Today's Stational Church

Today's Lenten Station is at the Church of St. Cecilia in Trastevere of Rome:

In the heart of Transtiber Rome, entered by way of a Baroque gateway portal and a cheerful courtyard, towers the splendid church of St. Cecilia, in which is buried St. Cecilia, the virgin-martyr. In the fifth century, this church was one of the most celebrated churches in Rome. On Ash Wednesday, the church was St. Sabina, the martyr-matron. On Wednesday of the first week of Lent, we visited St. Mary Major. On this third Wednesday, it is again a woman—the virgin-martyr and "glory of the early Church," St. Cecilia, who leads us to "the Son of Man, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."One reason why Christians often are lacking in joy and holy enthusiasm is their lack of purity. We know how the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. The two cannot live in the same house. One of the two must go. St. Cecilia knew no compromise. Her baptismal garment was never stained by impurity.

Let us pray: O God, the restorer and lover of innocence, turn towards Thee the hearts of Thy servants; that being inflamed with the fervor of Thy Spirit, they may be found both steadfast in faith and fruitful in good works. Through Christ, Our Lord.Amen.

(Source: St. John Cantius)

Also, read up on the history of this devotion. There are indulgences concerning this devotion (if you actually go to the church) too.

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My Lenten Reading

While searching through St. Blog's Parish Hall, I came across Monk?, which posted an interesting piece of information concerning the Benedictine Order. Specifically, Chapter 48 of the Rule of St. Benedict that requires the monk to receive a book from the library to read through during the days of Lent. The blogger posted a link to recommended books.

I, myself, am reading two books. The first, is "The Spiritual Vision of Pope Benedict XVI: Let God's Light Shine Forth", which is a book that includes various speeches and letters by Pope Benedict XVI. The book is entirely the Holy Father's thoughts, and I have enjoyed it immensely. I plan on posting excerpts and my general review of the book next week.

The second book is "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ" by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. The book, however, is proving very difficult to read. I have passed the sections on author's life and the meditations. Tomorrow I will start reading Chapter 1 of Our Lord's Passion. Please join me in reading it online so that I may discuss it with someone else.

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Wisdom for March 14, 2006

Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

The good of sacrifice makes the effort worthwhile “The violin strings, if they were conscious, would complain when the musician tightened them, but this is because they do not see that the sacrificial strain was necessary before they could produce a perfect melody. Evils actually become lighter by patient endurance and benefits are poisoned by discontent.”

Blessed Mother Teresa:

"Find Jesus, and you will find peace."

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Today's Stational Church

During Lent, many people celebrate a tradition called praying the Stational Churches. Many pilgrims will journey each day to a different Church in Rome during Lent. We can, however, join them spiritually in prayer each day.

I will continue to post these daily if anyone is interested.

Here is today's Stational Church:

The Station today is at the sanctuary of St. Balbina—a Roman virgin, who lived in the second century and whose remains, along with those of her father, the martyr St. Quirinus, lies under the altar. This church stands on a slope of the Aventine Hill.S t. Balbina followed Christ. To Him she gave her home that it might henceforth be His home where He would "have mercy on His people according to His great mercy and blot out their iniquity" and where they would seek His face, and finding it, "relate all His wonders, and be glad and rejoice and sing praise to the name of the Most High."I seek Your face! Your face, O Lord, will I still seek. Turn not away Your face from me.

Let us pray: Of Thy goodness, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Continue to help us in the observance of this holy fast, that having learned our duties from Thee, we may accomplish them by the help of Thy grace. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

For the Liturgy of the Hours today and the prayer of the Church please see this website.

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St. Maximilian

Today we remember St. Maximilian (not Maximilian Koble). St. Maximilian was a Roman who lived from 274 to 295 AD. An account of his final words has still preserved to today. Maximilian, at 21 years old, gave his life up for the Glory of Christ.

Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, "I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a Christian."

Dion replied: "You must serve or die."

Maximilian: "I will never serve. You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian."

Dion: "There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius and Galerius."

Maximilian: "That is their business. I also am a Christian, and I cannot serve."

Dion: "But what harm do soldiers do?"

Maximilian: "You know well enough."

Dion: "If you will not do your service I shall condemn you to death for contempt of the army."

Maximilian: "I shall not die. If I go from this earth my soul will live with Christ my Lord."

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A new book: The Collar, A Year of Striving and Faith Inside a Catholic Seminary

I was very pleased to see that one of my readers emailed me the other day concerning a book they wrote. This is the email:

Thanks for your blog!

My name is Jonathan Englert and I want to let you know about my new book being published by Houghton Mifflin April 7. I followed five seminarians through one year of seminary in an effort to tell the story of priesthood and the calling to religious life in a way that it hasn't been told before. The result is The Collar, A Year of Striving and Faith Inside a Catholic Seminary. Whenever you get a chance, please check out the book's website for more information: http://www.thecollarbook.com/

Please let me know what you think of the site. I would appreciate anything you might suggest or be able to do to get the word out about the book.

Thanks.
Jonathan

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Our Journey in the Shadows

Pope Benedict XVI stated that our journey of faith "progresses more in the shadows than in full light." But, as yesterday's Gospel illustrates, we too shall one day see the glory of Christ's light. And on that day, Christ's light shall be the only light in the world that matters.

Catholic World News has a good article for our Lenten journey:

Commenting on the day's Gospel reading, which recounted the story of the Transfiguration, the Pope observed that no one can "live on Mt. Tabor," seeing Jesus in his full glory, in the course of ordinary life. The daily pilgrimage of faith is a more mundane affair, he said; it requires courage and perseverance during times of "obscurity or even of complete blackness.

There are rare occasions, the Pope said, when God provides a special insight to believers "especially prior to severe trials." These experiences, similar to those experienced by the apostles on Mt. Tabor, are "a foretaste of what will be the joy of heaven," he said.

However, the more typical experience of faith is guided by an "inner light" rather than such extraordinary experiences, the Pontiff continued. He recommended that the faithful follow the example of the Virgin Mary by meditating on the Scriptures and by trying to find God's messages "in the events of our own lives, seeking to read therein the messages of Providence."

During the season of Lent, the Pope encouraged the faithful to "the greatest attention" to the "the mysterious voice of the Lord." He told his audience that the annual Lenten Retreat at the Vatican, concluded the previous day, had given him and other leading Vatican officials a week "completely dedicated to listening to the Lord, who always speaks to us."

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Quotations on the Eucharist

"The soul that receives the Divine Blood becomes beautiful, as being clothed in a more precious garment, and it appears so beautifully aglow that if you could see it you would be tempted to adore it" (St. Mary Magdalene di Pazzi).

Go to adoration as one who would go to heaven, to the divine banquet. Our Lord will give us an audience of grace and love. He is waiting for us. He is longing for us." (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

The Lord has confirmed His presence in the Eucharist by a manifold miracles.

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Prayers for Sharon

After journeying over to Sharon's blog, I saw the pain of loss firsthand. Sharon has just suffered a miscarriage. This is certainly a painful time for her and her family, and I offer her my prayers and support. Please include Sharon in your prayers and let her know that you are praying for her. Just hearing of another's prayers can make a person feel better.

Prayer:

O Lord, it is you who have called us all by name and redemned us by your Precious Blood. May all who suffer and mourn from miscarriages be comforted by you, who laid down your life for us all. Jesus, my love, I trust in you! Have mercy on us all and bring to eternal glory all of your children. Amen.

Mother Mary, comforter of the afflicted, pray for us! Amen.

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The Age of Martyrs Continues: 2005

Just this week I read the somber reality that the day of martyrs is not over. In 2005 Fides, the news agency for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reported 26 missionaries died for serving the Gospel message of Our Lord: "Go forth and make disciples of all nations."

These people are living example of the need for an adamant faith in our times. It is only by God's grace that these people could have laid down their lives. Now these men and women surely have been rewarded with eternal life. Let us keep their souls in our prayers nonetheless, but let us also pray that the continued persecution of Catholics and Christians immediately ceases. Everyday Catholics are forced to celebrate their faith in fear in certain countries. They need our prayers as brothers and sisters in Christ.

According to Fides, in 2005, one bishop, 20 priests, two religious brothers, two nuns, and one lay missionary were murdered for their work for the poor and spreading the Gospel. And this is the 21st Century! We must realize the love that is required to be a Catholic. As Catholics we all are called to possess that same love for Christ that we would rather lay down our lives for Him than offend him. Only through love of the Eucharist and continual prayer can we hope to achieve such a beautiful faith.

These figures from Fides, however, were finalized before the December 28, 2005, murder of Ursuline Sister Clementine Brantschen from South Africa. The 74-year-old Swiss nun was shot during a robbery. The bishop that died in 2005 was Bishop Luigi Locati, an Italian who was working in Kenya. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, in his book On the Way to Jesus Christ: "Missionary work requires, first and foremost, being prepared for martyrdom, a willingness to lose oneself for the sake of the truth and for the sake of others."

As we clearly see the age of martyrs is not over, so let us keep all missionaries in our prayers. The world is in need of prayers desperately.

Prayer for Missionaries

O Almighty God, Lord of the harvest of souls, we ask You to guide and bless all who have gone forth to preach the gospel. Endow them with the gifts of generosity and concern. Send your Holy Spirit on them, that He may strengthen them in weakness, comfort them in trials and direct their efforts. May He open the hearts of their hearers to receive Your message. Let Your revelation enlighten all minds for the salvation of souls, and let Your love heal every heart and body for the happiness of each person. May all people consciously acknowledge You and serve You by living the teachings of Your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Image Source: Believed to be from the AP

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