Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

November is the month dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory

December is the month dedicated to Advent and Christmas

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 47 Announcing the Hours for the Work of God - Ch 51 Brothers on a Short Journey

He guides me in right paths.

ALL FOR WHOM LOVE OR DUTY BIDS ME PRAYER,

MY JESUS MERCY!

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

So that God may be all in all.

(1 Cor 15:28)

Welcome to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and entry into the Last Week in Ordinary Time. How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honor. To Him belong glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. (Entrance Antiphon, Mass). 

Let us continue during these final days of November to pray for those who have died, for the poor souls in Purgatory, and especially for those who don't have anyone to pray for them. We pray too, for the repose of the soul of Ruth Burrows (Sister Rachel, OCD), the Quidenham Carmelite who died on November 10, 2023. Ruth summarized her insights in this way: "God offers Himself in total love to each one of us. Our part is to open our hearts to receive the gift." Thank you, Sister Rachel, for your service to God and the Church. Rest in peace.

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent and the start of the new liturgical year. Is there a saint calling out to be your patron saint for the year? Has there been a nudge from one of the saints you've read about or heard from throughout the days of November? Just who is it that could help you respond to the universal call to holiness and reach out to those in need - the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned - for those in need of your attention and care at home, work, parish, or in your neighborhood. You don't have to go far to find someone in need of your love. Just who is it that will help you open your heart to receive the gift of God's love and then pass it along to others ...

Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of the brothers or sisters of mine, 

you did for me.

(Matthew 25:40)

And now the time you've been waiting for. Let us rejoice and be glad as we hear from our voices for the week. With all the saints, we join our holy father Saint Benedict "ready to give up our own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 3).

The saints in each generation, joined to those who have gone before and filled like them with light, become a golden chain, in which each saint is a separate link, united to the next by faith, works and love.

(Saint Simeon the New Theologian, 949-1022)

A person can wait for the Lord the more trustfully if his conscience is so at rest as to let him say: Every smallest possession of mine, Lord, is entirely yours.

(Guerric of Igny, 1070/80-1157)

Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature.

(Blessed Solanus Casey, 1870-1957)

May we always welcome the word which you send us and give it flesh in our lives, that those who come after us may learn the message of your love from what we do and say.

(Blessed Arnold Jules Reche, 1838-1890)

Love knows no measure, so in love and for love we should just suffer and work.

(Blessed Ulrike Franziska Nisch, 1882-1913)

I wish to be a poor woman and I am happy with it, because it seems to me that this way I am loved even more by the Lord ... It is not riches but doing the will of God that makes the heart happy.

(Blessed Eurosia Fabris, 1866-1932)

Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has, and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.

(Saint John Chrysostom, 347-407)

The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness.

(Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, 1922-1962)

O my God, let me remember with gratitude and confess to Thee Thy mercies toward me.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.

(Saint Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582)

SAINT LEONARD OF PORTO MAURIZIO,

SAINT FRANCESCO ANTONIO FASANI,

SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS,

SAINT FERGAL,

BLESSED BERNARD FRANCIS DE HOYOS,

BLESSEDS DENIS AND REDEMPTUS,

SAINT ANDREW, APOSTLE,

BLESSED CLEMENTINE ANUARITE,

SAINT ALEXANDER BRIANT,

ALL SAINTS OF THE SERAPHIC ORDER,

SAINT SATURNINUS,

SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE,

SAINT JAMES OF THE MARCHES,

SAINT FRANCESCO ANTONIO FASANI,

SAINT JAMES INTERCISCUS,

SAINT SECHNALL OF IRELAND,

SAINT LEONARD OF PORT MAURICE,

SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA,

BLESSED SANTIAGO ALBERIONE,

SAINT RALPH SHERWIN,

SAINT EDMUND CAMPION,

SAINT ELIGIUS,

SAINT BIBIANA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: For years to come.

© Gertrude Feick 2023