Pentecost Sunday

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1473-1541); Blessed Bartholomew Bagnesi, OP (1514-1577)

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:10-18 Humility

Mass:  Acts 2:1-11; Resp Ps 104; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Squence Veni, Sancte Spiritus; Jn 20:19-23

Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN,

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY SPIRIT, 

ENGRAVE YOUR LAW IN OUR HEARTS.

Peace be with you ...

Receive the Holy Spirit.

(Jn 20:19, 22)

Welcome to Pentecost Sunday, the fiftieth day. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. I believe, help my unbelief! There sure are plenty of things to today. One would be to pray with the Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus, which can be prayed after the second reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and before the Gospel Acclamation. You just may find a phrase or two that fits whatever comes your way this week. Come, Holy Spirit, come! ... O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours, And our inmost being fill! Or you can pray with the Litany to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, fire ever burning, have mercy on us.

One of my favorite readings used at Mass comes from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, the third reading proclaimed at the Vigil Mass of Pentecost. It will surely bring a smile to your face and give you hope at the same time. Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the Lord ... From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life ... and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army (Ezk 37:4-6, 9-10). Google the YouTube of the Cathedral Quartet singing "Dry Bones." It is awesome. "Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones ... now hear the Word of the Lord ... Your thigh bone connected to your hip bone ... These bones, these bones, got up and walked around!”

Another favorite comes from the epistle also proclaimed at the Vigil Mass. It is not uncommon to hear people say that they don't know how to pray. And it is true - we don't! So Saint Paul reassures us: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And furthermore, the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will (Rm 8:26-27). It seems, then, that we are good to go. From our own will, deliver us, O Holy Spirit. 

And our voices for the week ... United in faith and prayer, we go forth. And we honor all the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Rest in peace. Love and life of saintly souls, have mercy on us.

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 achieve] thorough fruition of you.

(Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta, Spiritual Exercises, II, 32-37)

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 people like this, for not only do they perceive evil, but they abide in a certain marvelous expansion of the heart.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

Uncage your heart, free your heart, let it be wild.

(Anonymous, on the tag of a Yogi teabag ☺)

May everyone be warmed and enlightened by the flame that burns in your heart and the light of your inner fire. 

(Saint Luigi Orione, 1872-1940)

Do not quench the Spirit.

(1 Th 5:19)

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, prophecies are extinguished, sorrow supplants joy, and routine substitutes love.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, May 26, 2023)

Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

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

So as to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

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

COME, HOLY SPIRIT! FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL,

AND ENKINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE.

Grant, O merciful Father, that Your Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame, and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

BLESSED MARGARET POLE,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW BAGNESI,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

BLESSED JOSEPH GERARD,

BLESSED ELIA OF SAINT CLEMENT,

BLESSED WILLIAM ARNAUD AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

BLESSED JAMES SOLOMONIO,

SAINT JUSTIN MARTYR,

SAINT MARCELLINUS AND PETER, MARTYRS,

SAINTS POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

SAINTS CHARLES LWANGA AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT KEVIN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: How manifold are your works, O Lord. Rowena Crest, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. Thank you, Maddy, avid hiker, photographer extraordinaire. Veni, Sancte Spiritus.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

The Ascension of the Lord

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions (20th century); Saint Eugene de Mazenod (1782-1861)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 4:44-62 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Acts 1:1-11; Resp Ps 47; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20

Sing praise to God, sing praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, 

that you may know what is the hope that belongs to His call.

(Eph 1:18)

Welcome to the Ascension of the Lord. With all sorts of thoughts going through my mind this busy Sunday morning, I stick with a simple message I sent to a dear niece. Even though Jesus ascended, He will send the Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Thanks be to God. 

Not done yet, as there follows all sorts of this and that ☺, here is something Pope Benedict XVI said about the Ascension. "The Lord draws the gaze of the Apostles - and our gaze - toward heaven to show how to travel the road of good during earthly life." And there are many ways to travel the road of good as expressed by Saint Benedict in Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule, The Tools for Good Works. And it happens that we have the privilege of being immersed in that chapter this week. As far as hope is concerned, then, "place your hope in God alone" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41). And as Mother Julian of Norwich (1343-after 1416) said, "all will be well, and all will be well, and every kind of thing will be well." And it so happens that this year marks the 650th anniversary of Mother Julian's Revelations of the Passion of Christ. Pope Francis sent a message last week to all pilgrims gathered to mark the anniversary in the English city of Norwich.

All voices for this week come from George Cardinal Pell (1941-2023) and the first volume of his Prison Journal: The Cardinal Makes His Appeal (Ignatius, 2020). With this read, I am meeting a remarkable man of faith. The title of a recent article about him states it clearly: "Cardinal Pell Showed Us What Interior Freedom Really Looks Like," (Maryella Hierholzer, National Catholic Register, May 15, 2023). The late Cardinal is certainly showing me something about interior freedom, forgiveness, and taking pleasures in small things, among other things. At the same time, I am busy asking him to help me. And he delivers. The book is full of worthwhile passages to quote; Cardinal Pell has many things to teach the faithful, and not so faithful. For example, "I believe that one of the keys to surviving in prison, and especially in a solitary regime, is to concentrate on doing what one can rather than lamenting what one cannot do" (p. 95). Very good advice, wherever one finds herself. At the end of each journal entry, Cardinal Pell has a prayer, his own, another, or one that someone has sent him. Or he might end an entry with a stanza of poem or hymn. In any case, my book is full of page markers. So it may be that we hear from him again. 

Since we commemorate Our Lady, Help of Christians, this coming Wednesday, let's begin with a hymn addressed to her, "Help of Christians, Guard This Land," one that the Cardinal wrote is especially apt for Australia today. It is apt for any country though. 

Help of Christians, guard this land

From assault or inward stain;

Let it be what Christ has planned, 

A new Eden where you reign ...

Take from us the coward heart,

Fleeting will, divided mind,

Give us sight to play our part,

Though the world around is blind.

(p. 98)

Now with some prayers for the week, all from the Cardinal.

God our Loving Father, help me to keep hatred out of my heart.

Not only should I speak the truth in love, but I should think the truth in love.

(p. 30)

God our Father, I will always trust in you. Whatever, wherever I am, I know I can never be thrown away. Whether I am sick or perplexed or in sorrow, I may still serve you, and these difficulties may be necessary causes to some great end, which is quite beyond me.

You do nothing in vain, and you know what you are about. Amen.

(p. 150)

God our Father, help us always to be people of Christian hope even when, humanly speaking, the situation seems hopeless. May we always believe in the Resurrection as well as the crucifixion and be sustained by the promise of eternal life with you, Your Son, and the life-giving Spirit.

(p. 109)

God our Father, I pray for all my fellow prisoners, especially those who have written me. Help them to see their true selves; indeed, help me, too, to do this better for myself. Bring all of them some peace of mind, especially those who most certainly do not possess it.

(p. 26)

For everything I have received in a happy, full life and for all I am about to receive, 

my I be truly grateful.

(p. 322)

Loving God, you are our strength. Support us in our weakness, give us insight and wisdom, peace of heart and patience. Take us under you care, give us your love so that we will have the strength to embrace our weakness and confront our challenges.

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.

(p. 330)

There are plenty of saints to invoke this week too.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

SAINT JOACHINA DE VEDRUNA DE MAS,

OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

BLESSED LOUIS-ZEPHERIN MOREAU,

SAINT ALDHELM,

SAINT DOMINIC,

POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI,

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE,

SAINT PHILIP NERI,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY,

BLESSED ANDREW FRANCHI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I took this photo last Monday. When I saw the early morning sunlight on this glorious bush, I thought of the coming of the Holy Spirit. All week I looked for another photo to use; this one kept coming back. The first glance is most often the best. "The Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Veni Sancte Spiritus. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Saint Matthias, Apostle 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:23-29 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Resp Ps 66;1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21

Come and see the works of God.

MATER CREATORIS, MOTHER OF THE CREATOR,

MATER CHRISTI, MOTHER OF CHRIST,

MATER SALVATORIS, MOTHER OF THE SAVIOR,

PRAY FOR US.

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.

(1 Pt 3:15)

Welcome to the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the celebration of Mother's Day. For all Mothers and Grandmothers, living and deceased, to be Mothers and Mothers who have already sent their children back to God, Happy Mother's Day. You are God's majestic gift to the world. May Our Lady cover you and your families in Her protective veil. 

As we march through the 50 days of the Easter season, let's join Philip and proclaim Christ in word and deed (see Acts 8:5).  Remember though to do bear witness with gentleness and reverence (see 1 Pt 3:16). At the same time, keep your conscience clear, so that, when maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil (1 Pt 3:16-17). And as it is said and we believe, our help is in the name of the Lord. So whoever has His commandments and observes them is the one who loves Him. And whoever loves Him will be loved by His Father, and He will love you and reveal Himself to you (see Jn 14:21). May there be great joy in your city (see Acts 8:8).

As far as passing along a few voices for the week, I heard from one faithful reader who said she would re-read and reflect on a different quotation each day and see how it applied to her life. Another faithful reader remarked, "Your collection of voices is remarkable." With their prompting then, I include at least seven quotations, enough to get you through the week leading to the Ascension of the Lord.

A woman by her very nature is maternal - for every woman, whether 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)

To serve God is to reign.

(Saint Antoninus of Florence, OP, 1389-1459)

Things seen superficially can disturb us, but if we regard them with the profundity of faith, nothing can make us lose peace.

(Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez, d. 1956)

Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness of vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?

(Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego, 16th century)

The tenderness of God's love-no one can love us as God. He has made us in His image. He made us. He is our Father.

"The Father loves me, He wants me, He needs me." That kind of attitude is our trust, our joy, our conviction. Anything may come: impatience, failures, joy, but say to yourself, "The Father loves me." God has created the whole world but He is our Father. In prayer, create that conviction, from the inside: Father and child.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with Him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work our prosperously for you.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591)

If it should ever happen that you will waver and perhaps fall into sin, return as soon as possible to the right path by using such remedies as the Church ordains ... Think only of Jesus, and of your desire to gain His love, and nothing will harm you.

(Blessed Henry Suso, 1295-1366)

Sooner or later, we all discover that kindness is the only strength there is.

(Father Greg Boyle, SJ, b. 1954, founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program)

MOTHER SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

MOTHER SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT MATTHIAS,

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER,

SAINT CARTHAGE,

BLESSED ANDREW ABELLON, OP,

BLESSED GILES OF VAOZELA, OP,

SAINT SIMON STOCK,

SAINT BRENDAN,

SAINT JOHN STONE,

POPE SAINT JOHN I,

SAINT DUNSTAN,

SAINT BERNADINO OF SIENA,

BLESSED COLUMBA OF RIETI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I literally stumbled over these beauties when I tripped on the hidden curve at the beginning of the path that led to them. Whoopsie daisy. ☺You will find this and plenty of other beauty at Blake Garden in Kensington, CA, a 10.6-acre, public garden 4 miles north of the UC Berkeley campus. I had the privilege of a brief visit to the garden when spending a few hours with beloved friends I had not seen in six years. A married couple, both 88-years old, they have been married for 55 years. People of faith who formed their children in the faith, they keep going. Sing praise to the glory of His name. United in faith and prayer, we keep going with them. And be grateful for the little gifts God gives us each and every day.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to Devotion to the Blessed Mother

In other years: Saint John Beverley (-721); Blessed Albert of Bergamo, OP (1214-1279)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 39-44

Mass: Acts 6:1-7; Resp Ps 33; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12

Praise from the upright is fitting.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

MARY, CAUSE OF OUR JOY,

MARY, GATE OF HEAVEN,

OUR LADY OF FATIMA,

PRAY FOR US.

I am the true vine and you are the branches, says the Lord.

Whoever remains in me, and I in him, bears fruit in plenty.

Alleluia.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Welcome to the Fifth Sunday of Easter. It occurred to me during mediation this morning that these little reflections are really just pep talks for myself that I pass on to you. There is strength in numbers you know. ☺ For where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there He is in the midst of them (see Mt 18:20). 

With today's Communion Antiphon in mind and heart, there is certainly no reason to let your hearts be troubled. As Jesus tells us, You have faith in God; have faith in me also (Jn 14:1). Jesus is the way and the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). Follow Him, cling to Him, the true vine, just as the branches of the glorious flowering tree in today's photo cling to the stem. I mow around this beauty so am quite familiar with the strength of it. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the daily and not keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. And in so many situations in which we find ourselves, understandable, especially for those with family, work, community, and social responsibilities, or a combination of all of them. Jesus is in the Father and will lead you to Him. Believe in Jesus, do the works that He does, and yes, you will do greater ones than even He did. After all, the Lord has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (see 1 Pt 2:9). Practically speaking, we can turn to the wisdom of loved by many Father Paschal Cheline, OSB (1926-2015), who said, "One definition of heroic virtue is just to continue doing what is asked of us in our state in life over a sustained period of time." Or perhaps more colloquially, keep going! And you just never know how many more will become obedient to the faith (see Acts 6:7). With the grace of God, we go forth. 

And lastly, as is now a weekly custom, I pass along a few voices for the week. United in faith and prayer, "what is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of His grace ... we must run and do now what will profit us forever ... as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 41, 44, 49).

God loves us, insignificant as we are. Indeed, the smaller and more insignificant we feel, the more He loves us. He loves each one, adapting Himself, so to speak, to each personality. In heaven, John is John and Peter is Peter, sanctified, Christ-like, and yet still each himself. Our Master wants us there with all that is good in us, all that makes us truly ourselves, unchanged; only the sinfulness, what is unchildlike, is to fall away ...

(Father Bonaventure Perquin, OP, d. 1970)

Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book.

(Saint John Bosco, 1815-1888)

Things were in God's plan which I had not planned at all. I am coming to the living faith and conviction that - from God's point of view - there is no chance (coincidence in life) and that the whole of my life, down to every detail, has been mapped out in God's Divine Providence and makes complete and perfect sense in God's all-seeing eyes.

(Saint Edith Stein/Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, 1891-1942)

Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of words, but on the fervor of our souls.

(Saint John Chrysostum, 347-407)

Prayer is ...

 "a holy familiarity, a sacred union of a human being with God. It is in prayer that He imparts Himself to the souls He loves, that He deals with them in secret, that He speaks with them heart to heart. It is in these times [of prayer] that He fills them with His favors, that He keeps nothing back from them, and that He takes pleasure in making them feel, by the ineffable outpourings of His trust and love, the effect and fulfillment of these words of the prophet: 'My delight is to be with the children of men' (Pr 8:31)."

(Armand-Jean le Bouthillier de Rance, 1626-1700)

Do not be troubled if you do not immediately receive from God what you ask Him; for He desires to do something even greater for you, while you cling to Him in prayer.

(Evagrius Ponticus, 345-399)

Contemplative prayer [oracion mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.

(Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582)

Contemplatives know that if they have God they will have everything that is good. Rather than focusing on anything on particular, they concentrate on God alone. Let God's grace help you do the best you can with this. Think only of God. Seek nothing other than God ...

in contemplation, there are no limits. Engage in it tirelessly for the rest of your life.

(The Cloud of Unknowing, late 14th century)

Judging others, pronouncing them good or bad, is God's business. We may evaluate behavior, but not the person.

(The Cloud of Unknowing, late 14th century)

Kindness is free. Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.

(Anonymous)

SAINT JOHN BEVERLEY,

BLESSED ALBERT OF BERGAMO,

BLESSED CHRISTIAN DE CHERGE,

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MEDIATRIX,

SAINT GEORGE PRECA,

SAINT JOHN OF AVILA,

SAINT DAMIAN OF MOLOKAI,

SAINT COMGALL,

SAINT ANTONIUS OF FLORENCE, OP,

THE CARTHUSIAN MARTYRS,

SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS,

SAINT PANCRAS,

BLESSED JANE OF PORTUGAL, OP,

SAINT ERCONWALD,

BLESSED IMELDA LAMBERTINI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: All His works are certainly trustworthy. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Fourth Sunday of Easter

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

Good Shepherd Sunday

60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Vocation: Grace and Mission"

In other years: Pope Saint Pius V (1504-1572); Saint Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672); Our Lady, Mother of Africa

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks 

Mass: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Resp Ps 23; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

Only goodness and kindness follow me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, TRUE SHEPHERD,

SPIRIT OF GRACE AND PRAYER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

(Jn 10:10)

Welcome to Good Shepherd Sunday and Day of Prayer for Vocations. On this busy day, and during this busy week with more saints to invoke, we continue to pray for Pope Francis as he returns to Rome after his 41st Apostolic Journey outside of Italy, this time to Hungary. May Saint Elizabeth of Hungary intercede for him. We also mark the last day of April 2023 and launch into the beautiful month of May, the month of Mary, dedicated to devotion to the Blessed Mother. And if that is not enough, we wrap up the first read through of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for 2023 and spend today with the most beautiful Chapter 72 on the Good Zeal of Monks. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may He bring us all together to everlasting life (Rule of Saint Benedict 72:11-12).

On Good Shepherd Sunday we have my favorite Psalm 23, a psalm that got me through many a lift from here to there in rural South Africa when I served in the United States Peace Corps. When someone would kindly give me a lift, and as soon as I got in the car, I would pray from Psalm 23 in Zulu. All will be well and all manner of things will be well. A mantra for the week can be, then, Ujehova ungumalusi wami angiyikuswela The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Turn to the Lord, He is the gate - the only gate to enter. He will lead you and give you courage; only goodness and kindness will follow you, all the days of your life. United in faith and prayer, make friends with Psalm 23. And as I found it, it just may make you instant friends with strangers. Thank you, faithful readers, for being there. 

Here are some voices to assist you in your life of prayer and work this week. We begin with a prayer for Eastertide, the Regina Caeli Queen of Heaven.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,

has risen as He said, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary,

alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!

For the World Day of Prayer for vocations, and no matter our state of life, we are called to follow the Lord, to love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Lord has called us out of darkness, into His wonderful light. He is our Light and our Life. Thanks be to God.

Our shared mission as Christians is to bear joyful witness wherever we find ourselves, through our actions and words, to the experience of being with Jesus and members of His community, which is the Church. That mission finds expression in works of material and spiritual mercy, in a welcoming and gentle way of life that reflects closeness, compassion and tenderness, in contrast to the culture of waste and indifference. By being a neighbor, like the Good Samaritan, we come to understand the heart of our Christian vocation: to imitate Jesus Christ, who came to serve, not be served.

(Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2023 World Day of Prayer for Vocations) 

O Jesus, divine Shepherd of souls, you called the Apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to yourself ardent and generous souls among the young in order to make them your followers and ministers. Give them a share in your thirst for the redemption of all ... Open before them the horizons of the entire world ... By responding to your call, may they prolong your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body which is the Church, and be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world."

(Pope Saint Paul VI, First World Day of Vocations, April 11, 1964)

Monks and nuns are the beating heart of the Church's proclamation of the Gospel: their prayer is oxygen for all the members of the Body of Christ, the invisible source that sustains the mission ...

Monks and nuns, like Jesus, take on the world's problems, the difficulties, the illnesses, many things, and pray for others ... [cloistered religious] are always busy with work and prayer.

(Pope Francis, Wednesday General Audience, April 26, 2023)

In honor of Mary in this month of May, and also as we constantly turn to the saints for help and guidance, we hear from Saint Marcellin Champagnat (d. 1840), one of the founding members of the Society of Mary, or Marist Fathers, and the founder of the Marist Brothers.

A saint is a humble person, who constantly fights pride, who, far from wanting to dominate others, makes himself the least and the servant of all. Learn of me, says Jesus, because I am meek and humble of heart. All the saints attended the school of Jesus Christ; all of them learned humility from Him; all of them were models of this virtue.

And lastly, a few random voices, from here and there.

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

(James 1:1)

If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.

(1 Pt 2:20b-21)

Know this, dear brothers and sisters, everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath ... humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you ...

Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves ... the one who peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.

(James 1:19-25)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Do not speak evil of one another.

(James 4:11)

If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17)

You will not see anyone who is really striving after his advancement who is not given to spiritual reading, and to him who neglects it, the fact will soon be observed in his progress.

(Saint Athanasius)

Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 1)

It is to be hoped that the life of everyone will be a life sustained by passionate love for the Lord Jesus; a life capable of responding to suffering and to thorns with forgiveness and the total gift of self, in order to spread everywhere the good odor of Christ.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, May 20, 2000, to pilgrims on the Centenary of the Canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia, d. 1457)

They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:4-7)

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA,

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT ATHANASIUS,

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES,

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIE RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI, OP,

SAINT ASAPH,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT FRANCOIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: He refreshes my soul.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Third Sunday of Easter

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint George (-c.303); Saint Adalbert of Prague (956-997); Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross (1846-1910)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 65 The Prior of the Monastery

Mass: Acts 2:14, 22-23; Resp Ps 16; 1 Pt 1:17-21; Lk 24:13-35 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

pray for us.

JESUS, SOURCE OF NEW LIFE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HOLY SPIRIT, TEACH US TO PRAY WELL.

Conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning.

(1 Pt 1:17)

Alleluia and welcome to the Third Sunday of Lent. We are with the beautiful post-Resurrection account of Jesus' appearance on the road to Emmaus. At the same time, we continue with the wonderful First Letter of Saint Peter. If you are feeling down, looking downcast even (see Lk 24:16), like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then maybe ask yourself two questions. First, what brings you joy? And second, what are you witnessing to? Don't be slow of heart to believe (see Lk 24:25); no, don't go there. Rather, open your heart to Jesus in your midst. Pray for your eyes to be open so you recognize the Risen Lord, in little things, and bigger ones too. And in difficult situations, and in the turbulent waters of personal encounters with others, especially with those you find most difficult. 

He woke, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then He asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey?"

(Mk 4:39-41)

As you can see below, we are busy invoking all sorts of saints this week, those commemorated this week along with two from last week. One in particular I find most impressive and a source of inspiration, namely, Saint Agnes of Montepulciano OP (1268-1317). In true Italian fashion, Agnes, at the age of six, tried to convince her parents to allow her to join a convent. Yes, six. I am not sure whether or not she was a patient girl. However, Agnes didn't have to wait too long; she entered the Dominican convent at Montepulciano at the age of nine. Yes, nine, even though this practice was generally against Church law. Well on her way then, with the grace of God, Agnes became an abbess at the unheard-of age of 15! Yes, 15. As I say, "they" just don't make 'em like that anymore. You can find this and other newsy news on Catholic News Agency, "St Agnes of Montepulciano." Saint Agnes was canonized in 1726 by Pope Gregory VII. I love these fun facts. Here is one more then. Agnes preceded the great Doctor of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), who we commemorate April 29th. Saint Catherine of Siena regarded Agnes as her "glorious mother." It seems then that I am in a line with other members of the faithful inspired by dear Saint Agnes. Join the queue dear faithful readers! ☺ And keep going! 

Here are a few quotations to help get you through the week:

Wherever one person does something good for another, there God is especially near. Whenever someone opens himself for God in prayer, then he enters into His special closeness.

(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World, p. 107)

The property of love is never to seek self, to keep back nothing but to give everything to the one it loves.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591)

Scripture mysteriously communicates God's very presence ... When we read in faith, [the Bible] makes God Himself present in our lives and communicates Him to our hearts. If we allow the words of Scripture to fill our thoughts and enter our hearts, God becomes present. For God dwells in His Word.

(Father Jacques Philippe, b. 1947)

No sufferings, nor weakness nor distress (and from these he is never free in any degree) can prevent his following me daily in Prayer, portions of the Psalms, and generally large Portions of the Scriptures ...

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821, while attending to her husband on his death bed, with her Bible in her hand and in heart)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Praising God is like breathing pure oxygen: it purifies the soul, it makes you look far ahead, it does not leave you imprisoned in the difficult and dark moments of hardship.

(Pope Francis)

Praise God in His holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.

Give praise for His mighty deeds,

praise Him for His great majesty ...

Let everything that has breath

give praise to the Lord!

Halleluia!

(Psalm 150)

O eternal God, light surpassing all other light because all light comes from you! O fire surpassing every fire because you alone are the fire that burns without consuming!  You consume whatever sin and selfishness you find in the soul. Yet your consuming does not distress the soul but fattens her with insatiable love, for though you satisfy her she is never sated but longs for you constantly. The more she possesses you the more she seeks you, and the more she seeks and desires you the more she finds and enjoys you, high eternal fire, abyss of charity!

(Saint Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue, 134)

Let's love God dearly ... love Mary dearly ... look to heaven ... sing ... go crazy.

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, 1911-1938)

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 MARSDEN,

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR,

SAINT PETER CHANEL,

SAINT LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT,

BLESSED MARIA GUGGIARI ECHEVERRIA,

SAINT RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON,

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA,

SAINT AGNES OF MONTEPULCIANO,

SAINT ANSELM OF CANTERBURY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is definitely a favorite, especially when seen like this a couple of days ago. I thought to save it for Pentecost. However, there is no time like the present. You will show me the path to life.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Bernadette Soubirous, Patron Saint of the Sick (1844-1879)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Mass: Acts 2:42-47; Resp Ps 118; 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn 20:19-31

By the Lord has this been done.

Mary, Queen of Peace,

Mary, Queen of Mercy,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

pray for us. 

Jesus, Bread of Life,

Holy Spirit, come,

have mercy on us.

Humanity will not find peace until it turns trustfully to divine mercy ...

My daughter, say that I am love and mercy personified.

(Jesus to Faustina Kowalska)

Welcome to Divine Mercy Sunday on this Second Sunday of Easter, the day dedicated to Divine Mercy by Pope Saint John Paul II when he canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska, April 30, 2000. The pontiff preached this during the homily: "It is important that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on the Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church will be called 'Divine Mercy Sunday'." I remember this day in 2003, April 27th that year, when I made my First Monastic Profession. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever (Ps 118:1). At the same time, I recall my memorable visit to the beautiful country of Lithuania around 2009, when I went with dear Agne to visit the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Vilnius. The chapel was packed, standing room only. 

Heeding the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, look to today's readings, reflect. What does it mean to find peace in divine mercy? The second reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter is enough to keep anyone busy. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ... (1 Pt 1:3ff)

Peace be with you ... Receive the Holy Spirit. 

(Jn 20:19-22)

There is one form of power for the three powers of faith, hope, and charity, for everything in this life is based on faith; by it we believe, we hope and we love what we do not see. This is faith. By it we now walk as long as we pilgrimage to the Lord ...

Faith is indeed the first step forward to God. As the Apostle says: It behooves those going to God to believe that He is the rewarder of those seeking Him. Faith is the root of all the powers and the foundation of all good works. Nor is there any power which is not derived from faith. There are no buildings but only ruins outside the foundation of faith.

(William of St Thierry, The Mirror of Faith, Ch 2, 4; Ch 9, 13)

Our Lady Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to attain the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls (see 1 Pt 1:9). I believe, help my unbelief.

Faustina, a gift of God for our time, a gift from the land of Poland to the whole Church, obtain for us an awareness of the depth of divine mercy; help us to have a living experience of it among our brothers and sisters. May your message of hope and light spread throughout the world, spurring sinners to conversion, calming rivalries and hatred and opening individuals and nations to the practice of brotherhood. Today, fixing our gaze with you on the face of the risen Christ, let us make our own your prayer of trusting abandonment and say with firm hope: Christ Jesus, I trust in you. Jezu, ufam tobie!

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Homily of the Holy Father, Mass in St Peter's Square for the Canonization of Sr Maria Faustina Kowalska, April 30, 2000)

United in faith and prayer, we go forth, believe and proclaim in word and deed with Saint Faustina: Jesus is love and mercy personified!

SAINT MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today’s photo: This Fetid Adder’s Tongue is a new one to me. I’m told you have to pay attention to see it. The contributor of the photo eyed the flower last week. In her words, “I was quite excited when I began to see the flowers on the path along the creek from the monastery and the guest houses. The spotted leaves are eye catching but it is easy to miss the beautiful flowers.” In an article about Fetid Adder's Tongue, the author wrote: “The act of looking, of paying attention is akin to prayer for me …” May all this be a reminder then, to pay attention, and "finally, never lose hope in God's mercy" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:74). Amen. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Laborius, Bishop of Le Mans, Patron Saint of the Cathedral and Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany (d.396)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 56 The Abbot's Table

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night: Gn 1:1-2:2; Resp Ps 104 or Ps 33; Gn 22:1-18; Resp Ps 16; Ex 14;15-15:1; Resp Ps (Ex 15); Is 54:5-14; Resp Ps 30; Is 55:1-11; Resp Ps (Is 12); Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4; Resp Ps 19; Ezk 36:16-17a, 18-28; Resp Ps 42-43 or Resp (Is 12)  or Ps 51; Rm 6:3-11; Gospel Acclamation Ps 118; Mt 28:1-10

Easter Sunday Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Resp Ps 118; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Sequence (Victimae paschali laudes); Jn 20:1-9

Yes, Christ my hope is arisen.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

JESUS, OUR RESURRECTION,

SPIRIT OF LOVE AND JOY,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. 

He is not here, for He has been raised from the dead just as He said.

(Mt 28:5-6)

Happy Easter. He is Risen - Alleluia! Let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor 5:8). 

Now with news from the Easter Bunny: Dear faithful readers, thank you for being there. First hoppity hop with a few statistics. Since September 10, 2017, Lectio Divina has been published on a daily basis (with the exception of approximately seven days) for a total of 2,060 times. That makes for 5.64 years of reflections. To put it simply, and in sincerity and truth, it is time for a break in the action. In honor of Saint Laborius, the balance of ora et labora is not balanced. Most likely, you will not hear from me again during the Octave of Easter. After the Octave, you will hear from me at least once a week (barring any unforeseen circumstances), and maybe more often. However, you will hear from me on a regular not so regular basis. I am not quite sure of all the details of future reflections with a few things under consideration, like a title for them; I have started a list of ideas. Whatever comes of it all, we remain united in faith and prayer and keep going, no matter what. Please continue to check your email for postings and you can always find the most updated reflection on our website, along with other newsy news from Redwoods. In the meantime, go quickly and join Mary Magdalene and the other Mary ... run to announce the good news! 

He has been raised from the dead!

(Mt 28:7)

SAINT LABORIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Image of the Icon of the Resurrection, through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of Holy Week (Holy Saturday)

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

In other years: Saint Dionysius, Bishop of Corinth (2nd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:15-22 The Clothing and the Footwear of the Brothers

He descended into hell.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, FREEDOM FOR THE IMPRISONED,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

FROM ALL EVIL,

DELIVER US O HOLY SPIRIT.

Christ became obedient for us

even unto death, death on a cross.

(Traditional Responsory for Holy Saturday)

Welcome to Holy Saturday. I had the poem from Mary Oliver for today; then I prayed with the Office of Readings and an ancient homily. I begin with it and then go to Mary Oliver. It is all part of the story during this sacred Paschal Triduum.

Something strange is happening-there is a great silence on 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.*

GETHSEMANE

The grass never sleeps.

Or the roses.

Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.

The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,

and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,

and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.

Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe

the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn't move,

maybe

the lake far away, where once He walked as on a 

blue pavement,

lay still and waited, wild awake.

Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not

keep that vigil, how they must have wept,

so utterly human, knowing this too

must be part of the story.**

All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God;

All who have gone down into the dust 

will kneel in homage.

And I will live for the Lord;

my descendants will serve you.

The generation to come will be told of the Lord,

that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn

the deliverance you have brought.

(Ps 22:30-32)

SAINT DIONYSIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

*From an ancient homily on Holy Saturday in Office of Readings, Holy Saturday.

**Mary Oliver (1935-2019), "Gethsemane," in M. Oliver, Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver (Penguin, 2017), p. 129.

Today's photo: The cross in our cemetery as seen through the church window March 10, 2019.

© Gertrude Feick 2023