Category Archives: Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Feast Day June 27

June 25, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is celebrated on June 27.

Many people believe the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was originally painted by St. Luke. It is presently in the Church of St. Alphonsus under the care of the Order of Redemptorists. Numerous miracles have followed the icon.

The icon is an authentic expression of Byzantine art from ancient times. The gold background reflects God’s glory. In the portrait are Mary, the Mother of God, the Christ Child and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Mary is gazing at the person who is looking at the icon moving everyone to love Jesus her son and Our Savior. The Christ Child is comforted in his mother’s arms. One of his sandals is almost lost indicating that we sometimes need to seek assistance in our troubles. It is Mary who protected Our Lord in his childhood. She will protect us also.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon
Chapel Bydgoszcz

The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was first venerated in Crete. Tradition tells us however, that in 1480 the icon was smuggled from Crete to Rome by a thief! The smugglers asked Mary for protection during a storm at sea and God answered their prayers. After arriving in Rome, the merchant who had stolen the icon became very ill. He asked his caretaker to return the icon to the Church. The wife of the caretaker however insisted they keep the picture for themselves after the man had died. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared several times to the man and his wife requesting that the icon be returned to a church. When she was ignored, she began appearing to their six year old daughter, requesting that the icon be placed between the Churches of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. Eventually, the icon was returned and enshrined at St. Matthews in 1499. St. Matthews was destroyed when Napoleon’s army invaded Rome in 1798. The icon was believed to be lost.

In 1855, The Order of Redemtorists came to Rome. They were granted possession of the land on which St. Matthew’s previously existed to build a new church. A Redemptorist priest remembered that he had learned as a young boy that the holy icon was in an Augustinian monastery near Rome. The Redemptorists petitioned the pope to allow the image to be returned to the spot the Blessed Virgin had requested that it be placed.

On April 26, 1866 the icon was transferred in a solemn procession to the Church of St. Alphonsus. They were given permission to spread the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Prayer to Our Lady:

Mother of Perpetual Help, Woman of Eternal Hope, your wordless gaze tells us so much about you. Knowing eyes look upon us with tender love. The slight bend of your head reveals such maternal concern. While your left hand supports the Child, your right hand is ready to receive us, too. Just as He feels the beating of your heart, so you encourage us to lead a life of hope and holiness. Just as His sandal will fall on your lap, through your intercession may God pick us up as we stumble and fall. Never let us be parted from you and your son, Jesus.

Lady of love, you invite us to place our hand where His fingers touch yours — near a heart of endless hope — so that we may be united often in prayer here on earth and joined forever with you in heaven. Amen.

Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.

Quote of St. Maximilian Kolbe; Feast Day August 14

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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Faith, Jesuit Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Feast Day June 21

June 19, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

The feast day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga is celebrated on June 21. He was a Jesuit Deacon who lived in Italy and Rome from 1568-1591. He is the patron saint of youth and plague victims.

St. Aloysius was born in Castiglione, Italy in 1568. He was one of seven children and lived in a castle. He was expected to follow his father into the military, but by the early age of nine Aloysius had decided he had a religious calling. He received his 1st communion from St. Charles Borromeo, who was a Cardinal.

St. Aloysius’ family was living in Florence when Aloysius came down with kidney disease. He spent his time while he was ill reading the lives of the saints. After reading about Jesuit missionaries in India he became determined to join the Society of Jesus. Against the will of his father he joined the Jesuits at the age of 18. He gave up his right to an inheritance.

In 1590 Aloysius returned to Rome. While he was in Rome he had a vision of Archangel Gabriel who told him he would die within a year. In 1591, a plague broke out in Rome. Aloysius volunteered to serve in the hospital. It was not long before he came down with the plague himself. After receiving another vision, St. Aloysius told several people he would die on the Feast of Corpus Christi, (Body of Christ). The Feast of Corpus Christi fell on June 21 that year. In the morning he seemed fine but he grew weaker quickly. St. Bellarmine gave him the last rites and he died just before midnight at the age of 23.

St. Aloysius was known for his purity. He had taken a vow of perpetual virginity while very young, safeguarding himself from temptation by always looking downward when in the presence of women. His prayers included the Office of Mary and the Psalms. St. Aloysius had been ordained a deacon but was never ordained a priest.

A Carmelite mystic, St. Maria Magdalena de Pezzi claimed to have had a vision of St. Aloysius on April 4, 1600. She described him as radiant in glory because of his interior works and said he was a hidden martyr for his great love of God.

Pious legend tells us his first words were the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Before his death, his final words were “Into Thy hands.”

St. Aloysius was canonized on Dec. 31, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.

I am but a crooked piece of iron,

and have come into religion to be made straight

by the hammer of mortification and penance.

Quote of St. Aloysius Gonzaga

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Martyr, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Silverius, Feast Day June 20

June 19, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Silverius Public Domain Image — St. Silverius

The feast day of St. Silverius is celebrated on June 20.

St. Silverius was the son of Pope Hermisdas who had been married before entering his ministry. St. Silverius was chosen as Pope while he was serving as a sub deacon. He was ordained on June 8, 536.

As Pope, St. Silverius refused to approve the doctrine of monophysitism which believed Christ had one nature not two (human and divine). Because of this ruling Pope Silverius was deposed and replaced by a deacon named Vigilus. St. Silverius was accused of treason and degraded to the rank of monk. After an appeal he was sent to Rome for an inquiry. Silverius however was forced to live on the island of Palmaria off Naples.

St. Silverius died from murder by starvation in the year 539. He was recognized a saint by popular acclamation.

Cast yourself into the furnace of the gentle heart of Jesus.

All your defects and imperfections will be consumed there.

Quote of St. Paul of the Cross; Feast day Oct. 19

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

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Faith, Pope Francis

Pope Francis defines gift of piety as friendship with God

June 17, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Pope Francis Face Book Image — Pope Francis
Face Book Image

During his catechesis for the general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis described the gift of piety received from the Holy Spirit, saying not to confuse it with pity. He described piety as a friendship with God, given us by Jesus; a friendship that changes our life and fills us with enthusiasm and joy. According to Zenit News Agency, Pope Francis said this gift is often misunderstood as pity.

Pope Francis told thousands gathered for his weekly general Audience that when the Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts we are led to perceive the Lord’s presence and love in our lives. This moves us to respond joyfully in prayer and adoration.

Pope Francis said,

“We experience ever anew, with joy and gratitude, the loving relationship with God our Father which has been granted us in Jesus his Son which grounds and perfects our authentic worship of God.”

Pope Francis clarified that piety is often misunderstood and confused as pity. “However,” he said ,

“piety is not having compassion for someone, having pity for one’s neighbor but indicates our belonging to God and our profound bond with Him. This bond gives meaning to the whole of our life and keeps us firm, in communion with Him, in the most difficult and trying moments.”

He stressed that there are two aspects of piety. First is a bond with the Lord which is not intended as a duty or an imposition. The bond comes from within. Pope Francis explained that it is a relation lived with the heart: it is our friendship with God, given to us by Jesus: a friendship that changes our life and fills us with enthusiasm and joy.

Pope Francis continued:

“When the Holy Spirit makes us perceive the presence of the Lord and all his love for us, He warms our heart and moves us almost naturally to prayer and to celebration,”

The pope stated that the second point of piety makes us grow in relationship and communion with God and leads us to live as his children, helping us to pass this love on to others, recognizing them as our brothers.

Distinguishing piety from pity, Pope Francis stressed that pity does not motivate the faithful in their relationships and encounters.

“Why do I say not to pity? Why do some people think that having compassion is close your eyes, make a face like a little picture, pretend to be a saint,” he said. “This is not the gift of piety.”

Rather, he said,

“piety means to be truly capable of rejoicing with those in joy, to weep with those who weep, to welcome and help those who are in need.”

Pope Francis noted the very close relation between the gift of piety and meekness, he said piety “makes us meek, it makes us tranquil, patient, in peace with God, and at the service of others with meekness.” Meekness is one of the beatitudes.

Recalling Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “All who are led by the Spirit of God ,these are sons of God, and ye have not received a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit adopted as children, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father. ‘” The Apostle Paul’s words still apply to faithful today, he stressed.

The Pope concluded his homily with an invitation. He asked the faithful to ask the Lord that the gift of his Spirit conquer our fear, our uncertainties, also our restless, impatient spirit, rendering us joyful witnesses of God and of his love, adoring the Lord in truth and also in the service of our neighbor, with meekness and with the smile that the Holy Spirit always gives us in joy.

This article was originally posted on June 5, 2014

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Faith, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Albert Chmielowski, Feast Day June 17

June 16, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Albert Public Domain Image — St. Albert Chmielowski

The feast day of St. Albert is celebrated on June 17.

St. Albert was born into a wealthy family on August 29, 1845 in Iglomia, Poland , which is near Krakow in 1945. He was the oldest of four children. He was active in politics as a young man. During the war against the Czar Alexander II Adam suffered from wounds which resulted in the amputation of his leg.

Adam had a great talent as an artist. He studied art in Warsaw, Munich and Paris. He was a very kind and compassionate man and decided to give up his life as an artist to join the Secular Franciscans when he returned to Krakow. He took the name Albert when he founded the Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis, Servants of the Poor, also known as the Albertines. He also founded a community of Albertine Sisters. They organized food and shelter for the poor and homeless. St. Albert died in1916.

Pope John Paul II was inspired by St. Albert while he was serving as a priest. Pope John Paul was active in theater and wrote a play about St. Albert called Our God’s Brother. In 1983, Pope John Paul II beatified St. Albert. On November 12, 1989, Pope John Paul II canonized St. Albert.

You go to pray; to become a bonfire,

a living flame, giving light and heat.

Quote of St. Josemaria Escriva; Feast day June 26

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

Faith, Jesuit Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Francis Regis, Feast Day June 16

June 15, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. John Francis Regis is celebrated on June 16. He was a Jesuit priest from France.

St. John Francis Regis was born into a wealthy family in southern France. He entered the Society of Jesus at age 19. After his ordination as a Jesuit priest he became a missionary working in various French towns. He would walk from town to town preaching from the heart. His speaking style was simple but poetic. He was easy to understand and his zeal attracted many people. He usually heard confessions in the morning and visited prisons and hospitals in the afternoon. His preaching missions successfully converted many people and brought others back to the faith.

St. John Francis Regis was well known for his work with at-risk women and orphans. He established safe houses and helped the unemployed find work. He led many to be trained as lace makers, giving them a stable income.

While serving on a mission in 1640, St. John Francis Regis died. He spent his last day meditating on the crucifix. His last works were:

“Into thy hand I commend my spirit”.

St. John Francis Regis was canonized in 1737. Regis Societies were formed throughout France to provide services for the poor and marginalized.

The incomparable heart of the Mother of the Redeemer is a glorious heaven,

a paradise of delights for the Most Holy Trinity.

Quote of St. John Eudes; Feast day August 19

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Featured, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elisha, Feast Day June 14

June 13, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Elisha Public Domain Image — St. Elisha

The Feast day of St. Elisha is celebrated on June 14. St. Elisha was a prophet in the ninth century. His Hebrew name means “God is Salvation”.

St. Elisha was called to follow the prophet Elijah, his mentor, when Elijah cast his mantle on him indicating that he was to be his successor. As Elijah ascended into heaven in a fiery chariot, Elisha asked for a double portion of St. Elijah’s spirit. The spirit he received enabled him to protect the faith.

St. Elisha was known for many miracles. He divided the waters of Jordan. He made the water from the Jericho Spring fit to drink. He saved a poor widow from death by increasing the oil in her vessel. He raised a child back to life after death. He healed a Syrian officer from leprosy by having him bathe in the Jordan seven times.

St. Elisha continued the devotion begun by Elijah to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. He is considered a patron saint of the Carmelite Order. According to tradition, Elijah had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The title of Mary “Star of the Sea” is believed go have originated with this vision.

St. Elisha died from old age at Samaria.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?

Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast day July 31

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Prayer, Spirituality

Ten Types of Prayer To Help You Know God

June 11, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The Cross and Prayer Pope Francis Facebook — The Cross and Prayer
Pope Francis Facebook

How do we come to know and love God? The first commandment is:

“Love the Lord thy God with your whole heart, mind, and soul.”

How is it possible to love someone we don’t know? When we truly love someone we don’t fear them, we want to spend time with them; we enjoy their company.

Prayer is the way we come to know God. It is not enough to pray just on Sunday. If we love God, we will pray without ceasing…always, … in our thoughts and in our actions.

Knowing the different forms of prayer can help us explore getting to know God better. When Jesus was asked by his disciples how to pray he responded by giving us the well known “Lord’s Prayer”.

The following are different types of prayer:
1. Prayer of petition: When we ask for specific things we are making a petition. Hopefully we also say “Thy will be done.” Our will is not always God’s will. This is why God’s answer is sometimes “No, I have a better solution.”

Prayer of intercession: When we pray for the welfare of someone else, this is the prayer of intercession. When the saints pray for us they are interceding for us.
Prayer of Glory, Praise and Thanksgiving. Saying thank you to God is an important part of our spiritual journey. Remember the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers? Only one returned and thanked Jesus. Let me be grateful for all the gifts God gives me.
Prayer of Adoration: This prayer is acknowledging God as our creator; all good and all powerful.
Prayer of Quiet: This prayer is the prayer of LISTENING to God. We sit quietly in the presence of God, quiet our mind, and ask God to lead us. We find God in the silence. Actually, God finds us.

6. Scripture: Reading Holy Scripture is a form of prayer. We read and meditate on both the Old and the New Testament.

Music: Music is a powerful way to pray. “When we sing we pray twice.” St. Augustine. Music is prayer which comes from the heart. Some people find it easier to connect with God with this type of prayer.
Meditation: Reflection on nature, art, humanity and scripture are all forms of meditation. Take the time to reflect on what is happening in your life. Ask God to lead you in your meditative prayer.
The Catholic Mass: It incorporates all of these types of prayer. During the Mass we pray for others, give glory and thanks, ask for mercy and guidance, listen to scripture, adore Christ in the Eucharist, and pray through silence and singing.

10. Praying can be either spontaneous or memorized. When we are in a crisis it is sometimes hard to know what to say to God. This is when memorized prayer is very powerful. The Catholic Church has many formal prayers for every occasion and need. They guide us when we are at a loss for words. Spontaneous prayer is also a very meaningful way to pray to God.

When Jesus is our closest friend, we can tell him anything. Praying on a regular basis in all these different ways helps us to come closer to God. Letting ourselves be led by God in prayer is how we put into action the first commandment.

Loving God means spending time with him. Each of us has a different prayer style. If we are too busy to pray, we are too busy for God. God does not force himself on anyone. If you are having difficulty praying start by meditating on the Our Father, the prayer Jesus himself gave us. Ponder each word in the prayer. Your relationship with God will begin to grow.

The Lord's Prayer Public Domain Image — The Lord’s Prayer

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 Ways to Pray from Six Great Saints by Gloria Hutchinson.

This book introduces you to six different saints: St. Francis of Assisi (Franciscan), St. Clare ( Poor Clares), St. Teresa of Lisieux (Carmelite), St. Therese of Avila (Carmelite), St. John of the Cross (Carmelite ) and St. Ignatius of Loyola (Jesuit). You will learn not only their story but also their prayer style. Each chapter contains exercises to help you discover what type of prayer works best for you. When I read this book, I learned about the “Prayer of Detachment” taught by St. John of the Cross. The exercises helped me to practice and meditate in a way I had never tried before. I encourage everyone to read it and discover their own prayer type.

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Faith, Prayer, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Ephrem of Syria, Feast Day June 9

June 8, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. Ephrem of Syria Public Domain Image — St. Ephrem of Syria

The feast day of St. Ephrem of Syria is celebrated on June 9. He was born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia in the 4th century. At the age of 18 he was baptized. Along with other Christians, he became a refugee in Edessa during the persecutions by the Persians. He was ordained a deacon and served under four bishops.

St. Ephrem is most known for his prolific writing. He wrote both hymns and poetic homilies. Over 400 hymns still exist, earning him the title of “Harp of the Holy Spirit”. The hymns he wrote were used to instruct the people against the heresies of the time. He often used popular melodies, putting his own words to the music. Because of his music he is credited with a spiritual awakening during that time period. St. Ephrem was also a poet, writing many of his homilies as poetry. His description of heaven and hell is said to have inspired Dante. St. Ephrem had a special devotion to the humanity of Jesus.

St. Ephrem lived a very simple life, living in a cave with a view of Edessa. During the great famine which occurred, he influenced those with money to help him establish a poor house for the sick and poor. St. Ephrem died in June in 373.

O Giver of light! Fulfill my supplications and grant me Your gifts according to my prayer; impart to my heart just one drop of Your grace, that the flame of Your love may begin to burn in my heart; and like a fire, may it consume evil thoughts like thorns and thistles!

Quote of St. Ephrem of Syria

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

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Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. William of York, Feast Day June 8

June 7, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

St. William was born into a powerful family in England during the 12th century. He was the son of Count Herbert.

In 1142 he was elected Archbishop of York, however his election was disputed on charges of simony and unchastity. After proving his innocence he was finally consecrated Bishop in 1143. Because of his charity and gentleness he was very popular.

When Eugenius II was elected Pope complaints again surfaced and he was suspended. St. William went to Sicily where he lived as a monk devoting himself to a life of prayer. After the death of Pope Eugene III Pope Anastastius IV restored William as Archbishop of York. However just one month after he resumed office he died. Many believed he was poisoned. Many miracles took place at his tomb. Pope Honorius III canonized William of York in 1227.

I have not even begun to think of unity when the Trinity bathes me in its splendor.

I have not even begun to think of the Trinity when unity grasps me.

Quote of St. Gregory of Nazianzus; Feast Day Jan. 2

Month of the Sacred Heart

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paul of Constantinople, Feast Day June 7

June 6, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Paul of Constantinople is celebrated on June 7. St. Paul was elected the Bishop of Constantinople to succeed Alexander of Constantinople. The Arian controversy was causing a great deal of turmoil at this time. Arianism denied the divinity of Christ and the Trinity.

Emperor Constantus II was an Arian and did not approve of the election of St. Paul. Because St. Paul defended the belief that Christ is divine as well as human, he was exiled several times by the emperor. The first time he was exiled but allowed to return in the year 338. The second time he returned in the year 340. The third time he was exiled to Mesopotamia, returning in the year 344. His last time of exile was in the year 350 when he was exiled to Armenia. Here, he died a martyr’s death. He was starved and then strangled.

The man who has the mission of saying great things

(and all of us Christians have this sweet obligation)

is equally obliged to practice them.

Quote of St. Gregory the Great; Feast Day September 3

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Norbet, Feast Day June 6

June 5, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Norbet is celebrated on June 6.

St. Norbet was born at Xanten in the Rhineland around 1080. He was born into a noble family and enjoyed luxury. While a young man he pursued worldly pleasures. He accepted orders as a sub deaconate to ensure his success at court, but he hesitated at becoming a priest.

This all ended after a near fatal accident during a thunderstorm. While riding in the rain, the thunder and lightning spooked his horse and he was thrown to the ground. He lay unconscious for about an hour. When he awoke he asked the Lord, “Lord, What do you want me to do?” These were the same words of Saul before his conversion. God’s response to Norbet was:

“turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.”

St. Norbet embraced a life of prayer and penance. He now wanted to become a priest. he was ordained in 1115 at the age of 35. He gave everything he owned to the poor. After receiving permission from the pope he traveled throughout Europe preaching the gospel. He was known for his intense devotion to the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. The bishop of Laon requested his aid in reforming the canons, which he willingly did.

At the request of Pope Calictus II Norbet founded a religious order in France, called Canons Regular of Premontre. They followed the Rule of St. Augustine. He continued to preach in France, Belgium and Germany.

St. Norbet eventually became the archbishop of Magdebury however he died on June 6, 1134 soon after his election.

Oh, how good and pleasant a thing it is to dwell in the Heart of Jesus!

Who is there that does not love a heart so wounded?

Who can refuse a return of love to a heart so loving?

Quote of St. Bernard; Feast day August 20

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

The Mystery of Faith

Category Archives: Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Feast Day June 27

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Feast Day June 21

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Silverius, Feast Day June 20

Pope Francis defines gift of piety as friendship with God

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Albert Chmielowski, Feast Day June 17

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Francis Regis, Feast Day June 16

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Elisha, Feast Day June 14

Ten Types of Prayer To Help You Know God

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Ephrem of Syria, Feast Day June 9

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. William of York, Feast Day June 8

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Paul of Constantinople, Feast Day June 7

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Norbet, Feast Day June 6

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism