Ye angels, archangels, thrones and dominions, ye principalities and powers, ye virtues of heaven, ye cherubim and seraphim, bless ye the Lord forever.
(300 days every time said)
Bless the Lord, all ye His angels, ye strong in power, who perform His word.
Bless the Lord, all ye his virtues, ye ministers of His, who do His will.
(300 days every time said)
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, that we may not be lost in the tremendous judgment.
(300 days every time said)
St. Michael, first defender of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us.
(300 days every time said)
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. Restrain him, O God, we humbly beseech Thee, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the divine power thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits, who roam through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
(3 years every time said)
Vouchsafe, O Lord our God, to send down Thy holy Archangel Raphael for our helper; and may he, whom we believe ever to stand before Thy Majesty, put up our poor prayers to be blessed by Thee. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
(3 years every time said)
Angel of God my guardian dear,
To whom His love commits me here,
Ever this day (or this night) be at my side
To light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.
(300 days every time said. Plenary indulgence at the point of death if the prayer was frequently said during life)
Angel, who didst support Our Lord Jesus Christ, come and support us, too; come, and do not delay.
One Minute Reflection – 1 October – “Month of the Most Holy Rosary” – Readings: Eccli 36:18, Ps 121:1, 1 Cor. 1:4-8, Matt 9:1-8
Give peace, O Lord, to those who have hoped in You, and let Your Prophets be proved true. Hear the prayers of Your servant, and of Your people Israel.
Eccli 36:18
REFLECTION – Why are you downcast? See. Someone’s hands are fishy; a little oil makes them clean. How much more can God’s compassion purify you. For just as you have no difficulty in washing your garment, in the same way – and even more – it is not difficult for the Lord to wash you clean from all reproach even if each day you naturally have to experience temptation. Indeed, the instant you say: “I have sinned against the Lord”, the response is given you: “Your sins are forgiven”. “It is I who wipe out and remember no more”. “As far as the east is from the west so far has he removed your sins. As a father has compassion on his children, I have had compassion on you”.
Only do not keep away or distance yourself from He who has chosen you to sing and pray, but all your life long remain close to him either through pure confidence or by a holy audacity and courageous confession. The he will hear and purify you. Is he not God who has justified us in his love for human souls? Who will condemn us?. If we invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our conscience is easily purified and nothing separates us from the prophets and other saints.
For God has not destined us for wrath but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. So whether we are awake in virtue or asleep in some kind of woe or are bearing certain circumstances according to nature, we will live with Christ, turning our eyes towards him, sighing deeply, weeping constantly and only breathing him. Let us then put on the breastplate of faith and wear the helmet of salvation, that the arrows of discouragement and despair may not penetrate us.
John of Karpathos (VII century) monk and bishop
PRAYER – God, our Father, Your promised Your Kingdom to the little ones and the humble of heart. Give us grace to walk confidently in the way of St Bavo of Ghent, so that helped by their prayers, we may see Your eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
God has never made or formed but one enmity; but it is an irreconcilable one, which shall endure and develop even to the end. It is between Mary, His worthy Mother, and the devil—between the children and the servants of the Blessed Virgin and the children and instruments of Lucifer. The most terrible of all the enemies which God has set up against the devil is His holy Mother, Mary.
St Louis de Montfort
But the great good is well known, which this noble devotion has brought to the world. How many by its means have been freed from sin! How many led to a holy life! How many have had a good death and are now saved!
St Alphonsus Liguori
Then our Lady replied, “I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the principal weapon has always been the Angelic Psalter, which is the foundation-stone of the New Testament. Therefore, if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter.” So he arose, comforted, and burning with zeal for the conversion of the people in that district, he made straight for the cathedral. At once unseen angels rang the bells to gather the people together, and Saint Dominic began to preach.
St Louis de Montfort
There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessing upon the family, than the daily recitation of the Rosary.
Pope Pius XII
The Rosary is a treasure of graces.
Pope Paul V
I know that my salvation is assured when I leave it in the hands of Mary.
Great Queen of Paradise! Sovereign of those holy spirits who are confirmed in grace and glory! prostrate at your feet, where the greatest sinners obtain pardon—the weak, strength—the tepid, forvour—and the just, sanctity—I offer and present to you this little work, designed to promote the knowledge and love of the Holy Angels, your faithful subjects, and the illustrious Princes of your celestial Court. To whom could I more justly dedicate it, since, as the mistress of these glorious Spirits, you must be of all others most interested for their glory.
Besides, blessed mother! you know (and it is gratifying to me to repeat it) that I have nothing which is not yours—for I consider it a greater happiness to be your slave, than to enjoy all the honours the world could bestow. Bless, then, O holy Virgin! this little work; diffuse upon it your choicest benedictions; make it evident that it is all yours, by the unction which will be found in every page that through the adorable merits of Jesus, your beloved Son, it may establish among men a true and fervent devotion to the Holy Angels, to the honour of God alone, our beginning, our last end, our only all in all things—God alone ! God alone ! God alone !
TO MY GOOD ANGEL GUARDIAN
Most faithful Guardian of all that I am! when I reflect on my ingratitude and your unceasing cares, my mind is bewildered, and I know not what to say, but that you are a heavenly Intelligence, a Spirit of Light and Love, and a Prince of the celestial realms—while I am but dust and ashes, a miserable sinner, and the last of men. Great Prince! why do you love me so tenderly? why is there not one moment of my life undistinguished by your favours? What shall I render you in return for them? I have nothing to offer, dear Guardian of my heart, except the firm resolution of loving you henceforward with your blessed companions in glory. Present my resolution, together with this little work, to those holy choirs; it will be better received from you; and tell them, in your angelic manner, how sorry I am for not having always loved them. Tell them how much I wish to see their devotion extended, and that all men should know and love the Holy Angels, for the glory of God alone. It is this God alone, most amiable of friends! that I desire in all things. Amen—Amen—God alone! God alone! God alone! the end of all devotion to the glorious Virgin, the Angels and Saints. Amen.
Day Four – We Pray for the Virtue of Humility and our personal intention:
May Almighty God give us compassion and humility in our hearts. Let us be kind, gentle, generous, loving, giving and forgiving wherever we may go. Allow pride to never get the best of us as You fulfill our dreams. Help us not to have a boastful tongue against our brothers. Let humility invade our souls… Amen
Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).
I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our Holy Mother Church and for our country.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary, at the hour of my death, lead me home.
Accept, mighty Maid, we beseech thee, This prayer with its fragrance of flowers; With one soul we seek thus to reach thee And hail thee, God’s Mother and ours.
Thy heart is made glad by our praying; Thy bounty is generous and wise; Thy hands are enriched for conveying What God’s tender Mercy supplies.
We kneel at thy Shrines in the Churches; Oh, gently look down from above, And welcome the heart that then searches For worthy expressions of love.
Let others present precious caskets Of gems, or heap Altars with gold; Slight prayer-beads shall serve us for baskets To bring thee the garland they hold.
With violets lowly we fashion This wreath and with these combined Red roses–our faith in the Passion With Chastity’s lilies entwined.
Our minds, as the Mysteries vary, Are active, our hands play their part; And always thy name, Holy Mary, Oft-uttered, rejoices the heart.
Be with us, we trust thee to guide us Through life and when labouring breath At the last, seeks thine aid, be beside us To help at the hour of our death.
Saint Leopardus the Slave, martyr, was a slave in the household of Julian the Apostate, nephew of Constantine the Great, a maniacal persecutor of Christianity, and one of the many types of Antichrist which have arisen over the centuries. A more unfortunate or dangerous placement cannot be imagined.
Not much is recorded about Saint Leopardus’ early life, but in 362, in Rome, he was martyred for his faith, having withstood the tyrant.
Julian the Apostate
Slain by Saint Mercurius, the Apostate’s last words were: “Thou hast conquered, Galilean.”
Saint Mercurius
Saint Mercurius, who wielded a sword given to him by the Archangel Michael.
Nostra Signora di Loreto di Forno / Our Lady of Loreto of Forno, Alpi Graie, Italy (1629) – 30 September:
At the beginning of the Vallone di Sea, at about 1340 metres above sea level, in the Forno di Groscavallo hamlet, stands the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna di Loreto, built around 1630, after the apparition occurred to Pietro Garino, a native of Forno.
In those times, the region was tormented by the wars fought by Carlo Emanuele of Savoy against the neighbouring states; by the increasingly high taxes that weighed on the poor people, by hunger and the plague.
It was customary for devotees to go annually to the Chapel of the Virgin on Rocciamelone. On that occasion, Pietro Garino found the small pictures, which are still preserved in the Church, depicting the Madonna of Loreto and San Carlo Borromeo, leaning against the facade of the Chapel. They were in bad shape. Pietro took them with him to have them restored and promised himself to bring them back to the Chapel the following year, keeping them in the meantime at his home in Forno.
Twice the pictures eluded his custody – the first time he found them right up there, at the mouth of the Vallone di Sea, where he had gone to collect leaves for the litter intended for livestock. On that occasion he had an apparition – the Virgin appeared to him between two women and promised him to stop the plague that claimed victims among the population of the plain. Brought home by Pietro, the paintings again disappeared from his home and were found in the same place as the apparition – it was a precise indication of the Virgin’s desire to see a Chapel built in that place.
A Chapel was built at the spot of the apparition, of which the remains have recently been found. The current building dates back to the second half of the 1700s; it is the work of Luigi Baretta; internally it has elements of considerable artistic and historical interest. The marvelous Altar by Prinotto, a masterpiece of eighteenth-century cabinet-making; the baroque reliquary, in which the pictures are kept; hundreds of ex-votos, including some of considerable value.
Historically, a Madonna with black features did not appear but the Sanctuary is known as such, as the faces of the Madonna and the Child she holds in her arms are ebony. The current Statue is the work of Raimondo Santifaller, from Ortisei and replaces the original one from the 18th century, stolen in 1977.
To access the Sanctuary it is necessary to climb the 440 steps that must be taken to reach the small square where the Sanctuary stands and which, pilgrims climb on their knees and in prayer.
The Sanctuary is open from July to September and Our Lady is celebrated annually on the Feast of the Assumption (16 August), the Nativity of Mary (8 September) and the Apparition of the Virgin Mary (30 September). The video below shows this beautiful Sanctuary very clearly.
St Amato of Nusco (c 1003-1093) Bishop, Confessor, Monk, Apostle of the poor.
St Antoninus of Piacenza St Castus of Piacenza St Colman of Clontibret St Desiderius of Piacenza St Enghenedl of Anglesey St Eusebia of Marseilles Bl Frederick Albert
St Gregory the Illuminator (c 257 – c 331) “Apostle to Armenia” and “Father of Armenia”- Bishop, First Patriarch of the Armenian Church, Missionary, Wonder-worker.
St Honorius of Canterbury (Died 653) Archbishop of Canterbury St Ismidone of Die Bl Jean-Nicolas Cordier St Laurus St Leopardus the Slave Bl Ludwik Gietyngier St Midan of Anglesey St Simon of Crépy St Ursus the Theban St Victor the Theban — Martyrs of Valsery Abbey: An unknown number of Premonstratensian monks at the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Valsery, Picardie, France who were martyred by Calvinists. They were martyred in 1567 at Valsery, Pircardy, France.
Our Morning Offering – 30 September – The last day of the Month of the Seven Sorrows of the Mother Mary
My Sorrowful Mother, Help Me to Bear My Crosses By St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) Doctor of the Church
My sorrowful Mother, by the merit of that grief which you felt at seeing your beloved Jesus led to death, obtain for me the grace to bear with patience, those crosses which God sends me. I will be fortunate if I also shall know how to accompany you with my cross until death. You and Jesus, both innocent, have borne a heavy cross and shall I, a sinner who has merited hell, refuse mine? Immaculate Virgin, I hope you will help me to bear my crosses with patience. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 30 September – Readings: Sir 15:5, Ps 91:2, 2 Tim 4:1-8, Matt 5:13-19
For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matt 5:13-19
REFLECTION – The sacrifice of the lamb, the Passover rite and the letter of the Law have reached their term in Jesus Christ, in view of whom everything in the ancient Law took place – and even more so in the new dispensation. For the Law became the Word; from being old it became new; the commandments have been transformed into grace and the foreshadowing into truth; the lamb has become the son, the sheep has become man, and man has become God.
God though he was, the Lord put on our humanity; he suffered for him who was suffering, was bound for him who was captive, was judged for the guilty, was buried for him who was buried. He was raised from the dead and cried out in a loud voice: “If anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together”. It is I who delivered the condemned man; I who restored life to the dead; I who raised up those in the grave. “Who disputes my right?” It is I, he says, I who am the Christ, I who destroyed death, who triumphed over the enemy, who bound the mighty enemy and carried off man to the heights of heaven; it is I, he says, who am the Christ.
Come along then, every human family, full of sin as you are, and receive the forgiveness of your sins. For I myself am your forgiveness, I am the Passover of salvation, the Lamb slain for your sakes, your redemption, life and resurrection; I am your light, your salvation and your king. It is I who lead you to the heights of heaven, I who will raise you up; it is I who will bring you to see the Father who is from all eternity; it is I who will raise you up by my all-powerful hand.
Melito of Sardis (?-c.195) Bishop
PRAYER – Almighty, ever-living God, You endowed Saint Jerome with a deep reverence and understanding of Holy Scripture, which he loved with all his heart. Sustain us evermore with Your word and teach us by their precepts. Help us to follow each word which Jesus, Your Son, our Redeemer, uttered that we may find therein the source of life. May the prayers of St Jerome assist us in our love and faithfulness. We ask this through Jesus our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, Amen.
Begin with the Psalter, and teach your daughter how to chant the Psalms. You can read with her the Proverbs, by which she will know the moral precepts. This can be followed by Ecclesiasticus, a book so capable of inspiring her with a contempt of this world. You can then proceed to the Gospels – these, your daughter ought ever to have on hand. She can then read the Acts and Epistles of the Apostles. These finished she will gladly learn by heart the Prophets and Historical books. Lastly, she can read the Canticle of Canticles, for she will have been prepared to understand this in a spiritual sense.
The Master of that religion has been crucified. His servants have been chained down like criminals, and yet for all that, His religion grows and flourishes every day.
The clergy are called by that name, either because they are a portion of the inheritance of the Lord or because the Lord is their portion. He, therefore, who is thus of the heirdom of the Lord, or he who has God for his portion, should show himself to be worthy of possessing God, and that God should possess him.
Nothing so corrupts the heart and mind as flattery, for the flatterer’s tongue does more harm than the persecutor’s sword. We are dragged downwards by an evil which is inherent within us, we feel favourably towards those who flatter us, and although in our reply we show, or pretend to show, that we are unworthy of their praise, we nevertheless receive the flattering praise with a secret joy and pleasure.
We must take care not to only to avoid leading a bad life, but we must not contract a friendship with those who live sinfully, for that, according to the Prophet, is included among the sins. True friendship exists not in family interests, nor with those persons by whom we are accustomed to be entertained, nor with those who flatter us, and whose company is dangerous, but with those who cherish the holy fear of God and the study of Holy Scripture.
Whether you like it or not, marriage is subordinated to virginity and widowhood. Even when marriage continues to fulfil its function, the Church does not condemn it, but only subordinates it; it does not reject it, but only regulates it. It is in your power, if you will, to mount the second step of chastity. Why are you angry if, standing on the third and lowest step, you will not make haste to go up higher?
LAMENTATION OF MARY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS, WITH HER DEAD SON IN HER ARMS
I.
Whilst Mary’s arms her lifeless Son Close to her bosom press’d, Deep drawn and bitter sighs broke out From her maternal breast ; Long did she view with tearful eyes His bleeding corpse, and then In broken accents thus bewail’d The cruelty of men.
II.
“Ah, me!” she said, “and can it be, I’ll never more rejoice To gaze upon thy beauteous smiles, Or hear thy tender voice;
Alas! how throbs my sinking breast To see Thee thus, my Son; My heart must break, as thine has broke,
For both hearts make but one.
III.
“Gone from thy lips are those sweet smiles That played around them once, Gone from thy eyes that look of love That graced thy countenance; I see thy face all bath’d in blood, That face whose looks could win The hearts of all, and even hearts Long steep’d in loathsome sin.
IV.
“Those eyes once, like the stars of night, Shed lustre all around, And even shone upon all those In sin’s dark prison bound; But now extinguished is their light, And with thy blood suffused, Distorted by insulting blows, And, oh! so cruelly bruised.
V.
“Oh cruel lance! Oh scourges cruel! Oh torturing thorny crown! Why thus combine my Son’s fair form In his own Blood to drown? He is the King of Heaven, yet His flesh you have ill-used, Ah, see! His clotted Blood lies thick! See! all his limbs are bruised.
VI.
” And Thou art dead ! Thou, whom I’ve nursed And kissed so many times; Man! thou hast conquered, sinful man! And conquered by thy crimes; Ah! ne’er shall I rejoice again, Nor seek to get relief, My joy shall be in weeping, My only comfort grief.
VII.
“But say, my martyred Jesus, say Whose sin has thus deserved For Thee such cruel and bitter pangs; For Thee! th’ Eternal Word.
Ah! I know well, my Jesus, yes
And all earth’s creatures know, It was the sins of guilty men That clothed Thee here below.
VIII.
“How strange to see the God of Love So spotless and so pure, All these sad pains for others’ sins Thus suffer and endure; Oh power of hell! Oh power of sin! It seems that at thy nod, The great and the immortal has Become a mortal God. “O Father! look from heaven, look Upon thy murdered Child; Cruel men his limbs have torn and cut; Yet He-so meek, so mild So like a bruised rose he lies All crushed beneath their feet! Yet mercy for all sinners Through the Sinless I entreat.”
X.
Do thou, sweet Mother Mary, Trace thy Dolours on my heart, And make me feel most keenly Compassion’s piercing dart; In thinking on thy sorrows, Let me pine away in grief, Permit me not in creatures To seek to find relief. Amen.
Day Three – We Pray for the Priesthood and Consecrated Life and our personal intention:
To Our most holy Mother. To you do we pray first with heartfelt thanks for those who have said YES to the Father. Help them to trust in you and your Son, Jesus, in all the challenges that they face. Teach them patience in all things and to accept all that happens and when it happens, in God’s time. We join them in total consecration to you. Reclaim us all as you own and mould us in all ways necessary to conform to God’s will. We love you, Mother Mary, Help us all!
Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).
I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our Holy Mother Church and for our country.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary, at the hour of my death, lead me home.
Saint Dadas of Persia was a Persian noble related to King Shapur II. He was married to Saint Casdoe, and Saint Gabdelas may have been their son. All three were martyred together in 368 for refusing to deny Christianity, being run through with swords.
Saint Sapor of Persia was also a relative of King Shapur II, who had him executed for his faith around the same time and in the same way.
Saint Gudelia was a maiden martyred in the persecutions of Shapur II in the year 340.
The Coronation of the Infant Shapur II
The day before that on which we were to fight, I saw in a vision that Pomponius the deacon came hither to the gate of the prison, and knocked vehemently. I went out to him, and opened the gate for him; and he was clothed in a richly ornamented white robe, and he had on manifold calliculæ. And he said to me, ‘Perpetua, we are waiting for you; come!’ And he held his hand to me, and we began to go through rough and winding places. Scarcely at length had we arrived breathless at the amphitheatre, when he led me into the middle of the arena, and said to me, ‘Do not fear, I am here with you, and I am labouring with you;’ and he departed.
THIS festival has been kept with great solemnity on the 29th of September ever since the Fifth Century and was certainly initially celebrated in Apulia in 493. The Dedication of the famous Church of St Michael on Mount Gargano, in Italy, gave occasion to the institution of this feast in the West, which is hence called in the Martyrologies of St Jerome, St Bede and others, ‘The Dedication of St Michael.’ About the Apparition of St Michael at Mount Gargano in 492
The Dedication of St Michael’s Church in Rome, which was performed by Pope Boniface IV. in 610 and that of several other Churches in the West, in honour of this Archangel, were also performed on this same day.
The name Michaelmas comes from a shortening of “Michael’s Mass,” in the same style as Christmas (Christ’s Mass) and Candlemas (Candle Mass, the Mass where traditionally the candles to be used throughout the year would be blessed).During the Middle Ages, Michaelmas was celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation but this tradition was abolished in the 18th century.
The Church gives to St Michael four offices:
To fight against Satan.
To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.
To be the champion of God’s people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore, he is the Patron of the Church and of the Orders of Knights during the Middle Ages.
To call away from earth and bring men’s souls to judgement.
Madonna di Tirano / Our Lady of Tirano, Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy (1504) – 29 September:
The Sanctuary of the Madonna of Tirano stands on the Swiss-Italian border, where the Virgin appeared to Mario Omodei on 29 September 1504, promising an end to the plague which was decimating the region, if a Church in her honour would be built, on the spot outside the City walls. The epidemic subsided and the townspeople placed the first stone of the Sanctuary on 25 March 1505.
Because of its crossroads location, it has always drawn pilgrims from throughout Europe.
The Virgin’s Statue was part of a silver-clad grouping executed by woodcarver G Angelo Mayno around 1520. Napoleonic raiders stripped off the precious metal and destroyed the other Statues.
In 1946 Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Blessed Virgin of Tirano “special heavenly Patron of all Europe.”
Bl Alericus St Anno of Eichstätt St Casdoe of Persia St Catholdus of Eichstätt
St Dadas of Persia St Diethardus of Eichstätt St Fraternus of Auxerre St Gabdelas of Persia St Grimoaldus of Pontecorvo St Gudelia St Guillermo Courtet
St Miguel de Aozaraza St Quiriacus of Palestine St Rene Goupil St Rhipsime Bl Richard Rolle St Sapor of Persia St Theodota of Thrace St Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz — Martyrs of Thrace – 3 saints: Three Christian men murdered in Thrace for their faith. They are – Eutychius, Heracleas and Plautus.
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War: • Blessed Antonio Arribas Hortigüela • Blessed Antonio Martínez López • Blessed Dario Hernández Morató • Blessed Francesc de Paula Castelló Aleu • Blessed Francisco Edreira Mosquera • Blessed José Villanova Tormo • Blessed Pau Bori Puig • Blessed Vicente Sales Genovés • Blessed Virgilio Edreira Mosquera
Our Morning Offering – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael
The St Michael Prayer
St Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, And do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, By the power of God, Cast into hell, Satan and all evil spirits Who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
You will know or even recall ,that when the Mass was only in Latin (1570-1969) after the High Mass, known in those days as the Summa (Latin for: The Greatest) the St Michael prayer was recited. This St Michael prayer was placed at the end of the Mass by Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) in the 1890’s as a result of a vision he saw concerning the dire state of the world in the 20th century!
The Church has always prayed to St Michael for protection against the evils of the devil. Michael’s name means “Who is like God.” In Latin: “Quis ut Deus.” He can be found in the Book of The Prophet Daniel – Dn. 10:13; Dn. 10:21; Dn 12:1. In the New Testament he can be found in the Book of Revelation 12:7-9; Epistle of St Jude 1:9 and the Letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians (4:16).
St Thomas Aquinas (1214-1274) writes of him: “Michael is the Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit, Who at the end of the World will combat and destroy the antichrist, as he did Lucifer in the beginning.” St Michael is invoked in sickness and most especially at the hour of our death, when Satan makes his last and fiercest attack on our soul, seeking with cunning, craft, fears and despair to drag us into Hell with him.
Please, let us all restore St Michael to our hearts and pray to him for protection each day, after Holy Mass and after the Holy Rosary.
One Minute Reflection – 29 September – Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, Readings: Ps 102:20, Ps 102:1, Rev 1:1-5, Matt 18:1-10
Bless the Lord, all you His Angels, you mighty in strength, who do His bidding, obeying His spoken word.
Ps 102:20
REFLECTION – The fact that the all-powerful God has been able to humble himself even to the humility of the human condition constitutes a greater proof than the impact and supernatural character of miracles. Indeed, when divine power effects something of great sublimity this is, after a fashion, in conformity with and appropriate to God’s nature. On the other hand, that God descended even to our lowliness is, in a certain way, the expression of an overwhelming power that is not in the least restrained by what is contrary to its nature.
Neither the expanse of the heavens, the brightness of the stars, the governing of the universe, nor the harmony of created things reveal the splendid power of God so much as his indulgence, which leads him to lower himself to the weakness of our nature. God’s goodness, wisdom, justice and power are revealed in his plans on our behalf: goodness in his will to “save that which was lost”; wisdom and justice in his manner of saving us; power in the fact that Christ became “in the likeness of men” and made himself conformable to the humility of our nature.
St Gregory of Nyssa
PRAYER –Dear and Holy God, let us offer You all our daily struggles against sin and evil. Grant us the strength to resist all forms of idolatry, to seek only You and never to allow the material goods of this world to seduce us. Sustain us ever more with Your word and help us to find in it, the source of life. Grant that the angels who always minister to You in heaven may defend us during our life on earth and protect us from evil. Grant this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in union with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Among the Angels in Heaven none surpasses St Michael in Glory.
St Michael has the honourable office of presenting to Jesus Christ the Judge, all the souls that depart out of this world in the grace of God.
St Alphonsus Liguori
Whenever a mighty deed is in question, Michael is assigned, so that by his actions and name, which means “Who is like God?” it may be made known that no-one can do what God can do.
St Gregory the Great
Then war broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The Book of the Apocalypse
Mary sends the archangel Michael, with all the angels, to the defence of her dying servants, to protect them from the assaults of evil spirits, and to receive the souls of all those who have especially and constantly recommended themselves to her.
St Bonaventure
Michael is the Breath of the Redeemer’s Spirit, who at the end of the world, will combat and destroy the antichrist, as he did Lucifer in the beginning.
St Thomas Aquinas
It was St Michael who took up the defence of the honour of God against Lucifer, in the cause of the Incarnation of the Word; and St John Chrysostom is of opinion, that he was also one of the first to pay his homage to Him in the crib of Bethlehem, on the day of His humble Birth. It is he who is the tutelary Archangel of the Church. If, then, we love the interests of God only, we must love him; for he is the great saint of the cause of God, and of God Incarnate.
Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, Pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, Pray for us.
Mother Crucified, Pray for us. Mother most sorrowful, Pray for us. Mother most tearful, Pray for us. Mother most afflicted, Pray for us. Mother most forsaken, Pray for us. Mother most desolate, Pray for us. Mother bereft of thy Child, Pray for us.
Mother transfixed with the sword, Pray for us. Mother consumed with grief, Pray for us. Mother filled with anguish, Mother crucified in heart, Pray for us. Mother most sad, Pray for us. Fountain of tears, Pray for us. Mass of suffering, Pray for us. Mirror of patience, Pray for us. Rock of constancy, Pray for us. Anchor of confidence, Pray for us. Refuge of the forsaken,
Shield of the oppressed, Pray for us. Subduer of the unbelieving, Pray for us. Comfort of the wretched, Pray for us. Medicine of the sick, Pray for us. Strength of the weak, Pray for us. Harbour of the wrecked, Pray for us. Allayer of tempests, Pray for us. Resource of mourners, Pray for us. Terror of the treacherous, Pray for us. Treasure of the faithful, Pray for us. Eye of prophets, Pray for us. Staff of apostles, Pray for us. Crown of martyrs, Pray for us. Light of confessors, Pray for us. Pearl of virgins, Pray for us. Consolation of widows, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Jesus. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Jesus. Look down upon us and deliver us from all trouble, in the power of Jesus Christ. Amen. Imprint, O Lady, thy dolours upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love: sorrow, to endure every sorrow for thee; love, to despise every love for thee. Credo, Salve Regina, three Ave Marias in honour of the Most Aflicted Heart of Mary.
PRAYER.
O most afflicted Queen and Mother, by all thou didst endure during the three long hours Jesus hung upon the cross, but more especially by the bitter pangs which thou didst undergo at the moment of his death, I supplicate thee to engrave deeply on my heart his Wounds and thy Dolours; and when I come to die, prepare me by thy presence and prayers to pass from this world of sorrow to a happy eternity. Amen.
This Litany was written by Pius VII in his captivity, who granted a plenary indulgence to all who recite it with a contrite heart on Fridays.
Day Two – We pray for the Persecuted Church and our personal intention:
The joy of the Spirit, which was in the heart of Jesus and Mary, is ours in the experience of sincere prayer.
We pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit for the leaders of the Church and all the baptised, that we may walk faithfully the way of Jesus Christ.
We pray for a deep devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and in our prayer to her know that we are primarily opening our hearts to the God of love.
We pray for those who are oppressed by war and poverty,that they may take courage from God who loves us constantly and unconditionally. Let us pray to the Lord.
Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).
I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our Holy Mother Church and for our country.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary, at the hour of my death, lead me home.
Nuestra Señora del Fresno / Our Lady of Fresno, Grado, Asturias, Spain (9th Century) – 8 and 28 September:
The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Fresno is one of the most visited Sanctuaries in the central area of Asturias despite the difficulty of its access. The Sanctuary is located on the Camino de Santiago hence it’s popularity dating from the 9th Century when pilgrims stopped to rest in the hostel provided. They were known as “the Novenarios” as, during their rest, they prayed the St Michael Novena before his Feast Day on 29 September.
In honour of the Virgen del Fresno two festivals are held, one on 8 September and the other 28 of the same month preceded by a Novena that has traditionally started at four in the afternoon.
The current image dates from 1975, since the original was lost in the looting it suffered in 1936. It is made of cedar from Lebanon, made in Madrid. She is dressed and holds the Child in her arms and the Rosary between her fingers. She remain above her Altar and another processional image accompanies the Novena.
St Wenceslaus (907-935) King of Bohemia, Martyr (Optional Memorial)
Bl Aaron of Auxerre St Alodius of Auxerre St Annemond of Lyons St Bardomianus
Blessed Bernardine of Feltre OFM (1439-1494) Franciscan Priest and Friar, Missionary Preacher, Poet, peace-maker, Civil protestor against the practice of usury, defender of the poor. He was a true ‘child prodigy’ – by the time he was 12 he was fluent in Latin and at the age of 15 he composed a poem and read it in the Town Square to celebrate a local peace treaty. He is remembered most especially, in connection with the “Monti di Pietà” “Mount of Piety” of which he was the reorganiser and, in a certain sense, the Founder, together with the Blessed Michele Carcano.
St Machan St Martial of North Africa St Martin of Moyenmoutier St Paternus of Auch St Privatus of Rome St Salonius of Geneva St Silvinus of Brescia
St Simón de Rojas O.SS. (1552-1624) , “Father Ave Maria”/ “Apostle of the Ave Maria,” Religious Priest of the Trinitarian Order, Founder of the Lay Apostolate of the Congregation of the Slaves of the Sweet Name of Mary, Marian Devotee, Theologian, Philosopher, Spiritual Writer, Apostle of Charity, Apostolic Visitor.
St Solomon of Genoa St Stacteus St Tetta of Wimborne Bl Thiemo St Willigod of Moyenmoutier St Zama of Bologna — Augustinian Martyrs of Japan: The first Augustinian Missionaries arrived in Japan in 1602 and met with immediate success; many were brought to the faith; many of them became Augustinians; and many of them were martyred in the periodic persecutions of Christians. This memorial commemorates all of them, whether they have a sanctioned Cause for Canonisation or not. They include: • Blessed Bartolomé Gutiérrez Rodríguez • Blessed Ferdinand Ayala • Blessed Francisco Terrero de Ortega Pérez • Blessed Ioannes Mukuno Chozaburo • Blessed Laurentius Kaida Hachizo • Blessed Mancius Yukimoto Ichizaemon • Blessed Martín Lumbreras Peralta • Blessed Melchor Sánchez Pérez • Blessed Michaël Ichinose Sukezaemon • Blessed Pedro de Zúñiga • Blessed Petrus Sawaguchi Kuhyoe • Blessed Thomas Jihyoe of Saint Augustine • Blessed Thomas Terai Kahyoe • Blessed Vicente Simões de Carvalho • Saint Magdalena of Nagasaki
Martyrs of Antioch – 37 saints: A group of 30 soldiers and 7 civilians who were murdered together for their faith. The names that have come down to us are – Alexander, Alphinus, Heliodorus, Mark, Neon, Nicon and Zosumus. c 303 at Antioch, Pisidia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of China – 120 saints: A common memorial for the hundreds of the faithful, lay and clergy, who have died for their faith in the last couple of centuries in China.
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War: • Blessed Amalia Abad Casasempere de Maestre • Blessed Francesc Xavier Ponsa Casallach • Blessed Josep Casas Juliá • Blessed Josep Casas Ros • Blessed Josep Tarrats Comaposada • Blessed María Fenollosa Alcaina
Saint Lioba of Bischofsheim, also known as Lioba of Wimborne, Leoben, Liobgytha, Liobgetha, Truthgeba, was an Anglo-Saxon Benedictine nun born in 710 in Wessex, England as Truthgeba (‘God’s gift’). A relative of Saint Boniface, she was born to noble parents who had long prayed for a child.
She was educated at the convent of Minster-in-Thanet in Wimborne in Dorset, England. She was a nun at Wimborne at a time when Saint Tetta of Wimborne served as abbess.
In 748 Lioba led a group of 30 nuns, one of whom was Saint Agatha of Wimborne, to Germany to help the missionary work of Saint Boniface and found convents. They based their work at Bischofsheim in Würzburg, Franconia, followed the Benedictine Rule, and Lioba served as abbess. This holy woman was noted for her intelligence, her endless optimism and positive attitude for the work, and her constant study of the scriptures. Her work and the houses she founded were instrumental in the conversion of Germany to Christianity.
Lioba retired from her position in 776 only to start another house Schornsheim, Mainz. She visited the court of Charlemagne in Aachen, Germany and became a close friend of Empress Hildegard.
In her later years, she retired with a few other Anglo-Saxon nuns to an estate near Mainz in Schornsheim. The estate was given by Charlemagne for her exclusive use. She died on or about 28 September 782. Saint Boniface’s will had originally designated that Leoba was to be buried in his own tomb. When Lioba died, however, she was placed in a tomb near his. She was acclaimed for many miracles: saving a village from fire; saving a town from a terrible storm by turning aside lightning; protecting the reputation of the nuns in her convent; and saving the life of a fellow nun who was gravely ill – all accomplished through prayer.
Lioba’s grave was the site of many miracles. These miracles include: freeing a man of tightly bound iron rings around his arms and curing a man from Spain of his twitching disorder. Due to these miracles, some of which were witnessed by Rudolf, her relics were translated twice to ensure their safety and are now behind an altar in a church dedicated to Mary and the virgins of Christ in Petersberg near Fulda.
Our Morning Offering – 28 September – – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary”
Steer the Ship of My Life, Lord By St Basil the Great (329-379) Father & Doctor of the Church
Steer the ship of my life, Lord, to Your quiet harbour, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that, through enduring hardship and danger, in Your Name we shall find comfort and peace. Amen
One Minute Reflection – 28 September – “Month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary” Readings: Ps 20:2-3, Ps 20:4, Wis 10:10-14, Wis 10:10-14
In that time: Jesus said to his disciples: Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And as a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household.
Matt 10:34-42
REFLECTION –Let us consider these words of our Lord: that he wants “to draw all things to himself”. Someone who wants to draw all things, first of all gathers them together and afterward draws them. This is what our Lord does: first of all he calls us back from straying about and wandering outside, making us collect our senses, faculties, words, deeds and, within, our thoughts, intention, imagination, desires, inclinations, mind, will and love. Then, when everything is rightfully returned to good order, God draws us to himself. For we must first of all be separated from every exterior or interior possession to which we are attached, putting all our satisfaction in them. This kind of detachment is a painful cross, and all the more painful as the attachment is more firm and more strong.
Why does God rarely allow one day and night to resemble the previous day and night? Why is it that what helped your devotion today is of no help at all tomorrow? Why do you have a host of images and thoughts that come to nothing? My dear child, accept this cross from God and bear it: it will turn into a truly lovable cross if you would hand these trials over to God, accept them from him with true abandonment and thank God for them: “My soul magnifies the Lord” in everything. Whether God takes or gives, the Son of Man must be raised up on the cross. Dear child, leave all that behind; rather, give your attention to true abandonment and think about accepting to bear the cross of temptation rather than going in search of spiritual sweetness. Our Lord has said: “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me.”
John Tauler (c.1300-1361) Dominican
PRAYER – O God of love, You sent Your beloved Son to the world to proclaim the Good News of Salvation, to heal every illness and to cure all infirmity of body and soul. Help us to continue the mission of the merciful Christ in the service towards our neighbour, preaching the Gospel and offering our help in whatever way we can. May the example of Your saints, teach us how to love and serve You. Through their intercession, grant us the grace to go forth in love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, one God forever, amen.
Quote/s of the Day – 28 September – The Memorial of St Wenceslaus (907-935) King of Bohemia, Martyr
Good King Wenceslaus
Good King Wenceslaus looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even; Brightly shone the moon that night, t ho’ the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
“Hither, page and stand by me, if thou know’st it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain; Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.” Page and Monarch, forth they went, forth they went together; Through the rude wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
“Sire, the night is darker now and the wind blow stronger; Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, my good page. Tread thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter’s rage, freeze thy blood less coldly.”
In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
Day One – We pray for the Holy Church and our personal intention:
To Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, who sees how the Catholic Faith is assailed by the devil and the world, To Thy protection, we entrust ourselves . Kindly offer to Thy Divine Son our resolutions and obtain from Him the graces necessary for us to keep them unto the end. Amen
Daily Prayer along with our Daily Rosary:
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offences committed against your Immaculate Heart and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: ………………………….. (Mention your request).
I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul.
I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our Holy Mother Church and for our country.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary, at the hour of my death, lead me home.
Manual of Devotions in Honour of The Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Father Sebastian
COMMEMORATION OF THE SEVEN DOLOURS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
1.
Oh most afflicted of all Virgins! I feelingly commemorate the sorrow which filled thy most compassionate heart, when, on presenting thy Divine Son in the temple, holy Simeon foretold that a sword should pierce thy soul, thereby announcing the great share thou shouldst have in the sufferings of thy dear Son. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on this occasion, and beseech thee, O Immaculate Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and the grace of final perseverance. Say one Ave Maria in honour of all the footsteps of Mary, for the grace of circumspection.
2.
Oh most afflicted and most guiltless of all the daughters of Eve! I feelingly commemorate the exceeding sorrow which filled thy maternal heart when thou didst see thy Divine Infant persecuted by his people, and wert obliged to flee into Egypt, in order to save Him from the fury of Herod. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, and beseech thee, O Immaculate Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and the grace of a happy death. Say one Ave Maria in honour of the lamentations of Mary, for the grace of compassion.
3.
Oh most sorrow-stricken Mother! I feelingly commemorate those rivers of sorrow which inundated thy maternal heart when thou wert separated from days absent from thee after thy journey to Jerusalem. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, and beseech thee, O most gentle Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and the favour of thy assistance in my last agony. Say one Ave Maria in honour of every sigh of agony which escaped from the sacred breast of Mary, for the grace of compassion for the poor and afflicted.
4.
Oh most afflicted Virgin! I feelingly commemorate the sorrow which filled thy maternal heart when thou didst follow thy dear Son to Mount Calvary, and beheldest Him sinking under the weight of the cross and of our sins. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, and beseech thee, O glorious Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and a happy death under thy special protection. Say one Ave Maria in honour of the tears of Mary, for the grace of Holy Purity.
5.
Oh most afflicted Virgin! I feelingly commemorate the sorrow which filled thy maternal heart when thou didst stand by the cross of Jesus, and didst witness all his torments, and see Him at length expire for the sins of the world. I devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, O glorious Queen of Martyrs, and beseech thee to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and a happy death under thy special protection. Say one Ave Maria in honour of the afflicted heart of Mary, for the grace of Mercy.
6.
Oh most afflicted Virgin! I feelingly commemorate the sorrow which filled thy maternal heart when the adorable Body of thy Divine Son was taken down from the cross, and laid in thy arms. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, and beseech thee, O glorious Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and a happy death under thy special protection. Say one Ave Maria in honour of the Sacred Arms of Mary, for that peace which the world cannot give.
7.
Oh most afflicted Virgin! I feelingly commemorate the sorrow which filled thy maternal heart, when the sacred Body of Jesus was taken from thy arms and laid in the holy sepulchre. I most devoutly compassionate thy grief on that occasion, and beseech thee, O glorious Queen of Martyrs, to obtain for me, through the Passion of Jesus Christ, which was the cause of all thy Dolours, a sincere and efficacious horror of sin, an ardent love of God, a practical devotion towards thee, and the grace of final perseverance. Say one Ave Maria in honour of the sacred will of Mary, conformed to the will of Christ, for Holy Resignation.
Blessed Delphine, also known as Delphina, was born in 1284 in region of Provence, now part of France. She died on 26 November 1358, having lived as a Franciscan tertiary for most of her life. Delphine was the daughter and heiress of the Count of Puy-Michel. Left an orphan in her infancy, she was placed under the guardianship of her uncles, and was brought up under the direction of her aunt, who was the abbess of the Convent of St. Catherine of Sorps, at Bauduen. As a young girl, she took a vow of virginity.
Reliquaries of St. Elzéar and Bl. Delphine in the Franciscan church of Ansouis, France
Despite her vow, at the age of twelve she was espoused to the ten-year-old Elzéar, Count of Sabran. They were married three years later at the castle of Puy-Michel. Having grown up together, they regarded each other as brother and sister, rather than husband and wife. Inspired by her example, her husband also took a vow of celibacy, which both honored throughout their married life.
Elzear took his place as a trusted aide at the court in Aix-en-Provence. The couple, having both received the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis, lived together at their castle in Ansouis in the practice of prayer, penance and charity towards the poor. After seven years, they moved to Puy-Michel. When Elzear had to go to Naples to see to some inherited property, they kept up a regular correspondence.
Elzear died on an errand to Paris in the interests of the king. Delphina wept bitterly when she heard the news. Nevertheless she prayed:
“My God, may Thy most holy will be done!”
Urged by the spirit of God toward still greater perfection, Blessed Delphina presently renounced all temporal goods and added to her vow of chastity the vow of holy poverty and retired first to Naples and then to Cabrières, which was the location of the castle where her husband had born. She finally returned to Apt where her husband had been buried. Upon her death, she was buried with him in the church of the Friars Minor there, wearing the habit of the Order.
The veneration that had begun to be given to Delphine was confirmed by Pope Urban V, godson of Elzéar, who canonized her husband at that time.
September 27: Our Lady of Happy Assembly, Le Laus, France (1664)
Le Laus is a little village in southeastern France, 60 miles to the southeast of Grenoble. The story of Mary’s shrine there centers around a young woman named Benoite Rencurel, who was born on September 29, 1647 of humble parents in the little village of Saint Etienne, not far from Le Laus. Her father died when she was seven and after his death her mother found life rather difficult. So, when Benoite was 12, she went to work on a neighboring farm, tending the farmer’s sheep. Each day while the flock grazed she spent a few minutes praying to the Blessed Virgin at a little wayside chapel.
One day, in 1664, Benoite led her little flock into a small valley near Saint Etienne and there toward the end of the afternoon, a Lady and Child appeared to her, standing on top of a rock, a large rock, known locally as Les Flours. The Lady did not speak to Benoite, but smiled in a very friendly way and after a few minutes Lady and Child vanished. However, similar apparitions continued almost daily for two months. Of course, rumors of what was occurring gradually spread around the neighboring countryside.
The Monument of Pindreau, in Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, depicting the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Benoîte Rencurel.
Finally, M. Grimaud, a district magistrate, questioned Benoite at length and suggested that if the lady appeared again, Benoite should ask her who she was. The girl agreed; on the very next day the Lady appeared, she asked her to please say who she was – was she the Mother of God? The Lady answered:
“Yes, I am Mary, the Mother of Jesus. My Son wishes to be especially honored in this valley, but not on this spot.”
With these words she vanished. Benoite did not see her again for a few days. On September 29, while tending her flock at another pasture, Pindreau, a very brilliant light suddenly appeared on top of some rocks. In the center of the light stood the Blessed Virgin. She told Benoite to go to Le Laus, where she would find a little chapel, filled with a delicious perfume, and there she would also see her. Benoite soon found herself at the little chapel of Our Lady of Good Meeting or Happy Assembly (Notre-Dame de Bon Recontre) and going in, she saw the Blessed Virgin over the high altar, on which stood her image. And the Virgin said to Benoite,
“On this spot I wish a church built – a privileged sanctuary, wherein many sinners will repent. Means will not be wanting, despite the poverty of the country people around.”
The news of this event soon spread; crowds came to the little chapel, which was too small to contain them. So, in 1665, Msgr. Lambert, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, gave permission for a church to be built over the little chapel.
Since there was very little money available with which to hire workmen, the villagers and peasants for miles around carried the stones and built the walls for Our Lady of Happy Assembly – aided by the many pilgrims who came to worship and remained a while to help in the building of the church.
In 1692, during an invasion by the Duke of Savoy the church was partly destroyed, but the statue of Our Lady of Happy Assembly was not damaged. The church was soon repaired and restored. In 1716 a new statue of the Virgin was carved and enshrined behind the main altar of the church. It is said that Benoite wished the new statue to be named Our Lady of Happy Assembly of Laus. The original statue was transferred to a chapel behind the main altar. In 1885 Pope Pius IX gave official recognition to the title of Our Lady of Laus of Happy Assembly, when he ordered the new statue to be solemnly crowned. Benoite Rencurel died on December 28, 1718, and was buried in a vault in front of the altar in the church at Le Laus.
For 54 years, the Virgin Mary continued to appear to Benoîte throughout her life. Benoîte became a Dominican Tertiary and was called “Sister Benoîte”. She was given by Mary the mission to welcome the pilgrims. Benoîte was also given the gift of reading souls, to help the pilgrims make good confessions to the priests, by making them know their sins, remember the forgotten ones, and confess them and repent. There have been many testimonies saying that a heavenly perfume would fill the church every time Mary would appear to Benoîte. In addition to Marian apparitions, Benoîte also had apparitions of angels, several saints, and mystical experiences such as visions of Paradise.
Between 1669 and 1684, she was also granted the vision of the crucified Christ on the cross of Avançon five times. On a Friday in July of 1673, according to Benoîte, Jesus on the cross told her: “My daughter, I show myself in this state so that you can participate in my Passion.” United with Him, she lived a “mystical crucifixion” every Friday for several years and bore stigmata.
French philosopher and theologian Jean Guitton said, “The Shrine of Laus is one of the most hidden and also most powerful treasures in the history of Europe.”
Refugium Peccatorum/ Refuge of Sinners
St Vincent de Paul CM (1581-1660) (Memorial) Known as the “Great Apostle of Trumpets” – Priest, Founder, Apostle of Charity, Doctor of Canon Law, Reformer of Society and Priests, Founder of Hospital and Orphanages. Born on 24 April 1581 near Ranquine, Gascony near Dax, southwest France – the Town is now known as Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Landes, France. His body is incorrupt.
St Adheritus St Adolphus of Cordoba St Antonio de Torres St Barrog the Hermit
St Ceraunus of Paris St Chiara of the Resurrection St Deodatus of Sora Saint Delphina of Glandenes St Elzear of Sabran TOSF (1285-1323) Layman, Member of the Third Order of St Francis St Epicharis St Fidentius of Todi St Florentinus the Hermit St Gaius of Milan St Hilary the Hermit St Hiltrude of Liessies Bl Jean-Baptiste Laborie du Vivier St John of Cordoba
Blessed Lorenzo of Ripafratta OP (c 1373-1456) Dominican Priest and Friar, Penitent, Vicar General, Teacher, Reformer, brilliant Preacher and Spiritual director – known as “the Ark of Science.”
St Marcellus of Saint Gall St Terence of Todi — Martyrs of Aegea – (3 saints)
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War: • Blessed Crescencia Valls Espí • Blessed Herminia Martínez Amigó de Martínez • Blessed José Fenollosa Alcaina • Blessed Maria Carme Fradera Ferragutcasas • Blessed Maria Magdalena Fradera Ferragutcasas • Blessed Maria Rosa Fradera Ferragutcasas
Our Morning Offering – 27 September – the Memorial of St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
Lord, Teach me How to Pray By St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
Oh Lord, You selected the poor and simple people to be Your Apostles. Look upon Your poor servant kneeling before You now. I recognise that I am simple and poor too. Dear Lord, please teach me how to pray as You taught Your disciples upon their humble request. If it pleases You in Your goodness to grant me that grace, I shall be able to pray well and much better than I could ever hope for if left to my own efforts. Lord, I trust that You will bless me with the fulfilment of this request. Amen
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