Birthday Special:Blessed Mother Teresa's Life in Pictures Plus Prayers and Pithy Quotes

 Today, August 26th, marks the 103rd birthday of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Happy Birthday, Mother Teresa!

Mother Teresa's life in Pictures

A PICTORIAL TRIBUTE TO BLESSED MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA (1910 - 1997)

Official Novena to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Best Pithy Quotes:

"When you look at the crucifix you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the sacred host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now."

"Like Jesus we belong to the world living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength."

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. Everyone can reach this love through meditation, spirit of prayer, and sacrifice, by an intense inner life."

"God still loves the world and He sends you and me to be His love and His compassion to the poor.”

"If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive."

"There is hunger for ordinary bread, and there is hunger for love, for kindness, for thoughtfulness, and this is the great poverty that makes people suffer so much."

"We should not serve the poor like they were Jesus. We should serve the poor because they are Jesus."

"Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart."

"Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing".

"Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child."

"A child is God's greatest gift to the family, to the nation, to the world. The child is a life from God, created in the image of God, created for great things, to love and to be loved."

“Mary my Mother, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so Immaculate, so full of love and humility, that I may be able to receive Jesus.”

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

'We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."

"A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves. The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace."

"Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want. This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion."

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St. John Eudes

Today is the optional memorial of St. John Eudes, a French priest, parish missionary, founder of the Eudists and of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity, and author of the liturgical worship of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

John Eudes was born at Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601, the son of a farmer. He went to the Jesuit college at Caen when he was 14. Despite his parents' wishes that he marry, he joined the religious order of the Oratorians in France and was ordained a priest at the age of 24. John worked as a volunteer, caring for the victims of the plagues that struck Normandy in 1625 and 1631. In order to avoid infecting his fellow religious, he lived in a huge cask in the middle of a field during the plague.

At age 32, John became a parish missionary, building a reputation as an outstanding preacher and confessor
During his long life,  he preached not less than one hundred and ten missions in different parts of France.. He was known for his opposition to Jansenism, which taught that human nature was corrupt, original sin rampant, and perfection was both necessary for salvation and practically unattainable.

He became interested in helping prostitutes, and in 1641, with Madeleine Lamy, founded a refuge for them in Caen under the direction of the Visitandines.

John resigned from the Oratorians in 1643 and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists) at Caen, composed of secular priests not bound by vows but dedicated to upgrading the clergy by establishing effective seminaries and to preaching missions.

In 1650, the Bishop of Coutances invited him to establish a seminary in that diocese. The same year the sisters at his refuge in Caen left the Visitandines and were recognized by the Bishop of Bayeux as a new congregation under the name of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge.  He also established the Society of the Heart of the Mother Most Admirable -- which resembles the Third Orders of St. Francis and St. Dominic.

St. John Eudes is known for his writings, especially The Ideal Confessor, The Wonderous Childhood of the Holy Mother of God, The Admirable Heart of Mary, and The Apostolic Preacher. Above all, St. John Eudes taught that Jesus was the source of all holiness and Mary was the example of a Christian life
He died at Caen on August 19, 1680 at the age of 79. He was beatified in 1909 by Saint Pius X, and canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925.

Quotes

"He belongs to you, but more than that, He longs to be in you, living and ruling in you, as the head lives and rules in the body. He wants His breath to be in your breath, His heart in your heart, and His soul in your soul."

“Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires and his disposition live and reign there. All our religious exercises should be directed to this end. It is the work which God has given us to do unceasingly.”

"I ask you to consider that our Lord Jesus Christ is our true head, and that you are one of his members. He belongs to you as the head belongs to its members; all that is his is yours. . . . You must make use of all these as of your own, to serve, praise, love, and glorify God."

Prayer by St. John Eudes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O Heart all lovable and all loving of my Savior, be the Heart of my heart, the soul of my soul, the spirit of my spirit, the life of my life and the sole principle of all my thoughts, words and actions, of all the faculties of my soul, and of all my senses, both interior and exterior. Amen.

Prayer by St. John Eudes to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Hail Mary! Mother of God the Son.
Hail Mary! Spouse of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary! Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity.
Hail Mary! Pure Lily of the Effulgent Trinity.
Hail Mary! Celestial Rose of the Ineffable Love of God.
Hail Mary! Virgin pure  and humble,of whom the King of heaven willed to be born and with thy milk to be nourished.
Hail Mary! Virgin of Virgins,
Hail Mary! Queen of Martyrs, whose soul a sword transfixed.
Hail Mary! Lady most blessed! unto whom all power in heaven and earth is given.
Hail Mary! My Queen and my Mother! my Life, my Sweetness and my Hope,
Hail Mary! Mother Most Amiable,
Hail Mary! Mother of Divine Love,
Hail Mary! Immaculate! Conceived Without Sin!
Hail Mary! Full of Grace! The Lord is with Thee!
Blessed art thou among women! And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus!
Blessed be thy spouse, Saint Joseph,
Blessed be thy father, Saint Joachim,
Blessed be thy mother, Saint Anne,
Blessed be thy guardian, Saint John,
Blessed be thy holy angel, Saint Gabriel,
Glory be to God the Father, Who chose thee,
Glory be to God the Son, Who loved thee,
Glory be to God the Holy Spirit, Who espoused thee.

O Glorious Virgin Mary, may all people love and praise thee.

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Thomas Peters grateful for prayers following accident

We're praying daily for Catholic blogger Thomas Peters and hope that you will join us in continued prayer for his healing.

Here's the latest news on his progress from CNA/ EWTN:

A young Catholic blogger known for his defense of the faith in the public square is thankful for prayers and support as he begins the long process of recovery following a severe accident.

“Rehabilitation will not be easy and there are no answers for how much Thomas will be able to rehabilitate,” said Natalie Peters in a statement collaborated with Thomas, her husband.

However, she told CNA that she and Thomas “have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers” and encouragement coming from family, friends and supporters in the weeks since his accident.

A leader in the Catholic community, Thomas Peters starting the award-winning blog “The American Papist” in 2006 before joining the group Catholic Vote in 2010. The 27-year-old became one of a few American bloggers invited to the Vatican’s first blogger meeting in Rome. Peters also works as communications director and blog manager for the National Organization for Marriage.
On July 16, Peters was injured in an accident while swimming in Maryland, fracturing his fifth cervical vertebra, which is located in the lower neck. He is in “critical but stable condition,” according to the recovery website set up by family and friends.

Because of the location of the damage, the injury has had an impact on Peters' sensation, strength and mobility, particularly in his fingers. While he has regained the use of his wrists, there “is no firm prognosis for his long term mobility,” the website said.

The accident also left water in Peters’ lungs, leaving them weak. As a result, he has been on a ventilator since the accident, although he is now sitting and breathing on his own for hours at a time in order to strengthen his diaphragm and chest muscles.

In addition, Peters has undergone a tracheotomy and had a head brace installed for stability. Surgery will be required to fix the fracture, though the doctors will not be able to operate until an infection that formed at his tracheotomy site heals.

Despite the trials and challenges posed by the injury, Natalie explained that they “are committed to staying hopeful.”

According to the recovery blog, Thomas “is calmer, happier, better when Natalie is around.” Natalie helps her husband in completing daily tasks, such as shaving and washing his hair, while he gradually recovers his ability to do certain tasks on his own, such as holding tubing and other objects.

In addition, the couple strives to stay in high spirits between physical therapy and appointments. Natalie reads and responds to emails and letters, Thomas tells jokes, and the pair watches some of their favorite television shows and movies.

They have also been joined in prayer by family and friends, including several priests. Thomas has received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and is able to pray and receive the other sacraments frequently while in the hospital.

Supporters have set up a spiritual bouquet website to collect prayers for Peter, along with a Facebook prayer page and a novena to Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta, a 19th century Italian laywoman who spent much of her life bedridden with infirmities.

The Peters family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support – especially prayers – that they have received in the weeks following the accident.

“We feel the power and grace of these prayers every day,” Natalie said.

Friends have also organized an Aug.14 benefit concert by musician Luke Spehar at the Catholic Information Center in downtown Washington, D.C., to help raise funds for Peters' medical bills and other needs.

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Novena to St. Benedict begins today

This novena to St. Benedict reflects the father of Western monasticism’s goodness and devotion to God. St. Benedict is best known for his Rule for monks (and nuns as well) living in monastic communities devoted to lives of prayer, solitude and contemplation.

Novena Prayer

Glorious St. Benedict, sublime model of virtue, pure vessel of God's grace! Behold me humbly kneeling at your feet. I implore you in your loving kindness to pray for me before the throne Of God. To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me. Shield me against my selfishness and my indifference to God and to my neighbor. Inspire me to imitate you in all things. May your blessing be with me always, so that I may see and serve Christ in others and work for His kingdom.

Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life. Your heart was always full of love, compassion and mercy toward those who were afflicted or troubled in any way. You never dismissed without consolation and assistance anyone who had recourse to you. I therefore invoke your powerful intercession, confident in the hope that you will hear my prayer and obtain for me the special grace and favor I earnestly implore (name it).

Help me, great St. Benedict. to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven. Amen.

Born in Nursia, Italy and educated in Rome, Benedict left that city around the age of 20 for a more sanctified life. He wound up living for three years in a cave in Subiaco, a town southeast of Rome.

The second paragraph of this novena to St. Benedict mentions some of his qualities, such as his great compassion for the afflicted. These saintly attributes, along with the miracles he performed, brought him many followers in Subiaco. He established 12 monastic communities there before leaving to found a monastery in Monte Cassino, where he wrote his Rule and lived for the rest of his life.

The Rule of St. Benedict has been used by monasteries all throughout the West for centuries. It champions listening to God’s word and doing His work through a life of prayer, temperance, charity, obedience, patience and humility. The Rule was considered rigorous, yet not unbendingly so, when Benedict first introduced it in his writings.

In addition to praying a novena to St. Benedict, many people wear a St. Benedict medal for spiritual protection. The wearing and use of the medal has been called “a silent prayer to God to grant us, through the merits of St. Benedict, the favors we request.” St. Gregory the Great, who chronicled some of Benedict’s miracles a few years after his death, called him “a shining light to the world.”

It is a fitting tribute to this saint that he himself did not found, but rather inspired the religious order (the Order of Saint Benedict, also known as the Benedictines) that bears his name and follows his Rule today.

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My Father’s Legacy: St. Anthony of Padua

By Jean M. Heimann

Whenever I think of my father, who passed on to eternal life 16 years ago, I am reminded of St. Anthony of Padua.  My dad introduced me to this powerful intercessor, to whom he was deeply devoted, inviting me to pray the novena prayers with him shortly before he died.  Although he was eighty years old and was suffering from an aggressive cancer, dad was able to recite the prayers from memory.  He gave me a copy of the novena prayers and encouraged me to pray it on my own. While I had always invoked St. Anthony of Padua for objects I seemed to be consistently misplacing, I never realized until then what a great saint he was.

St. Anthony of Padua is a Doctor of the Church, a Franciscan priest called the "Hammer of the Heretics", the "Wonder Worker", and the "Living Ark of the Covenant." Countless conversions, miraculous healings, and powerful preaching were all characteristic of his ministry.

He was born to a noble family in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal and was baptized Fernando Martins de Bulhões. His parents sent him to be educated by the clergy at the Cathedral of Lisbon.  At the age of 15, he joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine.  At 17, he transferred to the Abbey of the Holy Cross at Coimba. For a period of eight years, he devoted himself to study and prayer.

When he was 25, Fernando met five Franciscan friars who were on their way to Morocco to serve as missionaries.  Five months later, when the bodies of these five were brought back from Morocco, he expressed an intense desire to suffer martyrdom in a similar manner.  Stirred by their heroic example, he left monastic life and entered the Franciscan order.  At the age of 26, he received the Franciscan habit in the chapel of St. Anthony of Olivares, near Coimbra. At this time, Fernando changed his name to Anthony in honor of the patron saint of the chapel. In the same year as his ordination, his desire to be sent to the missions in Africa was fulfilled.

However, God had other plans for Anthony.  Anthony had barely set foot on African soil when he became seriously ill. Even after he had recovered, he was so frail that he boarded a boat back to Portugal. Suddenly, a storm came up, which drove the ship to the east where it found refuge on the coast of Sicily. There he was given shelter by the Franciscans of that island, who nursed him back to health. Shortly afterward, he traveled to Assisi to attend the Order’s Chapter meeting with their founder, St. Francis of Assisi.  As the chapter broke up, Anthony was basically ignored by just about everyone.  However, one provincial from northern Italy, noticed him and sent him to a small hermitage, where he lived a simple life, performing menial tasks, such as gardening, cleaning, setting tables and washing dishes.

But a hidden gift was soon to become manifest.  Anthony and other members of his community were sent to the town of Forli for the ordination ceremony of some Dominicans and Franciscans.  However, the priest who was to give the homily had become ill, and Anthony’s superior selected him to preach, encouraging him to speak whatever the Holy Spirit put in his mouth.  Anthony humbly objected, but was overruled.  He spoke with such eloquence that his audience was amazed and he was assigned to preach throughout northern Italy. St. Francis of Assisi himself appointed Anthony to teach theology, "but in such a manner," St. Francis distinctly wrote, "that the spirit of prayer be not extinguished either in yourself or in the other brethren."  A contemplative at heart, Anthony consistently spent long hours in prayer prior to preaching and teaching.

Anthony was called the "Wonder Worker" for his many reported miracles. He preached to crowds in the rain, but his audiences remained dry despite the downpour.

The number of those who came to hear him was so large that no church was big enough to hold them, so he had to preach in the open air. He was so zealous in defending the truths of the Catholic Faith that many heretics were converted. This prompted the epitaph given him by Pope Gregory IX the "Ark of the Covenant."

Once a man, who provided him shelter in his home, came upon St. Anthony and found him holding in his arms the Child Jesus, extraordinarily beautiful and encircled in heavenly light. For this reason, St. Anthony is often depicted holding the Child Jesus.

In 1227, Anthony was elected Minister Provincial of the friars living in northern Italy, yet, as always, he made the time for contemplative prayer.

In Padua, Anthony preached his last and most famous sequence of Lenten homilies. The crowds were as large as 30,000 people, many of whom had waited all night to hear him. He even required a body guard to protect him from those who sought to snatch a lock of his hair or a patch of clothing as keepsakes.

The great amount of energy he expended during the 40 days of Lent at Padua in 1231 left him extremely exhausted and so he rested at a small town near Padua.  When he realized he was dying, he wanted to return to Padua, but did not make it, but had to stop at the town of Arc ell a. After receiving the last sacraments, he kept looking upward and smiling.  When he was asked what he saw there, he answered: "I see my Lord." Anthony died June 13, 1231, at the age of 36, only ten years after entering the Franciscan order.

Anthony was canonized in 1232, less than one year after his death, and was made a Doctor of the Church in 1946.  Although he was Portuguese, St. Anthony took his name from the Italian city of Padua, where he spent most of his later years. A magnificent basilica was built at Padua in his honor; his holy relics were entombed there in 1263.  From the time of his death up to the present day, many miracles have occurred through St. Anthony's intercession.

I am ever so thankful to my dad for introducing me to this great saint, who has helped me so many times not only by finding lost items, but in helping me find myself spiritually. He continues to teach me: humility to replace my pride and the importance of submitting to God’s will, rather than my own. Despite his many gifts, St. Anthony remained a man of great holiness and humility, never taking credit for them, but always attributing them all to the Lord. Both my dad and St. Anthony were holy, humble men of God, who sought to do His will.  Both have watched over me in difficult times and have protected me. This coming Father’s Day, I will be remembering both men as Fathers and as protectors of my soul.

Saint Anthony of Padua Quotes

 “We spread the love of God by loving as he loves.”

"The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit."

"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

"Christians must lean on the Cross of Christ just as travelers lean on a staff when they begin a long journey. They must have the Passion of Christ deeply embedded in their minds and hearts, because only from it can they derive peace, grace, and truth."

Patronage

Novena Prayers to St. Anthony 

St. Anthony of Padua Prayers 

More St. Anthony of Padua Prayers 

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St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

Today, June 3, the Church commemorates St. Charles Lwanga and companions, martyrs.

Charles was one of 22 Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism. Though he was baptized the night before being put to death, he became a moral leader. He was the chief of the royal pages and was considered the strongest athlete of the court. He was also known as "the most handsome man of the Kingdom of the Uganda." He instructed his friends in the Catholic Faith and he personally baptized boy pages. He inspired and encouraged his companions to remain chaste and faithful. He protected his companions, ages 13-30, from the immoral acts and homosexual demands of the Babandan ruler, Mwanga.

Mwanga was a superstitious pagan king who originally was tolerant of Catholicism. However, his chief assistant, Katikiro, slowly convinced him that Christians were a threat to his rule. The premise was if these Christians would not bow to him, nor make sacrifices to their pagan god, nor pillage, massacre, nor make war, what would happen if his whole kingdom converted to Catholicism?

Most of the twenty-two Uganda martyrs who have been proclaimed saints were killed on June 3, 1886. They were forced to walk thirty-seven miles to the execution site. After a few days in prison, they were thrown into a huge fire.

When Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say, cheerful. He was to be executed by being burnt to death. While the pyre was being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned slowly so death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, "Kotanda! (O my God!)." He was burned to death by Mwanga's order on June 3, 1886. Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his companions on June 22,1964.

St Charles Lwanga is the patron of:  African Catholic Youth Action, Catholic youth, converts, and torture victims.

Prayers

Martyrs of Uganda, pray for the faith where it is in danger and for Christians who must suffer because of their faith. Give them the same courage, zeal, and joy you showed. And help those of us who live in places where Christianity is accepted to remain aware of the persecution in other parts of the world. Amen.

Dear Lord, the Uganda Martyrs were willing to give their lives as witness of their faith in You. Help us to have the same courage and bestow upon us the faith of these martyrs - that we too may live our lives as witness to Your Love for us, and our love of You.

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Novena to the Immaculate Heart of Mary begins today

Novena Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ...(special intention).

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.

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Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus starts today

Efficacious Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

I. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you." Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of...... (here name your request)
Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

II. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." Behold, in your name, I ask the Father for the grace of.......(here name your request) Our Father...Hail Mary....Glory Be To the Father....Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

III. O my Jesus, you have said: "Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away." Encouraged by your infallible words I now ask for the grace of.....(here name your request) Our Father....Hail Mary....Glory Be to the Father...Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of you, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.

~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

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