Saint Maximus the Confessor, A.D. 662
by VP
Posted on Wednesday August 13, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"A man of discernment, meditating on the healing Divine Providence, bears with thanksgiving the misfortunes that come to him. He sees their causes in his own sins, and not in anyone else. But a mindless man, when he sins and receives the punishment for it, considers the cause of his misfortune to be God, or people, not understanding God's care for him."
"In all our actions, God considers the intention: whether we act for Him or for some other motive."
FAITH ADMITS OF NO WEAK PRETENSE.-Maximus, after having discharged important functions at the court of Heraclius, withdrew to a monastery at Chrysopolis, in order to escape from the taint of monotheism which had begun to prevail at the court. For fear of being persecuted, he quitted the monastery and proceeded to Africa, his great reputation for sanctity, learning, and thorough orthodoxy, having drawn all eyes towards him. Constans, the successor of Heraclius, an ardent upholder of monotheism, accounted the many supporters of the doctrine as naught gained if he could not win over Maximus, who had already distinguished himself by his labors and successful efforts against this heresy. Maximus having been brought to Constantinople and treated like a malefactor, had to encounter the most violent temptations and undergo the most cruel tortures; but all was in vain. He was urged, however, to allow it to be believed, out of respect and complaisance to the emperor, that he had given in his adherence. He firmly declined, and was sentenced to be beaten with clubs, to have his tongue cut out, and his hand struck off, and to linger out his days in prison. This happened in 662. He is thought to have died the same year, at the age of eighty-two.
MORAL REFLECTION.- "For it doth not become our age to dissemble," said the holy old man Simeon, "lest through my dissimulation many should be deceived."-(2 Mach. vi. 24.)
Saint Clare, Virgin and Abbess, A.D. 1253.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday August 12, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Sainte Claire, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Raleigh
"ST. CLARE was born at Assisium in Italy, and moved by the example of St. Francis, gave all that she had to the poor.Before the altar of the Blessed Virgin she
put off her fine clothes, and St. Francis cut off her hair, and gave
her his penitential habit, which was no other than a piece of sackcloth tied round with a cord. She afterwards instituted a religious Order of nuns,
called from her, poor Clares; obliging them to great austerity, in
perpetual abstinence from flesh meat, using no soft beds, nor linen, and
going barefoot. Her esteem of holy poverty was admirable. She looked upon it as the retrenchment of the most dangerous objects of the passions, and as the great school of patience
and mortification, Frayer was her spiritual comfort and strength, and
she seemed scarcely ever to interrupt that holy exercise. Having lived
with her religious above forty years, being at length exhausted with
fasting, prayer, and watching, she surrendered her soul to God, in 1253.
Pray for all the religious of this Order; and praise God for that wonderful spirit of sanctity, which is still preserved among them. Wonder at the zeal of so many tender virgins, who renouncing all the softness, superfluity, and vanity of their education, engage and persevere in a life of so much hardship and severity. Let this be a reproach to you of all
your contrary methods. Learn from them how little is sufficient for
nature; and see how much you have wasted. You may pity them for being
deprived of so many satisfactions which you enjoy: but consider whether they are unhappy in the want, or you in the enjoyment of them. They deprive themselves of that only which is superfluous and dangerous; and by thus seeking yourself, put your salvation to the hazard. Which then has chosen the better part?" The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
"Our labor here is brief, but the reward is eternal."
"Do not be disturbed by the clamor of the world, which passes like a shadow."
"Do not let false delights of a deceptive world deceive you."
"O CLARE, the reflection of the Spouse which adorns the Church in this world no longer suffices you. You now behold the light with open face. The brightness of the Lord plays with delight in the pure crystal of your soul, increasing the happiness of Heaven and giving joy this day to our valley of exile. Heavenly beacon, with your gentle shining enlighten our darkness.
May we, like you, by purity of heart, by uprightness of thought, by simplicity of gaze, fix on ourselves the divine ray which flickers in a wavering soul, is dimmed by our waywardness, is interrupted or put out by a double life divided between God and the world. Your life, O Virgin, was never thus divided. The most high poverty which was your mistress and guide preserved your mind from that bewitching of vanity which takes off the bloom of all true goods for us mortals. Detachment from all passing things kept your eye fixed on eternal realities. It opened your soul to that seraphic ardor in which you emulated your father Francis. Like the Seraphim, whose gaze is ever fixed on God, you had immense influence over the Earth, and Saint Damian’s, during your lifetime, was a source of strength to the world. Deign to continue giving us your aid. Multiply your daughters. Keep them faithful in following their Mother’s example, so as to be a strong support to the Church. May the various branches of the Franciscan family be ever fostered by your rays, and may all Religious Orders be enlightened by your gentle brightness. Shine on us all, O Clare, and show us the worth of this transitory life and of that which never ends. Abbot Dom Gueranger
- Poor Clares: Cloistered life
- Our Lady of the Angels, Alabama
- Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration (PCPA), Our Lady of Solitude Monastery in Tonopah, AZ
- Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, Sancta Clara Monastery, Canton, Ohio
When about to receive the Body of the Lord, Clare shed
burning tears and approached with awe, for she feared Him not less
hidden in the Sacrament than ruling heaven and earth."
Source: The life of Saint Clare; ascribed to Fr. Thomas of Celano, 1910.
Prayer to St. Clare:
O blessed saint, who didst give thyself so early to Jesus, grant that I may imitate thy blessed example, as far as my state in life will permit, and that I may never prove a hindrance, either in word or deed, to any who desire to consecrate themselves to God, as you did. Oh! dear saint, whose very name is light, and whose heart was ever full of such tender love to Jesus crucified, obtain for me the grace of Divine light and guidance in all my undertakings, and of such ardent love of my adorable Savior that I may be willing, nay rather that I may prefer to endure any suffering sooner than offend Him, even by a wilful imperfection. And as thou wast conducted to heaven by the Blessed and Immaculate Mother of God, oh! intercede with her for me that I may SO love and serve her in life as to be worthy to be received into her maternal arms in the hour of my death, and to be presented by her to Jesus. Amen.
Prayer in Honor of the Five Wounds of our Lord Jesus Christ, Composed by St. Clare:
TO THE WOUND OF THE RIGHT HAND.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O Lord Jesus, for the most sacred wound of Thy right hand. By this most holy wound pardon me, I beseech Thee, the sins which I have committed against Thee, in thought, word, or deed; and the sensualities of which sleeping or waking I may have been guilty. Grant that I may ever have before me a pious remembrance of Thy wounds, and that I may testify my gratitude to Thee for having received them, by imprinting them on my own body through a continual mortification. Deign to grant this, O Lord, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE LEFT HAND.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O sweetest Jesus, for the most holy wound of Thy left hand. By this sacred wound show mercy unto me, and take from my
heart all that is displeasing to Thee. Make me victorious over the enemies that cease not to war against me; grant me Thy strength and power that I may trample them beneath my feet. By Thy holy death deliver me from all the dangers to which my life and salvation are exposed, and render me worthy to partake of Thy glory in Thy heavenly kingdom, world without end. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE RIGHT FOOT.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O good Savior Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy right foot. By this most holy wound grant me to merit forgiveness from Thee, by a penance proportioned to the enormity of my sins; oh! by Thy most holy Passion, grant that my will may be ever united to Thine, and defend my body and soul from all adversity. When the day of awful judgment shall be at hand, deign mercifully to receive my soul, and make it a possessor of Thy eternal joys, O Thou who livest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE LEFT FOOT.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O most merciful Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy left foot. By this most holy wound I beg of Thee to grant me the full and entire remission of all my sins, that I may escape the rigors of Thy dread judgment. O most merciful Jesus, I implore, by your holy death, that before mine I may worthily receive the sacrament of Thy Body and Blood, that I may be able to confess all my sins, with perfect contrition and great purity of body and soul; and that I may receive the sacrament of Extreme Unction to my eternal salvation. Grant this I beseech Thee, O Lord, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. Pater, Ave.
TO THE WOUND OF THE SIDE.
All praise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O loving Jesus, for the sacred wound of Thy side. I beg of Thee, by this most holy wound, and by the charity Thou didst show in allowing Thy most Sacred Heart to be laid open to us by the lance of the soldier Longinus, that Thou wouldest deign not only to purify me from original sin by baptism, but also to deliver me from all evils, past, present, and to come, by the merits of Thy Precious Blood, which is at this moment offered and received throughout the world. Through Thy bitter death grant me a lively faith, a firm hope, and a perfect contrition, that I may love Thee with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength. Confirm me in good works, that I may persevere with courage in Thy holy service, so that I may be found pleasing in Thy divine sight, now and evermore. Amen. Pater Ave.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
R. Because by Thy death and by Thy blood, Thou hast redeemed the world.
PRAYER: Almighty and eternal God, who hast redeemed the world by the five wounds of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that we who daily honor those wounds, may be delivered from sudden and eternal death. This we implore through the same Lord Jesus, who liveth and reigneth with Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Novenas, hymns, and litanies, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare, 1863
Sts. Tiburtius and Susanna, Martyrs
by VP
Posted on Monday August 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
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"MIRACLES.-"Wherefore does not God work miracles, so as to make me believe?" asked a free-thinker of the last century, adding subsequently, "Were I to see miracles wrought, I would not believe them, for I should think my eyes were deceiving me." Those who act in good faith do not require so much. St. Tranquillinus, who suffered martyrdom under Diocletian, told his judge, Chromatius, that on being baptized he was released from the pains of gout, from which he had previously suffered. Chromatius sentenced him to death, but had himself instructed in the faith, because he also had suffered from violent attacks of the same malady. Having become a Christian, he was in like manner released from pain. His family were converted by the sight of this miracle. Tiburtius, the son of Chromatius, had even made sufficient progress in virtue to deserve being ordained subdeacon, and was discharging the holy functions when his zeal procured him the honour of being denounced and of suffering martyrdom. After having had his feet scorched over burning coals, he was taken to the distance of three miles from Rome, and there beheaded. His relics are preserved in the cathedral of Soissons.
MORAL REFLECTION. -Let us not ask for miracles from God, but become docile to the voice of "His Spirit, that breatheth where He will." -(John iii. 8.)" Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints by Abbe Lecanu
St. Philomena
by VP
Posted on Monday August 11, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
“I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered.” -- St. John Vianney
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have Mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have Mercy on us
God the Holy Ghost, Have Mercy on us
Holy Trinity, One God, Have Mercy on us
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, Pray for us
St. Philomena, filled with most abundant graces from thy very birth, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Faithful imitator of Mary, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Model of virgins, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Temple of the most perfect humility, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Victim of the love of Jesus, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Example of strength and perseverance, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Invincible champion of chastity, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Mirror of the most heroic virtues, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Firm and intrepid in the face of torments, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Scourged like thy Divine Spouse, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Pierced by a shower or arrows, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Consoled by the Mother of God, when in chains, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Cured miraculously in prison, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Comforted by angels in thy torments, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who converted the witnesses of thy martyrdom, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who wore out the fury of thy executioners, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Protectress of the innocent, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Patron of youth, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Refuge of the unfortunate, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Health of the sick and the weak, Pray for us
St. Philomena, New light of the Church militant, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who confounds the impiety of the world, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in hell, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Made illustrious by the most striking miracles, Pray for us
St. Philomena All powerful with God, Pray for us
St. Philomena, Who reigns in glory, Pray for us
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O great St. Philomena, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. We implore thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr,
who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all virtues,
pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need. (Mention your intention)
Amen.
Saint Romanus, Martyr
by VP
Posted on Saturday August 09, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
COURAGEOUS FAITH.-How many Christians are there who will have to blush before God for their utter weakness in presence of the prejudices and maxims of the world, which they in their heart condemn, but to which they have with cowardly submission bowed down their souls! Let such craven spirits reflect on the following example:-St. Lawrence was in fetters; on seeing the hour approach wherein he was to suffer for Christ's sake, he could not refrain from manifesting his joy. One of the soldiers charged with his safe custody, by name Romanus, moved at the sight, entreated Lawrence to make known to him the truths of Christianity; the holy deacon instructed and baptized him. Romanus, having now become a Christian, displayed openly the happiness that pervaded his soul. Neither human respect nor fear of the torture to which he exposed himself, nor any other consideration, could restrain him; he proclaimed his faith, saying openly, "I am a Christian!" This was tantamount to pronouncing his own sentence of death, as he well knew. He was handed over to the executioner, tortured in many ways, and finally beheaded the day previous to that when St. Lawrence had to appear before the tribunal, and thus preceded his master in the glorious triumph of martyrdom, in the year 258.
MORAL REFLECTION.- "Neither height, nor depth, nor
any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Jesus Christ our Lord."-(Rom. viii. 39.)
Pictorial half hours with the saints. By Fr. Auguste François Lecanu 1865
Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, MARTYRS, A.D. 203.
by VP
Posted on Friday August 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
St. Cyriacus, Terror of Hell
"ST. CYRIACUS was a holy deacon at Rome, under the popes Marcellinus and Marcellus. He was imprisoned under the Emperor Dioclesian; but being set at liberty, went into Persia, where having converted the Emperor, with several others, to the Christian faith, he returned to Rome. Being seized by order of Maximian, he was drawn in chains before his chariot, and after some days, having suffered the cruel torments of boiling pitch and the rack, was at length beheaded, in the year 303. With him suffered also Largus and Smarag dus, with twenty other Christians.
Admire the constancy of these primitive Christians; and having given God thanks for it, reproach yourself with your own impatience, who, in your ordinary trials, so very inconsiderable, if compared to theirs, shew so little courage in bearing them, and so little submission to the will of God, from whose hand they come. Do you not reflect that all your dejection and melancholy is want of courage, and your great uneasiness want of patience and submission? And how long are you to go on thus ? You often honour the martyrs; but what is this honour, if you do not imitate them, as your circumstances require ? You pray for heaven; but what will your prayers avail, if you do not make use of those means, which God sends you to fit you for salvation, and bring you to him? Do you expect to go to heaven by some extraordinary means, when you thus refuse to accept of the ordinary way of salvation, even that way by which Christ and all his saints have gone? A Christian must fight and labour, and ever proportion his diligence to the difficulties of his work, and to the opposition which he daily meets. Upon these terms he need not doubt of a powerful assistance from above, but may feel secure of having heaven on his side." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. CYRIACUS:
GOD, who didst grant to St. Cyriacus the grace of heroic charity and trustful resignation to Thy holy will; bestow upon us, through his intercession, the grace to walk before Thee in self-denying charity and to know and fulfil Thy will in all things. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION OF ST. CYRIACU:
ST. CYRIACUS, great servant of God, loving Christ with all thy heart, thou didst for His sake also love thy fellow-men, and didst serve them even at the peril of thy life, for which charity God rewarded thee with the power to overcome Satan, the arch-enemy, and to deliver the poor obsessed from his dreadful tyranny; implore for me of God an effective, real, and true charity. Show thy power over Satan also in me; deliver me from his influence when he tries to tempt me. Help me to repel his assaults and to gain the victory over him in life and in death. Amen.
Source: Mary, help of Christians and the fourteen saints invoked as holy helpers 1909 Compiled by Rev. Bonaventure Hammer, OFM
Saint John Vianney
by VP
Posted on Friday August 08, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
Prayer to God to save the Church by Sanctifying His priests who have fallen away
O God, our Lord, we obey without delay
to Thy gracious invitation to pray. Encouraged by Thy desire, we worship
at your sacred feet, crying out to Thee for our guilty priests. Deign
to be reminded, Lord, that Thy priestly Body is Thy crown of
predilection, the splendor of Thy glory, the chosen part of Thy
heritage. We implore Thee to arm Thyself with holy indignation
against Satan, who dared to plant the banner of sin in Thy own
sanctuary, and to chase him away in shame from Thy solemnly dedicated
domain. What would it cost Thee, O Lord, to turn the most
hardened hearts into penitents? Only one simple glance at Peter was
enough to retrieve him from the abyss of a three times apostasy; would
it cost Thee more to touch and convert those who have had the misfortune
to imitate his weakness? O Jesus, our King and Pontiff, we
beseech Thee on behalf of Mary, Thy Mother and ours, save the Church,
save Thy faithful, save Thy blessed honor, by saving priests! Amen.
Source: The Priest according to the Doctrine and the Examples of the Servant of God J.M.B. Vianney, Curé dʼArs." J.H. Olivier, (1870) in French
The Eucharist: offering the Mass, communion, adoration
8. The two Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist remain closely linked. Without a continually renewed conversion and reception of the sacramental grace of forgiveness, participation in the Eucharist would not reach its full redemptive efficacy.(12) Just as Christ began his ministry with the words "Repent and believe in the gospel,"(13) so the Cure of Ars generally begins each of his days with the ministry of forgiveness. But he was happy to direct his reconciled penitents to the Eucharist. The Eucharist was at the very center of his spiritual life and pastoral work. He said: "All good works put together are not equivalent to the Sacrifice of the Mass, because they are the works of men and the Holy Mass is the work of God."(14)
It is in the Mass that the sacrifice of Calvary is made present for the Redemption of the world. Clearly, the priest must unite the daily gift of himself to the offering of the Mass: "How well a priest does, therefore, to offer himself to God in sacrifice every morning!"(15) "Holy Communion and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass are the two most efficacious actions for obtaining the conversion of hearts."(16) Thus the Mass was for John Mary Vianney the great joy and comfort of his priestly life. He took great care, despite the crowds of penitents, to spend more than a quarter of an hour in silent preparation. He celebrated with recollection, clearly expressing his adoration at the consecration and communion.
He accurately remarked: "The cause of priestly laxity is not paying attention to the Mass!"(17) The Cure of Ars was particularly mindful of the permanence of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist. It was generally before the tabernacle that he spent long hours in adoration, before daybreak or in the evening; it was towards the tabernacle that he often turned during his homilies, saying with emotion: "He is there!" It was also for this reason that he, so poor in his presbytery, did not hesitate to spend large sums on embellishing his Church. The appreciable result was that his parishioners quickly took up the habit of coming to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, discovering, through the attitude of their pastor, the grandeur of the mystery of faith. (...)
The Eucharist is the source and summit of all the Christian life."(19) Dear brother priests, the example of the Cure of Ars invites us to a serious examination of conscience: what place do we give the Mass in our daily lives? Is it, as on the day of our Ordination - it was our first act as priests! - the principle of our apostolic work and personal sanctification? What care do we take in preparing for it? And in celebrating it? In praying before the Blessed Sacrament? In encouraging our faithful people to do the same? In making our Churches the House of God to which the divine presence attracts the people of our time who too often have the impression of a world empty of God?"
Source: Catholic Culture. From the Vatican, 16 March 1986, the Fifth Sunday of Lent, in the eighth year of my Pontificate. Joannes Paulus PP. II
Saint Catherine of Sienna, Rev. Fr. Paul Parkerson and Rev. Fr. Philip Tighe
"To draw his people more effectually to the holy Eucharist, the Cure d'Ars had endeavored to communicate to them a taste for all holy things, and his efforts were not in vain. Sunday after Sunday these good people feasted their eyes on beautiful banners and vestments.
("In the minutes of the pastoral visitation held at Ars by the Bishop of Belley, on Monday, June 11, 1838, we read as follows: "After saying Mass and giving confirmation, His Lordship contented himself with giving Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and reciting the prayers for the departed. He deemed it unnecessary to examine the interior of the church, the chapels, vestments and sacred vessels, because everything is so beautiful and so rich that the beholder is filled with admiration" Msgr. Convert. Le Frere Athanase.)
For a long time the saint himself trained the altar boys, and achieved wonderful results. He carried out with gravity, dignity, and the utmost care all the ceremonies of the rite of Lyons, which at that time was likewise in use in the diocese of Belley. Nor was the behaviors of the altar servers less admirable when, in 1849, Frere Athanase undertook the functions of master of ceremony.
He had so fine a liturgical spirit, and he drilled the children with so much precision and good taste, that Mgr. de Langalerie, during a clergy retreat, held him up as a pattern to the clergy of the diocese. "Do you wish to see a church where all the ceremonies are carried out to the letter? Go to Ars; Frere Athanase is a living and unerring ceremonial. His example will show you what you can achieve yourselves if you will only take the means."
There were days when the people of Ars gave special edification to the pilgrims. On Maundy Thursday, in order to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, M. Vianney insisted on providing a splendid altar of repose, and his heart rejoiced at sight of the decorations which enhanced the majesty of the tabernacle. The whole of the chancel, which had been considerably enlarged in 1845, was draped with banners. Numerous and tastefully arranged lights transfigured the scene. However, he took every precaution lest these decorations should be a hindrance instead of a help to the interior recollection of the people."Source: The Cure d'Ars, Abbe Trochu
Saint Cajetan, Confessor A.D. 1547
by VP
Posted on Thursday August 07, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"HE was born in Italy, and after his youth spent in virtue and learning, invested with ecclesiastical dignity, and brought into the court of Rome. But soon renouncing this state, he applied himself to the care of the poor and sick. Being desirous to revive the discipline of the apostles, he founded an Order of regular clergy, who depending wholly on Divine Providence, should possess nothing, but live on such alms as were freely brought by the faithful without being asked. In this method he lived many years, charitable in all Christian offices, fervent in prayer, and so rigorous in all manner of mortification, that as he had often professed, so he was resolved to make good that death should never find him but in sackcloth and ashes. At length, an excessive trouble, occasioned by the wickedness of the people, brought his last sickness upon him, of which he died at Naples, in the year 1547.
Pray for all of this Order, that they may live up to the spirit of their founder. Be as charitable to the poor
and sick, as your condition will allow. This was his first step to that
great virtue, which God was pleased to raise him; and you may hope for
plenty of heavenly blessings from the like practice. Imitate something of his mortification; and if you cannot approve of treating your body with his rigors, at least let it not be your daily study
to please it. It is an enemy, and has very treacherous inclinations,
and cannot receive your favors without abusing them to your ruin. Pray
and endeavor to obtain some degree of his confidence in God, and to be freed from all excesses of solicitude.
It is very prejudicial to all Christian duties, and you are bound to
fight against it, as an enemy. This you are called to by Christ himself.
Despise not his advice: he that gave it knew better the extent of this evil than you do. It is hard for some to observe it; but where the difficulty is greater, there must be greater efforts by labor and prayer to stand against it." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
THE ORIGIN OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE PERPETUAL ADORATION AND THE EXPOSITION OF THE FORTY HOURS. A.D. 1517.
Several Fathers of the Theatine Order, taking example by the zeal of their saintly founder, could not endure that our Divine Redeemer, who in His love tarrieth with us poor men in the Most Holy Sacrament under the form of an insignificant Host, should be so little sought, honored, and praised with thanksgiving. The thought therefore occurred to them to found a congregation whose members should undertake in turns to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. All the hours of the year were distributed amongst the members, so that every hour of the year the Most Holy Sacrament should be adored in deepest humility.
Besides the devotion of the perpetual adoration, which was the result of the love of our Lord, the same congregation founded that of the Exposition of the Quarant' Ore, or Forty Hours, in honor of the forty hours during which the body of Jesus lay in the grave. ( Legends of the Blessed Sacrament: Gathered from the History of the Church and the Lives of the Saints, Emily Mary Shapcote Burns and Oates, 1877, p 63)
Prayer to the Most Holy Sacrament for the first Thursday of the Month. (attributed to St. Cajetan)
Look down, O Lord, from thy sanctuary and from the high habitation of thy glory, and behold this sacred oblation, which our great High Priest, thy holy servant, the Lord Jesus, immolates unto thee for the sins of his brethren, and be propitious to the multitude of our iniquities. The voice of Jesus, our brother, cries to thee from the cross; graciously hear it, O Lord! and be appeased. Delay not to show us thy mercy, because thy name is invoked upon this city, and upon thy people!
I profoundly adore thee, O Lord Jesus, really present in the most holy sacrament. I acknowledge thee to be true God and true man; and, by this act of adoration, I desire to make amends for the coldness of the multitude of Christian, who pass indifferently before thy temples, and even before thy tabernacles, showing by their insensibility that, like the Hebrews in the desert, they loathe the sacred manna of heaven. I ardently wish I could repair the tepidity and ingratitude of all creatures, and I beseech thee to receive my fervent desire that "glory, honor, and eternal praise" be given to thee, in the adorable sacrament of thy love. Amen
The Treasury of Prayer; a New Manual of Devotional Exercises. With the Masses and Prayers Used by the Society of Saint Vincent of Paul, and the Epistles and Gospels for the Sundays and Holy Days, 1853 page 281
Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of the Snow
by VP
Posted on Tuesday August 05, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
The Blessed Virgin Mary overlooking Pope Liberius scrapes the outline of the foundation of the basilica into the snow.
By Italian artist Masolino da Panicale, circa 15th century, Museo di Capodimonte.
"A FEAST in memory of a church built and dedicated to Almighty God, in honor of the Blessed Virgin by a special revelation. The church is called St. Mary Major, or the Greater, because it is the oldest and most important of those dedicated in honor of our Blessed Lady. It is also called St. Mary ad Nives, or at the Snow, from a popular tradition that the Mother of God chose this place for a church under her invocation, by a miraculous snow, which fell upon this spot on this day, when the heat is greatest at Rome, and by a vision in which she appeared to a patrician named John, who munificently founded and endowed this church in the time of Pope Liberius, in 385.
Give thanks to God for all his wonders, and recommend yourself to the prayers of the Blessed Virgin, whom God was pleased to honor this day with so signal a miracle. Pray that her innocence and virtue may be the model of your life. The greatest honor which you can shew her, is in the imitation of her sanctity: and without this, all other acknowledgments are vain. On this dedication, examine your behavior in the house of God. See whether it be always with that decency and reverence which becomes the presence of God. Can you expect blessings from his hands, if you are there affronting him to his face? And what else is your talking and idle gazing about in that holy place? His awful majesty fills the church, and so it ought to do your heart, as long as you are there. If your thoughts or eyes are fixed on any other, is it God whom you then adore? Or may you not fear that you have other gods besides him? Be severe with yourself in this point: banish all manner of levity and disrespect: let a true sense of God command your whole behavior. Be there as a criminal before his judge, as a poor helpless creature before his sovereign Lord. Thus you will honor your God, and render him propitious in hearing and granting your petitions." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
DEVOTION TO BLESSED MARY. - The chief of all the sanctuaries throughout the Christian world dedicated in honour of Blessed Mary, is beyond doubt the church in Rome, bearing the name of St. Mary Major. The tradition relating to its foundation is as follows:-" In the fourth century, during the pontificate of Pope Liberius, the Blessed Virgin appeared to a pious Christian, bearing the name of John, and belonging to one of the first families of Rome, and directed him to build a church in a spot which she pointed out, signifying, as a proof of the reality of the revelation, that on the night following, which was the 5th of August, snow would cover the spot. The church was founded, and bears the name of "Our Lady of Snows.” The devotion of the faithful, upheld by the frequent miracles wrought there, had rendered it, long antecedently to the erection of that of "Our Lady of Loretto," the privileged sanctuary under Her special invocation. In this church is moreover preserved the cradle wherein the Infant Jesus slumbered. This hallowed object had, from the same epoch, attracted the veneration of the most learned and holy personages of the Christian world, among whom may be mentioned the learned St. Jerome.
MORAL REFLECTION.-How comforting is it to the heart of the true Christian to call to mind that this homage paid to the "Mother of pure love and holy hope" is a traditional dogma co-extensive with the Church, and time-honoured as Christianity itself!—(Eccles. xxiv. 24.) Pictorial Half Hours with the Saints, by Fr. Lecanu
St. Dominic, Confessor, A.D. 1221.
by VP
Posted on Monday August 04, 2025 at 12:00AM in Saints
"A HOLY man, born in Spain, who having applied to learning, was first made a canon, and afterwards became the founder of the Order of Preachers,
from him called Dominicans. He was eminent for his zealous labours in
reclaiming those who had been misled into error or vice; and by himself and his followers he had great success in reviving the spirit of the gospel, and establishing the faithful in the love of virtue and truth. Having for many years been an example to his disciples of charity, humility, and poverty, and to the world a rule of innocence and piety, he departed this life in the year 1221.
Pray for all the religious of this holy Order, that the spirit of their founder may be their rule; that they may edify all by their regularity and strict discipline, and be as so many lights to the world. Pray that you may be exact in all the observances of a Christian life. Living amidst the disorders and solicitude of the world, you have much greater difficulties to overcome than religious, who by retiring from the world, are freed from a great part of the dangers to which you are daily exposed. Ought not then your care and watchfulness to be proportioned to your dangers, and your labours to the difficulties of your life? How can you otherwise hope to overcome? The world is a torrent, and you are bound to stand against it. This cannot be done without perpetual resistance, which must cost you trouble and pains. Be therefore constant in your prayers, watchful over all your inclinations, resolute in self-denials, exact in all discipline. Learn to contemn the goods of this life, and to be solicitous for those of the next. This is the life of religious; and this must be yours, if you expect your portion with them. A life of sloth, self-love, and ease becomes not the followers of Christ and his saints. They are called forth into the field of battle; they have many enemies to overcome, many temptations to resist, and many great duties to perform." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
DEVOTION TO BLESSED MARY.- St. Dominic, born at Osma in 1170, was destined by Almighty God to convert a vast multitude of sinners, as well by his own labours as through the agency of the Order that bears his name. The first efforts of his zeal were displayed in Languedoc, which was then beset by a vast number of heretics, known as the Albigenses. There it was and on that account that he founded the Order of Dominicans, specially charged with preaching in Christian countries, and also with the seeking out or inquisition of heretics, with the view to lead them back to God. The superadding of torture which was subsequently resorted to against such as did not yield to conversion, was in nowise the work of St. Dominic; the Church has never allowed any means to be availed of more urgent than simple persuasion. To his zeal for the conversion of sinners and a great love for the poor, Dominic united a tender piety to the Blessed Virgin. It was he who instituted the devotion of the Rosary, and the custom of saluting Blessed Mary at the beginning of the sermon. He died at Rome in 1221, illustrious for miracles.
MORAL REFLECTION.- It is to the whole human race in the person of the beloved disciple that the Son of God said, in speaking of Mary: "Son! behold thy mother." - (John xix. 27.) Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu
