Thursday, July 31, 2014

Reposing ... with Jesus!

“He who goes about to reform the world must begin with himself,
or he loses his labor.” - Ignatius of Loyola
 
 
 
"To withdraw from creatures
and repose with Jesus in the Tabernacle
is my delight;
there I can hide myself and seek rest.
 
There I find a life which I cannot describe,
a joy which I cannot make others comprehend,
a peace such as is found only
under the hospitable roof of our best Friend."
 
 
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Spain ~ 1491-1556
Priest, Founder of Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius - classic - a MUST READ! 
Jesuit motto:  Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (A.M.D.G.)
"For the greater glory of God"
FEAST DAY - July 31
 
 
"Some of us would be surprised if they knew what God
could make of them if, in the decisive moments of their lives,
they gave ear to the voice of grace!"  - St Ignatius of Loyola
 

 
St Ignatius, pray for us!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Jesus is...

 And behold I am with you all through the days that are coming,
until the consummation of the world. - Matthew 28:20

 
PHOTO CREDIT: Debbie Scalise
 
“He is the Bread sown in the virgin,
leavened in the flesh,
molded in His passion,
baked in the furnace of the sepulchre,
placed in the churches,
and set upon the altars,
which daily supplies 
Heavenly Food to the faithful."
 
St Peter Chrysologus
Archbishop, Doctor of the Church
Adult convert
Italy - c. 380-450
"Golden-worded"
FEAST DAY - July 30

 

"Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil 
cannot rejoice with Christ." ~ St Peter Chrysologus  

(2 mins)
 
St Peter Chrysologus, pray for us!

Saint Peter Chrysologus is the Doctor of Homilies. His words helped to defeat the attack on Christ's humanity. No doctor said so much in his homilies in fewer words. To hear his sermons after nearly 1500 years is a blessing, each and every time.

Peter was a stalwart witness to the faith. He had a short life but it was long and full of accomplishments. He was the archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, as a young priest and he expended his energies neutralizing the last forces of paganism of his day.

Chrysologus means "The Golden-Worded".  His prayer when he spoke (from Sermon 96):
  May our God deign to give me the grace of speaking and you the desire of hearing.  To really benefit fruitfully from any conversation or homily, one's heart and mind must be open to receive the communication.

Peter was filled with all the gifts and fruits of the Spirit but even his best efforts to impart his wisdom and knowledge would not benefit anyone unless his listeners were truly docile to grace through their hearts and attentive with their eyes and minds, both exteriorly and interiorly. Our souls have eyes and powerful perceptions that are drawn to God's message when we are open, sincere and desire to learn.

Homilies can be like sweet music to the ear and joy to the heart. The homily during the Catholic Mass is a vital part of the Liturgy of the Word. It follows the reading of the gospel and is the explanation and elaboration on the celebration of the Word. This part of the liturgical service, offered immediately before the celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, prepares its members to fully enter into the worship of God. It also prepares us to be empowered and enlighten to fully partake of the holy meal. Each liturgical celebration of the Mass is an extension of the "Last Supper" that the Lord shared with His dear friends. He changed Himself during this meal into precious food that fortifies us and enables us to proceed on our spiritual journey. More importantly, this meal strengthens us and enables us by transforming us into Himself. That's right! Imagine being changed into another Christ? When this happens we'll be able to do and say what Christ would do or say Himself. Is that possible? Believe it! It's Catholic theology. (http://www.doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com)

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Holy echo...

"The words of Martha, I know that he will rise
again in the resurrection at the last day’ (John 11:24),
echo in our souls as we pray and grieve
for our beloved dead…

 

In what better place could we pray for the dead
than before the Eucharist, where we can
experience Our Blessed Savior Present?”

S. Tassone


 St Martha
Bethany
Sister to Mary and Lazarus,
Friend of Jesus
Patroness of servants, innkeepers,
homemakers and cooks
FEAST DAY - July 29 


Jesus entered a village, where a woman named Martha
welcomed him into her home. - Luke 10:38 (from Today's Gospel)

 

In St Martha's footsteps...
Dorothy Day said: "If everyone were holy and handsome, it would be easy to see Christ in everyone. But it was not Christ's way for Himself.
Ask honestly what you would do when a beggar asked at your house for food. Would you give it on an old cracked plate, thinking that was good enough? Do you think that Martha and Mary thought that the old and chipped dish was good enough for their guest? It is not a duty to help Christ -- it is a privilege."

St Martha, pray for us!

St Martha, say a prayer for me ... To help my heart decide ...
The task I ought to undertake ... With confidence and pride ...
Preserve me from all jealousy ... And help me persevere ...
With love for every neighbor and ... For our Lord Jesus dear. 
 (Composed by James J Metcalfe - Poem Portraits of the Saints - 1956)

Monday, July 28, 2014

"Jesus, what made You so small?"

 
 
"Jesus, what made You so small?
LOVE!"
 

St Bernard of Clairvaux

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Cherishing hope!

“A visit to the Blessed Sacrament declares at once the simple, hearty, practical belief in the real presence of Christ, a plain conviction, a meeting with God face to face.” 

- Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman (+1865)

Venerable Leo Dupont (1806 to 1876), known as the Apostle of the Holy Face, while promoting devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus likewise promoted Eucharistic Adoration just as vigorously.   In 1849 he helped set up nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration in Tours, France, and had a strong desire that this be established in every parish throughout the entire world:

“When shall we see Our Lord honored day and night
in every parish through the Catholic world?
I love to cherish the hope!”

“How short, above all, seems the Hour which
has fallen to our lot!…Some read books or simply say their rosaries,
but the greater number place themselves as suppliants at the feet
of our Lord, speak to Him, and receive good thoughts from Him;
these last find the hour exceedingly short."


Saturday, July 26, 2014

Fidelity


I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
... I will praise you as long as I live, ... - Psalm 63:2, 4a

  

"Let every knee bend before Thee,
O greatness of my God,
so supremely humbled in the Sacred Host.
May every heart love Thee,
every spirit adore Thee
and every will be subject to Thee!"

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

 
Remembering ...
Sts Joachim and Anne
Parents of the Virgin Mary
Patron of Grandparents




Sts Joachim and Anne, pray for us!

  

ORDAINED to the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ TODAY
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Oh, day of Love Divine, all loves excelling! 
An Old German saying:
It is worth wearing out a pair of shoes to walk
to receive a priest's First Blessing!

Rev Mr Joe Ficara ~ Diocese of Norwich (Connecticut)
Rev Mr Martin Noe ~ Diocese of Norwich
Cathedral of St Patrick's - 10 am Mass

Rev Mr Phillip Halladay ~ Diocese of Nashville (Tennessee)
Rev Mr Micheal Fye~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr John Hammond ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Gervan Menezes ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Delphinus Mutajuka ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Anthony Mutuku ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Paul Nguyen ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Christiano Nunes da Silva ~ Diocese of Nashville
Rev Mr Daniel Reehil~ Diocese of Nashville
Cathedral of the Incarnation - 10 am Mass

Let us hold them in prayer and offer thanksgiving for their 'YES'!

"In strengthening the priest you strengthen the whole Church... Strengthen the priest and you strengthen the whole foundation, 
you strengthen everything in the Church."

- Fr Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P., Founder Handmaids of the Precious Blood

Friday, July 25, 2014

Ever present, as He said...

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee
and his brother John.  They were in a boat with their father Zebedee,
preparing their nets.  Jesus called them, and immediately they left
the boat and their father and followed him. - Matthew 4:21, 22
 
 
"Christ calling the Apostles James and John" ~ Edward Armitage
 
"And just as He appeared before the holy Apostles in true flesh, so now He has us see Him in the Sacred Bread. Looking at Him with the eyes of their flesh, they saw only His Flesh, but regarding Him with the eyes of the spirit, they believed that He was God.

In like manner, as we see bread and wine with our bodily eyes, let us see and believe firmly that it is His Most Holy Body and Blood, True and Living.  

For in this way our Lord is ever present among those who believe in Him, according to what He said: "Behold, I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world" (Mt. 28, 20).

 St. Francis of Assisi

 
 
Saint JAMES (the Greater)
Apostle and Martyr
Son of Zebedee and Salome
Brother of apostle John
Dubbed 'Son of Thunder'
Patron of Spain and laborers
+42 AD 
FEAST DAY - July 25
 
 
"Accept the help that the Virgin and the saints offer you.
Promise that you will press forward
on your way to join them."  ~  St Francis de Sales
 

St James, pray for us!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Consumed !

 "Nothing created has ever been able to fill the heart of man.
God alone can fill it infinitely." - St. Thomas Aquinas
 

In 1875 Fr Sharbel was granted permission to live as a hermit nearby his monastery at St. Peter and Paul hermitage. His 23 years of solitary life were lived in a spirit of total abandonment to God.
Sharbel's companions in the hermitage were the Sons of God, as encountered in the Scriptures and in the Eucharist, and the Blessed Mother. The Eucharist became the center of his life. He consumed the Bread of his Life and was consumed by it. Though this hermit did not have a place in the world, the world had a great place in his heart. Through prayer and penance he offered himself as a sacrifice so that the world would return to God. It is in this light that one sees the importance of the following Eucharistic prayer in his life: 
"Father of Truth, behold Your Son a sacrifice pleasing to You, accept this offering of Him who died for me..."  On December 16, 1898 while reciting the "Father of Truth" prayer at the Holy Liturgy Sharbel suffered a stroke. He died on Christmas Eve at the age of 70. Through faith this hermit received the Word of God and through love he continued the Ministry of Incarnation.

From www.catholicculture.org 

St Sharbel Makhluf
Lebanon ~ 1828-1898
Priest and Hermit
Perfume of Lebanon
Incorrupt
Feast Day - July 24
 

When Sharbel was canonized (1977), Bsp Francis Zayek, 
head of the U.S. Diocese of St. Maron,
wrote a pamphlet entitled “A New Star of the East.” Bishop Zayek wrote:

“St. Sharbel is called the second St. Anthony of the Desert, the Perfume of Lebanon, the first Confessor of the East to be raised to the Altars according to the actual procedure of the Catholic Church, the honor of our Aramaic Antiochian Church, and the model of spiritual values and renewal. Sharbel is like a Cedar of Lebanon standing in eternal prayer, on top of a mountain.”


St Sharbel, pray for us!
 
TOP ARTWORK CREDIT: Michael Otteman -  www.ottemanarts.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Imploring His graces...

 "Blessed may you be, my Lord Jesus Christ. For our salvation
you allowed your side and heart to be pierced with a lance
and from that side water and your precious blood flowed out
abundantly for our redemption. - St. Bridget of Sweden
 
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens

"Oh Jesus! Sweetness of hearts,
delight of the spirit,
by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which
Thou didst taste on the Cross of Love for us,
grant us the grace to receive worthily
Thy Precious Body and Blood during our life
and at the hour of our death,
that they may serve as a remedy
and consolation for our souls.  Amen.”


St Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden
Wife, Widow, Religious, Foundress
Mystic and Visionary
1303-1373
Patroness: Sweden.  Co-patroness: Europe
Mother of eight, including St Catherine of Sweden
Founded religious order, Brigittines*
*distinctive skull cap over veil
FEAST DAY – July 23

 

 "Lord, show me the way and make me ready to follow it."
 ~ St. Bridget of Sweden



 
St Bridget of Sweden, pray for us!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Seeking the Beloved...

 "I will seek Him Whom my heart loves." - Song of Songs 3:2

 
"Yes, I am happy, perfectly happy; and do you wish to know where I find true happiness? At the feet of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. …

I would strongly urge that, even as the Magdalene anointed the Lord’s feet with tears and perfumed oil,
you too would pour out the perfume of constant prayer and contemplation at the foot of the tabernacle. I should like the Eucharist to become a burning flame for your soul, so that, immersed in that flame, it might emerge burning with love and great-heartedness.

I should like to see this Eucharistic altar, on which Jesus is sacrificed, accept your offering too, so that you may become a victim of love, whose perfume rises to the throne of the Eternal God!"


 Fr Augustine Mary of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Carmelite priest (1821-1871) 


Remembering...  
St Mary Magdalene
Disciple of Jesus
"Apostle to the Apostles"
Feast Day – July 22

 
Artist:  Daniel Gerhartz (1965)
   
“The story of Mary of Magdala reminds us all of a fundamental truth. A disciple of Christ is one who, in the experience of human weakness, has had the humility to ask for His help, has been healed by Him and has set out following closely after Him, becoming a witness of the power of His merciful love that is stronger than sin and death.” – Pope Benedict XVI



St Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

Monday, July 21, 2014

A privilege indeed!

"The privilege of receiving the Holy Eucharist from the Hands of Jesus Himself was experienced by a number of saints, including St Laurence of Brindisi, a Capuchian, whose unusual talents and rare virtue were called upon by Pope Clement VIII for several unusual missions.  One of these was his chaplaincy to the Imperial army of Prague. ...

 
 With the Turks still menacing nearby Christian countries, the Imperial army of 18,000 men assembled to do battle with the Turks, who numbered 80,000.  Vastly outnumbered, the Christians appealed to St Laurence for advice and encouragement.  After delivering a rousing discourse, the saint, despite his mature years, mounted a horse and with the cross held high in his hands led the troops against the infidels.  The crushing defeat of the Turks was attributed by all to the prayers and inspiration of the saint. 

    It is told that on his return from the campaign he joined his brethren at Gorizia, where Our Lord appeared to them and gave them all Holy Communion with His own Hand."  

From Eucharistic Miracles
Joan Carroll Cruz
 

St Laurence of Brindisi
Capuchin priest
Preached in 8 languages fluently
1559-1619 ~ Italy
Doctor of the Church
FEAST DAY - July 21
 
 
"The Word of the Lord is light for the intellect and fire for the will, so that man can know and love God. For the interior man, who through grace lives from the Spirit of God, it is bread and water, but bread that is sweeter than honey and water that is better than wine and milk. ... It is a hammer against a hard heart obstinate in vices. It is a sword against the flesh, the world and the devil, to destroy every sin." ~ St Laurence of Brindisi


St Laurence of Brindisi, pray for us!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Love suffers no intermediate agents

 "For whom is Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament?
For me; because He loves me!" - St. Peter Julian Eymard

 
"When a friend desires to prove to his friend that he loves him, he tells him so, and he presses his hand affectionately. When Our Lord wants to show His love for us, He does so in person, discarding the intervention of any third person, whether angelic or human.


Love suffers no intermediate agents. He remains in the Holy Eucharist that He may repeat to us incessantly: I love you! You must see that I love you!'"
St. Peter Julian Eymard
 
 

Saturday, July 19, 2014

His Blood:only remedy

In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,
which He lavished upon us - Eph. 1:7-8

 

“Sometimes we are blind and do not see.
The precious Blood of Christ is the only remedy
which can open, not only our eyes,
but also our heart, and make our soul
understand the immensity of God’s goodness.”

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

Friday, July 18, 2014

Dusting off the soul...

... I was sick and you looked after me ... Matthew 25:36c




"St Camillus de Lellis never celebrated Holy Mass without first going to Confession, because he wanted at least "to dust off" his soul.  Once at sundown in a public square in Livorno, before taking leave of a priest of the same religious order, foreseeing that he would not have a priest to confess to on the following morning before his Mass, the Saint paused, took off his hat, made the sign of the Cross and went to Confession right there in the square to his confrere."

From Jesus Our Eucharistic Love (pg 32)
by Fr Stefano M Manelli, FFI
    



St Camillus de Lellis
Italy ~ 1550-1614
Encouraged to priesthood by St Phillip Neri
Founder of Order: Fathers of Good Death
Patron of hospitals, nurses and the sick
FEAST DAY - July 18





The Camellians took the vow to "devote themselves to material and spiritual care of the sick and needy". St. Camillus honored the poor and sick as living images of Christ. His reverence in their presence was as great as if he were really and truly in the presence of his Lord.

 “The poor and the sick are the heart of God. In serving them,
we serve Jesus the Christ. ...We want to assist the sick
with the same love that a mother has for her only sick child."
 -  Saint Camillus de Lellis




This crucifix detached it's arm and comforted St.Camillus de Lellis
From Miraculous Images of Our Lord, by Joan Carroll Cruz,
published by TAN Books and Publishers (1993).
Used with permission.


The figure on this crucifix, which is venerated in the Church of Mary Magdalene in Rome, is the one which in 1582 detached its arm and comforted St.Camillus de Lellis with these words "Take Courage, faint-hearted one. Continue the work you have begun. I will be with you because it is my work." Camillus was very discouraged at the time because of opposition to his health care reforms. Our Lord's words were instrumental in the Saint pushing ahead and founding the Order of the Ministers of the Sick.

St Camillus, pray for us!