Novena for Vocations: Day Eight

Please pray the eighth day of this Novena, which is posted on K's blog. It is vitally important to pray for holy, traditional vocations to the priesthood and to religious life.

Image Source: Unknown, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Excerpts from the Diary of St. Faustina

I received the following email with some wonderful paragraphs from the Diary of St. Faustina. She received visions of Our Lord, and through her, we have the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Divine Mercy Sunday.


[The next night] I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid. The flames which were burning them did not touch me at all. My Guardian Angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God. (20)

Jesus, when I cannot sing You the hymn of love, I admire the singing of the Seraphim, they who are so dearly loved by You. I desire to drown myself in You as they do. (195)

When I went to the garden one afternoon, my Guardian Angel said to me, "Pray for the dying." And so I began at once to pray the rosary with the gardeners for the dying. (314)

As the sisters were making their vows, I heard angels singing in various tones, "Holy, Holy, Holy," with chanting so delightful that no human tongue could ever match it. (1111)

[I] asked Him to arrange it that no evil person would dare come to the gate (of the convent). Then I heard these words: My daughter, the moment you went to the gate I set a Cherub over it to guard it. Be at peace. After returning from my conversation with the Lord [in the Chapel] I saw a little white cloud and, in it, a Cherub with his hands joined. His gaze was like lightning, and I understood how the fire of God's love burns in that look.. (1271)

As I was meditating on the sin of the Angels and their immediate punishment, I asked Jesus why the Angels had been punished as soon as they had sinned. I heard a voice: Because of their profound knowledge of God. No person on earth, even though a great saint, has such knowledge of God as an Angel has. (1332)

When I entered the chapel for a moment, the Lord said to me, My daughter, help Me to save a certain dying sinner. Say the chaplet that I have taught you for him. When I began to say the chaplet, I saw the man dying in the midst of terrible torment and struggle. His Guardian Angel was defending him, but he was, as it were, powerless against the enormity of the soul's
misery. A multitude of devils was waiting for the soul. But while I was saying the chaplet, I saw Jesus just as He is depicted in the image. The rays which issued from Jesus' Heart enveloped the sick man, and the powers of darkness fled in panic. The sick man peacefully breathed his last. When I came to myself, I understood how very important the chaplet was for the dying. It appeases the anger of God. (1565)

When during adoration, I repeated the prayer, "Holy God" several times, a vivid presence of God suddenly swept over me, and I was caught up in spirit before the majesty of God. I saw how the Angels and the Saints of the Lord give glory to God. The glory of God is so great that I dare not try to describe it, because I would not be able to do so, and souls might think that what I have written is all there is. Saint Paul, I understand now why you did not want to describe heaven, but only said that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him...Now I have seen the way in which I adore
God; oh how miserable it is! And what a tiny drop it is in comparison to that perfect heavenly glory. (1604)

Once, when a certain doubt rose within me shortly before Holy Communion, the Seraph with the Lord Jesus stood before me again. I asked the Lord Jesus, and not receiving an answer, I said to the Seraph, "Could you perhaps hear my confession?" And he answered me, "No spirit in heaven has that power." And at that moment, the Sacred Host rested on my lips. (1677)

Read more from the Diary of St. Faustina.

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The Month of Mary

Image Source: Facebook

All of the months of the year have a particular devotion. However, the particular focus assigned to each month is not dogmatically defined by the Church’s solemn authority. Rather, these devotions have been practiced by the faithful and grown as popular piety over the centuries. They have varied according to both region and local custom.

As we enter the month of May, those of us in the northern hemisphere celebrate the return of springtime as evident in creation emerging from winter, just as Our Lord has emerged from the tomb on Easter Sunday. The time of winter is now passed. And in a similar fashion, the month of May brings us the joy of celebrating in a special manner the Blessed Virgin Mary. This month features a number of Marian feastdays and, with the American celebration of Mother’s Day always in May, it is a fitting time for us to recall the maternal protection of our Heavenly Mother and live out this devotion through long-established Catholic customs. 

She is the Virgin Mother of God, whose fiat allowed Our Lord to take human form in her womb. She was preserved from all stain of sin throughout her entire life. And, after her life, she was assumed body and soul into Heaven by the power of God and crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is an example for us to imitate in faithful obedience to Jesus, and she is our special advocate with Her Divine Son.

In May there are a number of wonderful liturgical feasts in honor of Mary throughout the month. See the Catholic Calendar in order to see some of those which occur throughout the month of May on the General Calendar, though keep in mind there are many others kept in various local calendars in the Catholic world.

8 Ways to Honor the Month of Mary:

1. Pray the Rosary Every Day, if you do not do so already
2. Encourage others to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular and to wear the Scapular Daily
3. Pray the Litany of Loreto each day
4. Honor the many feastdays in honor of Mary during May
5. Visit a Marian Shrine in your area
6. Consecrate yourself and your family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
7. Take time to better understand the Blessed Virgin Mary in a Mariology Course
8. Attend your parish's May Crowning.

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Novena for Vocations: Day Seven

I can't believe we have already been praying this Novena for vocations for seven days. Please pray today's short novena prayer, which is posted on K's blog.

Image Source: Jasna Gora

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How Old is Your Church?

I received this fabulous email:

IF YOU ARE A LUTHERAN, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an ex-monk of the Catholic Church, in the year 1517.

IF YOU BELONG TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 A.D., because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry.

IF YOU ARE A PRESBYTERIAN, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year 1560 A.D..

IF YOU ARE A PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIAN, your religion was an offshoot of THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND founded by Samuel Seabury in the American Colonies in the 17th Century A.D..

IF YOU ARE A CONGREGATIONALIST, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in 1582 A.D..

IF YOUR ARE A METHODIST, your religion was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744 A.D..

IF YOU ARE A UNITARIAN, Theophilus Lindley founded your church in London in 1744 A.D..

IF YOU ARE A MORMON (Latter Day Saints) Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York, in 1829 A.D..

IF YOUR ARE BAPTIST, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in 1605 A.D..

IF YOU ARE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH, you recognize Michaelis Jones as founder, because he originated your religion in New York in 1628 A.D..

IF YOU WORSHIP WITH THE SALVATION ARMY, your sect began with William Booth in London, England in 1865 A.D..

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST, you look to 1879 A.D. as the year in which your religion was born and to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as its founder.

IF YOU BELONG TO one of the religious organizations know as "CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE," "PENTECOSTAL GOSPEL," "HOLINESS CHURCH," "PILGRIM HOLINESS CHURCH," "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES," your religion is one of hundreds of new sects founded by men within THE PAST 100 YEARS!

IF YOU ARE ROMAN CATHOLIC, you know that your religion was founded in the year 33 A.D. by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and it is still the same Church. All the other churches listed above are Horizontal Churches (not Vertical) CREATED BY MEN, not by JESUS CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES!

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Saint Athanasius

Memorial (1969 Calendar): May 2
Double (1955 Calendar): May 2

"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" (Saint Athanasius)

Each year the Church celebrates the life of St. Athanasius, who was the Bishop of Alexandria and a great defender of the faith. He specifically had to fight against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ. Arianism taught that Jesus was a creature and not God. This is one of the earliest heresies, and it has never fully died away.

St. Athanasius, as a young deacon, took part in the Council of Nicea in 325 where he was already called "Arius' ablest enemy". After the death of his bishop in 328 AD, "the entire Catholic congregation with one accord, as one soul and body, voiced the wish of the dying bishop Alexander that Athanasius should succeed him. Everyone esteemed him as a virtuous, holy man, an ascetic, a true bishop."

St. Athanasius fought against heresy and its corrupt teachings his entire life. He was exiled at least five times for his firm defense of the truth of Jesus Christ and the Church as Arianism continued the spread and engulf the Church throughout the world. St. Athanasius once remarked, "It is a fact that they have the premises - but you have the Apostolic Faith. They can occupy our churches, but they are outside the true Faith. You remain outside the places of worship, but the Faith dwells within you."

It can not be underestimated how much St. Athanasius suffered. St. Jerome wrote of the period: "The whole world groaned and was amazed to find itself Arian." St. Athanasius even suffered an unjust excommunication from Pope Liberius. St. Athanasius stood virtually alone against the rest of the world's bishops. He died at Alexandria in 373 AD after serving as bishop for 46 years. 

St. Athanasius is a Doctor of the Church. He is known as the Father of Orthodoxy. May he intercede for us in our current doctrinal crisis.

Traditional Reading at Matins:

Athanasius, the stern defender of the Catholic faith, was born at Alexandria. He was made deacon by Alexander, bishop of Alexandria, whose successor he afterwards became. He accompanied that prelate to the Council of Nicæa, where, having refuted the impious doctrine of Arius, he became such an object of hatred to the Arians, that from that time forward they never ceased to lay snares for him. Thus, at a Council held at Tyre, at which the majority of the bishops were Arians, the party suborned a wretched woman, who was to accuse Athanasius that when lodging in her house he had offered violence to her. Athanasius was accordingly brought before the Council. One of his priests, by name Timothy, went in with him, and pretending that he was Athanasius, he said to the woman: ‘What! did I ever lodge at thy house? Did I violate thee?’ She boldly answered him: ‘Yes, it was thou.’ She affirmed it with an oath, besought the judges to avenge her, and punish so great a crime. The trick being discovered, the impudent woman was ordered to leave the place.

The Arians also spread the report that Athanasius had murdered a certain bishop Arsenius. Having put this Arsenius into confinement, they brought forward the hand of a dead man, saying that it was the hand of Arsenius, and that Athanasius had cut it off for purposes of witchcraft. But Arsenius having made his escape during the night, presented himself before the whole Council, and exposed the impudent malice of Athanasius's enemies. But even this they attributed to the magical skill of Athanasius, and went on plotting his death. They succeeded in having him banished, and accordingly, he was sent to Treves in Gaul. During the reign of the emperor Constantius, who was on the Arian side, Athanasius had to go through the most violent storms, endure incredible sufferings and wander from country to country. He was driven several times from his see, but was restored, at one time by the authority of Pope Julius, at another by the help of the emperor Cons tans, Constantius’s brother, at another by the decrees of the Councils of Sardica and Jerusalem. During all this time the Arians relented not in their fury against him; their hatred of him was unremitting; and he only avoided being murdered by hiding himself for five years in a dry well where he was fed by one of his friends, who was the only person that knew the place of his concealment.

Constantius died, and was succeeded in the Empire by Julian the Apostate, who allowed the exiled bishops to return to their respective sees. Accordingly, Athanasius returned to Alexandria, where he was received with every possible mark of honour. Not long after, however, he was again obliged to flee, owing to the persecution he suffered from Julian, who was instigated by the Arians. On one occasion, when he was being pursued by the Emperor’s satellites, who were ordered to put him to death, the Saint ordered the boat, in which he was fleeing from danger, to be turned back. As soon as he met the persecutors, they asked him if Athanasius was anywhere near. He answered, that he was not far off. Whilst they, therefore, went one way, he sailed the other, and got back to Alexandria, where he remained in concealment till Julian’s death. Another storm soon arose in the city, and he was obliged to hide himself, for four months, in his father’s sepulchre. Having thus miraculously escaped from all these great dangers, he died peacefully in his own bed at Alexandria, during the reign of the emperor Valens. His life and death were honoured by great miracles. He wrote several admirable treatises, some on subjects pertaining to practical piety, and others on the dogmas of Catholic faith. He for six and forty years, and amidst the most troubled of times, governed the Church of Alexandria with extraordinary piety

Prayer:

On the feastday of blessed Athanasius, Thy Confessor and Bishop, hear our prayers to Thee, O Lord, and since he gave Thee such worthy service, be mindful of her merits and blot out all our sins. Through our Lord.

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St. Joseph the Worker

Optional Memorial (1969 Calendar): May 1

Christ the Lord allowed Himself to be considered the son of a carpenter: come, let us adore Him, Alleluia -- Invitatory Antiphon for Saint Joseph the Worker

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1956. On this date we also again recall Jesus' two natures - He was both Human and Divine. He was one person, a divine person, but he had two natures.

Today we recall St. Joseph the Worker and remember that St. Joseph trained Jesus as a carpenter. We too must become holy and remember to offer up our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings each day in a Morning Offering Prayer.

What we know of St. Joseph comes from the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke. And what the scriptures tell us is that St. Joseph was a silent servant of God. St. Joseph owned little possessions but he was a descendant of David and full of the grace of God. There is not one recorded sentence spoken by St. Joseph, but the Gospels are clear that he acted kindly towards Mary and Jesus. He cared for them when Herod sought to kill Our Lord, and after the threat passed, he quietly passed away. For that reason, he is frequently recognized as the patron of a peaceful death. In the words of Pope Leo XIII: "Workman and all those laboring in conditions of poverty will have reasons to rejoice rather than grieve since they have in common with the Holy Family daily preoccupations and cares."

According to tradition, St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, watches over and guards the Church. Numerous saints also had devotions to St. Joseph including Saint Bernard, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Gertrude, Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Alphonsus, and Saint Teresa of Avila.

Why have a devotion to St. Joseph?

“To the other Saints it appears that the Lord may have granted power to succor us on particular occasions; but to this Saint, as experience proves, He has granted power to help us on all occasions. Our Lord would teach us that, as he was pleased to be subject to Joseph upon the earth, so He is now pleased to grant whatever this Saint asks for in heaven. Others whom I have recommended to have recourse to Joseph, have known this from experience. I never knew any one who was particularly devout to him, that did not continually advance more and more in virtue. For the love of God, let him who believes not this make his own trial. And I do not know how any one can think of the Queen of Angels, at the time when she labored so much in the infancy and childhood of Jesus, and not return thanks to Joseph for the assistance which he rendered both to the Mother and to the Son" (St. Teresa of Avila)

Source: Angelus Press 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

Prayer to Saint Joseph

To thee, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction and having implored the help of thy most holy Spouse, we seek with confidence thy patronage also. By that affection wherewith thou wast united to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God; by the fatherly love with which thou didst embrace the Child Jesus, we humbly beseech thee to look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased for us by His Blood and to help us in our need by thy powerful intercession.

Defend, O thou most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, O thou our most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. And even as of old thou didst rescue the Child Jesus from the peril of His life, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under thy patronage, so that imitating thy example and strengthened by thy help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

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An Eternal Alliance with Mary

Mary, Temple of the Trinity,
Mary, Hearth of Divine Fire,
Mary, Mother of the Mercy,
you bore the fruit of life; you saved mankind,
since it is in your flesh that Christ repurchased us.

Yes, Jesus Christ redeemed us by His Passion,
and you became our Co-Redemptrix,
by the pains both in your heart and in your body.

Mary, Ocean of Rest,
Mary, Source of Peace!
Mary, Vase of Humility,
where the light of true science shone,
God raised you above yourself.

You charmed the Celestial Father and He charmed you.
He captivated you in the bonds of an unutterable love,
and by this light, this heat of your charity, this flame of your humility,
you overcame it yourself, and you forced His divinity to go down in you.
His infinite kindness for the men was your accomplice (...)

Mary, the Divinity is so united and incorporated with you in our humanity,
that nothing now can separate us, not even death and our ingratitude.
Because, as the Divinity remained with the Christ’s Body in the sepulchre,
and the Heart of Jesus Christ in limbo, then with His Heart and His Body after Resurrection,
our alliance with the Blessed Virgin is never broken, and never
will it become for all eternity.

By Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380),
First woman to be proclaimed Doctor of the Church,
Excerpts from a prayer written in Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Virgin

Remember Devotion to Mary always leads to Jesus Christ!

Image Source: Assumption of Mary, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Words of Inspiration: May 1, 2006

"To know history is to cease to be a Protestant" (John Henry Cardinal Newman, former Anglican clergyman and Catholic convert)

Image Source: Chapel of Ecce Homo, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Novena for Vocations: Day Six

K has posted the six day of this wonderful novena to St. John Vianney. Please join us in praying for greater vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Image Source: Unknown, Believed to be in the Public Domain

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May Rosary Intentions

Please pray for Pope Benedict XVI's intentions this month:

General: That the abundance of the gifts the Holy Spirit bestows on the Church may contribute to the growth of peace and justice in the world.

Missionary: That in the mission countries those responsible for the public institutions may, with suitable laws, promote and defend human life from its conception to its natural termination.

Please also pray for those intentions listed on the Catholic Community Forum's May Intentions list.

May is the Month of Mary. So please pray the Rosary more this month.

Image Source: Unknown

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Beatification of Father Augustine Thevarparampil

Father Augustine Thevarparampil (1891-1973) , known as the apostle of the untouchables, was born in Ramapuram, India on April 1, 1891. At the age of 33, on Dec. 17, 1921, he was ordained by the Servant of God Mar Tommaso Kurialacherry. He was commonly called "Kunjachan" which means "little priest". In 1923 he was sent as vice parish priest for the Church of St. Sebastian in Kadanad, but his poor health forced him to return to his former village in 1926.

During this time of illness, Father Augustine became aware of the miserable living conditions of the untouchables - the lowest caste of the Indian society forced to perform degrading works. Father Augustine devoted his life to evangelization and fighting for better treatment of the poor including the untouchables. He baptized over 6,000 people during his life.

Father Augustine rose at 4 AM each day, celebrated Holy Mass, and then he went out into the world for Christ. He helped resolve disputes, preached the Gospel, and cared for the sick. Father Augustine would particularly love to visit children. The children would flock to his side when he visited their village, and he would give them any sweets that he had on him.

Father Augustine lived modestly and entirely spiritually. He was a servant of God. His will begins: "I possess neither land nor money, and I owe no one anything. I want my funeral to be a very simple one."

On October 16, 1973, at age 82, Father Augustine, the priest that cared for the poorest of the poor, died. His tomb attracts thousands of pilgrims.

He was declared a Venerable by Pope John Paul ll back in June 2004. His canonization process, which began on August 11, 1987, continues now. A miraculously healing of a boy's clubfoot was attributed to his intercession leading to his beatification today. Cardinal Varkev Vithayathil presided in name of Pope Benedict XVI at the beatification of Father Augustine Thevarparampil.

Please say a prayer for his canonization and if you receive favors through Blessed Kunjachan's intercession, inform the following people so that he might be formally canonized. If you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Augustine, please contact:

The Vice-Postulator
Cause of Blessed Kunjachan
St. Augustine's Forane Church
Ramapuram Bazar P.O
PIN: 686576- Kerala, India

Ph: 04822-262481, 260323
E-mail: bvlpala@yahoo.com

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Novena for Vocations: Day Five

Day Five of this novena for greater vocations to the priesthood is up at K's blog.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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The Da Vinci Protest

Catholic Online has an article concerning the upcoming debut of the "DaVinci Code" as a movie. This movie, along with the book, promotes heresy, including claims that Jesus had children with Mary Magdalene.

Someone might counter and say that the book is fiction, but apparently, the author doesn't think so. The wholly fabricated rituals and claims in this book are obviously believed by the author, Dan Brown.

When appearing on “The Today Show,” host Matt Lauer asked him, “How much of this is based on reality in terms of things that actually occurred?” Dan Brown responded: “Absolutely all of it. Obviously, there are - Robert Langdon is fictional, but all of the art, architecture, secret rituals, secret societies, all of that is historical fact.” (Source)

This book is an attack on Our Lord's Divinity and on His Catholic Church! We shall protest this heresy!

As the controversy around the upcoming Da Vinci Code movie grows, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and its America Needs Fatima campaign announced plans to hold 1,000 peaceful prayer vigils outside theaters nationwide beginning May 19.

“These public acts of reparation will literally blanket the country. From Alaska to Alabama, from California to Connecticut, dedicated volunteers are banding together for protest prayer vigils in front of movie theaters showing the blasphemous Da Vinci Code movie,” said America Needs Fatima director Robert Ritchie.
...

“Interest is overwhelming. The phones haven’t stopped ringing. Catholics are joining in droves. We have protest leaders of all ages who are very devoted people: priests, college students, parents, and grandparents,” Ritchie explained. “They’re motivated because they realize that if our culture doesn’t respect the rights of God, it won’t respect its own leaders and fellow citizens.”

Referring to the woman who according to tradition wiped Jesus’ face on the way to Calvary, the TFP spokesman said: "Veronica is a good example for us to follow. She saw Our Lord wounded and bleeding, carrying the Cross. Her love for Jesus moved her to take her veil and wipe His face. God inspired her. What she did was heroic. Alone, she faced the guards to console Jesus. Today we have the chance to console Our Lord at hundreds of movie theaters, where He will be mocked again by blasphemy.”

(Source: CatholicPRWire)

Join me in praying against the DaVinci Code. I pray that this book may not lead anyone from the faith of Jesus Christ. Please join me as the debut date of May 19, 2006, approaches.

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Quotations from Mother Teresa and St. Pio

Blessed Mother Teresa:

"I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ for me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one person in the world at that moment."

Padre Pio:

"Do not abandon your soul to temptation, says the Holy Spirit, because the joy of the heart is the life of the soul, it is an inexhaustible treasure of sanctity; while sadness is the slow death of the soul and it is of no use to anyone."

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St. Clare of Assisi, Words of Inspiration: April 30, 2006

 

"Praise and glory be to you, O loving Jesus Christ, for the most sacred wound in your side . . . and for your infinite mercy which you made known to us in the opening of your breast to the soldier Longinus, and so to us all. I pray you, O most gentle Jesus, having redeemed me by baptism from original sin, so now, by your Precious Blood, which is offered and received throughout the world, deliver me from all evils, past, present and to come."

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St. Catherine of Siena

Memorial (1969 Calendar): April 29
Double (1955 Calendar): April 30

St. Catherine was born on March 25, 1347, as the 23rd child of twenty-five children. Her twin, the 24th child, died at birth. St. Catherine was the daughter of Giacomo di Benincasa, a cloth dyer, and, Lapa Piagenti, the daughter of a local poet.

At the young age of six, St. Catherine received a vision of Jesus coming to her and blessing her. At age seven, St. Catherine consecrated her virginity completely to Jesus Christ. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was only 16 years old. She lived and subjected herself to long periods of fasting, where the only thing she consumed was the Holy Eucharist.

In 1366, St. Catherine received the most important vision of her life. She described it as a spiritual marriage with Christ where the Infant Child of Jesus presented her with a ring. She saw it on her hand each day of her life from that moment as a reminder of her union to serving the Lord. Following this, she began writing letters, begging for peace, and serving the sick and dying. She truly lived the life that Jesus calls each of us to live. St. Catherine was even a counselor to Pope Gregory XI and Pope Urban VI.

St. Catherine was also privileged to bear the sacred wounds of Our Lord - the Stigmata. She died on April 29, 1380, and she was canonized as a saint by Pope Pius II in 1461.

Prayers:

Precious Blood, Ocean of Divine Mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, Most Pure Offering: Procure us every Grace! Precious Blood, Hope, and Refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, Delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen.

- By Saint Catherine of Siena

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who commemorate the heavenly birthday of blessed Catherine, Thy Virgin, may rejoice in her yearly festival and profit by her example of great virtue. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Novena for Vocations: Day Four

Please pray the fourth day of this novena for greater vocations to the priesthood. It's posted at K's Blog.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain

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Status of the Catholic Church in Russia

Zenit recently published a very enlightening article on the growth of the Catholic Church in Russia following the re-establishment of the Church there, which began on April 13, 1991.

Here is part of the article:

Q: How has the Catholic Church in Russia transformed itself after the re-establishment of its structure 15 years ago?

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz: Here I think it's necessary that I speak of statistics. At the end of the '30s of the last century, only two Catholic churches remained in Russia, along with two priests.

We grew a bit in 1991 as 10 parishes were registered "officially." To register, means to present oneself at the Russian Ministry of Justice to be able to have juridical status and status of a physical person.

Also working were seven priests, two of whom were older than 80; there were four chapels and two churches. That was all! There wasn't anything else!

At present, after 15 years, we now have an episcopal conference, not very large because there are only three bishops, four archdioceses, close to 225 parishes and around 25 organizations, such as the seminary; Caritas, which has developed very strongly in the different archdioceses; Radio Maria in St. Petersburg and Radio Don in Moscow, among others.

We also have more or less 270 priests and 250 nuns; in both cases the majority are foreigners, from 22 different countries.

Little by little we are forming priests and, for example, 10% of them are now of Russian origin.

As to the number of Catholics, there are about 600,000 in the territory of the Russian Federation, though some studies point out that they comprise 1% of the population, that is, just under 1.5 million Catholics. However, many are in diasporas or are still afraid to declare their faith, and they must be sought and gathered.

Continuing with the statistics, of the 225 parishes, close to 25% of them do not have their own church. They do not have a place to pray, so they must find an alternative site.

We also have a seminary in St. Petersburg, "Mary, Queen of the Apostles," where about 50 seminarians are studying. The first priest was ordained in 1999, eighty years after any Catholic priest had been ordained in Russia!

In the archdiocese of Moscow there are seven publishing houses that, over these 15 years, have published close to 600 different publications in Russian. So imagine, if every parish priest had at least one copy of each of them, he would have a library!

© Innovative Media, Inc.

Read more!

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Words of Inspiration: April 29, 2006

Our Lord died for us; He died for a reason not to be put on our wall or in a textbook but to be placed in our hearts to make us remember we are to be Eucharistic tabernacles to let the light of Christ to shine through us.

Source: Me

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