SAINT of the DAY – Page 166

Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolás, Argentina and Memorials of the Saints – 25 September

Posted on September 25, 2019September 24, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolás, Argentina – 25 September:
An ordinary housewife, a mother and grandmother who had no formal education and no knowledge of the Bible or theology claimed that she was visited by the Blessed Mother daily for a period of over 6 years. She reportedly additionally received 68 messages from Jesus Christ. Numerous healings, including the cure of a boy with a brain tumour, have been documented.

Every 25 September, the city of San Nicolás hosts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and faithful who meet to venerate and honour the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary of St Nicholas. In 2003, on the twentieth anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady, the second largest group ever congregated – 400,000 faithful. Pilgrims came from all the provinces of Argentina, with a group of more than 1,000 people from Buenos Aires who travelled the whole 240 km distance on foot – a distance three times greater than that from Buenos Aires to the national Basilica of Our Lady of Luján. On 25 September 2013, thirty years after the first apparition of Our Lady, 500,000 people gathered surpassing the record of 2004 when the greatest number of pilgrims visited.

In a decree signed on 22 May 2016 and made public a few days later, Héctor Cardelli, Bishop of the Diocese of San Nicolás, declared that the apparitions that took place in city of San Nicolás were supernatural in origin. The devotion is thus approved at the Diocesan level within the Catholic Church.

St Anacharius of Auxerre
St Aurelia of Macerata
St Caian of Tregaian
St Ceolfrid
St Cleopas
St Egelred of Crowland
St Ermenfridus of Luxeuil
St Finbar
St Firminus of Amiens
St Fymbert
St Herculanus the Soldier
Bl Herman of Reichenau/the Cripple (1013–1054)

Bl Marco Criado
St Mewrog
St Neomisia of Mecerata
St Paphnutius of Alexandria
St Principius of Soissons
St Sergius of Moscow
St Solemnis of Chartres
St Vincent Strambi C.P. (1745-1824)
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/25/23731/
AND MORE HERE:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/25/saint-of-the-day-25-september-st-vincent-strambi-c-p-1745-1824/

Martyrs of Damascus: A Christian family of six who were tortured to death in a persecution by Roman authorities. They were: Eugenia, Maximus, Paul, Rufus, Sabinian and Tatta. They were tortured to death in Damascus, Syria, date unknown.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Jose María Bengoa Aranguren
• Blessed Josep Maria Vidal Segú
• Blessed Juan Agustín Codera Marqués
• Blessed Julio Esteve Flors
• Blessed Pedro Leoz Portillo
• Blessed Rafael Pardo Molina
• Blessed Tomás Gil de La Cal

Feast of the Holy Bishops of Milan – a 1st Century Diocese!
Imagine being part of a diocese in which 37 of your past bishops are saints and some are also Doctors of the Church and Popes (and others being considered for sanctity)! The latest addition to this illustrious role-call, is beloved Saint Pope Paul VI.
Today, the Church in Milan commemorates these holy bishops.
They are:
• Blessed Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
• Blessed Andrea Carlo Ferrari
• Pope Pius XI
• Saint Ambrose of Milan
• Saint Ampelius of Milan
• Saint Anathalon of Milan
• Saint Antoninus of Milan
• Saint Auxanus of Milan
• Saint Benedict Crispus of Milan
• Saint Benignus of Milan
• Saint Calimerius of Milan
• Saint Castritian of Milan
• Saint Charles Borromeo
• Saint Datius of Milan
• Saint Dionysius of Milan
• Saint Eugene of Milan
• Saint Eusebius of Milan
• Saint Eustorgius II of Milan
• Saint Eustorgius of Milan
• Saint Gaius of Milan
• Saint Galdinus of Milan
• Saint Geruntius of Milan
• Saint Glycerius of Milan
• Saint Honoratus of Milan
• Saint John Camillus the Good
• Saint Lazarus of Milan
• Saint Magnus of Milan
• Saint Mansuetus of Milan
• Saint Marolus of Milan
• Saint Martinian of Milan
• Saint Mirocles of Milan
• Saint Mona of Milan
• Saint Natalis of Milan
• Saint Pope Paul VI
• Saint Protasius of Milan
• Saint Senator of Milan
• Saint Simplician of Milan
• Saint Venerius of Milan milan cathedral exterior

Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Pacificus of Severino OFM (1653-1721)

Posted on September 24, 2019September 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 24 September – Saint Pacificus of Severino OFM (1653-1721) Priest, Franciscan Friar, Mystic, Miracle-worker, Missionary, Superior of the Friary of San Severino and joyful sufferer for Christ – born on 1 March 1653 at San Severino, Italy and died on 24 September 1721 at San Severino, Italy of natural causes aged 68. st pacificus redone

Pacificus was born into the impoverished Divini family on 1 March 1653, in the city of San Severino, Italy. He was one of 13 children. At age three he lost his father and his mother. Along with his siblings he was brought to the house of an uncle to be raised. The children suffered greatly there, mistreated by two servants in the household.

From infancy Pacificus had received a good religious formation from his mother, which helped him to not fall into despair and to follow the religious vocation that early attracted him. At age 17 he entered the Franciscans of Forano, where he studied and received Holy Orders on 4 June 1678, subsequently becoming Professor of Philosophy at the Monastery.

The words of Our Lord, “the harvest is great but the workers are few,” refused to leave his mind and he concluded that the world did not need doctors but apostles. He spoke about this concern to his Provincial, who directed him in 1683 to take up missionary work. For five or six years he actively preached to the people of the surrounding regions. His ideal was to convert the infidel and suffer martyrdom. But God had reserved to this hunter of souls another apostolate, that of suffering.

His feet became swollen and covered with wounds, which prevented him from walking, a condition he suffered until his death. For a while, he held the post of guardian in the Monastery and dedicated many hours to hearing confessions. However, he could no longer do so after he became deaf and could not communicate with those around him. This intensified his union with God.

The loss of this sense was not enough. Pacificus also became blind. In the last years of his life he could no longer celebrate Mass or go to the choir. And, since the worse enemies of man are his neighbours, St Pacific found some persons in his Monastery – like the sacristan and nurse – who mistreated him with words and deeds.

The Saint bore all this with an inextinguishable and firm patience. He became a model for all those who carry this cross. But “he sought for comfort and relief in God alone and was by him favoured with marvellous supernatural graces and with the gift of working miracles.” He was said to have “borne his ills with angelic patience, worked several miracles and was favoured by God with ecstasies.” He died on 24 September 1721. (Scamoni, The True Face of the Saints)

He was Beatified on 4 August 1786 by Pope Pius VI and Canonised on 26 May 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI.

450px-Duomo_di_Santa_Sofia,_statue_of_Saint_Pacificus_(Lendinara) — The Statue of St Pacificus in the Cathedral in his hometown of San Severino

franciscan OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of Ransom, Our Lady of Walsingham and Memorials of the Saints – 24 September

Posted on September 24, 2019September 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Our Lady of Mercy/Our Lady of Ransom:

Commemorates the foundation of the Mercedarian Order and the apparition of Our Lady of Ransom. In this appearance she carried two bags of coins for use in ransoming Christians imprisoned by Moors. On 10 August 1218, the Mercedarian Order was legally constituted at Barcelona, Spain by King James of Aragon and was approved by Pope Gregory IX on 17 January 1235. The Mercedarians celebrated their institution on the Sunday nearest to 1 August because it was on 1 August 1218 that the Blessed Virgin showed Saint Peter Nolasco the white habit of the Order. This custom was approved by the Congregation of Rites on 4 April 1615. On 22 February 1696 it was extended to the entire Latin Church and the date changed to 24 September. St Peter Nolasco (1189-1256) was the Founder of the Mercedarian Order – Memorial 28 January.
Patronages – Bahía Blanca, Argentina, archdiocese of, Barcelona, Spain, Dominican Republic. virgin_of_mercy

Our Lady of Walsingham/Virgin of the Sea:
In 2012 the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter for Anglicans joining the Church was given its patron as the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Walsingham. Patronages – England,East Anglia, England, diocese of, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter

St Anathalon of Milan
St Andochius of Autun
St Anthony Gonzalez
Bl Anton Martin Slomsek (1800-1862)
Biographical details here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-blessed-anton-martin-slomshek-1800-1862/
AND:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/24/saint-of-the-day-24-september-blessed-anton-martin-slomsek-1800-1862/

St Chuniald
Bl Colomba Matylda Gabriel
St Coprio
St Erinhard
St Felix of Autun
St Gerard Sagredo
St Geremarus
St Gislar
St Isarnus of Toulouse
St Lupus of Lyons
St Pacificus of Severino OFM (1653-1721)
St Paphnutius of Egypt
Bl Robert Hardesty
St Rusticus of Clermont
St. Rupert of Salzburg
St Terence of Persaro
St Thyrsus of Autun
St Ysarn of Saint Victor
Bl William Spenser
—
Martyrs of Chalcedon – (49 saints): Forty-nine Christian choir singers of the church in Chalcedon in Asia Minor who were martyred together in their persecutions of Diocletian in 304.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Antonio Pancorbo López
• Blessed Esteban García y García
• Blessed José María Ferrándiz Hernández
• Blessed Juan Francisco Joya Corralero
• Blessed Luis de Erdoiza Zamalloa
• Blessed Manuel Gómez Contioso
• Blessed Melchor Rodríguez Villastrigo
• Blessed Pascual Ferrer Botella
• Blessed Rafael Rodríguez Mesa
• Blessed Santiago Arriaga Arrien

CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, franciscan OFM, Hail MARY!, MARIAN PRAYERS, MARIAN QUOTES, MARIAN REFLECTIONS, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY ROSARY/ROSARY CRUSADE

Thought for the Day – 23 September – St Pio, the Madonna and her Holy Rosary

Posted on September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 23 September – The Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

St Pio, the Madonna and her Holy Rosary

“For the stigmatist of the Gargano, love for the Madonna meant perpetual imitation of her, if Jesus is the way and the light that leads to the Father, Mary is the way and the light which leads to Jesus. With Mary’s help and by imitating her virtues, Padre Pio drew ever closer to Jesus, so very close as to be transformed into Him.

His imitation of Mary meant, most importantly, imitation of her humility. For him, that humility was a constant interior torment, a slow and painful agony, the anguish of not knowing whether he was corresponding to divine grace. You could read that deep humility on his face even when he was surrounded by clamorous crowds who believed in him, who trusted in his prayers and expected so many miracles from him every day. He always remained collected. His humility made it possible for him to be serene and dignified as he silently accepted mortification, slander, quarrels, humiliation and sorrow.

For him, love of the Madonna signified perpetual mortification. He implored his spiritual director to allow him to make a vow of abstinence from fruit on Wednesdays, he also asked him to suggest a means of pleasing the Blessed Mother in all things at all times.

Love of the Madonna animated Padre Pio and inspired him all the more to become an apostle. “I should like to have a voice strong enough to invite all the sinners of the world to love the Madonna.” God heard this sigh of love, he was given a voice that could be heard even when he was silent. It was a voice that touched the depths of people’s hearts and that penetrated their consciences, a voice that tormented and shook those who were dormant. It was a voice that was as terrible as the crashing of thunder in the night, yet as sweet as a caress. It was a voice that was threatening yet inviting, a voice that annihilated yet restored, that consoled and pardoned.

To all those who recommended themselves to his prayers, Padre Pio would say: “Love the Madonna. Recite the Rosary!”

One day, his guardian asked him how many rosaries he recited daily. Padre Pio answered, “Well, I have to tell my Guardian the truth, I have recited thirty-four!” For him, the rosary was a perpetual meditation on the profound mysteries of Calvary, on Jesus’s plan of salvation, on His sorrowful Mother. Padre Pio was fascinated by the Hail Mary.

…His love became an endless, ardent, faithful prayer. Who could possibly count the rosaries that he recited over the course of his marvellous life? He was the Friar of the rosary. He always carried it in his hand or on his arm as if it were a bracelet or a shield. He had other rosaries under the pillow of his bed, on the bureau in his cell. He called the rosary his weapon.

One night when he was sick in bed, he was unable to find his rosary beads, so he called Fr Onorato of San Giovanni Rotondo, saying, “Young man, get me my weapon, give me my weapon.”

The rosary was his favourite pray,r; he recited it continually. He devoured the rosary with insatiable hunger, it was the prayer that he had learned from the Virgin herself, the Virgin of Pompeii, Lourdes and Fatima, as a means of obtaining the conversion and salvation of sinners.

At certain hours, he would walk down the centre path of the friary garden, absorbed in his suffering and in his love, while the beads slipped through the fingers of his wounded hands. in his pockets he carried rosary beads, which he would give to anyone who requested a set, even today, people still hold these dear, saying, “This is a rosary which Padre Pio gave me, I treasure it with all my heart!”

Excerpted from Padre Pio: A Personal Portrait, by Fr Francesco Napolitano OFM Cap
Padre Pio: A Personal Portrait is a classic introduction to one of the most intriguing saints of the twentieth century—written five years after the saint’s death by someone who worked alongside the Capuchin priest and knew him well, this account is now in print in English for the first time in more than forty years.

St Padre Pio, help us to love the Rosary

and please Pray for Us!

DIVINE Mercy, Goodness, Patience, EUCHARISTIC Adoration, franciscan OFM, PRACTISING CATHOLIC, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRATITUDE, QUOTES on HOPE, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on SUFFERING, QUOTES on TRUST and complete CONFIDENCE in GOD, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY EUCHARIST / The HOLY MASS

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – St Pio

Posted on September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 23 September – The Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Keep close to the Catholic Church at all times,
for the Church alone can give you true peace,
since she alone possesses Jesus,
the true Prince of Peace,
in the Blessed Sacrament.”

“Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion,
produces in our souls marvellous effects,
abundant spiritual and material graces
which we, ourselves, do not know…
It is easier for the earth to exist
without the sun
than without the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!”

“Remember – the sinner,
who is sorry for his sins,
is closer to God,
than the just man,
who boasts of his good works.”

“If any one would be first, he must be
last of all and servant of all.”

Mark 9:35b

“The life of a Christian is nothing
but a perpetual struggle against self:
there is no flowering of the soul
to the beauty of its perfection,
except at the price of pain.”

“My past, O Lord, to Your mercy,
my present, to Your love,
my future, to Your Providence.”

More here:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/quote-s-of-the-day-23-september-twenty-fifth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-year-b-and-the-memorial-of-st-padre-pio-1887-1968/

St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on SILENCE, QUOTES on the CHURCH, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 23 September The Light of the world

Posted on September 23, 2019September 23, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 23 September – Monday of the Twenty Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:16–18 and the Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

“Take heed then how you hear…” … Luke 8:18

REFLECTION – “The lamp on the lampstand is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father’s true light “who enlightens everyone coming into the world” (Jn 1:9), in other words, the Father’s Wisdom and Word. having accepted our flesh, He truly became and was called, the “light of the world”. By our faith and devotion He is honoured and exalted in the Church. In this way He is made visible to all nations and shines out for “all the people in the house”, namely the whole world, as He said: “They do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket, it is set on a lampstand , where it gives light to all in the house” (Mt 5:15).

As we have seen, Christ calls Himself a lamp. God by nature, He became flesh according to the plan of salvation, a light held within the flesh as if in a vase… This is what David was thinking when he said: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Ps 119[118]:105). Since He causes the darkness of ignorance and the evil of men to vanish, my Saviour and my God is called a lamp in Scripture. And since He is the only one able, to obliterate the darkness of ignorance and disperse the shadows of sin, He has become the way of salvation for all. He leads towards the Father all those who, through understanding and virtue, walk with Him along the path of the commandments as on a road of righteousness.

The lampstand is holy Church because the Word of God shines out through her preaching. This is how the beams of its truth can enlighten the whole world… On one condition, however – so long as it is not hidden under the letter of the Law. Anyone who clings to Scripture according to the letter only is living according to the flesh, he is placing the lamp under a bushel basket. But when, to the contrary, the Church is set on the lampstand, it enlightens everyone.” … Saint Maximus the Confessor (c 580-662) – Abbot and Theologian – Question 63 to Thalassius luke 8 18 take heed then how you hear - since he causes the darkness - st maximus the confessor 23 sept 2019

PRAYER – Holy God, teach me gratitude for Your love, teach me faithfulness no matter what difficulties I face. Jesus, my Lord, Your Church is my guide and my understanding, help me to always be true to her, my holy mother. St Padre Pio, pray for the Church and all God’s people. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God for all eternity, amen. st pio pray for us - 2 - 23 sept 2017

franciscan OFM, Our MORNING Offering, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, PRAYERS to the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – St Padre Pio Prayer by St John Paul

Posted on September 23, 2019September 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Our Morning Offering – 23 September – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C and the Memorial of St Padre Pio (1887-1968)

Prayer to St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
by St Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Teach us, we pray, humility of heart,
so that we may be counted
among the little ones of the Gospel
to whom the Father promised
to reveal the mysteries of His Kingdom.
Help us to pray without ceasing,
certain that God knows what we need,
even before we ask Him.
Obtain for us the eyes of faith
that will help us recognise in the poor and suffering,
the very face of Jesus.
Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial
and, if we fall, let us experience the joy
of the sacrament of forgiveness.
Grant us your tender devotion to Mary,
mother of Jesus and our Mother.
Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage
toward the blessed Homeland,
where we too, hope to arrive
to contemplate forever the
Glory of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
Amen prayer to st padre pio by st john paul 23 sep[t 2019.jpg

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 23 September – St Thecla (1st century) Virgin and Martyr

Posted on September 23, 2019September 22, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 23 September – St Thecla (1st century) Virgin and Martyr, Disciple of St Paul. Patronage – of Tarragona in Catalonia (Spain), where the cathedral has a chapel dedicated to her. Her feast day remains the town’s major local holiday. header - Św.Tekla_-_Antoni_Szulczyński.jpg

The Acts of Paul and Thecla is a 2nd-century text (circa180) which forms part of the Acts of Paul but also circulated separately. According to the text, Thecla was a young noble virgin from Iconium who listened to Paul’s “discourse on virginity”, espoused the teachings and became estranged to both her fiancé and her mother. She sat by her window for three days, listening to St Paul and his teachings. When they witnessed this, they became concerned that Thecla would follow Paul’s demand “one must fear only one God and live in chastity” and turned to the authorities to punish both Paul and Thecla. st-thecla-fb

Thecla was miraculously saved from burning at the stake by the onset of a storm and travelled with Paul to Antioch of Pisidia. There, a nobleman named Alexander desired Thecla and attempted to rape her. Thecla fought him off, tearing his cloak and knocking his coronet off his head in the process. She was put on trial for assault. She was sentenced to be eaten by wild beasts but was again saved by a series of miracles, when the female beasts (lionesses in particular) protected her against her male aggressors. While in the arena, she baptised herself by throwing herself into a nearby lake full of aggressive seals.

She rejoined the Holy Apostle Paul in Myra, travelled to preach the word of God and became an icon encouraging women to imitate her by living a life of chastity and following the word of the Lord. She went to live in Seleucia Cilicia. According to some versions of the Acts, she lived in a cave there for 72 years. As she became a healer, the Hellenistic physicians in the city lost their livelihood and solicited young men to attempt to spoil her virginity at the age of 90. She called out to God and a new passage was opened in the cave and the stones closed behind her. She was able to go to Rome and lie down beside Paul’s tomb. st tecla.jpg

The Church Fathers recount a number of traditions about Thecla. St Gregory of Nyssa writes in the 4th century (Homily 14 in Cant) that she undertook the sacrifice of herself, by giving death to the flesh [Gal 5:24], practising great austerities, extinguishing in herself all earthly affections, so that nothing seemed to remain living in her but reason and spirit – the whole world seemed dead to her as she was to the world [Gal 6:14]. Macarius Magnes shortly after AD 300 wrote how the message of Christianity was “the Sword, [Matt 10:34] which cuts relations from each other [Matt:10:35], as it cut Thecla from Theocleia.” [Apocriticus ii.7]. Around AD 280, Thecla features as one of the characters in Methodius of Olympus’ Symposium, in which we learn that she was well versed in philosophy and various branches of literature, of eloquent yet modest discourse. He says that she received her instruction in divine and evangelical knowledge from Paul and was eminent for her skill in sacred science (“Logos 8”). st tecla snip.JPG

The martyrdom of Thecla is frequently referred to in the earliest Acts of the Martyrs. Eugenius, a martyr of Trebizond under Diocletian (284–305), couples Thecla with David and Daniel in his prayers. The exordium of the Acts of Polyeuctes [d. 259] refers to Thecla and Perpetua and there were certainly many virgin martyrs who drew their first inspiration from the same source. Eugenia of Rome in the reign of Commodus (180–192) is reported in the Acts of her martyrdom to have taken Thecla as her model.

In June 2010, on a wall of the Catacomba di Santa Tecla in Rome, Vatican archaeologists of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, using laser technology to remove layers of clay and lime rind, discovered a frescoed portrait of St Paul the Apostle, “recognisable by his thin face and dark pointed beard…with small eyes and furrowed brow,” which they believe is the oldest image in existence of Paul, dating from the late 4th century.

1600 year old Fresco of st paul was restored using a laser.jpg — Around 1600 year old image of St Paul

St Thecla Mosaic at St Mark’s Basilica, Venice

St Thecla at Barcelona Cathedral

franciscan OFM, MARIAN TITLES, SAINT of the DAY

Our Lady of Valvenecra and Memorials of the saints – 23 September

Posted on September 23, 2019September 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

St Padre Pio/ Pius of Pietrelcina OFM Cap (1887-1968) (Memorial)
Biography here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pio-of-pietrelcina-o-f-m-cap/

__
Our Lady of Valvenecra:
The title was established at Anguiano in the province and autonomous community of La Rioja in north-central Spain, located near Nájera, where it is celebrated on 23 September. The title originated with the discovery of an image of the Blessed Mother in the Byzantine style from the ninth century in an oak. The sanctuary of Santa Maria de Valvanera was built in the Gothic style in the 10th century. The name comes from the Latin expression, Vallis Venaria (valley of the veins of water) because it lies in a valley of springs, waterfalls and streams. The church of today dates from the 15th century while preserving a tower from a Romanesque church of the 12th century. The statue of the Virgen de Valvanera stands in a niche on the high altar. The title is also known as Virgen de Valvanera and, mistakenly, as Our Lady of Valvanere; Our Lady of Vulvancre; and Our Lady of Valvencre.
This image is a replica of the original which appears to have dated from the tenth century and is preserved in the Royal Abbey shrine of Our Lady of Valvanera, or Valvanere, in Rioja, jealously guarded by Benedictine monks. The oldest documents preserved date from the thirteenth century, and tell how, according to tradition, the original image was found by a thief who later converted and became a hermit. Our Lady of Valvenecra

St Alfonso Burgos
St Adamnan of Iona
Bl Antonio of Tlaxcala
Bl Bernardina Maria Jablonska
St Cissa of Northumbria
St Constantius of Ancona
Bl Cristobal of Tlaxcala
Bl Emilie Tavernier Gamelin
Bl Francisco de Paula Victor
Bl Guy of Durnes
Bl Helen Duglioli
Bl Juan of Tlaxcala
St Pope Linus (c 10 – c 76) Successor to St Peter
About St Pope Linus:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/23/saint-of-the-day-23-september-st-pope-linus-c-10-c-76-successor-to-st-peter/

St Peter Acontanto
St Polyxena
St Thecla (1st century)
Bl William Way
St Xantippa
—
Martyrs of Syracuse – (4 saints): Group of Christians deported from Syracuse, Sicily by invading Saracens and sent to North Africa where they were tortured and executed for their faith. Martyrs. The names that have survived are Andrew, Antony, John and Peter. c900

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Crispulo Moyano Linares
• Blessed María Josefa del Río Messa
• Blessed Norberto Cembranos de la Verdura
• Blessed Purificación Ximénez y Ximénez
• Blessed Sofía Ximénez y Ximénez del Río
• Blessed Vicente Ballester Far

franciscan OFM, ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on EVANGELISATION, QUOTES on FAITH, SACRAMENTS, SAINT of the DAY, The HOLY GHOST

Thought for the Day – 22 September – Come Holy Spirit!

Posted on September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 22 September – The Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C and The Memorial of St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven” (Jn 20, 22-23).

With these words, the Risen One bestows on the Apostles the gift of the Spirit and with it the divine power to forgive sins. The Capuchin priest Ignatius of Santhiá lived uniquely the mission of forgiving sins and of guiding men and women on the paths of evangelical perfection.

For the love of Christ and to advance more quickly in evangelical perfection he walked in the footsteps of the Poverello of Assisi.

In the Piedmont of his time, Ignatius of Santhiá was father, confessor, counsellor and teacher of many – priests, religious and lay people – who sought his wise and enlightened guidance.

Even today he continues to remind everyone of the values of poverty, simplicity and authentic Christian life.

“Come, Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.”

The Holy Spirit radically transformed the Apostles who out of fear had locked themselves into the Upper Room, making them fervent heralds of the Gospel. Down through the ages, the Spirit continues to support the Church in her evangelising mission, raising up in every age courageous witnesses to the faith.

With the Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary received the gift of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1,14). With her and in communion with the new saints, let us also implore the miracle of a new Pentecost for the Church. For the humanity of our time let us ask an abundance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit, enkindle the hearts of your faithful!
Help us to spread the fire of your love in the world. Amen!

St Pope John Paul II – Canonisation Homily – Sunday, 19 May 2002

St Ignatius of Santhia, Pray for Us!

franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on HEAVEN, QUOTES on MISSION, QUOTES on REPENTANCE, QUOTES on SACRIFICE, QUOTES on TIME, QUOTES on WORK/LABOUR, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 22 September – Let’s get to work!

Posted on September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 22 September – The Memorial of

St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“Paradise is not made for slackers. Let’s get to work!”

St Ignatius of Santhia (1686-1770)

CHRIST, the WAY,TRUTH,LIFE, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, franciscan OFM, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on SIN, QUOTES on TEMPTATION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – “You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Posted on September 22, 2019September 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 22 September – Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 16:1–13 and the Memorial of St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

“You cannot serve God and mammon.” … Luke 16:13

REFLECTION – “A servant cannot serve two masters.” Not that there are two, there is only one Master. For even if there are some people who serve money, it has no inherent right to be a master, they themselves are the ones, who assume the yoke of this slavery. In fact, money has no rightful authority but constitutes an unjust bondage. That is why Jesus says: “Make friends for yourselves with deceitful money” so that by generosity to the poor we will win the favour of angels and saints.

The steward is not blamed. By this we learn that we are not masters but rather stewards of other people’s wealth. He was praised even though he was in the wrong because, in paying out to others in his master’s name he won support for himself. And how rightly Jesus spoke of “deceitful wealth” because love of money so tempts our desires with its various seductions that we consent to become its slaves. That is why He said: “If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours?” Riches are alien to us because they exist outside of our nature, they are not born with us, they do not follow us in death. But Christ, to the contrary, belongs to us because He is life… So don’t let us become slaves of exterior goods because Christ is the only one we should acknowledge as our Lord.” … Saint Ambrose (340-397) – Bishop of Milan, Father and Doctor of the Church – Commentary on Saint Luke’s Gospel, 7, 244s SC 52 you cannot serve god and mammom - love of money st ambrose - 22 sept 2019

PRAYER – All-powerful, eternal God, splendour of true light and never-ending day, turn our ears and hearts to Your Word, that we may hear and live by the seed You have sown. May all that grows in us, be of Your good seed and yield fruit a hundredfold. Grant Lord, we pray, that by the prayers of St Ignatius of Santhia, we may be filled with courage and love and spread Your Word by our lives. We make our prayer through Jesus, our Lord and Word, with the Holy Spirit, one God with You, forever, amen. st ignatius of santhia - pray for us - 22 sept 2019

franciscan OFM, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 22 September – Saint Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)

Posted on September 22, 2019September 21, 2021 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 22 September – Saint Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770) Franciscan Priest and Friar, renowned Spiritual Director, servant of the Confessional, apostle of charity – known as the “Father of sinners and the lost” born Lorenzo Maurizio Belvisotti, on 5 June 1686 in Santhià, Vercelli, Italy and died on 21 September 1770 of natural causes in Turin, Italy. Patronages – Chaplains, Santhià.

St Ignatius made it his mission to help penitents in the sacrament of Reconciliation and also devoted himself to the care of the ill. He gained a strong reputation for the humble and austere nature of his life in addition to the application of the Franciscan charism in his life which served as a model for thousands.

St ignathius redone

Saint Ignatius of Santhiá was born on 5 June 1686 in Santhiá, in the Vercelli region of Northern Italy and died in Turin on 21 September 1770. He was a Capuchin priest, who was faithful to the Franciscan spirit, especially by his obedience, simplicity and humility. He was renowned for his gift of spiritual direction and concern for the spiritual growth of the faithful. He was also called the “Father of sinners and the lost” thanks to his particular ability to deal with the “spiritually sick”.

Capuchin vocation
He was baptised Lorenzo Maurizio, the fourth of six children of the upper-class Belvisotti family. He received his early education from a good priest, who inspired him and helped discern his call to enter the priesthood. In 1710 he was ordained a diocesan priest. After six years of priestly ministry, he joined the Capuchin Friars. At the time he suffered from the criticism of his family and parish who did not understand his decision. In the Capuchin Order, Ignatius finally found the inner peace he had been searching for in the simplicity of Franciscan life.

Life of obedience
On 24 May 1717, he made his religious profession and from that day he was like putty in the hands of his superiors. He began his spiritual journey being sent from one house to another in the Savoy region of Northern Italy. He was happy to be moved around out of obedience and honoured to be able to serve his brothers. He was completely at “God’s disposition”.

In 1727, Ignatius was sent to the convent in Torino-Monte, with the responsibility of prefect of the sacristy and confessor for the laity, a mission he was to fulfil for the last 24 years of his life when he returned to Turin, after serving as master of novices and chief of chaplains for the army of the Kingdom of Savoy. In this ministry he showed his fatherly concern for others and the spiritual wisdom that is learned at the foot of the Crucified One. It was not long before religious, priests, the faithful and the most hardened sinners began coming to the monastery to make their confession and to receive spiritual direction.

Special forms of service
In 1731, he was sent to the monastery of Mondovì, where he was made master of novices and vicar of the monastery. He was in charge of the novitiate for 14 years and his only desire was to make the novices entrusted to his care, true followers of Christ and obedient sons of St Francis. His teaching was founded on two pillars – divinely loving the novices and teaching by example, more than by words. He was available at all hours of the day and night for novices in need of help and he knew each one of them, making their formation his top priority. In 1744 he had to leave the novitiate and go to Turin because he suffered from a mysterious eye ailment that led to near blindness. He was partially cured so that he could return to active ministry.

In 1743-1746, war broke out in the Piedmont. This also brought with it the influx of the wounded and an epidemic. The King of Sardinia-Piedmont, Charles Emmanuel III asked the Capuchins to provide medical and spiritual care for the hospitals. Fr Ignatius was made head chaplain and offered his assistance for two years in the hospitals of Asti, Vinovo and Alessandria, offering an example of tireless activity and piety, serving and healing in a spirit of genuine evangelical love. 20020519 st ignthis of santhia_ignazio.jpg

Spiritual director
When Piedmont was at peace, he returned once more to his convent in Turin-Monte where he would remain for 24 years as spiritual director and confessor. He visited the sick and begged for money and food for the needy. The well-loved old friar died a peaceful and gracious death in Turin-Monte on 21 September 1770. He would often say: “Paradise is not made for slackers. Let’s get to work!” To all people, religious brothers and laity, he taught the way of holiness and of abandonment in God’s hands, by his example and by his words. img-Saint-Ignatius-of-Santhia1

On 17 April 1966, St Paul VI Beatified Ignatius of Santhiá and St John Paul II, Canonised him on 19 May 2002. … Vatican.va st ignatius body

SAINT of the DAY

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C +2019 and Memorials of the Saints – 22 September

Posted on September 22, 2019September 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C +2019

St Augustinus Yu Chin-Kil
St Basilia
St Digna of Rome
St Emerita of Rome
St Emmeramus
St Florentius the Venerable
St Ignatius of Santhia OFM Cap (1686-1770)
St Irais
St Jonas
Bl Joseph Marchandon
St Lauto of Coutances
St Lindru of Partois
St Maurice & Co
Bl Otto of Freising
St Sadalberga
St Sanctinus of Meaux
St Silvanus of Levroux
St Thomas of Villanueva/Villanova OSA (1488-1555)

About St Thomas here: https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/22/saint-of-the-day-22-september-st-thomas-of-villanova-o-s-a/

Martyrs of the Theban Legion: Martyrs (c 287)
A Roman imperial legion of 6,600 soldiers, all of whom were Christians; they had been recruited from the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt, were led by Saint Maurice and served under Emperor Maximian Herculeus. Around the year 287, Maximian led the army across the Alps to Agaunum, an area in modern Switzerland, in order to suppress a revolt by the Bagandre in Gaul. In connection with battle, the army offered public sacrifices to the Roman gods; the Theban Legion refused to participate. For refusing orders, the Legion was decimated – one tenth of them were executed. When the remainder refused to sacrifice to the gods, they were decimated again. When the survivors still refused to sacrifice, Maximinian ordered them all killed. Martyrs.
Known members of the Legion include:
• Alexander of Bergamo
• Candidus the Theban
• Chiaffredo of Saluzzo
• Exuperius
• Fortunato
• Innocent of Agaunum
• Maurice
• Secundus the Theban
• Ursus the Theban
• Victor of Agaunum
• Victor of Xanten
• Victor the Theban
• Vitalis of Agaunum
Other profiled saints associated with the Legion include:
• Antoninus of Piacenza (martyred soldier; associated by later story tellers)
• Adventor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Cassius (may have been a member)
• Florentius the Martyr (may have been a member)
• George of San Giorio (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Gereon (not a member, but another soldier who was martyred for refusing to make a sacrifice to Roman gods)
• Octavius of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Pons of Pradleves (escaped the massacre to become an evangelists in northern Italy)
• Secundus of Asti (not a member but linked due to art work)
• Solutor of Turin (not a member; associated by later story tellers)
• Tiberio of Pinerolo (may have been a member)
• Verena (wife of a member of the Legion)
They were martyred c 287 in Agaunum (modern Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland. A basilica was built in Agaunum to enshrine the relics of the Legion.
The full story:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/22/saints-of-the-day-22-september-st-maurice-and-the-martyrs-of-the-theban-legion-martyrs-c-287/

Martyrs of Valencia, Spain – Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Alfonso Lopez
• Blessed Antonio Gil-Monforte
• Blessed Antonio Sáez de Ibarra López
• Blessed Carlos Navarro Miquel
• Blessed Esteban Cobo-Sanz
• Blessed Federico Cobo-Sanz
• Blessed Félix Echevarría Gorostiaga
• Blessed Francisco Carlés González
• Blessed Francisco Vicente Edo
• Blessed Germán Gozalvo Andreu
• Blessed Josefina Moscardó Montalvá
• Blessed Luis Echevarría Gorostiaga
• Blessed María Purificación Vidal Pastor
• Blessed Miguel Zarragua Iturrízaga
• Blessed Simón Miguel Rodríguez
• Blessed Vicente Sicluna Hernández

SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Thought for the Day – 21 September – We can learn much from Matthew.

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

We can learn much from Matthew.

He was a man who knew quite well the power of money. He knew the comfort it could ensure, the recreation it could buy, the luxury it could provide. But he was wise enough to know what it could not do. Money could never give him that sense of peace deep inside. It could never befriend him when he was lonely or give him the strength and courage to go on, when all else seemed lost. Money could never buy him forgiveness or love.
But the love of Christ could do all this and more.
He was open enough to recognise truth when he saw Him.
“And he got up and followed him” (Matthew 9:9b).

Saint Matthew, Pray for us!

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, QUOTES - J R R Tolkien and MORE, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on DIVINE PROVIDENCE, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on the DEVIL/EVIL, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Good News

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 9:11b

“Our Lord chose Matthew, the tax collector,
to encourage his fellows to join Him.
He looked on sinners, called them
and brought them to sit beside Him.
What a wonderful sight!
Angels stand trembling while publicans, seated, rejoice.
The angels are struck with awe before the Lord’s greatness
while sinners eat and drink with Him.
The scribes choke with hatred and indignation,
the publicans rejoice because of His mercy.
The heavens saw the sight and were filled with wonder,
hell saw it and was maddened.
Satan saw it and was enraged,
death saw it and withered,
the scribes saw it and were much troubled.”

St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

Commentary on the Gospel, or Diatessaron, 5, 17 (SC 121, p.115 rev.)

“The good news of the Gospel
consists precisely in this –
offering God’s grace to the sinner!”

“The Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew or Aramaic
is no longer extant but in the Greek Gospel that we possess,
we still continue to hear, in a certain way,
the persuasive voice of the publican Matthew,
who, having become an Apostle,
continues to proclaim God’s saving mercy to us.
And let us listen to St Matthew’s message,
meditating upon it ever anew,
also to learn to stand up and follow Jesus with determination.”

Pope Benedict XVI

General Audience
Wednesday, 30 August 2006

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONVERSION, QUOTES on FAITH, QUOTES on GRACE, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – “Follow me”

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist- Today’s Gospel: Matthew 9:9–13

“Follow me”.. Matthew 9:9 matthew 9 9 the calling of matthew follow me 21 sept 2019

REFLECTIONS – “Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him: “Follow me.” He looked at him not with the eyes of the body but rather with the eye of interior pity. He saw a tax collector, and since He looked at him in pity and choosing him as a disciple, He said: “Follow me.” ‘Follow’ meant ‘imitate’ – not by the movement of his feet but rather by a change of life. For whoever says he is following Christ “ought himself to walk as Christ walked” (cf 1Jn ).

“Matthew rose and followed him.” It is not to be wondered at that the tax collector should leave the earthly gains he was looking after at the first command of the Lord and that, abandoning riches, he should join the company of Him who, he saw, had no wealth. For the Lord, who outwardly called him with words, through a hidden instinct secretly taught him to follow Him. By the gift of divine grace the Lord enlightened his mind to understand that He who on earth called him away from temporal interests, could in heaven give incorruptible treasures (cf Mt 6,20).

“And as Jesus sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.” The conversion of one tax collector provided an example of penance and forgiveness to many tax collectors and sinners. In a wonderful and true sign of the future, he who was to become the apostle and teacher of the gentiles, brought with him to salvation, a multitude of sinners in the first moments of his conversion!” ... Saint Bede the Venerable (673-735) Father & Doctor of the Church – Homilies on the gospels I, 21 ; CCL 122, 149 st bede - in a wonderful and true sign of the future - the calling os st matthew 21 sept 2019.jpg

PRAYER – Lord, You showed Your great mercy to Matthew the tax-gatherer by calling him to become Your Apostle. Supported by his prayer and example, may we always answer Your call and live in close union with You. We make our prayer, in union with God our Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. St Matthew, Apostle of Christ, pray for us, amen. st matthew pray for us - 21 sept 2018.jpg

ACCOUNTANTS, MONEY MANAGERS etc, FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, Of BANKERS, SAINT of the DAY, TAX COLLECTORS, CUSTOMS OFFICERS, STOCK BROKERS, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Posted on September 21, 2019September 16, 2022 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 21 September – Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

One day, as our Lord was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw, sitting at the receipt of custom, Matthew the publican, whose business it was to collect the taxes from the people for their Roman masters. Jesus said to him, “Follow Me” and leaving all, Matthew arose and followed Him. st matthew anastpaul

Now the publicans were abhorred by the Jews as enemies of their country, outcasts and notorious sinners, who enriched themselves by extortion and fraud. No Pharisee would sit with one at table. Our Saviour alone had compassion for them. So St Matthew made a great feast, to which he invited Jesus and His disciples, with a number of these publicans, who henceforth began eagerly to listen to Him. It was then, in answer to the murmurs of the Pharisees, that He said, “They that are in health need not the physician. I have not come to call the just, but sinners to penance.”

calling of matthew - Vocation-of-Matthew.Tissot.jpg — The Calling of Matthew – James Tissot

After the Ascension, St Matthew remained some years in Judæa and there wrote his Gospel, to teach his countrymen that Jesus was their true Lord and King, foretold by the prophets. St Matthew afterward preached the Faith far and wide and is said to have finished his course in Parthia.

Obey all inspirations of Our Lord as promptly as St Matthew, who, at a single word, “laid down,” says St Bridget, “the heavy burden of the world to put on the light and sweet yoke of Christ.”

FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY, The APOSTLES & EVANGELISTS

Feast of St Matthew and Memorials of the Saints – 21 September

Posted on September 21, 2019September 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist (Feast)

About St Matthew here:

Saint of the Day – 21 September – The Feast of St Matthew – Apostle and Evangelist

AND:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/saint-of-the-day-21-september-the-feast-of-st-matthew-apostle-and-evangelist/

St Alexander of the Via Claudia
Bl Diego Hompanera París
St Eusebius of Phoenicia
St Francisco Pastor Garrido
St François Jaccard
St Gerulph
St Herminio García Pampliega
St Iphigenia
St Isaac of Cyprus
Bl Jacinto Martínez Ayuela
St Jacques Honoré Chastán
St Johannes Ri
St Jonah the Prophet
Bl José María Azurmendi Mugarza
Bl Josep Vila Barri
Bl Manuel Torró García
Bl Mark Scalabrini
St Maura of Troyes
St Meletius of Cyprus
Bl Nicolás de Mier Francisco
St Pamphilus of Rome
St Pierre Philibert Maubant
St Tôma Tran Van Thien
Bl Vicente Galbis Gironés
Bl Vicente Pelufo Orts
—
Martyrs of Gaza – 3 saints: Three brothers, Eusebius, Nestulus and Zeno, who were seized, dragged through the street, beaten and murdered by a pagan mob celebrating the renunciation of Christianity by Julian the Apostate. They were burned to death in 362 on a village garbage heap in Gaza, Palestine.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Diego Hompanera París
• Blessed Jacinto Martínez Ayuela
• Blessed José María Azurmendi Mugarza
• Blessed Josep Vila Barri
• Blessed Manuel Torró García
• Blessed Nicolás de Mier Francisco
• Blessed Vicente Galbis Gironés
• Blessed Vicente Pelufo Orts

QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CHARITY, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 20 September – ‘Precious Pearls of your Crown.’

Posted on September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 20 September – The Memorial of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

Father Jose Maria’s objective was the evangelisation and promotion of the poor, especially women. He knew that a well formed woman was the foundation of a just and Christian society. For this reason, he required, that in the schools and orphanages there should be an integral education which would cover the whole person in all its aspects, from its transcendent aspects to its most rudimentary and material, such things as domestic labour.

In 1894 in Puebla he opened the centre, Christian Mercy, to house women who were falling into prostitution. In this house he built schools and workshops for orphan girls. He was able to accomplish all this because of his trust in God and his wonderful disposition which attracted the generosity of many people in Puebla.

He did not neglect other sectors of society which were not protected:
“Charity will make you find in the poor, the brother who has
cried and suffered much and you must know, that those
tears which you dried up with love, Christ Himself keeps as
precious pearls of your crown. The Servants of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus and of the Poor shall not seek any
recompense on this earth but their treasure will be in
heaven. For this reason, they will find joy in the scorns,
ingratitude and reproaches they will receive from the poor
seniors, because if everything you do will be pleasant, one
may fear that your recompense will remain here on earth.”

Having given his whole life to God and to the building of his kingdom on this earth, on the morning of 20 September 1904, after he asked the sisters to sing the Ave Maris Stella, he died. Many people in Puebla mourned his death since all recognised him as “the Giant of The Poor.” José María de Yermo y Parres never left us . His presence continues today in the works he left behind which have transcended time and space:
“That mustard seed, that I do not know how it came to my hands, was born and grew and today, it holds in its branches, a great number of poor people.”

St John Paul said during the Canonisation homily, on Sunday, 21 May 2000:

“José María de Yermo y Parres, who lived his priestly commitment to Christ by following Him with all his might, distinguishing himself at the same time by an essentially prayerful and contemplative attitude. In the Heart of Christ he found guidance for his spirituality and, in reflecting on his infinite love for men, he desired to imitate Him by making charity the rule of his life.
The new saint founded the Religious Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor, a name which combines the two great loves that express the new saint’s spirit and charism in the Church.”

Saint Jose Maria Parres, Pray for us!

ON the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 20 September – “Let us speak about saints to forge saints.”

Posted on September 20, 2019November 1, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote of the Day – 20 September – The Memorial of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

“Let us speak about saints to forge saints.”

Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

MARIAN QUOTES, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on WOMEN, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 20 September – The feminine “genius”

Posted on September 20, 2019September 20, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 20 September – Friday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Time, Year C, Gospel: Luke 8:1–3 and the Memorial of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

And the twelve were with him and also some women … Luke 8:1-2

REFLECTION – “If you knew the gift of God” (Jn 4:10), Jesus says to the Samaritan woman during one of those remarkable conversations which show His great esteem for the dignity of women and for the vocation which enables them to share in His messianic mission… The Church desires to give thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the “mystery of woman” and for every woman – for that which constitutes the eternal measure of her feminine dignity, for the “great works of God”, which throughout human history have been accomplished in and through her. After all, was it not in and through her that the greatest event in human history – the incarnation of God Himself – was accomplished?

Therefore, the Church, gives thanks for each and every woman – for mothers, for sisters, for wives, for women consecrated to God in virginity, for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person, for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community, for women who work professionally and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility…

The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine “genius” which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations, she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God… The Church asks at the same time that these invaluable “manifestations of the Spirit” (cf. 1 Cor 12:4ff)… may be attentively recognised and appreciated so that they may return, for the common good of the Church and of humanity.” … St John Paul II (1920-2005) – Apostolic Letter « Mulieris dignitatem /The Dignity of women» # 31 luke 8 1-2 and the twelve were with him and also some women - the church gives thanks st john paul 20 sept 2019

PRAYER – Lord God, bestow a full measure of Your grace upon Your children, all Your men and women who gather together to thank you and bless you. As Your work within us to keep us in the path of Your commandments, may we receive consolation in this present life and eternal joy in the next. You gave us Saint Jose Maria Parres to protect and assist all in need of help, grant that by his prayer, all may be comforted in their need and may our precious Holy Mother, the icon of all womanhood, accompany us on our journey. Through Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen st jose maria parres pray for us 20 sept 2019 MARY MOTHER OF GOD PRAY FOR US - 1 jan 2019

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 20 September – Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

Posted on September 20, 2019September 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 20 September – Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904) Priest, Founder of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor – born on 10 November 1851 in Jalmolonga, Mexico and died on 20 September 1904 at Puebla de los Angeles, Mexico of natural causes. Patronage – the order he founded. He dedicated his life to catering to the needs of the abandoned and used his order to take care of the poor’s spiritual and material needs. st-maria-de-yermo-y-parres-1e125d00-086e-491d-a381-5c2b9ed8835-resize-750

The priest José María de Yermo y Parres was born in the Hacienda de Jalmolonga, municipality of Malinalco, Edo. of Mexico on 10 November 1851, son of the lawyer Manuel de Yermo y Soviñas and María Josefa Parres. From noble origins, he was educated in the faith by his father and Aunt Carmen as his mother died 50 days after his birth. Very soon he discovered his vocation to the priesthood.

At the age of 16 he left the paternal house to enter the Congregation of the Mission in Mexico City. After a vocational crisis he left the religious family of the Vincentians and continued his way to the priesthood in the Diocese of León and there he was ordained on 24 August 1879. His first years of priesthood were fruitful of activity and apostolic zeal. st-maria-de-yermo-y-parres-53c43cdc-41c7-45a9-8fa8-a53b969fd72-resize-750

He was an eloquent speaker, promoted youth catechesis and brilliantly held some important positions in the curia, to which he had to resign due to illness. The new bishop entrusted him with the care of two little churches located on the outskirts of the city – El Calvario and Santo Niño. He protested this appointment, viewing it as both unjust and as a humiliation. He, however, managed to discern the will of God and departed for his new assignment in obedience to Him.

One day, while heading to the Church of Calvary, he found himself facing a terrible scene – pigs were devouring two newborn babies. Devastated by this horrific scene, he felt challenged by God and in his loving heart he discerned a call to assist the abandoned and needy.

He opened “The Shelter of the Sacred Heart” on 13 December 1885 to cater to the needs of the poor in a move that laid the foundation for the beginning of a new religious order dedicated to serving the poor and at the same time evolved that into the order he titled the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor at the summit of El Calvario. st jose maria Foto1-300x376

From that day on, Father Yermo began the first steps of a long and constant escalation of surrender to the Lord and the brothers, who knows of sacrifice and self-denial, of joy and suffering, of peace and confusion, of poverty and misery, of appreciations and slander, of friendships and betrayals, of obediences and humiliations. His life was very troubled but although the tribulations and difficulties alternated at an almost dizzying pace, they never managed to defeat the ardent spirit of the apostle of evangelical charity.

In his not-so-long life (1851-1904) aged 52, he founded schools, hospitals, rest homes for the elderly, orphanages, a very organised house for the regeneration of women and shortly before his holy death, which occurred on 20 September 1904 after asking the nuns to sing the Ave Maria Stella. He was buried there at the motherhouse of the order. In the city of Puebla de los Ángeles, he led his religious family to the difficult mission among the Tarahumara Indians of northern Mexico.

His reputation for holiness spread rapidly in the people of God who asked for his intercession. He was Beatified by His Holiness St John Paul II on 6 May 1990 in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. … Vatican.va

St Pope John Paul Canonised St Jose Maria on 21 May 2000, at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City. st jose maria parres older.jpg

Before Father Yermo’s death, there were several foundations in Merida, Yucatan; Teziutlan, Puebla; Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Cordoba, Veracruz; Ocotlan, Tlaxcala; Guadalajara, Jalisco; Irapuato, Guanajuato; Chihuahua, Chihuahua,
and the first mission house in Tarahumara. After Father Yermo’s death it continues to grow in other places in Mexico and many countries – United States, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Italy and Kenya.
In all these places its members strive to live the charism of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the intercession of Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres. The mission of the Servants is to show the love and mercy of Christ in all their works – schools, orphanages, hospitals, mission fields and all their other ministries. In some places this service to the poor is especially visible in parish work. Father Yermo left the congregation the following motto: “God will Provide” and the experience of the Providence of God is constant in all its works. st jose maria oparres

SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 20 September 2019

Posted on September 20, 2019September 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Martyrs of Korea: St Andrew Kim Taegon, St Paul Chong Hasang & Companions – 103 saints and beati (Memorial)
Their Story:
https://anastpaul.com/2017/09/20/saints-of-the-day-20-september-martyrs-of-korea-st-andrew-kim-taegon-st-paul-chong-hasang-companions-103-saints-and-beati/
—
St Agapitus of Rome
St Candida of Carthage
St Dionysius of Phrygia
St Dorimedonte of Synnada
St Eusebia of Marseilles
St Eustachius, Wife and Sons – Martyrs (Died c 188)
The Biography of this family of Martyrs:
https://anastpaul.com/2018/09/20/saint-of-the-day-20-september-st-eustachius-wife-and-sons-martyrs-died-c-188/
St Evilasius of Cyzicum
St Fausta of Cyzicum
Bl Francisco Martín Fernández de Posadas
St Glycerius of Milan
St John Charles Cornay
Bl John Eustace
Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)
St Lawrence Mary Joseph Imbert
St Paul Chong Hasang
St Priscus
Susanna of Eleutheropolis
Bl Thomas Johnson
—
Martyrs of Constantinople – 3 saints: A priest and two bishops who were imprisoned, tortured and martyred for the defense of icons in the iconoclast persecutions of emperor Leo the Isaurian. – Andrea, Asiano and Hypatius. They were martyred in 735 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) and their bodies were thrown to the dogs.

Martyrs of Pergen – 6 saints: A group of lay people martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Elagabalus. The names that have come down to us are Dionysius, Dioscorus, Philippa, Privatus, Socrates and Theodore. They were crucified c 220 at Pergen, Pamphylia, Asia Minor (in modern Turkey).

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Cristobal Iturriaga-Echevarría Irazola
• Blessed Santiago Vega Ponce
• Blessed Juan Antonio López Pérez

QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on LOVE, QUOTES on PRAYER, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – Give your heart

Posted on September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Quote/s of the Day – 19 September – The Memorial of Saint Emilie da Rodat (1787–1852)

“It is to God we must give our heart.
He must possess it completely.”

“God speaks to His friends whenever He wants,
all times and places are suitable for prayer.
In the garden as much as in the Church,
you can pray, you can unite yourself
with Him and hear His voice.”

“The greatest thing we can do
and so to speak,
the one and only thing,
is to love.”

Saint Emilie da Rodat

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 19 September – Saint Emilie de Rodat (1787–1852)

Posted on September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 19 September – Saint Emilie de Rodat (1787–1852) Religious Nun and Founder of the Sisters of the Holy Family, Mystic, Apostle of Charity – she opened at least 38 charities and charitable organisations. It was not known during her lifetime that Emilie de Rodat was also a mystic. Her revelations are included in a diary, which was found after her death. Saint Emily de Rodat

Emily was born in 1787 at Rodez, France. As a young child Emilie de Rodat had shown a great love for God and for the poor but during her teenage years she changed and these things held little meaning for her. At the age of sixteen, however, she had an experience of God’s love that was to change her life forever.

She wrote:

“I was sixteen years of age when
I learned to know Our Lord.
This experience overwhelmed me
and I wanted God and only God.”

With her faith once more alive in her heart she began to search for ways to serve God and to fulfil his plan for her life with a whole new energy and passion. She started to ask questions and to think deeply about her future. She thought of dedicating her life to God as a nun and made several attempts but it never seemed to work out.

One day whilst she was visiting the poor in her town she met a group of women. They were talking about their children and how there was no-one to teach them or tell them about God. These words seemed like an arrow piercing Emilie’s soul. She wrote:

“I told them to send their children to me and that I would educate them myself.
I would be a teacher for the poor.”

With three companions she founded the Congregation. It was a time of great joy for these young women but also a time of trial. Many challenges had to be faced. Very soon other needs were made known – orphans, the sick and housebound, prisoners and prostitutes. Many more young women joined her in her mission and with love, gentleness and enthusiasm they tried together to respond to the needs of the poor around them. Some of the nuns were also contemplative and spent their time in prayer and adoration.

She died of cancer at Villefranche on 19 September 1852. At the time of her death Saint Emilie de Rodat had opened 38 charitable institutions.

Venerable Pope Pius XII Beatified her on 9 June 1940 and Canonised her on 23 April 1950.

Today throughout the world, the Holy Family Sisters of Saint Emilie try to respond to the pressing needs of their time and to reveal the face of the God of love to all especially the poor and marginalised. st emily glass 2.JPG

SAINT of the DAY

Memorials of the Saints – 19 September

Posted on September 19, 2019September 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

St Januarius of Naples Martyr (Died c 304) (Optional Memorial)
About St Januarius here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/saint-of-the-day-19-september-st-januarius

Our Lady of La Salette (1846) :
Mary appeared to two small children, Melanie Mathieu and Maximin Giraud, on the mountain of La Salette in the French Alps. She was crying and around her neck was a crucifix, with a hammer and pincers on either side – 19 September 1846. Approved by the diocesan bishop in 1851.

Read the story here:
https://anastpaul.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/feast-of-our-lady-of-la-salette-19-september/

St Alonso de Orozco Mena OSA (1500 – 1591)
Biography:

Saint of the Day – 19 September – St Alonsus de Orozco Mena O.S.A. (1500 – 1591)

St Arnulph of Gap
St Carolus Hyon Song-Mun
St Constantia of Nocera
St Desiderius of Pozzuoli
St Emilie de Rodat (1787–1852)
St Eustochius of Tours
St Felix of Nocera
St Festus of Pozzuoli
St Goeric of Metz
Bl Mary de Cerevellon
St Pomposa
St Sequanus
St Sosius of Puzzuoli
St Theodore of Canterbury
St Trophimus of Synnada
—
Martyrs of Antioch – (3 saints): Christians imprisoned, tortured and executed in various ways in the persecutions of Emperor Probus; some names have come down to us – Dorymedon, Sabbatius and Trophimus. c 277 at Antioch (in modern Turkey).

Martyrs of Phunon – (4 saints): Four bishops in Egypt who were sentenced to forced labour in a rock quarry and martyred in the persecution of Diocletian. Noted for celebrating Mass in prison. – Elias, Nilus, Patermuzio and Peleus. They were burned to death in 310 at Phunon, near Petra in Palestine.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War:
• Blessed Consuelo Aguiar-Mella Díaz
• Blessed Herman José Fernández Sáenz
• Blessed Juan Pérez Rodrigo
• Blessed Lucas Martín Puente
• Blessed María de La Encarnación de La Yglesia de Varo
• Blessed María Dolores Aguiar-Mella Díaz
• Blessed Miguel Faúndez López
• Blessed Sebastián Obeso Alario

franciscan OFM, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on GRACE, QUOTES on WILL (Reasonable or Superior), SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 18 September – Our “unique possession”

Posted on September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Thought for the Day – 18 September – The Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

Joseph of Cupertino is most famous for levitating at prayer. Already as a child, Joseph showed a fondness for prayer. After a short career with the Capuchins, he joined the Conventual Franciscans. Following a brief assignment caring for the friary mule, Joseph began his studies for the priesthood. Though studies were very difficult for him, Joseph gained a great deal of knowledge from prayer. He was ordained in 1628.

Joseph’s tendency to levitate during prayer was sometimes a cross, some people came to see this much as they might have gone to a circus sideshow. Joseph’s gift led him to be humble, patient and obedient, even though at times he was greatly tempted and felt forsaken by God. He fasted and wore iron chains for much of his life.

The friars transferred Joseph several times for his own good and for the good of the rest of the community. He was reported to and investigated by, the Inquisition; the examiners exonerated him.

Joseph was Canonszed in 1767. In the investigation preceding the Canonisation, 70 incidents of levitation are recorded.

While levitation is an extraordinary sign of holiness, Joseph is also remembered for the ordinary signs he showed. He prayed even in times of inner darkness and he lived out the Sermon on the Mount. He used his “unique possession”–his free will–to praise God and to serve God’s creation. He said:

“Clearly, what God wants above all, is our will,which we received as a free gift from God, in creation and possess, as though our own. When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God, from whom all good things come, that he does this. The will is what man has as his unique possession.”

St Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us!

DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES of the SAINTS, QUOTES on CONSCIENCE, QUOTES on CONVERSION, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ..?” St Basil the Great

Posted on September 18, 2019September 18, 2019 by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 18 September – Wednesday of the Twenty Fourth week in Ordinary Tim, Year C, Gospel: Luke 7:31–35 and the Memorial of St Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663)

“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation and what are they like? “…Luke 7:31

REFLECTION – “How long are we going to put off obeying Christ, who calls us into His heavenly Kingdom? Aren’t we going to purify ourselves? Won’t we resolve to forsake our customary way of life to follow the Gospel radically?… We claim to want the Kingdom of God yet without bothering to concern ourselves with the means of obtaining it.

What is more, in the conceitedness of our souls, without taking the least trouble to obey the Lord’s commandments, we think ourselves worthy to receive the same reward as those who have resisted sin to the death! But how could anyone sit and sleep at home during the time of sowing and then gather sheaves by the armful at harvest? Who has ever brought in the grapes without having planted and tended the vine? Fruit is for those who have toil, rewards and crowns for those who have conquered. Has anyone ever crowned an athlete who did not even strip to fight his opponent? And yet, not only must we win but we must also “fight according to the rules”, as the apostle Paul says, that is to say according to the commandments we have been given…

God is good but He is also just… “The Lord loves justice and right” (Ps 32:5), that is why, “of kindness and judgement I will sing” (Ps 100:1)… See how wisely the Lord exercises kindness. He is not gracious without consideration, nor does He judge without mercy for, “gracious is the Lord and just” (Ps 115:5). So don’t underestimate God – His love for men should not become a pretext for negligence on our part.” … St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church – Longer monastic Rules, prologue

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, help me to be holy in the way that You have laid out for me. Let me carry out my duties of my state of life to the full and grant me the grace to carry my crosses in honour of You. Only in You may I attain holiness, learning to give myself, my will, my heart and my soul only to You. St Joseph of Cupertino, you who were so disadvantaged, achieved by the grace of God, sanctity in this life and now behold His Face through all eternity. We ask for your intercession, through our Lord Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen. st-joseph-of-cupertino-pray-for-us-18 sept 2017.jpg

SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 18 September – Saint Richardis (839-c 895)

Posted on September 18, 2019September 17, 2019 by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 18 September – Saint Richardis (839-c 895) Holy Roman Empress, Benedictine Abbess – born in 839 at Andlau, Alsace, France and died in c 895 at Andlau, Alsace, France of natural causes. Patronages – Andlau, protection against fire. She was renowned for her piety and was the first abbess of Andlau. Repudiated by her husband, Richardis later became a Christian model of devotion and just rule.

346px-st richardis Mont_Sainte_Odile_025 — A depiction of St Richardis and Herrad of Landsberg in Hohenburg Abbey, Alsace, France.

She was born in Alsace, the daughter of Erchanger, count of the Nordgau, of the family of the Ahalolfinger. She married Charles in 862 and was crowned with him in Rome by Pope John VIII in 881. The marriage was childless.

Charles’ reign was marked by internal and external strife, caused primarily by the constant plundering of Norman raiders on the northern French coast. These attacks had intensified as the aggressors, no longer content to pillage the coastline, had moved their attentions to cities and towns along the rivers. The Carolingian world was unable to effectively deal with these external threats.

By 887, Charles appears to have succumbed to fits of madness. During this crisis, Richardis attempted to rule in her husband’s stead but was unsuccessful. In an effort to bring down the over-powerful and hated Liutward, Charles’ Archchancellor, he and Richardis were accused by Charles and his courtiers of adultery. Charles asserted that their marriage was unconsummated and demanded a divorce. She was put to the ordeal by fire, which she passed successfully.

Protected by her family, she then withdrew to Andlau Abbey, which she had founded on her ancestral lands in 880 and where her niece Rotrod was abbess. (Richardis herself was previously lay abbess of religious houses at Säckingen and Zurich). She died at Andlau on 18 September and was buried there.

Richardis was later Canonised and remains translated in November 1049 by Pope Leo IX to a more impressive tomb in the newly rebuilt abbey church. The present tomb dates from 1350.

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St Pio, the Madonna and her Holy Rosary

St Padre Pio, help us to love the Rosary

and please Pray for Us!

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Mark 9:35b

St Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)

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St Ignatius of Santhia, Pray for Us!

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St Ignatius of Santhia (1686-1770)

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Saint Matthew, Pray for us!

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Matthew 9:11b

St Ephrem (306-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

Pope Benedict XVI

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Saint Jose Maria Parres, Pray for us!

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Saint Jose Maria de Yermo y Parres (1851–1904)

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Saint Emilie da Rodat

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St Joseph of Cupertino, pray for us!

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