The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

From your heart let praises burst.

HEART OF MARY, UNITED TO THE HEART OF JESUS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, TABERNACLE OF THE MOST HIGH,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;

whoever eats this bread will live forever.

Alleluia.

Welcome to Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, a feast instituted by Pope Urban IV in 1264. I believe, help my unbelief. 

In the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time, still in the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we have the privilege of celebrating the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist on June 24th, followed by the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 27th, followed by the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary on June 28th. My heart will rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord who has been bountiful to me (Psalm 13). How about this from 17th century Camaldolese hermit Dom Roberto: "The precise will of God is that we serve, honor, and tenderly love Mary." Heart of Mary, most humble, pray for us.

There are certainly more than a few Eucharistic processions happening throughout the world today. Among other ones, both small and large, there is the one in Orvieto, Italy.  It is a marvel to behold. Hundreds and hundreds of locals arrayed in medieval attire process through the streets with the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Corporeal "The Miracle of Bolsena." About the Sacred Corporeal, it is said that Peter of Prague, a Bohemian priest, a doubting one at that, while on his way to Rome in 1263, stopped in Bolsena to celebrate Mass. During the celebration of the Mass, drops of blood started falling from the communion bread he was holding; the drops stained the corporeal. When Pope Urban IV heard of this, he had the sacred corporeal moved to Orvieto, where it is kept at the Cathedral of Orvieto* (awesome), in the Chapel of the Corporeal. My favorite image of Our Lady hangs there, Madonna de Raccomandati, loosely translated as Our Lady of Mercy. In it, Our Lady, surrounded by angels, spreads her protective veil over men and women of the medieval period. I have had the holy card in my monthly missal for years. Our Lady of Mercy, Our Lady of those recommended to her, cover us in your protective veil. May we receive the "grace of a deeper gratitude for what we receive in the Holy Eucharist" (Magnificat, June 22, 2025, Prayer of the Faithful). BTW, Peter of Prague no longer doubted. However, I am not sure. ☺

My nearly 100 sheets of voices include many who have something to say about the Eucharist. I include a few and conclude with a doozy from Pope Benedict XVI, some of which I had the privilege of proclaiming at Vigils last night. 

The Eucharistic sacrifice is the fount and apex of the whole Christian life.

(Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium Christ is the light of the nations, 11) 

Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth, the Blessed Sacrament. There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth.

(J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892-1973)

Very bread, good shepherd tend us,

Jesu, of your love befriend us,

You refresh us, you defend us,

Your eternal goodness send us

In the land of life to see.

(Sequence for Corpus Christi Laud, O Zion "Lauda Sion")

Every consecrated host is made to burn itself up with love in a human heart.

(Saint John Vianney, 1786-1859)

Christ gave us the sacraments in order that we might better keep the two great commandments. You will learn about Catholic belief by studying the sacramental life of the Church. The center of this is the Eucharist ... I believe what the Church teaches-that God has given us reason to use and that it can lead us toward a knowledge of Him through analogy; that He revealed Himself in history and continues to do so through the Church, and that He is present (not just symbolically) in the Eucharist on our altars. To believe all this I don't take any leap into the absurd. I find it reasonable to believe, even though these beliefs are beyond reason.

(Flannery O'Connor, 1925-1964, in The Habit of Being, ed. Sally Fitzgerald)

By the Mass and Communion, I must become more and more like Christ.

(Marcel Callo, 1921-1945)

At last God is mine and I am His! Now, let all go its round-I have received Him.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821, after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time)

There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us.

(Saint John Vianney, 1786-1859)

To be always close to Jesus, that is my life's plan.

The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.

The Rosary is the ladder to climb to Heaven.

(Blessed Carlos Acutis, 1991-2006, will be canonized September 7, 2025)

Jesus Eucharistic is a conqueror ... He wants to subject the universe to His gentle sway.

(Saint Peter Julian Eymard, 1811-1868)

Here is some of what Pope Benedict XVI preached on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 23, 2011.

Saint Augustine helps us to understand the dynamic of Eucharistic communion when he mentions a sort of vision that he had, in which Jesus said to him: "I am the food of strong men; grow and you shall feed on me; nor shall you change me, like the food of your flesh into yourself, but you shall be changed into my likeness" (Confessions, VII, 10, 18).

Therefore, whereas food for the body is assimilated by our organism and contributes to nourishing it, in the case of the Eucharist it is a different Bread; it is not we who assimilate it, but it assimilates us in itself, so that we become conformed to Jesus Christ, a member of His Body, one with Him. This passage is crucial. In fact, precisely because it is Christ who, in Eucharistic communion changes us into Him, our individuality, in this encounter, is opened, liberated from its egocentrism and inserted into the Person of Jesus who in His turn is immersed in Trinitarian communion. The Eucharist, therefore, while it unites us to Christ also opens us to others, makes us members of one another: we are no longer divided but one in Him. Eucharistic communion not only unites me to the person beside me and with whom I may not even be on good terms, but also to our distant brethren in every part of the world.

As I said, it's a doozy.☺ Until next time, keep the faith and keep going. 

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

BLESSED BASIL HOPKO,

SAINT JOSEPH CAFASSO,

SAINT ETHELDREDA,

SAINT LUAN,

SAINT WILLIAM OF VERCELLI,

BLESSED MARY JOSEPHINE CATANEA,

SAINT JOSE MARIA ESCRIVA DE BALAGUER,

SAINT PELAGIUS,

SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT JOHN SOUTHWORTH.

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,

BLESSED NYKYTA BUDKA,

BLESSED VASYL VELYCHKOVSKY,

SAINT LADISLAS,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF SCHONAU,

SAINT IRENAEUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR, MARTYR, 

SAINT VINCENTIA GEROSA,

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL,

THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE SEE OF ROME,

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT, 

BLESSED NAZJU FALZON,

SAINT OTTO OF BAMBERG,

SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE, 

BLESSED JOHN CORNELIUS,

BLESSED MARIA CROCIFISSA CURCIO,

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATTI,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL,

SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA,

OUR LADY OF BUDSLAU,

BLESSED GEORGE NICHOLS, RICHARD YAXLEY, THOMAS BELSON, HUMPRHEY PRITCHARD,

SAINT MODWEN,

SAINT MARIA GORETTI,

SAINT MONNINE,

BLESSED PETER TO ROT,

SAINT MAELRUAIN,

BLESSED MARIA ROMERO MENESES,

SAINT KILIAN,

SAINT WITHBURGA,

SAINTS AQUILA AND PRISCILLA,

PRAY FOR US.

*See www.duomodiorvieto.it. 

Today's photo: From d and John's garden of delights. Blessed be God Most High.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus 

O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.

JOSEPH, FOSTER FATHER OF THE SON OF GOD,

SAINT JOSEPH, THE JUST,

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, 

DESIRE OF THE ETERNAL HILLS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible ...

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father ...

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

(The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)

Welcome to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One, One in Three. So important for us, this mystery of our faith, for as our Catechism teaches, "the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 234). It is no wonder that our holy father Saint Benedict tells us that "as soon as the cantor begins to sing, 'Glory be to the Father,' let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity" (RB 9:7). We pray with Saint Joannicus of Mount Olympus (d. 846): "My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my shelter is the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to you."

At the same time, we celebrate Father's Day, a day when we remember all fathers, biological, spiritual, foster, adoptive, all of them. May Saint Joseph, husband and father, intercede for them. Don't forget to pray for priests, and specifically thank the priest of your parish, for his faithful service as father and shepherd of his flock. Thank you to all priests. May Saint John Marie Baptiste Vianney intercede for you. We join Pope Saint John Paul II who prayed,

I would like to invoke the heavenly protection of Saint Joseph on all fathers and their duties in family life ... By concretely fulfilling their responsibilities, may each of them reflect God's provident and faithful love. May we obtain this through Saint Joseph and Blessed Mary, Queen of the family and Mother of the Church.

Amen.

And we hear from others, some with something to say about the Holy Trinity, others with something to say about fathers, and the priesthood too. Just remember to sign yourself big, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

When we cross ourselves, let it be with a real sign of the cross. Instead of a small, cramped gesture that gives no notion of its meaning, let us make a large unhurried sign, from forehead to breast, from shoulder to shoulder, consciously feeling how it includes the whole of us, our thoughts, our attitudes, our body and soul, every part of us at once. How it consecrates and sanctifies us.

(Romano Guardini, 1885-1968, Sacred Signs, p. 9)

The sign of the CROSS on me-deepest thoughts came with it-of I know not what earnest desires to be closely united with Him who died on it.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

O my Three, my all, my beatitude, infinite solitude, immensity in which I lose myself ... Bury yourself in me that I may bury myself in you until I depart to contemplate in your life the abyss of your greatness.

(Saint Elizabeth the Trinity, 1880-1906) 

The Feast of the most Holy Trinity leads us to contemplate the mystery of God who unceasingly creates, redeems and sanctifies, always with love and through love, and enables every creature that welcomes Him to reflect a ray of His beauty, goodness and truth.

(Pope Francis, 1936-2025, Angelus Address, May 27, 2018)

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on the faithful.

(Psalm 103:13)

Like a fruitful vine

 your wife within your home, 

Like olive plants

your children around your table.

Just so will they be blessed

who fear the Lord.

(Psalm 128:5-6)

Father of the fatherless, defender of widows-

this is the God whose abode is holy.

(Psalm 68:6)

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

(1 John 3:1)

If I were to become a priest, I would like to win many souls.

The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.

(Saint John Marie Baptiste Vianney, 1786-1589)

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH GRIMSTON,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

ALL SAINTS OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT LUTGARD,

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS,

BLESSED JOSEPH-MARIE CASSANT,

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT OSANNA ANDREASI,

SAINT ALBERT CHMIELOWSKI,

VENERABLE MATT TALBOT,

SAINT ROMUALD,

SAINTS ALBAN, JULIUS AND AARON,

THE IRISH MARTYRS,

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

SAINT JOHN RIGBY,

SAINT JOHN FISHER,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These beauties are a gift from meine liebe Moni in Freiburg, Germany. Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to God who is, who was, and who is to come. Alleluia.

© Gertrude Feick, 2025

Pentecost Sunday

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

How manifold are your works, O Lord!

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, FORMED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT 

IN THE WOMB OF THE VIRGIN MARY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.

(The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed)

Welcome to Pentecost Sunday, dear faithful readers, in the month of June dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and entrance into the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, but not without first celebrating The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. And we can't forget to pray for the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, and ask his predecessor in name, Pope Leo XIII, to intercede for him, especially since the latter approved the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for public use in 1899. What is your favorite invocation in the Litany? One of mine is, Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us. And it occurs to me that Pope Leo XIV has a heart full of goodness and love too. On the other hand, how could he not. He is North American by birth, born and raised east of the Mississippi River, in Chicago, Illinois, "The Prairie State." Who would have thought? Not I. 

Why is it that the Holy Spirit is often the neglected Person of the Holy Trinity? Maybe we just can't wrap our minds around the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Father ... ok. We pray to the Son ... ok. Holy Spirit ... uhhh. On the other hand, we are talking about a mystery of our faith here. And we are talking about love as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:  The Holy Spirit is "the Third divine Person of the Blessed Trinity, the personal love of Father and Son for each other. Also called the Paraclete (Advocate) and Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit is at work with the Father and the Son from the beginning to the completion of the divine plan for salvation" (Glossary). Does that whet your appetite to learn more, or perhaps renew yourself in mind and heart? Pray to the Holy Spirit to help you, then turn to the Catechism, our pearl of great price, and check out Paragraphs 683-747. ☺ And we can always look to Mary to help us understand and grow in faith of the mystery, as Pope Benedict XVI said during his Angelus Address on Trinity Sunday, June 7, 2009:

The Virgin Mary, in her docile humility, became the handmaid of divine love; she accepted the Father's will and conceived the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. In her the Almighty built a temple worthy of Him and made her the model and image of the Church, mystery and house of communion for all human beings. May Mary, mirror of the Blessed Trinity help us to grow in faith of the Trinitarian mystery.

And now a voice or two, from here and there. If you would be so kind, the next time you pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, like on Pentecost Sunday and every Sunday and Wednesday, and commence the third mystery, Descent of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Mystery being Spiritual Gifts, please join me and ask Our Lord to breathe on us and send forth His spirit to renew the face of the earth. Veni Sancti Spiritus ... Come, Holy Spirit, come! And from your celestial home, Shed a ray of light divine!

O Spirit of truth, make me know your Word; teach me to remember all He has said; enlighten me, guide me, make me conformable to Jesus as an alter Christus, another Christ, by giving me His virtues, especially His patience, humility, and obedience; let me take part in His redemptive work by making me understand the love the cross.

(Sister Carmela of the Holy Spirit, OCD, 1910-1949)

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

When the Spirit has been sent, the face of the earth is created and renewed: this means that our earthly will becomes heavenly, ready at a nod to obey more quickly than a nod. Blessed are the people like this, for not only do they perceive no evil, but they abide in a certain marvelous expansion of heart.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

The first gift of love is love itself, and all the other gifts emanate from this supreme gift, as from their source. Therefore, the Gift of the love of God is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not give himself to us without pouring charity into our hearts.

(Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez, 1881-1956)

Come, Holy Spirit, come, O God, love;

fill my heart, which, alas, is empty of all that is good.

Set me on fire to love you.

Enlighten me to recognize you.

Draw me [to you] to delight in you.

Affect me [to receive] thorough fruition of you.

(Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta, 1256-1301/2)

Let us love our neighbors, my friends, let us love the one who is near us, so that we may be able to reach the love of the one who is above us. Then we shall reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which we have received an assurance of the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal where we shall be happy without end with all our love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604)

The first task of Christians is to keep alive the flame that Jesus brought to the earth, which is the love of God: the Holy Spirit. Without the fire of the Spirit, prophesies are extinguished, sorrow supplants joy, and routine substitutes love.

(Pope Francis, 1936-2025)

Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit and raises man to Heaven.

(Saint Ephrem the Syrian, 306-373)

O Lord,

give us a mind that is humble, quiet, peaceable,

Patient and charitable, And a taste of your Holy Spirit

In all our thoughts, words, and deeds.

(From a prayer by Saint Thomas More, 1478-1535)

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the audacity to believe that God loves us,

and the power to love Him back.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153) 

The Holy Spirit must teach us to carry out in action the good that is inspired, 

or grace in us shall remain void.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153) 

And lastly, prayer for all times ...

Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

(See Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1831)

So as to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.

(See Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1832)

SAINT JAMES BERTHIEU,

SAINT WILLIAM OF YORK,

SAINT EPHRAEM THE DEACON, "HARP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,"

SAINT COLUMBA,

BLESSED EDWARD POPPE,

SAINT JOSE DE ANCHIETA,

SAINT BARNABAS THE APOSTLE,

SAINT ONUPHRIUS,

BLESSED ALPHONSUS MAZUREK AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED HILARY JANUSZEWSKI,

SAINT ANTONY OF PADUA,

SAINT DAVNET,

SAINT ELISHA,

BLESSED MARIA CANDIDA OF THE EUCHARIST,

SAINT LIDWINA,

SAINT METHODIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I call these beauties "tongues of fire." Tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest upon us, united as we are in faith and prayer. I will be glad in the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Saint Therese of Lisieux "The Little Flower"

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES,

MARY, QUEEN OF PROPHETS,

MARY, QUEEN OF VIRGINS,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTRYS,

MARY, QUEEN OF DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

PRAY FOR US.

On this glorious day, May 17, 2025, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of "The Little Flower," Saint Therese of the Lisieux, also known as Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. Give God the praise!  

For a few fun facts, born January 2, 1873, Saint Therese died September 30, 1897, after living a short but powerful life. From the age of 15 until her death at the age of 24, Therese lived a hidden life of the Carmel cloister in Lisieux, France. After her death, though, Therese's fame spread throughout the world and continues to spread this day. Pope Pius X called her "the greatest saint of modern times." 

With a special devotion to The Little Flower, Pope Pius XI, beatified her on April 29, 1923, and canonized her two years later, May 17, 1925. Pope Pius XI called Therese the "the Star of his Pontificate," and in the homily at her canonization, he recommended that all the faithful practice her "Little Way," as he preached:

 If everyone follows this path of spiritual childhood, everyone will see how easily reformation of human society can be achieved, which we have proposed since the beginning of our pontificate. We, therefore, adopt as our own prayer of the new Saint Therese with which ends her autobiography: 'O Jesus, we beseech Thee to cast Thy glance upon the vast number of little souls, and to choose in this world a legion of little victims worthy of Thy love. Amen.

Pope Pius XI proclaimed her "Universal Patron of the Missions," alongside Saint Frances Xavier, on December 14, 1927. Pope Saint John Paul II gave Saint Therese the title "Doctor of the Church," on World Mission Sunday, October 19, 1997. She is joined by other women Doctors of the Church including Saint Teresa of Avila, Saint Catherine of Siena, and Saint Hildegard of Bingen. The Church commemorates the Feast of Saint Therese on October 1. It's not too early to mark your calendars and note the date as an annual celebration. And it's never too late to read her autobiography, Story of a Soul, where she begins, "Springtime story of a little white flower written by herself and dedicated to the Reverend Mother Agnes of Jesus." And I can't go without saying that I received the privilege of venerating the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux in 2000 when they traveled through Mt. Angel, Oregon. The Little Flower ⚘ was on tour 🚚 with a stop at Mount Angel Abbey. I have been a fan of relics since. How cool is that 😊.

Today it is best to let Saint Therese of Lisieux speak for herself ...

Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers He has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the Lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Chapter I)

It seems to be that if a little flower could speak, it would tell simply what God had done for it without trying to hide its blessings.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Chapter I)

Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Chapter I)

I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers and thanksgiving after Holy Communion. But I don't feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents when they are asleep or awake and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. So I just say God "knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust."

(Story of a Soul, Ch. 8)

For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy. Go to the mountain with Peter, James, and John, or even the valley; you will find Jesus there. You will do well to be attentive to His voice, for it is a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

(Story of a Soul, see reference in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558) 

Was not Jesus my only Friend! I knew how to speak only to Him; conversations with creatures, even pious conversations, fatigued my soul. I felt it was far more valuable to speak about Him, for there is so much self-love intermingled with spiritual conversations.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Chapter IV)

Do not be afraid of holiness. It will not take away your energy, your vitality or joy. On the contrary you will become what the Father had in mind when He created you. and you will be faithful in your deepest self. To depend on God sets us free from every form of enslavement and leads us to recognize our great dignity ... Holiness does not make you less human, since it is an encounter between your weakness and the power of God's grace. For in the words of Leon Bloy, when all is said and done, "the only great tragedy in life is not to become a saint.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript A, Chapter I)

Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

Here's one of my favorites. Go Therese go! ...

I feel the vocation of the WARRIOR, THE PRIEST, THE APOSTLE, THE DOCTOR, THE MARTYR. Finally, I feel the need and desire of carrying out the most heroic deeds for You, O Jesus. I feel within my soul the courage of the Crusader, the Papal Guard, and I would want to die on the field of battle in defense of the Church.

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

And now with a few well-known words ...

Charity gave the key to my vocation ... LOVE COMPRISED ALL THE VOCATIONS, THAT LOVE WAS EVERYTHING, THAT IT EMBRACED ALL TIMES AND PLACES ... IN A WORD THAT IT WAS ETERNAL!

Then in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: O Jesus, my Love ... my vocation at last I have found it ... MY VOCATION IS LOVE!

(Story of a Soul, Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

Everything I have, everything I merit, is for the good of the Church and souls.

(Story of a Soul, Epilogue)

In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands, for I do not ask You, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is stained in Your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in Your own Justice and to receive from Your Love the eternal possession of Yourself. I want no other Throne, no other Crown but You, my Beloved.

(Story of a Soul, Appendices, "Act of Oblation to Merciful Love")

And about three months before she died, Therese offered this ...

I feel that my mission is about to begin, my mission of making others love God as I love Him, my mission of teaching my little way to souls. If God answers my requests, my heaven will be spent on earth up into the end of the world. Yes, I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.

(Story of a Soul, Epilogue)

Today's photo: Praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

She is clothed with strength and dignity, 

and she laughs at the days to come.

MARY, QUEEN OF MOTHERS,

PRAY FOR US.

On you have I leaned from my birth,

from my mother's womb you have been my help.

My hope has always been in you.

(Psalm 70:6)

Welcome to Good Shepherd Sunday and the celebration of Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day. We pray for all mothers, biological, psychological, or spiritual, that through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will guide them, and bless and reward them for their sacrifices, love, and care. Bless the work of their hands and hearts. 

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux, "The Little Flower", 1873-1897)

A woman by her very nature is maternal - for every woman, either married or unmarried, is called upon to be a biological, psychological, or spiritual mother - she knows intuitively that to give, to nurture, to care for others, to suffer with and for them - for maternity implies suffering - is infinitely more valuable in God's sight than to conquer nations and fly to the moon.

(Alice von Hildebrand, 1923-2022)

We invoke some of the saints who were mothers ...

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT PERPETUA,

SAINT HELENA OF CONSTANTINOPLE,

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT OLGA OF KIEV,

SAINT ADELAIDE OF BURGANDY,

SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT HEDWIG OF SILESIA,

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

SAINT MARGARET POLE,

SAINT MARGARET BALL,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

SAINT MARIE-MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT MARIA CRISTINA OF SAVOY,

SAINT ELISABETTA SANNA,

BLESSED EUROSIA FABRIS BARBARI,

SAINT HILDEGARD BURJAN,

BLESSED CONCEPCION CABRERA DE ARMIDA,

BLESSED WIKTORIA ULMA,

SAINT GIANNA MOLLA,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Eastertide 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

April is the month dedicated to the Divine Mercy

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

June is the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

By the Lord has this been done.

MARY, MOTHER OF HOPE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

DIVINE MERCY, SOURCE OF MIRACLES AND WONDERS,

I TRUST IN YOU.

HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOSE FULLNESS WE HAVE ALL RECEIVED,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Papa Francesco, 

Requiescat in Pace.

We pray for all the Cardinals who gather to elect the Holy Father's successor. At the same time, we pray for all the faithful. We have our part to play too. May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us. 

Our prayers continue as we pray for our Holy Father,

Pope Leo XIV. 

Auguri Papa Leone XIV.

Lord, God, keep Pope Leo XIV close to Your Sacred Heart. 

Guide him in truth, strengthen him in grace, 

and let his every step draw the Church nearer to you.

Amen.

He is risen. Alleluia! Sing praise; sing praise. 🎶 We welcome all the newly baptized and confirmed. Benvenuti a tutti! Together, may we grow in faith, joy, and happiness.

HAPPY EASTER!

BUON PASQUA!

FROHE OSTERN!

JOYEUSES PAQUES!

FELIZ PASCUA!

We welcome too the Easter morning birds, busy as they "fly beneath the dome of the sky," and sing praise from this tree and that one. God looks at it all and finds it very good. As Pilgrims of Hope, we hear from Cardinal Basil Hume, from an Easter Sunday Morning Television Program, 1986.

Easter is so much more than a welcome spring holiday. It has its own special meaning and importance. It offers us real hope. It is the key that unlocks the secrets of life. It reveals the immensity of God's love and the future He has planned for each of us ... Easter gives us an idea of what our life is for. Through Easter we see how the love of God shines through darkness and discouragement and death. We now have sure hope that there is meaning and a purpose in all that happens to us, and a future beyond our wildest dreams.

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! 

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in.

(Psalm 24)

Life is not a waiting room leading to the void but the beginning of eternity ...

God does not live in a distance castle, nor does He hide Himself behind impenetrable anterooms. The door is open; it is called Jesus Christ. The celebration of Easter is intended to show us the radiant light that streams from this door.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Throw open the door of your heart ... let the radiant light that streams from the King of Glory enter. And check out the long list of saints to intercede for us during this blessed Eastertide. Woo-hoo.

SAINT MARCELLINUS, VINCENT AND DOMNINUS,

SAINT BEUNO,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO, OP,

SAINT ANSELM OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT MAELRUBHA,

SAINT CAIUS AND SOTER,

SAINT GEORGE,

SAINT ADALBERT OF PRAGUE,

BLESSED TERESA MARIA OF THE CROSS,

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN,

SAINT ERKENWALD,

SAINT EGBERT,

SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST,

BLESSED ROBERT ANDERTON AND WILLIAM MARDSEN,

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL,

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR, OP,

SAINT PETER CHANEL,

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,

BLESSED MARIA GUGGLIARI ECHEVERRIA,

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN, DOCTOR,

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA,

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT ATHANASIUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES,

SAINT HILARY OF ARLES,

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

SAINT BRIGID,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIA RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI,

SAINT ASAPH,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT FRANCOIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT EVODIUS,

BLESSED CHRISTIAN DE CHERGE AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT PETER OF TARENTAISE,

SAINT JOHN OF BEVERLEY,

SAINT ROSE VENERINI, 

BLESSED ALBERT OF BERGAMO, OP,

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

SAINT GEORGE PRECA,

SAINT PACHOMIUS,

SAINT LOUISE DE MARILLAC,

SAINT DAMIAN OF MOLOKAI,

SAINT JOHN OF AVILA,

SAINT COMGALL,

SAINT ANTONIUS OF FLORENCE, OP,

THE CARTHUSIAN MARTYRS,

SAINT EPIPHANIUS OF SALAMIS,

SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS,

SAINT PANCRAS, MARTYR,

BLESSED JANE OF PORTUGAL, OP,

OUR LADY OF FATIMA,

SAINT ERCONWALD,

BLESSED IMELDA LAMBERTINI, OP, 

SAINT MATTHIAS, APOSTLE,

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER,

SAINT CARTHAGE,

BLESSED ANDREW ABELLON, OP,

BLESSED GILES OF VAOZELA,

SAINT SIMON STOCK,

SAINT JOHN STONE,

POPE SAINT JOHN I,

SAINT ERIK OF SWEDEN,

SAINT DUNSTAN,

SAINT MILBURGA,

SAINT IVO OR YVES,

SAINT RAPHAEL LOUIS RAFIRINGA,

SAINT FRANCIS COLL GUITART, OP,

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA,

BLESSED COLUMBA OF RIETI, OP,

POPE SAINT CELESTINE V,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

SAINT JOACHINA DE VEDRUNA DE MAS,

SAINT CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND HIS COMPANIONS

SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD,

OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

BLESSED LOUIS-ZEPHIRIN MOREAU,

SAINT ALDHELM,

SAINT DOMINIC,

POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI,

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE,

SAINT JANE ANTIDE THOURET,

SAINTS DONATIAN AND ROGATIAN,

SAINT PHILIP NERI,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY,

BLESSED ANDREW FRANCHI, OP,

BLESSED MARGARET POLE, COUNTESS OF SALISBURY,

BLESSED MARY BARTHOLOMEW BAGNESI, OP,

BLESSED ARCHBISHOP ANTONI JULIAN NOWOWIEJSKI,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

BLESSED JOSEPH GERARD,

BLESSED ELIA OF SAINT CLEMENT,

BLESSED WILLIAM ARNAUD, OP, AND COMMPANIONS, MARTRYS,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

SAINT JUSTIN, MARTYR,

SAINTS MARCELLINUS AND PETER,

SAINTS POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

SAINT CHARLES LWANGA AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT KEVIN,

SAINT MAXIMUS,

SAINT ATHANASIUS,

SAINT CLOTILDE,

SAINT OPTATUS,

SAINT BONIFACE, APOSTLE OF GERMANY,

SAINT NORBERT,

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT,

SAINT COLMAN OF DROMORE,

SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER,

BLESSED ANNE OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

SAINT ANTHONY MARY GIANELLI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: With help from a ladder, I managed this one.☺ Sing praise to the Lord for His glorious achievement. 

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Holy Saturday

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

April is the month dedicated to the Divine Mercy

The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,

that He might fill all things.

DIVINE MERCY, SHIELDING US FROM THE FIRE OF HELL,

I TRUST IN YOU.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Pilgrims of hope, we wait.

Something strange is happening-there is a great silence on the earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

However, as the Lord takes Adam by the hand, He says ...

Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light ...

I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only person and we cannot be separated.

(From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday, in Office of Readings, Holy Saturday)

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. 

Pope Saint John Paul II offered this about Holy Saturday:

On Holy Saturday, the Church, once again, identifies herself with Mary: all her faith is gathered in her, the first believer. In the darkness that envelopes creation, she remains alone to keep the flame of faith alive, preparing to welcome the joyful and surprising announcement of the Resurrection. In memory of the Mother of the Lord, the Christian community on this aliturgical day is called to devote herself to silence and meditation, nourishing in expectation the blessed hope of a renewed encounter with the Lord.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Wednesday General Audience, April 3, 1996)

Let us be silent this day and ask Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows to pray for us so that we, like her, be strengthened in our faith. 

Solitude can be very rewarding and full of blessing because in the silence of the inner being, 

one finds God.

(Venerable Fulton Sheen)

BLESSED JAMES OLDO,

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO, OP,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BISCOSSI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From the archives, February 6, 2023. Praise God in His holy place, praise Him in the mighty heavens. 

© Gertrude Feick 2025