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

 

Click here: St. Ignatius of Loyola - YouTube (2 mins)

 

St Ignatius, pray for us!

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  

Click here: St. Peter Chrysologus and the Priesthood of the Christian - YouTube 

(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)

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."

Click here: St. Martha - YouTube (2 mins)

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)

"Jesus, what made You so small?"

 

 

"Jesus, what made You so small?

LOVE!"

 

St Bernard of Clairvaux

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."

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

Feast Day - July 26

Click here: Discovering our Saints - Sts Ann and Joachim - YouTube (3 mins)

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

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

 

Click here: St. James the Greater - YouTube (2 mins)

St James, pray for us!

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.”

Click here: St. Sharbel Makhlouf - YouTube (2mins)

St Sharbel, pray for us!

 

TOP ARTWORK CREDIT: Michael Otteman -  www.ottemanarts.com

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

Click here: St. Bridget of Sweden - YouTube (2 mins)

 

St Bridget of Sweden, pray for us!

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

Click here: ST ANSELM's prayer to MARY MAGDALEN

St Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

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

Click here: St. Lawrence of Brindisi - YouTube  (2 mins)

Click here: Feast of St Lawrence of Brindisi (13:49 mins)

St Laurence of Brindisi, pray for us!

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

 

 

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

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

Click here: Order of St. Camillus

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

Click here: History | Camillo de Lellis

 Click here: PRAYER TO ST CAMILLUS - YouTube (1:45 mins)

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!