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Introduction to Judith[1]
Whatever the reasons, the rabbis did not count Judith among their scriptures, and the Reformation adopted that position. The early Church, however, held this book in high honor. The first-century Pope, St. Clement of Rome, proposes Judith as an example of courageous love (1 Corinthians 55). St. Jerome holds her up as an example of a holy widow and a type of the Church and, in another place, describes Mary as a new Judith. The Council of Trent (1546) included Judith in the canon; thus it is one of the seven deuterocanonical books. as God acted through Moses’ hand, so God delivers “by the hand of a female,” Judith. Like Jael, who drove a tent peg through the head of Sisera, Judith kills an enemy general. Like Deborah, Judith “judges” Israel in the time of military crisis. Like Sarah, the mother of Israel’s future, Judith’s beauty deceives foreigners, with the result that blessings rebound to Israel. Her Hebrew name means “Jewish woman.” Her exploits captured the imagination of liturgists, artists, and writers through the centuries.
SEPTEMBER 25 Monday
Start of Happiness at Work Week
But
all the inhabitants of the whole land made light of the
summons of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians, and would not join him in the
war. They were not AFRAID of him,
since he was only a single opponent. So they sent back his envoys empty-handed
and disgraced.
It seems that Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Assyrians is a legend in his own mind! The people did not respect the authority of the king and his power was not taken seriously. This does not look like it will turn out well. Let us examine ourselves; have we made light of God’s grace that has been given us and shunning our duties by refusing to join Him in war with evil? These are troubled times.
Prayers to Be Said in Time of Trouble[2]
Look
down, O Holy Father, from Thy sanctuary in heaven, Thy dwelling-place, and
behold this sacred victim which our great High Priest, Thy holy, innocent, and
well-beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, offers to Thee for the sins of us His
brethren, and let not Thy wrath be kindled on account of the manifold
transgressions of the world. Behold the voice of the blood of our brother, Thy
first-born Son, Jesus, cries to Thee from the cross. Give ear, O Lord, be
appeased; O Lord, hearken, and do; tarry not for our own sake, O our God, for
Thy name is invoked upon this house and city, and upon all Thy people; and deal
with us according to Thy infinite mercy, through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord, etc. Amen.
V.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring us to true penance.
R.
We beseech Thee, hear us.
V.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to defend this house and city, and all Thy people,
to keep them in peace; to guard, preserve, and look down on them with Thy most
tender pity.
R.
We beseech Thee, hear us.
V.
Through the holy mysteries of man’s redemption.
R.
Let Thy mercies quickly prevent us, O Lord, and spare Thy people.
V.
Through the merits and intercession of Thy blessed Mother, and of all the
saints.
R.
Let Thy mercies, etc, as above.
V.
Holy Mary, conceived without original sin, and all angels and saints, intercede
for us to Our Lord.
R.
That the mercies of our Lord may quickly prevent us; and that He may spare His
people, that so we may rejoice with Him forever and. ever. Amen.
Let
us pray.
Almighty and merciful God, may Thy most holy will be one at all times and in all things, according to Thy infinite and eternal mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Michael Helper of the Sick and Dying[3]
Saint Michael the Archangel was
the protector of Israel and is also traditionally known as “The Medicine of
God.” Saint Michael as the military captain of the church of God has a great
interest in the happenings of his people, their calamities and he does not
overlook their calls for his aid. Let us therefore have recourse to him in
times of sickness. He will most certainly come to our assistance bringing the
healing graces of the Redeeming Blood. Yet, if it is the will of the father
that we depart from this world Saint Michael does not abandon us for he is
especially our advocate at our hour of death and assists at every deathbed for
it is part of his office to receive the souls of the elect on their quitting
the flesh. When the last hour of our earthly career draws near, we are
confronted by that awful moment when our soul must leave the body which it has
loved so much, to pass through the narrow portal of death, satanic hosts like
raving lions will make a last attack upon our souls. But we need not fear (but
be at peace) if during life we have had devotion to the Precious Blood and have
been faithful in venerating St. Michael and imploring his aid. He will cover us
with his strong shield and lead us safely through the midst of our enemies.
Catechism of the Catholic
Church
PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN
MYSTERY
SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN
SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN
INITIATION
Article 1-THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
IN BRIEF
1275
Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism
which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening;
and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for
his transformation in Christ.
1276
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).
1277
Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's
will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter
by Baptism.
1278 The
essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or
pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy
Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
1279 The
fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes
forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by
which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a
temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is
incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the
priesthood of Christ.
1280
Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which
consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character
Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS 1624).
1281
Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who,
without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek
God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, are saved even if they have not
been baptized (cf. LG 16).
1282
Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is
a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children
are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access
to true freedom.
1283 With
respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church
invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.
1284 In
case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention
of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the
candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: The
sanctification of the Church Militant.
· Eat waffles
and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: September
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
· Monday: Litany of
Humility
·
Rosary
[2]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.
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