To love as we ought...

"Blessed is the influence of one 
truly loving human soul on another." - George Eliot

"To love God as He ought to be loved,

we must be detached from all temporal love.

We must love nothing but Him,

or if we love anything else,

we must love it only for His sake."

St Peter Claver
Native of Spain ~ 1581–1654
Jesuit, missionary to South America

Apostolate to Africans on slave ships,
sailors and traders 
Estimated to have baptized 300,000 +

Feast Day - Sept 9

 Peter Claver understood that concrete service like the distributing
of medicine, food or brandy to his black brothers and sisters
could be as effective a communication of the word of God as mere verbal preaching.

Peter said of the slaves, "We must speak to them with

our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips."

Click here: Saint Peter Claver - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: St Peter Claver - YouTube (CCTNtv - 3:30 mins)

St Peter Claver, pray for us!

"Always forward, never back"...

Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

- Romans 12:11-12

"How could the Church fulfill her vocation 
without cultivating a constant relationship with the Eucharist,
without nourishing herself with this food which sanctifies,without founding her missionary activity
on this indispensable support?" - St John Paul II

Image above: Body and Blood - Mark Jennings (2011)

St Junipero Serra

Nee Spain ~ Franciscan Priest

Zealous preacher, Professor, Untiring Missionary

Known as "Father of California"

Motto:  “Always forward, never back.”
Deep Eucharistic devotion.  Baptized over 6000.
Founded numerous missions in California.
Introduced many varieties of fruits and vegetables, including grapes,
and laid the foundation for the agriculture industry in California.
He also introduced dairy cows and cheese making. 
Feast Day - July 1

 

"All my life I have wanted to be a missionary.  I have wanted 
to carry the Gospel message to those who have never heard of God
and the kingdom He has prepared for them." - St Junipero

Click here: Bl. Junipero Serra - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: st junipero serra youtube - Bing video (3 mins)

Read about Junipero Serra and the California Missions here and here.

Archbishop Performs Exorcism Where St. Junípero Serra Fell, Asking For God’s Mercy

St Junipero Serra, pray for us!

____________________________

Through the inspiration of St Junipero Serra's life and work,

a lay apostolate that fosters and promotes vocations exists.

Consider joining this fruitful endeavor - on this, the Feast of St Junipero!

 Click here: SERRA International

Serran Prayer For Vocations

O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech You, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, Saint Junipero Serra and all the saints, an increase of laborers for your Church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls, through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen Via Serra USA.