Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
8Before the spies lay down, Rahab
went up to them on the roof 9and said:
“I know that the LORD has given you the land, that a dread of you has come upon
us, and that all the inhabitants of the land tremble with FEAR because of you.
Rahab
saved the spies of Israel.
Why?
She
knew the truth that God was with
Israel. Rahab was a survivor and a sinner; she knew God had given the land to
Israel. If you know the truth you do not swerve from it. Rahab was saved from
the fate of Jericho because of her action not just good will toward Israel.
James in his epistle puts it this
way:
20Do
you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works
when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar?
22 You see that faith was active along with his works,
and faith was completed by the works. 23 Thus
the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was
credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called “the friend of God.”24 See how a person is justified by works and not
by faith alone.
25 And in
the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she
welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route?
Rahab
was saved by her faith and actions by the God of Israel and as a result she is
not only saved but the Christ the Messiah descends from Boaz her son.
St. Bridget of Sweden[1]
Bridget was born in Sweden of noble and pious parents and led a most holy life. While she was yet unborn, her mother was saved from shipwreck for her sake. At ten years of age, Bridget heard a sermon on the Passion of our Lord; and the next night she saw Jesus on the cross, covered with fresh blood, and speaking to her about his Passion. Thenceforward meditation on that subject affected her to such a degree, that she could never think of our Lord's sufferings without tears. She was given in marriage to Ulfo prince of Nericia; and won him, by example and persuasion, to a life of piety. She devoted herself with maternal love to the education of her children. She was most zealous in serving the poor, especially the sick; and set apart a house for their reception, where she would often wash and kiss their feet. Together with her husband, she went on pilgrimage to Compostela, to visit the tomb of the apostle St. James. On their return journey, Ulfo fell dangerously ill at Arras; but St. Dionysius, appearing to Bridget at night, foretold the restoration of her husband's health, and other future events. Ulfo became a Cistercian monk but died soon afterwards. Whereupon Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ calling her in a dream, embraced a more austere manner of life. Many secrets were then revealed to her by God. She founded the monastery of Vadstena under the rule of our Savior, which was given her by our Lord himself. At his command, she went to Rome, where she kindled the love of God in very many hearts. She made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; but on her return to Rome she was attacked by fever and suffered severely from sickness during a whole year. On the day she had foretold, she passed to heaven, laden with merits. Her body was translated to her monastery of Vadstena; and becoming illustrious for miracles, she was enrolled among the saints by Boniface IX. Excerpted from the Liturgical Year, Abbot Gueranger O.S.B
Things to
do
·
From
the Catholic Culture Library, two articles by Pope John Paul II — St. Bridget: A Unique Model of
Feminine Holiness,
Three Co-Patronesses of Europe and Saint Birgitta.
·
St.
Bridget was a member of the Franciscan Third Order. If you have never
considered joining one of the Church's order's for lay people today might be a
good time to think about it. Learn more about becoming a secular
Franciscan.
·
You
may want to purchase a copy of which contains excerpts from her revelations.
·
You
might like to read about St. Birgitta
of Sweden's Influence in Finland.
·
The
Birgittine Order now has thirteen monasteries of contemplative nuns and a
congregation of contemplative-apostolic sisters whose motherhouse is in Rome,
in the actual former dwelling of St. Birgitta. For information about the
sisters here are some websites: About the Birgittine Nuns in
Vadstena, Birgittine Sisters and About the Brigittine sisters
·
The
Brigittine Monks existed from the 14th to the middle of the 19th century, when
they were dispersed, largely due to European wars. (In 1970, a Brigittine Monk,
Richard Reynolds, martyr, was declared a saint.) This monastery, the 1st in
over 100 years, was founded in 1976 and has the Canonical status of a Priory
“Sui Juris.” If you want to know about the monks visit Brigittine Monks of the Order of the Most Holy Savior.
·
Read
about the saints of the
Brigittine order
and more about Bl. Elizabeth Hesselblad who refounded the order.
·
The
Catholic Encyclopedia has this to say about the Brigittines.
·
You
may want to buy some delicious
fudge made by the
monks or purchase a Brigittine
Rosary.
Novena
of St. Ann[2]
Daily Prayer to Saint Ann
O
glorious St. Ann, you are filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with
love for those who suffer! Heavily burdened with the weight of my troubles, I
cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take the present intention
which I recommend to you in your special care.
Please recommend it to your daughter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and place it
before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Continue
to intercede for me until my request is granted. But, above all, obtain for me
the grace one day to see my God face to face, and with you and Mary and all the
saints to praise and bless Him for all eternity. Amen.
Our Father, . . . Hail Mary . . .
O Jesus, Holy Mary, St. Ann, help me now and at
the hour of my death. Good St. Ann, intercede for me.
SEVENTH DAY
Once again, Good St. Ann, I choose you for my
advocate before the throne of God. By the power and grace that God has placed
in you, extend to me your helping hand. Renew my mind and my heart.
Dear St. Ann, I have unbounded confidence in
your prayers. To your blessed hands I entrust my soul, my body and all my hopes
for this world and the next. Direct my actions according to your goodness and
wisdom. I place myself under your motherly care. Receive me, good mother. Cover
me with the mantle of your love. Look kindly on me. By your powerful
intercession, may I obtain from God grace and mercy. Obtain for me remission
for sin and release from the punishment my offenses have deserved. Pray that I
may receive grace to lead a devout life on earth and that I may obtain the
everlasting reward of heaven.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Day 39
Paragraph 3. THE ALMIGHTY
268 of all the divine attributes, only God's omnipotence is named in the Creed: to confess this power has great bearing on our lives. We believe that his might is universal, for God who created everything also rules everything and can do everything. God's power is loving, for he is our Father, and mysterious, for only faith can discern it when it "is made perfect in weakness".
"He does whatever he pleases"
269 The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal
power of God. He is called the "Mighty One of Jacob", the "LORD
of hosts", the "strong and mighty" one. If God is almighty
"in heaven and on earth", it is because he made them. Nothing is
impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will. He is
the Lord of the universe, whose order he established and which remains wholly
subject to him and at his disposal. He is master of history, governing hearts
and events in keeping with his will: "It is always in your power to show
great strength, and who can withstand the strength of your arm?
"You are merciful to all, for you can do all
thing"
270 God is the Father Almighty, whose fatherhood and
power shed light on one another: God reveals his fatherly omnipotence by the
way he takes care of our needs; by the filial adoption that he gives us
("I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says
the Lord Almighty"): finally by his infinite mercy, for he displays
his power at its height by freely forgiving sins.
271 God's almighty power is in no way arbitrary: "In
God, power, essence, will, intellect, wisdom, and justice are all identical.
Nothing therefore can be in God's power which could not be in his just will or
his wise intellect."
The mystery of God's apparent powerlessness
272 Faith in God the Father Almighty can be put to the
test by the experience of evil and suffering. God can sometimes seem to be
absent and incapable of stopping evil. But in the most mysterious way God the
Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and
Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil. Christ crucified is thus
"the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is
wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It is
in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth
"the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe".
273 Only faith can embrace the mysterious ways of God's
almighty power. This faith glories in its weaknesses in order to draw to itself
Christ's power. The Virgin Mary is the supreme model of this faith, for
she believed that "nothing will be impossible with God", and was able
to magnify the Lord: "For he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name."
274 "Nothing is more apt to confirm our faith and
hope than holding it fixed in our minds that nothing is impossible with God.
Once our reason has grasped the idea of God's almighty power, it will easily
and without any hesitation admit everything that [the Creed] will afterwards
propose for us to believe - even if they be great and marvelous things, far
above the ordinary laws of nature."
IN BRIEF
275 With Job, the just man, we confess: "I know
that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted"
(Job 42:2).
276 Faithful to the witness of Scripture, the Church
often addresses her prayer to the "almighty and eternal God"
(“omnipotens sempiterne Deus. . ."), believing firmly that "nothing
will be impossible with God" (Gen 18:14; Lk 1:37; Mt 19:26).
277 God shows forth his almighty power by converting
us from our sins and restoring us to his friendship by grace. "God, you
show your almighty power above all in your mercy and forgiveness. . ."
(Roman Missal, 26th Sunday, Opening Prayer).
278 If we do not believe that God's love is almighty,
how can we believe that the Father could create us, the Son redeem us and the
Holy Spirit sanctify us?
Candace’s
Corner
·
Let
Freedom Ring Day 17 Freedom from Lukewarmness
Hike
of West Fork Oak Creek Sedona, Arizona
West Fork
Oak Creek is a popular trail. There is a pleasant little stream that ripples
along the canyon floor as you hike it where you can look up at the dizzying
cliffs that tower above it.
During this
hike you will meditate on each of the ways you may have been walking away from
God; marking each of the meditations as you cross the stream multiple times. On
the return hike, you will meditate using the walking towards God meditations as
you cross the stream. Remember every journey away from something is a journey
toward something—the first meditations are the seven deadly sins with fear
added as an eighth; and you will be meditating on the Beatitudes of Christ on
the way back in reverse order.
Walking away from GOD
(Have I been/Shown?)
1
FEAR: Terror, Dread; Horror, Fright; Panic, Alarm;
Trepidation, Apprehension.
2
PRIDE/HUBRIS: Arrogant; Conceit; Smugness; Self-importance;
Satisfaction; Pleasure; Delight.
3
ENVY: Jealousy, Desire; Resentment, Spite, Malice,
Meanness.
4
WRATH: Anger, Annoyance, Rage; Fury, Aggravation,
Frustration.
5
AVARICE: Greed; Materialism; Covetousness,
Acquisitiveness.
6
SLOTH: Laziness, Idleness; Sluggishness, Inactivity;
Indolence (condition that is slow to develop or be healed and causes no
pain-i.e. fail to resist evil) Apathy.
7
GLUTTONY: Excess, Exclusivity; Over indulgence;
Intemperance.
8
LUST: Yearn, Desire; Long for, Hanker for; Hunger
for, Ache for, Crave.
Walking toward GOD
(Have I failed to be, do; or show?)
8 CHASTITY (PURITY OF HEART):
Cleanliness, Wholesomeness; Spotlessness, Clarity; Transparency,
Knowledge, Honesty, Wisdom.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: LUST
Blessed are
the clean of heart, for they shall see God. The clean of heart are those who
preserve with care the innocence with which they are invested at holy Baptism,
or seek to regain it, when lost, by penance; those who keep their hearts and
consciences unspotted from all sinful thoughts, particularly from all unchaste
thoughts, desires, words, and acts, and who endeavor in all things to have a
pure intention directed to God alone. They shall see God, that is, they shall
know Him even here upon earth, for as the eye that is to see must be clean, so
only souls that are pure and unstained can behold God. But further, our
knowledge is like our hearts; the purer the heart the clearer and greater is
the knowledge of God. But in the world above they shall see, know, and possess
Him as He is. What blessedness! Strive, therefore, to keep your heart clean.
7 TEMPERANCE (POOR IN SPIRIT):
Sacrifice, Give Up; Forgo, Let Go; Surrender, Tithe, Self-Control,
Abstention.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: GLUTTONY
The poor in
spirit are: 1. Those who, like the apostles, readily forsake all earthly
things, and for Christ’s sake become poor. 2. Those who, happening to lose
their property by misfortune or injustice, suffer the loss patiently, in
resignation to the will of God. 3. Those who, like Jesus, are content with
their poor and humble position, seek no higher or happier one, and would rather
suffer want than enrich themselves by unlawful acts, by fraud or theft. 4. The
rich and noble who set not their hearts upon the riches and greatness of the
world who use their riches and influence to relieve the misery of the needy and
oppressed. 5. Finally, the truly humble, who, convinced of their weakness,
their helplessness and misery, think lowly of themselves, and regard themselves
but as beggars, who are always in need of the grace of God. To all these,
therefore, in whose hearts the world has no place, there is assured, as their
inheritance, the kingdom of heaven; here the kingdom of grace there the kingdom
of glory.
6 DILIGENCE (HUNGER & THRIST
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS): Fairness, Impartiality; Righteousness,
Evenhandedness; Fair Dealing, Persistence, Effort, Ethics, Rectitude.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: SLOTH
Blessed are
they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.
Hunger and thirst denote the most ardent longing after those virtues which
constitute Christian perfection, such as humility, meekness, the love of God
and of our neighbor, penance. Whoever longs for these virtues as the hungry man
does for food and drink, and prays to God for them with perseverance and
earnestness, shall have his fill; that is, he shall be enriched with them, and
one day shall be satisfied with eternal Happiness.
5 CHARITY (MERCIFUL):
Compassion; Kindness, Pity; Bigheartedness, Clemency; Openhandedness,
Forgiveness; Liberality, Understanding; Leniency, Will, Benevolence,
Generosity. Opposing Deadly Sin: AVARICE
Blessed are
the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The merciful here spoken of are: 1.
Those who willingly forgive the injuries done to them. 2. Those who have
compassion on their poor neighbors, and, according to their ability, sustain
them by alms. These shall obtain mercy; that is, God will forgive them their
sins and endow them abundantly with the goods of this world and of the world to
come. Thus God deals with us as we deal
with others.
4 PATIENCE (PEACEMAKERS):
Relations, Mediation; Negotiation—Prevents Destruction, I.E. Stem
Cell/Abortion, Sufferance.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: WRATH
Blessed are
the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. By peacemakers
we are to understand those who have peace with themselves, that is, a quiet
conscience, and who endeavor to maintain peace among others, or to restore it
when broken. Such are called the children of God, because they follow God, Who
is a God of peace, and Who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world with
Him, and to bring down upon earth that peace which the world itself could not
give.
3 KINDNESS (MOURNING):
Grief, Sorrow; Remembrance, Respect, Loyalty, Integrity.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: ENVY
Blessed are
they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. By them that mourn we are not to
understand such as grieve and lament over a death, a misfortune, a loss of
worldly goods, or the like; but those who are grieved that God should be in so
many ways offended by themselves and by others that His Church should be so
heavily oppressed, and thereby so many souls lost that have been redeemed with
the precious blood of Christ. The only evil really to be grieved for is sin,
and the tears shed on account of sin are the only tears that are profitable,
for they shall be recompensed with everlasting joy.
2 HUMILITY (MEEK): Modesty, Not Assuming, Reverence,
Altruism.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: PRIDE/HUBRIS
Blessed are
the meek, for they shall possess the land. That man is meek who does not murmur
against God for sending afflictions upon him, who is not angry at men who do
him injury, but who rather suppresses impatience, anger, envy, and revenge,
nay, who seeks to recompense the evil done him by his neighbor with good. Such
a one is greater than he who takes by storm fortified cities (Prov. xvi. 32);
he possesses an unfailing fountain of peace, quiet, and cheerfulness; by his
meekness prevails over the most hostile minds, is by such means truly a ruler
upon earth, and will one day, for his portion, obtain heaven, the land of the
living, there to enjoy eternal peace.
1 LOVE & COURAGE (FAITH-BE NOT
AFRAID): Affection, Adoration; Friendship, Confidence;
Courageous, Trust; Valiant, Reliance; Heroic, Assurance; Bold, Conviction;
Daring, Belief; Fearless, Devotion; Plucky, Loyalty.
Opposing
Deadly Sin: FEAR
Love
Brothers and sisters do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power.
Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ’s power to
serve the human person and the whole of mankind. Do not be afraid: Open wide
the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States,
economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and
development. Do not be afraid. Christ knows “what is in man”. He alone knows
it. So often today man does not know what is within him, in the depths of his
mind and heart. So often he is uncertain about the meaning of his life on this
earth. He is assailed by doubt, a doubt which turns into despair. We ask you
therefore, we beg you with humility and trust, let Christ speak to man. He
alone has words of life, yes, of eternal life.
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: An end
to the use of contraceptives.
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
No comments:
Post a Comment