Friday, October 31, 2014

Unlock your soul !

He has taken me to the banquet hall,
and his banner over me is love. – Song of Songs 2:4


“Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace.
Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light."
St. Ambrose

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Prayer Before Communion

 "We must receive the Holy Eucharist with the desire
and intention of removing from the heart all that is displeasing
to Him with whom we wish to dwell." - St Pio of Pietrelcina

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I wish, My Lord, to receive You
with the purity, humility, and devotion
with which Your most holy Mother received You,
with the spirit and fervor of the saints.
 

Traditional Prayer

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Credo!

 Amen, amen, amen, I believe, I believe, I believe
and confess to the last breath that this is the Life-giving Flesh,
that of the Only -begotten Son, our Lord and our God,
our Savior Jesus Christ." - Ancient Egyptian Eucharistic Prayer
 
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"O my brethren, here is mystery without mitigation, without relief!... that now, under the form of Bread, He should lie upon our Altars, and suffer Himself to be hidden in a small tabernacle!

Most incomprehensible, but still, while the thought overwhelms our imagination, it also overpowers our heart; it is the most subduing, affecting, piercing thought which can be pictured to us.  It thrills through us, and draws our tears, and abases us, and melts us into love and affection, when we dwell upon it. 

O most tender and compassionate Lord! You see, He puts out of our sight that mysteriousness of His, which is only awful and terrible; He insists not on His past eternity; He would not scare and trouble His poor children, when at length He speaks to them; no, He does but surround Himself with His own infinite bountifulness and compassion; He bids His Church tell us only of His mysterious condescension."
 

Bl John Henry Cardinal Newman

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Fidelity to the mission...

After the Last Supper it was Jude who asked Our Lord why He chose 
to reveal Himself only to the disciples and not the world. He received the reply:
 
 Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
- John 14: 23 (Today's Communion Antiphon)
 
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Missionaries of Charity ~Home for the dying - Khaligat ~ Calcutta, India
 
"The more lively the Eucharistic
faith of the people of God,
the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life
in steadfast commitment to the mission
entrusted by Christ to His disciples."
 
Sacramentum Caritatis, 6
 
 
Sts Simon and Jude
Apostles, Martyrs (approx 65 AD)
St. Jude: patron saint of hospital workers,
desperate situations, and impossible causes.
St. Simon: patron saint of sawyers and tanners.
FEAST DAY - October 28
 
 
"Just as Christ was sent by the Father, so also He sent the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit. This He did so that, by preaching the gospel to every creature (cf. Mark 16:15), they might proclaim that the Son of God, by His death and resurrection, had freed us from the power of Satan (cf. Acts 26:18) and from death, and brought us into the kingdom of His Father" ~ Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
 
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Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered 
 among the glorious company of the Apostles. As they were faithful
and zealous in their mission, so may we with ardent devotion 
make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives
and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Sts. Simon and Jude, pray for us!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Never be hungry again!

The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him -
may your hearts live forever! - Psalm 22:26
 
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"Farmers everywhere provide bread for all humanity,
but it is Christ alone who is the Bread of Life....
 
Even if all the physical hunger of the world were satisfied,
even if everyone who is hungry were fed by his or her own labor or by
the generosity of others, the deepest hunger of man would still  exist....
 
Therefore, I say, Come, all of you, to Christ. 
He is the Bread of Life. 
Come to Christ and you will never be hungry again." 
 
St John Paul II

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Divine economy

...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. - I John 5:4a

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“The best way to economize time
is to ‘lose’ half an hour each day
attending Holy Mass.”

Frederic Ozanam

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Nurturing a reality...

 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name. - Psalm 103:1
 
 
 
"Without constant union with our Lord there cannot be any real holiness, one reason being that without recollection the inspirations of the Holy Spirit are missed and with them a host of opportunities of little sacrifices and a shower of graces.
As a means of gaining greater recollection, each morning at Holy Communion invite Jesus to dwell in your heart during the day as in a Tabernacle. Try all day to imagine even His bodily presence within you and often turn your thoughts inwards and adore Him as He nestles next your heart in a very real manner, quite different from His presence in all creation.
This habit is not easily acquired, especially in a busy life like yours, but much may be done by constant effort. At times you will have to leave Him alone entirely, but as soon as you can, get back to His presence again."

Fr William Doyle, SJ

Friday, October 24, 2014

For the glory of God...

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth,
and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence. - I John 3:19

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"St Anthony of Claret had always been especially attracted by devotions honoring the Blessed Sacrament.  During his school days he had been so captivated by a book his father gave him, The Goodness of Our Sacramental Lord, that he had committed it to memory!

Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, he would pray:  "Oh, my God, grant me a place by the gates of hell, that I may stop those who enter there, saying:  'Where are you going, unhappy one?  Back, go back!  Make a good confession.  Save your soul!  Don't come back here to be lost forever.' "

From Hidden Treasure: The Riches of the Eucharist
Louis Kaczmarek

St Anthony Mary Claret 
Spain ~ 1807-1870
Missionary, Religious founder (Claretians),
Social reformer, Queen's (Spain) chaplain,
Writer and publisher, Excellent/renowned preacher
Survived 15 assassination attempts
Great devotion to Eucharist and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Said of him... "never without a rosary in his hands"
Archbishop of Cuba 1850-57
"The spiritual father of Cuba"
FEAST DAY - October 24

  
"When I see the need for Divine teaching and how hungry people
are to hear it, I am atremble to be off and running throughout the world,
preaching the word of God. I have no rest, my soul finds no other relief,
than to rush about and preach." ~ St. Anthony Mary Claret

St Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!

More on St Anthony Mary Claret:
Click here: A Very Special Patron: Saint Anthony Mary Claret | Catholicism.org
 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

SALT and LIGHT for others...

 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight. - Eph 1:4

 
From the treatise Mirror of the Clergy by St John of Capistrano, but can also be fittingly applied to the priesthood of believers...

  "Those who are called to the table of the Lord must glow with the brightness that comes from the good example of a praiseworthy and blameless life. They must completely remove from their lives the filth and uncleanness of vice.

    Their upright lives must make them like the salt of the earth for themselves and for the rest of mankind. The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others. ...

     They have been placed here to care for others. Their own lives should be an example to others, showing how they must live in the house of the Lord. "


 St John of Capistrano
Italy ~ 1385-1456
Lawyer, governor
Franciscan priest, preacher, theologian
Taught theology by St. Bernardine of Siena -
 together the two worked to reform the Franciscan order
Nickname - "soldier priest"*
*When Mohammed II was threatening Vienna and Rome, St. John, age 70, was commissioned by Pope Callistus II to preach and lead a crusade against the invading Turks. Marching at the head of 70,000 Christians, he gained victory in the great battle of Belgrade against the Turks in 1456.
FEAST DAY - October 23 

 

On St John's tomb in the Austrian town of Villach,
the governor had this message inscribed:

"This tomb holds John, by birth of Capistrano,
a man worthy of all praise, defender and promoter of the faith,
guardian of the Church, zealous protector of his Order,
an ornament to all the world, lover of truth and religious justice,
mirror of life, surest guide in doctrine;
praised by countless tongues, he reigns blessed in heaven."

St John of Capistrano, pray for us!

 

Comments of Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira:

"One could try to make a classification of the saints. Some were founders of nations, others were organizers of nations, still others were founders of religious orders. Then, there is a category of saints who were the defensive walls of the House of God. They constitute a kind of saint whose principal goal is to fight, to destroy the enemies of God. They have the capacity to put fire in souls to stimulate them to the defense of God, to lead them to combat. And in the combat they know how to sustain the courage of the good as well as how to attack the enemies. Doing this, they defend the walls of the House of God. Such is the mission of this category of saints. St. John of Capistrano was one of these saints."

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Heroic, authentic living!

"From the Eucharist comes strength to live the Christian life and zeal to share that life with others." - St John Paul II
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"Only through the Eucharist is it possible to live the heroic virtues of Christianity: charity, to the point of forgiving one's enemies; love for those who make us suffer; chastity in every age and situation of life; patience in suffering and when one is shocked by the silence of God in the tragedies of history or of one's own personal existence.
You must always be Eucharistic souls in order to be authentic Christians." 
St John Paul II*
1920-2005 (Nee Poland)
Ordination to Priesthood: 1946
Reign as Pope: 1978-2005
Apostle of the Eucharist and Youth
FEAST DAY - October 22
*Canonization date:  April 27,2014


A wheelchair was made for St John Paul II so he could move around freely. The chair was level with the Tabernacle in his chapel. His secretary found the Pope embracing the Tabernacle. He asked the Pope why. The Pope replied: “I just don't know what else I can do to console Him.”

StJohn Paul II, pray for us! 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

That you may see...

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for it is light that makes everything visible. ... Wake up, O sleeper... 
and Christ will shine on you. - Eph 5:13-14

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 "No matter how much you labor,
you labor to this end: that you may see."

St. Augustine

Monday, October 20, 2014

Truth deceives no man

 I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except for Jesus Christ, and him crucified. - I Cor 2:2


"Let weak and frail man come here
in humble entreaty
to adore the Sacrament of Christ,
not to discuss high things,
or to wish to penetrate difficulties,
but to bow down
to secret things in humble veneration,
and to abandon God's mysteries to God,
for Truth deceives no man -
Almighty God can do all things."

St Paul of the Cross
Priest, Mystic, powerful teacher/preacher
Founder - Passionist Order
To the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience they added a fourth: 
to spread devotion to Christ’s passion among the faithful.
Italy ~ 1694-1775
FEAST DAY - October 20

 

"It is an excellent and holy practice to call to mind and meditate on our
Lord's Passion, since it is by this path that we shall arrive at union with God. 
In this, the holiest of all schools, true wisdom is learned, for it was there
that all the saints became wise." From a letter written by St. Paul of the Cross
St Paul of the Cross, pray for us,
that we may embrace our crosses with courage!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

The heart and center!

"Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the Living Heart
of each of our parishes." - Bl Pope Paul VI

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“The Eucharistic mystery
stands at the heart and center of the Liturgy
since it is the fount of life
by which we are cleansed and strengthened
to live not for ourselves but for God
and to be united in love among ourselves.”

Blessed Pope Paul VI
Beatification day - today - 19 October 2014
Roma

“When we look to this great Pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, 
we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thanks! 
Thank you, our dear and beloved Pope Paul VI! 
Thank you for your humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and His Church!” 
- Pope Francis, 10/19/14

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"If evil increases, the devotion of the People of God should also increase." 
- Bl Pope Paul VI

 Bl Pope Paul VI , pray for us!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

St Luke, pray for us!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation! - Isaiah 52:7  Entrance Antiphon - Feast of St Luke



Prayer over the gifts (Liturgy – Oct 18, 2014)
Grant through your heavenly gifts that we may
serve you in freedom of heart, we pray, O Lord,
so that the offerings we make on the feast day of
Saint Luke may bring us healing and give us glory.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Communion Antiphon
The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout
the towns: The kingdom of God is at hand for you.
(See Lk 10:1,9)

Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that what we have received from your holy altar
may sanctify us and make us strong in the faith
of the Gospel which Saint Luke proclaimed.
Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

St Luke
Evangelist, Martyr
Wrote Gospel and Acts of the Apostles
In Dives in Misericordia, St JPII calls Luke: "Gospel of Mercy"
Greek, Physician, Painter
Convert, then fellow-Worker of St Paul
Symbol: winged ox
Patron:  Artists, Physicians and Surgeons
Feast Day – October 18

 

St Luke, thank you for enlivening our love of Jesus as Friend
through the holy Gospel!

This is a Friend who will not terrify you, who will not abandon you.
Hope in Him, and Heaven is yours! ~ St Joseph Cafasso

Saint Luke, pray for us!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Wheat of God

"The death of martyrs blossoms in the FAITH of the living."
~ Pope St Gregory the Great


Born in Syria, Ignatius converted to Christianity and eventually became bishop of Antioch. In the year 107, Emperor Trajan visited Antioch and forced the Christians there to choose between death and apostasy. Ignatius would not deny Christ and thus was condemned to be put to death in Rome.
Ignatius is well known for the seven letters he wrote on the long journey from Antioch to Rome. Five of these letters are to Churches in Asia Minor; they urge the Christians there to remain faithful to God and to obey their superiors. He warns them against heretical doctrines, providing them with the solid truths of the Christian faith.
The sixth letter was to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was later martyred for the faith. The final letter begs the Christians in Rome not to try to stop his martyrdom. Ignatius bravely met the lions in the Circus Maximus.
"I am writing to all the Churches and I enjoin all, that I am dying willingly for God's sake, if only you do not prevent it. I beg you, do not do me an untimely kindness.   The only thing I ask of you is to allow me to offer the libation of my blood to God. I am the wheat of the Lord; may I be ground by the teeth of the beasts to become the immaculate bread of Christ."

~ St Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans

St Ignatius of Antioch
Bishop and Martyr
Church Father
First Century - d. 107
Disciple of St John the Evangelist
First to use term "Catholic" Church
FEAST DAY - October 17

 

"My desire is to belong to God." ~ St Ignatius of Antioch



St Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us!

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Supremely humbled... in the Host

Instead of these things thou didst give thy people the food of angels... providing every pleasure and suited to every taste. - Wisdom 16:20

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"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
Saint of the Sacred Heart
Visitation Sister
France ~ 1647-1690
FEAST DAY - October 16


"All for the Eucharist, nothing for me."- St Margaret Mary 

 St Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us!


The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary
for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:
  1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
  2. I will establish peace in their families.
  3. I will console them in all their troubles.
  4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
  5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
  6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
  7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
  8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
  9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
  10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
  11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
  12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

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Enthronement and Consecration
of the Sacred Heart as King of the Family

WHEN WE ENTHRONE JESUS IN OUR HOMES, WE PLACE A PICTURE OF HIS
SACRED HEART IN A PROMINENT PLACE TO FOREVER REMIND US
OF HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US AND HOW WE SHOULD GRATEFULLY
LOVE HIM FOR HIS GOODNESS EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Why look for more?

...those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. - Psalm 34:10b 

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One day St. Teresa of Avila heard someone say: "If only I had lived at the time of Jesus... If only I had seen Jesus... If only I had talked with Jesus..."
To this she responded: "But do we not have in the Eucharist the living, true and real Jesus present before us? Why look for more? In the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament we ought to be like the Blessed in heaven before the Divine Essence."

St Teresa of Avila
 Spain ~ 1515-1582
Carmelite Contemplative, Reformer
Prolific Writer*
*Way of Perfection, Interior Castle,
The Life of Teresa of Jesus (Autobiography)
DOCTOR of the CHURCH
FEAST DAY - October 15

  St. Teresa’s most popularly known writing is a brief poem known as her 
“Bookmark”, because it was found in her prayer book after her death in 1582.

Original Spanish:

Nada te turbe,
nada te espante;
todo se pasa,
Dios no se muda.
La pacientia todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene nada la falta:
solo Dios basta.


Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.