Category Archives: Faith

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Boniface, Feast Day June 5




 

Bonifatius_Donareiche
St. Boniface Cutting Down Tree

 

The feast day of St. Boniface is celebrated on June 5.

St. Boniface was born in Wessex, England in 675. After studying in English monasteries he became a missionary traveling to Europe where he converted pagans in what today is Germany and the Netherlands.

St. Boniface became the bishop of Mainz in 722. He is remembered for cutting down an oak tree which was associated with the god Thor. Those who witnessed the event expected him to be punished by Thor. When nothing immediately happened many people converted.

The pope wanted St. Boniface to reform the German Church. St. Boniface organized the German Church solving many of the existing problems which included the education and proper ordination of the clergy.

On his final mission, at the age of 80, he and 53 companions were martyred while he was instructing converts for the sacrament of confirmation. The date of his martyrdom was June 5, 754. He is referred to as the Apostle to the Germans.

 

In her voyage across the ocean of this world,

the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves

of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship

but to keep her on her course. Let us stand fast in what is right

and prepare our souls for trial. Let us wait upon God’s strengthening

aid and say to him “O Lord, You have been our refuge in all generations.”

Quote of St. Boniface

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Francis Caracciolo, Feast Day June 4.




St. Francis Caracciolo
St. Francis Caracciolo

The feast day of St. Francis Caracciolo is celebrated on June 4.

St. Francis Caracciolo was born at Villa Santa Maria, Italy in 673. He was born into a noble family. While still young he came down with a skin disease that resembled leprosy. Already a very pious child, he vowed to devote his life to God if he was cured. After making the vow the skin disease was cured. At the age of 22, he began studying for the priesthood at Naples. He had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament spending many hours in prayer before Our Lord. He also visited those in prisons and hospitals.

St. Francis was ordained in 1587. He soon joined a confraternity known as “The White Robes of Justice”. They visited the criminals sentenced to die. Together with two other devout men he started a religious order called the Minor Clerks Regular. They were very strict. They fasted and did penitential acts. Two years later Francis became the Superior of the Order.

St. Francis spent many hours in the confession. He was known for his gift of discerning hearts and prophecy, foretelling the date of his own death. St. Francis died surrounded by his community on the Vigil of Corpus Christi, June 4, 1608 after coming down with a fever.

 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is not only the temple and the altar,

but also the censer of divine love….In that precious censer

all the worship, praise, prayers, desires, and affections

of all the saints are placed, like so many grains of incense

to be offered to God.

Quote of St. John Eudes; Feast day August 19

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Charles Lwanga, Feast Day June 3




St. Charles Lwanga Public Domain Image
St. Charles Lwanga

 

The feast day of St. Charles Lwanga is celebrated on June 3.

The Society of Missionaries attracted many converts in Uganda. The converts soon became teachers of the faith also. Uganda was ruled by King Mwanga who was violent and a pedophile. The Christians who lived and taught at King Mwanga’s court tried to protect the pages from the King. The leader of the 200 Christians was Joseph Mkassa. He confronted the King after a Protestant missionary and his companions were killed. Mwanga ordered his execution. Before he was beheaded and burned on Nov. 15, 1885 Joseph forgave Mwanga, but asked for repentance.

St. Charles, who was 18 when he converted, became the new leader of the Christian group. For six months the persecution lessened. Then, however, King Mwanga became angry and killed another student of Christianity with a spear. He ordered the royal compound sealed so no one could escape. Charles baptized four catecheumens (students) that night. The next day the king ordered the 15 boys and men to be executed because they refused to give up being Christians. They were ordered to walk 37 miles to be executed in Namugongo. Three died on the journey. After seven days in prison, they were burned to death. Thirteen Catholics and eleven Protestant’s died.

The Catholic faith was practiced in secret without clergy. After the death of King Mwanga, there were 500 Christians and 1000 catecheumans waiting to receive the sacraments again.

The 22 Catholic Martyrs of Uganda were canonized.

 

Do not be ashamed to confess the cross, for angels glory in it.

 

Quote of St. Cyril of Jerusalem; Feast day March 18

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Erasmus (St. Elmo), Feast Day June 2




Martyrdom of St. Erasmos Public Domain Image
Martyrdom of St. Erasmus

 

The feast day of St. Erasmus (also known as St. Elmo), is celebrated on June 2. He is the patron saint of sailors and against intestinal troubles.

St. Erasmus lived in Italy. He is also known as St. Elmo. He served as the Bishop of Formiae, Campagna, Italy and was martyred during the persecutions of Christians by Diocletan.

Trying to flee the persecutions St. Elmo fled to Mt. Lebanon and lived in solitude for a time. When he was found, he was tortured and imprisoned. Because he refused to deny his faith he was scourged and cast into boiling oil, sulfur and pitch. He was miraculously saved from harm. According to legend and angel led him to freedom.

After escaping prison he converted many with his preaching and miracles. A second time he was captured, imprisoned and tortured. Again, an angel led him to freedom.  During his torture he had hot iron hooks struck into his intestines. He survived these wounds which is why he is invoked for intestinal problems.

St. Elmo is also the patron saint of sailors. A blue light appears at mastheads before and after a storm; the seamen took it as a sign of St. Erasmus’s protection. This became known as St. Elmo’s Fire.

St. Elmo died was martyred in 303. He was tortured and disemboweled.

St. Elmo is considered one of the 14 Helpers. These fourteen saints are considered very effective in their ability to intercede in times of trouble, especially matters of health.

 

Nothing unites us so intimately

to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ

as does the cross.

Quote of St. Margaret Mary; Feast day October 17

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.

 

Pope’s message: Christian Joy is a Gift from the Holy Spirit





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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Justin Martyr, Feast Day June 1




St. Justin Marty by Theophanes the Cretan Public Domain Image
St. Justin Martyr
by Theophanes the Cretan

The feast day of St. Justin Martyr is celebrated on June 1. He is a martyr and the patron saint of philosophers.

St. Justin Martyr was born at Flavia Neapolis, Palestine about the year 100. He was raised pagan in a Jewish culture. Justin was a student of philosophy. He was very interested in the teachings of Plato. As a student he studied a multitude of different philosophies before converting to Christianity. After his conversion, Justin began to proclaim his new found faith as he traveled from town to town trying to convert others to the faith. He also spent a great deal of time in Rome. After debating Crescens in Rome, Justin was denounced and condemned to death. Records of his death still exist. He was beheaded in 165.

St. Justin was known as an Apologist. An apologist is one who defends in writing the Christian faith. Two of his Apologies still exist. They are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. St. Justin is considered the first Christian Philosopher and the patron saint of philosophers.

 

The greatest grace God can give someone is to send him a trial

he cannot bear with his own powers…and then sustain him

with His grace so he may endure to the end and be saved.

Quote of St. Justin Martyr

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart.



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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Feast of the Visitation, Feast Day May 31




The Visitation Public Domain Image
The Visitation

The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin is celebrated on May 31.

We celebrate Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth while she was pregnant with Jesus. Elizabeth was six months pregnant with St. John the Baptist. When they met, the baby lept for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.

Not only the baby, but Mary and Elizabeth were filled with joy. Elizabeth tells Mary:

“Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”

Mary responds with the Magnificat which has become a beautiful hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

 

Magnificat

My soul does magnify the Lord:
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid:  for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He that is mighty has done great things to me: and holy is His Name.
And His mercy is from generation until generations, to them that fear Him.
He has showed might with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He has received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy:
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

 

The Visitation Public Domain Image
The Visitation

As we celebrate the Feast of the Visitation let us reflect on how important our families are to us. Imagine the joy Elizabeth and Mary shared together as they anticipated the birth of their babies! It is important that we too, give thanks to God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us and our families.

 

 

 

 

 

 

God hugs you.

Quote of St. Hildegarde of Bingen; Feast day Sept. 17

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Joan of Arc, Feast Day May 30




St. Joan of Arc Burning at Stake Public Domain Image
St. Joan of Arc
Burning at Stake
Public Domain Image

St. Joan of Arc was born  in Domremy, Francs in 1412 on the Feast of the Epiphany on  Jan. 6.  Her parents, Jacques and Isabelle were peasants. She was the youngest of four children, having three older brothers. She helped her mother with spinning and helped shepherd the animals. She was very devout as a child enjoying her religious faith and spending her free time in church.

St. Joan grew up during the “Hundred Years War”, which never seemed to end. The French were losing the war while she was young. England was invading the country of France causing much suffering.  Joan prayed with great devotion and fervor for the suffering people.

At the age of thirteen, Joan began to have visions and hear voices which counseled her. She claimed to hear the Voice of God, Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch.    In 1428, the voices told her to go tho the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom. She was told to accompany Prince Charles to his coronation. St. Joan went to the town of Vaucouleurs seeking help from the military commander. After three trips he decided to listen to her.

She was given an escort of six which included two knights. They left on Feb. 23, 1429. The journey was 400 miles, taking eleven days in the winter to travel. She was given permission to meet with Prince Charles VII.  However, he concealed himself in the crowd to test Joan. Joan, however, recognized him. St. Joan spoke to him, saying:

“I am Joan the Maid and to you is sent word by me from the King of Heaven that you will be anointed and crowned in Reims and you will be Lieutenant to the King of Heaven who is King of France.”

After being questioned by clerics who asked for a sign Joan was eventually given a sword, armor and a banner with the names of Jesus and Maria to lead the French Army to Tours in 1429. She was only 17 years old.

St. Joan led French troops against the English and recaptured the cities of Orleans and Troyes. Prince Charles was then anointed King with St. Joan at his side holding the banner in 1429.

St. Joan of Arc Burning at Stake Public Domain Image
St. Joan of Arc
Burning at Stake
Public Domain Image

St. Joan was later captured and then sold to the English. Joan spent six months in prison before she was put on trial for heresy and witchcraft. After being found guilty she was burned at the stake in 1431. Her ashes were scattered in the Seine River. A second trial was held 25 years later which overturned the first verdict because it was politically motivated. Joan was declared a martyr.

St. Joan was beatified by Pope Pius X and canonize by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 who said that she is a “most brilliantly shining light of God.”

I know this now,
Every man gives his life for what he believes.
Every woman gives her life for what she believes.
Sometimes people believe in little or nothing.
One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it and then it’s gone.
But to surrender what you are and to live without belief
is more terrible than dying…even more terrible than dying young.

Quote of St. Joan of Arc

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Bona of Pisa, Feast Day May 29




St. Bona of Pisa
St. Bona of Pisa

The feast day of St. Bona of Pisa is celebrated on May 29. She is the patron saint of flight attendants, travelers, pilgrims and travel guides.

St. Bona of Pisa was born in 1156 in Pisa, Italy. She was the child of a single mother. She was told that her father had vanished during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. As a child she was very pious. In a vision while praying before the crucifix, Jesus reached out his hand and touched her. By the age of ten she had become an Augustinian tertiary. (A tertiary is a lay member of a monastic order).

In another vision she learned that her father was still alive and fighting in the Crusades in Jerusalem. St. Bona decided to make a trip to Jerusalem to find her father. After finding him she returned home, only to be captured by pirates on the Mediterranean Sea!  Countrymen came to her rescue and she eventually arrived home safely.

St. Bona was appointed the official pilgrimage guide by the Knights of St. James.  She made nine trips to Spain and Santiago de Compostella, always leading a group of pilgrims. On her final trip she became very ill. She died at the age of 51 after returning home from the pilgrimage.

Pope John XXIII named her the patron saint of flight attendants, travel guides, couriers and travelers.

The greatest method of prayer is to have none.

If in going to prayer one can form in oneself a pure capacity

for receiving the spirit of God, that will suffice all method.

Quote of St. Jane Francis de Chantal; Feast day December 12

 

May is the Month of Our Lady.

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Catholics Nourished by Living Bread




Monstrance Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Monstrance
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

Catholics Nourished by Living Bread

At the center of the Catholic faith is its’ belief in the Eucharist. Jesus Himself said:

“I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6, 35).

In John 6.53 He states,

“Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day, for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.”

The church has always interpreted this statement to be literally true. How is this possible? All things are possible with God!!

In the Old Testament, God rained down manna from the sky to feed the Israelites in the desert for forty years. The Eucharist is modern day manna. Our faith is nourished and kept alive by living bread… the body and blood of Jesus Christ. St. Paul teaches us that the church is the Body of Christ. In I Corinthians 12-13 St. Paul states:

“For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

The Saints in the early church all professed a belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.   Justyn Martyr (100-165) was one of the first to try to explain this belief.

Next Sunday, we celebrate Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ). It is important for us to reflect on how Jesus came to nourish us, not only by scripture but by being true food for us.

Through God all things are possible. When we read the bread of life discourse (John 6), we need to ask ourselves, do we truly believe what Jesus tells us, or like the disciples who turn away do we pick and choose the teachings of Jesus we want to believe.

To quote St. Augustine ((354-430),

“If you believe what you like in the gospel, and reject what you don’t like, it’s not the gospel you believe, but yourself.”

To be true disciples of Jesus, we must get to know Him, to love Him and let ourselves be fed by Him.

 

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Germanus, Feast Day May 28




St. Germanus
St. Germanus

The feast day of St. Germanus of Auxerre is celebrated on May 28. He served as the Bishop of Paris.

St. Germanus of Auxerre was born in 496 near Autun, France. He was ordained by St. Agippinus the Bishop of his diocese. He became the Abbot and administrator of St. Symphorianus, a suburb of Autun. Although at first he declined the position, he was named Bishop of Paris in 566. He was known as an eloquent preacher who brought conversion and the Christian faith to many people. Under his influence the lifestyle in the city became less worldly and vain. He tried to end civil strife and the licentiousness of the kings and nobles.

St. Germanus was known to have received the gift of miracles and prophecy. After his death on May 28, 576, King Chilperic wrote his epitaph praising his virtues, miracles and the zeal he displayed in working for the salvation of souls.

 

For the Christian there is no such thing as a “stranger.” There is only the neighbor…..the person near us and needing us.

Quote of St. Edith Stein; Feast day August 9

 

May is the Month of Our Lady

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Augustine of Canterbury, Feast Day May 27




St. Augustine of Canterbury Public Domain Image
St. Augustine of Canterbury

The feast day of St. Augustine of Canterbury is celebrated on May 27.

St. Augustine was the prior of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Andrew in Rome. Pope Gregory decided he needed to send missionaries to England. Augustine and 30 monks were who he chose to send. The mission was to unite the Christians after the Saxon conquest of England.

The King of England listened with curiosity to what the missionaries had to say. On Pentecost Sunday in 597, King Ethelbert was baptized. He believed in religious freedom and did not make his new religion mandatory however many followed his example and were baptized. St. Augustine was not successful in uniting the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the original Briton Christians (Celtics). He followed Pope Gregory’s advice to purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs. As much as possible pagan rites and festivals were changed into Christian feasts.

St. Augustine died eight years after arriving in England. He died on May 26.

God’s works are not regulated by our plans and wishes.

Quote of St. Vincent de Paul; Feast day September 27

 

May is the Month of Our Lady