Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John of the Cross, Feast Day December 14




St. John of the CrossPrayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John of the Cross, Feast Day December 14

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John of the Cross,

Feast Day December 14

The feast day of St. John of the Cross is celebrated on December 14.  Because of his mystical writing, he is called the Mystical Doctor. He is one of the 35 Doctors of the Church. He is the patron of mystics.

Juan de Yepes Alvarez was born in Spain in 1542. His father was disowned by the family when he married a weavers’ daughter. His father died soon after his birth. Most of Juan’s childhood was spent in poverty. As a teenager, Juan worked in a hospital caring for the terminally ill and mental patients.

At the age of 21, Juan became a brother in the Carmelite Order. He went for higher studies in Slamanca and was ordained a priest, taking the name of John of the Cross at age 25. He soon met St. Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite nun, who convinced him to help her in the work of reforming the Carmelite Order. There was great resistance to the reforming of the order to a more prayerful life. Those against the reform actually kidnapped him. They held him prisoner for over nine months in a small cell, six by ten feet wide. He was beaten often. During this time of trial, St. John of the Cross became very close to God, spending his time writing his mystical poetry. He eventually escaped using a rope made of strips of blankets to climb out the window. The only thing he took with him was his writings. John hid in a convent infirmary where he read his poetry to the nuns. From this period on he shared his experience of God’s love.

St. John of the Cross wrote many books including:

St. John of the Cross
  • Ascent of Mount Carmel,
  • Dark Night of the Soul
  • A Spiritual Canticle
  • Living Flame of Love

 

 

 

 

In 1579, he became Rector of Colegio de San Basilio, continuing his writing ministry. He is known for a spirituality which believes in the prayer of detachment. His spirituality also focused on joining our suffering to the Paschal Mystery  (the death and suffering of Jesus Christ).   He taught that the Cross leads to resurrection, agony to ecstasy, darkness to light, abandonment to possession, denial of self to union with God.

St. John of the Cross died of fever caused by cellulitus. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. His feast day is Dec. 14, the day of his death and entry into heaven.

 

“Live in the world as if only God

and your soul were in it;

then your heart will never be made

captive by any earthly thing.”

Quote of St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John the Evangelist; Feast Day December 27

Follow Us @ Sacred Art and Quotes of the Saints December 27 is the feast day of St. John the Evangelist. He is the patron of writers, editors, and publishers. This honor is due to his writing of the fourth gospel, three epistles and the Book of Revelations. John was the son of Zebedee. He … Continue reading Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John the Evangelist; Feast Day December 27

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Paul II, Feast Day October 22




St. John Paul II Public Domain Image
St. John Paul II

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Paul II,

Feast Day October 22

The feast day of St. John Paul II is celebrated on October 22.  He is the patron saint of youth.

Karol Jozef Wajtyla (pronounced Voy-tee-ya) was born to Karol and Emilia Wojtyla in Wodowice, Poland on May18, 1920. His mother died when he was nine years old. His sister Olga died before he was born. His brother Edmond, a doctor, died when he was twelve. He was very close to his father, who raised him. When he was 21, his father died, leaving him alone, with no family.

Young Karol studied drama in Krakow’s Jagiellonian University. The university closed due to the Nazi occupation in 1939. In 1942, he had a call to the priesthood. He studied in an underground seminary in Krakow. At the same time he also was a member of the underground “Rhapsodic Theater”.

Karol was ordained on November 1, 1946. He was sent to Rome where he finished his doctorate in theology with a thesis on the works of St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite saint

He wished to become a Carmelite priest himself. However, he was turned down twice. The first time, he was denied entry due to the war. The second time he applied, his bishop told him, he was not meant to be a contemplative (private prayer) priest, his charismatic (public prayer) talent was needed working with the public. During his early priesthood he worked as a chaplain to university students as well as vicar to several parishes.

On Jan 13, 1964 he became a Cardinal. He was a participant in the Vatican Council II (1962-1965).

On October 16, 1978, he was elected Pope. As Pope he chose the name of John Paul II. As Pope of the Catholic Church he will be remembered for many things. He established the World Youth Day Celebration. This event brought millions of young people together in a different country to celebrate their faith. In 1993, Youth Day was held in Denver, USA. In 2000 he led the celebration in Rome for the Great Jubilee year. Although unofficial, this is why he is considered the patron of youth.

As Pope he canonized many saints, including his fellow citizen Sister Faustina from Poland. John Paul II gave her Divine Mercy Devotion an official feast day, the Sunday following Easter. This devotion focuses on the mercy and forgiveness Jesus offers us.

Another Devotion John Paul II encouraged was the Rosary. The Rosary focuses on the life of Jesus. In 2002 he added a fourth set of mysteries to be meditated on which is called the Luminous Mysteries. This includes the Baptism of Jesus, The Wedding at Cana, The Institution of the Word, The Transfiguration, and The Eucharist.

In 1981 he survived an attempted assassination. He credited his devotion to Our Lady of Fatima for his survival. He publicly forgave his attacker.

John Paul II is remembered for his successful efforts to end communism, and for bringing together people of all faiths.

John Paul II died Parkinson’s disease on April 2, 2005.

John Paul II was Pope for 27 years. Many Catholics give him the title John Paul the Great, and Patron of Youth.   His message of hope often included  the message of Jesus when he stilled the water: Be Not Afraid” (Mat: 14).

He received the title of Blessed in 2000. His first miracle was the cure of Sister Marie Perre Simon who was a French nun suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is the illness John Paul II died from on April 2, 2005.  The second miracle of Pope John Paul II was the curing of a brain aneurysm of Floribeth Mora Diaz of Costa Rica.

On  Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014, Pope Francis canonized Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.  Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI con-celebrated the Mass.

 

Place your talents and enthusiasm at the service of life.

Quote of St. John Paul II

 

St. John Paul II in Art

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary.

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paul of the Cross, Feast Day October 20




 

St. Paul of the Cross Public Domain Image
St. Paul of the Cross

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paul of the Cross, Feast Day October 20

The feast day of St. Paul of the Cross is celebrated on October 20.

St. Paul of the Cross was born in the Ovada in the Republic of Genoa on Jan. 3, 1694.  His parents had 16 children, of whom only six survived.

When St. Paul was young he fell into a river.  He was rescued by a beautiful woman he believed to be the Blessed Virgin.

He was called to the religious life early. He had a tender devotion to Our Blessed Lady, and the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. St. Paul of the Cross worked as a hospital chaplain for 21 years before founding the Passionist Order after having a vision.  In the vision, he saw himself clothed in the habit that his community would wear: a long, black robe with a white symbol stitched in the center and a white cross above a white heart that held the words, “passion of Jesus Christ.”  His brother John Baptist joined the order also.  The new community was grounded in poverty and solitude and had a mission to encourage people to meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus.

The mission of St. Paul of the Cross was to reach out to the poor and abandoned people, preaching the message of faith, compassion and loving redemption. He was a popular preacher, poet, and mystic.  He became known for miracles.  St. Paul was given supernatural gifts.  He could see into the future and heal sick people through his prayer and touch.  St. Paul of the Cross was known as a very holy man and considered a saint.

At the age of 81, St. Paul of the Cross died in Rome in the year 1775.

The universal Church feast (memorial) of St Paul of the Cross is celebrated worldwide on October 19th. In the USA it is celebrated on October 20, because of the memorial of the North American Martyrs on the 19th.

 

Carry a bouquet of the suffering of Jesus

on the altar of your heart.

Quote of St. Paul of the Cross

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John of God, Feast Day March 8

Follow Us @ Sacred Art and Quotes of the Saints The feast day of St. John of God is celebrated on March 8. St. John is the patron saint of booksellers, printers, firefighters, heart patients, hospitals, nurses and the sick. St. John of God was born in Portugal in 1495.   When he was eight … Continue reading Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John of God, Feast Day March 8

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Joseph, Feast Day March 5

Follow Us @ Sacred Art and Quotes of the Saints The feast day of St. John Joseph of the Cross is celebrated on March 5. St. John Joseph was born on the Feast of the Assumption, to a noble family on the Island of Ischia in Southern Italy in 1654. From early childhood he lived … Continue reading Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Joseph, Feast Day March 5

Messages of Hope from the Saints

Messages of Hope from the Saints

The following quotes are messages from the saints to encourage during times of trouble.

St. Faustina
Public Domain Image
Hope is the lifeline that connects us to God’s mercy and grace.

St. Faustina

St. Augustine
There is no love without hope, no hope without love, and neither hope nor love without faith.

St. Augustine

Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage.  Anger at the way things are,  and courage to see that they do.

St. Augustine

He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, who whether it be far off or near, awaits with sincere faith, steadfast hope and fervent love.

St. Augustine

For in our Hope we are saved.

St. Augustine

Hope is the dream of a waking man.

St. Augustine

St. Bernard of Clairvaux
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Hope is the gift that God bestows on those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Padre Pio
Public Domain Image
Pray, hope and don’t worry!  Worry is useless.  God is merciful and will hear your prayer.

St. Padre Pio

I feel a great desire to abandon myself with greater trust to the Divine Mercy and to place my hope in God alone.

St. Padre Pio

St. Francis of Assisi
Public Domain Image
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love.  where there is injury, pardon. where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope, where there is darkness, light. and where there is sadness, joy.

St. Francis of Assisi

Hope is the key that unlocks the door of possibilities.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Faith lifts the soul.  Hope supports it.  Experience says it must and Love says, “Let it be?”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

St. Ignatius Loyola
Public Domain Image
Hope is the sign of a soul that trusts in God’s promises.

St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Leo the Great

The cross of Christ is the true ground and chief cause of Christian hope.

St. Leo the Great

St. Bonaventure
Public Domain Image
Hope is the beacon that shines in the darkness reminding us of God’s love.

St. Bonaventure

St. Thomas Aquinas
Public Domain Image
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.

St. Thomas Aquinas  

Hope is the anchor of the soul.

St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Maria Goretti
Public Domain Image
He loves, he hopes, he waits.  Our Lord prefers to wait for the sinner for years rather than keep us waiting for an instant.

St. Maria Goretti

St. John of the Cross
Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul.  Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you.  Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.

St. John of the Cross

St. Therese of Lisieux
Public Domain Image
God would never inspire me with dreams which cannot be realized!  So in spite of my littleness, I can Hope to be a saint.

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Teresa of Avila
Public Domain Image
Hope is the virtue that sustains us in times of trial.

St. Teresa of Avila

St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Public Domain Image
Hope is the seed that grows into a flourishing garden of faith and love.

St. Jane Frances de Chantel

St. Jerome and the Angel
by Simon Vouet
Public Domain Image
Hope is the courage to trust in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain.

St. Jerome

St. John Paul II
Public Domain Image
Although I have lived through much darkness, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young…Do not let that hope die!  Stake your lives on it!  We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son.

St. John Paul II

The cross means there is no shipwreck without hope.  There is no dark without dawn, no storm without haven.

St. John Paul II

Apart from the mercy of God, there is no other source of hope for mankind.

St. John Paul II

To humanity, which sometimes seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, the risen Lord gives the gift of His love which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope.

St. John Paul II

Believers know that the presence of evil is always accompanied by the presence of good… by grace…Where evil grows, there the hope for good also grows…In the love that pours forth from the heart of Christ, we find hope for the future of the world.  Christ has redeemed the world.  By His wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

St. John Paul II

I plead with you…never ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged.  Be not afraid.

St. John Paul II

 

Author’s Pick…Book Review #1…Prayer Styles

Follow Us @ Sacred Art and Quotes of the Saints   Their is a different prayer style for each person.  Each of the saints also prays in a way that is special to that saint  If you are searching for the type of prayer that works for you a wonderful book to read is Six … Continue reading Author’s Pick…Book Review #1…Prayer Styles

Feast Days and Saint of the Day; DECEMBER CALENDAR

Follow Us @ Sacred Art and Quotes of the Saints Dec. 1…Bl. Charles de Foucould…France…Martyr…Patron Saint of diocesan priests Dec. 2…St. Bibiana…Rome…Martyr Dec. 3…St. Francis Xavier…Spain…Co-Founder of the Jesuits…Patron Saint of foreign missions…Incorrupt Dec. 4…St. John Damascene…Demascus…Doctor of the Church              St. Barbara…Patron against sudden death Dec. 5…St.Sabas…Cappadocia….priest and monk … Continue reading Feast Days and Saint of the Day; DECEMBER CALENDAR