DID YOU KNOW THAT ST. JOSEPH HAS SOME APPARITIONS HISTORICALLY AND CHURCH APPROVED?
BY: BRO. BOBBY GENERAL
(NSTI, CFD, SJWP PROPHETIC MINISTRY & RCAM BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE)
APPARITIONS OF ST. JOSEPH (WITH MOTHER MARY, ET AL)
Below is an excerpt from the article written by my professor at the New Saint Thomas Institute about the apparitions of the Universal Patron of the Church.
TWO APPARITIONS OF SAINT JOSEPH
by Dr Taylor Marshall
We often speak of Marian apparitions, but what about apparitions of Saint Joseph? These are two of the well-known approved apparitions of Saint Joseph – but of which occurred in the context of a Marian apparition.
Below is an excerpt from the article written by my professor at the New Saint Thomas Institute about the apparitions of the Universal Patron of the Church.
TWO APPARITIONS OF SAINT JOSEPH
by Dr Taylor Marshall
We often speak of Marian apparitions, but what about apparitions of Saint Joseph? These are two of the well-known approved apparitions of Saint Joseph – but of which occurred in the context of a Marian apparition.
Our Lady of Knock (1879)
On the evening of Thursday, 21 August 1879 (Eve of the Octave of the Assumption) in Knock, Ireland, three mysterious persons appeared. The one in the middle was immediately identifiable as the Blessed Virgin Mary, veiled, crowned and praying. Immediately on her right was Saint Joseph with a gray beard, bowing toward Mary. To Mary’s left was one appearing as a bishop who wore a short mitre. This last saint was the virginal Apostle Saint John the Evangelist.
On the evening of Thursday, 21 August 1879 (Eve of the Octave of the Assumption) in Knock, Ireland, three mysterious persons appeared. The one in the middle was immediately identifiable as the Blessed Virgin Mary, veiled, crowned and praying. Immediately on her right was Saint Joseph with a gray beard, bowing toward Mary. To Mary’s left was one appearing as a bishop who wore a short mitre. This last saint was the virginal Apostle Saint John the Evangelist.
Our Lady of Fatima (1917)
As we discussed a few days about on the significance of the three Marian visions of the Miracle of the Sun, the first vision included Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, as Lucia described: When Our Lady disappeared in the immense distance of the sky, next to the sun we saw Saint Joseph holding the Child Jesus and Our Lady dressed in white with a blue mantle. Saint Joseph and the Child seemed to be blessing the world making the sign of the cross.
I find it startling that Saint Joseph, although not a priest, would give the sacerdotal blessing of the sign of the cross in union with his foster-Son, Christ.
As we discussed a few days about on the significance of the three Marian visions of the Miracle of the Sun, the first vision included Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, as Lucia described: When Our Lady disappeared in the immense distance of the sky, next to the sun we saw Saint Joseph holding the Child Jesus and Our Lady dressed in white with a blue mantle. Saint Joseph and the Child seemed to be blessing the world making the sign of the cross.
I find it startling that Saint Joseph, although not a priest, would give the sacerdotal blessing of the sign of the cross in union with his foster-Son, Christ.
Bobby’s Take:
1. In the first one at Knocks, the message is clear to have a heart for the poor, the sick, the suffering and even the dying from sickness or poverty. St. Joseph has a heart for those we now refer to as the marginalized sector of society. It is something that the His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Cardinal Tagle continues to bring into focus. We can ask ourselves what are we doing for these people. Sometimes our spirituality become boxed in with liturgical things that are noble indeed but we need to realize that Christianity is much more than these. I am saddened by people who focus on these externals and much more who spend a lot of time arguing which clothes to wear, where to put the image, and other incidental things. Love is the message of the Gospel, truth to tell, this is the most essential question. Piety can only be seen in our love for God and our neighbor, particularly those in the margins. St. Joseph knows this and he showed it not by words alone but by his deeds.
2. At Fatima, St. Joseph gave the blessing together with Jesus. This reminds us of the importance of fatherhood especially in the context of being the high priest in the family. It is sometimes sad when I hear men say that prayers are for women. In the Scriptures, the blessings will come through the father just as it did through Abraham. Our Church has become a feminine church meaning almost 80% of attendees are women. I have been a daily church goer for the better part of more than 3 decades and in my assessment men attendance is not improving but diminishing. For the men of the church, let us reclaim this area. Let us not disobey from the design of the Lord, who will bless families through us like St. Joseph. St. Joseph was the head of the Holy family and my reflection of this statement leads me always to conclude that Jesus, the living Word of God, who is God himself was obedient to St. Joseph and so was the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the Mother of God. The blessings from God our Father was channeled to the Holy Family through the humble and just man, St. Joseph our patron and my personal patron.
“ITE AD JOSEPH”
Prayer:
"St. Joseph; guardian, protector and defender of Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church, legal father of Jesus our brother and Lord, true spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary our mother, and Universal Patron of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged (drugs & alcohol), the malefic disturbed (oppression, obsession & possession), and the dying of today. Amen."
*this is what I pray when I look at the image of St. Joseph in our Church before
I leave the parish church.
1. In the first one at Knocks, the message is clear to have a heart for the poor, the sick, the suffering and even the dying from sickness or poverty. St. Joseph has a heart for those we now refer to as the marginalized sector of society. It is something that the His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Cardinal Tagle continues to bring into focus. We can ask ourselves what are we doing for these people. Sometimes our spirituality become boxed in with liturgical things that are noble indeed but we need to realize that Christianity is much more than these. I am saddened by people who focus on these externals and much more who spend a lot of time arguing which clothes to wear, where to put the image, and other incidental things. Love is the message of the Gospel, truth to tell, this is the most essential question. Piety can only be seen in our love for God and our neighbor, particularly those in the margins. St. Joseph knows this and he showed it not by words alone but by his deeds.
2. At Fatima, St. Joseph gave the blessing together with Jesus. This reminds us of the importance of fatherhood especially in the context of being the high priest in the family. It is sometimes sad when I hear men say that prayers are for women. In the Scriptures, the blessings will come through the father just as it did through Abraham. Our Church has become a feminine church meaning almost 80% of attendees are women. I have been a daily church goer for the better part of more than 3 decades and in my assessment men attendance is not improving but diminishing. For the men of the church, let us reclaim this area. Let us not disobey from the design of the Lord, who will bless families through us like St. Joseph. St. Joseph was the head of the Holy family and my reflection of this statement leads me always to conclude that Jesus, the living Word of God, who is God himself was obedient to St. Joseph and so was the Blessed Virgin Mary who is the Mother of God. The blessings from God our Father was channeled to the Holy Family through the humble and just man, St. Joseph our patron and my personal patron.
“ITE AD JOSEPH”
Prayer:
"St. Joseph; guardian, protector and defender of Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church, legal father of Jesus our brother and Lord, true spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary our mother, and Universal Patron of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged (drugs & alcohol), the malefic disturbed (oppression, obsession & possession), and the dying of today. Amen."
*this is what I pray when I look at the image of St. Joseph in our Church before
I leave the parish church.
ST. CATHERINE LABOURE, THE MEDAL & THE LOVE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER
(A REFLECTION ON HUMILITY)
by: Bro Bobby General (NSTI, CFD, SJWP Prophetic Ministry & RCAM Biblical Apostolate)
A couple of years ago, my wife Ruby and I were blessed to be able to have a Marian Pilgrimage in the Centenary of the Apparition at Fatima, Portugal. The last leg of our pilgrimage is in Paris were in Rue de Bac, we were able to go to the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal where we were shown the power of God through the visage of the incorruptible bodies of St. Louise de Marillac. co founder with St. Vincent de Paul of the Sisters of Charity and the visionary, St. Catherine Laboure. I was just so awed by God's grace that when I was praying there, tears of joy just started to pour down upon my cheeks. I prayed for our family, Holy Mother Church and the conversion of all of sinners and consecrated my life to the Blessed Mother. Here is an excerpt from the life of the Blessed Catherine Laboure below:
"In 1830 Catherine was blessed with the apparitions of Mary Immaculate to which we owe the Miraculous Medal. The first apparition came on the eve of the feast of St. Vincent, July 19. The mother superior had given each of the novices a piece of cloth from the holy founder's surplice. Because of her extreme love, Catherine split her piece down the middle, swallowing half and placing the rest in her prayer book. She earnestly prayed to St. Vincent that she might, with her own eyes, see the Mother of God.
That night, a beautiful child awoke her from her sleep, saying: "Sister Labouré, come to the chapel; the Blessed Virgin is waiting for you." When Catherine went to the chapel, she found it ablaze with lights as if prepared for Midnight Mass. Quietly, she knelt at the Communion rail, and suddenly heard the rustle of a silk dress. The Blessed Virgin, in a blaze of glory, sat in a chair like that of Saint Anne's. Catherine rose, then went over and knelt, resting her hands in the Virgin's lap, and felt the Virgin's arms around her, as she said: "God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world."
A pained expression crossed the Virgin's face. "Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who seek them. Another community of sisters will join the Rue du Bac community. The community will become large; you will have the protection of God and Saint Vincent; I will always have my eyes upon you."
(This prediction was fulfilled when, in 1849, Fr. Etienne received Saint Elizabeth Seton's sisters of Emmitsburg, MD, into the Paris community. Mother Seton's sisters became the foundation stone of the Sisters of Charity in the United States.)
Then, like a fading shadow, Our Lady was gone.
Four months passed until Our Lady returned to Rue du Bac. Here are Catherine's own words describing the apparition:
"On the 27th of November, 1830 ... while making my meditation in profound silence ... I seemed to hear on the right hand side of the sanctuary something like the rustling of a silk dress. Glancing in that direction, I perceived the Blessed Virgin standing near St. Joseph's picture. Her height was medium and Her countenance, indescribably beautiful. She was dressed in a robe the color of the dawn, high-necked, with plain sleeves. Her head was covered with a white veil, which floated over Her shoulders down to her feet. Her feet rested upon a globe, or rather one half of a globe, for that was all that could be seen. Her hands which were on a level with Her waist, held in an easy manner another globe, a figure of the world. Her eyes were raised to Heaven, and Her countenance beamed with light as She offered the globe to Our Lord.
"As I was busy contemplating Her, the Blessed Virgin fixed Her eyes upon me, and a voice said in the depths of my heart: ' This globe which you see represents the whole world, especially France, and each person in particular.'
"There now formed around the Blessed Virgin a frame rather oval in shape on which were written in letters of gold these words: ' O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.' Then a voice said to me: ' Have a medal struck upon this model. All those who wear it, when it is blessed, will receive great graces especially if they wear it round the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be in a special manner under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence.'
"At the same instant, the oval frame seemed to turn around. Then I saw on the back of it the letter 'M', surmounted by a cross, with a crossbar beneath it, and under the monogram of the name of Mary, the Holy Hearts of Jesus and of His Mother; the first surrounded by a crown of thorns and the second transpierced by a sword. I was anxious to know what words must be placed on the reverse side of the medal and after many prayers, one day in meditation I seemed to hear a voice which said to me: ' The 'M' with the Cross and the two Hearts tell enough.' ""All who wear this medal will receive great graces . . ."
The Mother of God instructed Catherine that she was to go to her spiritual director, Father Aladel, about the apparitions. At first he did not believe Catherine, but, after two years, approached the Bishop of Paris with the story of the events that had taken place at Rue du Bac. Our Blessed Mother had chosen well Her time for the apparitions as the Bishop at that period was an ardent devotee of the Immaculate Conception. He said that the Medal was in complete conformity with the Church's doctrine on the role of Our Lady and had no objections to having the medals struck at once. The Bishop even asked to be sent some of the first.
Immediately upon receiving them, he put one in his pocket and went to visit Monseigneur de Pradt, former chaplain to Napoleon and unlawful Archbishop of Mechlin who had accepted his office from the hands of the Emperor and now lay dying, defiant and unreconciled to the Church. The sick man refused to abjure his errors and the Bishop of Paris withdrew in defeat. He had not left the house when the dying man suddenly called him back, made his peace with the Church and gently passed away in the arms of the Archbishop, who was filled with a holy joy.
The original order of 20,000 medals proved to be but a small start. The new medals began to pour from the presses in streams inundating France and the rest of the world beyond. By the time of St. Catherine's death in 1876, over a billion medals had been distributed in many lands. This sacramental from Heaven was at first called simply the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, but began to be known as the Miraculous Medal due to the unprecedented number of miracles, conversions, cures, and acts of protection attributed to Our Lady's intercession for those who wore it.
In 1841, the most remarkable miracle occured - the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne, a wealthy Jewish banker and lawyer and also a blasphemer and hater of Catholicism. M. de Bussieres, gave him a medal, daring him to wear it and say a Memorare. After considerable persuasion he agreed to do so. Not long after, Alphonse accompanied M. de Bussieres to the Church of Sant'Andrea delle Frate to make funeral arrangements for a dear friend. There Alphonse saw a vision of Mary as on the Miraculous Medal. He was converted instantly and immediately begged for Baptism.
Alphonse Ratisbonne later went on to become a priest, taking the name of Father Alphonse Marie. Working for thirty years in the Holy Land, he established several institutions. Out of reverence and gratitude to Our Savior, he built the expiatory sanctuary of the Ecce Homo on the spot where Pilate displayed Jesus to the Jews. So great was the love he had for his people, that he dedicated the remainder of his life, as did his brother, Father Theodore, to work for the conversion of their immortal souls. Among the converts of these two priest brothers were a total of twenty eight members of their own family.
On the last day of 1876, St. Catherine passed to her eternal reward. For the forty-six years from the year of the apparitions until her death, only she and her confessor knew who it was to whom the famous Miraculous Medal was revealed, despite many pressures she received to reveal the secret. The years passed by, Catherine performed daily her mundane and very ordinary tasks of sewing and door keeping, unknown to the world around her, which was buzzing with the miraculous effects of the medal. Because of this humility, she is often called the Saint of Silence. When her body was exhumed for beatification 57 years after her death in 1933, it was found as fresh as the day it was buried. Her incorrupt body can still be seen today at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity in The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 140 Rue du Bac in Paris.
"In 1830 Catherine was blessed with the apparitions of Mary Immaculate to which we owe the Miraculous Medal. The first apparition came on the eve of the feast of St. Vincent, July 19. The mother superior had given each of the novices a piece of cloth from the holy founder's surplice. Because of her extreme love, Catherine split her piece down the middle, swallowing half and placing the rest in her prayer book. She earnestly prayed to St. Vincent that she might, with her own eyes, see the Mother of God.
That night, a beautiful child awoke her from her sleep, saying: "Sister Labouré, come to the chapel; the Blessed Virgin is waiting for you." When Catherine went to the chapel, she found it ablaze with lights as if prepared for Midnight Mass. Quietly, she knelt at the Communion rail, and suddenly heard the rustle of a silk dress. The Blessed Virgin, in a blaze of glory, sat in a chair like that of Saint Anne's. Catherine rose, then went over and knelt, resting her hands in the Virgin's lap, and felt the Virgin's arms around her, as she said: "God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world."
A pained expression crossed the Virgin's face. "Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who seek them. Another community of sisters will join the Rue du Bac community. The community will become large; you will have the protection of God and Saint Vincent; I will always have my eyes upon you."
(This prediction was fulfilled when, in 1849, Fr. Etienne received Saint Elizabeth Seton's sisters of Emmitsburg, MD, into the Paris community. Mother Seton's sisters became the foundation stone of the Sisters of Charity in the United States.)
Then, like a fading shadow, Our Lady was gone.
Four months passed until Our Lady returned to Rue du Bac. Here are Catherine's own words describing the apparition:
"On the 27th of November, 1830 ... while making my meditation in profound silence ... I seemed to hear on the right hand side of the sanctuary something like the rustling of a silk dress. Glancing in that direction, I perceived the Blessed Virgin standing near St. Joseph's picture. Her height was medium and Her countenance, indescribably beautiful. She was dressed in a robe the color of the dawn, high-necked, with plain sleeves. Her head was covered with a white veil, which floated over Her shoulders down to her feet. Her feet rested upon a globe, or rather one half of a globe, for that was all that could be seen. Her hands which were on a level with Her waist, held in an easy manner another globe, a figure of the world. Her eyes were raised to Heaven, and Her countenance beamed with light as She offered the globe to Our Lord.
"As I was busy contemplating Her, the Blessed Virgin fixed Her eyes upon me, and a voice said in the depths of my heart: ' This globe which you see represents the whole world, especially France, and each person in particular.'
"There now formed around the Blessed Virgin a frame rather oval in shape on which were written in letters of gold these words: ' O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.' Then a voice said to me: ' Have a medal struck upon this model. All those who wear it, when it is blessed, will receive great graces especially if they wear it round the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be in a special manner under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence.'
"At the same instant, the oval frame seemed to turn around. Then I saw on the back of it the letter 'M', surmounted by a cross, with a crossbar beneath it, and under the monogram of the name of Mary, the Holy Hearts of Jesus and of His Mother; the first surrounded by a crown of thorns and the second transpierced by a sword. I was anxious to know what words must be placed on the reverse side of the medal and after many prayers, one day in meditation I seemed to hear a voice which said to me: ' The 'M' with the Cross and the two Hearts tell enough.' ""All who wear this medal will receive great graces . . ."
The Mother of God instructed Catherine that she was to go to her spiritual director, Father Aladel, about the apparitions. At first he did not believe Catherine, but, after two years, approached the Bishop of Paris with the story of the events that had taken place at Rue du Bac. Our Blessed Mother had chosen well Her time for the apparitions as the Bishop at that period was an ardent devotee of the Immaculate Conception. He said that the Medal was in complete conformity with the Church's doctrine on the role of Our Lady and had no objections to having the medals struck at once. The Bishop even asked to be sent some of the first.
Immediately upon receiving them, he put one in his pocket and went to visit Monseigneur de Pradt, former chaplain to Napoleon and unlawful Archbishop of Mechlin who had accepted his office from the hands of the Emperor and now lay dying, defiant and unreconciled to the Church. The sick man refused to abjure his errors and the Bishop of Paris withdrew in defeat. He had not left the house when the dying man suddenly called him back, made his peace with the Church and gently passed away in the arms of the Archbishop, who was filled with a holy joy.
The original order of 20,000 medals proved to be but a small start. The new medals began to pour from the presses in streams inundating France and the rest of the world beyond. By the time of St. Catherine's death in 1876, over a billion medals had been distributed in many lands. This sacramental from Heaven was at first called simply the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, but began to be known as the Miraculous Medal due to the unprecedented number of miracles, conversions, cures, and acts of protection attributed to Our Lady's intercession for those who wore it.
In 1841, the most remarkable miracle occured - the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne, a wealthy Jewish banker and lawyer and also a blasphemer and hater of Catholicism. M. de Bussieres, gave him a medal, daring him to wear it and say a Memorare. After considerable persuasion he agreed to do so. Not long after, Alphonse accompanied M. de Bussieres to the Church of Sant'Andrea delle Frate to make funeral arrangements for a dear friend. There Alphonse saw a vision of Mary as on the Miraculous Medal. He was converted instantly and immediately begged for Baptism.
Alphonse Ratisbonne later went on to become a priest, taking the name of Father Alphonse Marie. Working for thirty years in the Holy Land, he established several institutions. Out of reverence and gratitude to Our Savior, he built the expiatory sanctuary of the Ecce Homo on the spot where Pilate displayed Jesus to the Jews. So great was the love he had for his people, that he dedicated the remainder of his life, as did his brother, Father Theodore, to work for the conversion of their immortal souls. Among the converts of these two priest brothers were a total of twenty eight members of their own family.
On the last day of 1876, St. Catherine passed to her eternal reward. For the forty-six years from the year of the apparitions until her death, only she and her confessor knew who it was to whom the famous Miraculous Medal was revealed, despite many pressures she received to reveal the secret. The years passed by, Catherine performed daily her mundane and very ordinary tasks of sewing and door keeping, unknown to the world around her, which was buzzing with the miraculous effects of the medal. Because of this humility, she is often called the Saint of Silence. When her body was exhumed for beatification 57 years after her death in 1933, it was found as fresh as the day it was buried. Her incorrupt body can still be seen today at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity in The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 140 Rue du Bac in Paris.
Bobby's Note: “Lessons from the visit at the Miraculous Medal”
While here, I was able to speak to a sister of the order, who to my dismay, her name I just can't remember and told her that St. Catherine is a prayer partner for me every Thursday. She was visibly pleased that I know about this Saint. She asked me why I have an affinity to her and I told her that her humility is somewhat extraordinary and how I connect it with my personal patron, the Blessed Joseph (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin) my main prayer partner for Thursdays. I cited 3 things that led me to admire her, actually I think I told this to my wife as well. Below appears the 3 lessons that struck while in this most holy place and reflecting on the life this most humble Saint:
While here, I was able to speak to a sister of the order, who to my dismay, her name I just can't remember and told her that St. Catherine is a prayer partner for me every Thursday. She was visibly pleased that I know about this Saint. She asked me why I have an affinity to her and I told her that her humility is somewhat extraordinary and how I connect it with my personal patron, the Blessed Joseph (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin) my main prayer partner for Thursdays. I cited 3 things that led me to admire her, actually I think I told this to my wife as well. Below appears the 3 lessons that struck while in this most holy place and reflecting on the life this most humble Saint:
1. Despite having the honor of being the instrument of the Miraculous Medal that helped millions, when her job was done, she remained a humble nun and most probably even the new entrants to the order have very little or no idea who she was. Many of us would when we did something as grand as what she did would allow pride to seep in our hearts. She like St. Joseph, remained below the radar, so to speak and performed the duties of a nun like any other nun. She lived out SELF-FORGETFULESS, realized that all is not about her, but it all about God’s grace, mercy and love.
2. Likewise, like St. Joseph, she remained silent. However, her silence is a testament to her humility as well. Many of us would just not be able to contain ourselves having the honor she was blessed. To be able to speak with the Blessed Mother herself and not to think that she is special and therefore, had to be treated as such. She did not make any demands and just quietly performed, lived peaceably with others and did not murmur nor complain. The last 2 are the most destructive as we relate with others, particularly our superiors. Obedience with murmur and complaint is not Godly obedience, it is diabolical to say the least.
3. Lastly, she was able to see that to be disregarded in this world, even looked down and maybe ridiculed is the way of the cross in union with what the Mother told her as to her sufferings. She had inner peace knowing that the Lord will accompany her and she has no desire with the accolades from men but that only from God. When we are disregarded, we become resentful. When looked down, we get angry. When ridiculed, we become defensive. This marvelous Saint showed us that the response proper to these is, silence, prayer and meditation. Her incorruptible body is the greatest testament that God does know all things we do, even if the whole world does not. Jesus said, "he who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted". Amen.
When it was time to leave, we bade each other farewell and I remember that I asked the Sister to pray for me to Saint Catherine that I might grow in the virtue, humility, self-forgetfulness and avoid murmurs and complaints even when I think I am correct. Humility, true humility is according to St. Thomas Aquinas the "Mother of all Virtues".
When it was time to leave, we bade each other farewell and I remember that I asked the Sister to pray for me to Saint Catherine that I might grow in the virtue, humility, self-forgetfulness and avoid murmurs and complaints even when I think I am correct. Humility, true humility is according to St. Thomas Aquinas the "Mother of all Virtues".
Prayer to St. Catherine Laboure:
O most wonderful Saint of Silence and Humility, pray for us all that we might learn from your example and see ourselves as the least. When we do something for the kingdom, may we like you tell God we are worthless and only did what is required of us. When we are down, pray for us that we will draw strength and consolation only in our God who is good and most deserving of our love and worship. Lastly, pray for us that we in our ever chaotic world, would value silence, prayer and meditation and persevere in the challenges and sufferings that we face with faith and confidence in God, who is providence Himself. St. Catherine pray for us, the poor, the sick. the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged (narcotic & alcohol), the malefic disturbed and the dying of today. Amen.
O most wonderful Saint of Silence and Humility, pray for us all that we might learn from your example and see ourselves as the least. When we do something for the kingdom, may we like you tell God we are worthless and only did what is required of us. When we are down, pray for us that we will draw strength and consolation only in our God who is good and most deserving of our love and worship. Lastly, pray for us that we in our ever chaotic world, would value silence, prayer and meditation and persevere in the challenges and sufferings that we face with faith and confidence in God, who is providence Himself. St. Catherine pray for us, the poor, the sick. the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused, the challenged (narcotic & alcohol), the malefic disturbed and the dying of today. Amen.
ST. MAXIMUS THE CONFESSOR:
ORTHODOXY OR YOUR LIFE?
by: Bro. Bobby General (NSTI), CFD, RCAM BIBLICAL APOSTOLATE, SJWP PROPHETIC MINISTRY
The Saint we are honouring with this writing says yes to orthodoxy and he did actually lose his life and limb. He is Saint Maximus the Confessor (c. 580 – 13 August 662) who suffered a martyr’s death together with having his tongue and his right hand cut off by the soldiers of the Emperor Theodosius. The story of this martyrdom began with the document issued by the Emperor stating that the Lord Jesus Christ has but one will despite having 2 natures. This doctrine was forwarded in the Eastern Church by the Emperor who for political advantages seemed it appropriate. They even have false councils to ratify this heretical position. While this is going on, the Western Church in Rome rejected the document and the doctrines and anathematizes the proponents. Our Saint despite being in the East was imbued with God’s wisdom and recognized the orthodoxy or correctness of the Western Church’s position. His open adherence to this is what prompted his martyrdom. The heretical movement is otherwise known as “Monothelitism” or the one will.
This is the Saint that we quote from in explaining that natures have wills that operates. If the Lord has 2 natures it is given that it has divine and human wills as well. Citing the agony in the garden of Gethsemane where the human will of Lord asks this cup to passeth away but with His divine will realized the need for this event, submits to the will that operated which is He opened His arms on the cross for our salvation. Actually this position is forwarded from the Apostles, to the Church Fathers and Doctors including from the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas himself in the Summa Theologae.
It seemed trivial that a position or a doctrine that is a mystery altogether would be a matter of life or death. Upon studying the events surrounding this martyrdom, I think when doctrines and faith issues is mixed with political and non spiritual motives, we as those who know the truth and the faith must speak even when this might lead to dire consequences especially if you are going against the wish or wishes of a powerful man. St. Maximus lost his hand because it is the one he used to write explaining orthodoxy and his tongue for speaking about the same. It is his charity that the people of God might not be led astray and it is the same charity that gave him the strength to rise above fears and remain loyal to God.
Reflection:
1. What are your personal struggles that compromises your loyalty and charity to God and His Mystical Body the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church?
2. Will you be willing to make a stand for the teachings of the Church even when they are not popular or easy?
3. If the government oversteps and thread on faith issues reserved for the Church, what are you going to do with it?
Prayer:
Father, in the Name of Jesus your Son and our brother and Lord, together with the Holy Spirit our helper, we ask that you grant us the grace to remain true and faithful to you most especially in times of trials, temptations and tribulation. Make us truly your loyal servants and handmaids and make us courageous in these very pressing and difficult times. Amen.
Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
This is the Saint that we quote from in explaining that natures have wills that operates. If the Lord has 2 natures it is given that it has divine and human wills as well. Citing the agony in the garden of Gethsemane where the human will of Lord asks this cup to passeth away but with His divine will realized the need for this event, submits to the will that operated which is He opened His arms on the cross for our salvation. Actually this position is forwarded from the Apostles, to the Church Fathers and Doctors including from the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas himself in the Summa Theologae.
It seemed trivial that a position or a doctrine that is a mystery altogether would be a matter of life or death. Upon studying the events surrounding this martyrdom, I think when doctrines and faith issues is mixed with political and non spiritual motives, we as those who know the truth and the faith must speak even when this might lead to dire consequences especially if you are going against the wish or wishes of a powerful man. St. Maximus lost his hand because it is the one he used to write explaining orthodoxy and his tongue for speaking about the same. It is his charity that the people of God might not be led astray and it is the same charity that gave him the strength to rise above fears and remain loyal to God.
Reflection:
1. What are your personal struggles that compromises your loyalty and charity to God and His Mystical Body the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church?
2. Will you be willing to make a stand for the teachings of the Church even when they are not popular or easy?
3. If the government oversteps and thread on faith issues reserved for the Church, what are you going to do with it?
Prayer:
Father, in the Name of Jesus your Son and our brother and Lord, together with the Holy Spirit our helper, we ask that you grant us the grace to remain true and faithful to you most especially in times of trials, temptations and tribulation. Make us truly your loyal servants and handmaids and make us courageous in these very pressing and difficult times. Amen.
Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
St. Maximus the Confessor, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
ST. SEBASTIAN (TWICE MARTYRED SAINT)
BY: BRO. BOBBY GENERAL (NSTI), CFD MAKATI, RCAM
ST. SEBASTIAN (TWICE MARTYRED SAINT)
BY: BRO. BOBBY GENERAL (NSTI)
ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR FAITH? HOW ABOUT DOING IT TWICE?
The Saint we are going to learn about practically did this. He did it at the time of arguably the bloodiest persecution of the Church by a Roman Emperor. We are talking about the 10th persecution or the “Diocletan Persecution” from the late 3rd century to the early 4th century. This is the last as soon after the Edict of Milan came into fruition and we are now free to worship God openly. Below is a short biography of this very courageous saint:
Nothing is known about St. Sebastian's youth other than the fact he may have come from southern France and he was educated in Milan. He joined the Roman Army in 283 AD, ostensibly to be of service to other Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans. St. Sebastian distinguished himself and for his excellent service, he was promoted to serve in the Praetorian Guard to protect Emperor Diocletian.
While serving as a Praetorian Guard, Marcus and Marcellian, twin brothers, were imprisoned for refusing to make public sacrifices to the Roman gods. The brothers were deacons of the Christian Church. During their imprisonment, their parents visited them to implore them to renounce Christianity. However, St. Sebastian convinced both parents to convert to Christianity. St. Sebastian also converted several other prominent individuals, including the local prefect.
This led to his discovery and he was reported as a Christian to Emperor Diocletian in 286. The Emperor, who was already infamous for ordering the deaths of hundreds of Christians, scolded Sebastian and ordered him to be killed by having him tied to a stake on a training field and used as target practice.
Archers riddled his body with arrows, his body was described as, "full of arrows as an urchin." Believed to be dead, the archers left his body for retrieval and burial. He was recovered by Irene of Rome, whose Christian husband was a servant to Diocletian and also martyred. Irene discovered that Sebastian was still living and she hid him and nursed him back to health.
Once well, Sebastian went in search of Diocletian to surprise him. He managed to catch Diocletian by a stairwell and proceeded to criticize him loudly and publically for his persecution of the Christians. Diocletian, surprised that Sebastian was still alive, was immediately taken aback, but recovered his composure. This time, he would not permit Sebastian to escape with his life. He ordered his former guard to be beaten to death with clubs, then thrown into the sewers.
His body was recovered by a Christian woman, named Lucina, and she secretly buried him in the catacombs beneath Rome.
Nearly 80 years after his death, around 367, his remains were moved to a basilica in Rome, built by Pope Damasus I. His body, or at least some relics from his body were reportedly removed and shared with a community of monks in France. His cranium was sent to a German monastery where it was placed in a special silver case in 934. The relic remains in its case today in a special reliquary in Ebersberg.
St. Sebastian was commonly invoked as a protector against the plague. According to historical records, he defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague could be because he survived being shot full of arrows and in pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above. Even Christian Romans would appreciate this symbolism. That symbolism is even captured in artwork as late as the Renaissance, where artists painted plague victims with black arrows in their body.
In artwork, St. Sebastian is depicted with arrows shot into his body, often tied to a post or a tree. His second execution is virtually never depicted.
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death.
Reflection:
St. Sebastian was granted the strength or courage to die a martyr’s death twice, it is clear to him that life here and now is just temporary. This is the secret of the martyrs and the saints. Having eternal perspective or see things not with human eyes only but eyes illuminated by faith allowing us to have the right perspective of things. Like what the Apostle said; “I do not live anymore but it is Christ (crucified) who lives in me”. His courage and life testimony made him one of the most venerated saints in the early church.
Many years ago, when I was just beginning to understand being what a Catholic truly is which is to be a follower of Jesus, I thought that I would be one if I go to Mass and doing my devotionals and from time to time serve in some capacity. However, I spoke to a person whom I respect and view as a mentor and he told me that the true mark of the disciple of the Lord is to imitate him by "LAYING YOUR LIFE FOR ANOTHER" because that is the mission of Jesus revealed from the Incarnation to the hills of Golgotha. Proud and naive, I told him that yes I would do it for my family and friends and those I am in committed relationship somehow. He told me, "not just for them, how about your enemies or those who view you as such, your persecutors and the beggar on the street?" Now just a little bit older and hopefully wiser, I think it is true humility to be able to lay your life for another because at the back of this action is the realization that the other person's life is more significant than yours and this includes those in what we call these days as in the margins, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the elderly, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying. I try to remind myself that their life is worth dying for because Jesus himself did it for them. This I think is at the heart of St. Sebastian who was willing to do it twice. This is strength of the martyrs and the witness of the Church because even today we have persecutors, we have enemies but likewise, we still have men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. Going back to this person, my mentor, he told me straight and I believed him, that he would die for me. I never forgot these words and from time to time I reflect on it like now. This is what being a true disciple is all about I think.
1. What persecutions from family, work or ministry are you encountering right now?
2. If St. Sebastian was in your shoes, how would he handle it?
Prayer:
St. Sebastian, twice martyred, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying of today. Amen.
BY: BRO. BOBBY GENERAL (NSTI)
ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR FAITH? HOW ABOUT DOING IT TWICE?
The Saint we are going to learn about practically did this. He did it at the time of arguably the bloodiest persecution of the Church by a Roman Emperor. We are talking about the 10th persecution or the “Diocletan Persecution” from the late 3rd century to the early 4th century. This is the last as soon after the Edict of Milan came into fruition and we are now free to worship God openly. Below is a short biography of this very courageous saint:
Nothing is known about St. Sebastian's youth other than the fact he may have come from southern France and he was educated in Milan. He joined the Roman Army in 283 AD, ostensibly to be of service to other Christians who were being persecuted by the Romans. St. Sebastian distinguished himself and for his excellent service, he was promoted to serve in the Praetorian Guard to protect Emperor Diocletian.
While serving as a Praetorian Guard, Marcus and Marcellian, twin brothers, were imprisoned for refusing to make public sacrifices to the Roman gods. The brothers were deacons of the Christian Church. During their imprisonment, their parents visited them to implore them to renounce Christianity. However, St. Sebastian convinced both parents to convert to Christianity. St. Sebastian also converted several other prominent individuals, including the local prefect.
This led to his discovery and he was reported as a Christian to Emperor Diocletian in 286. The Emperor, who was already infamous for ordering the deaths of hundreds of Christians, scolded Sebastian and ordered him to be killed by having him tied to a stake on a training field and used as target practice.
Archers riddled his body with arrows, his body was described as, "full of arrows as an urchin." Believed to be dead, the archers left his body for retrieval and burial. He was recovered by Irene of Rome, whose Christian husband was a servant to Diocletian and also martyred. Irene discovered that Sebastian was still living and she hid him and nursed him back to health.
Once well, Sebastian went in search of Diocletian to surprise him. He managed to catch Diocletian by a stairwell and proceeded to criticize him loudly and publically for his persecution of the Christians. Diocletian, surprised that Sebastian was still alive, was immediately taken aback, but recovered his composure. This time, he would not permit Sebastian to escape with his life. He ordered his former guard to be beaten to death with clubs, then thrown into the sewers.
His body was recovered by a Christian woman, named Lucina, and she secretly buried him in the catacombs beneath Rome.
Nearly 80 years after his death, around 367, his remains were moved to a basilica in Rome, built by Pope Damasus I. His body, or at least some relics from his body were reportedly removed and shared with a community of monks in France. His cranium was sent to a German monastery where it was placed in a special silver case in 934. The relic remains in its case today in a special reliquary in Ebersberg.
St. Sebastian was commonly invoked as a protector against the plague. According to historical records, he defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague could be because he survived being shot full of arrows and in pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above. Even Christian Romans would appreciate this symbolism. That symbolism is even captured in artwork as late as the Renaissance, where artists painted plague victims with black arrows in their body.
In artwork, St. Sebastian is depicted with arrows shot into his body, often tied to a post or a tree. His second execution is virtually never depicted.
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, and those who desire a saintly death.
Reflection:
St. Sebastian was granted the strength or courage to die a martyr’s death twice, it is clear to him that life here and now is just temporary. This is the secret of the martyrs and the saints. Having eternal perspective or see things not with human eyes only but eyes illuminated by faith allowing us to have the right perspective of things. Like what the Apostle said; “I do not live anymore but it is Christ (crucified) who lives in me”. His courage and life testimony made him one of the most venerated saints in the early church.
Many years ago, when I was just beginning to understand being what a Catholic truly is which is to be a follower of Jesus, I thought that I would be one if I go to Mass and doing my devotionals and from time to time serve in some capacity. However, I spoke to a person whom I respect and view as a mentor and he told me that the true mark of the disciple of the Lord is to imitate him by "LAYING YOUR LIFE FOR ANOTHER" because that is the mission of Jesus revealed from the Incarnation to the hills of Golgotha. Proud and naive, I told him that yes I would do it for my family and friends and those I am in committed relationship somehow. He told me, "not just for them, how about your enemies or those who view you as such, your persecutors and the beggar on the street?" Now just a little bit older and hopefully wiser, I think it is true humility to be able to lay your life for another because at the back of this action is the realization that the other person's life is more significant than yours and this includes those in what we call these days as in the margins, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the elderly, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying. I try to remind myself that their life is worth dying for because Jesus himself did it for them. This I think is at the heart of St. Sebastian who was willing to do it twice. This is strength of the martyrs and the witness of the Church because even today we have persecutors, we have enemies but likewise, we still have men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for their brothers and sisters. Going back to this person, my mentor, he told me straight and I believed him, that he would die for me. I never forgot these words and from time to time I reflect on it like now. This is what being a true disciple is all about I think.
1. What persecutions from family, work or ministry are you encountering right now?
2. If St. Sebastian was in your shoes, how would he handle it?
Prayer:
St. Sebastian, twice martyred, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering, the incarcerated, the lonely, the confused and the dying of today. Amen.
HUMILITY: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER STYLE
(REFLECTION ON THE LETTER OF ST. FRANCIS TO ST. IGNATIUS & A COMMENTARY)
BY: BRO. BOBBY GENERAL, NSTI
HUMILITY: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER LIFE
(LETTER OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER TO ST. IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA GIVING US AN IDEA OF THE HUMILITY THIS MARVELOUS SAINT POSSESES)
DURING HIS STAY AT COCHIN HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY OF FORWARDING SOME LETTERS TO EUROPE; AVAILING HIMSELF OF IT, HE WROTE LETTERS OVERFLOWING WITH ZEAL TO ST. IGNATIUS, TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL, AND TO SOME OF THE FATHERS OF ROME OR LISBON; WE CANNOT ENTIRELY PASS THEM OVER IN SILENCE, AND THEREFORE QUOTE A STRIKING SENTENCE OR TWO FROM HIS LETTER TO HIS SAINTLY SUPERIOR', WHOM HE CONFIDENTLY THUS ADDRESSES:
" TO MY FATHER IN CHRIST, IGNATIUS." AFTER A FEW LINES, WHICH HE ASSURES HIM THAT HE WRITES WITH TEARS IN HIS SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER. EYES, HE PROCEEDS AS FOLLOWS: " I CAN NEVER SUFFICIENTLY EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW MUCH I AM INDEBTED TO THE JAPANESE, SINCE, THROUGH THEM, OUR LORD HAS BEEN PLEASED TO UNVEIL TO ME MY INNUMERABLE SINS. I AM ALMOST BESIDE MYSELF, WHEN I THINK THAT UNTIL NOW I HAD NEVER PENETRATED THE ABYSS OF MISERY, COMPLETELY CONCEALED IN THE DEEP RECESSES OF MY CONSCIENCE. BUT NOW, AMIDST THE EXCESSIVE TOILS AND TRIALS OF JAPAN, THE DIVINE GOODNESS HAS BEEN PLEASED TO OPEN MY EYES, AND, AS IT WERE, TO COMPEL ME TO SEE HOW NECESSARY IT IS FOR ME TO BE PLACED UNDER OBEDIENCE TO SOME ONE, WHO WILL WATCH OVER ME WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION AND DILIGENCE. I THEREFORE HUMBLY BESEECH YOUR HOLY CHARITY TO REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, BY APPOINTING
ME TO GOVERN SOULS SO HOLY AS ARE THOSE OF THE FATHERS AND
BROTHERS RESIDING IN THESE COUNTRIES. AS FOR ME, IT IS SOLELY OWING TO THE MERCY OF GOD THAT I HAVE BEEN SO THOROUGHLY CONVINCED OF MY UTTER UNFITNESS TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CARE OF THEM; AND THIS LEADS ME TO HOPE, THAT IN PLACE OF LEAVING ME TO BE THEIR SUPERIOR, YOU WILL MAKE AN EXCHANGE, AND RATHER COMMIT ME TO THEIR CUSTODY."
IN THIS MANNER DID THE SAINT, ENLIGHTENED BY HIS REFINED HUMILITY, LOOK UPON HIMSELF AS BEING SO VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT EVERY ONE ELSE BELIEVED HIM TO BE.
BOBBY’S COMMENTARY:
THE HUMILITY OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER IS CONVEYED TO US IN THIS LETTER AS HE EXPLAINS TO HIS SUPERIOR SAINT IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA HIS INADEQUACIES AND HOW UNWORTHY HE IS OF HONOR AND OF HIS POSITION. THIS IS COMING FROM A PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE CONVERSION OF THOUSANDS TO THE FAITH, THE MANIFESTATIONS OF MANY MIRACLES INCLUDING THE GIFT OF TONGUES (PENTECOST STYLE), COUNTLESS RESUSCITATIONS (BRINGING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE), WALKING BAREFOOT ON ROUGH TERRAIN, OVERCOMING THE ELEMENTS BOTH LAND AND SEAS, LITERALLY FIGHTING THE DEVIL (SPIRITUALLY AND SOMETIMES WITH PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS) AND DEVIL INSPIRED MEN, BILOCATIONS (BEING IN 2 PLACES AT A TIME) AND SO MUCH MORE. DESPITE ALL THIS WONDROUS AND MIRACULOUS SIGNS OF GOD’S POWER HE THINKS HE IS INADEQUATE AND STILL LACK THE VIRTUES PARTICULARLY HUMILITY.
THE LETTER INSPIRES THAT FOR SAINT FRANCIS THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE POWER OF GOD IN HIS LIFE DOES NOT NATURALLY BRING VIRTOUS LIVING. WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS LETTER THAT WE ARE MISTAKEN WHEN WE EQUATE OUR ANSWERED PRAYERS, OUR PREACHING, OUR SUCCESS OR THE MANIFESTATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS AS MAKING US VIRTOUS. WE MUST NOT FALL PREY TO BELIEVE THAT HOLINESS IS ACHIEVED WHEN GOD MANIFESTS THESE GIFTS. THE APOSTLE PAUL WRITING TO THE CORINTHIANS SAYS THE SAME THINGS (READ I CORINTHIANS 13) THAT LOVE FULL GROWN IN A PERSON’S HEART WILL BE THE MARK AND WILL BE THE KEY THAT WILL LEAD US TO VIRTUES NOT THE GIFTS LIKE PREACHING AND OTHERS INCLUDING UNTIRING SERVICE. THIS IS BECAUSE WE CAN DO THESE THINGS BUT ABSENCE LOVE, WE JUST DO THEM TO PLEASE OURSELVES AND OUR EGOS.
LASTLY, HIS HUMILITY SHOWED FORTH AS WELL AS HE IS THANKFUL TO THE PEOPLE HE HAS SERVED AS WELL AS THEY HAVE OPENED HIS EYES TO THE TRUTH OF HIS NEED FOR GROWTH. I CAN RELATE TO THIS AS I MYSELF DID EXPERIENCE THAT IT IS I, WHO ARE TRUTHFULLY EVANGELIZED AS I EVANGELIZE OTHERS MOST PARTICULARLY THE POOR, THE SICK, THE NEUROLOGICALLY CHALLENGED AND THE DYING. I REALIZED THAT I AM THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. YOU KNOW WHAT DRAWS ME TO RESPECT THESE PEOPLE, IT IS THEIR ABSENCE OF COMPLAINTS AND MURMURRINGS DESPITE THE SITUATION THEY ARE EXPERIENCING AT THE MOMENT. ONE DEFINITION OF THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY THAT I CONCLUDE IS; HUMILITY IS TO UNDERGO ANY TRIAL OR MISFORTUNE OR DIFFICULTY, UNITED WITH GOD, THANKFUL TO PROVIDENCE AND ABSENCE OF COMPLAINTS AND MURMURS. DO YOU AGREE?
LET US PRAY:
FATHER GOD, HOLY AND LOVING, WE COME TO YOU THANKFUL FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED IN OUR LIVES. WE ARE PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY SAINTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US WHO, BY THEIR LIFE AND WORK HAS ATTAINED THE VIRTUES THEY NEED TO BE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. MAY YOU GRANT ALL OF US WHO ARE REFLECTING ON THIS LETTER BY SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER THE GRACES WE NEED TO SUFFER THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING IN OUR LIVES WITH YOU AND EVEN IN JOY. TAKE AWAY OUR NATURAL TENDECIES OF COMPLAINING AND MURMURINGS AND ALLOW US TO SEE THE LESSONS WE NEED TO LEARN AND THROUGH THESE, ALLOW US TO GROW IN THE VIRTUES THAT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD US TO HEAVEN. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, OUR BROTHER AND LORD, TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR PARACLETE. AMEN.
MAMA MARY, MOST HUMBLE HANDMAID AND OUR MOTHER, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. JOSEPH, MOST HUMBLE GUARDIAN PROTECTOR AND DEFENDER OF JESUS, MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, HUMBLE APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
(LETTER OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER TO ST. IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA GIVING US AN IDEA OF THE HUMILITY THIS MARVELOUS SAINT POSSESES)
DURING HIS STAY AT COCHIN HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY OF FORWARDING SOME LETTERS TO EUROPE; AVAILING HIMSELF OF IT, HE WROTE LETTERS OVERFLOWING WITH ZEAL TO ST. IGNATIUS, TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL, AND TO SOME OF THE FATHERS OF ROME OR LISBON; WE CANNOT ENTIRELY PASS THEM OVER IN SILENCE, AND THEREFORE QUOTE A STRIKING SENTENCE OR TWO FROM HIS LETTER TO HIS SAINTLY SUPERIOR', WHOM HE CONFIDENTLY THUS ADDRESSES:
" TO MY FATHER IN CHRIST, IGNATIUS." AFTER A FEW LINES, WHICH HE ASSURES HIM THAT HE WRITES WITH TEARS IN HIS SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER. EYES, HE PROCEEDS AS FOLLOWS: " I CAN NEVER SUFFICIENTLY EXPLAIN TO YOU HOW MUCH I AM INDEBTED TO THE JAPANESE, SINCE, THROUGH THEM, OUR LORD HAS BEEN PLEASED TO UNVEIL TO ME MY INNUMERABLE SINS. I AM ALMOST BESIDE MYSELF, WHEN I THINK THAT UNTIL NOW I HAD NEVER PENETRATED THE ABYSS OF MISERY, COMPLETELY CONCEALED IN THE DEEP RECESSES OF MY CONSCIENCE. BUT NOW, AMIDST THE EXCESSIVE TOILS AND TRIALS OF JAPAN, THE DIVINE GOODNESS HAS BEEN PLEASED TO OPEN MY EYES, AND, AS IT WERE, TO COMPEL ME TO SEE HOW NECESSARY IT IS FOR ME TO BE PLACED UNDER OBEDIENCE TO SOME ONE, WHO WILL WATCH OVER ME WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION AND DILIGENCE. I THEREFORE HUMBLY BESEECH YOUR HOLY CHARITY TO REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, BY APPOINTING
ME TO GOVERN SOULS SO HOLY AS ARE THOSE OF THE FATHERS AND
BROTHERS RESIDING IN THESE COUNTRIES. AS FOR ME, IT IS SOLELY OWING TO THE MERCY OF GOD THAT I HAVE BEEN SO THOROUGHLY CONVINCED OF MY UTTER UNFITNESS TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE CARE OF THEM; AND THIS LEADS ME TO HOPE, THAT IN PLACE OF LEAVING ME TO BE THEIR SUPERIOR, YOU WILL MAKE AN EXCHANGE, AND RATHER COMMIT ME TO THEIR CUSTODY."
IN THIS MANNER DID THE SAINT, ENLIGHTENED BY HIS REFINED HUMILITY, LOOK UPON HIMSELF AS BEING SO VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT EVERY ONE ELSE BELIEVED HIM TO BE.
BOBBY’S COMMENTARY:
THE HUMILITY OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER IS CONVEYED TO US IN THIS LETTER AS HE EXPLAINS TO HIS SUPERIOR SAINT IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA HIS INADEQUACIES AND HOW UNWORTHY HE IS OF HONOR AND OF HIS POSITION. THIS IS COMING FROM A PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THE CONVERSION OF THOUSANDS TO THE FAITH, THE MANIFESTATIONS OF MANY MIRACLES INCLUDING THE GIFT OF TONGUES (PENTECOST STYLE), COUNTLESS RESUSCITATIONS (BRINGING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE), WALKING BAREFOOT ON ROUGH TERRAIN, OVERCOMING THE ELEMENTS BOTH LAND AND SEAS, LITERALLY FIGHTING THE DEVIL (SPIRITUALLY AND SOMETIMES WITH PHYSICAL MANIFESTATIONS) AND DEVIL INSPIRED MEN, BILOCATIONS (BEING IN 2 PLACES AT A TIME) AND SO MUCH MORE. DESPITE ALL THIS WONDROUS AND MIRACULOUS SIGNS OF GOD’S POWER HE THINKS HE IS INADEQUATE AND STILL LACK THE VIRTUES PARTICULARLY HUMILITY.
THE LETTER INSPIRES THAT FOR SAINT FRANCIS THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE POWER OF GOD IN HIS LIFE DOES NOT NATURALLY BRING VIRTOUS LIVING. WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS LETTER THAT WE ARE MISTAKEN WHEN WE EQUATE OUR ANSWERED PRAYERS, OUR PREACHING, OUR SUCCESS OR THE MANIFESTATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS AS MAKING US VIRTOUS. WE MUST NOT FALL PREY TO BELIEVE THAT HOLINESS IS ACHIEVED WHEN GOD MANIFESTS THESE GIFTS. THE APOSTLE PAUL WRITING TO THE CORINTHIANS SAYS THE SAME THINGS (READ I CORINTHIANS 13) THAT LOVE FULL GROWN IN A PERSON’S HEART WILL BE THE MARK AND WILL BE THE KEY THAT WILL LEAD US TO VIRTUES NOT THE GIFTS LIKE PREACHING AND OTHERS INCLUDING UNTIRING SERVICE. THIS IS BECAUSE WE CAN DO THESE THINGS BUT ABSENCE LOVE, WE JUST DO THEM TO PLEASE OURSELVES AND OUR EGOS.
LASTLY, HIS HUMILITY SHOWED FORTH AS WELL AS HE IS THANKFUL TO THE PEOPLE HE HAS SERVED AS WELL AS THEY HAVE OPENED HIS EYES TO THE TRUTH OF HIS NEED FOR GROWTH. I CAN RELATE TO THIS AS I MYSELF DID EXPERIENCE THAT IT IS I, WHO ARE TRUTHFULLY EVANGELIZED AS I EVANGELIZE OTHERS MOST PARTICULARLY THE POOR, THE SICK, THE NEUROLOGICALLY CHALLENGED AND THE DYING. I REALIZED THAT I AM THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. YOU KNOW WHAT DRAWS ME TO RESPECT THESE PEOPLE, IT IS THEIR ABSENCE OF COMPLAINTS AND MURMURRINGS DESPITE THE SITUATION THEY ARE EXPERIENCING AT THE MOMENT. ONE DEFINITION OF THE VIRTUE OF HUMILITY THAT I CONCLUDE IS; HUMILITY IS TO UNDERGO ANY TRIAL OR MISFORTUNE OR DIFFICULTY, UNITED WITH GOD, THANKFUL TO PROVIDENCE AND ABSENCE OF COMPLAINTS AND MURMURS. DO YOU AGREE?
LET US PRAY:
FATHER GOD, HOLY AND LOVING, WE COME TO YOU THANKFUL FOR THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED IN OUR LIVES. WE ARE PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY SAINTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US WHO, BY THEIR LIFE AND WORK HAS ATTAINED THE VIRTUES THEY NEED TO BE WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. MAY YOU GRANT ALL OF US WHO ARE REFLECTING ON THIS LETTER BY SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER THE GRACES WE NEED TO SUFFER THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING IN OUR LIVES WITH YOU AND EVEN IN JOY. TAKE AWAY OUR NATURAL TENDECIES OF COMPLAINING AND MURMURINGS AND ALLOW US TO SEE THE LESSONS WE NEED TO LEARN AND THROUGH THESE, ALLOW US TO GROW IN THE VIRTUES THAT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD US TO HEAVEN. WE ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, OUR BROTHER AND LORD, TOGETHER WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR PARACLETE. AMEN.
MAMA MARY, MOST HUMBLE HANDMAID AND OUR MOTHER, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. JOSEPH, MOST HUMBLE GUARDIAN PROTECTOR AND DEFENDER OF JESUS, MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, HUMBLE APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
BLESSEDS JOHN DUNS SCOTUS & POPE PIUS IX: CHAMPION/ PROCLAIMER OF THE DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION
(Bro. Bobby General, NSTI, SJWP Prophetic Ministry,
CFD Makati Chapter)
I BLESSED JOHN DUNS SCOTUS, OFM
“DEFENDER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION”
DURING THE 14TH CENTURYA FRANCISCAN PRIEST IN THE UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE WAS TASKED TO DEFEND THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND A GREAT DEBATE AROSE AS TO THE VALIDITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION OF OUR BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. ON THE ONE SIDE WAS THE LEADING THEOLOGIANS WHO SUPPOSES THAT THIS COULD NOT BE TRUE BECAUSE IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN SHE WOULD HAVE NO NEED FOR CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE ACT ON THE CROSS AT GOLGOTHA. ON THE OTHER SIDE IS A VERY SIMPLE PRIEST FR. JOHN DUNS (SUBTLE DOCTOR) WHO IS A FRANCISCAN TOTALLY AS TO HIS DOCTRINE AND MINISTRY LIVING THE CALL OF THEIR FOUNDER, ST. FRANCIS FULLY. THIS MAN’S TASK IS TO DEFEND THE EVENTUAL DOGMA. THE STAGE WAS SET FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DEBATE NOT ONLY IN THE 14TH CENTURY BUT PROBABLY IN OUR CHURCH’S HISTORY. THIS DEBATE HAS OVER THE COURSE OF CENTURIES INCLUDED SOME OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS UP TO THE TIME OF THE SCHOLASTICS. LIKEWISE AMONG THESE HOLY MEN & WOMEN (MANY OF THEM ARE CANONIZED SAINTS) POSITIONS ARE VARYING. A PAPAL LEGATE WAS TASKED TO OVERSEE THE PROCEEDINGS. THE DRAMA UNFOLDED AS BOTH SIDES PRESENTED THEIR ARGUMENTS AND POSITIONS WITH CLARITY AND SKILL. IN THE END IT WAS THE SIMPLE FRANCISCAN PRIEST WHO PREVAILED WITH THESE ARGUMENTS OR POINTS; 1) WHY WOULD GOD PRESERVE MARY FROM SIN? AND 2) HOW DID GOD DO IT? SCOTUS’ ANSWER AS TO WHY GOD WOULD DO THIS IS TELLING, BECAUSE IT AGAIN SHOWS MARY AS A) A LIVING COMMENTARY ON THE SAVING POWER OF CHRIST WHO IS TOTALLY REFERRED TO HIM AND B) A KIND OF ICON OR ARCHETYPE OF THE WHOLE CHURCH, WHEREBY GOD DOES FIRST IN HER WHAT HE WILL ONE DAY DO FOR ALL HIS SAINTS THROUGH THE WATERS OF BAPTISM.
“HE WHO IS THE MOST PERFECT MEDIATOR MUST HAVE A MOST PERFECT ACT OF MEDIATION IN REGARD TO SOME PERSON ON WHOSE BEHALF HE EXERCISES THE MEDIATORIAL OFFICE. NOW CHRIST IS THE MOST PERFECT . . . AND HE HAD NO MORE EXALTED RELATION TO ANY PERSON THAN TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY . . . THIS COULD NOT BE IF HE HAD NOT MERITED FOR HER PRESERVATION FROM ORIGINAL SIN.”( DUNS SCOTUS, COMMENTARIUM IN SENTENTIARUM, III, 3, 1, 4)
“WOULD THE GOD OF JUSTICE AND MERCY GRANT THE FIRST EVE, WHO HE FOREKNEW WOULD BETRAY HIM, A GREATER GLORY IN HER CREATION THAN HE WOULD GIVE THE SECOND EVE, WHO HE FOREKNEW WOULD BE HIS HANDMAID FOREVER?”
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IS NOT A NECESSITY IN THE SENSE THAT THE INCARNATION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD WITHOUT IT. NOR IS IT SOMETHING GOD “OWES” MARY ANY MORE THAN HE “OWES” US SALVATION. IT’S A GRATUITOUS GIFT, FITTINGLY GIVEN TO ADORN THE STILL MORE GRATUITOUS GIFT OF THE INCARNATION. PRECISELY THE NATURE OF THE “FIT” IS THAT THE SECOND EVE WOULD NOT ONLY RECEIVE THE GRACE OF SINLESSNESS IN HER CONCEPTION, BUT SHE WOULD PRESERVE THAT SINLESSNESS THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. BY POINTING TOWARDS JESUS AND GOD AS THE ACTIVE ELEMENT, THE BLESSED JOHN DUNS HAS SAVED THE DAY AND THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HAS RECEIVED THE ACCEPTANCE OF ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. BY THE 1470’S THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ENJOYED UNIVERSAL ACCLAIM THANKS IN PART TO THE WORK OF THE SUBTLE DOCTOR, BLESSED JOHN DUNS SCOTUS, OFM.
II BLESSED POPE PIUS IX: DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
ON DECEMBER 8, 1854, HAVING SPENT ALL OF HIS HOLY LIFE – HIS BOYHOOD, HIS PRIESTHOOD, AS BISHOP, CARDINAL AND POPE – AT THE FEET OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AND HAVING DEEPLY CONSIDERED ALSO, IN HIS EXILE AT GAETA, THE EARNEST PETITIONS OF CATHOLICS ALL OVER THE WORLD IN ITS BEHALF, POPE PIUS IX DEFINED EX CATHEDRA, IN THE GLORIOUS BASILICA OF SAINT PETER'S BEFORE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY BISHOPS AND INNUMERABLE PILGRIMS COME LITERALLY FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, THE DIVINE DOGMA OF OUR LADY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. THE VOICE OF THE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF BROKE AND TEARS FILLED HIS EYES AS HE PAUSED BEFORE UTTERING THE INFALLIBLE WORDS:
"WE DECLARE, PRONOUNCE AND DEFINE THAT THE DOCTRINE WHICH HOLDS THAT THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AT THE FIRST INSTANT OF HER CONCEPTION, BY A SINGULAR PRIVILEGE AND GRACE OF THE OMNIPOTENT GOD, IN VIRTUE OF THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND, WAS PRESERVED IMMACULATE FROM ALL STAIN OF ORIGINAL SIN, HAS BEEN REVEALED BY GOD, AND THEREFORE SHOULD FIRMLY AND CONSTANTLY BE BELIEVED BY ALL THE FAITHFUL...."(INEFFABILIS DEUS)
AS THE HOLY FATHER FINISHED SPEAKING, THE CANNON OF THE CASTLE OF SANT' ANGELO BOOMED AND THE BELLS OF THE BASILICAS AND CHURCHES OF ROME LONG RANG OUT THE GLORIOUS NEWS, WHICH USHERED IN THE AGE OF MARY – THE LAST AGE OF THE WORLD. THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL REJOICED, AND GRACE FLOODED THEIR SOULS AS THEY PRAYED THE PRAYER OUR LADY HERSELF HAD GIVEN TWENTY YEARS BEFORE TO CATHERINE LABOURE, "O MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN, PRAY FOR US WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE."
III LESSONS FROM THE BLESSED JOHN, BLESSED PIUS & THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
“NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.” (LUKE 1:37)
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED WHILE REFLECTING ON THE SUBJECT MATTER:
O MARY CONCIEVED WITHOUT SIN, PRAY FOR US WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE.
BLESSEDS JOHN DUNS & POPE PIUS IX, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
“DEFENDER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION”
DURING THE 14TH CENTURYA FRANCISCAN PRIEST IN THE UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE WAS TASKED TO DEFEND THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND A GREAT DEBATE AROSE AS TO THE VALIDITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION OF OUR BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. ON THE ONE SIDE WAS THE LEADING THEOLOGIANS WHO SUPPOSES THAT THIS COULD NOT BE TRUE BECAUSE IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN SHE WOULD HAVE NO NEED FOR CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE ACT ON THE CROSS AT GOLGOTHA. ON THE OTHER SIDE IS A VERY SIMPLE PRIEST FR. JOHN DUNS (SUBTLE DOCTOR) WHO IS A FRANCISCAN TOTALLY AS TO HIS DOCTRINE AND MINISTRY LIVING THE CALL OF THEIR FOUNDER, ST. FRANCIS FULLY. THIS MAN’S TASK IS TO DEFEND THE EVENTUAL DOGMA. THE STAGE WAS SET FOR ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DEBATE NOT ONLY IN THE 14TH CENTURY BUT PROBABLY IN OUR CHURCH’S HISTORY. THIS DEBATE HAS OVER THE COURSE OF CENTURIES INCLUDED SOME OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS UP TO THE TIME OF THE SCHOLASTICS. LIKEWISE AMONG THESE HOLY MEN & WOMEN (MANY OF THEM ARE CANONIZED SAINTS) POSITIONS ARE VARYING. A PAPAL LEGATE WAS TASKED TO OVERSEE THE PROCEEDINGS. THE DRAMA UNFOLDED AS BOTH SIDES PRESENTED THEIR ARGUMENTS AND POSITIONS WITH CLARITY AND SKILL. IN THE END IT WAS THE SIMPLE FRANCISCAN PRIEST WHO PREVAILED WITH THESE ARGUMENTS OR POINTS; 1) WHY WOULD GOD PRESERVE MARY FROM SIN? AND 2) HOW DID GOD DO IT? SCOTUS’ ANSWER AS TO WHY GOD WOULD DO THIS IS TELLING, BECAUSE IT AGAIN SHOWS MARY AS A) A LIVING COMMENTARY ON THE SAVING POWER OF CHRIST WHO IS TOTALLY REFERRED TO HIM AND B) A KIND OF ICON OR ARCHETYPE OF THE WHOLE CHURCH, WHEREBY GOD DOES FIRST IN HER WHAT HE WILL ONE DAY DO FOR ALL HIS SAINTS THROUGH THE WATERS OF BAPTISM.
“HE WHO IS THE MOST PERFECT MEDIATOR MUST HAVE A MOST PERFECT ACT OF MEDIATION IN REGARD TO SOME PERSON ON WHOSE BEHALF HE EXERCISES THE MEDIATORIAL OFFICE. NOW CHRIST IS THE MOST PERFECT . . . AND HE HAD NO MORE EXALTED RELATION TO ANY PERSON THAN TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY . . . THIS COULD NOT BE IF HE HAD NOT MERITED FOR HER PRESERVATION FROM ORIGINAL SIN.”( DUNS SCOTUS, COMMENTARIUM IN SENTENTIARUM, III, 3, 1, 4)
“WOULD THE GOD OF JUSTICE AND MERCY GRANT THE FIRST EVE, WHO HE FOREKNEW WOULD BETRAY HIM, A GREATER GLORY IN HER CREATION THAN HE WOULD GIVE THE SECOND EVE, WHO HE FOREKNEW WOULD BE HIS HANDMAID FOREVER?”
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION IS NOT A NECESSITY IN THE SENSE THAT THE INCARNATION WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD WITHOUT IT. NOR IS IT SOMETHING GOD “OWES” MARY ANY MORE THAN HE “OWES” US SALVATION. IT’S A GRATUITOUS GIFT, FITTINGLY GIVEN TO ADORN THE STILL MORE GRATUITOUS GIFT OF THE INCARNATION. PRECISELY THE NATURE OF THE “FIT” IS THAT THE SECOND EVE WOULD NOT ONLY RECEIVE THE GRACE OF SINLESSNESS IN HER CONCEPTION, BUT SHE WOULD PRESERVE THAT SINLESSNESS THROUGHOUT HER LIFE. BY POINTING TOWARDS JESUS AND GOD AS THE ACTIVE ELEMENT, THE BLESSED JOHN DUNS HAS SAVED THE DAY AND THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HAS RECEIVED THE ACCEPTANCE OF ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. BY THE 1470’S THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ENJOYED UNIVERSAL ACCLAIM THANKS IN PART TO THE WORK OF THE SUBTLE DOCTOR, BLESSED JOHN DUNS SCOTUS, OFM.
II BLESSED POPE PIUS IX: DOGMA OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
ON DECEMBER 8, 1854, HAVING SPENT ALL OF HIS HOLY LIFE – HIS BOYHOOD, HIS PRIESTHOOD, AS BISHOP, CARDINAL AND POPE – AT THE FEET OF THE MOTHER OF GOD, THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AND HAVING DEEPLY CONSIDERED ALSO, IN HIS EXILE AT GAETA, THE EARNEST PETITIONS OF CATHOLICS ALL OVER THE WORLD IN ITS BEHALF, POPE PIUS IX DEFINED EX CATHEDRA, IN THE GLORIOUS BASILICA OF SAINT PETER'S BEFORE ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY BISHOPS AND INNUMERABLE PILGRIMS COME LITERALLY FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, THE DIVINE DOGMA OF OUR LADY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. THE VOICE OF THE SOVEREIGN PONTIFF BROKE AND TEARS FILLED HIS EYES AS HE PAUSED BEFORE UTTERING THE INFALLIBLE WORDS:
"WE DECLARE, PRONOUNCE AND DEFINE THAT THE DOCTRINE WHICH HOLDS THAT THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, AT THE FIRST INSTANT OF HER CONCEPTION, BY A SINGULAR PRIVILEGE AND GRACE OF THE OMNIPOTENT GOD, IN VIRTUE OF THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND, WAS PRESERVED IMMACULATE FROM ALL STAIN OF ORIGINAL SIN, HAS BEEN REVEALED BY GOD, AND THEREFORE SHOULD FIRMLY AND CONSTANTLY BE BELIEVED BY ALL THE FAITHFUL...."(INEFFABILIS DEUS)
AS THE HOLY FATHER FINISHED SPEAKING, THE CANNON OF THE CASTLE OF SANT' ANGELO BOOMED AND THE BELLS OF THE BASILICAS AND CHURCHES OF ROME LONG RANG OUT THE GLORIOUS NEWS, WHICH USHERED IN THE AGE OF MARY – THE LAST AGE OF THE WORLD. THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL REJOICED, AND GRACE FLOODED THEIR SOULS AS THEY PRAYED THE PRAYER OUR LADY HERSELF HAD GIVEN TWENTY YEARS BEFORE TO CATHERINE LABOURE, "O MARY, CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN, PRAY FOR US WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE."
III LESSONS FROM THE BLESSED JOHN, BLESSED PIUS & THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
“NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.” (LUKE 1:37)
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED WHILE REFLECTING ON THE SUBJECT MATTER:
- GOD’S MERCY AND LOVE IS GREAT INDEED. HE GAVE THE BLESSED MOTHER THE DIGNITY OF BEING NOT CORRUPTED BY SIN TO COMMUNICATE TO US ALL HIS ULTIMATE DESIRE TO BE IN TRUE COMMUNION WITH US. THIS IS ALSO A FORETASTE OF WHAT AWAITS THOSE WHO WILL PERSEVERE TO THE END.
- THROUGH THE BLESSED MOTHER’S LIFE AND TESTIMONY, IT IS NOT THOSE WHO WE PERCEIVE TO HAVE THE MOST OUT OF THIS MATERIAL WORLD ARE THE MOST BLESSED. HOLY DIGNITY WILL NOT BE BASED ON WHO HAS THE MOST KNOWLEDGE, POWER OR WEALTH BUT TO THOSE WHO ARE OPEN TO GOD AND RESPOND TO HIS CALL. “BEHOLD I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD…”. "SERVIAM" WHICH MEANS I WILL SERVE SHOULD BE THE SONG OF OUR LIVES.
- HUMILITY IS A PREMIUM IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND WE SAW THIS IN OUR BLESSSED MOTHER AND IN BLESSED JOHN DUNS (SUBTLE DOCTOR), WHO IF NOT BEING BEATIFIED BY ST. POPE JOHN PAUL II IN 1993, WE WOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT GREAT HONOR HE HAS GIVEN THE CHURCH PARTICULARLY THE BLESSED MOTHER MARY, OUR BELOVED PATRONESS ESPECIALLY IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA.
- THAT PURITY IS A VIRTUE THAT IS MUCH NEEDED IN THIS OUR VERY HEDONISTIC & MATERIALISTIC WORLD TODAY. WE MIGHT BE CALLED TO MAKE A STAND FOR PURITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF GOD’S GUIDELINES ESPECIALLY TOWARDS LIFE ITSELF. LIKE THE MOTHER WE MUST ASK FOR THE GRACE TO REMAIN SIN FREE IN THE WAY WE THINK, SAY AND DO THINGS.
- WE MUST BE ABLE TO DEFEND THE TRUTH. IN ST. JOSEPH APOLOGETICS WE HAVE AS OUR GUIDE THIS PHRASE ASSOCIATED TO OUR BELOVED PATRON ST. JOSEPH, "GUARDIAN, PROTECTOR & DEFENDER OF JESUS, MOTHER MARY & MOTHER CHURCH". FOR US THIS MEANS WE MUST STUDY AND TAKE THE TIME TO DO IT ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES THAT ARE BEING THROWN UNTO MOTHER MARY (FAVORITE OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS) AND THE CHURCH. TRUTH IS WE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SHOULD ALL BE APOLOGISTS, DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH.
- LIKE BLESSED PIUS WE MUST BE DISCERNING AND RECOGNIZE THE TRUTH FROM HALF TRUTH, OUTRIGHT ERRORS OR JUST PERSONAL OPINIONS. THE WAY THAT LED TO THE PROCLAMATION OF DOGMA IS ADORNED WITH MUCH PRAYERS AND CONSULTATION WITH HOLY MEN AND WOMEN. WE MUST BE SOAKED WITH PRAYERS FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET BECAUSE THE WAY IS NOT EASY. ACCORDING TO JESUS THE WAY THAT LEADS TO THE KINGDOM IS NARROW AND FEW TAKE THEM.
- LASTLY, WE MUST HEED THE CALL OF THE BLESSED TO PRAY THE ROSARY EVERYDAY. THIS WAS, IS AND WILL BE THE CALL OF THE BLESSED MOTHER TO US HER CHILDREN BY THE MANDATE OF JESUS HIMSELF ON THE CROSS. WE MUST REALIZE THAT IN THE BATTLES WE ARE FACING, THE MOTHER AND THE ROSARY WILL SERVE AS A WEAPON AGAINST THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL. AS ST. PADRE PIO SAYS, "THERE WILL COME A TIME WHEN THE ONLY WEAPON THE PEOPLE OF GOD WILL HAVE IS THE HOLY ROSARY". PRAY THE ROSARY EVERYDAY FOR YOUR FAMILY, COMMUNITY, NATION AND FOR THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS AND DEEPER CONVERSION OF ALL BELIEVERS.
O MARY CONCIEVED WITHOUT SIN, PRAY FOR US WHO HAVE RECOURSE TO THEE.
BLESSEDS JOHN DUNS & POPE PIUS IX, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, SJ
(December 3)
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER’S: PATRON OF MISSION:
TODAY, DECEMBER 3 IS THE MEMORIAL OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, THE APOSTLE TO THE INDIES AND PATRON OF MISSIONS. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE “SOCIETY OF JESUS” OR THE JESUITS. HE CAN TRACE HIS CONVERSION TO THE FOUNDER OF THE ORDER, ST. IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA. HE IS OF ARISTOCRATIC BACKGROUND AND HENCE WAS ABLE TO ENROLL IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS WHERE HE BECAME FRIENDS WITH IGNACIO. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN HIS BIOGRAPHY THAT HIS LOVE FOR LOST SOULS IS SUCH THAT HE VOLUNTEERED TO BE THE ONE SENT TO THE FAR EAST. IN THE SAME SOURCE, HE WOULD GO DOWN AN AREA AND ONE OF THE 1ST THINGS HE DID WAS TO TAKE OFF HIS SHOES AND WALK AROUND THE AREA BAREFOOTED TO CONSECRATE THE AREA AND BE EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELIZATION. HIS APOSTOLATE LED HIM TO AS FAR AS JAPAN WITH CHINA AS HIS GOAL. HE ALSO WOULD USE THE ROSARY AS AN EFFECTIVE TEACHING TOOL. HE WOULD TRY TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE SO HE CAN TRANSLATE THE ROSARY PRAYERS IN THE VERNACULAR. ALSO IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THAT TO AID IN MEMORIZING THE PRAYERS, HE WOULD PUT A TUNE PRACTICALLY MAKING THEM A SONG. HE WOULD IN TIME OF PRAYERS, LITERALLY FEEL HIS HEART BURNING PHYSICALLY. COMMENTATORS OF HIS LIFE WOULD ATTRIBUTE THEM TO THE LOVE THAT HE HAS FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TO GOD OR SOULS FOR GOD. HE IS COMPARED TO ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE FOR THE ZEAL HE HAS IN BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE ENDS OF THE KNOWN WORLD OF HIS TIME. BEFORE GOING TO THE JOURNEY OF MISSION, HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME BACK AGAIN AS A REVELATION FROM THE LORD. THE LAST WORDS THAT ST. IGNATIUS TOLD THIS ZEALOUS APOSTLE OF THE GOSPEL WAS, “GO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE”. THIS HE DID AS HIS MISSION HAS RESULTED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE TENS OF THOUSAND OR MORE ACCURATELY THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. HE IS A PRAYER PARTNER TO ME FOR MANY DECADES NOW AND I DO FEEL A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH HIM. HOPING AND PRAYING THAT ONE DAY BEFORE I PASS AWAY, I CAN PAY RESPECT TO THIS TIRELESS APOSTLE OF THE GOSPEL WHOSE (INCORRUPTIBLE) REMAINS ARE IN THE ISLAND OF GOA.
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER’S COMPASSION TO A PENITENT:
(A BEAUTIFUL STORY FROM HIS BIOGRAPHY)
IN THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE APOSTLE OF THE INDIES, WE WILL READ A STORY DEPICTED IN THIS WAY MORE OR LESS ABOUT A MAN WHO IS LIVING A MOST DECADENT LIFE IMAGINABLE AND WAS BEFRIENDED BY OUR SAINT WITH THE HOPE AND PRAYER THAT THIS MAN WILL SOON COME TO HIS SENSES AND BE RESTORED TO GOD THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION. THIS MAN ALTHOUGH PICTURED AS IN A STATE OF DEPRAVITY IS CONTRARY IN COUNTENANCE AND SOCIABILITY. THIS MEANS HE HAS A PLEASING PERSONALITY THAT ENDEARS HIM TO MANY HE ASSOCIATES. HOWEVER, HE IS AFRAID OF COMING TO TERMS WITH THE ALMIGHTY THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS BECAUSE OF PRIOR EXPERIENCE WHEREWITH THE PENANCE GIVEN TO HIM AS A BOY WAS IN HIS ESTIMATION HARSH AND DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH, MAYBE EVEN PAINFUL. OUR SAINT BEFRIENDED HIM MOST WELL AND THE MAN DOES SHOW A DESIRE TO BE CLOSER TO GOD TO WHICH OUR SAINT TOLD HIM THAT THE WAY IS THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION WHICH WILL START HIM ONCE TO RECEPTION OF OUR LORD IN THE OTHER SACRAMENTS MEANING THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. SO WHEN CONFRONTED IN SUCH A WAY, THE MAN WALKED AWAY FROM THE CONVERSATION WITH OUR SAINT MOST SAD AND DEJECTED.
THE MISSION BEING LONG IN SPAN, THE MAN CONTINUES TO DO HIS NORMAL COURSE OF DESPICABLE DEEDS. HOWEVER, OUR SAINT WHEN OPPORTUNITY GIVEN CONTINUES TO SPEAK WITH HIM ENCOURAGINGLY AND INVITES HIM TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION AND THIS DANCE OF THE TWO WILL ALWAYS CONCLUDE WITH THE PROMISE OF THE MAN THAT ONE DAY SOON HE WILL. UNBEKNOWEST TO THE MAN, THE LORD HAS ALREADY REVEALED TO THE SAINT HIS FEAR AND TREMBLING ABOUT THE PENANCE AND HAS PRAYED FOR HIM IN THE MOST FERVENT OF WAYS, WITH TEARS AND SUPPLICATION.
DAYS PASS AND FINALLY THE MAN, PROBABLY TOUCHED BY THE LORD THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF OUR BENEVOLENT SAINT, ASKED HIM TO HEAR HIS CONFESSION STILL WITH MUCH TREMBLING AND FEAR. PUTTING HIS STOLE, THE SAINT AND APOSTLE OF THE INDIES, HEARD THE MAN CONFESS MOST HONESTLY ALTHOUGH THE SAME WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE ANY MAN TO WINCE AT THE DESPICABLE THINGS COMMITTED BY THE MAN, UNDERSTANDABLE HOWEVER GIVEN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS OF THE MAN AND THE ENVIRON. AFTER HIS CONFESSION, HE NOW BRACES HIMSELF FOR THE PENANCE WHICH WILL BE GIVEN HIM. SMILING AND FULL OF LOVE AND COMPASSION, OUR SAINT TOLD HIM TO SAY A PATER NOSTER (THE LORD’S PRAYER) AND AN AVE MARIA (HAIL MARY) AND THEN GAVE HIM THE ABSOLUTION. WITH MUCH SURPRISE AND GLADNESS, THE MAN LEFT OUR SAINT AFTER THE WARMEST OF EMBRACE AND A CONSTITUTION OF GRATEFULNESS. THEY BADE EACH OTHER ADEIU AND GOD SPEED.
WHEN NIGHT COMMENCED, OUR MAN SO VERY MUCH THANKFUL, DECIDED TO GO TO THE PLACE WHERE OUR SAINT IS STAYING TO GIVE THE LATER SOME BREAD AND WINE AS A SIGN OF APPRECIATION. UPON REACHING THE PLACE, HE HEARD THE SLAP ON THE WHIP ON FLESH AND THE WORDS “LORD, HAVE MERCY”. INQUIRING FURTHER, HE SAW OUR SAINT IN BLOOD DRENCHED BACK AND THE BELABORED “LORD HAVE MERCY” CHANT. UPON THE VISAGE, OUR MAN STARTED TO CRY BECAUSE HE REALIZED THAT THE PENANCE THAT SHOULD BE FOR HIM, OUR COMPASSIONATE SAINT TOOK UPON HIMSELF. HE BEGAN TO SEE THE EXTENT OF GOD’S COMPASSION MANIFESTED IN THE LIFE OF OUR LOVE FILLED SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER WHO WILL NOT BE STOPPED BY PAIN OR SACRIFICE FOR THE SALVATION OF ANOTHER SOUL. HENCEFORTH AFTER RUNNING AWAY IN MUCH TEARS, THE MAN MADE A RESOLUTION THAT FROM THIS TIME HE SHALL STRIVE TO BE A GOOD CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN WHICH HE DID FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. HE BECAME THE MAN GOD OUR LORD WANTS HIM TO BE FOR HIS GLORY AND HE WILL FOREVER HOLD OUR ESTEEMED SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER HONORABLY, BY TELLING EVERYONE OF HOW HIS LIFE TURNED AROUND BECAUSE OF THE LOVE, COMPASSION AND FRIENDSHIP OF OUR APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, RESUSCITATOR OF BOTH THE PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY DEAD.
BOBBY’S NOTE:
LOVE IS STILL THE STRONGEST LANGUAGE THAT EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND. IT IS WHAT CAN MAKE THE HEARTS OF STONE BECOME HEARTS OF FLESH AS THE PROPHET JEREMIAH SPOKE TO US MANY CENTURIES AGO. COMPASSION EXEMPLIFIED AND EXPRESSED WITH SACRIFICE AND PAIN IN IMITATION OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR. SAINT FRANCIS HAS SHOWN US BY HIS LIFE AND EXAMPLE HOW WE CAN TRANSCEND FROM OUR OWN LIMITATIONS AND BELABOR TO MAKE A WAY FOR THE LORD IN THE LIFE OF OTHERS. THE STORY ALWAYS BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES AND MAKE ME RESPOND WITH PRAISE TO GOD WHO IS TRULY MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE. I THANK GOD FOR HIS LOVE THAT NO MATTER HOW UNDESERVING OF HIS GRACES I AM, HE STILL GIVES THEM ABUNDANTLY. FURTHERMORE, IT CHALLENGES ME TO DEVELOP AND BE GIVEN THE GRACE TO RISE UP AND SEE BEYOND MYSELF BUT RATHER TO SEE HOW I CAN BRING THE LORD, HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION TO OTHERS SPECIALLY THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY.
MAMA MARY, OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY, THEOTOKOS AND UNDOER OF KNOTS, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. JOSEPH, GURADIAN AND PROTECTOR OF JESUS, MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
TODAY, DECEMBER 3 IS THE MEMORIAL OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, THE APOSTLE TO THE INDIES AND PATRON OF MISSIONS. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE “SOCIETY OF JESUS” OR THE JESUITS. HE CAN TRACE HIS CONVERSION TO THE FOUNDER OF THE ORDER, ST. IGNATIUS DE LOYOLA. HE IS OF ARISTOCRATIC BACKGROUND AND HENCE WAS ABLE TO ENROLL IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS WHERE HE BECAME FRIENDS WITH IGNACIO. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED IN HIS BIOGRAPHY THAT HIS LOVE FOR LOST SOULS IS SUCH THAT HE VOLUNTEERED TO BE THE ONE SENT TO THE FAR EAST. IN THE SAME SOURCE, HE WOULD GO DOWN AN AREA AND ONE OF THE 1ST THINGS HE DID WAS TO TAKE OFF HIS SHOES AND WALK AROUND THE AREA BAREFOOTED TO CONSECRATE THE AREA AND BE EFFECTIVE IN EVANGELIZATION. HIS APOSTOLATE LED HIM TO AS FAR AS JAPAN WITH CHINA AS HIS GOAL. HE ALSO WOULD USE THE ROSARY AS AN EFFECTIVE TEACHING TOOL. HE WOULD TRY TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE SO HE CAN TRANSLATE THE ROSARY PRAYERS IN THE VERNACULAR. ALSO IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THAT TO AID IN MEMORIZING THE PRAYERS, HE WOULD PUT A TUNE PRACTICALLY MAKING THEM A SONG. HE WOULD IN TIME OF PRAYERS, LITERALLY FEEL HIS HEART BURNING PHYSICALLY. COMMENTATORS OF HIS LIFE WOULD ATTRIBUTE THEM TO THE LOVE THAT HE HAS FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TO GOD OR SOULS FOR GOD. HE IS COMPARED TO ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE FOR THE ZEAL HE HAS IN BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO THE ENDS OF THE KNOWN WORLD OF HIS TIME. BEFORE GOING TO THE JOURNEY OF MISSION, HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME BACK AGAIN AS A REVELATION FROM THE LORD. THE LAST WORDS THAT ST. IGNATIUS TOLD THIS ZEALOUS APOSTLE OF THE GOSPEL WAS, “GO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE”. THIS HE DID AS HIS MISSION HAS RESULTED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE TENS OF THOUSAND OR MORE ACCURATELY THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. HE IS A PRAYER PARTNER TO ME FOR MANY DECADES NOW AND I DO FEEL A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH HIM. HOPING AND PRAYING THAT ONE DAY BEFORE I PASS AWAY, I CAN PAY RESPECT TO THIS TIRELESS APOSTLE OF THE GOSPEL WHOSE (INCORRUPTIBLE) REMAINS ARE IN THE ISLAND OF GOA.
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER’S COMPASSION TO A PENITENT:
(A BEAUTIFUL STORY FROM HIS BIOGRAPHY)
IN THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE APOSTLE OF THE INDIES, WE WILL READ A STORY DEPICTED IN THIS WAY MORE OR LESS ABOUT A MAN WHO IS LIVING A MOST DECADENT LIFE IMAGINABLE AND WAS BEFRIENDED BY OUR SAINT WITH THE HOPE AND PRAYER THAT THIS MAN WILL SOON COME TO HIS SENSES AND BE RESTORED TO GOD THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION. THIS MAN ALTHOUGH PICTURED AS IN A STATE OF DEPRAVITY IS CONTRARY IN COUNTENANCE AND SOCIABILITY. THIS MEANS HE HAS A PLEASING PERSONALITY THAT ENDEARS HIM TO MANY HE ASSOCIATES. HOWEVER, HE IS AFRAID OF COMING TO TERMS WITH THE ALMIGHTY THROUGH THE SACRAMENTS BECAUSE OF PRIOR EXPERIENCE WHEREWITH THE PENANCE GIVEN TO HIM AS A BOY WAS IN HIS ESTIMATION HARSH AND DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH, MAYBE EVEN PAINFUL. OUR SAINT BEFRIENDED HIM MOST WELL AND THE MAN DOES SHOW A DESIRE TO BE CLOSER TO GOD TO WHICH OUR SAINT TOLD HIM THAT THE WAY IS THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION WHICH WILL START HIM ONCE TO RECEPTION OF OUR LORD IN THE OTHER SACRAMENTS MEANING THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. SO WHEN CONFRONTED IN SUCH A WAY, THE MAN WALKED AWAY FROM THE CONVERSATION WITH OUR SAINT MOST SAD AND DEJECTED.
THE MISSION BEING LONG IN SPAN, THE MAN CONTINUES TO DO HIS NORMAL COURSE OF DESPICABLE DEEDS. HOWEVER, OUR SAINT WHEN OPPORTUNITY GIVEN CONTINUES TO SPEAK WITH HIM ENCOURAGINGLY AND INVITES HIM TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION AND THIS DANCE OF THE TWO WILL ALWAYS CONCLUDE WITH THE PROMISE OF THE MAN THAT ONE DAY SOON HE WILL. UNBEKNOWEST TO THE MAN, THE LORD HAS ALREADY REVEALED TO THE SAINT HIS FEAR AND TREMBLING ABOUT THE PENANCE AND HAS PRAYED FOR HIM IN THE MOST FERVENT OF WAYS, WITH TEARS AND SUPPLICATION.
DAYS PASS AND FINALLY THE MAN, PROBABLY TOUCHED BY THE LORD THROUGH THE PRAYERS OF OUR BENEVOLENT SAINT, ASKED HIM TO HEAR HIS CONFESSION STILL WITH MUCH TREMBLING AND FEAR. PUTTING HIS STOLE, THE SAINT AND APOSTLE OF THE INDIES, HEARD THE MAN CONFESS MOST HONESTLY ALTHOUGH THE SAME WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE ANY MAN TO WINCE AT THE DESPICABLE THINGS COMMITTED BY THE MAN, UNDERSTANDABLE HOWEVER GIVEN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS OF THE MAN AND THE ENVIRON. AFTER HIS CONFESSION, HE NOW BRACES HIMSELF FOR THE PENANCE WHICH WILL BE GIVEN HIM. SMILING AND FULL OF LOVE AND COMPASSION, OUR SAINT TOLD HIM TO SAY A PATER NOSTER (THE LORD’S PRAYER) AND AN AVE MARIA (HAIL MARY) AND THEN GAVE HIM THE ABSOLUTION. WITH MUCH SURPRISE AND GLADNESS, THE MAN LEFT OUR SAINT AFTER THE WARMEST OF EMBRACE AND A CONSTITUTION OF GRATEFULNESS. THEY BADE EACH OTHER ADEIU AND GOD SPEED.
WHEN NIGHT COMMENCED, OUR MAN SO VERY MUCH THANKFUL, DECIDED TO GO TO THE PLACE WHERE OUR SAINT IS STAYING TO GIVE THE LATER SOME BREAD AND WINE AS A SIGN OF APPRECIATION. UPON REACHING THE PLACE, HE HEARD THE SLAP ON THE WHIP ON FLESH AND THE WORDS “LORD, HAVE MERCY”. INQUIRING FURTHER, HE SAW OUR SAINT IN BLOOD DRENCHED BACK AND THE BELABORED “LORD HAVE MERCY” CHANT. UPON THE VISAGE, OUR MAN STARTED TO CRY BECAUSE HE REALIZED THAT THE PENANCE THAT SHOULD BE FOR HIM, OUR COMPASSIONATE SAINT TOOK UPON HIMSELF. HE BEGAN TO SEE THE EXTENT OF GOD’S COMPASSION MANIFESTED IN THE LIFE OF OUR LOVE FILLED SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER WHO WILL NOT BE STOPPED BY PAIN OR SACRIFICE FOR THE SALVATION OF ANOTHER SOUL. HENCEFORTH AFTER RUNNING AWAY IN MUCH TEARS, THE MAN MADE A RESOLUTION THAT FROM THIS TIME HE SHALL STRIVE TO BE A GOOD CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN WHICH HE DID FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. HE BECAME THE MAN GOD OUR LORD WANTS HIM TO BE FOR HIS GLORY AND HE WILL FOREVER HOLD OUR ESTEEMED SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER HONORABLY, BY TELLING EVERYONE OF HOW HIS LIFE TURNED AROUND BECAUSE OF THE LOVE, COMPASSION AND FRIENDSHIP OF OUR APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, RESUSCITATOR OF BOTH THE PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY DEAD.
BOBBY’S NOTE:
LOVE IS STILL THE STRONGEST LANGUAGE THAT EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND. IT IS WHAT CAN MAKE THE HEARTS OF STONE BECOME HEARTS OF FLESH AS THE PROPHET JEREMIAH SPOKE TO US MANY CENTURIES AGO. COMPASSION EXEMPLIFIED AND EXPRESSED WITH SACRIFICE AND PAIN IN IMITATION OF JESUS OUR SAVIOR. SAINT FRANCIS HAS SHOWN US BY HIS LIFE AND EXAMPLE HOW WE CAN TRANSCEND FROM OUR OWN LIMITATIONS AND BELABOR TO MAKE A WAY FOR THE LORD IN THE LIFE OF OTHERS. THE STORY ALWAYS BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES AND MAKE ME RESPOND WITH PRAISE TO GOD WHO IS TRULY MERCIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE. I THANK GOD FOR HIS LOVE THAT NO MATTER HOW UNDESERVING OF HIS GRACES I AM, HE STILL GIVES THEM ABUNDANTLY. FURTHERMORE, IT CHALLENGES ME TO DEVELOP AND BE GIVEN THE GRACE TO RISE UP AND SEE BEYOND MYSELF BUT RATHER TO SEE HOW I CAN BRING THE LORD, HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION TO OTHERS SPECIALLY THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING, THE INCARCERATED, THE LONELY, THE CONFUSED AND THE DYING OF TODAY.
MAMA MARY, OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY, THEOTOKOS AND UNDOER OF KNOTS, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. JOSEPH, GURADIAN AND PROTECTOR OF JESUS, MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, APOSTLE TO THE INDIES, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA:
PRIEST & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
This week we pay homage to the wondrous saint of the friars minor who was the 1st ofthe order after the founder to join the saintly company of heaven. Historically it is the fastest transit to this glorious honor. This saint for the most part has proven to be popular and powerful while he was on earth hence he was called the man of miracles because of the many miracles attributed to him. This power did not wane now that he is in the glory of heaven, it might have even intensified as testified by the countless who has enjoyed his intercession over the centuries.
These days this wonderful Saint, the Blessed Anthony is known for his intercession for things that were lost. This became his patronage because when his Scriptures, the Bible his most treasured possession was lost, he prayed and he found it again. Over the centuries things great and small were found because of the intercession of this marvelous saint.
He is likewise an inspired expositor of the Scriptures and his seeming eloquence and seeming mastery of the Bible made him a Doctor of the Church. He also has an overwhelming social awareness as he became instrumental in making usury, the yoke of their time and the reason why the gap of the rich and poor continuos to increase in having this evil abolished by law in Padua. This gave him the title, "Guerrero di Dio (Warrior of God)". He is not from Padua by the way nor Italian but was born in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lastly, he is the example of humility as well. His devotion to the Child Jesus which is depicted with him in art is the proof of his humility. He prayed to have a child like faith and this he received as he lived daily in total dependence to Jesus, our brother and Lord.
Below appears a portion of the Bull that Canonized St. Anthony of Padua:
(Bull of canonization).
"... For the Lord says through the prophet: I will make sure that all people celebrate your praises and you Coronini glory and honor, and because He promises that the righteous will shine like the sun in the sight of God is what pious and righteous on earth that surround our worship and praise and honor those whom God crown of holiness and honor in heaven.
This number is the blessed memory of St. Anthony, Order of Friars Minor, who, while he lived on earth, appeared adorned the most beautiful virtue, and now it is in the sky shines the splendor of innumerable miracles, so is clearly demonstrated in his holiness.
Be certain of the virtues of him and his famous miracles, and having the rest Ourselves appreciated once more the holiness of his life and the wonders of his ministry, we have found just and good enter it in the Catalogue of Saints.
Since the Blessed Anthony has become in this world a light so bright that, by the grace of God, he deserved to be placed, not in May, but on the lamp stand immortal of the Catholic Church, We will all pray earnestly exhort you with these apostolic letters, and indeed we command you that by promoting the devotion and veneration of the faithful towards him, celebrated every year on June 13 his party and be sure to celebrate it with great solemnity.
St. Anthony, Warrior of God, Ark of the Testaments, man of Miracles and Humble Lover of the Child Jesus, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
SHARING DURING THE FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA
@ SJWP CHURCH (2 YEARS AGO)
THIS EVENING I WENT TO OUR PARISH CHURCH TO CELEBRATE MASS ON THIS THE FEAST OF ONE OF MY PRAYER PARTNERS (TUESDAYS), SAN ANTONIO DI PADOVA. ON MY WAY TO MASS, I HAVE A DISTINCT IMPRESSION TO SHARE A STORY THAT I HAVE REGARDING THIS WONDERFUL SAINT OF HUMILITY AND MIRACLES. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO CHURCH, I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT SHARING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I JUST TOLD OUR GUEST PRIEST THAT THE MASS SHOULD BE A MEMORIAL FOR ST. ANTHONY TO WHICH I RECEIVED AN AFFIRMATION FROM HIM. SO THE MASS WAS ON THE WAY AND I DECIDED TO NOT SHARE AT THIS TIME.
BEFORE THE GOSPEL WAS ABOUT TO BE READ, A MAN AND A WOMAN ENTERED THE CHURCH WITH AN IMAGE OF ST. ANTHONY. AFTER THE HOMILY, I ASKED THE MAN TO PUT THE IMAGE OF ST. ANTHONY BESIDE THE ALTAR AND AS WE ARE PLACING IT THERE, I HEARD THE SAINT SPEAK TO ME AND TELL ME TO SHARE THE STORIES. TO CUT THE LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER THE COMMUNION, OUR VERY GOOD GUEST PRIEST CALLED ME OUT AND TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT I WILL SHARE SOMETHING ABOUT THE SAINT AND DEVOTION TO HIM. BELOW IS THE BULLET POINTS OF THE SHARING AS I REMEMBER:
1. ST. ANTHONY IS A PRAYER PARTNER OF MINE EVERY TUESDAY FOR DECADES NOW.
2. I REMINDED THEM THAT HE IS ONE OF THE 33 DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH TOGETHER WITH ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA AND ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS, MY CO TUESDAY PRAYER PARTNERS WITH ST. ANTHONY.
3. I SHARED ON HOW I WAS ABLE TO BRING MY WIFE RUBY TO GO TO ST. ANTHONY BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WHEN SHE LOST HER WALLET AND AS WE PRAYED TO THE SAINT, HER WALLET WAS RETURNED.
4. THEN I ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO TRY THE INTERCESSORY POWER OF THIS WONDERFUL SAINT.
5. ST. ANTHONY IS CALLED BY POPE GREGORY IX, THE POPE WHO CANONIZED HIM IN LESS THAN A YEAR AS THE “ARK OF THE TESTAMENT”. THIS IS TO SAY THAT THE SAINT WE VENERATE TODAY IS A SPIRIT FILLED PREACHER AND TEACHER. THIS IS A SELDOM REALIZED ASPECT OF THE SAINT WHO IS TRUTHFULLY ADEPT WITH THE SCRIPTURES.
6. ST. ANTHONY ALSO IS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE SEE HIM ALWAYS WITH THE CHILD JESUS.IT IS HIS DESIRE TO BE CHILDLIKE IN HIS FAITH.
7. WE WERE ABLE TO GO PADUA AND PAY RESPECTS TO THIS WONDERFUL SAINT, A PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND IT WAS TRULY A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
AFTER THE MASS, 4 PERSONS CAME TO ME AND THANKED ME FOR THE SHARING AND ONE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A NOVENA TO THE GREAT SAINT AND WHEN I SHARED, SHE KNOWS THAT HER PRAYER REQUEST IS NOW GRANTED. EVEN THE PRIEST, FR. JOHON THANKED ME FOR THE SHARING. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
ST. ANTHONY, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, THE ARK OF THE TESTAMENTS, HAMMER OF THE HERETICS, WONDER WORKER, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
These days this wonderful Saint, the Blessed Anthony is known for his intercession for things that were lost. This became his patronage because when his Scriptures, the Bible his most treasured possession was lost, he prayed and he found it again. Over the centuries things great and small were found because of the intercession of this marvelous saint.
He is likewise an inspired expositor of the Scriptures and his seeming eloquence and seeming mastery of the Bible made him a Doctor of the Church. He also has an overwhelming social awareness as he became instrumental in making usury, the yoke of their time and the reason why the gap of the rich and poor continuos to increase in having this evil abolished by law in Padua. This gave him the title, "Guerrero di Dio (Warrior of God)". He is not from Padua by the way nor Italian but was born in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lastly, he is the example of humility as well. His devotion to the Child Jesus which is depicted with him in art is the proof of his humility. He prayed to have a child like faith and this he received as he lived daily in total dependence to Jesus, our brother and Lord.
Below appears a portion of the Bull that Canonized St. Anthony of Padua:
(Bull of canonization).
"... For the Lord says through the prophet: I will make sure that all people celebrate your praises and you Coronini glory and honor, and because He promises that the righteous will shine like the sun in the sight of God is what pious and righteous on earth that surround our worship and praise and honor those whom God crown of holiness and honor in heaven.
This number is the blessed memory of St. Anthony, Order of Friars Minor, who, while he lived on earth, appeared adorned the most beautiful virtue, and now it is in the sky shines the splendor of innumerable miracles, so is clearly demonstrated in his holiness.
Be certain of the virtues of him and his famous miracles, and having the rest Ourselves appreciated once more the holiness of his life and the wonders of his ministry, we have found just and good enter it in the Catalogue of Saints.
Since the Blessed Anthony has become in this world a light so bright that, by the grace of God, he deserved to be placed, not in May, but on the lamp stand immortal of the Catholic Church, We will all pray earnestly exhort you with these apostolic letters, and indeed we command you that by promoting the devotion and veneration of the faithful towards him, celebrated every year on June 13 his party and be sure to celebrate it with great solemnity.
St. Anthony, Warrior of God, Ark of the Testaments, man of Miracles and Humble Lover of the Child Jesus, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
SHARING DURING THE FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA
@ SJWP CHURCH (2 YEARS AGO)
THIS EVENING I WENT TO OUR PARISH CHURCH TO CELEBRATE MASS ON THIS THE FEAST OF ONE OF MY PRAYER PARTNERS (TUESDAYS), SAN ANTONIO DI PADOVA. ON MY WAY TO MASS, I HAVE A DISTINCT IMPRESSION TO SHARE A STORY THAT I HAVE REGARDING THIS WONDERFUL SAINT OF HUMILITY AND MIRACLES. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT TO CHURCH, I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT SHARING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I JUST TOLD OUR GUEST PRIEST THAT THE MASS SHOULD BE A MEMORIAL FOR ST. ANTHONY TO WHICH I RECEIVED AN AFFIRMATION FROM HIM. SO THE MASS WAS ON THE WAY AND I DECIDED TO NOT SHARE AT THIS TIME.
BEFORE THE GOSPEL WAS ABOUT TO BE READ, A MAN AND A WOMAN ENTERED THE CHURCH WITH AN IMAGE OF ST. ANTHONY. AFTER THE HOMILY, I ASKED THE MAN TO PUT THE IMAGE OF ST. ANTHONY BESIDE THE ALTAR AND AS WE ARE PLACING IT THERE, I HEARD THE SAINT SPEAK TO ME AND TELL ME TO SHARE THE STORIES. TO CUT THE LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER THE COMMUNION, OUR VERY GOOD GUEST PRIEST CALLED ME OUT AND TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT I WILL SHARE SOMETHING ABOUT THE SAINT AND DEVOTION TO HIM. BELOW IS THE BULLET POINTS OF THE SHARING AS I REMEMBER:
1. ST. ANTHONY IS A PRAYER PARTNER OF MINE EVERY TUESDAY FOR DECADES NOW.
2. I REMINDED THEM THAT HE IS ONE OF THE 33 DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH TOGETHER WITH ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA AND ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS, MY CO TUESDAY PRAYER PARTNERS WITH ST. ANTHONY.
3. I SHARED ON HOW I WAS ABLE TO BRING MY WIFE RUBY TO GO TO ST. ANTHONY BECAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WHEN SHE LOST HER WALLET AND AS WE PRAYED TO THE SAINT, HER WALLET WAS RETURNED.
4. THEN I ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO TRY THE INTERCESSORY POWER OF THIS WONDERFUL SAINT.
5. ST. ANTHONY IS CALLED BY POPE GREGORY IX, THE POPE WHO CANONIZED HIM IN LESS THAN A YEAR AS THE “ARK OF THE TESTAMENT”. THIS IS TO SAY THAT THE SAINT WE VENERATE TODAY IS A SPIRIT FILLED PREACHER AND TEACHER. THIS IS A SELDOM REALIZED ASPECT OF THE SAINT WHO IS TRUTHFULLY ADEPT WITH THE SCRIPTURES.
6. ST. ANTHONY ALSO IS AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE SEE HIM ALWAYS WITH THE CHILD JESUS.IT IS HIS DESIRE TO BE CHILDLIKE IN HIS FAITH.
7. WE WERE ABLE TO GO PADUA AND PAY RESPECTS TO THIS WONDERFUL SAINT, A PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND IT WAS TRULY A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.
AFTER THE MASS, 4 PERSONS CAME TO ME AND THANKED ME FOR THE SHARING AND ONE EVEN TOLD ME THAT SHE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A NOVENA TO THE GREAT SAINT AND WHEN I SHARED, SHE KNOWS THAT HER PRAYER REQUEST IS NOW GRANTED. EVEN THE PRIEST, FR. JOHON THANKED ME FOR THE SHARING. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM!
ST. ANTHONY, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, THE ARK OF THE TESTAMENTS, HAMMER OF THE HERETICS, WONDER WORKER, PRAY FOR US, THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND THE DYING OF TODAY. AMEN.
St. Nicholas (Santa Claus):
Bishop of Myra (Smyrna), MMA fighter?
St. Nicholas Gift Giver:
As Bishop of Myra (Modern day Turkey), Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. Nicholas was not timid—he did what was necessary and was not easily intimidated by others' power and position. His concern for the welfare of his flock and his stand for orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and a defender of the faith. Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas—for he brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names—and even looks different from place to place. But, it is the same St. Nicholas who delights with small surprises and good things to eat.
As Bishop of Myra (Modern day Turkey), Nicholas lived the qualities that caused his fame and popularity to spread throughout the Christian world. His vigorous actions on behalf of his people and in defense of the Christian faith reveal a man who lived his convictions. Nicholas was not timid—he did what was necessary and was not easily intimidated by others' power and position. His concern for the welfare of his flock and his stand for orthodox belief earned him respect as a model for bishops and a defender of the faith. Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas—for he brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names—and even looks different from place to place. But, it is the same St. Nicholas who delights with small surprises and good things to eat.
St. Nicholas MMA fighter:
In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity's very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arius, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Jesus with his Mother Mary appeared to Nicholas: Jesus bringing the book of the Gospels, and Mary, the bishop's stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated. Many Eastern Church icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the bishop's stole or Omophorion (Bishop’s liturgical vest).
In 325 Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. More than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early church's most intense theological questions. Arius, from Egypt, taught that the Son Jesus was not equal to God the Father. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity's very foundations. According to one account, when confronted by the unyielding Arius, Nicholas slapped him in the face. For such a breach of decorum, Nicholas was brought before Constantine, who stripped him of his office and had him thrown into prison. During the night, Jesus with his Mother Mary appeared to Nicholas: Jesus bringing the book of the Gospels, and Mary, the bishop's stole which had been taken from him. In this way Nicholas was reinstated. Many Eastern Church icons of St. Nicholas reflect this event with Jesus on the left returning the Gospels, and Mary on the right, bringing the bishop's stole or Omophorion (Bishop’s liturgical vest).
St. Nicholas gave in secret, alert to others' needs, and expecting nothing for himself in return. It is this selfless generosity which seeks only the good of the other that made Nicholas' gifts the gifts of a saint.
Lessons from St. Nicholas:
- The intensity of his orthodoxy (right doctrine) is to be admired and even to be imitated. We should be always ready to defend our faith to all even to those who with good arguments or possessing power of some sort and not be intimidated. The story above gives us an indication of how intense he was reaching the point of losing all control and clocked the heretic Bishop Arius of the Arian heresy infamy. This intensity according to my professor at the NSTI is predicated by his intense love for God and the truth.
- We must be generous to others especially to those in the margins or those who the world consider as an outcast or weak and if needed stand up for them. He once was able to have the Emperor Constantine lower taxes for all citizens. This trait of St. Nicholas is what brought him fame and admiration throughout the Christian world of his time. This and giving gifts to children especially. Even now we recognize him as Santa Claus.
- We must study our Christology and Mariology and put faith in them even when people question their authenticity, validity or truthfulness. We must not be swayed by false doctrine no matter how beautiful the argument and or if everyone around us seem to think so. This kind of faithfulness to God and his teaching can only be acquired by prayerfulness and constant study.
- Lastly, we must be ready to be instruments of God’s love to our fellow men with particular emphasis to those who are weak in constitution (children & elderly), weak in economic status (the poor), weak physically, mentally & emotionally (the sick), and weak with limited time (the dying). Once St. Nick was able to prevent the execution of 3 men. Like St. Nicholas we must see Jesus in them and do try to alleviate their situation whether by big or small things. If not through material things, at the very least through our prayers and petitions for their behalf.
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR: THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER APOLOGIST
2 day before the memorial for St. Justin Martyr, in our parish of St. Joseph here in Makati I hoped that the Mass which I attended and served as projectionist will be a celebration for this wonderful saint who is a patron for us in the St. Thomas Institute for Christian Apologetics. I was just so elated when our priest presider entered and he was wearing red to which I realized that it will be such as I hoped. The priest presider who is a very good friend of our family, Fr. Ryan Barrios (St. Thomas Aquinas clone as I call him with honor and respect) spoke about the Saint to which he encouraged and told us that the study of the faith is not limited to the Clergy because St. Justin although a layperson continued to study the faith and attained mastery over them that he founded an institute of sorts at Rome. He was a contemporary with St. Ireneaus of Lyons and is believed to be in association with St. Polycarp, the last of the Apostolic Fathers. The venerable priest said that we should study the faith, grow in true understanding and by it attain the virtues we need to be true witnesses of Christ even to the point of death or martyrdom.
Saint Justin Martyr’s Story:
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher’s mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ. Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165.
Lessons from the life of St. Justin:
St. Justin Martyr pray for us specially the laypersons that we would be graced to study our faith in the Catholic Church and contribute to bringing our families, parishes and dioceses to a living faith that is ready to stand up in whatever situation for the glory of God and the edification of His people. Amen.
NOTE: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN A FEW MONTHS BACK.
2 day before the memorial for St. Justin Martyr, in our parish of St. Joseph here in Makati I hoped that the Mass which I attended and served as projectionist will be a celebration for this wonderful saint who is a patron for us in the St. Thomas Institute for Christian Apologetics. I was just so elated when our priest presider entered and he was wearing red to which I realized that it will be such as I hoped. The priest presider who is a very good friend of our family, Fr. Ryan Barrios (St. Thomas Aquinas clone as I call him with honor and respect) spoke about the Saint to which he encouraged and told us that the study of the faith is not limited to the Clergy because St. Justin although a layperson continued to study the faith and attained mastery over them that he founded an institute of sorts at Rome. He was a contemporary with St. Ireneaus of Lyons and is believed to be in association with St. Polycarp, the last of the Apostolic Fathers. The venerable priest said that we should study the faith, grow in true understanding and by it attain the virtues we need to be true witnesses of Christ even to the point of death or martyrdom.
Saint Justin Martyr’s Story:
Justin never ended his quest for religious truth even when he converted to Christianity after years of studying various pagan philosophies. As a young man, he was principally attracted to the school of Plato. However, he found that the Christian religion answered the great questions about life and existence better than the philosophers. Upon his conversion he continued to wear the philosopher’s mantle, and became the first Christian philosopher. He combined the Christian religion with the best elements in Greek philosophy. In his view, philosophy was a pedagogue of Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christ. Justin is known as an apologist, one who defends in writing the Christian religion against the attacks and misunderstandings of the pagans. Two of his so-called apologies have come down to us; they are addressed to the Roman emperor and to the Senate. For his staunch adherence to the Christian religion, Justin was beheaded in Rome in 165.
Lessons from the life of St. Justin:
- We have to seek the truth and continue to learn particularly the words and teachings of our Lord Jesus and the teachings of the Church.
- We must be connected to our Shepherds the Bishops particularly who have the fullness of the priesthood, these princes of the Church. He has a very close relationship with an Apostolic Father, the Bishop and Martyr St. Polycarp of Smyrna.
- We must always defend the faith particularly the Gospel values of love even if at times we have to do so perilously. This great apologist (defender of the faith) did go head to head with the Emperor of Rome.
- We have to be very orthodox and have as the basis of learning the tripod of truth which are; Holy Scriptures, Holy Traditions and the Magisterium.
- In one word, Justin is a witness (martys). He was always God centered in thoughts, words and deeds. He was willing to offer his very life and died as a martyr. We must heed this lesson and be a witness for the Gospel of love in our families, communities and the marginalized in our society.
- How much time in a day, a week, in a month do I spend studying God’s word and the teachings of the Church?
St. Justin Martyr pray for us specially the laypersons that we would be graced to study our faith in the Catholic Church and contribute to bringing our families, parishes and dioceses to a living faith that is ready to stand up in whatever situation for the glory of God and the edification of His people. Amen.
NOTE: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN A FEW MONTHS BACK.
ST. AMBROSE OF MILAN
(BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH)
Saint Ambrose in 10 Points
1. Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family about 340 AD and was raised in Trier (pronounced “Triyah”). His father Aurelius Ambrosius was the praetorian prefect of Gaul. Ambrose’s siblings, Satyrus and Marcellina, are also venerated as Catholic saints.
2. As an infant, a swarm of bees settled on his face while he lay in his cradle, leaving behind a drop of honey. His father considered this a sign of his future eloquence and honeyed tongue. Bees are symbols of Saint Ambrose.
3. Ambrose never married and he was the Governor of Aemilia-Liguria in northern Italy until 374 when he became the Bishop of Milan—the effective capital of the Western Roman Empire.
4. In 374 the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan, Auxentius died, and the Arians challenged the succession of the episcopate to a Catholic. Ambrose went to the church where the election was to take place, to prevent an uproar, which was probable in this crisis. His address was interrupted by a call “Ambrose, Bishop!” which was taken up by the whole assembly.
5. As bishop, he gave away his money to the poor, donating all of his land, making only provision for his sister Saint Marcellina who became a nun.
6. Ambrose knew Greek and so he studied the Greek theologians, such as Origen, St Athanasius, and St Basil of Caesarea. He was able to convince many of Nicene Orthodoxy and his tenure in Milan overturned the Arian support within that city.
7. Ambrose baptized Saint Augustine and Augustine’s son Adeodatus on Easter Vigil in 387 in Milan.
8. Ambrose excommunicated the Roman Emperor Theodosius I for the massacre of 7,000 people at Thessalonica in AD 390. Ambrose readmitted the emperor to the Eucharist only after several months of penance.
9. Ambrose is included with Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great as the original Latin Doctors of the Church.
10. Ambrose blended the rhetoric of Cicero and the teaching of virtue and duty of the Stoics into his Catholic theology and preaching.
Practical Applications:
When we heard Mass at the Basilica and even at the Cathedral of Milan they follow what is known as the "Ambrosian Rite". In this rite, the "kiss of Peace" is dispensed right after the General Intercession before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The basis for this I found out is that it is an actual response to the words of Jesus in the Gospel who said that before you bring your offering to the altar, you have to be right with your bothers and sisters. So before the offertory is conducted we give the kiss of peace, we go around wishing all in the celebration "Pace". St. Ambrose is the Patron of Milan and wherever Holy Mass is said in the Archdiocese, the Ambrosian Rite is followed.
1. Ambrose was born into a Roman Christian family about 340 AD and was raised in Trier (pronounced “Triyah”). His father Aurelius Ambrosius was the praetorian prefect of Gaul. Ambrose’s siblings, Satyrus and Marcellina, are also venerated as Catholic saints.
2. As an infant, a swarm of bees settled on his face while he lay in his cradle, leaving behind a drop of honey. His father considered this a sign of his future eloquence and honeyed tongue. Bees are symbols of Saint Ambrose.
3. Ambrose never married and he was the Governor of Aemilia-Liguria in northern Italy until 374 when he became the Bishop of Milan—the effective capital of the Western Roman Empire.
4. In 374 the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan, Auxentius died, and the Arians challenged the succession of the episcopate to a Catholic. Ambrose went to the church where the election was to take place, to prevent an uproar, which was probable in this crisis. His address was interrupted by a call “Ambrose, Bishop!” which was taken up by the whole assembly.
5. As bishop, he gave away his money to the poor, donating all of his land, making only provision for his sister Saint Marcellina who became a nun.
6. Ambrose knew Greek and so he studied the Greek theologians, such as Origen, St Athanasius, and St Basil of Caesarea. He was able to convince many of Nicene Orthodoxy and his tenure in Milan overturned the Arian support within that city.
7. Ambrose baptized Saint Augustine and Augustine’s son Adeodatus on Easter Vigil in 387 in Milan.
8. Ambrose excommunicated the Roman Emperor Theodosius I for the massacre of 7,000 people at Thessalonica in AD 390. Ambrose readmitted the emperor to the Eucharist only after several months of penance.
9. Ambrose is included with Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory the Great as the original Latin Doctors of the Church.
10. Ambrose blended the rhetoric of Cicero and the teaching of virtue and duty of the Stoics into his Catholic theology and preaching.
Practical Applications:
- Ambrose was a Roman aristocrat who abandoned the world to become a Catholic priest and bishop. Imagine a governer, president, or prime minister abandoning his office to become a Catholic bishop. Talk about falling in love with God.
- Two things made him stand out as an apostle and evangelist:
- He knew Greek and studied the Greek theologians.
- He had studied rhetoric and the art of preaching.
- Being orthodox is not enough. We need to study and we need to present the faith well.
When we heard Mass at the Basilica and even at the Cathedral of Milan they follow what is known as the "Ambrosian Rite". In this rite, the "kiss of Peace" is dispensed right after the General Intercession before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The basis for this I found out is that it is an actual response to the words of Jesus in the Gospel who said that before you bring your offering to the altar, you have to be right with your bothers and sisters. So before the offertory is conducted we give the kiss of peace, we go around wishing all in the celebration "Pace". St. Ambrose is the Patron of Milan and wherever Holy Mass is said in the Archdiocese, the Ambrosian Rite is followed.
TERESA DE AVILA: (OCTOBER 15 FEAST DAY)
SAINT TERESA DE AVILA: MYSTIC & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
St. Teresa or Mother Teresa as I would like to call her (by virtue of founding many monasteries mostly named after St. Joseph) was a monumental figure in the 16th century as one who embraced the cross of Christ realizing that through it that we will find true salvation. She together with St. John of the Cross are the mystical giants of their time. They have shaped our understanding of the importance of prayer (contemplation) and austerity which for me is a big word meaning we take our sufferings and mortification without complaint or murmuring (internal), seeing that God is in the midst of them and leading them to a very holy and simple lifestyle whose goal is union with God, through the Son Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. They tell us that on our own, we will not be able to live this way but with God’s power and the intercession of the Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph we might be able to focus on Jesus, our brother and Lord. About 2 weeks ago, I was blessed with my wife Ruby to visit this wonderful place, the place of her birth at Avila, Espana.
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, original name Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada (born March 28, 1515, Avila,—died October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes; canonized 1622; feast day October 15), Spanish Nun, one of the great mystics and religious women of the Roman Catholic church, and author of spiritual classics. She was the originator of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of primitive Carmelite life. St. Teresa was elevated to Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, the first woman to be so honoured. At the museo, no pictures are supposed to be the taken. Our guide who saw that I have a tremendous love for the Saint & Doctor told me to take a picture of the Declaration of Pope Paul VI, original copy, elevating her to being a Doctor of the Church. She told me I know you would like this very much. I thanked her for this gesture.
In 1558 Teresa began to consider the restoration of Carmelite life to its original observance of austerity, which had relaxed in the 14th and 15th centuries. Her reform required utter withdrawal so that the nuns could meditate on divine law and, through a prayerful life of penance, exercise what she termed “our vocation of reparation” for the sins of mankind. In 1562, with Pope Pius IV's authorization, she opened the first convent (St. Joseph’s) of the Carmelite Reform.
Her works which include her autobiography, the Interior Castle and many others enlightened us with mysticism or a deeper spiritual life. Her devotion to St. Joseph besides all of her other attributes drew me ever closer to her. Every time I conduct a devotion to St Joseph in our parish called “Journeying with St. Joseph”, I always start with a quote from her:
“I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray.” “I plead with you, go particularly to St. Joseph because he has tremendous power with God.” (Autobiography Chapter 6)
Lessons we can learn from St. Teresa:
1. Prayers are important particularly contemplation so we can be more attuned with God. At the very least we should have our quiet time daily.
2. Simplicity should be the hallmark of a person striving to be close to God. This is the great challenge of her time but more so for our time where materialism, having more has become the basis for honor and respect.
3. Constant improvement is a life long venture. The older we get the more truly wise we should become increasing our faith, hope and love, the essential and eternal virtues. She was not learned at first but she placed the hours to learn them and was able to come up with beautiful literary works.
4. Suffering is a part of life, when faced with them, we should ask the Lord for strength and the wisdom to see Him in the midst of them. She founded the Discalced (shoeless) Carmelite Order which embraced penances and mortification as a reparation for our sins.
5. The communion of saints is a reality that we should tap into as we continue to live a life in union with God and the Church especially the intercession of the Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph.
St. Teresa pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
St. Teresa or Mother Teresa as I would like to call her (by virtue of founding many monasteries mostly named after St. Joseph) was a monumental figure in the 16th century as one who embraced the cross of Christ realizing that through it that we will find true salvation. She together with St. John of the Cross are the mystical giants of their time. They have shaped our understanding of the importance of prayer (contemplation) and austerity which for me is a big word meaning we take our sufferings and mortification without complaint or murmuring (internal), seeing that God is in the midst of them and leading them to a very holy and simple lifestyle whose goal is union with God, through the Son Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. They tell us that on our own, we will not be able to live this way but with God’s power and the intercession of the Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph we might be able to focus on Jesus, our brother and Lord. About 2 weeks ago, I was blessed with my wife Ruby to visit this wonderful place, the place of her birth at Avila, Espana.
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, original name Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada (born March 28, 1515, Avila,—died October 4, 1582, Alba de Tormes; canonized 1622; feast day October 15), Spanish Nun, one of the great mystics and religious women of the Roman Catholic church, and author of spiritual classics. She was the originator of the Carmelite Reform, which restored and emphasized the austerity and contemplative character of primitive Carmelite life. St. Teresa was elevated to Doctor of the Church in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, the first woman to be so honoured. At the museo, no pictures are supposed to be the taken. Our guide who saw that I have a tremendous love for the Saint & Doctor told me to take a picture of the Declaration of Pope Paul VI, original copy, elevating her to being a Doctor of the Church. She told me I know you would like this very much. I thanked her for this gesture.
In 1558 Teresa began to consider the restoration of Carmelite life to its original observance of austerity, which had relaxed in the 14th and 15th centuries. Her reform required utter withdrawal so that the nuns could meditate on divine law and, through a prayerful life of penance, exercise what she termed “our vocation of reparation” for the sins of mankind. In 1562, with Pope Pius IV's authorization, she opened the first convent (St. Joseph’s) of the Carmelite Reform.
Her works which include her autobiography, the Interior Castle and many others enlightened us with mysticism or a deeper spiritual life. Her devotion to St. Joseph besides all of her other attributes drew me ever closer to her. Every time I conduct a devotion to St Joseph in our parish called “Journeying with St. Joseph”, I always start with a quote from her:
“I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray.” “I plead with you, go particularly to St. Joseph because he has tremendous power with God.” (Autobiography Chapter 6)
Lessons we can learn from St. Teresa:
1. Prayers are important particularly contemplation so we can be more attuned with God. At the very least we should have our quiet time daily.
2. Simplicity should be the hallmark of a person striving to be close to God. This is the great challenge of her time but more so for our time where materialism, having more has become the basis for honor and respect.
3. Constant improvement is a life long venture. The older we get the more truly wise we should become increasing our faith, hope and love, the essential and eternal virtues. She was not learned at first but she placed the hours to learn them and was able to come up with beautiful literary works.
4. Suffering is a part of life, when faced with them, we should ask the Lord for strength and the wisdom to see Him in the midst of them. She founded the Discalced (shoeless) Carmelite Order which embraced penances and mortification as a reparation for our sins.
5. The communion of saints is a reality that we should tap into as we continue to live a life in union with God and the Church especially the intercession of the Holy Spouses, Mama Mary and Father Joseph.
St. Teresa pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
OUR LADY OF THE PILLARS (OCTOBER 12)
OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Ancient Spanish tradition point out that our Lady appeared in now Zaragosa, Spain about 40AD by the river Ebron to the Apostle James (Santiago) and his very few converts at the time. After leaving Palestine this Apostle went to Roman Hispania to bring the good news of the Lord to the people here. However, after much trying and effort, he has very little to show. Deciding to abandon the mission, while on his way back to Palestine, by the river, St. James and his few companions saw a Lady with a child atop a pillar escorted by angels. He recognized the apparition as our Mother Mary with the baby Jesus. Our Lady spoke to the Apostle and told him not to abandon the mission and continue on as she assured her that eventually the Lord will bless his efforts. He was told that devotion to our Lady will spread throughout the world from this place, that the Apostle will forever remain and be associated with this land, and finally that he should make a chapel on this site. All things came to fruition as our Lady’s devotion was brought all over the world by the people from this place (Spanish & Portuguese Missionaries particularly the Dominicans). St. James became the patron of Spain and his remains were brought from Palestine to Santago de Compostella a major pilgrimage shrine. The site of the apparition of our Lady became a major pilgrimage site as well and the very first church named in her honor.
MIRACLE OF MIRACLES:
During the 17th Century particularly on March 29, 1640, Miguel Juan Pellicer, a devotee of Our Lady of the Pillar, had his amputated leg, grow back while sleeping. He applies the oil acquired from the Shrine of Lady of the Pillar at Zaragoza to his amputated leg. This phenomenon was investigated with thoroughly by different committees and all conclusion point out to the authenticity of the miracle. Even the king of Spain, Phillip IV became a believer and is reputed to have gone down on his knees to kiss the miraculous leg of the peasant, Miguel Juan Pellicer. It was widely acknowledged that it was the intercession of our Lady of the Pillar, Mama Mary who brought about this miracle at a time when new ideas from philosophers like Voltaire and others have diminished the authenticity of our faith in God. It became a sign for non believers that indeed there is a God who is Omnipotent, miracles can happen to one who has faith and Mama Mary’s prayer are truly powerful indeed.
SIGNIFICANCE AND LESSON FROM OUR LADY OF THE PILLARS:
1. This is historically the 1st apparition of Our Lady and technically it may be described not as one, since our Lady was still living at the time in Palestine, but rather as a “bilocation” meaning she was present at 2 places at the same time. The lesson we can deduce is that since the year 40, our Lady has taken all of us as her children and that she is constantly watching over us and would reach out to bring us back to her son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus gave her to us on the cross as a mother, she has made it her mission to help all disciples of the Lord Jesus and treat us all as her children.
2. John the Apostle symbolized all of us as the sons and daughters of our Mother Mary at the foot of the cross. James the Greater his brother symbolized all who are engaged in the mission of love started by the Lord Jesus Christ. She is our patroness whenever we engage in mission or evangelization like St. James. We can expect her encouragement and help when we bring Jesus to others. I personally when I am a bit down, go and sing my blues song to our Mother and I feel her coming over to assure me that all will be fine because she and the blessed Joseph, her spouse will never abandon me.
3. Since the time of her first appearance here at Zaragoza and this the very first church named after Our Lady, she has been a focal point of miracles and a testimony of the fact that they are true and does happen. The devotees of our Mother Mary like Miguel Juan Pellicer can be confident that the prayers of our Lady is most powerful indeed. She is truly the “Hyperdulia” or super devotion to which God uses her prayers to make miracles happen. The lesson is that we must continue to promote and pray the Rosary daily especially in the Month of October as legislated by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. Pray the rosary and expect the miracles of God in your life through the intercession of our loving Mother, the Lady of the Pillar.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Ancient Spanish tradition point out that our Lady appeared in now Zaragosa, Spain about 40AD by the river Ebron to the Apostle James (Santiago) and his very few converts at the time. After leaving Palestine this Apostle went to Roman Hispania to bring the good news of the Lord to the people here. However, after much trying and effort, he has very little to show. Deciding to abandon the mission, while on his way back to Palestine, by the river, St. James and his few companions saw a Lady with a child atop a pillar escorted by angels. He recognized the apparition as our Mother Mary with the baby Jesus. Our Lady spoke to the Apostle and told him not to abandon the mission and continue on as she assured her that eventually the Lord will bless his efforts. He was told that devotion to our Lady will spread throughout the world from this place, that the Apostle will forever remain and be associated with this land, and finally that he should make a chapel on this site. All things came to fruition as our Lady’s devotion was brought all over the world by the people from this place (Spanish & Portuguese Missionaries particularly the Dominicans). St. James became the patron of Spain and his remains were brought from Palestine to Santago de Compostella a major pilgrimage shrine. The site of the apparition of our Lady became a major pilgrimage site as well and the very first church named in her honor.
MIRACLE OF MIRACLES:
During the 17th Century particularly on March 29, 1640, Miguel Juan Pellicer, a devotee of Our Lady of the Pillar, had his amputated leg, grow back while sleeping. He applies the oil acquired from the Shrine of Lady of the Pillar at Zaragoza to his amputated leg. This phenomenon was investigated with thoroughly by different committees and all conclusion point out to the authenticity of the miracle. Even the king of Spain, Phillip IV became a believer and is reputed to have gone down on his knees to kiss the miraculous leg of the peasant, Miguel Juan Pellicer. It was widely acknowledged that it was the intercession of our Lady of the Pillar, Mama Mary who brought about this miracle at a time when new ideas from philosophers like Voltaire and others have diminished the authenticity of our faith in God. It became a sign for non believers that indeed there is a God who is Omnipotent, miracles can happen to one who has faith and Mama Mary’s prayer are truly powerful indeed.
SIGNIFICANCE AND LESSON FROM OUR LADY OF THE PILLARS:
1. This is historically the 1st apparition of Our Lady and technically it may be described not as one, since our Lady was still living at the time in Palestine, but rather as a “bilocation” meaning she was present at 2 places at the same time. The lesson we can deduce is that since the year 40, our Lady has taken all of us as her children and that she is constantly watching over us and would reach out to bring us back to her son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus gave her to us on the cross as a mother, she has made it her mission to help all disciples of the Lord Jesus and treat us all as her children.
2. John the Apostle symbolized all of us as the sons and daughters of our Mother Mary at the foot of the cross. James the Greater his brother symbolized all who are engaged in the mission of love started by the Lord Jesus Christ. She is our patroness whenever we engage in mission or evangelization like St. James. We can expect her encouragement and help when we bring Jesus to others. I personally when I am a bit down, go and sing my blues song to our Mother and I feel her coming over to assure me that all will be fine because she and the blessed Joseph, her spouse will never abandon me.
3. Since the time of her first appearance here at Zaragoza and this the very first church named after Our Lady, she has been a focal point of miracles and a testimony of the fact that they are true and does happen. The devotees of our Mother Mary like Miguel Juan Pellicer can be confident that the prayers of our Lady is most powerful indeed. She is truly the “Hyperdulia” or super devotion to which God uses her prayers to make miracles happen. The lesson is that we must continue to promote and pray the Rosary daily especially in the Month of October as legislated by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. Pray the rosary and expect the miracles of God in your life through the intercession of our loving Mother, the Lady of the Pillar.
OCTOBER "MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY"
WITH ST. JOSEPH
(POPE LEO XIII QUAMQUAM PLURIES)
IT WAS POPE LEO XIII WHO DECLARED THAT THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WILL BE DEDICATED TO OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. IT WAS HIM AS WELL WHO LEGISLATED THAT THIS PARTICULAR PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, GUARDIAN AND PROTECTOR OF JESUS, MARY AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BE PRAYED AND INCORPORATED DURING THE RECITATION OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. THIS IS RECOMMENDED TO BE RECITED AFTER THE TRADITIONAL SALVE REGINA (HAIL HOLY QUEEN) PRAYER. THIS IS STATED IN THE PAPAL DOCUMENT "QUAMQUAM PLURIES" WHO INTENSIFIED THE DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH BECAUSE OF THE MANY CHALLENGES THE CHURCH IS FACING LIKE SECULARISM, MATERIALISM AND EVEN HEDONISM. HE IS ALSO THE ONE WHO FORMULATED THE NOW TRADITIONAL PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL FOR PROTECTION BECAUSE HE DISCERNED THAT IN THE END, THESE CHALLENGING TIMES ARE FOR THE MOST A SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND OUR REAL ENEMY IS THE SATAN AND HIS MINIONS. IT IS LIKEWISE THIS PONTIFICATE WHICH LEGISLATED THAT SEMINARY FORMATION (FOR THOSE WHO DESIRES TO BE PRIESTS) INCLUDE THE STUDY OF THE SUMMA THEOLOGAE BY ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, MY PERSONAL SCHOLASTIC PATRON.
THIS PONTIFICATE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST AND ONE OF THE MOST FRUITFUL ALBEIT VERY CHALLENGING. I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR THIS HOLY MAN, POPE LEO XIII. PRAISE GOD FOR THIS PONTIFICATE, ORDAINED AND WILLED BY GOD SURELY.
GOING BACK TO THE PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH AND MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY, THE DOCUMENT STATES THAT THIS BE DONE EVERY YEAR AND TO THOSE WHO WILL RECITE THEM, INDULGENCES IS TO BE GIVEN EACH AND EVERY TIME. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS TO THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH FOR THE OCTOBER RECITATION OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY BEFORE ALL MASSES. LATELY, I HAVE ASKED THAT IN OUR BEC BLOCK ROSARY THIS PRAYER BE RECITED AS WELL TOGETHER WITH THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. IT IS ALSO RECITED UPON THE RECITATION OF THE HOLY SPOUSES ROSARY EVERY 19TH OF THE MONTH, A DEVOTION PECULIAR TO OUR PARISH.
LASTLY, I FOUND THE PRAYER TO BE HEART WARMING TO SAY THE LEAST AND REVEALS TO ALL THE MERITS OF THIS WONDERFUL YET SIMPLE MAN OF GOD, THE BLESSED JOSEPH WHOSE ROLE WAS SO CRUCIAL SO THAT GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN FOR US BE COMPLETED BY JESUS, HIS LEGAL SON AND OUR BROTHER AND LORD.
ALL FOR JESUS, THROUGH MARY AND JOSEPH!
THIS PONTIFICATE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST AND ONE OF THE MOST FRUITFUL ALBEIT VERY CHALLENGING. I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR THIS HOLY MAN, POPE LEO XIII. PRAISE GOD FOR THIS PONTIFICATE, ORDAINED AND WILLED BY GOD SURELY.
GOING BACK TO THE PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH AND MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY, THE DOCUMENT STATES THAT THIS BE DONE EVERY YEAR AND TO THOSE WHO WILL RECITE THEM, INDULGENCES IS TO BE GIVEN EACH AND EVERY TIME. FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS TO THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH FOR THE OCTOBER RECITATION OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY BEFORE ALL MASSES. LATELY, I HAVE ASKED THAT IN OUR BEC BLOCK ROSARY THIS PRAYER BE RECITED AS WELL TOGETHER WITH THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. IT IS ALSO RECITED UPON THE RECITATION OF THE HOLY SPOUSES ROSARY EVERY 19TH OF THE MONTH, A DEVOTION PECULIAR TO OUR PARISH.
LASTLY, I FOUND THE PRAYER TO BE HEART WARMING TO SAY THE LEAST AND REVEALS TO ALL THE MERITS OF THIS WONDERFUL YET SIMPLE MAN OF GOD, THE BLESSED JOSEPH WHOSE ROLE WAS SO CRUCIAL SO THAT GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN FOR US BE COMPLETED BY JESUS, HIS LEGAL SON AND OUR BROTHER AND LORD.
ALL FOR JESUS, THROUGH MARY AND JOSEPH!
ST. PAUL: APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
PAUL’S ENTIRE LIFE CAN BE EXPLAINED IN TERMS OF ONE EXPERIENCE—HIS MEETING WITH JESUS ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS. IN AN INSTANT, HE SAW THAT ALL THE ZEAL OF HIS DYNAMIC PERSONALITY WAS BEING WASTED, LIKE THE STRENGTH OF A BOXER SWINGING WILDLY. PERHAPS HE HAD NEVER SEEN JESUS, WHO WAS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLDER. BUT HE HAD ACQUIRED A ZEALOT’S HATRED OF ALL JESUS STOOD FOR, AS HE BEGAN TO HARASS THE CHURCH: “...ENTERING HOUSE AFTER HOUSE AND DRAGGING OUT MEN AND WOMEN, HE HANDED THEM OVER FOR IMPRISONMENT” (ACTS 8:3B). NOW HE HIMSELF WAS “ENTERED,” POSSESSED, ALL HIS ENERGY HARNESSED TO ONE GOAL—BEING A SLAVE OF CHRIST IN THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, AN INSTRUMENT TO HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE ONE SAVIOR. ONE SENTENCE DETERMINED HIS THEOLOGY: “I AM JESUS, WHOM YOU ARE PERSECUTING” (ACTS 9:5B). JESUS WAS MYSTERIOUSLY IDENTIFIED WITH PEOPLE—THE LOVING GROUP OF PEOPLE SAUL HAD BEEN RUNNING DOWN LIKE CRIMINALS. JESUS, HE SAW, WAS THE MYSTERIOUS FULFILLMENT OF ALL HE HAD BEEN BLINDLY PURSUING. FROM THEN ON, HIS ONLY WORK WAS TO “PRESENT EVERYONE PERFECT IN CHRIST. FOR THIS I LABOR AND STRUGGLE, IN ACCORD WITH THE EXERCISE OF HIS POWER WORKING WITHIN ME” (COLOSSIANS 1:28B-29). “FOR OUR GOSPEL DID NOT COME TO YOU IN WORD ALONE, BUT ALSO IN POWER AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND [WITH] MUCH CONVICTION” (1 THESSALONIANS 1:5A).
PAUL’S LIFE BECAME A TIRELESS PROCLAIMING AND LIVING OUT OF THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS: CHRISTIANS DIE BAPTISMALLY TO SIN AND ARE BURIED WITH CHRIST; THEY ARE DEAD TO ALL THAT IS SINFUL AND UNREDEEMED IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE MADE INTO A NEW CREATION, ALREADY SHARING CHRIST’S VICTORY AND SOMEDAY TO RISE FROM THE DEAD LIKE HIM. THROUGH THIS RISEN CHRIST THE FATHER POURS OUT THE SPIRIT ON THEM, MAKING THEM COMPLETELY NEW.
SO PAUL’S GREAT MESSAGE TO THE WORLD WAS: YOU ARE SAVED ENTIRELY BY GOD, NOT BY ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. SAVING FAITH IS THE GIFT OF TOTAL, FREE, PERSONAL AND LOVING COMMITMENT TO CHRIST, A COMMITMENT THAT THEN BEARS FRUIT IN MORE “WORKS” THAN THE LAW COULD EVER CONTEMPLATE.
LESSONS FROM ST. PAUL:
ST. PAUL TOGETHER WITH ST. PETER STANDS AS THE PILLARS TO WHICH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GREW FROM THE 1ST CENTURY ONWARDS. IN A SECULAR DOCUMENTARY BY CURRENT HISTORIANS, THEY CITE THESE 2 PERSONS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO SHAPED THE CENTURY THEY LIVED IN:
MARTYRDOM OF ST. PAUL:
MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO I SAW A TV SERIES ENTITLED AD OR ANNO DOMINI (YEAR OF OUR LORD) AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE SCENE WHICH THE DIRECTOR MADE OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. PAUL. AS THE CHARACTER OF ST. PAUL WAS BEING LED TO THE EXECUTIONER’S AXE WHICH HAD TO BE DONE OUTSIDE ROME BECAUSE ST. PAUL IS A ROMAN CITIZEN (TODAY THIS PLACE IS WHERE WE CAN FIND THE PAPAL BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALL), HE WALKED TOWARDS THE EXECUTIONER BOUNDED AND PLACED HIS HEAD AT THE STOMP, THE CAMERA FOCUSED ON HIS SIDEWAYS FACE AND WITH A SMILING SIGH HE SAID, “OW SWEET JESUS, THANK YOU. HERE I COME.” THEN THE AXE STRUCK. THIS IS VERY INSPIRING FOR ME AND AS I REFLECTED IT DAWNED ON ME THAT HE KNEW THE SECRET, WE ARE HERE TEMPORARILY ONLY AND OUR TRUE HOME IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD WHERE WE WILL ENJOY BEATIFIC VISION.
MAY WE LIKE ST. PAUL BE SINGLE MINDED IN FOLLOWING JESUS AND BE COMPLETELY COMMITTED IN BUILDING HIS KINGDOM OF LOVE IN OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, WORKPLACES AND UNTO THE REST OF THE WORLD WHERE GOD WOULD DEEM TO LEAD US. AMEN.
“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT IS NOT JEALOUS, [LOVE] IS NOT POMPOUS, IT IS NOT INFLATED, IT IS NOT RUDE, IT DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN INTERESTS, IT IS NOT QUICK-TEMPERED, IT DOES NOT BROOD OVER INJURY, IT DOES NOT REJOICE OVER WRONGDOING BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. IT BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7).
(IN THE TV SERIES THESE WORDS ARE DICTATED BY ST. PAUL BECAUSE HIS VISION IS STARTING TO FADE. I CAN STILL HEAR HIS OWN VOICE SAYING IT AMIDST THE LIGHT OF ONLY A CANDLE.)
PAUL’S LIFE BECAME A TIRELESS PROCLAIMING AND LIVING OUT OF THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS: CHRISTIANS DIE BAPTISMALLY TO SIN AND ARE BURIED WITH CHRIST; THEY ARE DEAD TO ALL THAT IS SINFUL AND UNREDEEMED IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE MADE INTO A NEW CREATION, ALREADY SHARING CHRIST’S VICTORY AND SOMEDAY TO RISE FROM THE DEAD LIKE HIM. THROUGH THIS RISEN CHRIST THE FATHER POURS OUT THE SPIRIT ON THEM, MAKING THEM COMPLETELY NEW.
SO PAUL’S GREAT MESSAGE TO THE WORLD WAS: YOU ARE SAVED ENTIRELY BY GOD, NOT BY ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. SAVING FAITH IS THE GIFT OF TOTAL, FREE, PERSONAL AND LOVING COMMITMENT TO CHRIST, A COMMITMENT THAT THEN BEARS FRUIT IN MORE “WORKS” THAN THE LAW COULD EVER CONTEMPLATE.
LESSONS FROM ST. PAUL:
ST. PAUL TOGETHER WITH ST. PETER STANDS AS THE PILLARS TO WHICH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GREW FROM THE 1ST CENTURY ONWARDS. IN A SECULAR DOCUMENTARY BY CURRENT HISTORIANS, THEY CITE THESE 2 PERSONS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO SHAPED THE CENTURY THEY LIVED IN:
- ST. PAUL’S MISSIONARY ZEAL:
- ST. PAUL IS A THEOLOGIAN:
- ST. PAUL IS SINGLE MINDED:
- ST. PAUL IS A MAN OF FAITH:
MARTYRDOM OF ST. PAUL:
MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO I SAW A TV SERIES ENTITLED AD OR ANNO DOMINI (YEAR OF OUR LORD) AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE SCENE WHICH THE DIRECTOR MADE OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. PAUL. AS THE CHARACTER OF ST. PAUL WAS BEING LED TO THE EXECUTIONER’S AXE WHICH HAD TO BE DONE OUTSIDE ROME BECAUSE ST. PAUL IS A ROMAN CITIZEN (TODAY THIS PLACE IS WHERE WE CAN FIND THE PAPAL BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALL), HE WALKED TOWARDS THE EXECUTIONER BOUNDED AND PLACED HIS HEAD AT THE STOMP, THE CAMERA FOCUSED ON HIS SIDEWAYS FACE AND WITH A SMILING SIGH HE SAID, “OW SWEET JESUS, THANK YOU. HERE I COME.” THEN THE AXE STRUCK. THIS IS VERY INSPIRING FOR ME AND AS I REFLECTED IT DAWNED ON ME THAT HE KNEW THE SECRET, WE ARE HERE TEMPORARILY ONLY AND OUR TRUE HOME IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD WHERE WE WILL ENJOY BEATIFIC VISION.
MAY WE LIKE ST. PAUL BE SINGLE MINDED IN FOLLOWING JESUS AND BE COMPLETELY COMMITTED IN BUILDING HIS KINGDOM OF LOVE IN OUR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, WORKPLACES AND UNTO THE REST OF THE WORLD WHERE GOD WOULD DEEM TO LEAD US. AMEN.
“LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND. IT IS NOT JEALOUS, [LOVE] IS NOT POMPOUS, IT IS NOT INFLATED, IT IS NOT RUDE, IT DOES NOT SEEK ITS OWN INTERESTS, IT IS NOT QUICK-TEMPERED, IT DOES NOT BROOD OVER INJURY, IT DOES NOT REJOICE OVER WRONGDOING BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. IT BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS” (1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7).
(IN THE TV SERIES THESE WORDS ARE DICTATED BY ST. PAUL BECAUSE HIS VISION IS STARTING TO FADE. I CAN STILL HEAR HIS OWN VOICE SAYING IT AMIDST THE LIGHT OF ONLY A CANDLE.)
ST. TERESA DE AVILA (DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH) DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH
"I took for my advocate the glorious Saint Joseph and commended myself earnestly to him; and I found that this my delivered me both from this trouble [a temporary paralysis] and also from other and greater troubles concerning my honor and the loss of my soul, and that he gave me greater blessings than I could ask of him. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul. To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succor us in some of our necessities but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succors us in them all and that the Lord wishes to teach us that as He was Himself subject to him on earth (for, being His guardian and being called His father, he could command Him) just so in Heaven He still does all that he asks. This has also been the experience of other persons whom I have advised to commend themselves to him; and even to-day there are many who have great devotion to him through having newly experienced this truth." "I wish I could persuade everyone to be devoted to this glorious saint, for I have great experience of the blessings which he can obtain from God. I have never known anyone to be truly devoted to him and render him particular services who did not notably advance in virtue, for he gives very real help to souls who commend themselves to him. For some years now, I think, I have made some request of him every year on his festival and I have always had it granted. If my petition is in any way ill directed, he directs it aright for my greater good."
"I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray."
(St. Teresa de Avila from her autobiography)
PROPHETIC & BIBLICAL MINISTER'S WORDS:
I have over the course of more than 3 decades been a servant of some sort at the Parish named after the Guardian and Protector of Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church, St. Joseph. I would have to say that it was only in the last 15 years or so that I developed a devotion to him that led me to have a sort of father and son type of relationship with the Patron. It was at the time coincidentally when my earthly father passed away that I think from hindsight, this phenomenon happened. When I took this our patron as my personal father, he and our Mother Mary became the persons I pray with not only in some matters but practically in all matters. You see, I truly believe that me, by myself, would have very little efficacy in my prayers so the wisdom I got is to channel them through this 2 closest persons to the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Mother Teresa I got more than what I pray for normally, their intercessory powers are most effective which is their charity as well. That is why we have honored them above others as the Hyperdulia (Super devotion) for Mother Mary and the Protodulia (1st devotion) for St. Joseph.
Let us heed the appeal of Mother Teresa de Avila (Mystic & Doctor of the Church) and go to these persons, take them as our prayer partners and see the marvelous things God will do through their prayers. All glory and praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Joseph and Mary! All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph. Amen.
"I only beg, for the love of God, that anyone who does not believe me will put what I say to the test, and he will see by experience what great advantages come from his commending himself to this glorious patriarch and having devotion to him. Those who practice prayer should have a special affection for him always. I do not know how anyone can think of the Queen of the Angels, during the time that she suffered so much with the Child Jesus, without giving thanks to Saint Joseph for the way he helped them. If anyone cannot find a master to teach him how to pray, let him take this glorious saint as his master and he will not go astray."
(St. Teresa de Avila from her autobiography)
PROPHETIC & BIBLICAL MINISTER'S WORDS:
I have over the course of more than 3 decades been a servant of some sort at the Parish named after the Guardian and Protector of Jesus, Mary and the Catholic Church, St. Joseph. I would have to say that it was only in the last 15 years or so that I developed a devotion to him that led me to have a sort of father and son type of relationship with the Patron. It was at the time coincidentally when my earthly father passed away that I think from hindsight, this phenomenon happened. When I took this our patron as my personal father, he and our Mother Mary became the persons I pray with not only in some matters but practically in all matters. You see, I truly believe that me, by myself, would have very little efficacy in my prayers so the wisdom I got is to channel them through this 2 closest persons to the Lord Jesus Christ. Like Mother Teresa I got more than what I pray for normally, their intercessory powers are most effective which is their charity as well. That is why we have honored them above others as the Hyperdulia (Super devotion) for Mother Mary and the Protodulia (1st devotion) for St. Joseph.
Let us heed the appeal of Mother Teresa de Avila (Mystic & Doctor of the Church) and go to these persons, take them as our prayer partners and see the marvelous things God will do through their prayers. All glory and praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Joseph and Mary! All for Jesus through Mary and Joseph. Amen.
APOSTOLIC FATHERS: 3
CLEMENT OF ROME (4th POPE & MARTYR)
St. Clement of Rome was the third successor of Peter the Apostle as bishop of Rome, and therefore, our fourth Pope. St. Irenaeus, himself a Father of the Early Church, tells us that Clement "saw the blessed Apostles and conversed with them, and had yet ringing in his ears the preaching of the Apostles and had their tradition before his eyes, and not he only for many were then surviving who had been taught by the Apostles ". Similarly Epiphanius the historian tells us that Clement was a contemporary of Peter and Paul. His service as Bishop of Rome was probably from about 92-101 A.D. There is a tradition that he was ordained by St. Peter himself and acted as a kind of auxiliary bishop to Linus and Anacletus, his predecessors in the papal chair, the 2nd and 3rd Popes.
About 110 A.D. Clement was sentenced to a martyr's death in the arena by the Emperor Trajan. According to a fourth century story, Trajan had banished the pope to the Crimea in the southern Ukraine because of his success in evangelization, where he satisfied the thirst of two thousand Christian confessors by a miracle. The people of the country were converted and seventy‑five churches built. A frustrated Trajan then ordered Clement to be thrown into the sea with an iron anchor.
Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians (ca. 80 A.D.)
Chapter 28a
"If anyone disobey the things which have been said by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger. We, however, shall be innocent of this sin, and will pray with earnest entreaty and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of His elect, which have been counted up in the whole world, through His beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom He has called us from darkness to light, and from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His name."
Chapter 29
"You will afford us joy and gladness if, being obedient to the things which we have written through the Holy Spirit, you will root out the wicked passion of jealousy, in accord with the plea for peace and concord which we have made in this letter."
What are the lessons we can learn from this Holy Man, Pope Saint Clement I?
St. Pope Clement I of Rome, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
About 110 A.D. Clement was sentenced to a martyr's death in the arena by the Emperor Trajan. According to a fourth century story, Trajan had banished the pope to the Crimea in the southern Ukraine because of his success in evangelization, where he satisfied the thirst of two thousand Christian confessors by a miracle. The people of the country were converted and seventy‑five churches built. A frustrated Trajan then ordered Clement to be thrown into the sea with an iron anchor.
Clement’s Letter to the Corinthians (ca. 80 A.D.)
Chapter 28a
"If anyone disobey the things which have been said by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and in no small danger. We, however, shall be innocent of this sin, and will pray with earnest entreaty and supplication that the Creator of all may keep unharmed the number of His elect, which have been counted up in the whole world, through His beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom He has called us from darkness to light, and from ignorance to the full knowledge of the glory of His name."
Chapter 29
"You will afford us joy and gladness if, being obedient to the things which we have written through the Holy Spirit, you will root out the wicked passion of jealousy, in accord with the plea for peace and concord which we have made in this letter."
What are the lessons we can learn from this Holy Man, Pope Saint Clement I?
- When you read his epistles we can deduce and get a glimpse of the “primacy of the Pope (Bishop of Rome)”. The authority that the chair of Peter has and the appeal that obedience be given to these the Vicars of Christ.
- Second we can also see in his appeal that we must also be obedient to those presbyters (priests) that Bishops appoint to shepherd us in the parish. It is disheartening sometimes when I see people being proud and having a know it all mentality who think because they know something they are superior to these ordained men who gave up their lives to be of service to us and bring us the Lord especially in the Sacred Banquet. Through Clement of Rome we are reminded that we must relate with them honorably and respectfully as if we do them to the Lord, the good shepherd.
- In the face of danger, distress and even death, we must not lose faith nor compromise it. The world’s kings or premiers might think they have the power over our lives but the truth is far from it. Our lives are in the hands of God, if He allows that we suffer and receive the crown of martyrdom, so be it and praise be to the Eternal King, Lord of heaven and earth. In short we must make our faith real not just in our midst but more so when we face adversity, trials and persecutions. Faithfulness to God and being true to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
St. Pope Clement I of Rome, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
APOSTOLIC FATHERS: 2
POLYCARP OF SMYRNA (BISHOP & MARTYR)
St. Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155 A.D.) was another of the apostolic Fathers who heard the Apostle John preach and became his disciple. He received St. Ignatius when he came as a prisoner on his way to martyrdom in Rome in 110 A. D. In his letter to Polycarp, Ignatius urged him to "Give ye heed to the bishop that God may give heed to you." Polycarp subsequently became Bishop of Smyrna. St. Irenaeus praises him for his respect and devotion to tradition and sound doctrine. He may have been him whom St. John addressed in Revelation 2: 11, as the "angel of the church in Smyrna," to whom the Master says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." About 155 or 156 A.D. he was sentenced to a martyr's death. Below are excerpts from his only surviving letter and from the "The Martyrdom of Polycarp," the oldest extant account of Christian martyrdom, written in the form of a letter from the Church of Symyrna to the Church of God at Philomelium in Greater Phrygia.
The martyrdom of Polycarp is noteworthy for discussion as according to eye witnesses, the Saint was sentenced to be burned at the stake. In the pyre when they first lit it, for some reason, the fire just engulfed him not causing any harm. Moreover witnesses said that the air started to smell as that of baker’s place because the aroma is that of bread on the oven. When the executioners realized the folly of fire, they stabbed him with a spear to which he expired.
[19] Martyrdom of Polycarp
"This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor, and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous [in heaven], rejoicing(ly) glorifies God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world."
What are the lessons we can learn from St. Polycarp?
St. Poycarp, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today.
The martyrdom of Polycarp is noteworthy for discussion as according to eye witnesses, the Saint was sentenced to be burned at the stake. In the pyre when they first lit it, for some reason, the fire just engulfed him not causing any harm. Moreover witnesses said that the air started to smell as that of baker’s place because the aroma is that of bread on the oven. When the executioners realized the folly of fire, they stabbed him with a spear to which he expired.
[19] Martyrdom of Polycarp
"This, then, is the account of the blessed Polycarp, who, being the twelfth that was martyred in Smyrna (reckoning those also of Philadelphia), yet occupies a place of his own in the memory of all men, insomuch that he is everywhere spoken of by the heathen themselves. He was not merely an illustrious teacher, but also a pre-eminent martyr, whose martyrdom all desire to imitate, as having been altogether consistent with the Gospel of Christ. For, having through patience overcome the unjust governor, and thus acquired the crown of immortality, he now, with the apostles and all the righteous [in heaven], rejoicing(ly) glorifies God, even the Father, and blesses our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of our souls, the Governor of our bodies, and the Shepherd of the Catholic Church throughout the world."
What are the lessons we can learn from St. Polycarp?
- We can the virtue of steadfastness or faithfulness. He has remained faithful to the teachings of the Lord which he got from John the Apostle the face of adversity, we must put our hope in the Lord and trust Him completely.
- Orthodoxy is a strong point of this Saint as well. Like him we must strive to know that in the end the words and teaching of the Lord is the heart of Christianity. This we see as in his epistles he constantly quotes the words and teachings of Jesus, the Apostles and the Evangelists.
- Charity or faith in action especially to the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying. These are the people this venerable Saint minister to and up to the last moment of his life, it is them that he worries about. He epitomizes the Lord as the good shepherd to his flock. I think this is how he is because this holy man knows and see Jesus in the marginalized.
St. Poycarp, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today.
APOSTOLIC FATHERS: 1
IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (BISHOP & MARTYR)
12 APOSTLES:
B.A.P.T.I.S.M. (acronym to memorize the 12)
Bartholomew, Andrew, Peter, Phillip, Thomas, Jude T., John,
James Z., James, Simon, Mathhew & Matthias (replacement of Judas I.)
After the Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph, we will focus on the 12 Apostles because these are next closest group of persons to be closest to Jesus as they are with Him in the 3 years of ministry by the Lord. They practically lived with Him and have the most access to His words and deeds. Most of all, they were chosen by the Lord himself to be his heralds and administrators of the Church, His kingdom here on earth. Through the confession of St. Peter, they hold the key to heaven and was given authority to bind and loose on earth. Without these people, who said yes to God’s call, we probably would not have the Church that we have right now. That is why at the Credo we confess every Sunday that one mark of the Church is Apostolic meaning from the Apostles.
APOSTLES AS WITNESSES:
These men are the actual witnesses of the life, ministry, words, teachings and deeds of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the link to Jesus, the living Word of God who took the form of a human being. Through them we now have the faith that we have as having been entrusted to them as the depository. Through them the written word of God came about in St. Matthew and St. John. St. Mark’s gospel is believed to be based on the tradition handed to him by St. Peter and St. Luke is on the one from the Apostle Paul. Our faith, like the Resurrection for instance is based on their testimony. Transubstantiation which is the words of the Lord himself, we got these also from them. I think all dogmas and doctrines we have can somehow be traced to the men we know as the 12 apostles because in the final analysis it is the words and teachings of the Lord that we base most if not all of them.
APOSTLES TOOK UP THE CROSS:
The Apostles took to heart the call of Jesus to take up his cross. These we can actually say because all of the Apostles was blessed with the crown of martyrdom with the exception of St. John. For the rest including St. Peter, martyrdom was in store. Below is a list on how each one of the Apostles were martyred:
Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ was crucified.
Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.
Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
James the Just, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. This was the same pinnacle where Jesus went to during his Temptation.
James the Greater, a son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed to our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia when he was flayed to death by a whip.
Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it." He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.
Thomas was stabbed with a spear (lance) in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the subcontinent.
Phillip was crucified, according to the plaque in the church of the Holy Apostles.
Jude, the brother of Jesus, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
Simon the Zealot suffered unknown martyrdom at Edessa where he went to mission with St. Phillip.
Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death.
APOSTLES ARE MISSIONARIES:
From being disciples, these 12 chosen ones became Apostles. The title is from the Gk “apostolos” meaning one who is sent. They became the initial missionaries who went even abroad to share the good news that is found in the very person of Jesus Christ, conqueror of sin and death. In the 1st century travel was difficult and hard. It is either we do it by horse or camel, joining a caravan or the ever reliable by foot or by walking. The Pax Romana or Roman peace allowed them to travel from one nation to another as the known world then was mostly under the Roman Empire. These settings paved the way for these men to bring the good news to basically the entire empire and beyond. Noteworthy among them is that eastward trek took the Apostle Thomas to India. The Apostle James the farthest westward reached Hispaniola or the Iberian Peninsula. Both were able to put Christian communities there to which up to now the native of India will still tell you they are Thomist Catholics meaning they got their faith initially through the Apostle. In retrospect, the Catholic faith was spread throughout the whole world through the work and colonization of people that came from the Iberian Peninsula, the Spaniard and the Portuguese. Their patron is Santiago Apostol or the Apostle James. Sidebar the very first Marian apparition occurred here as well, Our Lady of the Pillars to which the Blessed Lady told James that faith shall spread to the whole world from this very place and this prophetic words came true about 1300 years later. Mission work is not an easy task especially if you are going to a foreign land. Besides the language, the culture is very different and these makes missionary work challenging. We thank the Lord that these men, the Apostles were so filled with zeal to bring to us all the pearl of great price, faith in the Father, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
APOSTLES ARE SHEPHERDS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD:
In the early Church without much organization and systems, these men are the ones entrusted to build communities and act as the shepherd of the people. They provide the words and teachings of Jesus to the community and they are likewise the link to the larger church community which at first is from Jerusalem then later on at Roma. They as a part of a community of communities bring order and unity to the greater body. These apostles are later called “episcopos” which today are called bishops. The bishops have the fullness of the priesthood (presbyteros) and by virtue of the authority given to the Apostles continue this noble work of bringing the words and teachings of the Lord to the people since that time, to all generations. Our bishops today are the link to Christ Jesus himself through the Apostles. Hence when we disobey our bishops, we are in effect disobeying the Apostles which Jesus gave authority unto. They are as well as shepherds a symbol of unity. In the era after the Apostles the venerable Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and Apostolic Father says, “Peter (through the Bishop of Rome or Pope) has spoken, dispute is now over.”
(CCC: PART 1, SECTION 3, CHAPTER 4)
857 The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:
- she was and remains built on "the foundation of the Apostles,"the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself;
- with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching,the "good deposit," the salutary words she has heard from the apostles
- she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ's return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, "assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church's supreme pastor"
You are the eternal Shepherd
who never leaves his flock untended.
Through the apostles
you watch over us and protect us always.
You made them shepherds of the flock
to share in the work of your Son. . . .
Holy Apostles, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
Bartholomew, Andrew, Peter, Phillip, Thomas, Jude T., John,
James Z., James, Simon, Mathhew & Matthias (replacement of Judas I.)
After the Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph, we will focus on the 12 Apostles because these are next closest group of persons to be closest to Jesus as they are with Him in the 3 years of ministry by the Lord. They practically lived with Him and have the most access to His words and deeds. Most of all, they were chosen by the Lord himself to be his heralds and administrators of the Church, His kingdom here on earth. Through the confession of St. Peter, they hold the key to heaven and was given authority to bind and loose on earth. Without these people, who said yes to God’s call, we probably would not have the Church that we have right now. That is why at the Credo we confess every Sunday that one mark of the Church is Apostolic meaning from the Apostles.
APOSTLES AS WITNESSES:
These men are the actual witnesses of the life, ministry, words, teachings and deeds of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the link to Jesus, the living Word of God who took the form of a human being. Through them we now have the faith that we have as having been entrusted to them as the depository. Through them the written word of God came about in St. Matthew and St. John. St. Mark’s gospel is believed to be based on the tradition handed to him by St. Peter and St. Luke is on the one from the Apostle Paul. Our faith, like the Resurrection for instance is based on their testimony. Transubstantiation which is the words of the Lord himself, we got these also from them. I think all dogmas and doctrines we have can somehow be traced to the men we know as the 12 apostles because in the final analysis it is the words and teachings of the Lord that we base most if not all of them.
APOSTLES TOOK UP THE CROSS:
The Apostles took to heart the call of Jesus to take up his cross. These we can actually say because all of the Apostles was blessed with the crown of martyrdom with the exception of St. John. For the rest including St. Peter, martyrdom was in store. Below is a list on how each one of the Apostles were martyred:
Peter was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die in the same way that Jesus Christ was crucified.
Matthew suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, killed by a sword wound.
Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead.
James the Just, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club. This was the same pinnacle where Jesus went to during his Temptation.
James the Greater, a son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was ultimately beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed to our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia when he was flayed to death by a whip.
Andrew was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it." He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired.
Thomas was stabbed with a spear (lance) in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the subcontinent.
Phillip was crucified, according to the plaque in the church of the Holy Apostles.
Jude, the brother of Jesus, was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
Simon the Zealot suffered unknown martyrdom at Edessa where he went to mission with St. Phillip.
Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death.
APOSTLES ARE MISSIONARIES:
From being disciples, these 12 chosen ones became Apostles. The title is from the Gk “apostolos” meaning one who is sent. They became the initial missionaries who went even abroad to share the good news that is found in the very person of Jesus Christ, conqueror of sin and death. In the 1st century travel was difficult and hard. It is either we do it by horse or camel, joining a caravan or the ever reliable by foot or by walking. The Pax Romana or Roman peace allowed them to travel from one nation to another as the known world then was mostly under the Roman Empire. These settings paved the way for these men to bring the good news to basically the entire empire and beyond. Noteworthy among them is that eastward trek took the Apostle Thomas to India. The Apostle James the farthest westward reached Hispaniola or the Iberian Peninsula. Both were able to put Christian communities there to which up to now the native of India will still tell you they are Thomist Catholics meaning they got their faith initially through the Apostle. In retrospect, the Catholic faith was spread throughout the whole world through the work and colonization of people that came from the Iberian Peninsula, the Spaniard and the Portuguese. Their patron is Santiago Apostol or the Apostle James. Sidebar the very first Marian apparition occurred here as well, Our Lady of the Pillars to which the Blessed Lady told James that faith shall spread to the whole world from this very place and this prophetic words came true about 1300 years later. Mission work is not an easy task especially if you are going to a foreign land. Besides the language, the culture is very different and these makes missionary work challenging. We thank the Lord that these men, the Apostles were so filled with zeal to bring to us all the pearl of great price, faith in the Father, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
APOSTLES ARE SHEPHERDS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD:
In the early Church without much organization and systems, these men are the ones entrusted to build communities and act as the shepherd of the people. They provide the words and teachings of Jesus to the community and they are likewise the link to the larger church community which at first is from Jerusalem then later on at Roma. They as a part of a community of communities bring order and unity to the greater body. These apostles are later called “episcopos” which today are called bishops. The bishops have the fullness of the priesthood (presbyteros) and by virtue of the authority given to the Apostles continue this noble work of bringing the words and teachings of the Lord to the people since that time, to all generations. Our bishops today are the link to Christ Jesus himself through the Apostles. Hence when we disobey our bishops, we are in effect disobeying the Apostles which Jesus gave authority unto. They are as well as shepherds a symbol of unity. In the era after the Apostles the venerable Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and Apostolic Father says, “Peter (through the Bishop of Rome or Pope) has spoken, dispute is now over.”
(CCC: PART 1, SECTION 3, CHAPTER 4)
857 The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:
- she was and remains built on "the foundation of the Apostles,"the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself;
- with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching,the "good deposit," the salutary words she has heard from the apostles
- she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ's return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, "assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church's supreme pastor"
You are the eternal Shepherd
who never leaves his flock untended.
Through the apostles
you watch over us and protect us always.
You made them shepherds of the flock
to share in the work of your Son. . . .
Holy Apostles, pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
AD ITE JOSEPH: (ST. JOSEPH: PROTODULIA)
“SOME SAINTS ARE PRIVILEGED TO EXTEND TO US THEIR PATRONAGE WITH PARTICULAR EFFICACY IN CERTAIN NEEDS, BUT NOT IN OTHERS; BUT OUR HOLY PATRON ST. JOSEPH HAS THE POWER TO ASSIST US IN ALL CASES, IN EVERY NECESSITY, IN EVERY UNDERTAKING.”
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelic Doctor of the Church)
The Catholic Church over the course of history has been blessed by God with Saints, those who were canonized and is believed to be enjoying the beatific vision ( a term by St. Thomas Aquinas) or the glory of heaven meaning they are in the very presence of God as we know it. This makes their prayers effective and prompt. The faithful has invoked the assistance of these Saints through the ages and testify to these. Likewise, certain Saints are sought after for specific things. For instance; for lost items we go to St. Anthony de Padua (Priest & Doctor of the church), for lost causes or seemingly impossible things St. Jude Thaddeus (Apostle), for evangelization and mission work we call on St. Francis Xavier (Priest & Patron of Mission), for good weather we call on St. Clare (Religous), for the care of our beloved pets St. Francis of Assisi (Religous & Stigmatist) and the list goes on. A very good friend pointed out, Fr. Ryan Barrios (St. Thomas Aquinas reincarnation according to me) that St. Joseph is a trancendental intercessor, meaning he does not specialize because he encompass all concerns for us because as the father figure, he will do everything to protect, guide and provide for all our needs in this life and as well as the next. In short, we can go to him for any and all concerns. This reminded me with the words of St. Teresa de Avila in her autobiography who writes; “go to St. Joseph because he has tremendous power with God”.
These practice of going and asking for prayers of someone we know to be close to God or a friend of God has its origin from the very beginning. The Old Testament stories are full of such examples as in the case of Moses and the Israelites. It is therefore Scriptural and in the Epistle of St. James, the venerable apostle says “the prayers of a righteous man has great effects” (Jam 5: 16). Likewise, this practice is embedded in the very creed that all Christians profess every Sunday the world over in the declaration of the Communion of Saints (CCC #946 and ff). We are given a vision of the Church united in charity and prayers which include the Church Triumphant (heaven), Church Militant (earth) and the Church Suffering (purgatory). In CCC #956 they talk about the efficacy of the prayers of those who are in heaven already. St. Joseph is one of those who is definitely in heaven already. This belief is of long standing as attested to by one of the oldest prayers to St. Joseph circa 1st Century. The Church Fathers have honoured him with the title “Protodulia” or first venerated next to Our Mother Mary the “Hyperdulia” or super veneration.
A WORKER’S STORY:
It was 2 years ago, in the month of May, when my mother in law and brother in law who is abroad decided to open up the condo building for rent. After 2 years of construction, the building was ready for occupancy. I was asked to administer and practically to market the aforementioned condo building which has 23 units for rent. I went in at the 16th of May which is after the birthday of my mom. Almost a month has passed and up until then, we just have 6 units occupied and I am starting to panic. It was during the Thursday weekly novena to St. Joseph which has a part that we ask St. Joseph to pray for our personal intentions, I asked that through his intercession, the Lord send us the tenants that He wants us to have. The swiftness of the reply left me to say the least flabbergasted because the very next day a lady came to building, viewed the units as I personally assisted her, then after which she told me that she is thinking of getting all of the studio units. I was told she would come back a little later to bring her bosses to view the place as well. The bosses came and within a few weeks afterwards, upon the termination of their previous contract with another condo, they took 13 units and up until this time they are staying in our condo building. I know that this is God’s gift to us through the intercession of our patron St. Joseph the Worker.
St. Joseph pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelic Doctor of the Church)
The Catholic Church over the course of history has been blessed by God with Saints, those who were canonized and is believed to be enjoying the beatific vision ( a term by St. Thomas Aquinas) or the glory of heaven meaning they are in the very presence of God as we know it. This makes their prayers effective and prompt. The faithful has invoked the assistance of these Saints through the ages and testify to these. Likewise, certain Saints are sought after for specific things. For instance; for lost items we go to St. Anthony de Padua (Priest & Doctor of the church), for lost causes or seemingly impossible things St. Jude Thaddeus (Apostle), for evangelization and mission work we call on St. Francis Xavier (Priest & Patron of Mission), for good weather we call on St. Clare (Religous), for the care of our beloved pets St. Francis of Assisi (Religous & Stigmatist) and the list goes on. A very good friend pointed out, Fr. Ryan Barrios (St. Thomas Aquinas reincarnation according to me) that St. Joseph is a trancendental intercessor, meaning he does not specialize because he encompass all concerns for us because as the father figure, he will do everything to protect, guide and provide for all our needs in this life and as well as the next. In short, we can go to him for any and all concerns. This reminded me with the words of St. Teresa de Avila in her autobiography who writes; “go to St. Joseph because he has tremendous power with God”.
These practice of going and asking for prayers of someone we know to be close to God or a friend of God has its origin from the very beginning. The Old Testament stories are full of such examples as in the case of Moses and the Israelites. It is therefore Scriptural and in the Epistle of St. James, the venerable apostle says “the prayers of a righteous man has great effects” (Jam 5: 16). Likewise, this practice is embedded in the very creed that all Christians profess every Sunday the world over in the declaration of the Communion of Saints (CCC #946 and ff). We are given a vision of the Church united in charity and prayers which include the Church Triumphant (heaven), Church Militant (earth) and the Church Suffering (purgatory). In CCC #956 they talk about the efficacy of the prayers of those who are in heaven already. St. Joseph is one of those who is definitely in heaven already. This belief is of long standing as attested to by one of the oldest prayers to St. Joseph circa 1st Century. The Church Fathers have honoured him with the title “Protodulia” or first venerated next to Our Mother Mary the “Hyperdulia” or super veneration.
A WORKER’S STORY:
It was 2 years ago, in the month of May, when my mother in law and brother in law who is abroad decided to open up the condo building for rent. After 2 years of construction, the building was ready for occupancy. I was asked to administer and practically to market the aforementioned condo building which has 23 units for rent. I went in at the 16th of May which is after the birthday of my mom. Almost a month has passed and up until then, we just have 6 units occupied and I am starting to panic. It was during the Thursday weekly novena to St. Joseph which has a part that we ask St. Joseph to pray for our personal intentions, I asked that through his intercession, the Lord send us the tenants that He wants us to have. The swiftness of the reply left me to say the least flabbergasted because the very next day a lady came to building, viewed the units as I personally assisted her, then after which she told me that she is thinking of getting all of the studio units. I was told she would come back a little later to bring her bosses to view the place as well. The bosses came and within a few weeks afterwards, upon the termination of their previous contract with another condo, they took 13 units and up until this time they are staying in our condo building. I know that this is God’s gift to us through the intercession of our patron St. Joseph the Worker.
St. Joseph pray for us, the poor, the sick, the suffering and the dying of today. Amen.
OUR MOTHER MARY: HYPERDULIA
For the early church, devotion to our Mother Mary has always existed. In the light of the Christological controversies our Mother has been involved somehow and devotion to her is somewhat questioned. However, as far back as the Early Church Fathers, this question has its roots on the how do we, Orthodox Catholic Christians do approach this delicate balance.
As St. Thomas Aquinas once explained, adoration, which is known as latria in classical theology, is the worship and homage that is rightly offered to God alone. It is the manifestation of submission, and acknowledgement of dependence, appropriately shown towards the excellence of an uncreated divine person and to his absolute Lordship. It is the worship of the Creator that God alone deserves.
Veneration, known as dulia in classical theology, is the honor and reverence appropriately due to the excellence of a created person. Excellence exhibited by created beings likewise deserves recognition and honor. We see a general example of veneration in events like the awarding of academic awards for excellence in school, or the awarding of olympic medals for excellence in sports. There is nothing contrary to the proper adoration of God when we offer the appropriate honor and recognition that created persons deserve based on achievement in excellence.
Church theologians have long adopted the terms latria for the type of worship due to God alone, and dulia and proskynesis for the veneration given to angels, saints, relics and icons.[Catholic and Orthodox theologies also include the term hyperdulia for the type of veneration specifically paid to Mary, mother of Jesus, in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. This is a combination of 2 words; hyper meaning super & dulia veneration or devotion. This distinction is spelled out in the dogmatic conclusions of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787), which also decreed that iconoclasm, i.e. forbidding icons and their veneration, a dogma central to the Iconoclastic controversy, is a heresy that amounts to a denial of the Incarnation of Jesus. In this position of Hyperdulia, our Mother Mary is alone by herself being the bearer of God (Theotokos) in her very womb and Immaculate Concepcion as the only human born without the stain of original sin. St. Augustine about the 5th century likewise writes the same distinction as to the 2 terms discussed above.
Recently I lost my earthly mother, I am so grateful to her for many things foremost is her love. This, her witness, actually made it easier for me to appreciate our spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Up to now after so many years, when the challenges of life is very demanding, I continue to call to her as my mother, who loves and cares for me despite my many shortcomings. She is my and your mother and up to now she continues to lead us to Jesus, our brother and Lord. Below is an excerpt to a song that I sing when the blues of life get to me:
“Holy Mother, where are you tonight I feel broken in two? Send me please some peace of mind, take away this pain...” Soon enough I feel her presence and begin to be peaceful knowing that despite all the trials and tribulations, God is bigger than them and her intercession is faithful, which is her charity actually. St. Paul says to the Corinthians that we bring to heaven 3 things only; faith, hope and charity. And greatest of these is charity. Our Mother, her motherly love for you and me is always available for each one of us. Make her your prayer partner by praying the Holy Rosary everyday.
As St. Thomas Aquinas once explained, adoration, which is known as latria in classical theology, is the worship and homage that is rightly offered to God alone. It is the manifestation of submission, and acknowledgement of dependence, appropriately shown towards the excellence of an uncreated divine person and to his absolute Lordship. It is the worship of the Creator that God alone deserves.
Veneration, known as dulia in classical theology, is the honor and reverence appropriately due to the excellence of a created person. Excellence exhibited by created beings likewise deserves recognition and honor. We see a general example of veneration in events like the awarding of academic awards for excellence in school, or the awarding of olympic medals for excellence in sports. There is nothing contrary to the proper adoration of God when we offer the appropriate honor and recognition that created persons deserve based on achievement in excellence.
Church theologians have long adopted the terms latria for the type of worship due to God alone, and dulia and proskynesis for the veneration given to angels, saints, relics and icons.[Catholic and Orthodox theologies also include the term hyperdulia for the type of veneration specifically paid to Mary, mother of Jesus, in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. This is a combination of 2 words; hyper meaning super & dulia veneration or devotion. This distinction is spelled out in the dogmatic conclusions of the Seventh Ecumenical Council (787), which also decreed that iconoclasm, i.e. forbidding icons and their veneration, a dogma central to the Iconoclastic controversy, is a heresy that amounts to a denial of the Incarnation of Jesus. In this position of Hyperdulia, our Mother Mary is alone by herself being the bearer of God (Theotokos) in her very womb and Immaculate Concepcion as the only human born without the stain of original sin. St. Augustine about the 5th century likewise writes the same distinction as to the 2 terms discussed above.
Recently I lost my earthly mother, I am so grateful to her for many things foremost is her love. This, her witness, actually made it easier for me to appreciate our spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Up to now after so many years, when the challenges of life is very demanding, I continue to call to her as my mother, who loves and cares for me despite my many shortcomings. She is my and your mother and up to now she continues to lead us to Jesus, our brother and Lord. Below is an excerpt to a song that I sing when the blues of life get to me:
“Holy Mother, where are you tonight I feel broken in two? Send me please some peace of mind, take away this pain...” Soon enough I feel her presence and begin to be peaceful knowing that despite all the trials and tribulations, God is bigger than them and her intercession is faithful, which is her charity actually. St. Paul says to the Corinthians that we bring to heaven 3 things only; faith, hope and charity. And greatest of these is charity. Our Mother, her motherly love for you and me is always available for each one of us. Make her your prayer partner by praying the Holy Rosary everyday.