Consuming zeal for souls...

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,

serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:11-12

 

"The offspring of this intensity of love

for our Eucharistic Lord

should be a consuming zeal for the 
gathering of souls into the fold of Christ.”

St Katharine Drexel

American ~ 1858 - 1955
Heiress, educator, founder of schools
Entered religious life at age 31

Foundress - Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

aka 'the anti-Margaret Sanger'

Feast Day - March 3

 

“And here is the passive way – to be filled unto the fullness of God. 
The passive way – I abandon myself to it, not in a multiplicity of trials, 
extraordinary penances accomplished, practices of great works – 
but in peaceful abandonment to the tenderness of Jesus, 
which I must try to imitate, and by being in constant union 
with His meek and humble heart."  - St Katharine Drexel

"Union with God alone gives us life and abundance of life.
We are not sufficient in ourselves." - St Katharine Drexel

"O Mary, make me endeavor, by all the means in my power,
to extend the kingdom of your Divine Son and offer incessantly 
my prayers for the conversion of those who are yet in darkness
or estranged from His fold."  - St Katharine Drexel 

"The patient and humble endurance of the cross - whatever nature 
it may be - is the highest work we have to do."- St Katherine Drexel  

Click here: St. Katharine Drexel - YouTube (2 mins)
Click here: Saint Katharine Drexel - YouTube (2 mins - CCTNtv)

Top painting: The Good Shepherd ~ Minerva Teichert

St Katharine Drexel, pray for us!

Apostolic zeal...

For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven 
and gives life to the world. ~ John 6:33

"Be apostles in spreading

an eager devotion

to the Divine Sacrament

particularly among the children,

the aged, the sick, the chronically ill."

St Louis Guanella



Terminally ill hospice resident, Evelyn Breuning, 91, prepares to receive holy communion in her bed
at the Hospice of Saint John in Lakewood, Colorado Getty images/John Moore

A single offering... a sea of comfort...

I have set you an example that you 

should do as I have done for you. - John 13:15

In May 1941, Fr Jean Bernard was arrested for denouncing the Nazis and sent to Dachua’s “Priest Block,” a barracks that housed more than 3,000 clergymen of various denominations (the vast majority Roman Catholic priests).  Priestblock 25487 tells the gripping true story of his survival amid inhumane brutality, degradation and torture.  Later this book was adapted by director Volker Schlondorff into the award-winning film, The Ninth Day. (Both book and film highly recommended.)

FOLLOWING: an excerpt from

Priestblock 25487, A Memoir of Dachua by Fr Jean Bernard

“Mass is always celebrated by the same priest, a former chaplain in the Polish army, the only one who has been given permission. … The sacred rite commences.  It proceeds in haste, and the gathering is uneasy and nervous.  Everyone knows that the Mass is tolerated rather than really allowed, and each time it could be disrupted. …

The celebrant speaks the prayers of the Mass in a loud voice, and the others whisper them in accompaniment.  At the offering we raise our hands with the tiny bit of Host.  Before the transubstantiation someone plucks my sleeve.  “Prosze,” he says in Polish, “please.”  Then he puts his particle of host in my hand, next to my own.  I gather that he is not a priest, perhaps only a seminarian or monk, for the celebrant’s intention is to consecrate all the pieces of Host that are being held by priests.

“Hoc est corpus meum.”  I look at the two bits of Host in my hand, and as the One for Whom we are suffering all this comes into our midst, as in their hearts hundreds of priests join their offering with that of the Savior, tears roll down my cheeks.  It becomes a single offering that certainly creates new ties between heaven and earth. 

For Holy Communion the priests gather the pieces together; the communicants are the non-priests who entrusted a small bit of the Host to them.

It is a sea of comfort that pours out over the gathering.  Comfort and hope and strength for new suffering joyfully accepted.”

Consuming zeal for souls

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,

serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:11-12

 

 

The Good Shepherd ~ Artist: Minerva Teichert

 

 

 “The offspring of this intensity of love

for our Eucharistic Lord

should be a consuming zeal

for the gathering of souls

into the fold of Christ.”

 

 

St Katharine Drexel

American ~ 1858 - 1955

Foundress - Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

aka 'the anti-Margaret Sanger'

FEAST DAY - March 3

 

 

“And here is the passive way – to be filled unto the fullness of God. The passive way – I abandon myself to it, not in a multiplicity of trials, extraordinary penances accomplished, practices of great works – but in peaceful abandonment to the tenderness of Jesus, which I must try to imitate, and by being in constant union with His meek and humble heart."  - St Katharine Drexel

Click here: St. Katharine Drexel - YouTube (2 mins)

Click here: Saint Katharine Drexel - YouTube (2 mins - CCTNtv)

St Katharine Drexel, pray for us!

Epiphany: Testifying to His love...

“The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them 

to leave everything and begin a journey.  

It was as though they had always been waiting for that star.”  - Pope Benedict XVI

Solemnity of the Epiphany 

January 6 - traditional date*

*(In the United States the feast is celebrated

on the first Sunday following January 1st) 

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering

the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. 

They prostrated themselves and did him homage. - Matt 2:10-11

 

“Today we must make our own the happiness which filled the Wise Men on their journey to Christ… Above all, we must imitate them as they place at the Child’s feet not only three gifts, but also their lives… We need to ‘set out anew from Christ,’ with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm.  

To set out from Him above all in a daily commitment to holiness, with an attitude of prayer and of listening to His word.  To set out from Him in order to testify to His love by living a Christian life marked by communion, charity and witness before the world.” 

Saint John Paul II

 

O, come let us adore Him -

Christ the LORD!

“In returning to their own land by another way the Magi suggest something of great significance for us.  Our true country is paradise.  Having now come to the knowledge of Jesus, we are forbidden to return to it on the path by which we left it.  For we left our land by the path of pride, of disobedience, by following after wealth, by eating forbidden food.  So we must now return another way: by way of tears, by way of obedience, by contempt of the world, by restraining the desires of the flesh.”- St Gregory the Great

 

  Fr. Tom Hoisington shares an inspiring homily on this special feast day.

The sight of FAITH

 ...it is fitting for the upright to praise him.  - Psalm 33:1b

"Words cannot express the perfection of his adoration. If Saint John leaped in the womb at the approach of Mary, what feelings must have coursed through Joseph during those six months when he had at his side and under his very eyes the hidden God!

If the father of Origin used to kiss his child during the night and adore the Holy Spirit living within him, can we doubt that Joseph must often have adored Jesus hidden in the pure tabernacle of Mary? How fervent that adoration must have been: My Lord and my God, behold your servant!

No one can describe the adoration of this noble soul. He saw nothing, yet he believed; his faith had to pierce the virginal veil of Mary. So likewise with you! Under the veil of the Sacred Species your faith must see our Lord.

Ask St. Joseph for his lively, constant faith."

St. Peter Julian Eymard

O, my God, grant me five graces!

"If you can not soar up as high as Christ sitting on His throne,

behold Him hanging on His cross. Rest in Christ's Passion and live

willingly in His holy wounds." ~ Thomas à Kempis, Imitation of Christ

 

Angels Bearing Instruments of the Passion (detail from altarpiece) ~ Rogier van der Weyden (+1464)

 

 

"Oh, my God, through the precious Blood of Jesus

and His five wounds, 

grant me today five graces:  

the conversion of a sinner, 

the conversion of an unbeliever, 

the salvation of someone 

dying in peril of everlasting death; 

a vocation to the priesthood 

or to the religious life; 

 and, for some new soul, the grace 

of entering into 

and savoring the mystery of the Eucharist."

 

Prayer of Elisabeth Leseur (+1914)

 

 

 

 

Let us especially be mindful of and in prayer for the thousands of

Catechumens and Candidates who will fully enter the

Catholic Church and her sacramental life during the Easter Vigil.

John 10:10

 

Click here: Thousands Joining the Church in the U.S. This Saturday | ZENIT 

O, the heavenly Rhythm of Liturgy

On December 17th, the Church’s Advent liturgy begins to focus in a more particular way on the Nativity of the Lord.  The prayers, readings, preface at Mass, as well as the readings, antiphons for the Gospel canticles, intercessions, and prayers at the Liturgy of the Hours concentrate more resolutely than during the preceding days of Advent on the coming feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Our attention is fixed on the messianic promises proclaimed by the ancient prophets of Israel. 

The seven great “O Antiphons” have a particular role in these days. Each antiphon, always sung in a very similar melody, begins with 'O' and addresses Christ with a unique title from the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah.  Each is followed by a petition for God's people relevant to the title by which He is addressed, and the cry for Jesus to COME to us (veni) and act on our behalf:   

December 17: O Wisdom, O Holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. (Isaiah 11:2-3; Wisdom 8:1; Proverbs 9:1)

December 18: O Sacred Lord of Ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. (Exodus 3:1-8; 20:1-20; Deuteronomy 26:5-9)

December 19: O Flower of Jesse’s Stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. (Isaiah 11:1-4; 45:23; 52:13; Luke 1:32-33)

December 20: O Key of David, O Royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. (Isaiah 22:22; 42:6-7; Luke 4:16-19)

December 21: O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. (Malachi 3:20; Isaiah 9:1; Psalm 107:14)

December 22: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. (Isaiah 28:16; Genesis 2:7; Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:4-5)

December 23: O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the Nations, Savior of all People, come and set us free, Lord our God. (Isaiah 7:14; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 1:21-23)

·                     December 17: O Sapientia (O Wisdom)

·                     December 18: O Adonai (O Lord)

·                     December 19: O Radix Iesse (O Root of Jesse)

·                     December 20: O Clavis David (O Key of David)

·                     December 21: O Oriens (O Daystar) (after this date, days get longer)

·                     December 22: O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations)

·                     December 23: O Emmanuel (O God-with-Us)

 

When taken together from the last title to the first,

the first letters of each title form a wonderful Latin acrostic:

This is the Lord’s response

to the Church's ardent petition that He COME (veni)

Ero cras: I will be there tomorrow!

 The “O Antiphons” not only bring holy intensity to our Advent

preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.

 

 

 

 NOTE:  Some have used the O Antiphons as the basis of a rich Novena

up to and including Christmas Day.

Perhaps this "last lap" of Advent could also include

daily Mass and/or daily Adoration.

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel!

 

The song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is simply a reworking of the O Antiphons. When you sing it, you are joining a vast throng of Christians stretching back across centuries and spanning the whole of the earth who prayed as all Christians do, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20)

Our Lady of Advent ~ "Master of the Madonna del Parto"

 

More on the 'O Antiphons': http://fisheaters.com/customsadvent10.html

 

 Click here: What's in a Name? Reflections on the O Antiphons with Thomas Smith

 

 

Happy Birthday, Holy Father!

77 years old today

 

 

You have the pledge of our prayers!

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 

 

 St John of Capistrano

Italy ~ 1385-1456

Franciscan priest, preacher, theologian

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 the 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.

 

This is the way - come

 

Before Leaving the Presence of

the Blessed Sacrament

Food of the world,

how long before the world

comes to Your table?

Banquet of love,

highways, byways,

teem with starving souls

not yet aware

that empty chairs await them.

How can I compel them

to come in?

Make me this day

the envelope of Your invitation,

the aroma of Your feast,

the song of Your minstrel,

the banner on Your door.

Let every movement of my days announce:

Come feed on the Bread of life!

Paul Thigpen

From Jesus We Adore You (2001)

Fuel of fire

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

 

Body and Blood  ~ Mark Jennings (2011)

 

 

"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?"  ~ Bl Pope John Paul II

 

 

 

San Charles of Borremeo - California Franciscan mission

 

Bl 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 varieties of fruits and vegetables, including grapes,

and laid the foundation for the agricultrue 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." ~ Bl. Junipero

 

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

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

 

Bl Junipero Serra, pray for us!

 

Through the inspiration of Bl 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 Bl 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, Blessed 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.

Ardent love compels

 

Rembrandt ~ Face of Christ

 

 

"The more ardent the love for the Eucharist in the hearts of the

Christian people, the more clearly will they recognize

the goal of all mission:  to bring Christ to others.

 

Not just a theory or a way of life inspired by Christ, but the gift

of His very Person.  Anyone who has not shared the Truth of love

with his brothers and sisters has not yet given enough."

 

~ Pope Benedict XVI

 

 

All for Jesus

But just as He who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do. ~ I Peter 1:15

Central panel of triptych - photo credit - Lawrence, OP

"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

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, ora pro nobis!
More on St Anthony Mary Claret: Click here: A Very Special Patron: Saint Anthony Mary Claret | Catholicism.org