, St. Gregory the Great, pope from 590 to 604, does not record the dates of his birth and death, though he refers to a Rule written by Benedict. Scholars debate the dating of the Rule though they seem to agree that it was written in the second third of the sixth century.
Saint Gregory wrote about St. Benedict in his Second Book of Dialogues, but his account of the life and miracles of Benedict cannot be regarded as a biography in the modern sense of the term. Gregory's purpose in writing Benedict's life was to edify and to inspire, not to seek out the particulars of his daily life. Gregory sought to show that saints of God, particularly St. Benedict, were still operative in the Christian Church in spite of all the political and religious chaos present in the realm. At the same time it would be inaccurate to claim that Gregory presented no facts about Benedict's life and works. According to Gregory's Dialogues Benedict was born in Nursia, a village high in the mountains northeast of Rome. His parents sent him to Rome for classical studies but he found the life of the eternal city too degenerate for his tastes.
Consequently he fled to a place southeast of Rome called Subiaco where he lived as a hermit for three years tended by the monk Romanus.
The hermit, Benedict, was then discovered by a group of monks who prevailed upon him to become their spiritual leader. His regime soon became too much for the lukewarm monks so they plotted to poison him. Gregory recounts the tale of Benedict's rescue; when he blessed the pitcher of poisoned wine, it broke into many pieces. Thereafter he left the undisciplined monks. Benedict left the wayward monks and established twelve monasteries with twelve monks each in the area south of Rome.
Later, perhaps in 529, he moved to Monte Cassino, about eighty miles southeast of Rome; there he destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Apollo and built his premier monastery. It was there too that he wrote the Rule for the monastery of Monte Cassino though he envisioned that it could be used elsewhere.
The thirty-eight short chapters of the Second Book of Dialogues contain accounts of Benedict's life and miracles. Some chapters recount his ability to read other persons' minds; other chapters tell of his miraculous works, e.g., making water flow from rocks, sending a disciple to walk on the water, making oil continue to flow from a flask. The miracle stories echo the events of certain prophets of Israel as well as happenings in the life of Jesus. The message is clear: Benedict's holiness mirrors the saints and prophets of old and God has not abandoned his people; he continues to bless them with holy persons.
Benedict is viewed as a monastic leader, not a scholar. Still he probably read Latin rather well, an ability that gave him access to the works of Cassian and other monastic writings, both rules and sayings. The Rule is the sole known example of Benedict's writing, but it manifests his genius to crystallize the best of the monastic tradition and to pass it on to the European West.
Gregory presents Benedict as the model of a saint who flees temptation to pursue a life of attention to God. Through a balanced pattern of living and praying Benedict reached the point where he glimpsed the glory of God. Gregory recounts a vision that Benedict received toward the end of his life: In the dead of night he suddenly beheld a flood of light shining down from above more brilliant than the sun, and with it every trace of darkness cleared away. According to his own description, the whole world was gathered up before his eyes "in what appeared to be a single ray of light" (ch. 34). St. Benedict, the monk par excellence, led a monastic life that reached the vision of God.
~ +Abbot Primate Jerome Theisen OSB STD
Patronage: Against nettle rash; against poison; against witchcraft; agricultural workers; cavers; coppersmiths; dying people; erysipelas; Europe; farm workers; farmers; fever; gall stones; Heerdt, Germany; inflammatory diseases; Italian architects; kidney disease; monks; nettle rash; Norcia, Italy; people in religious orders; schoolchildren; servants who have broken their master's belongings; speliologists; spelunkers; temptations.
Quote: "Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace."
~ St. Benedict of Nursia
Prayer to Saint Benedict for a Happy Death
V. Intercede for us, O holy Father Benedict.
R. And obtain for us the grace of a happy death.
O holy Father Benedict, whose very name signifies your blessedness, you most joyfully offered your angelic soul to God while you stood in prayer with your arms raised to heaven.
You have promised to defend us from the devil's attacks at the hour of death if we daily recall to you your own glorious death and heavenly joys.
Protect me, therefore, O glorious Father, today and every day by your holy blessing, so that I may never be separated from our blessed Jesus, nor from the company of you and all the saints. Amen.
O God, who adorned the precious death of our most holy Father, Saint Benedict, with so many and so great privileges, grant, we beseech You, that our departure hence, we may be defended from the snares of the enemy by the blessed presence of him whose memory we celebrate. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To learn more about St. Benedict of Nursia, visit the Online Guide to St. Benedict.
Praise God! It was a nasty battle, but we won. Now to move onto the abolishment of all abortion.
AUSTIN, TX, July 10, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Texas House of Representatives has passed a pro-life law that would restrict abortions to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. On the third reading, HB2 passed the chamber by a vote of 96-49.
The bill stalled during a first special session as a mob of pro-abortion activists shouted down a vote, and an 11-hour filibuster by Wendy Davis prevented lawmakers from voting on the measure.
Gov. Rick Perry has promised to ensure that the bill passes and is signed into law.
Yesterday, Democrats attempted to hinder the passage of the law by proposing more than two dozen amendments to water down or sidetrack the bill during 10 hours of debate. However, all amendments were voted down.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.
Read the full story
July 10, 2013 (Romereports.com) Preparations for WYD 2013 started months ago, but there is still a lot on the agenda. One of the issues organizers are working on, is the installations of two main stages, where most of the gathering with Pope Francis will take place. They include stages in Copacabana and Campus Fidei. Organizers say, they goal is to build a structure where everyone can see Pope Francis, even from a distance.
It's not just about logistics. Organizers are also looking for an artistic touch. Abel Gomes, who designed the main stage at Copacabana, said its layout was inspired by the picturesque mountain skyline in Rio.
Another imposing stage, at Campus Fidei, was inspired by the shape of ancient Gothic cathedrals. Its main features are two towers at the ends of the altar which resemble two hands held in prayer. Between them, a golden coated cross, that's over 100 feet high.
Organizers hope the projects will be completed as soon as possible, to welcome the hundreds of pilgrims who are already making their way to Rio.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Born in 1804 in the province of Santander in Spain, Emmanuel joined the Franciscans with the hope of becoming a missionary. Ordained in 1831, following his request, he was sent to the Holy Land. There he had two terms of service. During the second, he was appointed guardian of Damascus in 1858 with a community of eight friars, six of whom were priests. A quarrel between a Maronite and a Druse in 1860 sparked atrocious rioting in which the Druses pillaged towns and massacred some 3,000 people, among them the Franciscan community at Damascus. The other Franciscan martyrs were priests - Carmel Volta (aged 57), Engelbert Kolland (33), Nicanor Ascanio (46), Peter Soler (33), Nicholas Alberga (30) - and lay friars, Francis Pinazzo (58) and John James Fernandez (58). All were Spanish except Engelbert who was from the diocese of Salzburg in Austria. They were all beatified with three Maronite laymen by Pius XI in 1926, the seventh centenary year of the death of St Francis.
by Michelle Riestra and Rebecca Oas, Ph.D.
The UN Security Council rebuffed suggestions that victims of wartime rape have a right to abortion in a landmark resolution on women in peace and security last week.
Actress Angelina Jolie urged the United Nations to help victims and punish perpetrators as part of the effort to garner celebrity status for UN causes. She told harrowing tales of women and children being sexually abused in refugee camps.
The Security Council adopted a resolution that focuses on preventing and addressing sexual violence in situations of conflict, but does not mention abortion and the morning-after pill and this angered some.
Delegations that promote abortion internationally expressed their frustration. “Why are the sexual and reproductive rights of victims of sexual violence still in dispute?” questioned French delegate Najat Vallaud-Belkacem. Speaking for the Nordic countries, Karin Enstrom said the availability of abortion and the morning-after pill was “crucial” in situations of conflict.
The Security Council also rebuffed inclusion of homosexual rights. UN bodies have consistently rejected specific rights for homosexuals.
The Security Council resolution, as close to law as anything that comes out of the UN, included the ambiguous phrase “sexual and reproductive health” for the first time. Part of the ambiguity of the term, only ever defined in a 1994 UN conference, is that it includes abortion where it is legal, but does not include them in countries that protect human life in the womb.
While the Security Council accepted this ambiguity, it rejected any steps towards legitimizing abortion and the morning-after pill.
A report of the Secretary-General earlier this year described abortion and the morning-after pill are “an integral component” to any response to sexual violence in conflict — an indication of the growing rift between the liberal social policies embraced by the UN bureaucracy and the policies agreed by the full membership of the United Nations. The Security Council merely “took note” of the report, the least enthusiastic acknowledgment a document can receive in a UN resolution, tantamount to rejecting the report’s suggestions regarding abortion as a remedy for rape.
Abortion groups have attempted for some time to use the plight of rape victims to create a new human right to abortion. Rape in humanitarian situations is considered one of the “hard cases”. Groups raised the point with UN policy makers at the UN Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year but without success. For the moment too many countries protect human life in the womb for abortion to be made a right under any circumstance.
The Vatican warned member states not to get distracted by agendas that “harm human dignity” in their effort to help victims of rape. Archbishop Francis Chulikatt criticized the inclusion of the term “sexual and reproductive health” in the resolution as a “destructive notion of health care… used as a justification for taking life.” He added “the death of an innocent unborn child only visits further violence on a woman already in difficulty.”
Source: Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute
Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law a measure that requires Wisconsin abortion clinics to offer women the option of viewing an ultrasound of their unborn child. The Wisconsin Catholic Conference had offered testimony on behalf of the legislation.
“In every other medical procedure, women are offered the opportunity to see their sonogram and mammogram images, chest and bone x-rays, etc.,” said Barbara Sella, associate director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference. “Abortion providers should routinely do the same.”
A federal judge has blocked enforcement of separate Wisconsin legislation requiring abortionists to have hospital-admitting privileges.
Source
July 9, 2013 (Romereports.com) The life of late Cardinal, Francis Xavier Van Thuan was unique, and perhaps even saintly. From being imprisoned for over a decade to becoming one of the main prelates of his native Vietnam.
WALDERY HILGEMAN
Van Thuan Cause for Canonization
“Saints stand out from the rest, not because they were perfect but because they made it a point, despite the challenges, to follow Christ closely. It's about living one's Christian vocation at a heroic level.”
The first stage of his canonization process, known as the Diocesan Process, has come to a close. It involved thousands of pages that include testimonies, his own writings and accounts on his life and how he carried out his faith.
LUISA MELO
Cardinal Van Thuan Canonization
“The presence of Cardinal Van Thuan is alive. He may not be here physically, but spiritually he is. I feel it.”
He served as a Cardinal and as the President of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Justice and Peace. But, perhaps the period that stands out the most, are the 13 years he spent behind bars, nine of them in solitary confinement. The communist regime, arrested him in 1975, when he was ordained a Bishop. He was never tried or sentenced. Even so, he always encouraged people, to leave the past behind.
CARD. François-Xavier VAN THUAN
September 2002
“As I said the other day, the future is much more exciting than the past.”
During that time, the government actually had to replace the prison guards, because one by one, they too became Catholic. His signature cross, he wore even after being released, was made with the help of the guards.
WALDERY HILGEMAN
Van Thuan Cause for Canonization
“The prison guards helped him out. They gave him some electrical wire. He cut out the plastic covering and made a chain out of it. He placed his handmade cross on that chain and wore it around his neck.”
Those who knew him best, say he was always cheerful. Even in the last days of his life, he would crack jokes, laugh and mimmick those around him. He would often say that if he wasn't a priest, he would have been a comedian.
LUISA MELO
Cardinal Van Thuan Canonization
“He would imitate John Paul II, Cardinal Sodano, and all of us, really. Each one of us. He was very good at it. He combined his simple spirit with his great sense of humor.”
Cardinal Van Thuan died on September 16th, 2002. His canonization process began in 2007, on the fifth anniversary of his death.
July 9, 2013 (Romereports.com) The Vatican held a special celebration for the early martyrs of the Church. The so called 'protomartyrs', were those who died during the first centuries AD, a time when practicing Christianity was forbidden by Roman authorities.
Some of the best known saints in the Catholic tradition, such as Saint Peter, died a martyr's death in Rome, in places that are still famous today.
REGINALDO LUCIOLI
Vatican City State Marching Band
“The Roman Protomartyrs are the very first martyrs of the Catholic Church. Right next to us here there once stood Nero's so-called 'garden', where Saint Peter was crucified upside down at his own request. But also other martyrs are celebrated, such as those who were eaten alive by the lions in the Coliseum and other places.”
The Feast of the Roman Protomartyrs began with a special Mass celebrated by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, at the end of June. The office was also attended by the Choir of the Diocese of Rome. Also present were representatives of many orders and confraternities. But the peak of the celebrations was a procession that went right through the gardens and alleyways of Vatican City, accompanied by the traditional Vatican marching band.
REGINALDO LUCIOLI
Vatican City State Marching Band
“One thing that is really moving is that every year the band following the procession passes in front of the Pope's residence. This year that will be at Casa Santa Marta. In front of it, to signal its presence, the band will intone the traditional 'three rings', which the Pontifical band always plays in front of the Pope.”
The procession ran along the perimeter of Saint Peter's Basilica. It then reached the Vatican gardens and stopped at the Teutonic Church just behind the Pope's current residence.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Today is the optional memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, and companions, Chinese martyrs. Saint Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese diocesan priest who was martyred with his 119 companions in 1815. Among their number was an eighteen year old boy, Chi Zhuzi, who cried out to those who had just cut off his right arm and were preparing to flay him alive: "Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am Christian."
Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China's relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly.
The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and 1930. Most of them (eighty-seven) were born in China and were children, parents, catechists or laborers, ranging from nine years of age to seventy-two. This group includes four Chinese diocesan priests.
The thirty-three foreign-born martyrs were mostly priests or women religious, especially from the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Jesuits, Salesians and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse (Paris Foreign Mission Society) to his martyrdom in Beijing. Augustine was baptized and not long after was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.
Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were canonized in Rome on October 1, 2000.
More information is available on The Vatican website.
July 8, 2013 (Romereports.com) The four-day pilgrimage of over 6,000 seminarians and novices culminated with a special Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica. The Pope addressed those on a vocational journey by stressing the fact that their young age is a great treasure for their mission within the Church.
POPE FRANCIS
“You represent the Church’s youth! If the Church is the Bride of Christ, you in a certain sense represent the moment of betrothal, the Spring of vocation, the season of discovery, assessment, formation. And it is a very beautiful season, in which foundations are laid for the future. Thank you for coming!”
Pope Francis said that the true goal of consecrated people must be that of announcing joy and serenity to the world. This, the Pope said, should be a natural consequence when someone has experienced God's consolation and tenderness.
POPE FRANCIS
“Sometimes I've seen consecrated people who are afraid of God's consolation. Poor men, poor women, they are consumed with sorrow, because they fear God's tenderness. But don't be afraid! Don't be afraid, the Lord is the Lord of consolation, the Lord of tenderness. God is our Father and He says he will behave with us like a mother with her child, with tenderness. Never be afraid of God's consolation!”
At the end of his homily, the Pope also stressed the importance of poverty, since Jesus, the Pope said, sent his disciples to the world with no “purse, no bag, no sandals.” Finally, Pope Francis entrusted the novices and seminarians to the intercession of Our Lady.
July 8, 2013 (Romereports.com) During his Sunday Angelus prayer and following his special Mass with seminarians and novices, Pope Francis reflected upon the role of ordained ministers as successors of the disciples, whom Jesus sent to the world as missionaries and witnesses to this message.
POPE FRANCIS
“He forms immediately a community of disciples, which is a missionary community. Right from the start, He trains them for the mission, to go on a mission. Beware, however! The purpose is not to socialize, to spend time together – no, the purpose is to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and this is urgent! There is no time to waste in small talk, no need to wait for the consent of all – there is need only of going out and proclaim.
After the prayer to Our Lady, Pope Francis also gave a little insight on the genesis of his recently published first encyclical, 'Lumen Fidei.'
POPE FRANCIS
“As you know, two days ago the encyclical letter on the subject of faith, entitled Lumen Fidei, 'The light of faith' was published. For the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict XVI had started this Encyclical, which follows on from those about charity and hope. I picked up this project and I finished it. I offer it with joy to the People of God: in fact, especially today, we need to go to the essentials of the Christian faith, to deepen it, and to measure current issues by it. But I think that this encyclical, at least in some parts, can also be useful to those who are searching for God and for the meaning of life.”
At the end of his speech, the Pope also took some time to greet all the pilgrims in St. Peter's square, in particular those preparing to travel to Brazil for WYD 2013.
Related: The Pope's New Encylical Lumen Fidei: The Basics
Sunday, July 7, 2013
The saint of the day for July 8 is St. Jeanne-Marie Kerguin, Franciscan Missionary and Martyr.
Jeanne-Marie was born on May 5, 1864, at Belle-Isle en Terre, France to a poor peasant family. Her mother died when she was quite young, and she was forced to take over the household chores for the family. With her home obligations fulfilled, she joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1887, taking the name Marie Santa Natalia. There she happily threw herself into a life of prayer and devotion to the simplest and most menial tasks of her house. She was assigned first to Paris, then to Carthage in north Africa. She encountered health problems and was sent to Rome to recover. There she answered the call of her Order to work as a missionary. She arrived in China in March 1899, and was almost immediately hospitalized for several months with typhus. Her short lived career ended during a crackdown on foreign missionaries during the Boxer Rebellion. St. Jeanne - Marie Kerguin was beheaded on July 9, 1900, at at Taiyuanfu, China. She was one of the Martyrs of Shanxi and one of the Martyrs of China. She was canonized on October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II at Rome.
Saint Quotes
"Do not be afraid. Death is only God who is passing by."
"I am happy to have to suffer. When one suffers one is detached from the world.God wishes that I love more than all else; He has been so generous to me and has done so much for me since I came into this world."
~ St. Jeanne-Marie Kerguin
Dr. Taylor Marshall (one of my favorite bloggers) sums up the new Encylical Lumen Fidei (Latin for "The Light of Faith") written by both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis in 15 simple points:
- He begins with referring to Nietzsche as the pioneer of non-faith for our era. Consequently, "humanity renounced the search for a great light, Truth itself."
- He then refers to Dante, who in the Divine Comedy, after professing his faith to Saint Peter, describes that light as a "spark, which then becomes a burning flame and like a heavenly star within me glimmers." The encyclical builds on Saint Peter's initial faith when he said, "You are Christ, the Son of the Living God!"
- Next, he traces the history of faith from Abraham and up on through the Hebrews of the Old Testament. The Incarnation reveals the ultimate object of faith - Jesus Christ.
- "In many areas in our lives we trust others who know more than we do. We trust the architect who builds our home, the pharmacist who gives us medicine for healing, the lawyer who defends us in court." But why don't we trust God? Trust or faith is a natural part of life.
- Faith transforms those who love. This is why we are saved by faith in Christ. Read more
Zenit offers an official summary of Lumen Fidei HERE.
Thomas Peters shares his Top 15 Quotes From The Pope's New Encyclical HERE.
You can read Lumen Fidei by doing the following:
By Greg Willits, released June, 2013, Servant Books, Cincinnati, Ohio, 149 pages, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook,CD, and Audible Audio Edition, CD abridged. Available from Servant Books, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, Major books stores and Catholic and Christian book stores.
Reviewed by JEAN M. HEIMANN, M.A. in Theology, adult educator, new evangelizer, freelance writer, and oblate with the Community of St. John.
Archbishop Charles Chaput recently made the following controversial statement: “A new evangelization must start with the sober knowledge that much of the once-Christian developed world, and even many self-described Christians, are in fact pagan. Christian faith is not a habit. It’s not a useful moral code. It’s not an exercise in nostalgia. It’s a restlessness, a consuming fire in the heart to experience the love of Jesus Christ and then share it with others — or it’s nothing at all” (CatholicPhilly.com)
In The New Evangelization and You: Be Not Afraid, Greg Willits helps each one of us rekindle the consuming fire of our faith within our hearts, stir it into flames in our lives, and spread the flames of transformation into our world. As Christians, we all need to be renewed in our faith and reminded what our mission is in this world. We all need a booster shot of enthusiasm and encouragement. The New Evangelization and You is a dose of exactly what I needed to get me fired up about my faith. In his fresh, charismatic, and candid style, Greg articulately explains exactly what the New Evangelization is and what we need to do to be successful evangelists. He inspires, motivates, and teaches us to know the faith more deeply, to live the faith more fully, and to share the faith more effectively.
In this short, but lively book, Greg draws us deeper into our faith and effectively convinces us that each of us has God-given gifts we can use to share the faith with others. With wit and charm, he relates personal anecdotes about his own evangelization experiences and shares brief profiles about average Catholics today who serve as new evangelizers in the world. He keeps us actively involved in the preparation process for becoming new evangelizers with thought-provoking questions and prayer at the end of each chapter.
As an experienced evangelizer, Greg reveals numerous practical, down to earth techniques to touch hearts and souls to bring them closer to the Lord. I found The New Evangelization and You to be a refreshing and exciting book and a must read for all who desire to remain fully and actively alive in their faith. I highly recommend it.
© Jean M. Heimann, July 2013.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Today is the feast of St. Maria Goretti (1890-1902), a peasant girl who was stabbed fourteen times, while fighting off a rapist. She died forgiving her killer.
Maria Goretti was born on October 16, 1890, in Coranaldo in the province of Ancona in Italy, the third of seven children of Assunta and Luigi Goretti. When Maria was six, her father, realizing he could not support his growing family on the barren countryside, took them south, toward Rome, to a village near Anzio, believing that in the rich, warm farmlands of the Mediterranean he would find a more prosperous living and a make a better life for his family. In order to make ends meet, Maria’s father entered into partnership with a man called Serenelli, and shared a house with him and his two sons, one of whom was called Alessandro. Luigi was a hard worker, but suffering from malaria, typhus, meningitis and pneumonia, he died in 1900, leaving his family peniless. Maria, now a child of ten, was doing the work of a grown woman, while suffering from hunger and mortification daily.
Maria impressed everyone with her radiant purity. She was naturally pious, kind, and helpful. She was also outstandingly beautiful – and Alessandro Serenelli was a very passionate and undisciplined man. She resisted his attentions, which only made her all the more desirable, and narrowly managed to escape a serious sexual assault, which he made her promise to keep secret by threats of murder.
A month later Alessandro arranged things so that he would be alone in the house with Maria; and he had a dagger. She tried to resist, begging him to be careful to save his immortal soul, but he thrust a handkerchief into her mouth to prevent her from crying out, tied her up, and threatened her with the dagger. She continued to resist. Enraged, Alessandro ripped her body fourteen times with a sharp blade and left her bleeding and unconscious. She did not die, though her entrails were hanging out from one of her abdominal wounds. She was taken to hospital, seven miles of rough road in a horse-drawn ambulance, and was operated on for more than two hours. She lived for twenty hours more, became a Child of Mary, received the Last Sacraments, and specifically forgave her murderer. She died in the afternoon of 6 July 1902, at the age of eleven years, eight months, and twenty days.
Alessandro narrowly escaped being lynched, and was tried and sentenced to thirty years’ in prison with hard labor. For the first seven years or so he maintained a cynical and defiant attitude, but he repented, and dreams of Maria herself were largely responsible for his repentance and conversion.
In 1908, six years after her death, Maria came to Alessandro in a dream or a vision, so real, it was for him reality. His prison cell was transformed into a beautiful garden filled with fragrant flowers and surprising masses of lilies. A figure in white was gathering the lilies. She turned to him and he cried out: "Maria! Oh, Mariettina!" and she came to him, carrying an armful of white lilies, which she handed to him, one by one, each representing a wound he had inflicted don her. And she repeated her dying wish that one day his soul would reach her in Heaven.
Maria was beatified in 1927. Alessandro was released in 1928; and he and Maria’s mother received Communion side by side on Christmas Day 1937, and they spent Christmas together. Maria was canonized in 1950. Her mother was present at the ceremony, the first time this has ever happened. Some people say that Alessandro was present, too. Eventually, he found peace as a gardener in a Capuchin monastery and as a lay brother of the Secular Third Order. His favorite flower was the lily. He died in 1970.
Maria is a beautiful model of purity, chastity, love and forgiveness for those in our society today -- both young and old. She took to heart the words of the priest who upon reception of her first Holy Communion told her,"A Catholic will always rather die than sin against God."
She chose to die rather than to sin, and to become a shining saint of purity. She received strength to die as a martyr for purity through her frequent reception of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. She forgave the man who murdered her and helped him repent and turn back to his faith. Impossible, you say? How could anyone forgive someone who commited such a heinous crime? Nothing is impossible with God.
Patron: Against impoverishment; against poverty; children; children of Mary; girls; loss of parents; martyrs; rape victims; young people in general.
Official Prayer to St. Maria Goretti
Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth, with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us!
Recommended Reading:
St. Maria Goretti: In Garments All Red (young teens -- adult)
Friday, July 5, 2013
July 5, 2013 (Romereports.com) Pope Francis has published his first encyclical titled 'Lumen fidei', or 'The light of faith.' The document was started by Benedict XVI when he was still Pope and later passed on to Pope Francis. The result is a text combining theology and current affairs that bears the hallmark of both Popes.
Pope Francis invites everyone to let faith 'cast light' upon their existence. He also states that 'faith is not arrogant', it 'strengthens the bonds between people' and is 'in the concrete service of justice and peace.”
The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith was one of the speakers in charge of presenting the encyclical.
ARCH. GERHARD LUDWIG MULLER
Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
“The encyclical wants to reaffirm the fact that faith in Jesus Christ is a fundamental value for mankind and that it is 'good for everyone, for the common good': 'it does not only cast light upon the Church, nor is it only useful to build an eternal city in the afterlife; faith also helps us build our own societies, so that we can walk towards a future filled with hope.”
The text contains various definitions of faith. The Pope reminds that faith is born of a special encounter and that it means 'trusting in a love that always welcomes and forgives, that supports and orients existence.”
Pope Francis uses examples taken for everyday life to explain his thought. For example, he says that the promise of true love between a man and a woman is binding for life and that in many aspects it recalls the features of faith itself.
CARD. MARC OUELLET
Prefect, Congregation for Bishops
“A pillar was lacking in Benedict XVI's trilogy on theological virtues. Providence willed that this missing pillar should be both a gift from the Pope Emeritus to his successor and a symbol of unity. For in taking up and completing the work begun by his predecessor, Pope Francis bears witness with him to the unity of faith. The light of faith is passed from one pontiff to another like a baton in a relay.”
ARCH. RINO FISICHELLA
President, Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization
“It is useful to know that for the Year of Faith we repeatedly asked Benedict XVI to write an encyclical on faith that would somehow be a sequel to the trilogy he had started with Deus Caritas Est on love, and Spe Salvi on hope. The Pope wasn't sure about bearing this burden. However, our persistence eventually won and Pope Benedict XVI decided he was going to write it and publish it at the end of the Year of Faith. But history decided otherwise.”
The encyclical contains familiar topics in Benedict XVI's line of thought, such as that 'having faith also means to possess reason' and that faith itself 'is not a private matter nor a personal opinion', since 'faith without truth does not save.' The document also cites some of Pope Benedict's favorite authors, such as Nietszche, T.S. Elliot and Dostoievski.
The first encyclical by a Pope is usually a key to understand his Pontificate. In this case, it is important to note that the first encyclical by Pope Francis is a text full of optimism and hope.
July 5, 2013 (Romereports.com) Pope Francis has cleared John Paul II for sainthood. On Friday morning, he signed a decree that attributes a miracle to the intercession of the late Polish Pope. This gives the green light for the Polish Pope to be declared a saint of the Catholic Church.
The Pope also approved the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, who is remembered for calling the Second Vatican Council. A special consistory has been called by the Pope, to set a date for his canonization, even without the required miracle.
FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI
Vatican Spokesperson
“The road is open for the canonization of John XXIII, but a decree on a miracle has not yet been approved by the Pope. The Vatican's Causes for Saints has presented the situation to the Pope, so that a canonization can take place even without the second miracle.”
A decree approving a miracle by Alvaro del Portillo, former prelate of Opus Dei, has also been approved, paving the way towards his future beatification.
The Pope also approved additional beatifications and over 40 martyrs who will be recognized for their heroic virtues.
Today, July 5, the Church remembers Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria. A renowned preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, he founded the order of priests now known as the Barnabites.
Saint Anthony Maria Zaccaria was born at Cremona, Italy, in 1502, of noble parents. His father Lazzaro died when Anthony was two, and Antonietta, his eighteen-year-old mother, never remarried, but devoted herself to performing charitable works for the poor. She passed on her love for the poor to her son. As a child, Anthony gave his coat to a poor beggar who was shivering with cold.
Anthony studied philosophy and medicine at the Universities of Pavia and Padua. He became a licensed physician at the age of 22 and returned to Cremona. He cared for his patient's physical needs, but was even more concerned about their spiritual well-being, encouraging them to frequent the sacraments to obtain spiritual healing. He studied theology, and, at the age of 26, was ordained to the priesthood.
Those present at his first Mass witnessed a miracle. They saw Fr. Anthony Mary Zaccaria surrounded with an extraordinary light and a crown of angels.
As a priest, Anthony worked with the poor and the sick. He was also a spiritual director and reformer. By his preaching and example, his hometown of Cremona was renewed. Then the young priest went to Milan. There he founded there the Order of Regular Clerics of Saint Paul, later called Barnabites because they were entrusted with the church of Saint Barnabas. He had a great devotion to Saint Paul and desired that his religious imitate the Apostle. The Barnabites' devotions focused chiefly on the teachings of Saint Paul and emphasized love for the Eucharist and Christ crucified. He also established a community of Sisters, called the Angelicals, and a confraternity for fathers of families. His great love for God strengthened all of his followers.
In 1536, he stepped down as general of the order and went to Vicenza, where he reformed two convents and founded the order's second house. While in Vincenza, he popularized for the laity the Forty-hour devotion accompanied by preaching. He also revived the custom of ringing church bells at 3 p.m. on Fridays, in remembrance of the Crucifixion. He left only a few writings: twelve letters, six sermons, and the constitution of the Barnabites.
When he became seriously ill, he returned to Cremona. Fr. Anthony Mary Zaccaria died when only 37 years old. Tradition says that in his last moments he had a vision of Saint Paul the Apostle. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1897. His body was found incorrupt 27 years after his death.
Quote
"That which God commands seems difficult and a burden. The way is rough; you draw back; you have no desire to follow it. Yet do so and you will attain glory."
~ St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Prayer
Saint Anthony Zaccaria,
helper of the poor and the sick,
you who devoted your life to our spiritual welfare,
listen to my humble and hopeful prayer.
Continue your work as doctor and priest
by obtaining from GOD
healing from my physical and moral sickness,
so that free from all evil and sin,
I may love the LORD with joy,
fulfill with fidelity my duties,
work generously for the good of my brothers and sisters,
and for my sanctification.Amen.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Prayer for the Courage to be Great
Prayer to Walk the Path of the Beatitudes
"O Father, you gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati
the joy of meeting Christ
and of living his faith in the service of the poor and the sick;
through his intercession may we, too, walk the path of the beatitudes
and follow the example of his generosity,
spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen."
+Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini,
Archbishop of Turin
Related Post: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati July 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Today is the feast of Blessed Pier Giorgo Frassati, a Dominican tertiary, and the patron saint of World Youth Day.
Here are some of my favorite Quotes:
"The end for which we are created invites us to walk a road that is surely sown with a lot of thorns, but it is not sad; through even the sorrow, it is illuminated by joy."
“To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing.”
"You ask me whether I am in good spirits. How could I not be, so long as my trust in God gives me strength. We must always be cheerful. Sadness should be banished from all Christian souls. For suffering is a far different thing from sadness, which is the worst disease of all. It is almost always caused by lack of Faith. But the purpose for which we have been created shows us the path along which we should go, perhaps strewn with many thorns, but not a sad path. Even in the midst of intense suffering it is one of joy."
"With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind."
~Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Independence Day is a holiday that unites us as we celebrate our freedom and independence as “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It also is the final day of a “Fortnight for Freedom,” a two-week period of prayer and action called by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to address many current challenges to religious liberty, including the HHS mandate and attempts to redefine marriage. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have courageously fought, and continue to fight, for our religious freedom, as well, including the late military chaplain Fr. Emil Kapaun.
Kapaun posthumously received the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama in April, nearly 60 years after he heroically gave his life as a POW in the Korean War. The Vatican is also considering him a possible candidate for Sainthood.
His life, service and hero’s death is the subject of an incredible new book, THE MIRACLE OF FATHER KAPAUN, co-written by Roz Wenzl and Travis Heying, and published by Ignatius Press. One of the most remarkable aspects of his story surrounds the atypical movement of support for both his sainthood cause and his Medal of Honor award. The witnesses to both his sanctity and his bravery have come from non-Catholics, men of Jewish faith, Muslim faith and Protestant tradition, who served with Fr. Kapaun in battle or in the brutality of conditions where he drew his last breath – a prisoner of war camp.
In honor of the Fortnight for Freedom, I am giving away both the book and the DVD that chronicle his heroic life, "The Miracle of Father Kapaun," during the "Fortnight for Freedom" and leading up to Independence Day.
You can enter to win either the DVD or the book. To qualify for the drawing, just send me an email with your full name and mailing address at jean.heimann(at)gmail(dot)com and you are entered! The Father Emil Kapaun Book/DVD giveaway ends July 4, so be sure to enter now. To qualify for the drawing, just send me an email with your full name and mailing address at jean.heimann(at)gmail(dot)com and you are entered! Two winners will be randomly selected.
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