Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
April 28
Saint of the day:
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Saint Peter Chanel
Saint Louis Mary de Montfort
Fifth Sunday of Easter
ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT
When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the
disciples, but they were all AFRAID of him, not believing that he was a
disciple.
The “he” in this verse is the same
Saul that was killing the early Christians that later became the Apostle Paul.
Christ tells us to love our enemy which is much easier
to say than to do. Yet as much as possible we are to not fear them but strive
to love them. Often, we find it difficult to love even our family and neighbors
let alone our enemies. In fact, the opposite of fear is not courage but love. Hebrews, Chapter 13, Verse’ 1-6 show the
following ways of living to demonstrate true love or charity.
The
true meaning of love is to seek the good of the other as other.
·
In
all that you do be an agent of hospitality.
o That is to be generous. Even the
poor can be rich in their praise and love of others. Share not only your time,
talent and treasure but truly give of yourself to others of your intellect,
emotional support, and physical presence. A good guide is the spiritual works
of mercy: instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish
sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort
the afflicted; pray for the living and the dead.
·
Do
what you can to free others of their prisons whether these are
self-imposed i.e. addictions or through ignorance.
o A good guide is the corporal works
of mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; harbor
the harbor-less; visit the sick; ransom the captive; bury the dead.
·
Marriage
is the physical reality of our soul’s marriage to God through
the Holy Spirit; therefore.
o If married love and honor your
wife; be chase in spirit whether married or single knowing that marriage is the
physical sign of your union with God. Disdain any kind of sexual defilement.
·
Avoid
the love of money.
o Seek simplicity and contentment.
Treat all the wealth you have as if it were Gods; on loan to you to build the
Kingdom; which it is. You can do this if you know and trust God will never
forsake you or abandon you.
Render unto Caesar[1]
This country
cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor.
John F. Kennedy
Have we become a soulless Nation?
Have we in the pursuit of happiness; ignored the Gospel of Life. Realizing that
if we put success or liberty as greater values than life that we are serving
Caesar and not God. To understand this, we need to review the US Bishops “The
Gospel of Life”.
The Gospel of Life[2]
Brothers and sisters in the Lord:
At the conclusion of the 1998 ad limina visits of the bishops of the United
States, our Holy Father Pope John Paul II spoke these words:
Today I believe the Lord is saying to us all: do not hesitate, do not be afraid to engage the good fight of the faith (cf. I Tim 6:12). When we preach the liberating message of Jesus Christ we are offering the words of life to the world. Our prophetic witness is an urgent and essential service not just to the Catholic community but to the whole human family.
In this statement
we attempt to fulfill our role as teachers and pastors in proclaiming the
Gospel of Life. We are confident that the proclamation of the truth in
love is an indispensable way for us to exercise our pastoral responsibility.
"Your country
stands upon the world scene as a model of a democratic society at an advanced
stage of development. Your power of example carries with it heavy
responsibilities. Use it well, America!" --Pope
John Paul II, Newark, 1995
When Henry Luce published his
appeal for an "American century" in 1941, he could not have known how
the coming reality would dwarf his dream. Luce hoped that the
"engineers, scientists, doctors . . . builders of roads [and] teachers"
of the United States would spread across the globe to promote economic success
and American ideals: "a love of freedom, a feeling for the quality of
opportunity, a tradition of self-reliance and independence and also
cooperation." Exactly this, and much more, has happened in the
decades since. U.S. economic success has reshaped the world. But
the nobility of the American experiment flows from its founding principles, not
from its commercial power. In this century alone, hundreds of thousands
of Americans have died defending those principles. Hundreds of thousands
more have lived lives of service to those principles -- both at home and on
other continents -- teaching, advising and providing humanitarian assistance to
people in need. As Pope John Paul has observed, "At the center of
the moral vision of [the American] founding documents is the recognition of the
rights of the human person . . ." The greatness of the United States
lies "especially [in its] respect for the dignity and sanctity of human
life in all conditions and at all stages of development."
Now the word of
the Lord came to me saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before
you were born, I consecrated you; a prophet to the nations I appointed you.
--Jeremiah 1:5
ON KEEPING
THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[3]
CHAPTER III
DIES ECCLESIAE
The Eucharistic Assembly:
Heart of Sunday
The Sunday Eucharist
34. It is true that, in itself, the
Sunday Eucharist is no different from the Eucharist celebrated on other days,
nor can it be separated from liturgical and sacramental life as a whole. By its
very nature, the Eucharist is an epiphany of the Church; and this is most
powerfully expressed when the diocesan community gathers in prayer with its
Pastor: "The Church appears with special clarity when the holy People of
God, all of them, are actively and fully sharing in the same liturgical
celebrations — especially when it is the same Eucharist — sharing one prayer at
one altar, at which the Bishop is presiding, surrounded by his presbyters and
his ministers". This relationship with the Bishop and with the entire
Church community is inherent in every Eucharistic celebration, even when the
Bishop does not preside, regardless of the day of the week on which it is
celebrated. The mention of the Bishop in the Eucharistic Prayer is the
indication of this.
But because of its special solemnity
and the obligatory presence of the community, and because it is celebrated
"on the day when Christ conquered death and gave us a share in his
immortal life",(44) the Sunday Eucharist expresses with greater emphasis
its inherent ecclesial dimension. It becomes the paradigm for other Eucharistic
celebrations. Each community, gathering all its members for the "breaking
of the bread", becomes the place where the mystery of the Church is
concretely made present. In celebrating the Eucharist, the community opens
itself to communion with the universal Church, imploring the Father to
"remember the Church throughout the world" and make her grow in the
unity of all the faithful with the Pope and with the Pastors of the particular
Churches, until love is brought to perfection.
Fifth Sunday of Easter
The liberty of the New Covenant and its perfection in prayer and the Spirit
The introit of the Mass is again a joyful thanksgiving for our redemption. " Declare the voice of joy, and let it be heard, alleluia; declare it even to the ends of the earth; the Lord hath delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia" (Isaias xlviii. 20). " Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name, give glory to His praise.
Prayer.
O God, from Whom all good things proceed, grant to Thy suppliants that by Thy inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by Thy direction perform them.
EPISTLE. James i. 23-27.
Dearly Beloved: Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only: deceiving your own selves. But if a man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer: he shall be compared to a man be holding his own countenance in a glass: for he beheld himself, and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was. But he that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty, and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man s religion is vain. Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep oneself unspoiled.
GOSPEL. John
xvi. 23-30
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: Amen, amen I say to you: if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked anything in My name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainly of the Father: in that day you shall ask in My name: and I say not to you, that I will ask the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world and I go to the Father. His disciples say to Him: Behold now Thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb; now we know that Thou knowest all things, and Thou needest not that any man should ask Thee. By this we believe that Thou comest forth from God.
The most effective means of acquiring true Christian
spirituality is through participation in the Mass.[4]
St. Louis Mary de Montfort[5]
Louis'
life is inseparable from his efforts to promote genuine devotion to Mary, the
mother of Jesus and mother of the church. Totus tuus (completely yours) was
Louis's personal motto; Karol Wojtyla chose it as his episcopal motto. Born in
the Breton village of Montfort, close to Rennes (France), as an adult Louis
identified himself by the place of his baptism instead of his family name,
Grignion. After being educated by the Jesuits and the Sulpicians, he was
ordained as a diocesan priest in 1700. Soon he began preaching parish missions
throughout western France. His years of ministering to the poor prompted him to
travel and live very simply, sometimes getting him into trouble with church
authorities. In his preaching, which attracted thousands of people back to the
faith, Father Louis recommended frequent, even daily, Holy Communion (not the
custom then!) and imitation of the Virgin Mary's ongoing acceptance of God's
will for her life. Louis founded the Missionaries of the Company of Mary (for
priests and brothers) and the Daughters of Wisdom, who cared especially for the
sick. His book, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, has become a classic
explanation of Marian devotion. Louis died in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, where a
basilica has been erected in his honor. He was canonized in 1947.
Excerpted
from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
Things to
Do
·
Read a longer biography of St. Louis de Montfort's life.
·
Read some of St.
Louis de Montfort's works and/or read articles
about his spirituality.
·
Consider making the consecration to
Mary recommended by St. Louis de Montfort.
·
Resolve to pray the rosary daily starting today.
·
Learn about the Missionaries
of the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries) and support their work with
your prayers, sacrifices and financial offerings.
·
From the Catholic Culture Library The
Spiritans and Under
the Banner and Protection of Mary.
20 best days of the year to
start Consecration to Mary[6]
·
Start January 9 to end on February 11, the feast
of the Apparation at Lourdes
·
Start February 20 (or 21st in a leap year) to
end on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation
·
Start April 10 to end on May 13, the feast of
Our Lady of Fatima
·
Start April 21 to end on May 24, the feast of
Mary, Help of Christians
·
Start April 28 to end on May 31, the feast of
the Visitation
·
Start May 25
to end on June 27, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
·
Start June 13 to end on July 16, the feast of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
·
Start July 13 to end on August 15, the feast of
the Assumption
·
Start July 20 to end on August 22, the feast of
the Queenship of Mary
·
Start August 6 to end on September 8, the feast
of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
·
Start August 10 to end on September 12, the
feast of the Holy Name of Mary
·
Start August 13 to end on September 15, the
feast of Our Lady of Sorrows
·
Start September 4 to end on October 7, the feast
of Our Lady of the Rosary
·
Start October 17 to end on November 19, the
feast of Our Lady of Divine Providence
·
Start October 19 to end on November 21, the
feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary
·
Start October 25 to end on November 27, the
feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
·
Start November 5 to end on December 8, the feast
of the Immaculate Conception
·
Start November 9 to end on December 12, the
feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
·
Start November 29 to end on January 1, the feast
of Mary, Mother of God
·
Start December 31 to end on February 2, the
feast of the Presentation of Our Lord.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART FOUR: CHRISTIAN PRAYER
SECTION ONE-PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHAPTER TWO-THE TRADITION OF PRAYER
Article 2-THE WAY OF PRAYER
IN BRIEF
2680
Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father; it can also be directed toward
Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his holy name: "Lord Jesus
Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."
2681
"No one can say 'Jesus is Lord', except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor
12:3). the Church invites us to invoke the Holy Spirit as the interior Teacher
of Christian prayer.
2682
Because of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the
Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify with her the
great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and
praises to her.
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Act
of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three
Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son
became man and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and
the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church
teaches, because You revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Amen.
TODAY IS ALSO Biological Clock Day
Biological Clock Day offers a variety of opportunities to
pay respect and attention to our bodies. Perhaps implement some of these ideas
in celebration of the day:
It might be a good idea to
celebrate Biological Clock Day by setting aside some time to re-regulate the
body. This will likely take more than a 24-hour period, but the day can perhaps
be a good catalyst. Get started by creating a regular bedtime routine that
allows plenty of time for relaxing and falling asleep at night.
One of the most basic ways to observe Biological Clock Day might be to get back to a rhythm the way nature intended it to be. Try unplugging those electronics and turn off the lights at a set time in the evening. Pick up an actual book with pages instead of scrolling through the phone.
See what happens when
nature takes its course and there’s no human intervention of technology to
hijack the processes the body really needs. It might take a bit of time for the
body to detox and reset itself, but the effort will certainly be worth it in the
end!
Need some additional tips on how to get the body to engage with its natural rhythms on Biological Clock Day? Try some of these sleep hygiene ideas:
- Go
to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Try
to avoid taking naps if they seem to inhibit the ability to fall asleep at
the right time at night!
- Stop
eating and exercising at least two hours (or more) before bedtime and
avoid chemical stimulants like caffeine and nicotine during these hours.
- Try wearing glasses that block blue light.
Claire’s Corner
On Sundays Pray:
O Glorious Queen of Heaven and Earth, Virgin Most Powerful, thou who hast the power to crush the head of the ancient serpent with thy heel, come and exercise this power flowing from the grace of thine Immaculate Conception. Shield us under the mantle of thy purity and love, draw us into the sweet abode of thy heart and annihilate and render impotent the forces bent on destroying us. Come Most Sovereign Mistress of the Holy Angels and Mistress of the Most Holy Rosary, thou who from the very beginning hast received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan. Send forth thy holy legions, we humbly beseech thee, that under thy command and by thy power they may pursue the evil spirits, counter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and drive them far from us, harming no one on the way, binding them to the foot of the Cross to be judged and sentenced by Jesus Christ Thy Son and to be disposed of by Him as He wills.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, come to our aid in this grave battle against the forces of darkness, repel the attacks of the devil and free the members of the Auxilium Christianorum, and those for whom the priests of the Auxilium Christianorum pray, from the strongholds of the enemy.
St. Michael, summon the entire heavenly court to engage their forces in this fierce battle against the powers of hell. Come O Prince of Heaven with thy mighty sword and thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits. O Guardian Angels, guide and protect us. Amen.
Cincinnati: Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner
Experience Cincinnati and the Ohio River like never before on a boat cruise. Enjoy a delicious 3-course buffet dinner aboard the boat while gazing at the city skyline with friends or family.
Events
· Feast of St. Louis De Montfort
· New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
· Coffee & Cannolis for St. Gianna
View all recipes for St. Gianna here.
Daily Devotions
·
Today in honor of the
Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no
shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Binding and
suppressing the Devils Evil Works
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
[1] Render unto Caesar, Charles J. Chaput
[2]http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/living-the-gospel-of-life.cfm
[4]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2022-05-15
[5] www.catholicculture.org
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