Priorities par excellence

"When you speak or preach, always insist on frequent Communion

and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary."- St John Bosco

 

  

 

"I beg you to recommend to everyone,

first, adoration of Jesus

in the Blessed Sacrament

and then reverence for most holy Mary."

 

 

  St John Bosco

 Italy ~ Aug 16, 1815 - Jan 31, 1888

Priest, Educator, Founder of Salesian Society

"Father and Teacher of Youth"

FEAST DAY - January 31

 

 

 

“When tempted, invoke your Angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: he trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.”  - St. John Bosco

 

Click here: St. John Bosco - YouTube

Click here: St. John Bosco and the Secret of Education | Crisis Magazine
For a more detailed biography, go here.

 

St John Bosco, pray for us!

 

 

Venerable Mama Margaret is the beloved and holy mother of St John Bosco. The sanctity and holiness of St John Bosco was first nurtured by a mother's prayer, a mother's example.  From Mama Margaret to her son:

"When you came into the world I consecrated you to the Blessed Virgin Mary. When you began your studies, I inculcated this devotion in you. Now I want you to belong totally to her. Make your companions those who are devoted to Mary; and if you reach ordination, never cease to inculcate and spread this devotion."

"I have nothing to say regarding your vocation, except that you should do what God inspires you to do. Do not be concerned on my behalf. You owe me nothing. Never forget that I was born in poor circumstances, have lived in poverty all my life; and I am happy to die poor; and I say this seriously to you: if you ever become  wealthy, I shall never set foot on your doorstep."

"Dear John, you have taken the priestly habit and I am as happy as any mother could be. But never forget that it is not the habit that matters, but the effort to progress in virtue. If you ever come to have doubts about your vocation, be sure you never dishonor that priestly garb. Put it aside immediately. I would rather a poor peasant son than a priest who neglected his sacred calling".

"John, you are now a priest; you will be saying Mass; so from henceforth you will be closer to Jesus. Remember that to begin to celebrate Mass means also to begin to suffer. You will not realize this immediately, but little by little you will see that what your mother has told you is the truth."

Powerful, protective, precious Blood

  

Bernini ~ Crocifissione

On one occasion St Peter Damian wrote to a young nephew:

“If I may speak figuratively, drive out the roaring beasts from your domain; do not cease from protecting yourself daily by receiving the Flesh and Blood of the Lord.  Let your secret foe see your lips reddened with the Blood of Christ.  He will shudder, cower back, and flee to his dark, dank retreat."

St Peter Damian

Reformer, Cardinal

Doctor of the Church

Italy ~ 1007-1072

 MOTTO:  “Do not prefer anything to the love of Christ.”

FEAST DAY - February 21

“Do not be depressed. Do not let your weakness make you impatient, Instead, let the serenity of your spirit shine through your face. Let the joy of your mind burst forth. Let words of thanks break from your lips.” ~ St Peter Damian

St Peter Damian, ora pro nobis!

Putting the devil to flight

The greeting of every Mass:

In the name of the Father and

of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

"Believe me; the devil fears the vigils of pious souls,

and their fastings, their voluntary poverty, their

loving compassion, their humility, but most of all

their ardent love of Christ our Lord. As soon as

he sees the sign of the Cross, he flees in terror."

St Anthony the Abbott

a.k.a. - Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert,

Anthony the Anchorite

"Patriarch of Monks"

251-356

Feast Day - January 17

St. Anthony's talents at spiritual direction were famous, and many people traveled to the desert to seek his advice.  St Athanasius, who knew Anthony and wrote his biography, The Life of Anthony, said, "Anthony was not known for his writings nor for his worldly wisdom, nor for any art, but simply for his reverence toward God."

St Anthony, ora pro nobis!

More on St Anthony;  Including 2 min YouTube
Click here: Catholic Fire: St. Anthony of the Desert

Life well spent

   

 

"Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is half my life.

The other half consists in loving Jesus

and winning souls for Him."

 

St. Mary Hermana Grivot

Martyr and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Nun

Even Demons Believe and Tremble – A Eucharistic Story

Even Demons Believe and Tremble – A Eucharistic Story

Msgr Charles Pope

St Mary's, Washington, D.C. 

 

It was almost 15 years ago. I was at Old St. Mary’s here in D.C. celebrating Mass in the Latin (Extraordinary Form). It was a solemn high Mass. I don't suppose I thought it any different than most Sundays but something quite amazing was about to happen.

As you may know the ancient Latin Mass is celebrated ”ad orientem” (towards the Liturgical East). Priest and people all face one direction. What this means practically for the celebrant is that the people are behind him. It was time for the consecration. The priest is directed to bow low, his forearms on the altar table the host between his fingers. As directed I said the venerable words of Consecration in a low but distinct voice, Hoc est enim Corpus meum (For this is my Body). The bells rang as I genuflected, but behind me a disturbance of some sort, a shaking or rustling in the front pews behind me to my right. And then a moaning or grumbling. What was that? It did not really sound human, more like the grumbling of a large animal such as a boar or a bear, along with a plaintive moan that did not seem human. I elevated the host and wondered, What was that? Then silence. I could not turn to look easily for that is awkward for the celebrant in the ancient Latin Mass. But still I thought,  What was that?

But it was time for the consecration of the Chalice. Again, bowing low and pronouncing clearly and distinctly but in a low voice:  Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei, novi et æterni testamenti; mysterium fidei; qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem pecatorum. Haec quotiescumque feceritis in mei memoriam facietis (For this is the cup of my Blood, of the new and eternal covenant; the mystery of faith; which will for the many be shed unto the remission of sins. When so ever you do this, you do it in My memory). But then, I heard another sound this time an undeniable moan and then a shriek as someone cried out: “Leave me alone, Jesus! Why do you torture me?” Suddenly a scuffling as someone ran out with the groaning sound of having been injured. The back doors swung open, then closed. Then silence.

I could not turn to look for I was raising the Chalice high over my head. But I knew in an instant that some poor demon-tormented soul had encountered Christ in the Eucharist and could not endure his Real Presence displayed for all to see. And the words of Scripture occurred to me: Even demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).

But just as James used those words to rebuke the weak faith of his flock I too had to repent. Why was a demon-troubled man more aware of the true Presence and astonished by it than me? He was moved in the negative sense to run. Why was I not more moved in a positive and comparable way? What of the other believers in the pews? I don't doubt that any of us believed intellectually in the true Presence. But there is something very different and far more wonderful in being moved to the depth of your soul! It is so easy for us to be sleepy in the Presence of the Divine, forgetful of the miraculous and awesome Presence available to us.

But let the record show that one day, almost 15 years ago, it was made quite plain to me that I held in my hands the Lord of Glory, the King of heaven and earth, the just Judge and Ruler of the kings of the earth. Is the Lord truly present in the Eucharist? You'd better believe it, even demons believe that!