Quotes

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

Quote December 1, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

The feast day of Bl. Charles de Foucauld is celebrated on December 1. He is the patron saint of diocesan priests. He was a hermit, priest and martyr.

Bl. Charles de Foucauld was born in Strasbourg, France on Sept. 25, 1858. His father was in the military. Orphaned at the age of six, he and his sister Marie were raised by their grandfather. Charles joined the military, becoming an officer. When his grandfather died, Charles lost his faith. During his period of doubt he repeatedly prayed,

“My God, if you exist, let me come to know you.”

Charles was discharged from the military for misconduct. At the age of 28, he regained his faith. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he decided to become a Trappist monk. He spent seven years as a Trappist monk, first in France and then in Syria. After deciding this was no longer God’s will, he was released from his vows. He became a servant for a convent of Poor Clares and began studying for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1901 at the age of 43. He wished to work with the poor and abandoned. In an attempt to begin a religious order he wrote a Rule for it to follow. However, he found few followers.

On Dec. 1, 1916, he was killed by a band of marauders who surrounded his house. Twenty years after his death religious orders began to form following his rule. The Little Brothers of Jesus, Little Sisters of the Sacred Heart and the Little Sisters of Jesus all follow the Rule written by Bl. Charles de Foucauld. An Association of diocesan priest known as Jesus Caritas also follow the spirituality of Bl. Charles de Foucauld.

Bl. Charles de Foucauld was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. He is the patron saint of diocesan priests.

Let us pray a great deal for the conversion of sinners,

since it was above all for them that Our Lord worked

and suffered and prayed.

Quote of Bl. Charles de Focauld

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

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Apostle, Faith, Martyr, patron saints

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew the Apostle, Feast Day Nov. 30

Quote November 29, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The Crucifixion of St. Andrew the Apostle by Mattia Preti — The Crucifixion of St. Andrew the Apostle
by Mattia Preti

The feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle is celebrated on November 30. He is the patron saint of fishermen. St. Andrew was the first of the twelve Apostles to be called by Jesus.

Mark 1:16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little further, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

St. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. He was a fisherman and a follower of St. John the Baptist. When he heard the call of Jesus, he immediately left everything and followed Him.

After the ascension of Jesus to heaven, Andrew went to Greece to preach the gospel. In the year 70 he became a martyr. He was put to death on a cross to which he was tied, not nailed. It was a cross in the form of an X, which is now called “St. Andrew’s Cross”. He lived for two days, suffering, yet still preaching the gospel.

Three countries have chosen St. Andrew as their patron: Russia, Scotland and Greece. He is also the patron of fishermen.

St. Andrew’s relics are kept at the Basilica of St. Andrew in Patras, Greece.

“How blind man is when he refuses to open his heart to the light of faith!”

Quote of St. Bernadette, Feast Day April 16

St. Andrew the apostle in Art

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Christmas, Faith, Spirituality

Living Nativities and Christmas Carols Reflect Franciscan Spirituality

Quote November 27, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The creche’ or nativity which is evident in many holiday displays actually began with a living nativity organized by St. Francis.

Before the time of St. Francis, Christmas was celebrated with a Christmas Mass which was prayed and sung in Latin, a language few people understood. It was St. Francis who decided it was time to bring exuberant joy to the celebration. Three years before he died, St. Francis was visiting the town of Grecio. After receiving permission from the pope, he arranged a living nativity. Knowing that the hermitage would be too small for midnight mass, he found a niche in the rock near town square and set up the altar.

According to St. Bonaventure who tells the story in his book The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, he prepared a manger, brought hay, an ox and an ass to the appointed place. The brethren were summoned and that venerable night was made glorious by many lights and sonorous psalms and praise. St Francis, a deacon, stood before the manger full of devotion and piety, bathed in tears and radiant with joy; the Holy Gospel was chanted by Francis. Then he preached to the people gathered around the nativity of the poor King. St. Francis, filled with much joy, referred to Jesus as the Babe of Bethlehem.

The tradition of the nativity has been carried on to this day. The nativity scene is a visible reminder of the night our savior was born.

St. Francis is also responsible for the tradition of the Christmas Carol. He decided to add religious lyrics to popular tunes of his time, which became known as Christmas Carols. The first Christmas Carol was Psalmus in Nativitate. It was written in Latin so it could be sung at Mass but sung to a popular tune all the people knew. As living nativity scenes became popular, the people began singing the carols that have become familiar to us today.

In keeping with Franciscan Spirituality, perhaps we can create new Christmas Carols using familiar tunes of our day. The following Christmas Carol is an example.

An Ode to Jesus on Christmas

By Vicki Scheenstra

(Sung to melody of Angels from the Realms of Glory)

Christmas, what a wondrous season

Love and peace, they fill the air

Joy surrounds us, in the giving

All because, a babe is born

Born of Mary, Prince of Peace

Jesus Christ, Our Lord and King

Let us ponder, at the Mystery

Of Our Lord, the Giving King

How he brings us our redemption

Peace on earth, and love he brings

What he gives us is a treasure

Jesus Christ, Our Lord and King

Faith in Jesus is a treasure

Treasure of a different kind

It is hard to even measure

How His love can heal mankind.

Born of Mary, Prince of Peace

Jesus Christ, Our Lord and King

Born of Mary, in a stable

Starlight shining overhead

Angels sing in adoration

King of Kings and Prince of Peace

Love will heal us if we let Him

Jesus Christ, Our Lord and King!

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Carmelite Saints, Martyr

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Denis of the Nativity, Feast Day Nov. 29

Quote November 27, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross Public Domain Image — Bl. Denis of the Nativity and Bl. Redemptus of the Cross
Bl. Denis of the Nativity on the left

The feast day of St. Denis of the Nativity is celebrated on November 29. He was a Carmelite priest and a martyr.

Peter Berthelot was born on December 12, 1600 in Calvados, France. He became a sailor at the age of twelve, traveling to Spain, England and America. In 1619 he traveled to India where he was a cosmographer and first pilot of the Kings of France and Portugal. In 1635 he met his spiritual counselor Father Philip of the Most Trinity and decided to join the Discalced Carmelites. He chose the name Denis of the Nativity when he made his profession on Dec. 25, 1636. He was given the gift of contemplation and known for his holiness.

As a missionary, he and his companion Redemptus left for Goa in 1638 where they were taken prisoner. They were tortured in an attempt to force their conversion to Islam. During his captivity, Denis helped others by sacrificing his needs. He always had encouraging words and set a strong example.

Both Denis and Redemptus were condemned to die. He was killed by a sword that split his head in two.

Both Carmelites were beatified on June 10 1908 by Pope Leo XIII.

Prayer is a mighty weapon,

an unfailing treasure,

a wealth which is never expended,

a harbor that is always calm.

Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast day September 13

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Faith

Advent: The Season of Waiting

Quote November 27, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The period of four weeks before Christmas is called Advent. It is a period of anticipation and hope. In today’s culture it is a busy time, filled with shopping and socializing. However, in ages past, it was a quiet and sacred time of prayer and waiting… anticipating the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on the birth of Jesus, we look with hope to our salvation. Jesus was born of Mary. He became man to redeem us. By the cross, we are saved from our sins and have the hope of eternal life. What a tremendous mystery! How can a little baby be both human and divine?

The omnipotence of God is shown by his humbling himself and becoming a man. His humble beginnings, being born in a manger, tells us of his connection to the poor and lowly. He was not the type of king the Jewish people were expecting. The kingdom of God is an important thing to reflect on during the Christmas Season. Are we trying to follow the teachings of Jesus…to love not only our neighbor but our enemies? Are we helping the poor and downtrodden?

God is love. When we look at a little baby it is easy to define love. However, we need to be loving our neighbor at all times. Celebrating the incarnation (God becoming Man) this year, let’s try not to lose sight of the spiritual nature of Christmas. Waiting helps us to slow down. Hopefully, we will be spending time in prayer… sharing with God our hopes, difficulties, fears and love.

A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul.

Quote of St. John of the Cross

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patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Berchmans, Feast Day Nov. 26

Quote November 23, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. John Berchmans is celebrated on November 26. He is the patron saint of altar boys.

St. John Berchmans was born in 1599 at Diest, Belgium. His father was a shoemaker. At a very young age he wanted to become a priest. After his mother’s death, in 1615 he entered the Jesuit College At Melines. He journeyed to Rome where he continued to study. He was known for his holiness and his desire for perfection in small things. In 1621, at the age of 22, he died after becoming ill, possibly from dysentery.

Many miracles were attributed to him after his death. He had a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady. He composed a Chaplet in honor of her Immaculate Conception. He also composed a poem called ‘To an Altar Boy’.

“Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us.

What we really are consists in what God knows us to be.”

Quote of St. John Berchmans

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Feast Day Nov. 25

Quote November 23, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Catherine Alexandria is celebrated on November 25. She is the patron saint of Christian philosophers, teachers and librarians. She is considered a virgin and martyr.

While there is no historical evidence regarding St. Catherine of Alexandria there is a strong tradition about her martyrdom. St. Catherine was born around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt. She was the daughter of a wealthy pagan couple. She had a love of learning and studied philosophy and religion. After studying Christianity, she converted.

Legend tells us that she was imprisoned and tortured by Emperero Maxentius after she refused to marry him. He forced her to debate the most learned pagan philosophers hoping she would commit apostasy, however the debates resulted in many conversions to the Christian faith.

St. Catherine was tortured by being placed on a wheel full of spikes in an attempt to kill her. The wheel broke into two pieces and fell apart. She was then beheaded.

“Strength for a person who desires to acquire virtues,

consists in not losing heart when one happens to fall,

but in continuing once more on the way.

Not to fall is characteristic only of angels.”

Quote of St. Moses

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Faith, Feast Days, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew Dung, Feast Day Nov. 24

Quote November 22, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Andrew Dung and companions is celebrated on November 24. St. Andrew Dung was a priest and martyr of Vietnam.

St. Andrew Dung represents the 117 martyrs of Vietnam; 97 of the martyrs were Vietnamese and 21 were foreign missionaries. The missionaries included 11 Spaniards and, 10 French; 8 were bishops, 50 were priests and 59 were lay people. They were martyred during a period of persecution between 1625 and 1886.

St. Andrew was the born in 1795 to a poor pagan family in North Vietnam. He moved to Hanoi when he was twelve. He was educated by a Christian and after three years was baptized. He became a catechist and continued to study theology.

In 1823, he was ordained a priest. He was imprisoned under Emperor Minh Mang. His congregation made donations to free him. He changed his name to Andrew Lac to avoid persecution and changed locations. He was arrested a second time along with Father Peter Thi another Vietnamese Priest. Again his freedom was bought. They were soon arrested a third time and beheaded after being brutally tortured.

The 117 martyrs were beatified by Pope John Paul II on May 27, 1900. The memorial celebrates all the Vietnamese Martyrs of the 17th, 18th and 9th centuries.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who,

in a period of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.

Quote by Dante Alighieri

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Martyr, patron saints, Pope, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Clement of Rome, Feast Day Nov. 23

Quote November 21, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

St. Clement of Rome was the third successor of St. Peter and the fourth pope of the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of mariners.

St. Clement was Jewish by birth. He converted to Christianity and became a follower of St. Paul and St. Peter. He was ordained a priest by St. Peter. Because he knew the Apostles he is considered one of the five Apostolic Fathers.

As Pope, St. Clement wrote a letter to the Corinthian Church. The Corinthian Church was in turmoil. He urged charity and obedience. His letter brought peace and order to the Church.

St. Clement lived during a time of persecution. He was banished and sentenced to work with other prisoners in a stone quarry. He continued to successfully convert people. Because of the success he had in converting people, he was sentenced to death. He was put to death by being tied to an anchor and thrown into the sea.

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.”

Quote of St. Clement of Rome

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Faith, Incorruptible, Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Cecelia, Feast Day November 22

Quote November 21, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra Leave a comment

The feast day of St. Cecelia is celebrated on November 22. She is a martyr and the patron saint of musicians.

St. Cecelia by Guarino — St. Cecelia
by Guarino

St. Cecelia was born in Rome to an esteemed family late in the first century. She lived a life of prayer. She was given in marriage to a young pagan named Valerian. Cecelia shared her promise of celibacy and consecration to God with her husband. During the wedding, it is said that she sat apart, singing to God in her heart with thanksgiving.

Valerian converted to Christianity and he honored her desire to remain a virgin. He helped Cecilia in her charity toward the poor. Because of this, he was arrested and put to death.

Almachius, the Prefect of Rome, feared her nobility and charity to the poor. He had her imprisoned in the steam bath of her own home, trying to suffocate her. After a full day and night in stifling steam, Cecilia survived without harm. This resulted in Almachius sending an executioner to behead her. She was struck three times, but she was not beheaded. She fell to the floor. After several days of bleeding in her own bath, Christians rushed in to help her. On the third morning the venerable Bishop Urban visited Cecilia. As she lay dying, she requested that her palace be made into a church for the poor. She died praying, after receiving the Eucharist. Her body was buried in the Catacomb of Saint Callistus. The year of her death is unknown bu it is believed her martyrdom took place during the pontificate of Urban I (222-230).

In 817, her tomb was discovered by Pope Paschal I. Her body was one of the first of over a hundred saints whose bodies were discovered to be incorrupt. Her body remained as it was when she died. Her relics were put into the crypt in the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trasrevere. When her tomb was opened in 1599, her body was perfectly incorrupt. Her neck still had marks of being struck with a sword.

St. Cecelia is the patron saint of musicians, because of the zeal with which she sang the divine praises of thanksgiving. Her spirituality included a love of music. St. Cecilia is often venerated in poetry and music.

“To sing is to pray twice.”

St. Augustine; Feast day August 28

St. Cecelia in Art

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Martyr, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Edmund, Feast Day November 20

Quote November 19, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Edmund is celebrated on November 20. He is the patron saint of kings and against plaque and torture. St. Edmund is honored as a martyr of the church.

St. Edmund was crowned King of East Angles on Christmas Day in 855. He was only fourteen years old. He modeled himself after King David in the Old Testament. He tried to serve God in a way similar to King David. He memorized the psalms written by David and was known for his piety.

Kind Edmund was a wise ruler. He was a kind king who believed in justice. He cared for and served all in his kingdom, including the poor, orphans and widows.

When the Danish attacked, he fought back valiantly. However, he was outnumbered and eventually captured. The king was offered freedom in exchange for the Christian people. King Edmund refused, saying he would never offend God and his people in this way. He was then executed.

St. Edmund was tied to a tree and whipped. King Edmund called on Jesus for strength. He was then shot with arrows into all parts of his body. Finally, he was beheaded.

King Edmund died in 870. Many miracles were attributed to him after his death.

Faith furnishes prayer with wings, without which it cannot soar to heaven.

Quote of St. John Climacus, Feast day March 30

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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Feast Days, Prayer, Spirituality

Solemnity of Christ the King to be Celebrated

Quote November 19, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

The Sunday before Advent is the Feast of Christ the King. The feast was established in 1925 by Pope Pius XII in response to the growing secularism in society. The purpose of the feast is to proclaim the Kingdom of Christ.

The Kingdom of Christ Is spiritual. It concerns itself with spiritual things. In the time of Christ democracy did not exist. Governments were primarily geographical kingdoms. Each area was ruled by a king.

On the Feast of Christ the King, we should reflect on who or what rules over our heart. Hopefully, we can honestly say Christ is our King, and Lord. If we can, then our actions every day must be to imitate Christ and to follow His commandments.

Many Jewish people rejected Christ as the Messiah because they expected a royal King. Jesus, however, was poor, born in a stable. He is however, still a King. A synonym for king is ruler. Jesus rules over our hearts. Our conscience is formed by our belief that Jesus is King!

The Liturgical Year ends with the Feast of Christ the King. This feast is celebrated the Sunday before Advent, which begins the new liturgical year.

Prayer on the Feast of Christ the King

Almighty and merciful God. You break the power of evil and make all things new in Your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and on earth acclaim Your glory and never cease to praise You.

Father all-powerful God of Love, You have raised our Lord Jesus Christ from death to life, resplendent in glory as King of creation. Open our hearts; free all the world to rejoice in His peace to glory in His justice and to live in His love. Bring all mankind together in Jesus Christ Your Son whose Kingdom is with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen

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The Mystery of Faith

Quotes

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Charles de Foucauld, Feast Day Dec. 1

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew the Apostle, Feast Day Nov. 30

Living Nativities and Christmas Carols Reflect Franciscan Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Denis of the Nativity, Feast Day Nov. 29

Advent: The Season of Waiting

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Berchmans, Feast Day Nov. 26

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Alexandria, Feast Day Nov. 25

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Andrew Dung, Feast Day Nov. 24

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Clement of Rome, Feast Day Nov. 23

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Cecelia, Feast Day November 22

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Edmund, Feast Day November 20

Solemnity of Christ the King to be Celebrated

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism