St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr

Simple (1955 Calendar): February 3

St. Blase's feast day is today. Many people, including myself, go to Mass today to receive a special blessing of the throats. I have always loved this devotion after I received it one year and my sore throat was healed the next morning. See also the special candle blessing given on this day.

Before the changes to the Roman Calendar in the early 1960s, the Divine Office provided this lesson on his life for our edification:

Blase, whose signal virtues made him dear to the people of Sebaste in Armenia, was chosen bishop of that city. When the emperor Diocletian waged his cruel persecution against the Christians, the saint hid himself in a cave on Mount Argeus, and there he remained some time concealed, but was at length discovered by some soldiers of the governor Agricolaus, while they were hunting. They led him to the governor, who gave orders that he should be put into prison. During his imprisonment, many sick people, attracted by the reputation of his sanctity, came to him, and he healed them. Among these was a boy, whose life was despaired of by the physicians, on account of his having swallowed a bone, which could not be extracted from his throat. The saint was twice brought before the governor, but neither fair promises nor threats could induce him to offer sacrifice to the gods. Whereupon, he was first beaten with rods, and then his flesh was torn with iron hooks while he lay stretched on the rack. At length he was beheaded, and nobly gave testimony to the faith of Christ our Lord, on the third of the Nones of February (February 3).

Prayer:

O God, Who dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Blase, Thy Martyr and Bishop: mercifully grant that we, who celebrate his heavenly birthday, may also rejoice in his protection. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Remember to Spread the Light of Christ

On the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady.

We are also called to be these beacons of light in a world of darkness. On the EWTN Mass today, the priest called for us to be missionaries for the whole world. Right now the world is 27% Christian. He said our goal is 100%. We are all called to work to saving others souls. Your very prayers and works could save dozens for souls. This is the responsibility to each of us.

The priest said his father goes out to libraries and puts pro-life pamphlets in books on abortion. The point is this - serve Christ. Be his light and He shall give to you life, eternal life.

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First Day of the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Please join me in prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes for the health of all those who suffer. Today is the first day of the Novena, but please keep praying with me for the whole nine day of this novena.

Novena (Feb 2-10):

O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,

you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests.
Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen. (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)

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The Word "Love"

"Today the word 'love' is so tarnished, so spoiled and so abused that one is almost afraid to pronounce it with one's lips. We must take it up again, purify it and give back to it its original splendor so that it might illuminate our life and lead it on the right path."

Pope Benedict XVI (January 23, 2006)

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Blessing of Candles for the Feast of St. Blase

The day after The Feast of the Purification of our Lady (called Candlemas) is the feastday of St. Blase. The following prayer for the Blessing of Candles may be said by the ordained. Blessed candles are used in the special Blessing of Throats given on this day.

BLESSING OF CANDLES on the Feast of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

P: The Lord be with you.

All: May He also be with you. 

Let us pray. God, almighty and all-mild, by your Word alone you created the manifold things in the world, and willed that that same Word by whom all things were made take flesh in order to redeem mankind; you are great and immeasurable, awesome and praiseworthy, a worker of marvels. Hence in professing his faith in you the glorious martyr and bishop, Blaise, did not fear any manner of torment but gladly accepted the palm of martyrdom. In virtue of which you bestowed on him, among other gifts, the power to heal all ailments of the throat. And now we implore your majesty that, overlooking our guilt and considering only his merits and intercession, it may please you to bless + and sanctify + and impart your grace to these candles. Let all men of faith whose necks are touched with them be healed of every malady of the throat, and being restored in health and good spirits let them return thanks to you in your holy Church, and praise your glorious name which is blessed forever; through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

They are sprinkled with holy water.

Source: 1962 Roman Ritual

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Feast of the Purification of Our Lady (Candlemas)

Feast (1969 Calendar): February 2
Double of the II Class (1955 Calendar): February 2

Today is the 40th day after Christmas and the final day of the Christmas season. Today is Candlemas, known as the Feast of the Purification of our Lady. Our Lord was presented in the temple on this by the aged Simeon. This beautiful mystery of the Rosary is recorded in the Gospel according to St. Luke:

"And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 

[And His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed."
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of Him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 

And when they have performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him.]" (Luke 22:40)

Today our purification comes in baptism, where by the grace of God our sins are washed clean. See the special prayers for the Blessing of Candles on Candlemas.

This is the Sequence for Candlemas, sung to Dominican chant by the Dominican friars at Blackfriars, Oxford.

Prayer:

Almighty and ever living God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that as Thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance of our flesh, so Thou wouldst cause us too with purified hearts to be presented unto Thee. Through the same our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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HB 1127 in New Hampshire

PowerBlog! writes of a new bill in the New Hampshire legislature (HB 1127), which would mandate all clergy members to report instances of sexual abuse with no exceptions. A good idea, but there has to be one exception - Confession.

This bill would require the Seal of the Sacrament of Confession to be broken and force clergy to reveal these confessions by parishners. What this will do will not help children, but it will keep people from Confession. I know that many people fear others to know there sins, and with Confession lines low anyway, they will only hit rockbottom in New Hampshire if this becomes law.

I hope the "no exceptions" aspect can be removed to allow Confession to be what it is - a special place between God and us.

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St. Brigid

Feast (1969 Calendar): February 1

Today the Church in Ireland celebrates the Feast of St. Bridgid of Ireland while today is an optional memorial in New Zealand. St. Bridgid was a very holy woman and much more information can be found on her at the Patron Saint Index. The Catholic Encyclopedia also has valuable information on her.

But, I wanted to share this email I received:

"When St. Brigid died an old woman in A.D. 523 , her sisters kept a fire burning in an enclosure at her Kildare convent. This fire burned for centuries, tended by the Sisters and not burning out until A.D. 1220. It was re-lit and burned for 400 years, when the effects of the Protestant "Reformation" extinguished it again. St. Brigid's association with fire and the proximity of her Feast to Candlemas tomorrow -- a day celebrating Christ as the Light Unto the Nations, make the two Feasts entwined in the Irish imagination. On the day following Candlemas, the Feast of St. Blaise with its blessing of the throats with two crossed candles make for three days associated with light and fire."

Please join me in saying a prayer to St. Brigid.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Abortions have Decreased under President George W. Bush

Last night I wanted the State of the Union address by President George W. Bush. And, I was generally pleased with his words. I thought that he did a superior job at speaking, and I think he touched all important issues while still incorporating stats and figures.

I was very pleased to hear his remarks on abortion:

"There are fewer abortions in America than at any point in the last three decades," President Bush said. "These gains are evidence of a quiet transformation -- a revolution of conscience, in which a rising generation is finding that a life of personal responsibility is a life of fulfillment." (Source)

And, he's right. I looked up this on Life News and found abortions falling extremely sharply. Look at Michigan. Abortions in Michigan have decreased 11 percent in 2005 and, since 1987, they have fallen by 46.5%. Pro-life legislation works!

Washington's abortions are at the lowest numbers that have been recorded there, and Wisconsin abortions are under 1974 levels.

Furthermore, "Last year abortions dropped 7 percent in Tennessee and reached their lowest levels since 1977. Abortions in Georgia dropped 5 percent last year, and Minnesota's abortion numbers are down to their lowest since 1975. " (Source)

Let's lower abortions to the lowest level yet. Let's push for the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the protection of all the unborn. If you haven't yet please sign the petition against Planned Parenthood, the number one abortion provider.

Stand up for life! (For information on the pro-life cause see this link) For President Bush's complete speech, please see the GOP site.

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Pope's February Prayer Intentions

Here are Pope Benedict XVI's February prayer intentions:

General: That the International Community may be ever more aware of the urgent duty to bring an end to the trafficking of human beings.

Missionary: That in the Missions the lay faithful may recognize the need to serve their own coun­try with greater commitment also in its po­litical and social life.

Please add these to your prayers as well as the intentions list from the Community Catholic Forum, which I organize each month.

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