He provides, we trust...

"Catch, then, O catch the transient hour;
Improve each moment as it flies!" - St. Jerome

"If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews

without food in the desert for fear

that they would collapse on the way,

it was to teach us that it is

dangerous to try to get to heaven

without the Bread of Heaven." ~ St Jerome

 

St Jerome

c. 331- 420

Early Church Father, Doctor of the Church 

Brilliant and thorough scholar and writer 

Translated Scripture into Latin (Vulgate) 

Consultant to Popes and Bishops 

FEAST DAY - September 30

Bartolomeo Cavarozzi ~ St Jerome

 "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." - St Jerome

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

St Jerome, pray for us!

Guardians of power and love...

Feast of Archangels

St Michael~St Gabriel~St Raphael

September 29

"O, angelic spirits, 
who guard our tabernacles, wherein lies 
the adorable treasure of the Holy Eucharist,

defend it from profanation 
and preserve it for our love."

St Josemaria Escriva 

"Michael and his Angels battled against the dragon...

Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out."

Revelation 12:7, 9

The Three Archangels and Tobias, Francesco Botticini, 1470

A Sermon of Pope Saint Gregory 
From the Third Nocturne of Matins of the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

We speak of nine orders of Angels, because we know, by the testimony of Holy Scripture, that there are the following: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. It must be realized that "Angel" is the name of their office, not of their nature. For the holy Spirits of the heavenly homeland are always Spirits, but they cannot always be called Angels; they are Angels only when they are announcing something. Those who announce less important things are called Angels, and those who announce the highest things are called Archangels. And so not any Angel but the Archangel Gabriel was sent to Mary; for this ministry, it was fitting to have the highest Angel, since he was to announce the greatest news of all. These Archangels are also given special names to describe their particular virtue. For Michael means "Who is like to God?" Gabriel means "Strength of God," and Raphael "Medicine of God."

Whenever something is to be done needing great power, Michael is sent forth so that from his action and his name we may understand that no one can do what God can do. Hence that old enemy who through pride desired to be like God is shown at the end of the world, left to his own strength and about to undergo the final punishment, as destined to fight with Michael the Archangel, as John says, "There was a battle with Michael the Archangel." Similarly, Gabriel was sent to Mary; he who is called "Strength of God" came to announce Him who deigned to appear in humility to conquer the powers of the air. And Raphael is interpreted, as we said, "Medicine of God," for when he touched the eyes of Tobias to do the work of healing, he dispelled the "night of his blindness."

Click here: The Archangels - YouTube (1:30 mins)

St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, pray for us

and defend us in battle!

What could it mean? ...

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory,
glory as of the only Son  from the father. - John 1:14

“A cloud of incense was rising on high; 
the people suddenly all bowed low; what could it mean?

The truth flashed on him, fearfully yet sweetly;
it was the Blessed Sacrament - it was the Lord 

Incarnate who was on the altar, who had come

to visit and bless His people.

It was the Great Presence, which makes a Catholic Church

different from every other place in the world,

which makes it, as no other place can be – holy.”

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman

Loss and Gain:  The Story of a Convert

Going to Jesus from Jesus...

St Vincent de Paul was praying before the Eucharist one time and,
after a man told him about a poor person on the street needing help,
Vincent said:

"I am going to Jesus from Jesus."

Remembering ....St Vincent de Paul

1580-1660 ~ France

Priest, Co-Founder of Daughters of Charity

Founder - Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians)

Patron - Charitable societies*

*Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded 1833 
by devotee, Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Incorrupt

FEAST DAY - September 27

 

"We should take as a maxim never to be surprised at current difficulties, 
no more than at a passing breeze, because with a little patience 

we shall see them disappear. Time changes everything."

-  St. Vincent de Paul

Click here: St. Vincent de Paul YouTube (6:45 mins)

St Vincent de Paul, pray for us!

A Child's Wish (poem) ...

 

 

A Child's Wish

I wish I were the little key

That locks Love's Captive in,

And lets Him out to go and free

A sinful heart from sin.

 

I wish I were the little bell

that tinkles for the Host

When God comes down each day to dwell

With hearts He loves the most.

 

I wish I were the chalice fair

That holds the Blood of Love,

When every flash lights holy prayer

Upon its way above.

 

I wish I were the little flower

So near the Host's sweet face,

Or like the light that half an hour

Burned on the shrine of grace.

 

I wish I were the altar where

As on His mother's breast

Christ nestles, like a child, fore'er

In Eucharistic rest.

 

But oh, my God, I wish the most

That my poor heart may be

A home all holy for each Host

That comes in love to me.

 

Abram J Ryan

(1839-1886)

 

Painting above: Child in prayer by Roberto Ferruzzi

Joining heavenly hosts...

"The heavens open and multitude of angels

come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." - St Gregory

 

"Go to Jesus.

He loves you and is waiting for you

to give you many graces.

He is on the altar surrounded

by angels adoring and praying.

 

Let them make some room for you

and join them in doing what they do."

 

St Mary Joseph Rosello (+1888)

Founder: Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy

Fruitful remedy...

"God did not tell us to follow Him
because He needed our help, 
but because He knew that loving Him
would make us whole."- Irenaeus of Lyons  

    

 

"When the Sisters are exhausted,

up to their eyes in work;

when all seems to go awry,

they spend an hour in prayer

before the Blessed Sacrament.

This practice has never failed to bear fruit.

They experience peace and strength."

Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Perfumes of strength...

  "Protected, covered and defended by the Presence of this dear Lord,

let us stand before Him in the Holy Eucharist

and pray with the humility of the creature

and the confidence and freedom of the child." - St Padre Pio

"We must always have courage,

and if some spiritual languor comes upon us,

let us run to the feet of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,

and let us place ourselves

in the midst of the heavenly perfumes,

and we will undoubtedly regain our strength."

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

Priest, Stigmatist, Mystic

Italy  ~ 1887-1968

Patron of Eucharistic Adorers

Feast Day - Sept. 23

When I am close to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, 

I feel as if my heart is bursting out of my chest.” ~ St Padre Pio

Click here: St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina - YouTube (2:30 mins)

Click here: St. Padre Pio - YouTube (2 mins)

St Padre Pio, pray for us!

Go... listen... love...

"If we are to know the Lord, we must go to Him. 

Listen to Him in silence before the Tabernacle

and approach Him in the Sacraments." - Pope Francis

 

Morning News ~ Francis Luis Mora

 

"Adore and visit Jesus, abandoned and 

forsaken by men in His Sacrament of Love.

Man has time for everything

except for visits to His Lord and God, Who is waiting

and longing for us in the Blessed Sacrament.

The streets and places of entertainment

are filled with people;

the House of God is deserted.  Ah!  Poor Jesus..."

 

St Peter Julian Eymard

Always renewed...

For I came not to call the righteous,
but sinners, says the Lord. - Matt 9:13

Prayer after Communion (Today’s Liturgy)

Sharing in that saving joy, O Lord,

with which Saint Matthew welcomed the Savior

as a guest in his home, we pray: grant that we may always

be renewed by the food we receive from Christ,

who came to call not the just, but sinners to salvation.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Remembering... St Matthew

Nee - Capernaum

"And he got up and followed Him" (Mt 9:9b) ...

"leaving everything behind" (Lk 5:28)

Apostle and Evangelist

"the son of Alphaeus" (Mk 2:14)
Symbols associated w/St Matthew:
 Gospel, human/angel, sword (in re: martyrdom)

FEAST DAY - September 21

 

Imitate St Matthew - get up and follow Jesus.

Then invite sinners to meet Him.

"What reason can the Teacher have for eating with tax collectors

and those who disregard the law?" —Matthew 9:11

Cause heaven to rejoice (Luke 15:7).

 

His life is somewhat shrouded, and  ... There are not many facts ... But Matthew was a publican ... Who gathered in the tax ... Until that wondrous moment in ... His native Galilee ... When Jesus came upon him, and ... He told him, "Follow me" ... And Matthew followed Jesus then  ... Wherever Jesus went ... Ignoring Pharisees and all ... The Roman government ... With eloquent sincerity ... This good apostle preached ... In distant lands wherever there ... Were souls that could be reached ... And he composed the gospel that ... Inspires us today ... To follow Jesus Christ and live ... According to His way.

From Poem Portraits of the Saints - James J Metcalfe (1956), pg 6

Click here: Web Gallery of Art, searchable fine arts image database

(see Calling of St Matthew - Carrevagio)

Discovering our Saints - St. Matthew the Apostle - YouTube

St. Matthew - YouTube (Apostleship of Prayer)

 St Matthew, pray for us! 

Liturgy: not an option...

Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy,

in thy right hand are pleasures evermore.  - Psalm 16:11 



“Liturgy is not an option nor merely an obligation,
not a bonus, but a need—
like food and drink, like sleep and work, like friends.

We need to gather, listen, give praise and thanks,
and share communion. 

Otherwise we forget who we are and whose we are; 
and we can have neither the strength nor the joy
to be Christ’s body—present in the world today.”       

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin

The bloom of an altar within...

For you, LORD, have never 
foresaken those who seek you. - Psalm 9:10b




"How do I prepare myself to receive the Host? 
I draw near with my soul, from the moment when I wake up. 
I call out for it with my lips, I attract it with my sighs, I long for it, I love it,
and with a thousand acts of discipline, I prepare ... for it.

My chalice is full to the brim with this lowly blood,
drawn and extracted out of love to mingle with His blood on the altar,
my Immaculate Lamb, and together they are offered
up to God's throne, asking for grace.  

Is it not an undeserved happiness and favor
to have an altar within and the freedom to be able
to do this for my Jesus without anybody knowing? 
My soul's blood, its life fluid, is also for Jesus. Power, feelings,
and my life, I place them all at the foot of the tabernacle."

Venerable Conception Cabrera de Armida (+1937)
Excerpt: Irresistibly Drawn to the Eucharist: Conchita Cabrera dr Armida's
Most Beautiful writings on the Eucharist, Fr Juan Gonzalez Gutierrez, M.Sp.S.,

Painting:  Still Life of Flowers and Grapes encircling a Monstrance in a Niche ~ Jan van Kessel

A place of heart - and home...

"Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope,
where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven." - Pope Francis



"Going through the street and

passing before any church,

I will enter there...

to make a devout genuflection

to the Sacramental Jesus

and send Him an affection of the heart." 

Ven Germano Ruoppolo

Passionist priest,

Spiritual Director of St Gemma Galgani

Painting:  artist -Vincente Carducho

Food that sustains...

"The school of Christ is the school of charity.  
On the last day, when the general examination takes place, 
there will be no question at all on the text of Aristotle, 
the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or the paragraphs of Justinian.  
Charity will be the whole syllabus." - St Robert Bellarmine

"The Holy Eucharist is offered to us on our pilgrimage as food so that we do not faint

on the path to the fatherland,

especially at the time when,
tired by a long journey,

our forces are apt to wane…

The Lord left His Body in the Eucharist

as a pledge of heavenly beatitude."

 St Robert Bellarmine, “Comments on Aquinas’ O Sacrum Convivum”

St Robert Bellarmine

 Italy ~ 1542-1621

Jesuit theologian, writer, and cardinal

Key voice and action in Counter-Reformation

"Prince of the Apologists"

Doctor of the Church

Patron of Canon lawyers, catechists, students,
those with Down's syndrome

FEAST DAY - September 17

 

From St Robert Bellarmine's treatise On the Ascent of the Mind to God:

  "May you consider truly good whatever leads to your goal

and truly evil whatever makes you fall away from it."

Click here: St. Robert Bellarmine - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: St. Robert Bellarmine

Click here: Fr. Hardon Archives - St. Robert Bellarmine,

St Robert Bellarmine, pray for us!