Sunday, August 14, 2011
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm:Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
Second Reading:Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Gospel:Matthew 15:21-28

Monday, August 15, 2011
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading:Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm:Psalm 45:10-12, 16
Second Reading:1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Gospel:Luke 1:39-56

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Weekday

First Reading:Judges 6:11-24
Psalm:Psalm 85:9, 11-14
Gospel:Matthew 19:23-30

Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Weekday

First Reading:Judges 9:6-15
Psalm:Psalm 21:2-7
Gospel:Matthew 20:1-16

Thursday, August 18, 2011
Weekday

First Reading:Judges 11:29-39
Psalm:Psalm 40:5, 7-10
Gospel:Matthew 22:1-14

Friday, August 19, 2011
St. Louis, Bishop

First Reading:Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22
Psalm:Psalm 146:5-10
Gospel:Matthew 22:34-40

Saturday, August 20, 2011
St. Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church

First Reading:Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17
Psalm:Psalm 128:1-5
Gospel:Matthew 23:1-12

Prayer of the Week: A Prayer for Conversions

A Prayer for Conversions

Lord Jesus, merciful Saviour of the world, 
we humbly beseech Thee by Thy Most Sacred Heart, 
that all the straying sheep may turn unto Thee, 
the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls: 
Who livest and reignest world without end.

Amen.

Saint of the Week: The Great Hungarian King

Saint Stephen the Great
King


Feast Day: August 16

Statue of St. Stephen the Great.

Patron Saint Of: Bricklayers, Kings, Stone Masons, Stone cutters, Against the death of children, Hungary.

• Born in 977 to Geza, the King of Magyars in Hungary. 
• His family was pagan but Stephen was baptized at age 10. 
• Stephen succeeded his father in 997.
• He married Blessed Gisella of Ungarn, sister of the Saint Henry II.
• They spent their reign promoting the Christian faith. 
• Stephen had Saint Astricus as an adviser, funded Church leaders, helped build churches, organized diocese, was a proponent of the rights of the Holy See, united the Magyars into a single nation, and suppressed revolts led by pagan nobles.
• He was crowned King of Hungary on Christmas Day 1001 by Emperor Otto III by authority of Pope Sylvester II.
• His crown and regalia became beloved symbols of the Hungarian nation, and Stephen was venerated as the ideal Christian King.

Read more about St. Stephen the Great at:

Catholic Online

Saints.SPQN.com

Prayer of the Week: Prayer for Self Motivation

I really need this prayer. Its a week before school starts and my mind has been everywhere and I just don't know what I'm doing. I need to get motivated because I am not motivated at all. I don't want to go to school. Here it is. 

Omnipotent God, vitality of life,
Your strength supplies my motivation.
I am stirred in the path of Your Will.
Maintain my self-motivation to always
Search, find, examine, will and act
Upon the truths placed before me.
May I become a driving force for others,
Encouraging them to pick up their crosses
And follow the virtuous road of life.
I thank You for Your continued vigour
That coexists in my whole being,
My soul, my spirit and by body!

Saint of the Week: The Poor Runaway

St. Clare of Assisi
Founder

Feast Day: August 11
Patron Saint Of: Against eye disease, Eyes, Embroiders, For good weather, Gliders, Goldsmiths, Laundry workers, needle workers, Telegraphs, Telephones, Televisions, Santa Clara Indian Pueblo, Assisi, Italy

Statue of St. Clare holding
the monstrance. 

• Clare's father was a Count and her mother was the countess Blessed Orsolana. 
• After hearing St. Francis speak she had a great desire to live a poor humble life for Jesus. 
• On Palm Sunday 1212, her bishop gave her a palm which she took as a sign. 
• Clare and her cousin Pacifica ran away from home to join religious life. 
• St. Francis cut her long hair short and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist.
• Her parents tried to have her come home, but Clare refused. 
• Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies known as the "Poor Clares" at San Damiano, and led it for 40 years. 
• Where every the Franciscans established themselves, the Clares followed suit.  
• The Poor Clares depended solely on donations, no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time.
• Once when her convent was about to be attacked, she displayed the Sacrament in a monstrace at the convent gates, and prayed before it; the attackers left, the house was saved, and the image of her holding a monstrance became one of her emblems.
• Toward the end of her life, when she was too ill to attend Mass, an image of the service would display on the wall of her cell; thus her patronage of television.
• She was ever the close friend and spiritual student of Francis, who apparently led her soul into the light at her death.
• She was humble, merciful, charming, optimistic, chivalrous, and every day she meditated on the Passion of Jesus.

Read more about St. Clare of Assisi at:

Catholic Online

American Catholic

Saints.SQPN.com

This Week's Daily Mass Readings

For those who would like to read along with the Church or don't know where to start reading the Bible, I suggest you start with these readings.

Sunday, August 07, 2011
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:1 Kings 19:9, 11-13
Psalm:Psalm 85:9-14
Second Reading:Romans 9:1-5
Gospel:Matthew 14:22-33

Monday, August 08, 2011
Holy Father Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers
First Reading:2 Timothy 4:1-5
Psalm:Psalm 37:3-6, 30-31
Gospel:Matthew 5:13-16

Tuesday, August 09, 2011
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
First Reading:Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Psalm:Deuteronomy 32:3-4, 7-9, 12
Gospel:Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Wednesday, August 10, 2011
St. Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr
First Reading:2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm:Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
Gospel:John 12:24-26

Thursday, August 11, 2011
St. Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Foundress of II Order
First Reading:Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
Psalm:Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16
Gospel:John 15:4-10

Friday, August 12, 2011
Weekday
First Reading:Joshua 24:1-13
Psalm:Psalm 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24
Gospel:Matthew 19:3-12


Saturday, August 13, 2011
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:Joshua 24:14-29
Psalm:Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
Gospel:Matthew 19:13-15

Im Back, Again...With Good News

Just got back from a 3 day trip to Avila Beach with my family. Very fun. The water was very cold and we made a sand couch out on the beach. It was pretty cool.

Anyways.

Because I was gone awhile I couldn't get to a computer to post anything. So I'm going to post a few links to good Catholic News websites you guys can check out. I usually check these sites for new a few times a week and post something about what I read. Hope you guys enjoy.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/
http://realcatholictv.org/
http://www.catholic.org/video/?v=1588
http://www.pewsitter.com/page_1.html

A New Persecution

In the early years of Christianity, the followers of Christ were beaten, tortured, beheaded, fed to lions, crucified and killed in any way persecutors saw fit. These days, persecution does not come to us living in America in the form of a cross or sword or wild animals, it comes in the from of legislation. The "right" of "freedom of religion" we have here in the US can hardly be considered a right. Although we are free to worship here unlike many other nations, Religion, and not only Christianity is constantly under attack by politicians willing to please the masses.

How is this happening? By forcing Catholic social service agencies and healthcare providers to provide "women’s preventive services." In other words they want Catholics to be forced to kill babies just like so many other places across the nation do. 


You can read the articles by clicking on the following links. 
Contraception Mandate Tramples Religious Freedom
Contraception Mandate won't let most Religious Groups Opt out

Awesome Catholic Video

And its all true :)

Peace

Saint of the Week: A Sick Doctor for a Sick People

St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori 
Doctor of the Church 
Founder

St. Alphonsus praying, suffering from rheumatism. 

Feast Day: August 1

Patron Saint Of: Against arthritis, Confessors, Final perseverance, Moralists, Scrupulous people, Theologians, Vocations, Sant’Agata de’ Goti and Pagani, Italy 

• Alphonsus Marie Antony John Cosmos Damien Michael Gaspard de Liguori was born on September 27, 1696 in Marianella, Italy. 
• His father, Don Joseph was a naval officer and a captain of the Royal Galleys and went on retreats with Alphonsus. 
• He was born into nobility and was a child prodigy. 
• At the age of 16 he became extremely well educated and received his doctorate in law from the University of Naples, and at 21 had his own legal practice becoming one of the leading lawyers in Naples. 
• He never went to court without attending Mass first. 
• At Hospital for Incurables on August 28, 1723, he had a vision and was told to consecrate his life solely to God.
• He declined an arranged marriage,studied theology, and was ordained at age 29.
• He was known for his simple, clear, direct style of preaching, and his gentle, understanding way in the confessional.
• With the aid of  Bishop Thomas Falcoia, founder of the Congregation of Pious Workers and Sister Mary Celeste, Aiphonsus founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on November 9, 1732.
• The foundation faced immediate problems, and after just one year, Alphonsus found himself with only one lay brother, his other companions having left to form their own religious group.
• In 1762 Alphonsus was appointed bishop of the diocese of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Italy by Pope Clement XIII. 
• For thirteen years Alphonsus fed the poor, instructed families, reorganized the seminary and religious houses, taught theology, and wrote.
• He was afflicted with severe rheumatism, and often could barely move or raise his chin from his chest. In 1775 he resigned his see due to ill health, and went into what he thought would be a prayerful retirement.
• Nearly blind, Alphonsus, and was tricked into giving his approval to a revised Rule for the Congregation, one that suited the king and the anti-clerical government.
• Deposed and excluded from his own congregation, Alphonsus suffered great anguish.
• After his depression and return to the faith, he died peacefully on August 1,1787, at Nocera di Pagani
• Alphonsus vowed early to never to waste a moment of his life, and he lived that way for over 90 years. 
• In 1871, Alphonsus was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX.
• His writings on moral, theological, and ascetic matters had great impact and have survived through the years, especially his Moral Theology and his Glories of Mary.

Personal Note: He wrote a book called Preparation for Death. It is a very good book for meditation on death as well as life. I highly recommend it. 

Read more about St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori at:

Saints.SQPN.com

Catholic Online

American Catholic.org

St. Alphonsus Quotes

Prayer of the Week: A Prayer for Patience

A Prayer for Patience

God, teach me to be patient, 
teach me to go slow,
Teach me how to wait on You 
when my way I do not know.

Teach me sweet forbearance 
when things do not go right
so I remain unruffled 
when others grow uptight.

Teach me how to quiet my racing, rising heart
so I might hear the answer 
You are trying to impart.

Teach me to let go, dear God, 
and pray undisturbed 
until my heart is filled with inner peace 
and I learn to know your will.

Amen.

This Week's Daily Mass Readings

For those who would like to read along with the Church or don't know where to start reading the Bible, I suggest you start with these readings.

Sunday, July 31, 2011
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:Isaiah 55:1-3
Psalm:Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18
Second Reading:Romans 8:35:37-39
Gospel:Matthew 14:13-21

Monday, August 01, 2011
St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, Doctor of the Church
First Reading:Numbers 11:4-15
Psalm:Psalm 81:12-17
Gospel:Matthew 14:13-21 or 14:22-36*

Tuesday, August 02, 2011 
Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula
First Reading:Sirach 24:1-4, 16, 22-24
Psalm:Psalm 34:5, 7, 9-10, 18-19
Second Reading:Galatians 4:3-7
Gospel:Luke 1:26-33

Wednesday, August 03, 2011 
Weekday
First Reading:Numbers 13:1-2, 25 -- 14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Psalm:Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23
Gospel:Matthew 15:21-28

Thursday, August 04, 2011 
St. John Mary Vianney, Priest
First Reading:Numbers 20:1-13
Psalm:Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
Gospel:Matthew 16:13-23

Friday, August 05, 2011 
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome
First Reading:Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Psalm:Psalm 77:12-16, 21
Gospel:Matthew 16:24-28

Saturday, August 06, 2011 
The Transfiguration of the Lord
 First Reading:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm:Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Second Reading:2 Peter 1:16-19
Gospel:Matthew 17:1-9

Project Requests

I have recently finished a project involving the Mass and the Bible. I'm working on a related project now as well as a video. Now, I like doing all this research because I get to learn and I use this stuff for my confirmation class and youth group meeting, but I run out of and forget ideas quickly.

If anyone would like to see my work on and publish any projects please email me at carlos.bs.designs@gmail.com or comment on this post. It can be about anything Catholic. Give me ideas please.

Peace :)

False Ecumenism

Jars of Wine

My strength is gone
Dry
Like jars of wine
Emptied, poured out
through crowds
through time
through everything
I kneel
Collapse
At your bloody
dusty, cold
dead feet
I pour my everything
I give it to you
Make me like you
Make me new
Let me burn
till my marrow burns
and my soul is consumed with Your love

"Behold, I make all things new."

Boneless Hands

Born of black
out of boneless hands
We are all one
and with the rage of God
We were
In the screams of heat and vibration
We will come to be
A sea of future life
We waited
and with his boneless hands
a home of sand and fire
and water and ice
Desolation
Spring from the ground
A new life
give rise to Man
give rise to masses
give rise to structures
give rise to cities
give rise to nations
and destroy it all
to begin again
with His boneless hands

Lead Lips

Is it a mouth that cannot speak?
or refuses to?
Lead Lips move for no one
Red lips move when asked
Lead Lips
with a voice like spears
Pierce the soul
and soothe
Comfort
Soft and destructive
Let His words rest on you
and press you
Like grapes to wine
With every word comes change
And with change, new life
The Lead Lips speak!

"My son, breathe."

I Just Remembered!

I write poetry and I had written some religious poems. I feel like posting them, so I will.

Saint of the Week: A True Servant

Saint Martha 
Virgin
Wonder Worker

Feast Day: July 29
Patron Saint Of: Cooks, Butlers, Dieticians, Domestic Servants, Homemaker, Hotel keepers, Housemaids, Housewives, Innkeepers, Laundry workers, Maids, Servants, Single laywomen, Travelers and Villajoyosa, Spain

St. Martha serving Jesus. 

• Jesus frequently visited Marta's home in Bethany. 
• We read of three visits in Luke 10:38-42,John 11:1-53, and John 12:1-9.
• Martha was the sister of Saint Lazarus and St. Mary of Bethany. 
• She would always welcome Jesus and the disciples into her house. 
• In the Middle East, hospitality is very important, which is why Martha was angry when her sister Mary did not help her but sat with Jesus and listened to what he was saying. 
• Jesus reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important -- listening to Him. 
• The next visit shows how well Martha learned this lesson.
• When she hears that Jesus is in the area, she gets up immediately , leaves her mourning as well as those mourning at her home for her dead brother , and goes to meet him.
• Our final picture of Martha in Scripture is the one that sums up who she was. 
• Jesus returns to Bethany and shares a meal with His good friends. 
•  We hear how brother Lazarus caused a stir when was brought back to life. We hear how Mary causes a commotion at dinner by anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. But all we hear about Martha is the simple statement: "Martha served."
• We know nothing more about Martha and what happened to her later.
• According to legend Martha accompanied Mary to evangelize France after Pentecost.

Read more about St. Martha at:
Catholic Online
Saints.SQPN.com
Saint Martha

For the Ladies

Because I messed up the order of the Saints of the Week last week, I'm just going to start again with another female saint. So there you go ladies. That's my present to you. Hopefully I don't mess anything up again.

Also, because I just got home on Sunday and my sleep schedule is out of whack, I'm going to be posting the Saint of the Week tomorrow.

P.S. I think my brothers and I are going to be making a web series filled with Catholic goodies. Not sure what exactly what were gonna do but if you have any ideas please send em in. Comment, email, call, text, fax, telegraph. If you got ideas, we want em

Peace

This Week's Daily Mass Readings

Sunday, July 24, 2011
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm:Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
Second Reading:Romans 8:28-30
Gospel:Matthew 13:44-52 or Matthew 13:44-46

Monday, July 25, 2011
St. James, Apostle
First Reading:2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm:Psalm 126:1-6
Gospel:Matthew 20:20-28

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 
Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:Sirach 44:1, 10-15
Psalm:Psalm 132:11, 13-14, 17-18
Gospel:Matthew 13:16-17

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 
Weekday
First Reading:Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm:Psalm 99:5-7, 9
Gospel:Matthew 13:44-46

Thursday, July 28, 2011 
Weekday
First Reading:Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38
Psalm:Psalm 84:3-6, 8, 11
Gospel:Matthew 13:47-53

Friday, July 29, 2011
St. Martha
First Reading:Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37
Psalm:Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
Gospel:John 11:19-27 or Luke 10:38-42

Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Psalm:Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Gospel:Matthew 14:1-12

Prayer of the Week: A Prayer for the Unborn

Heavenly Father, in Your love for us,
protect against the wickedness of the devil,
those helpless little ones to whom
You have given the gift of life.

Touch with pity the hearts of those women pregnant
in our world today who are not thinking of motherhood.

Help them to see that the child they carry
is made in Your image, as well as theirs,
made for eternal life.

Dispel their fear of selfishness
and give them true womanly hearts
to love their babies
and give them birth
and all the needed care that a mother can give.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,
Your Son, Our Lord
Who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, One God,
forever and ever.

Amen.

AVM

One of my seminarian buddies, Adam, made a blog on Friday after seeing mine. His blog is more about Apologetics than mine. I guess you could say that he specializes in that. He's told me many stories about being confronted with Non-Catholics who would ask him question after question.

So, I'm going to add a link to him blog on my Apologetics Links page. I hope you guys check it out and learn more. He really knows his stuff.

Check his page out right here A Catholic Life

Home Again

Finally home from the retreat in Three Rivers. It was a retreat for vocation discernment. There were lots of seminarians and deacons there. Lots of Catholic guys who are really into there faith were there and it was an awesome weekend. That Three Rivers place was pretty cool. I would love to go back there. Its so peaceful and quiet out there. It gave me some ideas for some things I wanted to post and I will probably announce some new project I'm  going to start.

But for now, I'm just going to work on Phase II of the Mass Project.

Peace.

Phase 1:Complete.

I started a project a couple weeks ago. What was it?
To go through the Mass line by line and find out how much of it would be found in the Bible. 

It took a while but it was worth it. I had tried this once before and I made a video to go along with it. Due to the ghettoness of the video program it didn't come out how I wanted to. The good thing about having brothers who film and have made movies for a loving is the access to really good video editing software. So, before I make a new and improved video I am going to find the Biblical passages that describe what is used or worn or done in the Mass. That's Phase 2. Phase 3 will be the video.

I think I might have to add a new page with downloadable content.
We'll see.
Peace.

Michael Cumbie

I think this guy is one of my favorite speakers. I saw him when he came to speak in Kingsburg and I wish I could see him again. Anyways, Michael Cumbie is a great evangelist and speaker. He is a convert to the Catholic faith and one of the funniest guys I've ever heard. Here is a link to watch a very good video on the explanation of the Mass. Enjoy.

http://catholicmass.co/

Saint of the Week: The Blessed Widow

St. Bridget of Sweden
Widow
Founder

Feast Day: July 23
Patron Saint Of: Europe, Sweden, Widow
(She is sometimes referred to as the Patroness of Failures)

St. Bridget of Sweden in the Bridgettine habit.  

• Bridget was born in the 1303 in Upland.
• Her father was governor, one of the greatest landowners in the country and he went to confession every Friday. 
• Her mother was widely known for her piety and died in 1314
• At the age of 7 she had a vision where the Blessed Virgin placed a crown on her head. 
• Around the age of 12 she had vision of the Crucifixion. She asked Jesus who had done this to Him. He answered, "All those who despise my love".
• In 1316, at the age of 13, married Ulf Gudmasson and had 8 children. 4 boys and 4 girls. 
• The second oldest became a saint, St. Catherine of Sweden. 
• St. Bridget was a friend and counselor to many priests and theologians, had the gift of prophecy and worked many miraculous cures, she was the Chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Namur, she pursued religious life after Ulf's death in 1344, she recorded her visions that became hugely popular, founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior (The Bridgettines) at Vadstena and encouraged all to meditate on the Passion and of Jesus Crucified. 
• She made a pilgrimage to Rome in 1350 and them made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 
• After being marred by shipwreck and the death of her son Charles, she died in 1373. 

Read more about St. Bridget of Sweden 

Catholic Online

Saints.SQPN.com

Catholic Information Network

American Catholic.org

Mess Up!

I messed up. The Saint of the Week was a way for people to learn about Saints they may not have heard of. My plan was to post a story of a male Saint one week and a female Saint the next. Well last week I posted the story of St. Henry II and this week I posted a story of St. Lawrence of Brindisi. So, I'm just gonna post a new story. And this time it will be a female Saint. :)

Peace

There Can Only Be One

This program is from RealCatholicTV.com

Christianity is the one True religion. Catholicism is the fullness of Christianity. Plain and Simple.

This Week's Daily Mass Readings

For those who would like to read along with the Church or don't know where to start reading the Bible, I suggest you start with these readings.

Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading:Wisdom 12:13, 16-19
Psalm:Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16
Second Reading:Romans 8:26-27
Gospel:Matthew 13:24-43

Monday, July 18, 2011 
Weekday

First Reading:Exodus 14:5-18
Psalm:Exodus 15:1-6
Gospel:Matthew 12:38-42

Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Weekday

First Reading:Exodus 14:21
Psalm:Exodus 15:8-10, 12, 17
Gospel:Matthew 12:46-50

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 
Weekday

First Reading:Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
Psalm:Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28
Gospel:Matthew 13:1-9

Thursday, July 21, 2011
St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest, Doctor of the Church

First Reading:Wisdom 8:9-16
Psalm:Psalm 67:2-5, 7-8
Gospel:Luke 9:1-6

Friday, July 22, 2011 
St. Mary Magdalen

First Reading:Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm:Psalm 19:8-11
Gospel:John 20:1-2, 11-18

Saturday, July 23, 2011 
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

First Reading:Exodus 24:3-8
Psalm:Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15
Gospel:Matthew 13:24-30

Prayer of the Week: To Love God Above All Things

God, my Father, 
may I love You in all things and above all things. 
May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. 
Nothing is good that is against Your Will,and all that is good comes from Your Hand.Place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with  thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace. 

Amen. 

The Saint of the Week: The Capuchin Doctor is In

St. Lawrence of Brindisi 
Doctor of the Church 

Feast Day: July 22
Patron Saint Of: Brindisi, Italy 

St. Lawrence of Brindisi

• Caesare de Rossi (St. Lawrence) was born on July 22nd 1559.
• He was educated by the Franciscan friars and at the age of 16 joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order at Verona where he took the name Lawrence.
• He then pursued higher studies in the theology, philosophy, the Bible, and along with his native Italian learned Greek, Hebrew, Latin, German, Bohemian, Spanish and French.
• After being ordained at 23, he began to preach to the Jew in Northern Italy. 
• In 1590 he became Definitor General of his Order in Rome which he would hold 5 times. 
• Along with Blessed Benedict of Urbino to Germany to combat Lutheranism 
• Together, they founded friaries at Prague, Vienna and Gorizia. 
• Emperor Rudolf II asked Lawrence to help raise an army against the Turks who threatened to conquer Hungary and was among the leaders in the Battle of Szekesfehevar in 1601. 
• The following year he was elected Vicar General of the Capuchins. 
• He was also sent to persuade kings to join the Catholic League, founded a Capuchin house in Madrid, served as a peacemaker between royal disputes, was sent as a representative for the Pope to Bavaria and was called on by the rules of Naples and Spain to intercede with King Phillip. 
• He died of illness after a trip to Lisbon after being exhausted by the summer heat.
• He died exactly 60 years later on his birthday. 
• He is renowned for his complete and thorough refutation of the doctrines of Martin Luther. 
• In 1956, the Capuchin Order compiled 15 volumes if his sermons, letters, and writings. 
• He also wrote a commentary on the Book of Genesis and was the first to write on all aspects of the theology that concerns the Blessed Virgin Mary 
• He was canonized on the 8th of December 1881 by Pope Leo XIII and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope John the XXIII in 1959. 

Read more about St. Lawrence of Brindisi at:

Catholic Online

American Catholic.org
EWTN
Saints.SQPN.com

"Perfect Form of Prayer"

Lately, I've been doing some research for this Blog and for the meeting held for the Recollection group here in Parlier. Most of my research has centered around the Mass lately. Iv'e been thinking of what the Mass is to me and what it should be to a Catholic. I am working on a project that has taken most of my time this past week. My project is to find how much of the Bible is quoted in the Mass as well as what actions and objects. For now all I have to say is that anyone who says that the Mass is not in the Bible or vice versa is DEAD WRONG. Im still finding verses every time I look into my Bible.

Anyways, one this I haven't been able to do is express what the Mass means to me or any good Catholic. Words have a way of falling short. But there are some people who know how to use more effectively and who see the Mass with eyes more faithful and holy than mine. The Saints. So, I have found what the Saints themselves say about the Mass because they do a much better job than me. Enjoy.

"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy." 

Saint Jean Vianney

"The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross."

Saint Thomas Aquinas

"The heavens open and multitudes of angels come to assist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass." 

Saint Gregory

"The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass." 

Saint Augustine

"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar."

Saint John Chrysostom

Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS."

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." 

St. Padre Pio

After reading what the Saints have said, how can we say that:

• Mass is boring.
• I'm too tired to go. 
• It's just one Mass, God wont mind.
• God wont send me to Hell if I miss one Mass. 
• I don't want to go. 
• Nothing special happens in the Mass. 
• I can just pray at home, I don't need to go to Mass to pray. 

I'm sure I'm not the only person who has heard these things. Think about your own views of the Mass.

Help everyone you know understand the meaning and importance of Mass. In the words of Pope Paul VI

"The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer!" 

God be with you. 

Saint of the Week: The Good King

Saint Henry II
Duke of Bavaria 
German King
Holy Roman Emperor

Feast Day: July 13

St. Henry giving to the poor. 

Patron Saint Of: The childless, Dukes, Kings, Against sterility, Bamberg Germany, Basel Switzerland, the handicapped and those rejected by Religious Orders

• St. Henry was the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria and Gisella, daughter of the King of Burgundy.
• He received a good education under St. Wolfgang.
• St. Henry became duke of Bavaria in 995 after his fathers death which ended his thoughts of becoming a priest. 
• When his cousin Otto III died, he was elected Emperor in 1002.
• He was then crowned King of Pavia, Italy in 1004.
• St. Henry married Cunegunda who later became a Saint. 
• They were both prayerful people and very generous to the poor.
• He was then crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII in 1014
• Henry founded schools, quelled rebellion, protected the frontiers and worked to established peace in Europe.
• Henry ruled with zeal for religion. 
• He started the construction of the Cathedral at Basel, Switzerland which took 400 years to complete. 
• Saint Benedict of Nursia healed him with a touch of an unnamed illness. 
• After St. Cunegunda's death Henry considered becoming a monk but was refused because he was told to do a greater good advancing God's Kingdom 

Read more about St. Henry at:

Saints.SQPN.com
Catholic Online
Catholic Encyclopedia

Prayer of the Week:Deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory

My Jesus, 
by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine agony in the Garden, 
in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, 
on the way to Calvary, 
in Thy crucifixion and death, 
have mercy on the souls in purgatory, 
and especially on those that are most forsaken; 
do Thou deliver them from the terrible torments they endure; 
call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise.

Amen.

This Week's Daily Mass Readings

For those who would like to read along with the Church or don't know where to start reading the Bible, I suggest you start with these readings.

Sunday, July 10, 2011 
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm: Psalm 65:10-14
Second Reading: Romans 8:18-23
Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 or Matthew 13:1-9


Monday, July 11, 2011 
St. Benedict, Abbot (Memorial)

First Reading: Exodus 1:8-14, 22
Psalm: Psalm 124:1-8
Gospel: Matthew 10:34 -- 11:1

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 
Weekday

First Reading: Exodus 2:1-15
Psalm: Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 
Weekday

First Reading: Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Psalm: Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7
Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

Thursday, July 14, 2011 
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Memorial)

First Reading: Exodus 3:13-20
Psalm: Psalm 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27
Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Friday, July 15, 2011 
St. Bonaventure, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Feast)

First Reading: Wisdom 8:2-7, 16-18 or 1 Corinthians 2:6-13
Psalm: Psalm 16:5-9, 11
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-19


Saturday, July 16, 2011 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Exodus 12:37-42
Psalm: Psalm 136:1, 23-24, 10-15
Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21