Year: 2017
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!
Quote/s of the Day – 24 January
Quote/s of the Day – 24 January
“Nothing makes us so prosperous in this world
as to give alms.”
“Man is the perfection of the Universe.
The spirit is the perfection of man.
Love is the perfection of the spirit
and charity that of love.
Therefore, the love of God is the end,
the perfection of the Universe.”
“There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of divine love – every man works his oar voluntarily! “
“All the pains in a hundred thousand million Hells suffered with the greatest perfection possible to a human creature would have been nothing compared to the smallest sigh of Our Lord, to the smallest drop of blood that he shed for love of us.”
“Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He is your keeper. He has kept you hitherto. Do you but hold fast to his dear hand and he will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, he will bear you in his arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. Our Father will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you strength to bear it.”
“A quarrel between friends, when made up, adds a new tie to friendship.”
“Friendships begun in this world will be taken up again, never to be broken off. “
~~~ St Francis de Sales
One Minute Reflection – 24 January
One Minute Reflection – 24 January
Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart……….Mt 11:29-30
REFLECTION – “If there was something better than meekness, God would certainly have told us.
But He exhorts us above all to be meek and humble of heart.”………..St Francis de Sales (Saint of the Day)
PRAYER – Lord Jesus, teach me what true meekness entails. Inspire me to practise it after Your example in all circumstances of my life. St Francis de Sales, you learnt the true meaning of humility and meekness, please pray for us, amen!
Our Morning Offering – 24 January
Our Morning Offering – 24 January
An Act of Abandonment
by ST FRANCIS de SALES
O my God, I thank You and I praise
You for accomplishing Your holy
and all-lovable will without any regard for mine.
With my whole heart,
in spite of my heart,
do I receive this cross I feared so much!
It is the cross of Your choice,
the cross of Your love.
I venerate it;
nor for anything in the world
would I wish that it had not come,
since You willed it.
I keep it with gratitude and with joy,
as I do everything that comes from Your hand;
and I shall strive to carry it without letting it drag,
with all the respect
and all the affection which Your works deserve.
Amen.
Saint of the Day – 24 January – St Francis de Sales – Doctor of the Church
Saint of the Day – 24 January – St Francis de Sales CO, OM, OFM (Cap)- Doctor of the Church / “The Gentleman Saint” (1567-1622 aged 55) Bishop of Geneva – Patron of against deafness, authors, writers (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), Catholic press, confessors, deaf people, journalists (proclaimed on 26 April 1923 by Pope Pius XI), teachers, educators, Champdepraz, Aosta, Italy, 8 dioceses – Also known as “The Gentle Christ of Geneva”, Francis of Sales, Franz von Sales – His motto ‘Non-excidet’ – (no failure)
He became noted for his deep faith and his gentle approach to the religious divisions in his land resulting from the Protestant Reformation. He is known also for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and spiritual formation, particularly the Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God.
Francis de Sales was born on 21 August 1567 in the Château de Sales into the noble Sales family of the Duchy of Savoy, in what is today Thorens-Glières, Haute-Savoie, France., the eldest of 13 children. His father was François de Sales, Lord of Boisy, Sales and Novel. His mother was Françoise de Sionnaz, the only child of prominent magistrate, Melchior de Sionnaz and a noblewoman. He was baptised Francis Bonaventura, after two great Franciscan saints. His father wanted him, the first of his six sons, to attend the best schools in preparation for a career as a magistrate. He therefore enjoyed a privileged education in the nearby town of La Roche-sur-Foron and at the age of eight, at the Capuchin college in Annecy.
From early youth, Saint Francis de Sales had a great desire to devote himself entirely to the service of God, although his father had other plans for him. With the pious Abbe Deage as his tutor, Francis was a student at the University of Paris from his fourteenth to his twentieth year; and after studying jurisprudence at the University of Padua for four more years, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Law. Francis was also a skilled swordsman who enjoyed fencing, an expert horseman and a superb dancer. Then Francis studied at the University of Padua and received a doctorate in civil and canon law. His father wanted him to marry but Francis desired to be a priest. In 1593 he finally obtained the consent of his father to enter the sacred ministry; and since he had devoted much time to the study of theology during his student years, he was ordained a priest six months later.
Not long afterwards Saint Francis de Sales volunteered for the difficult and dangerous task of leading the people of the province of Chablais back to the fold of the Church, after the protestant reformation. Several times he miraculously escaped death at the hands of assassins. But he persevered in his heroic and patient efforts and after four years succeeded in converting a large number of Calvinists. It was here that Francis began to write and distribute a weekly essay, explaining some doctrines of faith. For two years, he and his friends had these essays printed. Francis preached with power and charm in simple, clear language. His gentleness and love drew many hearts to God. The majority of the Chablais inhabitants accepted the Catholic faith.
In 1599 he was appointed coadjutor to his bishop and in 1602 he became bishop of Geneva, a position which he filled in an exemplary manner for twenty years. When Francis was appointed bishop of Geneva, he not only wrote for and encouraged priests, but he also took an interest in the candidates for priesthood. Francis even conducted the examinations to see if the candidates were fit for this vocation. He also trained laypeople to teach catechism. Francis often gave spiritual guidance to people.
At Dijon, in 1604, Saint Francis de Sales became acquainted with St Jane de Chantal, for whom and through whom he founded the nursing and teaching order known as Visitation Nuns. He died at Lyons on December 28, 1622.
Francis de Sales and Jane Frances de Chantal, medal 1867
The body of the holy bishop was exhumed ten years after his death and was found perfectly preserved. When the body was once again exhumed at a later date, only bones and dust remained.
St Frances de Sales was beatified in 1661, and canonized in 1665. He was declared a doctor of the Church in 1877
Saints & Memorials – 24 January
St Francis de Sales (Memorial) – Doctor of the Church
Our Lady of Tears
—
St Anicet Hryciuk
St Artemius of Clermont
St Bartlomiej Osypiuk
Bertrand of Saint Quentin
St Daniel Karmasz
St Exuperantius of Cingoli
St Felician of Foligno
St Filip Geryluk
Bl Francesc de Paula Colomer Prísas
St Guasacht
St Ignacy Franczuk
Bl John Grove
St Julian Sabas the Elder
St Luigj Prendushi
St Macedonius Kritophagos
Bl Marcolino of Forli
Bl Marie Poussepin
Bl Paula Gambara Costa
St Projectus
St Sabinian of Troyes
St Suranus of Sora
St Thyrsus
Bl William Ireland
—
Martyrs of Asia Minor – 4 saints
Martyrs of Podlasie – 13 beati
Martyrs of Antioch
Babylas
Epolonius
Prilidian
Urban
Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa- Day One – 23 January
Novena to Blessed Benedict Daswa
We are encouraging people in all the Dioceses of Southern Africa (SACBC region) to pray for the favours and graces they need during the nine days prior to the Feast on 1 February. This novena will commence on 23 January and conclude on 31 January. We also invite people to make three acts of kindness each day of the Novena in remembrance of the three acts of charity which Blessed Benedict performed the day he was martyred.
DAY ONE
BAPTISED IN CHRIST – The eldest of five children, Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa was born on 16 June 1946, in the village of Mbahe near Thohoyandou. Growing up in the African Traditional Religion, he belonged to the Bakali clan of the Lemba tribe, who regard themselves as descendants of the Jews. They live mainly among the Venda tribe but are also found among the Northern Sotho and Tsonga tribes in the Province of Limpopo, South Africa. As a high school student Tshimangadzo took instruction in the Catholic faith from his catechist, the late Father Benedict Risimati. He was greatly influenced by this man of deep faith and as a result chose Benedict for his baptismal name. He made his own the motto of St Benedict, “Pray and Work”, which inspired his whole life as a Christian. On 21 April 1963 he was baptised by Father Augustine O’Brien MSC and received his First Holy Communion. Three months later he was confirmed by Rt Rev Abbot/Bishop F C Van Hoeck OSB, Bishop of Pietersburg Diocese. After completing High School, Benedict trained as a Primary School teacher.
Word of God – We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. (Romans 6,4-5)
Deepening of Faith …since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity. To ask catechumens:”Do you wish to receive Baptism?” means at the same time to ask them: “Do you wish to become holy?” It means to set before them the radical nature of the Sermon on the Mount:”Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”(Mt 5,48). (NMI 3)
Reflection – What does the baptism I have received mean to me? Do I really wish to become holy, as God is holy?
Prayer – You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name. Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and your staff give me courage. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Psalm 23, 2b-4.6)
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 Two – 23 January
2nd Day (January 23) – Devotion to Our Blessed Mother
O Saint John Bosco,
you loved the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate Help of Christians,
taking her as your Mother and Guide
and becoming her apostle.
Pray for us that,
inspired by your example,
we may grow in true and enduring love
for this sweetest of mothers
and may thus win her powerful protection in life
and especially at the hour of our death.
Through your intercession
may God grant me the following grace………………..
[mention your intention]
so that together with others
I may assist in bringing all, especially the youth,
to the love of Mary Our Help, amen.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory to the Father…
St John Bosco, Pray for us!
Novena to St Paul – Day EIGHT – 23 January
January 25 – The Conversion of St Paul
Novena to St Paul – 23 January
Day EIGHT
“In the ancient Church Baptism was also called “illumination”, because this Sacrament gives light; it truly makes one see. In Paul what is pointed out theologically was also brought about physically: healed of his inner blindness, he sees clearly. Thus St Paul was not transformed by a thought but by an event, by the irresistible presence of the Risen One whom subsequently he would never be able to doubt, so powerful had been the evidence of the event, of this encounter…………….This encounter is a real renewal that changed all his parameters. Now he could say that what had been essential and fundamental for him earlier had become “refuse” for him; it was no longer “gain” but loss, because henceforth the only thing that counted for him was life in Christ.” Pope Benedict XVI 2008
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.
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 St Paul, that I too may be able to acclaim
“It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
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!
Novena to St Francis de Sales – Day E – 23 January
Novena to St Francis de Sales
Day NINE
“Think for a moment of the piety of the Madonna when the angel told her that the Spirit would overshadow her. What sentiments of humility, confidence and courage! At the very moment when she understood that God had given her His heart, that is, His Son, she gave herself to God. Her soul was flooded with charity, so she could say with the sacred spouse, “…My heart trembled within me and I grew faint when he spoke.” [Sg:5:4] As far as we are concerned, we receive a similar grace in Communion, because not an angel but Jesus Christ Himself assures us that in it the Holy Spirit descends on us. Heavenly power covers us with its shadow and the Son of God really comes to us. He can say that He is conceived and born in us. Truly then, the soul can respond with the Madonna, “I am the servant of the Lord; let is be done to me as you say.” [Lk 1:38] (St Francis de Sales Spiritual Directory, Art. 12)
O blessed Francis de Sales,
who on earth did excel in a life of virtue,
especially in the love of God and neighbour,
I earnestly ask you to take me under your compassionate care and protection.
Obtain for me conversion of mind and heart.
Grant that all people, especially ……………………..
(names of those whom you wish to include)
may experience the depth of God’s redeeming and healing love.
Teach me to fix my eyes on the things of heaven
even as I walk each day with my feet planted firmly on the earth.
Help me, through the practice of virtue and the pursuit of devotion,
to avoid anything that would otherwise cause me to stumble
in my attempt to follow Christ and to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit.
Encouraged by your prayers and example,
help me to live fully my sacred dignity with the hope of experiencing my sacred destiny: eternal life with God. Receive also this particular need or concern that I now lift up in prayer………………………………
(mention your particular need).
O God, for the salvation of all,
You desired that St. Francis de Sales—
preacher, missionary, confessor, bishop and founder—
should befriend many along the road to salvation.
Mercifully grant that we,
infused with the humility and gentleness of his charity,
guided by his wisdom and sharing in his spirit may experience eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Francis de Sales, pray for us.
AnaStpaul 
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