St Thomas Aquinas (Memorial)
—
St Aemilian of Trebi
St Agatha Lin
Bl Amadeus of Lausanne
St Antimus of Brantôme
St Archebran
Bl Bartolomé Aiutamicristo
St Brigid of Picardy
St Callinicus
St Cannera of Inis Cathaig
Bl Charlemagne (a decree of canonization was issued by the anti-pope Paschal III, but this was never ratified by valid authority.)
St Constantly
St Flavian of Civita Vecchia
St Glastian of Kinglassie
Bl James the Almsgiver
St James the Hermit
St Jerome Lu
St John of Reomay
St Joseph Freinademetz
Bl Julian Maunoir
St Julian of Cuenca
St Lawrence Wang
St Leucius of Apollonia
Bl María Luisa Montesinos Orduña
St Maura of Picardy
Bl Mosè Tovini
Bl Odo of Beauvais
Bl Olympia Bida
St Palladius of Antioch
St Paulinus of Aquileia
Bl Peter Won Si-jang
St Richard of Vaucelles
St Thyrsus of Apollonia
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Martyrs of Alexandria
Month: January 2017
Novena to Bl Benedict Daswa – Day FIVE – 27 January
DAY 5 A MAN COMMITTED TO THE CHURCH
As a voluntary catechist, Benedict Daswa helped to build up the Church community, especially by preparing people for baptism. He was a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and was always regular at the meetings. He led the Sunday Service when a priest or a pastoral worker was not available and was very involved in youth ministry, encouraging the young people to live good, productive lives and to be proud of their faith.
Benedict promised his wife that he would start building their house as soon as the new Church of Nweli was finished. This task of building the first Catholic Church in the area was a project so dear to his heart that he not only helped the priest with his own car to transport the building material for it but worked tirelessly on it and encouraged others to do likewise. After its completion, true to his promise, he started building his own house.
Word of God
So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12, 5-8)
Deepening of Faith
In virtue of their rebirth in Christ there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality with regard to dignity and the activity whereby all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in accord with each one’s own condition and function. (CCC 872 See also CIC, Can. 208; Cf. LG 32)
Reflection: What do I do for the Church and in the Church?
Do I contribute to the building/upkeep of the church and its services?
Prayer: I will not enter my house or get into my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
Until I find a place for the Lord,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob. (Psalm 132,3-5)
NOVENA PRAYER:
O Blessed Trinity,
I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.
I love You, I adore You and I worship You.
I give you thanks for Blessed Benedict,
Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith
In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.
Almighty Father, You filled the heart of Blessed Benedict,
With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.
You gave him the courage and the strength
To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.
Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.
Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.
Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.
May Your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Blessed Benedict,
I ask that I may follow his example
Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.
You know all about my many problems and worries
And my great fears when I look to the future.
I draw strength and courage from the life of Blessed Benedict.
I come to You now, Lord, and through his intercession
I ask for this very special favour………
(mention your request/s)
if it is according to Your will.
Help me always to follow the good example of Blessed Benedict.
By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,
Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things
And to love others as You love me.
Amen.
Novena to St John Bosco – Day SIX – 27 January
6th Day (January 27) – For Salesian Cooperators and the Salesian Family
O Saint John Bosco,
you founded the Association of Salesian Cooperators,
the seed of the worldwide Salesian Family,
in order to ensure the widest possible participation
in the charitable work on behalf of young people.
Pray for all the members of the Salesian Family that,
inspired by your example and bonded in one spirit,
they may share in the Salesian mission and model in their life
and work pastoral educative charity.
Through your intercession may God grant me the following grace………….
(mention your intention)
so that together with the Salesian Family
I may assist all I am able to
and help young people in today’s society.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco Pray for us!
Thought for the Day – 27 January
To the long list of authorities Ursulines were to obey—Ten Commandments, Church, parents, civil laws—St. Angela added “divine inspirations that you may recognize as coming from the Holy Spirit.” A refreshing and liberating rule. Also a dangerous one, for when it’s obeyed, the Holy Spirit may act in unexpected ways.
Sometimes the “tried and true” ways are no longer adequate and new ways have to be found to bring the Gospel to the world. Saints like Angela Merici had to find new ways to do the old tasks and innovation has always been a part of genuine sanctity. New wineskins are often needed for the eternally new wine of the Gospel and the saints were not only holy people, they were often creative geniuses, as well and this IS the Holy Spirit!
St Angela Merici Pray for us!
Quote/s of the Day – 27 January
Quote/s of the Day – 27 January
“Reflect that in reality you have a greater need to serve [the poor] than they have of your service.”
“Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need He will stretch out His saving hand.”
“Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family.”
“Consider that the devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.”
“As our Saviour says: “A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.” He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart as well as a soul on fire with charity, can do nothing but good and holy works. For this reason Saint Augustine said: “Love, and do what you will,” namely, possess love and charity and then do what you will. It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin.”
One Minute Reflection – 27 January
One Minute Reflection – 27 January
The servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kindly toward all…….2 Tm 2:24
REFLECTION – “Exercise pleasantness toward all, taking great care especially that what you have commanded may never be done by reason of force.
For God has given free will to everyone and therefore, never forces anyone – but only indicates, calls and persuades.”……………St Angela Merici
PRAYER – Heavenly Father, teach me how to deal pleasantly with those I in my life. Help me to persuade rather than attempt to force others to do what must be done. Help me always to lead by example and by my life. St Angela Merici, pray for us, amen!
Our Morning Offering – 27 January
Our Morning Offering – 27 January
Excerpt from St Angela Merici’s Daily Prayer
My God, do Thou enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me grace to die
rather than ever offend Thy divine Majesty.
Place a guard around my affections and my thoughts,
so that they may never turn aside from Thee and Thy ways
and banish me not from Thy presence,
in which afflicted hearts find such consolation.
My God, I am filled with grief on seeing
I cannot look into the innermost secrets of my heart,
without being ashamed to raise my eyes to heaven,
believing myself worthy to be cast into hell;
and when I see within myself so many faults,
deformities, unworthiness and sin,
I feel myself drawn by day and night,
in my going forth, or at home, at work,
or communing with my thoughts
to pray with all my strength
and to beg of Thee, O my God,
mercy and time to do penance.
Vouchsafe then, O Lord, I beseech Thee,
to forgive me the offences
and sins into which I have fallen
and I beseech Thee also to pardon
the sins of my parents,
relations and friends and those of the whole world;
and I beg of Thee by Thy holy Passion,
by Thy precious blood shed for love of us,
by Thy holy name of Jesus,
that this adorable name may be blessed
in heaven and on earth
and by the heavenly choirs of angels and archangels.
I regret, O Lord, that I have begun so late
to serve Thy divine Majesty.
Accept, I beseech Thee, O Lord,
all my thoughts, words and actions,
together with my whole being;
and placing all at the feet of Thy divine Majesty,
I beg Thee to accept them,
unworthy as I am of such a favour. Amen
Saint of the Day – 27 January – St Angela Merici
Saint of the Day – 27 January – St Angela Merici C.S.U. – (1474-1540 died aged 65) Virgin/Religious/Foundress/Teacher – Patron of sickness, handicapped people, loss of parents
St Angela was a religious teacher who founded the Company of St. Ursula in 1535 in Brescia, Italy in which women dedicated their lives to the service of the Church through the education of girls. From this organization later sprang the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns established places of prayer and learning throughout Europe and, later, worldwide, most notably in North America.
She was born in 1474 at Desenzano del Garda, a small town on the southwestern shore of Lake Garda in Lombardy. She and her older sister, Giana Maria, were left orphans when she was fifteen years old. They went to live with their uncle in the town of Salò. Young Angela was very distressed when her sister suddenly died without receiving the Last Rites of the Church and prayed that her sister’s soul rest in peace. It is said that in a vision she received a response that her sister was in heaven in the company of the saints. She joined the Third Order of St. Francis around that time. People began to notice Angela’s beauty and particularly to admire her hair. As she had promised herself to God, and wanted to avoid the worldly attention, she dyed her hair in soot.
Merici’s uncle died when she was twenty years old and she returned to her home in Desenzano, and lived with her brothers, on her own property, given to her in lieu of the dowry that would otherwise have been hers had she married. She later had another vision that revealed to her that she was to found an association of virgins who were to devote their lives to the religious training of young girls. This association was a success and she was invited to start another school in the neighboring city, Brescia.
In 1524, while traveling to the Holy Land, Merici became suddenly blind when she was on the island of Crete. Despite this, she continued her journey to the Holy Land and was ostensibly cured of her blindness on her return, while praying before a crucifix, at the same place where she was struck with blindness a few weeks before. In 1525 she journeyed to Rome in order to gain the indulgences of the Jubilee Year then being celebrated. Pope Clement VII, who had heard of her virtue and success with her school, invited her to remain in Rome. Merici disliked attention, however, and soon returned to Brescia.
On 25 November 1535, Merici gathered with 12 young women who had joined in her work in a small house in Brescia near the Church of St Afra, where together they committed themselves in the founding of the Company of St Ursula, placed under the protection of the patroness of medieval universities. Her goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers. Four years later the group had grown to 28. Merici taught her companions to be consecrated to God and dedicated to the service of their neighbour but to remain in the world, teaching the girls of their own neighbourhood, and to practice a religious form of life in their own homes. The members wore no special habit and took no formal religious vows. Merici wrote a Rule of Life for the group, which specified the practice of celibacy, poverty and obedience in their own homes. The Ursulines opened orphanages and schools. On 18 March 1537, she was elected “Mother and Mistress” of the group. The Rule she had written was approved in 1544 by Pope Paul III. Angela gave the Ursulines a military structure, dividing towns into districts governed hierarchically by mature Christian women. This design allowed the community to support members in daily Christian living and protect them from spiritually unhealthy influences.
The rule that Angela wrote for the company required members to remain faithful to the Christian basics. In the following excerpt, she explains the importance of daily vocal and mental prayer:
“Each one of the sisters should be solicitous about prayer, mental as well as vocal, that is a companion to fasting. For Scripture says prayer is good with fasting. As by fasting we mortify the carnal appetites and the senses, so by prayer we beg God for the true grace of spiritual life. Thus, from the great need we have of divine aid, we must pray always with mind and heart, as it is written, “Pray constantly” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NJB). To all we counsel frequent vocal prayer that prepares the mind by exercising the bodily senses. So each one of you, every day will say with devotion and attention at least the Office of the Blessed Virgin and the seven penitential psalms (Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143) because in saying the office we are speaking with God.
To afford matter and some method in mental prayer, we exhort each one to raise her mind to God and to exercise herself in it every day. And so in the secret of her heart, let her say: “My Saviour, illumine the darkness of my heart, and grant me grace rather to die than to offend your Divine Majesty any more. Guard, O Lord, my affections and my senses, that they may not stray, nor lead me away from the light of your face, the satisfaction of every afflicted heart.
I ask you, Lord, to receive all my self-will, that by the infection of sin is unable to distinguish good from evil. Receive, O Lord, all my thoughts, words, and deeds, interior and exterior, that I lay at the feet of your Divine Majesty. Although I am utterly unworthy, I beseech you to accept all my being.”
When Merici died in Brescia on 27 January 1540, there were 24 communities of the Company of St. Ursula serving the Church through the region. Over the years the Ursulines have flourished as the oldest and one of the most respected of the church’s teaching orders. Her body was clothed in the habit of a Franciscan tertiary and was interred in the Church of St. Afra.
Saints for 27 January
St Angela Merici (Optional Memorial) INCORRUPT
(VIDEO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etRhdM26g08 APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER)
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Bl Antonio Mascaró Colomina
St Avitus
St Candida of Bañoles
St Carolina Santocanale
St Devota of Corsica
St Domitian of Melitene
St Emerius of Bañoles
Bl Jurgis Matulaitis-Matulewicz/George Matulaitis
St Gilduin
Bl Gonzalo Diaz di Amarante
St Henry de Osso y Cervello
St John Maria Muzeyi
Bl John of Warneton
St Julian of Le Mans
St Julian of Sora
St Lupus of Châlons
Bl Manfredo Settala
St Marius of Bodon
Bl Michael Pini
St Natalis of Ulster
St Paul Josef Nardini
Bl Rosalie du Verdier de la Sorinière
St Theodoric of Orléans
St Pope Vitalian
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Martyrs of North Africa – 30 saints
Datius of Africa and 46 companions
Lucius of Africa and 40 companions
Jan. 26: Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops AV+ Divine Office Reading.
https://www.facebook.com/CatholicsstrivingforHoliness/videos/723825847794415/
January 26
Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops
AV+ Divine Office Reading
St. Timothy (d.97) was the son of a pagan father and a Hebrew-Christian mother, Eunice. He was a disciple of St. Paul. St. Paul consecrated him Bishop of Ephesus. According to a fourth century story, he was beaten to death by a mob when he opposed the observance of a pagan festival. St. Titus was also a friend and disciple of St. Paul who ordained him Bishop of Crete. St. Paul wrote to these two disciples three pastoral letters, which gave glimpses of the structure of the Church.
Sts. Timothy and Titus, pray for us!
+++Second Reading begins here+++
From a homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
I have fought the good fight
Though housed in a narrow prison, Paul dwelt in heaven. He accepted beatings and wounds more readily than others reach out for rewards. Sufferings he…
View original post 576 more words
Novena to Bl Benedict Daswa – Day FOUR – 26 January
Novena to Bl Benedict Daswa – Day FOUR – 26 January
DAY 4 A MAN COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY
Benedict was highly respected in the community. He was a natural leader and a
confidant of the headman who chose him as the secretary of his council. Always guided by his Christian principles, Benedict was never afraid to speak his mind. He was greatly respected for his honesty and integrity as also for his truthfulness and humility. On one occasion, falsely accused of using school funds to build his house, Benedict’s innocence and good stewardship were upheld after the headman had ordered an
enquiry.
As Benedict believed strongly in character formation through sporting activities for
young people, he started soccer clubs for the youth. He wanted them to be busy,
disciplined, and off the streets. During a drought in the Venda area in the eighties, Benedict used his contacts and persuasive skills to obtain food supplies for the children in his school.
Word of God
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be
restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel but on a stand and it gives light to all in the
house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give
glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5, 13-16)
Deepening of Faith
In order to achieve their task directed to the Christian animation of the temporal order, in the sense of serving persons and society, the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in “public life”, that is, in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good. (CL42)
Reflection: What/how do I contribute to improve my community?
Do I take my public/political responsibilities seriously?
Prayer: But you do see; you do observe this misery and sorrow;
You take the matter in hand. To you the helpless can entrust their cause;
you are the defender of the orphans. (Psalm 10, 14)
NOVENA PRAYER:
O Blessed Trinity,
I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.
I love You, I adore You and I worship You.
I give you thanks for Blessed Benedict,
Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith
In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.
Almighty Father, You filled the heart of Blessed Benedict,
With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.
You gave him the courage and the strength
To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.
Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.
Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.
Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.
May Your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Blessed Benedict,
I ask that I may follow his example
Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.
You know all about my many problems and worries
And my great fears when I look to the future.
I draw strength and courage from the life of Blessed Benedict.
I come to You now, Lord, and through his intercession
I ask for this very special favour………
(mention your request/s)
if it is according to Your will.
Help me always to follow the good example of Blessed Benedict.
By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,
Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things
And to love others as You love me.
Amen.
Novena to St John Bosco – DAY FIVE – 26 January
5th Day (January 26) – For Salesian Brothers, Sisters and Priests
O Saint John Bosco,
you founded the Salesian Society
and the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
for the continuation and extension of the work on behalf of young people.
Pray for all your sons and daughters,
the members of these two religious families that,
inspired by your example and imbued with your spirit
they may be faithful to their religious consecration
and steadfast in the Salesian mission.
Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace……………..
(mention your request)
so that together with the sons and daughters
of your religious families
I may assist and help all especially young people.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco Pray for us!
Thought for the Day – 26 January
Thought for the Day – 26 January
St Paul makes it clear to Timothy that he is to proclaim the Word with persistence BUT “through all patience.” This is the most important part of these instructions! Growth in the Spirit is a lifelong journey, in which great patience is needed. The one who proclaims the Word needs patience in dealing with the one being taught. This is a human enterprise and humans are notoriously slow to understand, accept and implement the Word of God in their lives. Christians are to proclaim the Word without being judgmental. So, as Paul tells Timothy so he tells you and me to go forth, proclaim the Word, live your faith, treat others with respect and kindness and do it all with patience and love. Thus faith is the centre of the Christian’s life and from that centre he radiates Christ’s love to all whom he meets. (Msgr. Bernard Bourgeois)
In these letters, we get another glimpse of life in the early Church: great zeal in the apostolate, great communion in Christ, great friendship. Yet always there is the problem of human nature and the unglamorous details of daily life: the need for charity and patience in “quarrels with others, fears within myself,” as Paul says. Through it all, the love of Christ sustained them. At the end of the Letter to Titus, Paul says that when the temporary substitute comes, “hurry to me.”
Sts Timothy and Titus Pray for us!
Quote of the Day – 26 January
Quote of the Day – 26 January
“Proclaim the word;
be persistent
whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince,
reprimand,
encourage,
through all patience and teaching.” …………..St Paul (2 Tm 4:2)
One Minute Reflection – 26 January
One Minute Reflection – 26 January
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God………..2 Tm 1:1-8
…….to Titus, my true child in our common faith:
grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our saviour.
For this reason I left you in Crete
so that you might set right what remains to be done…………Ti 1:1-5
REFLECTION – …. we consider together the two figures of Timothy and Titus, we are aware of certain very significant facts………. it clearly appears that (Paul) he did not do everything on his own but relied on trustworthy people who shared in his endeavours and responsibilities. The sources concerning Timothy and Titus highlight their readiness to take on various offices that also often consisted in representing Paul in circumstances far from easy. In a word, they teach us to serve the Gospel with generosity realizing that this also entails a service to the Church herself..”………………Pope Benedict XVI
PRAYER – Father of light, let my life be illumined by the light of Christ and enable me to radiate the Gospel to others. Teach me, like Sts Timothy and Titus to give my all to the service of the Bride of Christ, His Mystical Body, the Church. Sts Timothy and Titus, pray for us. amen.
Our Morning Offering – 26 January
Our Morning Offering – 26 January
To the Most Holy Trinity
by Blessed James Alberione (Founder of the Pauline Family)
Divine Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
present and active in the Church
and in the depths of my soul,
I adore You, I thank You, I love You!
And through the hands of Mary
most holy, my Mother,
I offer, give and consecrate myself
entirely to You
for life and for eternity.
To you, Heavenly Father, I offer,
give and consecrate myself
as Your son/daughter.
To you, Jesus Master, I offer,
give and consecrate myself
as Your brother/sister and disciple.
To you, Holy Spirit,
I offer, give and consecrate myself
as “a living temple”
to be consecrated and sanctified.
Mary, Mother of the Church and my Mother,
who dwells in the presence
of the Blessed Trinity,
teach me to live,
through the liturgy and the sacraments,
in ever more intimate union
with the three divine Persons,
so that my whole life may be
a “glory to the Father, to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.” Amen.
Saint/s of the Day -26 January – St Timothy and St Titus
Saint/s of the Day -26 January – St Timothy and St Titus
St Timothy – (c17-c97) – BISHOP and MARTYR – Missionary, Peacemaker, Teacher, Administrator, Preacher, Friend and Counsel – Patron against intestinal disorders, against stomach diseases, of Termoli, Italy
Timothy means”honouring God” or “honoured by God” ) – he was an early Christian evangelist and the first first-century Christian bishop of Ephesus, who tradition relates died around the year AD 97. Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor, born of a Jewish mother who had become a Christian believer, and a Greek father. The Apostle Paul met him during his second missionary journey and he became Paul’s companion and co-worker along with Silas. The New Testament indicates that Timothy traveled with Saint Paul, who was also his mentor. Paul entrusted him with important assignments. He is addressed as the recipient of the First and Second Epistles to Timothy.
Rembrandt’s Timothy and his grandmother, 1648.
The name “Timothy” means”honouring God” or “honoured by God” ) – he was an early Christian evangelist and the first first-century Christian bishop of Ephesus, who tradition relates died around the year AD 97. Timothy was from the Lycaonian city of Lystra in Asia Minor, born of a Jewish mother who had become a Christian believer, and a Greek father. The Apostle Paul met him during his second missionary journey and he became Paul’s companion and co-worker along with Silas. The New Testament indicates that Timothy traveled with Saint Paul, who was also his mentor. Paul entrusted him with important assignments. He is addressed as the recipient of the First and Second Epistles to Timothy
Timothy became St Paul’s disciple, and later his constant companion and co-worker in preaching. In the year 52, Paul and Silas took Timothy along with them on their journey to Macedonia. Augustine extols his zeal and disinterestedness in immediately forsaking his country, his house and his parents, to follow the apostle, to share in his poverty and sufferings. Timothy may have been subject to ill health or “frequent ailments” and Paul encouraged him to “use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake”. 1 Timothy 5:23
When Paul went on to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed for some time at Beroea and Thessalonica before joining Paul at Corinth. Timothy next appears in Acts during Paul’s stay in Ephesus (54-57) and in late 56 or early 57 Paul sent him forth to Macedonia with the aim that he would eventually arrive at Corinth. Timothy arrived at Corinth just after 1 Corinthians reached that city. The letter was not well received and Timothy quickly returned to Ephesus to report this to Paul.
Timothy was with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 57-58 when Paul dispatched his Letter to the Romans. (Romans 16:21) According to Acts 20:3-6, Timothy was with Paul in Macedonia just before Passover 58; he left the city before Paul, going ahead of him to await Paul in Troas. (Acts 20:4-5) “That is the last mention of Timothy in Acts”. In the year 64, Paul left St. Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church.
His relationship with Paul was close. Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy’s name appears as the co-author on 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians and Philemon. Paul wrote to the Philippians about Timothy, “I have no one like him.” (Philippians 2:19-23) When Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend, Timothy, for a last farewell.
That Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writing of the New Testament is implied in Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle.
The apocryphal Acts of Timothy states that in the year 97, the 80-year-old bishop tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel. The angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death.
St Titus (first century-c96) BISHOP, Disciple of Paul, Missionary, Peacemaker, Teacher, Administrator, Friend – Patron of Crete
Timothy was with Paul in Corinth during the winter of 57-58 when Paul dispatched his Letter to the Romans. (Romans 16:21) According to Acts 20:3-6, Timothy was with Paul in Macedonia just before Passover 58; he left the city before Paul, going ahead of him to await Paul in Troas. (Acts 20:4-5) “That is the last mention of Timothy in Acts”. In the year 64, Paul left St. Timothy at Ephesus, to govern that church.
His relationship with Paul was close. Paul entrusted him with missions of great importance. Timothy’s name appears as the co-author on 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians and Philemon. Paul wrote to the Philippians about Timothy, “I have no one like him.” (Philippians 2:19-23) When Paul was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, he summoned his faithful friend, Timothy, for a last farewell.
That Timothy was jailed at least once during the period of the writing of the New Testament is implied in Hebrews mentioning Timothy’s release at the end of the epistle.
The apocryphal Acts of Timothy states that in the year 97, the 80-year-old bishop tried to halt a procession in honor of the goddess Diana by preaching the gospel. The angry pagans beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to death.
Titus was an early Christian missionary and Church leader, a companion and disciple of Paul the Apostle, mentioned in several of the Pauline epistles including the Epistle to Titus. He is believed to be a Gentile converted to Christianity by Paul and according to tradition, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Island of Crete. Titus brought a fundraising letter from Paul to Corinth, to collect for the poor in Jerusalem. Later, on Crete, Titus appointed presbyters (elders) in every city and remained there into his old age, dying in the city of Candia.
Titus was a Greek, apparently from Antioch, who is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years. He seems to have been converted by Paul, whereupon he served as Paul’s secretary and interpreter. In the year 49, Titus accompanied Paul to the council held at Jerusalem, on the subject of the Mosaic rites. Although the apostle had consented to the circumcision of Timothy, in order to render his ministry acceptable among the Jews, he would not allow the same in regard to Titus, so as not to seem in agreement with those who would require it for Gentile converts.
Towards the close of the year 56, Paul, as he himself departed from Asia, sent Titus from Ephesus to Corinth, with full commission to remedy the fallout precipitated by Timothy’s delivery of 1 Corinthians ( and Paul’s “Painful Visit” ), particularly a significant personal offense and challenge to Paul’s authority by one unnamed individual. During this journey, Titus served as the courier for what is commonly known as the “Severe Letter,” a Pauline missive that has been lost but is referred to in 2 Corinthians. After meeting success on this mission, Titus journeyed north and met Paul in Macedonia, where the apostle, overjoyed by Titus’ success, wrote 2 Corinthians. Titus then returned to Corinth with a larger entourage, carrying 2 Corinthians with him. Paul joined Titus in Corinth later. From Corinth, Paul then sent Titus to organize the collections of alms for the Christians at Jerusalem. Titus was therefore a troubleshooter, peacemaker, administrator and missionary.
Early church tradition holds that Paul, after his release from his first imprisonment in Rome, stopped at the island of Crete to preach. he necessities of other churches requiring his presence elsewhere, he ordained his disciple Titus as bishop of that island and left him to finish the work he had started. Chrysostom says that this is an indication of the esteem St. Paul held for Titus.
Paul summoned Titus from Crete to join him at Nicopolis in Epirus. Later, Titus traveled to Dalmatia. The New Testament does not record his death.
Saints and Memorials – 26 January
St Timothy (Memorial)
St Titus (Memorial)
—
St Alberic of Citreaux
St Alphonsus of Astorga
St Ansurius of Orense
St Athanasius of Sorrento
St Conan of Iona
Bl Eystein Erlandsön
Bl José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero
Bl Marie de la Dive veuve du Verdier de la Sorinière
Bl Michaël Kozal
St Paula of Rome
St Robert of Molesme
St Theofrid of Corbie
St Theogenes of Hippo
St Tortgith of Barking
—
Martyred Family of Constantinople
Xenophon
Mary
John
Arcadius
Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa – Day Three – 25 January
DAY 3 A TRUE FAMILY MAN
In 1980, Benedict married Shadi Eveline Monyai, a Lutheran who was then received
into full communion with the Catholic Church. They had eight children, the last being
born four months after his death. Benedict believed that helping his wife with the
children and doing household chores were part of his marriage commitment. He told
people, “You should assist your wife with her household chores”, and taught his
children to help in the home. He also trained them to work hard, both at school and in
his orchard.
The family prayed together each evening. This family prayer time, which included the
reading of Scripture as well as family prayer, was a true “domestic Church”. As family,
they always attended the Sunday liturgical celebrations. Benedict instituted the
“Daswa Day” around the Feast of Christmas. The family and all their close relatives
used to spend the day together during which as Christmas gifts, each child received
useful school materials for the coming year.
Word of God
”For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and
the two shall become one flesh”. This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it
refers to Christ and the Church; however, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband. … Fathers, do not provoke your
children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
(Ephesians 5, 31-32; 6, 4)
Deepening of Faith
Mothers, do you teach your children the Christian prayers? Do you prepare them, in
conjunction with the priests, for the sacraments that they receive when they are young:
Confession, Communion and Confirmation? Do you encourage them when they are
sick to think of Christ suffering, to invoke the aid of the Blessed Virgin and the saints?
Do you say the family rosary together? And you, fathers, do you pray with your children,
with the whole domestic community, at least sometimes? Your example of honesty in
thought and action, joined to some common prayer, is a lesson for life, an act of worship
of singular value. In this way you bring peace to your homes. (FC 60)
Reflection: – How do I relate to my spouse, my children?
Do we pray together as a family? How often?
Prayer- Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
(Psalm 128, 1. 3-4)
NOVENA PRAYER:
O Blessed Trinity,
I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.
I love You, I adore You and I worship You.
I give you thanks for Blessed Benedict,
Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith
In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.
Almighty Father, You filled the heart of Blessed Benedict,
With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.
You gave him the courage and the strength
To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.
Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.
Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.
Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.
May Your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Blessed Benedict,
I ask that I may follow his example
Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.
You know all about my many problems and worries
And my great fears when I look to the future.
I draw strength and courage from the life of Blessed Benedict.
I come to You now, Lord, and through his intercession
I ask for this very special favour………
(mention your request/s)
if it is according to Your will.
Help me always to follow the good example of Blessed Benedict.
By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,
Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things
And to love others as You love me.
Amen.
Novena to St John Bosco – Day Four – 25 January
4th Day (January 25) – For Young People
O Saint John Bosco,
you became father, teacher and friend
to young people by the great love
and personal sacrifice with which you worked
for their salvation.
Pray for us that, inspired by your example
we also may love this chosen portion of God’s flock
with Christ’s own pastoral charity
and receive every child as we would the Lord Jesus himself.
Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace…………….
(MENTION YOUR RQUEST)
so that together with others
I may assist and help young people in today’s society, AMEN.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco Pray for us!
Thought for the Day – 25 January
Thought for the Day – 25 January
We marvel at the total conversion of the man whom we celebrate today. We marvel at his zeal, his influence, and his transparent honesty in speaking about himself: “I am the foremost of sinners but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” ( 1 Tim 1:15-16). That sums up the importance of this feast for us, who are among those who follow in Paul’s footsteps and believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life, and are still making good on our own conversion.
In the end, the same thing that converted Saul is the only thing that will convert us: the deep conviction that “Christ loves us with all the inexhaustible charity of God’s own heart.” (Christ is Passing By, no. 59) For St Paul the time came and then everything changed—he changed, the world changed. He discovered that he possessed the age-old love which the Lord had pledged to his fathers: I have loved you with a timeless love. (Jer 31:3) And “in being loved by Christ,” concludes Saint John Chrysostom, “he thought of himself as possessing life, the world, the angels, present and future, the kingdom, the promise, countless blessings.”…………Rev. John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.
Paul is undoubtedly hard to understand. His style often reflects the rabbinical style of argument of his day and often his thought skips on mountaintops while we plod below. But the bottom-line is this: the question is “what is it about” and the answer is “love”.
St Paul Pray for us!
Quote of the Day – 25 January
Quote of the Day – 25 January
“He who would keep the grace of God,
let him be grateful for grace when it is given
and patient when it is taken away.
Let him pray that it may be given back to him
and be careful and humble, lest he lose it.”
Thomas à Kempis – The Imitation of Christ
One Minute Reflection – 25 January
One Minute Reflection – 25 January
Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me………..Galatians 2:20
REFLECTION – “Paul, more than anyone else, has shown us what man really is and in what our nobility consists and of what virtue this particular animal is capable. Each day he aimed ever higher; each day he rose up with greater ardour and faced with new eagerness the dangers that threatened him. He summed up his attitude in the words: “I forget what is behind me and push on to what lies ahead……………The most important thing of all to him, however, was that he knew himself to be loved by Christ. Enjoying this love, he considered himself happier than anyone else”…….St John Chrysostum
PRAYER – O God, who instructed the whole world through the preaching of the Apostle St. Paul, grant that we who celebrate the Feast of his conversion today, may through his patronage and prayers, begin too to understand our greatest gift, that we are LOVED by You! This we ask of You through Christ our Lord. St Paul Pray for Us! Amen.
Our Morning Offering – 25 January
Our Morning Offering – 25 January
Saint Paul’s Prayer (Ephesians 3: 14-21)
This, then, is what I pray,
kneeling before the Father,
from whom every fatherhood,
in heaven or on earth takes its name.
In the abundance of his glory may he,
through his Spirit,
enable you to grow firm
in power with regard to your inner self
so that Christ may live
in your hearts through faith
and then, planted in love
and built on love,
with all God’s holy people
you will have the strength
to grasp the breadth and the length,
the height and the depth,
so that, knowing the love of Christ
which is beyond knowledge,
you may be filled
with the utter fullness of God.
Glory be to him whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine;
glory be to him
from generation to generation
in the Church and in Christ Jesus
for ever and ever. Amen
Saint of the Day – 25 January – St Paul on his Conversion
Saint of the Day – 25 January – St Paul on his Conversion
The conversion of Paul the Apostle, was, according to the New Testament, an event in the life of Paul the Apostle that led him to cease persecuting early Christians and to become a follower of Jesus. It is normally dated to AD 33–36. The phrases Pauline conversion, Damascene conversion and Damascus Christophany and road to Damascus allude to this event.
The great Apostle Paul, named Saul at his circumcision, was born at Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia and was by privilege a Roman citizen, to which quality a great distinction and several exemptions were granted by the laws of the empire. He was early instructed in the strict observance of the Mosaic law and lived up to it in the most scrupulous manner. In his zeal for the Jewish law, which he thought the cause of God, he became a violent persecutor of the Christians. He was one of those who combined to murder Saint Stephen and in the violent persecution of the faithful, which followed the martyrdom of the holy deacon, Saul exemplified himself above others. By virtue of the power he had received from the high priest, he dragged the Christians out of their houses, loaded them with chains and thrust them into prison.
In the fury of his zeal he applied for a commission to take up all Jews at Damascus who confessed Jesus Christ and bring them bound to Jerusalem, that they might serve as examples for the others. But God was pleased to show forth in him His patience and mercy. While on his way to Damascus, he and his party were surrounded by a light from heaven, brighter than the sun and suddenly struck to the ground. And then a voice was heard saying, “Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?” And Saul answered, “Who art thou, Lord?” and the voice replied, “I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute.” This mild expostulation of our Redeemer, accompanied with a powerful interior grace, cured Saul’s pride, assuaged his rage and wrought at once a total change in him.
Wherefore, trembling and astonished, he cried out, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” Our Lord ordered him to arise and to proceed on his way to the city, where he should be informed of what was expected from him. Saul, arising from the ground, found that though his eyes were open, he saw nothing. He was led by hand into Damascus, where he was lodged in the house of a Jew named Judas. To this house came by divine appointment a holy man named Ananias, who, laying his hands on Saul, said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to thee on thy journey, hath sent me that thou mayest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he recovered his eyesight.
Then he arose and was baptised; he stayed some few days with the disciples at Damascus, and began immediately to preach in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. Thus a blasphemer and a persecutor was made an apostle and chosen as one of God’s principal instruments in the conversion of the world.
From then on, his only work was to “present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I labour and struggle, in accord with the exercise of his power working within me” (Colossians 1:28b-29). “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and [with] much conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5a).
Paul’s life became a tireless proclaiming and living out of the message of the cross: Christians die baptismally to sin and are buried with Christ; they are dead to all that is sinful and unredeemed in the world. They are made into a new creation, already sharing Christ’s victory and someday to rise from the dead like him. Through this risen Christ the Father pours out the Spirit on them, making them completely new.
So Paul’s great message to the world was: You are saved entirely by God, not by anything you can do. Saving faith is the gift of total, free, personal and loving commitment to Christ, a commitment that then bears fruit in more “works” than the Law could ever contemplate.
Saints & Feasts – 25 January
Conversion of Paul the Apostle (Feast)
—
St Agape the Martyr
St Agileus of Carthage
St Amarinus of Clermont
St Ananias of Damascus
Bl Antoni Swiadek
Bl Antonio Migliorati
St Apollo of Heliopolis
Bl Archangela Girlani
St Artemas of Pozzuoli
St Auxentius of Epirus
St Bretannion of Tomi
St Donatus the Martyr
St Dwynwen
St Emilia Fernández Rodríguez de Cortés
St Eochod of Galloway
Bl Francesco Zirano
Bl Henry Suso
St Joel of Pulsano
St Juventinus of Antioch
Bl Manuel Domingo y Sol
St Maximinus of Antioch
St Palaemon
St Poppo
St Praejectus of Clermont
St Publius of Zeugma
St Racho of Autun
St Sabinus the Martyr
Bl Teresa Grillo Michel
Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa- Day Two – 24 January
Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa
DAY TWO: – A MAN OF WORK
True to his motto, “Pray and Work”, Benedict believed in honest, hard work as a way of
glorifying God and helping people in the community. As Principal of Nweli Primary
School, Benedict was wholly dedicated to the work of education. One day a teacher
tried to skip his lesson preparation for the following week by going to the bank in Sibasa
to withdraw his salary. On noticing his absence, Benedict got in his car, chased after
him, stopped the taxi and made the teacher return with him to school to complete his
preparation. That done, Benedict then drove the teacher to the bank.
In his relationship with his learners, Benedict was always motivated by love. He
encouraged them to be diligent, independent and self-reliant. Those unable to pay
school fees were invited to work in his garden to earn their school fees. Benedict would
visit the families of absentees to find out the reason and to see if he could offer help.
With his own children, he worked in his vegetable garden and planted trees –
something quite unusual for school teachers, headmasters, or educated people in
general.
Benedict exercised good stewardship by using his money wisely and well. He was the
first in his village to build a brick house with savings from his salary and from selling
vegetables and fruit from his garden and orchard. Through careful budgeting, he
purchased a car, TV set and telephone, but because of envy, some people suspected
him of making use of zombies (corpses supposedly brought back to life by witchcraft).
Word of God
It will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted his
possessions to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two; to a third, one – to
each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received
the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one
who received two made another two. (Matthew 25, 14-15)
Deepening of Faith
Nazareth, O House of the “Carpenter’s son”, it is here that we would like to understand
and celebrate the severe and redemptive law of human labour; here restore
awareness of the nobility of work; here remember that work is not an end in itself, but its
freedom and its nobility come, as well as its economic value, from values which are its
goal; how we would like to finally welcome here all workers of the world and show them
their great model, their divine brother, the Prophet of all their just causes, Christ our
Lord. (Pope Paul VI, Address in Nazareth, 5 January 1964)
Reflection: Am I doing my job/work as well as I can?
Do I feel ashamed when doing manual work?
Prayer People go forth to do their work, to their labour till the evening falls.
How varied are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all;
The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104, 23-24)
NOVENA PRAYER:
O Blessed Trinity,
I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.
I love You, I adore You and I worship You.
I give you thanks for Blessed Benedict,
Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith
In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.
Almighty Father, You filled the heart of Blessed Benedict,
With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.
You gave him the courage and the strength
To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.
Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.
Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.
Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.
May Your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.
Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Blessed Benedict,
I ask that I may follow his example
Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.
You know all about my many problems and worries
And my great fears when I look to the future.
I draw strength and courage from the life of Blessed Benedict.
I come to You now, Lord, and through his intercession
I ask for this very special favour………
(mention your request/s)
if it is according to Your will.
Help me always to follow the good example of Blessed Benedict.
By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,
Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things
And to love others as You love me.
Amen.
Novena to St John Bosco – Day Three – 24 January
3rd Day (January 24) – Loyalty to the Church and to the Pope
O Saint John Bosco,
you nurtured a filial love for the Church and the Pope
and you courageously spoke and wrote in their defense.
Pray for us that, inspired by your example,
we may be faithful sons and daughters of Holy Mother Church
and may likewise,
love and honour the Holy Father
as the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth.
Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace…………..
[mention your request].
so that together with others
I may assist in bringing all around me
especially the young to the love of the Church, amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco Pray for us!
Novena to St Paul – Day NINE – 24 January
Novena to St Paul – 24 January
Day NINE
The key to conversion? Keeping our focus on the Cross of Jesus Christ, for “the human heart is converted by looking upon (the Crucified) whom our sins have pierced” (CCC 1432 cf. Jn 19:37; Zech 12:10)
LET US PRAY:
Glorious St Paul,
your conversion is a powerful witness to the world
that God loves us and does not give up on us,
no matter how far we stray.
Help me to cling to Christ Crucified
help me to fully participate at every SACRIFICE of the Holy Mass
help me to understand, that this IS He
who showed us the way
gave us the light to follow it in Holy Mother Church
who is His bride and shows us the only truth.
May every circumstante of my life be an occasion
to change my way of thinking,
to renounce self-will and
to surrender myself to the wisdom and tenderness of Jesus Christ
who is acting to make me His saint.
Pray that I may love God’s will and providence for me.
In this confidence, I entrust to you, St Paul,
these, my intentions
(mention your request)
I ask this through Christ, Our Lord, amen.
St Paul Pray for us!
Thought for the Day – 24 January
Thought for the Day – 24 January
Holiness, St Francis taught, is for everyone – from housewife to queen, from soldier to pope. He was one of the first to open the gates of methods of holiness to all and sundry. By his time in the history of the world most could read – then as now – there is really no excuse. Much more so in our time – everything to assist on the pathway to holiness is at our fingertips. WE ARE ALL called to be and CAN BE SAINTS!
St Francis de Sales, Pray for us!
AnaStpaul 
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