All posts by Vicki Scheenstra

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Onesimus, Feast Day Feb. 16

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St. Onesimus
The feast day of St. Onesimus is celebrated on Feb. 16.   We learn about St. Onesimus in St. Paul’s letter to Philemon. He had fled from his master, Philemon, after robbing him.  St. Onesimus met St. Paul, who was a prisoner in Rome at the time.  After meeting St. Paul, Onesimus converted to Christianity.

St. Paul sends him back to Philemon armed with the letter we read in the Bible. In the letter St. Paul pleads for love and forgiveness.  Philemon is persuaded to pardon Onesimus who then returns to help St. Paul.

Under the instruction of St. Paul, Onesimus is believed to become a priest and then a bishop.  St. Paul has him deliver his Epistle to the Colossians and St. Onesius helps St. Paul to spread the Good News!

It is believed that Onesimus is arrested during the persecutions, brought to Rome in chains and stoned to death in the year 95.

I know of one means only by which to attain perfection:
Love! Let us love,
since our heart is made for nothing else.

Quote of St. Thérèse of Lisieux; Feast day October 1

 

Feb. is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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Faith, Prayer, Spirituality

How Much Do You Know About The Sacraments Of The Catholic Church?

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Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. A sacrament is described as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”

Grace is a gift from God. We can ask for it, but it cannot be forced. God gives us his grace by his own free will. Imagine Christmas. The gifts under the tree are presents freely given. God’s grace is the present of God’s presence.

Each sacrament is an opportunity to receive God’s grace (His presence in our life). When we receive the grace of God through the sacraments, we become more open to the presence of God in our life.

The seven sacraments are  Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist,  Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. Test your knowledge to find out if you understand the sacraments.

  1. Which sacrament can be received as an infant?
  2. A deacon can be the minister in which sacraments?
  3. The Holy Spirit has three symbols. What are they?
  4. Extreme Unction is another name for which sacrament.
  5. Which sacrament makes us a member of the family of God?
  6. Before receiving the Eucharist, one must be in a state of _________.
  7. To have ones sins absolved, one should receive this sacrament.
  8. Water is the symbol of which sacrament?
  9. A priest or deacon must be a witness to this sacrament.
  10.  What is another name for the sacrament of Reconciliation.
  11. In which sacrament do we receive the Holy Spirit?
  12. Which three sacraments are called the sacraments of initiation?
  13. Which two sacraments are vocational sacraments?
  14. Which two sacraments are sacraments of healing?
  15. Which sacrament removes the stain of original sin?:
  16. Which sacrament requires an act of contrition?
  17. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is also known as what?
  18. There is only one sacrament we are encouraged to receive often, even daily. Which one is it?
  19. In which sacrament do we choose a patron saint?
  20.  Which sacrament  must be administered by a bishop not a priest?

Each of the sacraments has a biblical beginning  Read the biblical text which refers to each sacrament. The last photo you will find the answers to the questions.

Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism

Sacrament of Baptism

Mathew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation
                                                           
 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Acts 8:14

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
                                                          

Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Matthew 19:3-11

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the creator made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, and marries commits adultery.”
His disciples said to him. “If that is the case of a man and his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted.”

Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders
                                                            
                                                                      

Sacrament of Holy Orders

Mark 3: 13

He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles to be with him and to be sent out and proclaim the message and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) James, son of Zebadee and John the brother of James (Sons of thunder) and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew and Mathew and Thomas and James, son of Alphaeses and Thadaeus and Simon the Cananaen and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Sacrament of Reconciliation

Reconciliation

John 20:19

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you”.

After he said this he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

When he had said this he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them,  if you retain the sins of any they are retained.”

Sacrament of the Eucharist
Sacrament of the Eucharist
                                                           

Eucharist

Mathew 26:26

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples and said “Take and eat, this is my body”.

Then he took a cup and after giving thanks he gave it to them saying “Drink from it all of you for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you, I will never drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.”

Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
                                                     

Anointing the sick

Mark 6:7

He called the twelve and began to send them two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.

He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”

So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
                                   

The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church

1. The Sacrament of Baptism is often received as an infant.

2. A deacon may baptize, anoint the sick and witness a marriage.

3. The symbols of the Holy Spirit are wind, fire and a dove.

4. Anointing of the sick is another name for the sacrament formerly known as Extreme Unction.

5. Baptism initiates a person into the family of God.

6. One must be in a state of grace (free from grave sin) to receive the Sacrament or the Eucharist.

7. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation the priest (in the name of Christ) absolves (forgives) the person of his or her sins.

8. Living water is the symbol of Baptism. It must be flowing water.

9. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony must be witnessed by a priest or deacon to be considered a sacramental marriage.

10. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also call the Sacrament of Confession or Penance.

11. We receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

12. The sacraments of initiation are Baptism. Eucharist, and Confirmation.

13. The vocational sacraments are Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony.

14. The sacraments of healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

15. Baptism removes the stain of original sin.

16. Reconciliation requires an Act of Contrition.

17. The belief that the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Jesus after being consecrated by the priest or bishop is known as “The Real Presence.”

18. We are encouraged to receive the Eucharist daily if possible.

19. When receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation we choose a patron saint.

20. Holy Orders must be received from a validly ordained Bishop. Every Catholic bishop can trace his ordination back to the original twelve Apostles.

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Faith, Jesuit Saints, Sacred Heart, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Claude de la Columbiere, Feast Day Feb. 15

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The feast day of St. Claude de la Columbiere is celebrated on Feb. 15.

St. Claude de la Columbiere was born near Lyon France in 1641.   He was educated in a Jesuit school and later joined the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.   Early in his priesthood he was named preacher of the Avignon School.   He was a powerful preacher and his sermons were published.   He fought against the Jansenism heresy which believed in predestination. Jansenism  also believed that Christ died only for the elect, not for all of mankind.

While serving as Superior for the Parayle Monail School he met St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She had received visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and sought his spiritual direction.  He became her spiritual director and confessor.  Father Claude advised her to receive the gifts of God with faith and humility. He considered the devotion to the Sacred Heart a remedy for the heresy of Jansenism.

St. Claude was arrested for converting Protestants.  He was imprisoned and then banished to England. When he returned to France he was terminally ill with kidney disease. he was sent to Lyon and Paray to recover his health. He died on Feb. 15, 1682.

 

No one can penetrate the mysteries of the Sacred Heart
without tasting the cup of bitterness
that Jesus drank from so deeply.

 

 

Quote of St. Claude de la Columbiere

 

February is the Month of the Passion of Our Lord

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Faith, Pope Francis, Spirituality

Pope Francis Describes the Beauty of Marriage

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Pope Francis facebook 12 Pope Francis Facebook image

In a meeting with the bishops of Puerto Ricoon on Monday, Pope Francis described the beauty of Marriage, saying that the differences between man and woman are not for opposition or subordination, but for communion and generation. According to Zenit News Agency, the Pope was meeting with the bishops for their five year ad limina apostolorum visit.

The Holy Father emphasized the need to focus on family ministry, because of the serious social problems that afflict the family; the difficult economic situation, emigration, domestic violence, unemployment, drug trafficking and corruption.

“In this context,” Pope Francis said, “Allow me to call your attention to the value and beauty of marriage.”

He said: “The complementarity of man and woman, summit of divine creation, is being questioned by the so-called gender ideology, in the name of a more free and just society. The differences between man and woman are not for opposition or subordination, but for communion and generation, always in the ‘image and likeness’ of God. Without mutual self-giving, neither one can understand the other in depth>” (cf. General Audience, April 15, 2015).

The Sacrament of Marriage is a sign of the love of God for humanity and of Christ’s giving himself for his Bride, the Church. Look after this treasure, one of the ‘most important of the Latin American and Caribbean peoples’ (Aparecida, 433).”

Pope Francis also discussed the need for good confessors. He encouraged the bishops to be close to their priests. The Holy Father stressed that both bishops and priests must be faithful servants of God’s forgiveness. He said the upcoming Jubilee of Mercy, which will begin Dec. 8, will be a time to stress the sacrament of reconciliation, which enables one to experience in one’s own flesh the love of God and to offer each penitent the source of true interior peace.

He told them that because of the magnitude of the problems faced by pastors, a bishop needs to take recourse not only to prayer, but also to friendship and the fraternal help of his brothers in the episcopate.  Pope Francis cautioned the bishops not to waste energies in divisions and confrontations, but to build and collaborate. He added that they must be able to distance themselves from particular political tendencies, saying,

“Because of her mission, the Church is not linked to any political system, in order to be able to be always the ‘sign and safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person.'”

A Synod on the Family was begun in October 2014 to discuss how to minister to broken families. It will conclude with a second meeting in October 2015.

This article was originally published on June 9, 2015.

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Faith, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Valentine, Feast Day Feb. 14

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St. Valentine

The feast day of St. Valentine is celebrated on Feb. 14. St. Valentine is an actual saint. His relics are claimed by three churches in Rome. What we know about him has been passed down orally, so it is considered part legend.  St. Valentine is the patron saint of happy marriages and lovers because of his devotion to the Sacrament of Marriage.

St. Valentine was a Roman priest during the time of Emperor Claudias II, who persecuted the church. He actually prohibited the marriage of young people because he believed unmarried men were better soldiers. During the time of St. Valentine polygamy (multiple wives) was very common. St. Valentine encouraged couples to marry in the church in spite of the edict. He held the marriage ceremonies in secret.

Eventually Valentine was caught, imprisoned and tortured. One of his jailers had a daughter who was blind. After Valentine prayed with her, her sight was restored. This resulted in the jailer converting to the Christian faith. In 269 Valentine was sentenced to death .

The last words of St. Valentine were in a note to the girl he had healed signing it “from your Valentine”.

“Let your religion be less of a theory
and more of a love affair.”

 Quote of G. K. Chesterton

 

February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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Faith, Spirituality

Who Does Jesus say that he is?

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Jesus Christ

There are many followers of Jesus. Who is he? Each church has their own beliefs about Jesus. Who does Jesus say that he is?

In the gospel of John, Jesus himself tells us who he is. There are seven “I am” sayings of Jesus. Each one gives us insight into the person Jesus himself claims to be.

The seven “I am” sayings are:

1. “I am the Good Shepherd. “Jn (10.11)

2. “I am the gate for the sheep.” Jn (10:7)“I

3. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Jn (14.6)

4. “I am the vine, you are the branches.” Jn (15.5)

5. “I am the Bread of Life.” Jn. (6:35)

6. “I am the light of the world.” Jn (8:12)

7. “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jn (11.25)

Meditate on the PHOTOS as you read the gospel passages in Jesus own words.

Reflect on all the images Jesus gives us to help us know him better. How can we love Jesus unless we spend time with him and listen to his words?

Seven “I am” sayings; one saying for each day of the week. Spend a week reflecting on the sayings of Jesus.

Jesus, The Good Shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd

John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away–and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Jesus the Sheepgate

I am the Sheepgate

John 10:1

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them,

“Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Sacred Heart of Jesus
Public Domain Image

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

John:14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again

will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”

Thomas said to him,

“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?

Jesus said to him,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus, The Vine and Branches

I am the vine, you are the branches.

John 15:1

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Monstrance
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

I am the Bread of Life

John 6:22

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Teberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them.

“Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has st his seal”

Then they said to him,

“What must we do to perform the works of God?”

Jesus answered them,

“This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

So they said to him,

“What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'”

Then Jesus said to them;

“Very truly I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

They said to him,

“Sir give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them,

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

I am the Light of the World

John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,

” I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

Then the Pharisees said to him,

“You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.”

Jesus answered,

“Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards, I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge my judgment is valid, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.

Then they said to him,

“Where is your Father?”

Jesus answered,

“You know neither me nor my Father. If you know me, you would know my Father also.”

He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet com.

I am the Resurrection and the Life

John 11:25

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and meet him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus,

“Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.”

Jesus said to her,

“Your brother will rise again.”

Martha said to him,

“I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her,

“I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

She said to him,

“Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

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Dominican Saints, Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine dei Ricci, Feast Day Feb. 13

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St. Catherine dei Ricci 2

The feast day of St. Catherine dei Ricci is celebrated on Feb. 13.  She is the patron saint of the sick.

St. Catherine was born in 1522 in Italy. Her baptismal name was Alexandria, however she took the name Catherine when she joined the Dominican Order. As an infant her mother died and she was raised by her godmother. As a child she was known for her love of praying in solitude. She also talked to her guardian angel and learned to pray the rosary. At the age of six her father placed her in a convent in Florence, Italy, where her aunt was the Abbess.

Alexandria joined the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany when she was 14 taking the name of Catherine. By he age of 25 she was the perpetual prioress. She had a great reputation for sanctity. Although they never met, she corresponded to St. Philip Neri, also known as the Apostle of Joy.

St. Catherine had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ. In 1541 she had a heartbreaking vision of the crucifixion which confined her to bed for three weeks finally recovering on Holy Saturday by a vision of St. Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus. For 12 years she experienced ecstasy every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4 p.m. During the visions she received the stigmata, the wound in the left side and the crown of thorns. She offered her suffering for the Holy souls in Purgatory.

Many people came to witness her ecstasy, even though she did not like the attention it caused. One of her visions was of receiving a ring from the lord as a sign of her espousal to him.

Three popes were known to have asked her for her prayers; Pope Marcellus II, Pope Leo XI and Pope Clement VIII.

St. Catherine is the patron saint of sick people because she cared for the sick while living in the convent. She died after a long illness at the age of 68 in 1590.

“If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.”

Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta; Feast day Sept. 5

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February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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Faith, Prayer, Spirituality

Benedictine Spirituality

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St. Benedict
St. Benedict

St. Benedict was born in Nursia in 480 to upper class parents. He attended university in Rome. To escape the vice he was surrounded by he fled Rome and spent 3 years in seclusion. After these three years he founded the monasteries he is famous for.

 

St. Benedict is considered the founder of western monasticism. His monasteries were based on the principles in his book The Rule of Benedict. This book begins with this prologue: “Listen carefully, my son, to the masters’ instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart. (R.B. Prologue)”

 

His rule begins with the word LISTEN! The monasteries have a very strict discipline. They focus on daily personal and liturgical prayer. Singing of the Psalms and reading the Divine Office is practiced daily. Listening to the word of God is the primary focus of their spirituality. Lectio Divino is slow reading and meditation on the scripture. Benedictine spirituality also demands obedience, hospitality, and service.

 

St. Benedict died while standing in prayer before God.

 

The feast day of St. Benedict is July 11th. In the Eastern Church it is celebrated on March 14th.
St. Benedict is the patron saint of students and Europe.


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Benedictine Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Scholastica, Feast Day Feb. 10

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St. Scholastica Public Domain Image
St. Scholastica         Patron Saint Against Storms

The feast day of St. Scholastica is celebrated on Feb. 10.   St. Scholastica was born in central Italy. She was the twin sister to St. Benedict who founded the Benedictine Order. Their parents were affluent. After Benedict left for the monastery, Scholastica founded a monastery for nuns within five miles of St. Benedict’s monastery. St. Benedict was the spiritual director for her monastery.

Benedict and Scholastica were only able to visit with each other once a year. Because she was not allowed in his monastery, they met in a farmhouse where they visited and discussed spiritual matters. According to the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great the two saints spent their last day together in prayer and visiting. Benedict refused her request to stay another day, however a thunderstorm arose preventing him from returning home. St. Scholastica claimed the storm was a result of her prayers. He stayed another day visiting through the night, returning to the monastery the next day.  St. Scholastica died three days later in 543. St. Benedict’s brethren brought her body to his monastery. She was buried in the tomb he had prepared for himself.

St. Benedict had a vision of her soul ascending to heaven in the form of a dove. St. Scholastica is the patron saint against storms.

Eternal praise and honor be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for each and every hour that you endured such great bitterness and anguish on the cross for us sinners.

 Quote of St. Bridget of Sweden; Feast day July 23

 

 February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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Faith, Poetry, Prayer, Spirituality, Visionary

Praying with the Poetry of the Mystics

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St. Francis raphaelgallery.org Public Domain Image
St. Francis
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Get to know the mystics! The mystics are saints in the Catholic Church who have had visions and personal experiences with the presence of God in their lives. Many of the Saints have written of their love of God. It can be contagious!

The following five poems are written by mystics of the Catholic Church. They are inspired by their own personal relationship and experience of God. Because their joy could not be kept to themselves, they became radiant lights to the world.

The different types of prayer are petition, intercession, thanksgiving, adoration, praise and glory. Their poetry uses all these types of prayer and can help lead us to a personal relationship with God.

St. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. He is known for his love of animals and the suffering. He is the founder of the Franciscan Order. While praying in front of a crucifix, Jesus spoke to him saying, “Francis, rebuild my church!”

St. Teresa of Avila was born in Spain in 1515. She helped reform the Carmelite order. The poem in this collection shares one of her experiences during prayer.

St. Catherine of Siena was born in 1347. She began having visions as a young child pertaining to heaven and hell.

Bernard of Clairvaux was born in 1090 in Burgundy France. He wrote a treatise called Degrees of Humility and Pride which analyzed the human character. He also wrote many hymns.

St. Augustine was known for his conversion during the fourth century. He became a famous bishop. His poem Beauty ever ancient and so new is well known.

Learning about the spirituality of the saints can help us develop our own prayer life. Meditating on these prayers will change the course of your life.

 

St. Francis with Birds Public Domain Image
St. Francis with Birds

Canticle of the Creatures

All Praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, bright, and precious, and fair.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers wind and air, and fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods, by which you cherish all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water, so useful, humble, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten up the night. How beautiful is he, how cheerful! Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy are those who endure in peace, by You, Most High, they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whose embrace no mortal can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your will! The second death can do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks and serve him with great humility.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Augustine of Hippo by Sandro Botticelli Public Domain Image
St. Augustine of Hippo
by Sandro Botticelli

Beauty so ancient and so new

Late have I loved you, Beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved you!

Lo, you were within,
but I outside, seeking there for you,

and upon the shapely things you have made
I rushed headlong – I, misshapen.
You were with me, but I was not with you.

They held me back far from you,
those things which would have no being,
were they not in you.

You called, shouted, broke through my deafness;
you flared, blazed, banished my blindness;

you lavished your fragrance, I gasped; and now I pant for you;
I tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst;

you touched me, and I burned for your peace.

St. Augustine

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Public Domain Image
St. Bernard of Clairvaux

O Sacred Head Surrounded

O sacred head, surrounded by crown of piercing thorn!

O bleeding head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn!

Death’s pallid hue comes over you the glow of life decays, yet angel hosts adore thee and tremble as they gaze.

I see thy strength and vigor all fading in the strife, and death with cruel rigor, bereaving thee of life;

O agony and dying!

O love to sinners free!

Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn thy face on me.

In this thy bitter passion, Good Shepherd, think of me, with thy most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be,

beneath thy cross abiding forever would I rest, in they dear love confiding and with they presence blest.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

St. Catherine of Siena Public domain Image

Consumed by Grace

I first saw God when I was a child, six years of age.

the cheeks of the sun were pale before Him,

and the earth acted as a shy girl, like me.

Divine light entered my heart from His love
that did never fully wane,

though indeed, dear, I can understand how a person’s
faith can at time flicker,

for what is the mind to do
with something that becomes the mind’s ruin:

a God that consumes us
in His grace.

I have seen what you want;
it is there,

a Beloved of infinite
tenderness.

St. Catherine of Siena

St. Teresa of Avila Public Domain Image
St. Teresa of Avila

 

Laughter came from every brick

Just these two words He spoke changed my life,

Enjoy Me!.

What a burden I thought I was to carry, a crucifix, as did He.

Love once said to me,

“I know a song, would you like to hear it?”

And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky.

After a night of prayer,

He changed my life when He sang,

“Enjoy Me!”

St. Teresa of Avila




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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Jerome Emiliani

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St. Jerome Emiliani

The feast day of St. Jerome Emiliani is celebrated on Feb. 9. St. Jerome was born in Venice in 1486.

St. Jerome had an adventurous youth and became a soldier.  Spending time in a dungeon after being captured he turned to a life of prayer and began studying for the priesthood. After his ordination, he devoted his time to works of mercy caring for orphans and the sick. He built three orphanages, a shelter for prostitutes and a hospital. His supporters formed a group which eventually became a religious order called the Clerks Regular of Samasca.

St. Jerome was also entrusted with the organization of the Hospital of the Incurables.  Jerome died in Samasca on Feb. 8, 1537 from the plague after caring for the ill during the epidemic.

 

God did not tell us to follow Him
because He needed our help,
but because He knew that
loving Him would make us whole.

Quote of St Irenaeus; Feast day June 28

 

February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord



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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Josephine Bakhita, Feast Day Feb. 8

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St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Josephine Bakhita

The feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita is celebrated on Feb. 8.

St. Josephine was born to a wealthy Sudanese family in southern Sudan in 1869. At the young age of seven she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Josephine was given the name ‘Bakhita’ which means ‘fortunate’. She suffered greatly, being beaten and sold multiple times. Eventually, an Italian consul named Callisto Legnani bought her. He treated her kindly, but after two years he took her with him to Italy and gave her to a friend, named Augusto Michieli. She worked as a nanny for him and met the Canossian sisters who taught at his daughter’s school. She was drawn to the Catholic faith and was baptized in 1890 taking the name Josephine.

 

When the Michieli’s wished to return to Africa, Josephine refused to go with them. The case went to court where it was determined that because slavery was illegal in Italy,  Josephine was a free woman. Free to do as she wanted after years of slavery, Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893, making her profession 3 years later. For 45 years she supported the community by cooking, sewing, embroidery and being the doorkeeper.

 

When it became apparent that Bakhita had a great heart for the missions of Africa, her Superior asked her to visit convents to speak about her experiences, to prepare young sisters for missionary work in Africa, and raise funds for the missions. In her later years, she was confined to a wheelchair due to arthritis. She also suffered from bronchitis and pneumonia, however, she was always known for her holiness and cheerful spirit. One of her quotes is:

 

“The suffering caused by illness is more meritorious than any self inflicted mortification.”

 

St. Josephine Bakhita died in 1947. She was canonized on Oct. 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

 

 

Be good, love the Lord,
pray for those who do not know Him.
What a grace it is to know God!

 

Quote of St. Josephine Bakhita

 

February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord