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Second Sunday of Easter ~ Divine Mercy Sunday Our Lord said to Saint Faustina; "Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you ... Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death ... When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Saviour ... Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy ... I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy ... Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask is compatible with My will." Helna Kowalska was born on the 25th of August 1905 in the village of Glogowiec near Łódź in Poland. Aged just fourteen and without completing elementary school she went to work. By the time she was fifteen she had made it know to her parents that it was her desire to enter a convent. Accordingly, on the 1st of August 1925 she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and served her postulancy in Warsaw and her novitiate in Cracow. It was there, during her investiture that she was given the name of Sister Mary Faustina. After a two year novitiate, she made her first profession of vows on the 30th of April 1928. As a temporarily professed sister she worked in various houses belonging to the congregation taking her perpetual vows on the 1st of May 1933. However, after only a few weeks of convent life her health began to deteriorate and she began to suffer from consumption. In August 1934 she suffered a violent attack of asthma for the first time. This was, in all likelihood, tuberculosis which progressed to such an extent that in 1936 and again in 1938 she was forced to spend several months in a sanatorium in Pradnik, near Cracow. In 1938 she spent the last five months of her life in the same hospital and passed away on the 5th of October. The Visions and the writing of the Diary. In the 1920s St. Faustina began to receive heavenly visions. She visited Purgatory; she saw and spoke to Jesus and Mary several times. At last Jesus revealed to her the work for which she had been created: to spread the devotion to the Mercy of God. On 22nd of February 1931, He appeared to her as King of Divine Mercy, "wearing a white garment. One hand was raised in a sign of blessing; the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment. . .emanated two large rays, one red, the other pale." Jesus asked St. Faustina to have an image painted of Him as she saw Him, but her superiors hesitated. At last, God sent her a new spiritual director, Father Michael Sopocko, who helped her to promulgate devotion to the Mercy of God. It was Fr. Sopocko also who ordered her to write a diary of the graces she received, even though she had a hard time writing and spelling because of her scanty education. The diary was later published under the title Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of St. Faustina. The Diary of Saint Faustina online. (PDF file) https://liturgicalyear.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/divine-mercy-in-my-soul.pdf Let the doubting soul read these considerations on Divine Mercy and become trusting. Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, fount gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, I trust in You. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. (Diary of St. Faustina, 949-950) See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Mercy_Sunday |
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23rd April ~ Solemnity of St. George, Martyr, Patron of England. Born - Cappadocia Died - 23 April 303, Nicomedia, Bithynia, Roman Empire Venerated in - Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Church of the East, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, Umbanda, Druze faith Major shrine - Church of Saint George, Lod, St. George's Monastery, Al-Khader, St. George Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Edappally, St. George Orthodox Church Puthuppally Pally, St. George's Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Aruvithura, St. George Forane Church, Edathua, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Feast - 23 April (Saint George's Day), 6 May (Gregorian when Julian date is observed), 23 Parmouti (Coptic calendar, 1 May), Saturday before third Sunday of Exaltation of the Cross (Armenian Church calendar). Attributes - Clothed as a crusader in plate armour or mail, often bearing a lance tipped by a cross, riding a white horse, often slaying a dragon. In the Greek East and Latin West he is shown with St George's Cross emblazoned on his armour, or shield or banner. Patronage - Many Patronages of Saint George exist around the world Strange as it may seem, St. George was not actually English. Tradition places him in Palestine in the Middle East in the late third or early fourth century. According to legend the dragon, which terrorised the country, was first appeased by an offering of two sheep. When these grew scarce, a human victim was chosen. The lot fell to the king’s daughter who went to face her fate dressed as a bride. George pierced the dragon with his lance and led it captive with the princess’s girdle as if it were tame. He told the people not to be afraid and that he would rid them of the beast if they believed in Jesus Christ and were baptised. The king and people agreed, George killed the dragon and 15,000 men were baptised. George would take no reward other than a promise from the king to maintain churches, to honour priests and to show compassion to the poor. According to tradition George underwent martyrdom during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian. His cult spread to England following the Crusades. During the siege of Antioch and the defeat of the Saracens the morale of the Crusaders is supposed to have been boosted by a vision of St. George and St. Demetrius. “Saint George was a man who abandoned one army for another: he gave up the rank of tribune to enlist as a soldier for Christ. Eager to encounter the enemy, he first stripped away his worldly wealth by giving all he had to be poor. Then, free and unencumbered, bearing the shield of faith, he plunged into the think of the battle, an ardent soldier for Christ. Clearly what he did serves to teach us a valuable lesson: if we are afraid to strip ourselves of out worldly possessions, then we are unfit to make a strong defence of the faith. Dear brothers, let us not only admire the courage of this fighter in heaven’s army, but follow his example. Let us be inspired to strive for the reward of heavenly glory. We must now cleanse ourselves, as Saint Paul tells us, from all defilement of body and spirit, so that one day we too may deserve to enter that temple of blessedness to which we now aspire.” – from a sermon by Saint Peter Damian Almighty and ever living God, the heart of St. George bore witness to the risen Lord. Grant that through his intercession that same power of love we may be led with him in triumph to share in the fullness of the resurrection. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06453a.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George_and_the_Dragon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_George_in_devotions,_traditions_and_prayers https://catholicsaints.info/saint-george/ https://www.christianiconography.info/goldenLegend/george.htm |
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29th April ~ Feast of St, Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church, Patron of Europe. Born 25 March 1347, Siena, Republic of Siena Died 29 April 1380 (aged 33), Rome, Papal States Canonized 29 June 1461 by Pope Pius II Major shrine Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome and Shrine of Saint Catherine, Siena Attributes Dominican tertiaries' habit, lily, book, crucifix, cupid, heart, crown of thorns, stigmata, ring, dove, rose, skull, miniature church, miniature ship bearing Papal coat of arms Patronage against fire; bodily ills; Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA; Europe; illness; Italy; Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines; Samal, Bataan, Philippines; miscarriages; people ridiculed for their piety; sexual temptation; sick people; sickness; nurses The youngest of the twenty or so children of Giacomo Benincasa, a Sienese dyer from an early age Catherine was devoted to a life of prayer and penance. She steadfastly refused to consider marriage and became a Dominican tertiary. Following years of solitude and preparation she began ministering to the sick and, with a group of followers, which included Dominicans, Augustinians and an English Austin Friar, William Flete, she made frequent journeys with a call to reform and repentance through a renewal of total love for God. Catherine tried to express her ideals in her "Dialogue" and in her letters which she dictated - she never learnt how to write. In the last five years of her life she became increasingly involved in church politics and made attempts to make peace between Florence and the papacy, then based in Avignon. Later she added her voice to the many that urged Pope Gregory XI (1370 - 1378) to return to Rome from Avignon and so curb excessive French influence on the Curia. This he did in 1376 and met Catherine on the road at Genoa. In 1378, following the death of Pope Gregory XI there occurred the Great Schism. Urban VI was elected Pope in Rome and a rival set up in Avignon. Catherine sent frequent letters to Urban urging him to moderate his harshness and also to various European rulers and cardinals urging them to recognise Urban as the genuine pope. She died in 1380 and was canonized in 1461. She became Siena's principal saint and a figure of international importance through her work in bringing the papacy back to Rome. Almighty and ever living God, you set your saint, Catherine of Siena aflame in her contemplation of your Son's Passion and in the service of your Church; grant that through her intercession, we, your people, participating in the mystery of Christ, may one day exult in the revelation of his glory. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03447a.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Siena http://www.catholictreasury.info/books/dialogue/index.php |
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30th April ~ Optional memorial of St. Pius V, Pope, Religious. Papacy began 7 January 1566 Papacy ended 1 May 1572 Predecessor Pius IV Successor Gregory XIII Ordination 1528 by Innocenzo Cybo Consecration 14 September 1556 by Giovanni Michele Saraceni Created cardinal 15 March 1557 by Pope Paul IV Birth name Antonio Ghislieri Born 17 January 1504, Bosco, Duchy of Milan Died 1 May 1572 (aged 68), Rome, Papal States Previous post Bishop of Sutri and Nepi (1556–1557) Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria sopra Minerva (1557–1561) Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina (1561–1566) Bishop of Mondovi (1560–1566) Secretary of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition (1564–1566) Motto Utinam dirigantur viæ meæ ad custodiendas justificationes tuas (O that my ways may be directed to keep thy justification) Pope St. Pius V was born Michele Ghislieri of a noble family at Bosco, Italy in the year 1504. Pius received the name Michael at his baptism and as a child received an excellent education in piety and holiness. As a youth, Michael received a scholastic education from a Dominican friar and by the time he was 15, he joined the order. Michael made great strides in his relationship with God and in his education. In the year 1528, Michael was ordained a priest and was appointed as a teacher of philosophy and divinity in Genoa. For the next sixteen years, Michael travelled to various Dominican houses and encouraged a stricter following of the Order's Rule with both words and example. In the year 1555, Michael was ordained Bishop of Nepi and Sutri against his will and in the year 1557 Michael was elevated to the College of Cardinals. In his time as bishop, Michael worked to lead his flock with words and example and served as a continual messenger encouraging personal piety and devotion to God, In the year 1566, Pope Paul IV (1555 - 1559) died and Michael was chosen to take his place. Michael took the name Pius V and almost immediately faced the task of enacting the reforms of the Council of Trent. During the papacy of Pius V, new seminaries were opened, a new breviary, a new missal, and a new catechism was published, and foundations were established to spread the Faith and preserve the doctrine of the Church. Pius did not allow the public life of being pope to stand in the way of his personal generosity and devotion to the Faithful. He spent much time giving of himself to the poor and personally providing for the needy. Pius built many hospitals and generously used the papal treasury to satisfy the needs of the poor. Pius faced many difficulties in the public forum, both in the implementation of the Tridentine reforms and interaction with other heads of state. Pius died in office in the year 1572. Almighty and ever living God, in your providence you raised up your humble servant Pius in your Church that the deposit of faith might be safe-guarded and more fitting worship be offered to you, grant that we, through his intercession, may fully participate in your sacred mysteries with a lively faith and in fruitful charity. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12130a.htm |
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1st May ~ Optional memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. First century A.D. Prayer to St. Joseph.
(Proclaimed Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX on the 8th of December 1870) Almost all that we know about the life of St. Joseph comes from the pages of Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels. He is not mentioned at all in Mark and only once in John. Mathew's and Luke’s Gospels contain the long list of the ancestors of Joseph going back to Abraham. He was descended from the House of David and his trade as a carpenter shows that he was impoverished. The apocryphal Protoevangelium of James makes him an old man at the time of his betrothal to Mary but his implied duties in protecting the Holy Family an in bringing up Jesus make this unlikely. A Greek document, the History of Joseph the Carpenter from the fifth or sixth century was influential in establishing a liturgical cult of St. Joseph that had its origins in the east but reached its full development in the west much later. The feast of St. Joseph was celebrated in England at Winchester, Worcester, Ely and other places before 1100 and various medieval saints such as Vincent Ferrer, Bridget of Sweden and Bernardino of Siena propagated devotion to St. Joseph partly as a reaction to the mystery plays of the time where he was shown as a comic figure. The diffusion and popularity of his feast was due in great part to Teresa of Avila who dedicated the mother-house of her reformed Carmelites to him. Pope Gregory XV made his feast a holyday of obligation, now no longer observed. In 18710 he was declared “Patron of the Universal Church” by Pope Pius IX who also encouraged his Patronage on the third Sunday after Easter. This was replaced by the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on the 1st of May by Pope Pius XII and Saint Pope John XXIII added his name to the Canon of the Mass. Almighty and ever living God, creator of all things, who laid down for the human race the law of work, grant that, by the example of Saint Joseph and through his patronage, we may complete the works that you set each of us to do, and thereby attain the rewards that you promise. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph |
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2nd May ~ Memorial of St. Athanasius, Bishop, Doctor of the Church Born - c. 296–298, Alexandria, Roman Egypt Died - 2 May 373 (aged 75–77), Alexandria, Roman Egypt Venerated in - Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, Anglican Communion, Lutheranism Attributes - Bishop arguing with a pagan; bishop holding an open book; bishop standing over a defeated heretic (Arius) Shrines - Church of San Zaccaria in Venice, Italy and St Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt Saint Athanasius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, towards the end of the third century, and from his youth was pious, learned, and deeply versed in the sacred writings. He left the paternal home to be raised by the bishop of Alexandria like a new Samuel in the Lord’s temple, as befitted one whom God had chosen to be the champion and defender of His Church against the Arian heresy, which denied the Divinity of Christ. While still a deacon, he was chosen by Saint Alexander, his bishop, to go with him to the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325. There he attracted the attention of all the prelates by the learning and ability with which he defended the Faith. Five months later, as Saint Alexander was dying, he recommended Athanasius for his successor as Patriarch of Alexandria, and in that office for forty-six years the new Patriarch bore the whole brunt of the Arian assault, often virtually alone and undefended. When the invincible Athanasius refused to restore Arius to Catholic communion, he was exiled to Treves in France, and the Emperor ordered the Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople to receive the heresiarch. The end of that man of error is very instructive. He took an oath that he had always believed as the Church believes, though he taught that there was a time when the Word of God WAS NOT. Thereupon the Catholic Patriarch of Constantinople, with Saint James of Nisibe, who was in Constantinople at that time, Saint Athanasius in France and the Catholics everywhere, had recourse to fasting and prayer, that God would avert from the Church the frightful sacrilege. The day came for the solemn entrance of Arius into the great church of Saint Sophia. The heresiarch and his party set out, elated, in triumph. But before he reached the church, death smote him in an exemplary, swift and terrible way, and the dreaded sacrilege was averted. Saint Athanasius stood unmoved against four Roman emperors, was banished five times, was the butt of every insult, calumny and wrong the Arians could devise, and lived in constant peril of death. Though strong as diamond in defence of the Faith, he was meek and humble, pleasant and winning in conversation, beloved by his flock, unwearied in labours, prayer and mortifications, eloquent in speech, and unsurpassed in zeal for souls. From his places of exile he wrote many great works for the instruction and strengthening of his flock, writings rich in thought and learning, clear, keen and stately in expression. He is honoured as one of the greatest of the Doctors of the Church. His admirers told the story of his response to a search party pursuing him downstream, as he retreated by boat. Knowing of their approach, he ordered the captain to change direction and return. When he crossed the search party on the river, they hailed him and asked whether he had seen the bishop of Alexandria pass by. He replied, “Continue; he is not far from here.” Restored to his see by the emperor Valens for fear of a popular uprising, the stormy life of the Saint closed in peace on May 2nd of the year 373. See also: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02035a.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasius_of_Alexandria https://catholicsaints.info/saint-athanasius-of-alexandria/ https://saintscatholic.blogspot.com/2012/05/st-athanasius.html |