Category Archives: Feast Days

Faith, Feast Days

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Feast of the Guardian Angels, Feast Day October 2

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Gethsemane by Carl Bloch
Gethsemane
by Carl Bloch

 

The feast day of the Guardian Angels is celebrated on October 2.  The feast day was added to the Church Calendar in the year 1615 by Pope Paul V.

References to angels occur frequently in the bible.  Jesus himself refers to angels saying:

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly father. ( Matthew 18:10)

An angel is mentioned at least 17 times in the New Testament.  Two incidents which would indicate a guardian angel are the angel who delivered St. Peter from prison (Acts 5:19) and the angel who ministered to Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:39)

THE ANGEL WITH ST. PETER

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said,  “Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.”  When they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

CHRIST PRAYING IN GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him.  When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”  Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.

The function of the guardian angels is to strengthen,lead and guide us to the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Are not all angels spirits in the divine service went to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? “(Hebrews 1:14)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church declares in section 336 about guardian angels: “From infancy to death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.”

All of us at some time in our life need guidance and help during times of suffering and confusion.  We turn to Jesus in prayer to lead us to everlasting life.  Mary and the saints pray for us and are our role models.  But  we should also turn to  our guardian angel and be grateful for all the unknown times we have been led down the correct path.

Guardian Angel with Children
Guardian Angel with Children

 

The angels rejoice and celebrate with Christ over the return of the Lord’s sheep…He sought us on earth; let us seek Him in heaven.

Quote of St. Peter Chrysologus;  Feast day July 30

 

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

 

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Faith, Feast Days

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Feast of the Archangels, Feast Day September 29

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St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael Public Domain Image
St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

September 29th is the day the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of the Archangels; St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. The word “angel” means servant of God. Angels have no bodies. They are pure spirits. They have intellect and free will. Angels who turned against God are called “fallen angels”. Satan is the leader of the fallen angels.

St. Augustine tells us the following:

 

“Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature.”

 

The Choirs of angels include nine types of angels. In ascending order they are: 1. Angels 2. Archangels 3. Principalities 4. Powers 5. Virtues 6. Dominations 7. Thrones 8. Cherubim 9. Seraphim.

The archangels appear several times in scripture. St. Michael (which means “who is like God”) is considered a warrior angel. He appears three times in scripture; in the Book of Daniel, the Epistle of St. Jude, and the Book of Revelation. In the Book of Revelation, the final battle between good and evil at the end of time is described. St. Michael and his angels will battle against the dragon (also known as Satan) and good will triumph. (Revelation 12:7)

St. Gabriel (which means “Strength of God) is a messenger. He announces the birth of the prophet John the Baptist. He is also called the Angel of the Annunciation because he announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. It is St. Gabriel  the messenger who says:

 

“Hail Mary, the Lord is with you.”(Luke 1:28)

 

St. Raphael (which means “Divine Healer”) appears in the Book of Tobit. He is a guide for the young Tobias on his long journey. He introduces Tobias to his future wife Sarah, and after their return home, he gives Tobias instructions in how to heal his fathers’ blindness.

The following prayers of intercession are popular prayers to the Archangels.

St. Michael the Archangel Public Domain Image
St. Michael the Archangel

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Divine Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits, who roam throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

Archangel Gabriel Public Domain Image
Archangel Gabriel

Prayer to St. Gabriel

Blessed St. Gabriel, the Archangel, We beseech you to intercede for us as at the throne of divine mercy. As ;you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, so through your prayers, may we receive strength of faith, and courage of spirit, and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord. May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen

 

St. Raphael the Archangel Public Domain Image
St. Raphael the Archangel

Prayer to St. Raphael

Dear St. Raphael, your lovely name means “God heals”. The Lord sent you to young Tobias to guide him throughout a long journey. Upon his return you taught him how to cure his fathers’ blindness. How natural therefore for Christians to pray for your powerful help for safe travel and a happy return. This is what we ask for ourselves as well as for all who are far from home. Amen

 

“It is humility that makes men into angels.”

Quote of St. Augustine;  Feast day January 28

 

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

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Feast Days, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Our Lady of Sorrows, Feast Day September 15

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Baciccio Pieta 1667 Public Domain Image
Baciccio Pieta 1667

The feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows is celebrated on September 15. It dates back to the 12th century when it was promoted by the Cistercians and the Servites.

The focus of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is the grief Mary felt during the suffering of her Son, Jesus. As His mother, her heart felt intense pain and sorrow.

 

Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:

  1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
  2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
  3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
  4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
  5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
  6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
  7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

As we reflect on the sorrows and suffering Mary experienced as the Mother of God, we can remind ourselves of the human nature of both Jesus and Mary. They felt pain. They felt grief. They felt loss. They wept.

Jesus has two natures: Human and Divine. Mary is not Divine. She is human like you and me. We can only wonder at her strength and holiness as she drank from the bitter cup of suffering.

Giovanni bellini pieta martinengo Public Domain Image
Giovanni bellini pieta martinengo
Public Domain Image

 

Whoever you are who love the Mother of God, take note and reflect with all your innermost feelings upon her who wept for the Only Begotten as He died…The grief she felt in the Passion of her son goes beyond all understanding.

Quote of St. Amadeus of Lausanne; Feast Day January 28

La Pieta Michelangelo Public Domain Image
La Pieta Michelangelo

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Faith, Feast Days, Prayer, Saint of the Day, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: The Exaltation of the Cross, Feast Day September 14

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Crucifixion of Jesus Public Domain Image
Crucifixion of Jesus

 

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated on September 14.

This feast day actually celebrated two events.

In the year 320, the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified was discovered by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.  Constantine then had a shrine and basilica built in 335.  The Basilica, named Martyrium and the shrine named The Calverium were destroyed by the Persians in the year 614.

On a more personal level, we celebrate how we are saved by the cross.  It is the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus which redeems us.  As Christians, we must be willing to suffer for the faith, looking to Jesus in moments of weakness.

The suffering of Jesus on the cross is called Redemptive Suffering.  In today’s world it is hard to understand the meaning of suffering.  Does anything good come from suffering?

Our salvation came from the suffering of Jesus who died for our sins.

One way that helps me to understand suffering is to think about the meaning of love.  When two people love each other and promise to be there for each other they believe they are in love.  The test of true love is what happens when the going gets tough?  It is only when we are willing to suffer for another that we know we are loving them.

Willingness to suffer defines love!  Jesus is not the only one who is capable of redemptive suffering.  We too, can offer our suffering for the good of another.  Think of all the times you have suffered in silence because to complain would not help the situation.  Give your suffering to God.  You will grow in virtue and love.

Remember… God is Love.  He showed us he loved us by suffering and dying on the cross for us.

On this feast day reflect on the suffering in your life.  Can you name the cross you are carrying?  Give all your suffering to God and you will come closer to Him who is called Love.

 

 

Suffering is a sign that we have come so close to Jesus on the cross that He can kiss us;  that He can show that He is in love with us by giving us an opportunity to share in His Passion.

Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta;  Feast Day September 5

 

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Feast Days, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Feast Day of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Our Lady of Lourdes Public Domain Image
Our Lady of Lourdes

The feast day of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 12.

On this day we reflect on the titles given to Mary.  Why has she become known by so many names?  Which name touches you the most when you think about the Blessed Virgin Mary?  Mary, Mother of God?  Mary, Queen of Saints?  The Immaculate Heart of Mary?

Each name tells us something about Mary, who loved and gave birth to Jesus.  Our Sorrowful Mother helps us to reflect on the suffering Mary experienced.    Some of her titles refer to the place in which she appeared to someone:  Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Other titles refer to her spirituality:  Our Lady of the Rosary,  Our Lady of Grace,  Mystical Rose, Star of the Sea.

The name we are given at birth is important.  We are called by that name throughout our life.  Each of us has been called to do something specific for God.  Perhaps it is prayer.  Perhaps it is raising a family with love.  Perhaps it is a profession like teaching or medicine, or farming.

Mary was called by God  for a very special purpose.  She was asked to love and raise Jesus, the Son of God.  She became the Mother of God and loved him in a way none of us can.

Today is a day to reflect on the role of Mary in the life of Jesus.  We can also reflect on our role in the world.  If we honor and imitate the mother of Jesus, we can be certain that we will come to know Jesus better.

 

Mary  is called Queen of Martyrs, for her martyrdom was the lengthiest, most intense, and most loving.

Quote of Bl. James Alberione

 

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Feast Days, Our Lady, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Nativity of Virgin Mary, Feast Day September 8

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St. Anne with the Virgin Mary
St. Anne with the Virgin Mary

The feast day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8.  On this day the church reflects on the birth of Mary and her role in salvation.

Mary was the only child of St. Anne and St. Joachim.  They had been praying for a child and it seemed as if they would be unable to conceive.  However, although St. Anne was not young, she conceived and became the mother of the mother of God!

The feast day is celebrated nine months after the celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.  The Immaculate Conception celebrates the belief that Mary was born without the stain of original sin.  She was the “second Eve”.  Eve, also was born without original sin but she chose to disobey God.  Mary, however, always said “yes” to God.

Reflecting on the life of Mary can take us in many directions.  How is it possible to become the Mother of God?  How is it possible to become the Grandmother of God as St. Anne did?   We know that Mary was chosen for the title of Mother of God.  St. Anne and St. Joachim were also chosen…to be the parents of Mary.

We too have been chosen.  Where is God leading you?  Is your family life holy?  What needs to improve in your life to help you grow closer to God?  Is your prayer life healthy?  Learning to communicate with God leads us to know his will in our life.    Just as Mary said “yes”, we too must try to do the will of God.

Each of us is unique in the way we communicate with God.  Exploring the different prayer styles can help us to find the type of prayer that suits us best.  To understand what God’s will is, we must discover how God is “present” in our life.  Making time for prayer is the first step.  Admitting that we need guidance (humility)  will help us to take the time to listen for the whisper that comes from God.

 

The Virgin Mother’s heart remained perpetually inflamed with the holy love which she received of her Son.

Quote of St. Francis de Sales;  Feast Day January 24

 

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

 

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