All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

Vicki Scheenstra is a former Catholic Bookstore owner and has been active in Catholic Education.
Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John N. Neumann, Feast Day January 5

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St. John N. Neumann

The feast day of St. John N. Neumann is celebrated on January 5.  He was a Redemptorist priest and bishop.  He is the  patron of sick children and of immigrants and  Catholic education.

St. John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811. Due to the shortage of priests in the colonies, he traveled to New York to be ordained a priest and worked in an isolated parish.  Father John eventually joined the Redemptorists who were dedicated to helping the poor and abandoned. In 1852, he was appointed Bishop of Philadelphia. He increased the number of Catholic schools from two to a hundred.

The desire to hear confessions led St. John Neumann to learn at least six languages. He knew Spanish, English, French, Italian, Dutch and Gaelic.

While doing errands on January 5, 1860, Neumann collapsed and died on a Philadelphia street. He was 48 years old.  After his death the National Shrine of St. John Neumann was constructed at the Parish of St. Peter the Apostle in Philadelphia.  Our Lady of the Angels College, founded by the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters which he had founded was renamed.  It became known as  the  Neumann College. It was later given University status.

St. John Neumann was beatified on Oct. 13, 1963 by Pope Paul VI.  He was canonized on June 19, 1977 by Pope Paul VI.

“A man must always be ready for death,
for death comes when and where God wills it.”

Quote of St. John N. Neumann

January is the Month of the Holy Name

 

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Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Feast Day January 4

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

 

The feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is celebrated on January 4.  She is the patron saint of in-law troubles and loss of children.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first native born American to be canonized a saint.

Elizabeth was born on Aug. 28, 1774 in New York City. She was raised in the Episcopal Church. At the early age of 3 her mother died. At the age of 19 she married William Seton, a wealthy businessman.

Within four years, she suffered the death of her father in-law which left William in charge, not only of his father’s business but the seven half-brothers and sisters as well. The business failed, forcing bankruptcy.

William became ill with tuberculosis. In an attempt to find a cure they moved to Italy. He died while living in Italy. Elizabeth grew very close to God. She accepted and embraced the will of God. Elizabeth eventually was led into the Catholic church. She had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton established the first free Catholic school in America. On March 25, 1809 she took a vow of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She became the founder of the Sisters of Charity, which followed the rules written by St. Vincent de Paul for the Daughters of Charity in France. She became Mother Seton.

Her final years were spent leading and developing the new congregation. The sisters opened free schools and orphanages along the East Coast.

Elizabeth. died in 1821 of tuberculosis at age 46.

Pope John XXIII canonized her as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Sept. 14, 1975. He stated,

“In a house that was very small, but with ample space for charity, she sowed a seed in America.”

 

“Be attentive to the voice of Grace.”

Quote of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Feast Days, Prayer, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Most Holy Name of Jesus, Feast Day January 3

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Most Holy Name of Jesus

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The feast day of The Most Holy Name of Jesus gives us the opportunity to venerate and reflect on the holy name of Jesus. The devotion was begun primarily by St. Bernadine of Siena and the Franciscan and Dominican nuns and priests in the twelfth century. Later it was promoted by the Jesuits. The feast day was approved in 1721 by Pope Innocent XIII.

When we reflect on the name of Jesus it is a form of prayer. To invoke Jesus name is a powerful but simple way of praying to God ‘without ceasing’.

In the Gospel of John Jesus said to his disciples,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14;6

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he said,

“So great is the Most Holy Name of Jesus that God highly exalted Him and gave Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bend; in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11

As we begin a new year, let us turn to Jesus for guidance in all we do. May Jesus bless our lives and grant us peace and healing.

“Jesus in the soul’s abyss is sweeter far than earthly bliss.

A flower strong is that name mild. Ne’er disturbed by tempest wild.

Far lovelier than a diamond bright.

That name adorns the soul with light.

The name of Jesus sweetly rings like rarest zither’s silver strings.

Ah, Jesus, for your names blest sake, forgive my sins, exceeding great.

Grant, dear Lord, that your fair name may wound my heart with holy pain.

Jesus, choicest love be ever thine.Bless me Jesus,

God of power, now and in death’s departing hour.”

Quote of Bl. Henry Suso; Feast day March 2

January is the Month of the Holy Name

 

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Doctor of the Church, Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Basil the Great, Feast Day January 2

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St. Basil the Great

The feast day of St. Basil the Great is celebrated on January 2.  He is the patron saint of hospital administrators and a Doctor of the Church.  He was the Bishop of Caesarea

St. Basil was born in 330 at Caesarea of Cappadocia. He was born into a family of ten children. He studied at Constantinople and Athens where he met St. Gregory Nazianzen.

Before deciding to become a monk, he practiced law and opened a school. He directed the monastery in Pontus for five years. He eventually was ordained a priest. St. Basil became bishop in 370. He fought against Arianism ( the belief that Jesus was not divine in nature) at the Council of Constantinople. He also fought for reform of the clergy. He was known for his holiness and was tireless in caring for his people. He was known for preaching twice a day to huge crowds. The hospital that he built was a hospital that was called a wonder of the world.

Basil was best known for his preaching. Because of his writings he is considered a one of the great teachers of the Church.

Sickly since youth, the work of teaching, his life of abstinence, and the responsibilities and sorrows of pastoral service took their toll on him. Saint Basil died on January 1, 379 at age 49.

St. Basil is considered a Doctor of the Church. He is the patron saint of hospital administrators.

“Troubles are usually the brooms and shovels that

smooths the road to a good man’s fortune; 

and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,

and knows not that it brings abundance.”

Quote of St Basil the Great

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Feast Days, Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Mary, Mother of God, Feast Day January 1

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Virgin Mary, Mother of God

The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is celebrated on New Years Day.   We continue to celebrate the joy of the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. Mary was given the title Theotokos which means “God-bearer” in Greek during the third or fourth century.

The divinity of Jesus has been argued about throughout the ages. The church has declared that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine…He has two natures. The church also teaches that Jesus was begotten not made. This means that Jesus has always existed in the Trinity. He became Man to redeem us and to give us the gift of salvation.

Because the church teaches that Jesus is the Lord, our God, this means Mary is the mother of God.

The mysteries of our faith are many. This mystery is truly beautiful. Mary, who was born without sin ( like Eve) said yes to the Angel during the Annunciation. Although troubled by the news that she would bear a son, she said;

“Let it be”.

We are all called to imitate Mary who is the first disciple of Jesus. Mary loved Jesus in a way none of us are able. She cared for him and took care of all his needs while he was growing up. There can be no doubt that Jesus also loved and honored Mary.

We are also called to honor Mary, just as Jesus honored His Mother. If Jesus honored and loved his mother, why shouldn’t we do the same?

Why should we be astonished if the God

who could work marvels in the scripture

and through His saints should choose to

reveal Himself even more marvelous

by means of His Mother?

Quote of St. Bernard; Feast day August 20

January is the Month of the Holy Name

 

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Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Sylvester I, Feast Day December 31

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St. Sylvester I

The feast day of St. Sylvester I is celebrated on December 31.

St. Sylvester I was the 33 pope, succeeding Pope Militades on Jan 31, 314. Although he became pope during peaceful times, his reign occurred during the persecutions of Diocletian. These persecutions came to an end when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity.

A popular legend states that Constantine was cured of leprosy by Pope Sylvester, after which he converted to the faith. Constantine built several churches during his reign with the help of Pope Sylvester. These included the original St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Pope Sylvester served as the Bishop of Rome for 21 years. He was involved in the debate about Arianism at the Council of Nicea. The Arians believed that Jesus Christ was not fully divine but a created being. It was at this council that the Nicean Creed was proclaimed by the Catholic Church.  Pope Sylvester died in the year 335.

Nicean Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Jesus calls Peter

Do not be afraid; from now on,
you will be catching people.

Quote of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:20)

 

Jesus calls Levi

“Follow me.”

Quote of Jesus Christ (Luke 5:27)

 

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

 

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