What is Intercessory prayer? Quotes from the saints about Mary.

February 8, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of the Our Lady of Lourdes will be celebrated on February 11th by the Catholic Church. Why do Catholics ask Mary to pray for them? What is the meaning of this feast day? What do the saints say about Mary? The early church had great reverence for Mary, the Mother of God. Because she gave birth to Jesus, Mary was full of Grace…literally! Just as Adam and Eve were created without sin, it is believed that Mary also was created without the stain of original sin. Mary’s Heart was Immaculate….free from any stain of sin, both original sin and personal sin. Mary was not God, however. All worship goes to the Trinity…the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Mary was an instrument used by God to bring Jesus into the world. We know Jesus honored and loved His Mother. Are we not called to imitate Jesus? There are many prayers and quotes by the saints for us to learn about the beliefs of the early Church.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES Oh ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comforter of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Look upon me with mercy. When you appeared in the grotto of Lourdes, you made it a privileged sanctuary where you dispense your favors, and where many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal I come, therefore, with unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. My loving Mother, obtain my request. I will try to imitate your virtues so that I may one day share your company and bless you in eternity. Amen.

Purer than heaven’s purest angels, brighter than its brightest seraph; Mary, after her Creator, God, made her and gave her all, the most perfect of beings, the masterpiece of Infinite Wisdom, Almighty Power and Eternal Love. To such a being we cannot reasonably suppose that a perfection was denied her which had been already gratuitously bestowed on inferior creatures; on the angelic spirits

St. John N. Neumann

Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Public Domain Image

The Most Holy Virgin places herself between her Son and us. The greater sinners we are, the more tenderness and compassion does she feel for us. The child that has cost its mother the most tears is the dearest to her heart.

St. John Vianney

Our Lady is rest for those who work, consolation for those who weep medicine for the sick, a harbour for those assailed by tempests, pardon for sinners, sweet relief for the sad, succour for those who implore.

St. John Damascene

Bl. Herman (likely author)

Why should we be astonished if the God who could work marvels in the scripture and through His saints should choose to reveal Himself even more marvelous by means of His Mother?

St. Bernard (Feast day August 20)

Most Holy Virgin Mary…Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, Lily of purity, Rose of patience, Paradise of delight, Mirror of chastity, Model if innocence…intercede for this poor banished pilgrim.

St. Peter of Alcantara (Feast day (October 19)

Memorare

Remember, O most loving virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto you, O virgin of virgins, our mother. To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful, O mother of the Word incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

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

St. Francis de Sales (Feast day January 24)

Blessed is he for whom Mary prays.

St. Peter Julian Eymard (Feast day August 1)

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Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Bosco, Feast Day January 31

February 4, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra 1 Comment

St. John Bosco: Patron Saint of Young People

The feast day of St. John Bosco is celebrated on Jan. 31. St. John Bosco is the patron saint of boys and young people.

St. John Bosco was born in Piedmont, Italy in 1815. His father died when he was two years old. God spoke to John in his dreams. The first of his many dreams occurred when he was only nine years old. John found himself fighting a large crowd of rowdy boys. They were cursing and acting badly. They refused to listen to him. Suddenly a man appeared saying;

“Not with blows will you help these boys, but with goodness and kindness.”

Who are you?” John asked.

Then a woman appeared to him saying,;

“Watch what I do, John.”

As John watched, the boys changed to a pack of growling wild animals. Then the woman put out her hand. The wild animals changed again…into a flock of lambs.

“But what does it mean? I’m just a farm boy. What am I to do?”

John cried out, and he burst into tears. The Lady answered him,

“This is the field of your work. Be humble, steadfast and strong!”

John knew he must become a priest. He attended a boarding school and then began studying for the priesthood. John was ordained on June 5, 1841. He said his first Mass at the church of St. Francis of Assisi. He said that he had prayed for the gift of effective speech and believed his prayer was answered.

The ministry of Don Bosco began with a group of teenage boys. (Don is the title given to priests in Italy.) He began by teaching them catechism after Sunday Mass. It began a youth group which would spend each Sunday together beginning with Mass, catechism and a day in the country. They would end the day with another talk before returning to their homes. The group grew quickly. Most of the boys were quite poor. In 1846 Don Bosco bought an old shed in Turin. It became a chapel they named The Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, a saint admired by Don Bosco.

An orphanage and a trade school were also soon established by Don Bosco. More and more priests were beginning to help John in his ministry. Together they founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales in 1859 also known as the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Don Bosco died on Jan. 31, 1888 at the age of 73. Thousands attended his funeral and there was a demand for his canonization. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI.

What tenderness there is in Jesus love for man!
In His infinite goodness,
He established, with each of us,
bonds of sublime love!
His love has no limits.

Quote of St. John Bosco

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Faith, Franciscan Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Hyacintha, Feast Day January 30

February 4, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Hyacintha is celebrated on January 30.

St. Hyacintha was born near Viterbo, Italy in 1588. Her father was a count and her mother was from a Roman family. Her birth name was Clarice.

Clarice entered the convent of the Tertiearies at Virterbo as a Third Order Franciscan Sister. However, she did not in the beginning embrace the love of poverty which St. Francis called for. She supplied herself with material goods to live life in comfort. When she became seriously ill a confessor brought her Holy Communion to her room. When he noticed her material possessions he advised her to live more humbly. Hyacintha rid herself of her fine clothes and special foods. She began to live a simple life which included penances. She developed a special devotion to the sufferings of Christ and inspired others by her acts of penance. She had a special devotion for Mary, the Mother of Mercy.

St. Hyacintha died at the age of 55 in 1640. Many miracles were reported at her grave site. She was canonize by Pope Pius VII in 1807.

Lord, give me the grace

to work to bring about

the things I pray for.

Quote of St. Thomas More; Feast day June 22

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Carmelite Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day, Visionary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Archangela Girlani, Feast Day January 29

February 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of Bl. Archangela Girlani is celebrated on Jan. 29.

Bl. Archangela Girlani was born to a noble family at Trino, Italy in 1460. She was educated by the Benedictines. From early childhood she wished to become a Benedictine Nun. However, on the way to the convent her horse refused to cooperate and take her there. She took this as a sign and decided to follow in the footsteps of her two sisters Maria and Frances (Scholastica) who had joined the Carmelite Order. At the age of 17, she enter the Carmelite Order, taking the name Archangela. In time she became the prioress, a position she held until her death.

Bl. Archangela was known for her mystical visions. While meditating on the mysteries of the faith, she experienced ecstasies and miracles. She had a special devotion to the Holy Trinity.

After three years as prioress, she became seriously ill. Bl. Archangela died peacefuly after saying the following words;

“Jesus my Love”.

My God,

may everything

I do and suffer today

be for love of You.

Quote of St. Bernadette; Feast day April 16

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas, Feast Day January 28

Quote February 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas,

Feast Day January 28

The feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas is celebrated on Jan. 28. He is the patron saint of students and universities and a Doctor of the Church. He was ordained as a Dominican Priest.

St. Thomas was born in Roccasecca, Sicily in 1225. His parents were from Italian nobility. St. Thomas was well educated. He was raised in a Benedictine monastery at Monte Casino. He finished his studies at Naples.

Against his families wishes he joined the Dominicans, also known as the Order of Preachers and was ordained a priest. His brothers followed careers in the military. In an attempt to end his desires to become a Dominican, his brothers hired a prostitute to seduce him. According to legend, two angels appeared to Thomas to strengthen him and increase his determination to remain celibate. He thus became known as the “Angelic Doctor”.

While he was still a student, St. Thomas was given the nickname “the dumb ox” due to his large size and silent nature. However, he was actually quite gifted and intelligent. He is considered one of the most influential theologians in the history of the Church.

After he was ordained a priest, Pope Urban IV called him to Rome where he was appointed to teach. St. Thomas turned down an offer from Pope Clement IV to be the Archbishop of Naples.

St. Thomas published many books. He also wrote many hymns which are still sung today. One of St. Thomas most famous works, Summas Theologica was never completed. He fell ill and died before he could finish it in 1274.

St. Thomas was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V. He is the patron saint of students and universities.

O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement, chaste without regret,
patient without complaint, humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom,
and quick witted without flippancy.

Quote of St. Thomas Aquinas

January is the Month of the Holy Name.

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Angela Merici, Feast Day January 27

February 2, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Angela Merici is celebrated on Jan. 27. St. Angela is the patron saint of the sick and disabled.

St. Angela Merici was born in 1474. She lived primarily in Brescia, Italy. Her parents read to Angela when she was young, teaching her about the saints and martyrs. She lost both of her parents when she was about ten years old. She also lost her sister to death. They were quite close and her grief was great. It was made worse because her sister had not received the Last Sacraments. In spite of being reassured by the parish priest concerning her sister’s salvation, Angela prayed to Jesus for consolation. She experience a vision of a company of Angels surrounding her sister, escorting her to Heaven. She no longer had any doubt about her sisters entry into heaven.

On a trip to the Holy Land St. Angela became blind. She refused to end the pilgrimage, continuing to visit the shrines and praying with enthusiasm. On the return trip her vision was restored while praying before a crucifix.

St. Angela became a member of the Third Order of St. Francis and served the marginalized, the poor, the orphans and the sick. She had a special desire to educate the poor.

At the age of 57, Angela organized twelve girls to help her teach catechism. The group grew to 28 and they formed The Company of Saint Ursula. It was named after St. Ursula who was an early martyr and patron of education and the youth. They later became known as the Ursulines. It was the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women. The order impressed many people with its work including Pope Clement. He requested that she take charge of a religious order of nursing sisters, however she turned him down. She knew her calling was to teach the poor and uneducated.

After her death on Jan. 27, 1540, the Company of Saint Ursula spread rapidly.

Remember, the Devil doesn’t sleep,

but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.

Quote of St. Angela Merici

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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The Mystery of Faith

What is Intercessory prayer? Quotes from the saints about Mary.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Bosco, Feast Day January 31

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Hyacintha, Feast Day January 30

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Archangela Girlani, Feast Day January 29

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas, Feast Day January 28

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas,

Feast Day January 28

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Angela Merici, Feast Day January 27

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism