Category: SAINT of the DAY

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

Blessed Feast Day of Sts Philip and James, Apostles of Jesus Christ

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Blessed Feast Day of Sts Philip and James, Apostles of Jesus Christ

ST PHILIPphilip-670

The Apostle Philip was one of Christ’s first disciples, called soon after his Master’s baptism in the Jordan.    The fourth Gospel gives the following detail:  “The next day Jesus was about to leave for Galilee and He found Philip.    And Jesus said to him:  Follow Me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.    Philip found Nathanael, and said to him:   We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote, Jesus the Son of Joseph of Nazareth.    And Nathanael said to him:  Can anything good come out of Nazareth?    Philip said to him: Come and see” (John 1:43ff). — The Church’s Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patronages:  Hatters; Luxembourg; pastry chefs; Uruguay, 37 cities.   Attributes:  basket; basket and Tau cross or letter Tau; two or three loaves and a cross; patriarchal cross and spear; knotted cross; broken idols; inverted cross; tall column; dragon; carpenter’s square and cross; long staff and spear; tall cross and book.

On Wednesday, 27 July 2011, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported that archaeologists had unearthed a tomb that the project leader claims to be the Tomb of Saint Philip during excavations in Hierapolis close to the Turkish city Denizli.   The Italian archaeologist, Professor Francesco D’Andria stated that scientists had discovered the tomb within a newly revealed church.    He stated that the design of the Tomb and writings on its walls, definitively prove it belonged to the martyred Apostle of Jesus.

ST JAMES THE LESSER

Also known as:  Jacobus Minor, James the Just, James the Less, James the Younger, James, son of Alphaeus.   James, Son of Alphaeus:  We know nothing of this man except his name and, of course, the fact that Jesus chose him to be one of the 12 pillars of the New Israel, His Church.   He is not the James of Acts, son of Clopas, “brother” of Jesus and later bishop of Jerusalem and the traditional author of the Letter of James.   James, son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Lesser to avoid confusing him with James the son of Zebedee, also an apostle and known as James the Greater.
Patronage:   dying people, apothecaries, druggists, pharmacists, fullers, hatmakers, hatters, milliners, Uruguay, 8 cities in Italy.   Attributes:   fuller’s club, man holding a book, square rule

Today’s Mass tells us that the example of the Apostles is the most certain and direct path to heaven.    They suffered and were persecuted but they placed their confidence in God and now they rejoice in heaven.   We too must have confidence in God and not be troubled in our adversities.    In our Father’s house there are many mansions and if we follow the way indicated by Him, Christ will come at the end of our life and take us to Himself.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY

Saints’ Memorials and Feasts – 3 May

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St James the Lesser (Feast)
St Philip the Apostle (Feast)
—
St Adalsindis of Bèze
Bl Adam of Cantalupo in Sabina
St Ahmed the Calligrapher
St Aldwine of Peartney
St Pope Alexander I
St Alexander of Constantinople
Bl Alexander of Foigny
St Alexander of Rome
Bl Alexander Vincioli
St Ansfrid of Utrecht
St Antonina of Constantinople
St Diodorus the Deacon
Bl Edoardo Giuseppe Rosaz
St Ethelwin of Lindsey
St Eventius of Rome
St Fumac
St Gabriel Gowdel
St Juvenal of Narni
Bl Maria Leonia Paradis
St Maura of Antinoe
St Peter of Argos
St Philip of Zell
Bl Ramon Oromí Sullà
St Rhodopianus the Deacon
St Scannal of Cell-Coleraine
Bl Sostenaeus
St Stanislas Kazimierczyk
St Theodolus of Rome
St Timothy of Antinoe
Bl Tommaso Acerbis
Bl Uguccio
Bl Zechariah

Posted in CATHOLIC-PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH, DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

The Athanasian Creed

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The Athanasian Creed, also known as Pseudo-Athanasian Creed or Quicunque Vult (also Quicumque Vult), is a Christian statement of belief focused on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology.    The Latin name of the creed, Quicunque vult, is taken from the opening words, “Whosoever wishes”.    The creed has been used by Christian churches since the sixth century.    It is the first creed in which the equality of the three persons of the Trinity is explicitly stated.    It differs from the Nicene-Constantinopolitan and Apostles’ Creeds in the inclusion of anathemas, or condemnations of those who disagree with the creed (like the original Nicene Creed).

Widely accepted among Western Christians, including the Roman Catholic Church and some Anglican churches, Lutheran churches (it is considered part of Lutheran confessions in the Book of Concord) and ancient, liturgical churches generally, the Athanasian Creed has been used in public worship less and less frequently.

It was designed to distinguish Nicene Christianity from the heresy of Arianism. Liturgically, this Creed was recited at the Sunday Office of Prime in the Western Church; it is not in common use in the Eastern Church.    The creed has never gained acceptance in liturgy among Eastern Christians since it was considered as one of many unorthodox fabrications that contained the Filioque clause.    Today, the Athanasian Creed is rarely used even in the Western Church.    When used, one common practice is to use it once a year on Trinity Sunday.

onetwo

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 2 May

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Thought for the Day – 2 May

At certain periods in Church history, it is one man who saves the Church for orthodoxy, one human instrument that Goduses to further His work.   Athanasius suffered many trials while he was bishop of Alexandria.    He was given the grace to remain strong against what probably seemed at times to be insurmountable opposition.    Athanasius lived his office as bishop completely.    He defended the true faith for his flock, regardless of the cost to himself.    In today’s world we are experiencing this same call to remain true to our faith, no matter what.   We should all realise how important we are to the good of others and that, without us, certain people would never hear of God or come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ.   Upon our orthodoxy and fidelity may well depend the growth in faith of many others – what a thought!   Therefore, we need to learn and know the truth as St Athanasius said “You will not see anyone who is really striving after his advancement who is not given to spiritual reading. And as to him who neglects it, the fact will soon be observed by his progress.”

St Athanasius, pray for us!

ST ATHANASIUS PRAY FOR US 2.jpg

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 2 May

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Quote/s of the Day – 2 May

“The Word who became all things for us, is close to us, our Lord Jesus Christ who promises to remain with us always.    He cries out, saying:  See, I am with you all the days of this age.    He is himself the shepherd, the high priest, the way and the door and has become all things at once for us.”

THE WORD HAS BECOME-ST ATHANASIUS

“Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer.”

“Let us remember the poor and not forget kindness to strangers;  above all, let us love God with all our soul and might and strength and our neighbour as ourselves.”

CHRISTIANS, INSTEAD OF - St Athanasius

“But what is also to the point, let us note that the very tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church from the beginning was preached by the Apostles and preserved by the Fathers.    On this the Church was founded – and if anyone departs from this, he neither is, nor any longer ought to be called, a Christian.”

BUR WHAT IS ALSO TO THE POINT-ST ATHANASIUS

St Athanasius  (297-373) Father & Doctor of the Church

 

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY, The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Our Morning Offering – 2 May

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Our Morning Offering – 2 May

PRAYER TO MARY, MOTHER OF GRACE
By St Athanasius (297-373)

It is becoming for you, O Mary,
to be mindful of us,
as you stand near Him who bestowed upon you all graces,
for you are the Mother of God and our Queen.
Come to our aid for the sake of the King,
the Lord God and Master who was born of you.
For this reason you are called “full of grace.”
Be mindful of us, most holy Virgin and bestow on us gifts
from the riches of your graces, O Virgin full of grace.
Amen

PRAYER TO MARY MOTHER OF GRACE-ST ATHANASIUS

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 2 May – St Athanasius

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Saint of the Day – 2 May – St Athanasius (c295-373) – Father and Doctor of the Church Bishop, Confessor, known as “Father of Orthodoxy” and Athanasius of Alexandria, Athanasius of Egypt, Athanasius the Great, Champion of Christ’s Divinity, Champion of Orthodoxy, Greek Doctor of the Church, Holy Hierarch, Pillar of the Church – Attributes:  Bishop arguing with a pagan; bishop holding an open book; bishop standing over a defeated heretic.

Athanasius was born of Christian parents in Alexandria, Egypt, about 295. As a young man, he spent four years in prayer and solitude in the desert.    There he met Anthony the hermit, who influenced him.    After he left the desert, Athanasius became a priest and was appointed secretary to Alexander, bishop of Alexandria.

Meanwhile, Arius had begun preaching that Jesus was not truly God.    At a church council at Nicaea in 325, Arius and his ideas were condemned and the bishops composed the Nicene Creed.

Conflict with Arius and Arianism as well as successive Roman emperors shaped Athanasius’ career.    In 325, at the age of 27, Athanasius began his leading role against the Arians as a deacon and assistant to Bishop Alexander of Alexandria during the First Council of Nicaea.    Roman emperor Constantine the Great had convened the council in May–August 325 to address the Arian position that the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, is of a distinct substance from the Father.    Three years after that council, Athanasius succeeded his mentor as archbishop of Alexandria.    In addition to the conflict with the Arians (including powerful and influential Arian churchmen led by Eusebius of Nicomedia), he struggled against the Emperors Constantine, Constantius II, Julian the Apostate and Valens.    He was known as “Athanasius Contra Mundum” (Latin for Athanasius Against the World).

ST ATHANASIUS 4

Nonetheless, within a few years after his death, Gregory of Nazianzus called him the “Pillar of the Church”.    His writings were well regarded by all Church fathers who followed, in both the West and the East, who noted their rich devotion to the Word-become-man, great pastoral concern and profound interest in monasticism.    Athanasius is counted as one of the four great Eastern Doctors of the Church in the Roman Catholic Church – he is labeled as the “Father of Orthodoxy”.

Bl. John Henry Newman described him as a “principal instrument, after the Apostles, by which the sacred truths of Christianity have been conveyed and secured to the world”. [Letters..]

Historian Cornelius Clifford says: “His career almost personifies a crisis in the history of Christianity;  and he may be said rather to have shaped the events in which he took part than to have been shaped by them.” 

The greater majority of Church leaders and the emperors fell into support for Arianism, so much so that Jerome, 340–420, wrote of the period:  “The whole world groaned and was amazed to find itself Arian”.    He, Athanasius, even suffered an unjust excommunication from Pope Liberius (325–366) who was exiled and leant towards the Arians, until he was allowed back to the See of Rome. Athanasius stood virtually alone against the world.

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 2 May

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St Athanasius of Alexandria (Memorial)
—
St Alpin de Châlons
Bl Bernard of Seville
St Bertinus the Younger
Bl Boleslas Strzelecki
Bl Conrad of Seldenbüren
St Cyriacus of Pamphylia
St Eugenius of Africa
St Exsuperius of Pamphylia
St Felix of Seville
St Fiorenzo of Algeria
St Gennys of Cornwall
St Germanus of Normandy
St Gluvias
St Guistano of Sardinia
St José María Rubio y Peralta
St Joseph Luu
Bl Juan de Verdegallo
St Longinus of Africa
St Neachtain of Cill-Uinche
St Theodulus of Pamphylia
St Ultan of Péronne
St Vindemialis of Africa
St Waldebert of Luxeuil
St Wiborada of Saint Gall
Bl William Tirry
St Zoe of Pamphylia
—
Martyrs of Alexandria – 4 saints: A group of Christians marytred together in the persecutions of Diocletian. We know little more than their names – Celestine, Germanus, Neopolus and Saturninus. 304 in Alexandria, Egypt

Posted in MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the CHURCH, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

1 May – The Memorial of St Joseph the Worker

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1 May – The Memorial of St Joseph the Worker

Let us Pray:

Prayer to St Joseph the Worker
By St Pope John XXIII

Saint Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary,
you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty.
You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands.
Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you.
You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes.
They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them.
You too knew trial, labour and weariness.
But amid the worries of material life,
your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy
through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary,
His tender Mother.
Assure those you protect that they do not labour alone.
Teach them to find Jesus near them
and to watch over Him faithfully as you have done. Amen

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH THE WORKER BY ST POPE JOHN XXIIIstjosephtheworker-pray for us 2

 

Posted in CATECHESIS, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 1 May

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Thought for the Day – 1 May

The Foreshadowing of Saint Joseph

As the Church of Christ is prefigured in the rites and ceremonies of the Old Law, so the chief personages who centre round Our Lord in the redemption of the world are foreshadowed in the Old Testament.    We trace the outlines of Our Lady’s graces in Esther, Jahel, Bethsabee, Judith.    So, too, Saint Joseph’s place in the new dispensation is anticipated in the place of the patriarch Joseph at the court of Pharao.    Thus it is that God in His love for His chosen ones paves the way for them centuries before.    From the beginning He has prepared their work, and the throne they are to earn in heaven by their labors and sufferings for Him.

In the life of the patriarch Joseph there was throughout a correspondence to the life of the foster-father of Jesus Christ.    The troubles and persecutions of his early life; his long time of servitude and obscurity; his wondrous purity, his time of patient expectation; his glorious exaltation; his omnipotence with the king; his power to save all who came to him – all these were repeated, or rather were fulfilled, in Saint Joseph.    Reflect on each of these, and consider how Saint Joseph is a model to us.

We read of the patriarch, Joseph, that the king of Egypt made him lord of his house.    So God made Saint Joseph lord of that earthly tabernacle of flesh in which He dwelt on earth.    Joseph ruled Our Lord in His sacred humanity.    He made him lord, too, of another house in which He sojourned, of the sacred house that Wisdom built for Himself in the form of His holy Mother.    If Saint Joseph was thus lord of Jesus and Mary, what may we not expect from Him?   In our lives on the ‘narrow road’, on our way home, in our difficulties, in our labour and our toil!?

To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.    This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work.

“What emanates from the figure of Saint Joseph is faith.    Joseph of Nazareth is a “just man” because he totally “lives by faith.”     He is holy because his faith is truly heroic. Sacred Scripture says little of him.    It does not record even one word spoken by Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth.    And yet, even without words, he shows the depth of his faith, his greatness.    Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit.    He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God.    He listens in silence.    And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.    We see how the word of the Living God penetrates deeply into the soul of that man, that just man.    And we, do we know how to listen to the word of God?    Do we know how to absorb it into the depths of our human personalities? Do we open our conscience in the presence of this word?”

– Pope John Paul II from Daily Meditations

St Joseph the Worker, Pray for us!ST JOSEPHTHEWORKER - PRAY FOR US

Posted in CATHOLIC DEVOTIONS of the Month, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote of the Day – 1 May

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Quote of the Day – 1 May

“He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector
of His greatest treasures, namely:  His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife.
He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying
‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’

– from a sermon by Saint Bernardine of Siena
Bartolomé Esteban Perez Murillo The Holy Family 1637

he-was-chosen-by-the-eternal-father-st-bernardine

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 1 May – St Joseph the Worker

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Saint of the Day – 1 May – St Joseph the Worker

christchild12b

Additional Memorials

• 19 March
• 1 May (Joseph the Worker)
• 3rd Wednesday after Easter (patronage of Saint Joseph of the Universal Church)
• 3 January on some local calendars
• 29 October (Armenian)
• 20 July (Coptic)

Patronages –  against doubt, against hesitation, accountants, attornies, barristers, bursars, cabinetmakers, carpenters, cemetery workers, children, civil engineers, confectioners, craftsmen, dying people, educators, emigrants, exiles, expectant mothers, families, fathers, furniture makers, grave diggers, happy death, holy death, house hunters, immigrants, interior souls, joiners, laborers, lawyers, married people, orphans, people in doubt, people who fight Communism, pioneers, pregnant women, social justice, solicitors, teachers, travellers, unborn children, wheelwrights, workers, working people, Catholic Church, Oblates of Saint Joseph, for protection of the Church, Universal Church, Vatican II, Americas, Austria, Belgium, Bohemia, Canada, China, Croatian people, Korea, Mexico, New France, New World, Peru, Philippines, Vatican City, Viet Nam, Canadian Armed Forces, Papal States, 46 dioceses, 26 cities, states and regions.

St. Joseph has two feast days on the liturgical calendar.    The first is March 19—Joseph, the Husband of Mary. The second is May 1—Joseph, the Worker.

“Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God.   He listens in silence.  And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God,”   Pope John Paul II had once said.

There is very little about the life of Joseph in Scripture but still, we know that he was the chaste husband of Mary, the foster father of Jesus, a carpenter and  a man who was not wealthy.    We also know that he came from the royal lineage of King David.

We can see from his actions in scripture that Joseph was a compassionate man and obedient to the will of God.    He also loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them.

Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus’ public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph had probably died before Jesus entered public ministry.

Joseph is the patron of many things, including the universal Church, fathers, the dying and social justice.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 1 May

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St Joseph the Worker (Optional Memorial)
Madonna of Giubino
—
St Aceolus of Amiens
St Acius of Amiens
St Aldebrandus of Fossombrone
St Amator of Auxerre
St Ambrose of Ferentino
St Andeolus of Smyrna
Bl Arigius of Gap
St Arnold of Hiltensweiler
St Asaph of Llanelwy
St Augustine Schöffler
St Benedict of Szkalka
St Bertha of Avenay
St Bertha of Kent
St Brieuc of Brittany
St Ceallach of Killala
St Cominus of Catania
Evermarus of Rousson
Bl Felim O’Hara
St Grata of Bergamo
St Isidora of Egypt
St Jeremiah the Prophet
St John-Louis Bonnard
Bl Klymentii Sheptytskyi
St Marculf
St Orentius of Auch
St Orentius of Loret
St Patientia of Loret
St Peregrine Laziosi
Bl Petronilla of Moncel
St Richard Pampuri
St Romanus of Baghdad
St Sigismund of Burgundy
St Theodard of Narbonne
St Thorette
St Torquatus of Guadix
Bl Vivald of Gimignano

Posted in MYSTICS, SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 30 April – St Marie Guyart of the Incarnation O.S.U.

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Saint of the Day – 30 April – St Marie Guyart of the Incarnation O.S.U. (1599-1672) – Missionary, Mystic, Widow, Religious Nun, Foundress of the Ursuline Order in Canada. Also known as Marie Guyard, Marie Guyart of the Incarnation, Marie Guyart, Marie de l’Incarnation, Marie of the Ursulines, Mother of New France, Theresa of the New World.
Saint Marie of the Incarnation, the most significant leader to establish the Ursuline Convent in Quebec.


She was born as Marie Guyart in Tours, France in 1599. At about 14 years of age she saw that she could join the convent, but she sensed her mother did not share the same vision. She ended up marrying a silk merchant named Claude Martin and together they had a son.
Unfortunately, when their baby was only six-months-old, Marie became a widow. Called again by God, after much discerning, she got rid of the family business and entrusted her son to her sister and brother-in-law to take the Ursuline veil.
Who was Marie of the Incarnation?
Already very close to God as a young girl, she said she saw the heavens open and Jesus went to her and kissed her asking, “Will you be mine?” To which she replied, “Yes!”
She is considered a mystic of the Church as she had extraordinary encounters with our Lord and our Lady, which directed her in the path to bring the Faith to the peoples of New France.

Among her many accomplishments, Saint Marie learned the languages in her surrounding areas and even developed dictionaries in Algonquin and Iroquois, a sacred history in Algonquin, and a catechism in Iroquois.
She was among the first women missionaries in North America. Her life and her spirituality have inspired many people around the world, spanning from other regions of Quebec, Peru, Japan and the Philippines. In Quebec you can find the Marie of the Incarnation Centre.
In June 22, 1980, Pope John Paul the II declared her Blessed. She was Canonised on 3 April 2014 by Pope Francis (equipollent canonisation)

Note: To read about the equipollent canonisation of St Marie Guyart go here: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/11/what_is_equipollent_canonization/1108383

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 30 April

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3rd Sunday in Easter (2017)
St Marie Guyart of the Incarnation (Optional Memorial)
—
St Adjutor of Vernon
St Aimo of Savigny
St Amator of Córdoba
St Aphrodisius of Alexandria
St Cynwl
St Dedë Plani
St Diodoro of Aphrodisias
St Donatus of Euraea
St Erconwald of London
St Eutropius of Saintes
St Forannan
St Genistus of Limoges
St Giuse Tuân
Bl Gualfardus of Augsburg
Bl Hildegard the Empress
St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
St Lawrence of Novara
St Louis of Córdoba
St Mariano of Acerenza
St Maximus of Ephesus
St Mercurialis of Forlì
St Peter of Córdoba
St Pomponius of Naples
St Quirinus of Rome
St Rodopiano of Aphrodisias
St Sophia of Fermo
St Swithbert the Younger
Bl Ventura of Spello
Bl William Southerne

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, FATHERS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

One Minute Reflection – 30 April

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One Minute Reflection – 30 April

Blest are they who have not seen and yet have believed……….John 20:29

john 20-29

REFLECTION – “This Gospel text certainly applies to us – but only if we confirm our faith by our works!
Those truly believe who carry out in practice what they believe.”………..St Gregory the Great

ST GREGORY THE GREAT - THIS GOSPEL TEXT

PRAYER – Jesus my Lord and my God, help me to believe in You with all my might. And let me translate that belief into practice by obeying Your commands each moment of each day. St Marie Guyart of the Incarnation you were truly a shining example to us all of how to confim our faith by our works! Please pray for us, amen.

ST MARIE GUYART OF THE INCARNATION - PRAY FOR US

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 29 April

Posted on by AnaStpaul

St Catherine of Siena (Memorial)
Abbots of Cluny: A feast that recognizes the great and saintly early abbots of Cluny Abbey.
• Saint Aymardus of Cluny
• Saint Berno of Cluny
• Saint Hugh of Cluny
• Saint Mayeul
• Saint Odilo of Cluny
• Saint Odo of Cluny
• Saint Peter the Venerable
Madonna del sangue
—
St Antonius Kim Song-u
St Ava of Denain
St Daniel of Gerona
St Dichu
St Endellion of Tregony
St Fiachan of Lismore
St Hugh of Cluny
St Gundebert of Gumber
St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo
St Paulinus of Brescia
St Peter Verona
Bl Robert Gruthuysen
St Senan of Wales
St Severus of Naples
St Theoger
St Torpes of Pisa
St Tychicus
St Wilfrid the Younger
—
Martyrs of Cirta: A group of clergy and laity martyred together in Cirta, Numidia (in modern Tunisia) in the persecutions of Valerian. They were – Agapius, Antonia, Emilian, Secundinus and Tertula, along with a woman and her twin children whose names have not come down to us.

Martyrs of Corfu: A gang of thieves who converted while in prison, brought to the faith by Saint Jason and Saint Sosipater who were had been imprisoned for evangelizing. When the gang announced their new faith, they were martyred together. They were – Euphrasius, Faustianus, Insischolus, Januarius, Mammius, Marsalius and Saturninus. They were boiled in oil and pitch in the 2nd century on the Island of Corcyra (modern Corfu, Greece.
Also known as:
• Martyrs of Corcyra
• Seven Holy Thieves
• Seven Holy Robbers
• Seven Robber Saints

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 28 April

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Thought for the Day – 28 April

Success or failure is often not completely in our hands and sometimes, we have to face what seems almost certain failure.   But success is not required of us, only fidelity.   St Peter Chanel’s work ended in his own death in the face of what seemed total failure.   Out of that ‘failure’, God brought about the success Peter was seeking AND brought Peter himself to sainthood and eternal joy and sublime success!

St Peter Chanel, pray for us!

ST PETER CHANEL - APRIL 28

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Quote/s of the Day – 28 April

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Quote/s of the Day – 28 April

“To go to Jesus, we must go to Mary.
She is our Mediatrix of intercession.
To go to God our Father,
we must go to Jesus, for He is our
Mediator of Redemption.”

TO GO TO JESUS-ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT

“The Son of God became man for our salvation
but only in Mary and through Mary.”

the son of god - st louise de montfort

“Take advantage of little sufferings
even more than of great ones.
God considers not so much what we suffer,
as how we suffer. . . Turn everything to profit
as the grocer does in his shop.”

take advantage of little sufferings - st l de montfort

St Louis de Montfort

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 28 April

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One Minute Reflection – 28 April

But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.……….1 Peter 2:9

REFLECTION – “Chosen soul, how will you bring this about?   What steps will you take to reach the high level to which God is calling you?   The means of holiness and salvation are known to everybody, since they are found in the Gospel; the masters of the spiritual life have explained them; the Saints have practised them…  These means are: sincere humility, unceasing prayer, complete self-denial, abandonment to Divine Providence, and obedience to the will of God.”…………………………St Louis de Montfort

PRAYER – Heavenly Father, through your saints we find inspiration to wonderfully enhance our way with light. Your great Apostle and son of Our Lady, St. Louis de Montfort’s only desire was to set aflame the world with the love of Jesus through Mary. Assist us too we pray, to reach our heavenly goal. St Louis pray for us, amen.

1 PETER 2-9CHOSEN SOUL - ST LOUIS DE MONFORTST LOUIS DE MONTFORT PRAY FOR US

Posted in DOCTORS of the Church, MORNING Prayers, PRAYERS of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY

Our Morning Offering – 28 April

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Our Morning Offering – 28 April – The Memorial of St Louis Marie Grignion de Monfort “Proposed Doctor of the Church” – The cause for his declaration as a Doctor of the Church is now far advanced.

PRAYER TO JESUS
By St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort

Saint Louis de Montfort’s Prayer to Jesus is a reflection of his philosophy of “total consecration to Jesus Christ through Mary.”   Although St Louis is perhaps best known for his Mariology and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, his spirituality is founded on the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and is centred on Christ, as reflected in his collected works God Alone.

As the prayer suggests, St. Louis introduced the key concepts that underlie Roman Catholic Mariology today: that Jesus and Mary are son and mother, redeemer and redeemed and that the path to Jesus is through Mary. Theologically, the prayer reflects the inherent inclusion of Mariology in Christology.[3] This concept was echoed by Pope John Paul II about his reading of Montfort’s works:

“Then I understood that I could not exclude the Lord’s Mother from my life without neglecting the will of God-Trinity.”

LET US PRAY:
O most loving Jesus, deign to let me pour forth my gratitude before You,
for the grace You have bestowed upon me in giving me to Your holy Mother
through the devotion of Holy Bondage, that she may be my advocate
in the presence of Your majesty and my support in my extreme misery.
Alas, O Lord! I am so wretched that without this dear Mother
I should be certainly lost. Yes, Mary is necessary for me at Your side
and everywhere that she may appease Your just wrath,
because I have so often offended You; that she may save me from the eternal
punishment of Your justice, which I deserve; that she may contemplate You,
speak to You, pray to You, approach You and please You;
that she may help me to save my soul and the souls of others;
in short, Mary is necessary for me that I may always do Your holy will
and seek Your greater glory in all things.
Ah, would that I could proclaim throughout the whole world
the mercy that You hast shown to me!
Would that everyone might know I should be already damned,
were it not for Mary!
Would that I might offer worthy thanksgiving for so great a blessing!
Mary is in me.
Oh, what a treasure! Oh, what a consolation!
And shall I not be entirely hers?
Oh, what ingratitude! My dear Saviour, send me death rather than
such a calamity, for I would rather die than live without belonging entirely to Mary.
With St. John the Evangelist at the foot of the Cross,
I have taken her a thousand times for my own and as many times
have given myself to her but if I have not yet done it as You, dear Jesus, wishes,
I now renew this offering as You desire me to renew it.
And if You see in my soul or my body anything that does not belong to this august Princess,
I pray to You to take it and cast it far from me,
for whatever in me does not belong to Mary is unworthy of You.
O Holy Spirit, grant me all these graces.
Plant in my soul the Tree of true Life, which is Mary; cultivate it and tend it
so that it may grow and blossom and bring forth the fruit of life in abundance.
O Holy Spirit, give me great devotion to Mary, Your faithful spouse;
give me great confidence in her maternal heart and an abiding refuge in her mercy,
so that by her You may truly form in me Jesus Christ,
great and mighty, unto the fullness of His perfect age. Amen.

PRAYER TO JESUS - ST LOUIS DE MONTFORT

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 28 April – St Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr

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Saint of the Day – 28 April – St Peter Chanel SM- Protomartyr of Oceania – Priest, Missionary, Martyr (1803-1841 (martyred aged 37).   Born on 12 July 1803 at Cuet, Ain, France as Peter Louis Mary Chanel and died by being beaten to death with clubs on 28 April 1841 at Poi, Uvea, Fortuna Island, New Hebrides.    Patronage – of Oceania.st peter chanel header

Born on July 12th 1803 in the hamlet of La Botiere near Montrevel (Ain) of a small-farming family, Peter Chanel spent part of his schooling at Cras and there was noticed by the parish priest, Fr Trompier who took him and a companion into the presbytery and began to teach them Latin.

When in 1815 he moved to Monsols the boys went with him and returned with him again a year later to Cras.    From here Peter went on to study at the minor seminary of Meximieux in 1819 and in 1824 after some months at the college in Belley entered the major seminary of the Diocese at Brou, being Ordained Priest on 15 July 1827.

His first posting was as curate to Amberieu where the seminarian Claude Bret, his later friend, fellow Marist and companion on the voyage to Oceania was active in the school.

Since the age of 14, Chanel had been intent on the foreign missions and his intention was strengthened by the letters that arrived at Amberieux from a former curate, now a missionary in India.

The following year he applied to the Bishop of Belley for permission to go to the missions but was instead appointed parish priest of Crozet, where he found scope for missionary work.    The previous Priest had alienated his parishioners and he had a hard struggle to win back their confidence and goodwill.

Having learnt of the Marists in the meanwhile, then the only alternative in the diocese to the Diocesan clergy, he received permission in 1831 to join them at Belley and in September that year took with them a vow to work for the establishment of the Society of Mary.st Peter_Chanel

In November of that year his sister Francoise who had been his housekeeper at Crozet joined the Marist Sisters at Bon-Repos. In 1832 Peter became spiritual director of the college, in 1833 accompanied Fathers Colin and Bourdin on their journey to Rome to promote the Society’s cause and after his return in 1834 became vice-superior and effective head of the college.    In this position he was not exactly a success, a fact of which he was himself painfully aware.

With the offer of the Oceania mission in 1836, he offered his name and was one of the first group of Marists who met for the retreat which culminated in the election of Jean-Claude Colin as General and the first professions on September 24th.

Having visited his family and slipped away in the early morning, he made for Lyons and on October 15th with his companions took part in a service of consecration to Mary before her statue in the shrine of Fourviere.    Finally, after a long wait in Le Havre, the band set forth on Christmas eve.

ST PETER CHANEL MOD ARTWORL ICON

The journey took almost a year, round the Horn and up to Valparaiso on the Pacific coast of South America.    In March 1837, Peter’s friend Bret died off the Canary Isles and was buried at sea.

Having left Fr. Bataillon and Brother Joseph on the island of Wallis, Pompallier sailed 140 miles further to Futuna and there deposited Chanel and Brother Marie-Nizier (Jean-Marie Delorme, aged 21), trained like all the Brothers at that period by Father Champagnat.

The party was well received by the king of one of the two factions into which the islanders were split and they were allowed to stay.    Pompallier left, promising to return with another missionary in six months, a promise he proved unable to keep and which seriously undermined the missionaries’ position in the eyes of the islanders.

On the island were also some white English traders and they had the assistance of Thomas Boag an English Protestant and widower of a Futunan woman.   Progress was painfully slow and uncertain being mainly a running battle against sickness and malnutrition and later petty persecution.    They tried to help the islanders with primitive medicine, to discourage tribal warfare, such practices as abortion and to seize whatever opportunities arose for giving instruction and administering baptism.   lost_in_the_snow ST PETER CHANEL GLASS

Some progress was registered however but the news that the king’s son had been won over proved Chanel’s death warrant and the king consented to his murder.ST PETER CHANEL MARTYRDOM

Brother Marie-Nizier escaped to bring the news to Pompallier who hastened from New Zealand with his schooner and a French frigate.    There they confronted the terrified islanders.    In the meantime, however, the atmosphere had changed, for the king and some others had died of a dreadful disease and in hindsight many recognised their debt to the murdered priest.    The whole island was converted.

St Peter was Beatified on 17 November 1889, Rome by Pope Leo XIII and Canonised on 12 June 1954, Rome by Pope Pius XII.

Taylor-St-Peter-Chanel-Statue-Studio-of-St-John-the-Baptist

 

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 28 April

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St Gianna Beretta Molla (Optional Memorial)
St Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (Optional Memorial)
St Peter Chanel (Optional Memorial)

St Pope Pius V (Optional Memorial)
—
St Adalbero of Augsburg
St Agapio of Cirtha
St Artemius of Sens
St Benedict of the Bridge
St Cronan of Roscrea
St Cyril of Turov
Bl Gerard of Bourgogne
Bl Józef Cebula
Bl Luchesius
St Pamphilus of Sulmona
St Prudentius of Tarazona
—
St Alexander
St Aphrodisius of Beziers
St Berthold
St Buonadonna
Carino Peter of Balsamo
St Firmiano
St Germaine
St Guido Spada
St Luchtighern of Ennistymon
St Marie Louise Trichet Jesus
St Mark of Galilee
St Peter of Bearn
St Primianus
St Probe
St Tellurium

Martyrs of Alexandia
Didymus
Theodora

Martyrs of Durostorum
Dada
Maximus
Quintilian

Martyrs of Languedoc
Agapius
Aphrodisius
Caralippus
Eusebius

Martyrs of Nicomedia
Caralampo
Eusebius

Martyrs of Prusa
Acacius
Menander
Patritius
Polyenus

Martyrs of Ravenna
Ursicinus
Valeria
Vitalis

Martyrs of Vietnam
Gioan Baotixta Ðinh Van Thành
Phaolô Pham Khac Khoan
Phêrô Nguyen Van Hien

Pilgrims of Gallinaro
Arduin
Bernhard
Gerard
Hugh

Posted in MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 27 April

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Thought for the Day – 27 April

Her work was part of her religion and she often remarked that a lazy servant was lacking in a religious spirit.   She was put in charge of the children of the house and in time was appointed housekeeper. But she did not limit her work to household duties.  She visited prisons, the sick and the poor and was the only one in the house who could subdue the violent tempr of the head of the household.   She became a familiar figure in Lucca, making her rounds and extending love to as many as she could.
The life of St Zita shows that fidelity to ordinary duties is a sure way to holiness.    She was simply a servant girl but she made her work a song of praise to God and her whole life an expression of religious devotion.    Her life was full of the ordinary and this is what made her a saint.   That kind of holiness is within the reach of all of us!

St Zita, pray for us!

ST ZITA PRAY FOR US 2

ST ZITA - APRIL 27

Posted in MORNING Prayers, QUOTES of the SAINTS, SAINT of the DAY, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 27 April

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One Minute Reflection – 27 April

Comfort and upbuild one another as indeed you are doing…..1 Thes 5:11

REFLECTION – “If on any particular day we do nothing more than give a little joy to a neighbour, that day will not be wasted. For we have succeeded in giving comfort to an immortal soul.”………Bl Contardo Ferrini T.O.S.F.

Bl Contardo Ferrini - quote

PRAYER – God of all consolation, teach me to put all my trust in You. Grant me the grace to then go and offer my neighbour all the Christian consolation and assistance in every tribulation. Be my help in all things my God and allow me to pass Your help to others in need St Zita you were a true light to all those more in need than yourself, although you suffered, you never complained but instead gave good for evil. Please pray for us all, amen.

ST ZITA AND 1 THES 5-11

 

Posted in INCORRUPTIBLES, PATRONAGE - HOUSEWIVES, PATRONAGE - LOST KEYS/LOST ARTICLES

Saint of the Day – 27 April – St Zita of Lucca

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Saint of the Day – 27 April – St Zita of Lucca (1212-1272) Virgin, Apostle of the needy and poor. Also know as Cita, Sita, Citha, Sitha. P atronages – housewives, butlers, housemaid, domestic servants (proclaimed by Pope Pius XII), housemaid, lost keys, maids, manservants, people ridiculed for their piety,rape victims, servants, servers, single laywomen, waiters, Lucca, Italy. Her body is incorrupt.

Saint Zita was born in Tuscany in the village of Monsagrati, not far from Lucca where, at the age of 12 she became a servant in the Fatinelli household.    For a long time, she was unjustly despised, overburdened, reviled and often beaten by her employers and fellow servants for her hard work and obvious goodness.    The incessant ill-usage, however, was powerless to deprive her of her inward peace, her love of those who wronged her, and her respect for her employers.    By this meek and humble self-restraint, Zita at last succeeded in overcoming the malice of her fellow-servants and her employers, so much so that she was placed in charge of all the affairs of the house.    Her faith had enabled her to persevere against their abuse and her constant piety gradually moved the family to a religious awakening.

Zita often said to others that devotion is false if slothful.    She considered her work as an employment assigned to her by God and as part of her penance and obeyed her master and mistress in all things as being placed over her by God.    She always rose several hours before the rest of the family and employed in prayer a considerable part of the time which others gave to sleep.    She took care to hear Mass every morning with great devotion before she was called upon by the duties of her station, in which she employed the whole day, with such diligence and fidelity that she seemed to be carried to them on wings and studied when possible to anticipate them.

One anecdote relates a story of Zita giving her own food or that of her master to the poor. On one morning, Zita left her chore of baking bread to tend to someone in need.    Some of the other servants ensured the Fatinelli family was aware of what happened; when they went to investigate, they claimed to have found angels in the Fatinelli kitchen, baking the bread for her.
St. Benita Zita died peacefully in the Fatinelli house on April 27, 1272.    It is said that a star appeared above the attic where she slept at the moment of her death.    She was 60 years old and had served and edified the family for 48 years.   By her death, she was practically venerated by the family.    After one hundred and fifty miracles wrought in the behalf of such as had recourse to her intercession were juridically proven, she was canonised in 1696.

Her body was exhumed in 1580, discovered to be incorrupt   St Zita’s body is currently on display for public veneration in the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca.

To this day, families bake a loaf of bread in celebration of St. Zita’s feast day.    Soon after Zita’s death a popular cult grew up around her, centring on the church of St Frigidian in Lucca.    This was also joined by prominent members of the city.    Pope Leo X sanctioned a liturgical cult within the church in the early 16th century, and was confirmed upon her canonisation.    In 1748, Pope Benedict XIV added her name to the Roman Martyrology.

During the late medieval era, her popular cult had grown throughout Europe.    In England she was known under the name Sitha and was popularly invoked by maidservants and housewives, particularly in event of having lost one’s keys, or when crossing rivers or bridges.    Images of St. Zita may be seen in churches across the south of England.    The church of St Benet Sherehog in London had a chapel dedicated to her,and was locally known as St. Sithes.

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, SAINT of the DAY

Saints and Feasts – 27 April

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Our Lady of Montserrat
—
St Adelelmus of Le Mans
St Asicus of Elphin
St Castor of Tarsus
St Enoder
St Floribert of Liege
Bl Hosanna of Cattaro
Bl Jakov Varingez
St John of Kathara
St Joseph Outhay Phongphumi
St Laurensô Nguyen Van Huong
St Liberalis of Treviso
St Maughold
Bl Nicolas Roland
St Noël Tenaud
Bl Peter Armengol
St Pollio of Cybalae
St Simeon of Jerusalem
St Stephen of Tarsus
St Tertullian of Bologna
St Theophilus of Brescia
St Winewald of Beverley
St Zita of Lucca
—
Martyrs of Nicomedia: A group of Christians murdered together for their faith. In most cases all we have are their names – Dioscurus, Evanthia, Felicia, Felix, Germana, Germelina, Johannes, Julius, Laetissima, Nikeforus, Papias, Serapion and Victorinus. They died at Nicomedia, Bithynia, Asia Minor (modern Izmit, Turkey)

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 26 April – St Pope Anacletus

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Saint of the Day – 26 April – St Pope Anadletus (c25-c89) 3rd Bishop of Rome and MARTYR – Also known as – Cletus and Celto – Relics reside in relics in Saint Linus Church, Vatican City

St Pope Analetus led the fledgling Church during the reign of Emperors Vespasian and Domitian.    The name Cletus, in ancient Greek, means “one who has been called.” Pope Saint Anacletus is remembered as having been converted by St Peter and ordained by the first Pope as well.    His name is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass.   Saint Cletus/Anacletus is traditionally said to have been born and raised a Roman, and following his ordination and ascension, served the Church for twelve years as the third Pope.    During that time, he is said to have divided Rome into twenty-five parishes, as well as ordained a significant number of priests to serve the growing Church.    He is also the first pope to build a shrine over the relics of Saint Peter, which would eventually become the basilica that stands today.

The canon of the Roman mass, St Bede, St Augustine and other Martyrologists, style him a Martyr, although the direct events of his death for the faith have been lost to history.   He was Martyred in the persecutions of Domitian.

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saints – 26 April

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Our Lady of Good Counsel (Memorial)
—
Bl Alda of Siena
St Antoninus of Rome
St Basileus of Amasea
St Clarence of Venice
St Claudius of Rome
St Pope Cletus
St Cyrinus of Rome
St Exuerantia of Troyes
Bl Gregory of Besians
Bl Juli Junyer Padern
St Lucidius of Verona
St Pope MarcellinusSt
Paschasius Radbertus
St Pelligrino of Foggia
St Peter of Braga
St Primitive of Gabi
St Rafael Arnáiz Barón
St Richarius of Celles
Bl Stanislaw Kubista
St Trudpert of Munstertal
St William of Foggia
Bl Wladyslaw Goral
—
Mercedarian Martyrs of Auterive

Posted in FEASTS and SOLEMNITIES, MORNING Prayers, SAINT of the DAY

Thought for the Day – 25 April

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Thought for the Day – 25 April

St Mark was the inadvertent cause of a quarrel between St Paul and St Barnabas.   Saints are not immune to human failings and it is good to know that saints sometimes struggle to get along in peace and harmony – they argue!   So, we should not be too discouraged by our own failings – rather, we should try to turn all things to the good.   God writes straight with crooked lines and St Mark fulfilled in his life what every Christian is called to do:  proclaim to all people the Good News that is the source of salvation – this is our job too!

St Mark Pray for us!

ST MARK PRAY FOR US