December 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

December is the month dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ.

Maranatha!

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF JESUS,

IMMACULATE MARY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear Faithful Readers, Happy New Liturgical Year and welcome to the most holy season of Advent, on this first day of December 2025, the month dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ. Come, and save us, Lord our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Alleluia, alleluia. 

The holy season of Advent is a time of preparation, a time to be still, a time to free ourselves from the obstacles that limit our experience of the presence of Jesus who has already come, who will come, and who continuously comes. One way to go about that is by embracing the wisdom of Abba Antony. As the story goes, "Someone asked the Abba Antony, 'What sort of practices do I need to maintain in order to please God?' In reply the elder said, 'Practice what I am prescribing for you: Wherever you go, keep God right before your eyes-always. Whatever you're doing, hold on to the testimony of the holy Scriptures. Wherever you're living, don't be in a hurry to move on. Keep these practices and you'll be saved.'"* Stay awake. Wait. Wait for the Lord. Be still and know that He is God. Recognize His presence at all times and in all places. And you will be saved.

At the same time, it is in this holy season that we anticipate Christmas with the great "O" Antiphons, listed here in part, traditionally sung before and after the Canticle of Mary at Vespers from December 17-23. May we proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High ... 

come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel ...

come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

O root of Jesse, who stands as a sign among the people ...

come to deliver us and tarry not.

O Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom ...

come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Rising Dawn, splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice ...

come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O King of the nations and their Desire, the Cornerstone who binds two into one:

come and save mankind, whom you fashioned from clay.

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver ...

come and save us, O Lord our God!

United in faith and prayer, we go forth with words to inspire us ...

To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, will come one day to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize His presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005, General Audience, December 18, 2002)

The world might have expected the Son of God to be born in an inn; a stable would certainly be the last place in the world where one would look for Him. The lesson is: divinity is always where you least expect to find it. So the Son of God made man, is invited to enter into His own world through a back door.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

You too, are mothers of the Child who has been born for you and in you ... Keep watch in your care for the newborn Child.

(Guerric of Igny, 1070/80-1157)

The whole of Christ's life was a continual teaching: His silences, His miracles, His gestures, His prayer, His love for people, His special affection for the little and the poor, His acceptance of the total sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of the world, and His resurrection are the actualization of His word and fulfillment of revelation.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 9)

When it is sincere and comes from the heart, deep emotion is the most eloquent response [to] a great love or a great sorrow ... No word or gesture or gift can substitute for it because it is the best gift. It means opening oneself to the other.

(Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M., Cap., preacher to the papal household)

Strict with myself, I want to be only kind and gentle with my neighbor. To live in interior union with our God, and to make of all the monotony, triviality, and simple duties of my life so many prayers for others.

(Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur, 1866-1914)

At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it.

(Saint John of the Cross "The Mystical Doctor," 1542-1591)

All my works, Lord, are truly nothing without your grace and mercy, which you so generously shower on all creatures, and this without number or measure. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God (Rom 11:33).

(Venerable Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471)

But because I ask for silence,

don't think I'm going to die.

The opposite is true;

it happens that I'm going to live.

(Pablo Neruda, 1904-1973)

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God except by kneeling before the manger of Bethlehem and adoring Him hidden in the weakness of a new-born Child.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 563)

Let us imitate blessed Stephen as far as God gives us the grace to do so. Let us not only love our friends but also our enemies, because there is nothing whereby we can so well redeem our sins, overcome the devil, and please God.

(Saint Caesarius of Arles, 468/70-542)

Now Christmas is come

Let us beat up the drum,

And call all our neighbors together,

And when they appear, 

Let us make them such cheer

As will keep out the wind and the weather.

(Washington Irving, 1783-1859)

BLESSED CLEMENTINE ANUARITE,

SAINT ALEXANDER BRIANT,

SAINT RALPH SHERWIN,

SAINT EDMUND CAMPION,

SAINT BIBIANA,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST,

SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

SAINT CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT GERARD OF MAYO,

SAINT JOHN ALMOND,

SAINT BIRINUS,

SAINT NICHOLAS, BISHOP,

SAINT AMBROSE OF MILAN,

SAINT JUAN DIEGO CUAUHTLATOATZIN,

OUR LADY OF LORETO,

POPE SAINT DAMASCUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT LUCY, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS,

BLESSED MARY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT JOHN OF KETY, PRIEST,

SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

THE HOLY FAMILY,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Tim Vivian, Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Cistercian Studies/Liturgical Press, 2024), entry for December 2, p. 370.

This month's photo: The Light has come into the world; He is wrapped in swaddling clothes. For you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays (Malachi 3:20a).

© Gertrude Feick 2025

November 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

November is the month dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory 

November 2-8: National Vocation Awareness Week 

Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

OUR LADY, GATE OF HEAVEN,

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF ANGELS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

Since I, the Lord, brought you up from the land of Egypt that I might be your God, 

you shall be holy, because I am holy.

(Leviticus 11:45)

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

(Matthew 5:8)

Dear faithful readers, welcome to November, a stellar month dedicated to the Poor Souls of Purgatory. "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy."

This month is overwhelming with so much to celebrate. The month kicks off with All Saints Day, a day to remember and pray for all the saints, those formally declared saints, and those not. We remember the "saints next door," and other holy people we know and have known, those living, that is, the saints in the making (all of us!), and those who are dead. In addition, November 1 is extra special this year because Pope Leo XIV formally declared Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890) a Doctor of the Church and named him co-patron of Catholic education alongside Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). November 2 follows with All Souls Day, or The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, and then the list of saints to commemorate goes on and on (see below). We celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, on Sunday, November 23, and have a week to prepare for the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, and the beginning of a new liturgical year. Be sure to get plenty of rest, then, the month will be a busy one. And since we enter a new year in the Church, may I be the first to say, "Happy New Year," remembering what G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) said: "The object of the new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul." And as Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) said, "If you wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new ardor." Let us begin each day anew then, with ardor and strength to carry on according to God's holy will. By the grace of God we go.

Our voices this month all have something to say about the path to holiness. As we respond to the universal call to holiness, for, after all, as Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022) reminds us, "We are all called to holiness: it is the very nature of Christian living," and thereby want to achieve holiness, may all that we do and say every day this month, and every day all year round, be with the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Have no fear; do not be afraid to be a saint!

When Saint Scholastica asked her brother Saint Benedict what was needed to achieve holiness, she received this reply: "You must want to."

(Saint Maximilian Kolbe, 1894-1941)

God does not command the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ to be preached with the noise of arms and with pillage. What He rather commands is the example of a good life and holy teaching.

(Saint Rogue Gonzalez, 1576-1628)

All the science of the Saints is included in these two things: To do, and to suffer. And whoever has done these two things best, has made himself most saintly.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1577-1622)

It fills me with joy to realize that I can lay down my life daily for God, that I can sacrifice it willingly for Him. I may not be a martyr for the faith, but I can be a martyr of charity.

(Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, 1769-1852)

[Charity] drives us on to love ourselves and our neighbor, to glorify God in time and in eternity, on earth, in purgatory, and in heaven. It lets us grow into the immensity of the heart of God ...

(Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP, 1877-1964)

Lord, I am here. Tell me what you would have me to do. If He gives me some task, I am content and I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him.

(Saint Catherine Laboure, 1806-1876)

Tbere is no saint without a past, and no sinner without a future.

(Saint Augustine of Hippo, 354-430)

Let Mary's soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let her spirit be in each of you to rejoice in the Lord. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

The good God is free to make us pass better than we are. And we have to accept that like all the rest. If He exposes our weaknesses, or if He shows off our virtues, so what? Nothing is changed! All that is necessary is that we love God truly.

(Guy Oury, OSB, in Dom Gabriel Sortais: An Amazing Abbot in Turbulent Times)

Why is it that any time we speak of temptation we always think of temptation as something that inclines us to wrong. We have more temptations to be good than we do to become bad.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

The saints live not after the fashion of the world ... The dignity of the saints is so great because they are not of this world, but "of the household of God."

(Saint Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274)

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, 940-1022)

Filled with light, and united in faith, good works, and love, we are not afraid to be saints and become links in the golden chain. All the saints, angels, and the countless others who have gone before us, please pray for us. Cheer us on to join you at the heavenly banquet. And we are encouraged by our Doctor Mellifuus, Last of the Fathers, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153):

The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent, The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them ... We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness.

SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES,

SAINT WINIFRIDE,

SAINT MALACHY,

BLESSED JOHN BODY,

BLESSED RUPERT MAYER,

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO,

BLESSED FRANCES D'AMBOISE,

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND,

ALL SAINTS OF AFRICA,

SAINT ILLTUD OR ILLTYD,

SAINT NUNO ALVARES PEREIRA,

SAINT JEAN-THEONARD VENARD,

SAINT WILLIBRORD,

BLESSED FRANCES PALAU Y QUER,

SAINT PETER OU,

ALL SAINTS OF WALES,

BLESSED JOHN DUNS SCOTUS "MASTER OF THOUGHT AND LIFE,"

BLESSED GEORGE NAPIER,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

POPE SAINT LEO THE GREAT,

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS,

SAINT JOSEPHAT, BISHOP, MARTYR,

MOTHER SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT MACHAR,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA SCRILLI,

SAINT DYFRIG OR DUBRIC OR DUBRICIUS,

SAINT LAURENC O'TOOLE,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF CLIFTON DIOCESE,

THE READING MARTYRS,

SAINT JOSEPH PIGNATELLI,

ALL CARMELITE SAINTS,

POPE SAINT LEO THE GREAT,

SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT EDMUND OF ABINGDON,

OUR LADY GATE OF THE DAWN,

ALL CARMELITE SOULS,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY,

SAINT HILDA,

SAINT HUGH OF LINCOLN,

SAINT DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY,

SAINT PETER AND PAUL,

SAINT ROSE PHILIPPINE DUCHESNE,

SAINT ROQUE GONZALEZ AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI,

SAINT RAFAEL KALINOWSKI,

SAINT EDMUND,

SAINT BERNWARD,

SAINT CECILIA, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

POPE SAINT CLEMENT I,

SAINT COLUMBANUS, ABBOT,

BLESSED MIGUEL AGUSTIN PRO,

SAINT ANDREW DUNG-LAC AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTRYS,

SAINT CATHERINE ALEXANDRIA,

BLESSED NIELS STENSEN,

SAINT COLMAN OF CLOYNE,

SAINT LEONARD OF PORTO MAURIZIO,

SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS,

SAINT FERGAL,

OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL,

SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE,

BLESSED BERNARD FRANCIS DE HOYOS,

ALL THE SAINTS OF THE FRANCISCAN, OR SERAPHIC, ORDER,

BLESSED DENIS AND REDEMPTUS,

SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE,

SAINT CUTHBERT MAYNE,

PRAY FOR US.

This month's photo: Think of what is above, not of what is on earth (Colossians 3:2).

© Gertrude Feick, 2025

October 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary 

Month of Mission, World Mission Sunday, October 19: "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples"

Respect Life Month: "Life: Our Sign of Hope"

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

OUR LADY OF VICTORY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Welcome to October, dear faithful readers. Yes, indeed, you can be sure that I am wearing my Little Flower footies today.* For all the saints ... Ready or not, then, this is a great month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Why not accept the invitation of Pope Leo XIV, one he extended in a recent General Audience. On September 24, 2025, after he delivered his catechesis, the Holy Father made this announcement:

Dear brothers and sisters, the month of October is now approaching, and in the Church it is dedicated in a special way to the Holy Rosary. Therefore, I invite everyone, every day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace: personally, in the family, in the community.

On this first day of month of October, we get started. With peace as our quest and aim (see the Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17), then, a rosary a day keeps the doctor away. Remember that we pray for peace that the world cannot give as Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). After all, "He is peace ... He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:14, 17-18). 

What does peace mean to you? One way to look at peace is through the eyes of Jesus. How did Jesus respond to division, lack of faith, unrest, anxiety, doubt, rejection, betrayal, dismissal? When Jesus rebuked the disciples, He clearly told them that He, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders" (Luke 9:21-22). We too suffer and are rejected by others, sometimes those we love. Our privilege is to suffer with Jesus and be rejected with Jesus. I marveled at the witness of Saint Therese Couderc (1805-1885), who became the first member of a new religious community in 19th century France, one dedicated to operating retreats for women, work that was a dangerous novelty at the time. Not daunted, Therese led the community to grow in numbers, even though they faced poverty and harsh climate. When the community ran into debt, Therese was blamed. She humbly stepped aside. Successive superiors blamed and ignored Therese and assigned her menial tasks. When the community became divided, Therese was called in to reconcile arguments among the sisters. Alas, Therese was overlooked again. Therese's response is not entirely unpredictable. As related, Therese "learned a great deal about loving God during times of trial and how to peacefully accept His will" (Magnificat, "Saint Who?", September 26, 2025, p. 371). 

Since God certainly loves us no matter what, we, in turn, love Him no matter what. So, as we pray the Most Holy Rosary each day this month, most especially on Mondays and Saturdays with the Joyful Mysteries, and the first mystery, The Annunciation, we pray with Mary, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). And on Tuesdays and Fridays, when we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, and are with Jesus in the garden in the first mystery, we pray with Jesus, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). We are united in faith and prayer and remember something Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), one of the great Doctors of the Church commemorated on October 15, wrote in The Interior Castle, that is, "Let the Christian be valiant." Together, with Jesus and Mary, we pray for peace this month, personally, in the family, in the community. May the peace of Jesus fill our hearts with joy and hope. 

And not without a few voices (I meant to have more so be on the lookout) to encourage us and plenty of saints to intercede for us, we keep going.

The Rosary is the book of the blind where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying then the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1885-1979)

We can pray fifty times or more each day: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us poor sinners how and at the hour of our deaths. Amen." Is it likely that the Blessed Mother will abandon us in our final hour if we say this prayer each day?

(Blessed Franz Jagerstaetter, 1907-1943)

The Holy Rosary is the storehouse of countless blessings. 

(Blessed Alan de la Roche, 1428-1478)

To pray the rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and His Mother.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

If by chance your conscience is burdened by sin, take your Rosary and say at least part of it ... [Jesus] will plead for you and will obtain for you contrition and the forgiveness of your sins.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

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

The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.

The Rosary is the ladder to climb to Heaven.

(Saint Carlo Acutis, 1991-2006)

The Rosary is not a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it is the devotion to Mary.

(Blessed Pauline Jaricot, 1799-1862)

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226)

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

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

The heart is commonly reached, not through the reason, but through the imagination. Persons influence us, voices melt us, looks subdue us, deeds inflame us. Many a man will live and die upon a dogma: no man will be a martyr for a conclusion.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.

(Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1647-1690)

All the elect die in the love of God. but it is the privilege of few to die of the love of God ... And to die of the love of God is the surest way of going to Him at once.

(Mother Saint Theodore Guerin, 1798-1856)

There is no place for selfishness-and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when loves requires sacrifice.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Every one of us is entrusted is to the care of an angel. That is why we must have a lively and profound devotion to our own guardian angel, and why we should often and trustfully repeat the dear prayer we were taught in the days of our childhood.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

Amen.

It's your Church, Lord, I'm going to bed. ☺

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963, when turning in for the night)

SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS "THE LITTLE FLOWER,"

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS,

SAINT MOTHER THEODORE GUERIN,

THE BLESSED MARTRYS OF SUSSEX,

SAINT THOMAS CANTILUPE,

BLESSED ANDRE DE SOVERAL AND AMBROSIO FRANCISCO FERRO,

SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS,

SAINT PELAGIA THE PENITENT,

THE MARIST MARTRYS OF BARCELONA,

SAINT BRUNO,

BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER,

SAINT DENIS OF PARIS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS,

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA,

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I, MARTYR,

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA,

SAINT HEDWIG,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT MARGARET D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST,

SAINTS JOHN DE BREBEUF, ISAAC JOGUES AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD,

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ACALNTARA,

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

BLESSED CHARLES (KARL) OF AUSTRIA,

BLESSED DIEGO LUIS DE SAN VITORES, PRIEST, AND SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT ANTONY MARY CLARET, BISHOP,

SAINT MAGLIORE,

BLESSED CARLO GNOCCHI,

FREI GALVAO,

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT CEDD,

SAINT OTTERAN,

SAINT SIMON, APOSTLE,

SAINT JUDE, APOSTLE,

SAINT FRUMENTIUS OF ETHIOPIA,

SAINT AEDEIUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI COLLEGE,

SAINT COLMAN MACDUAGH,

SAINT NARCISSUS,

BLESSED CHIARA BADANO,

SAINT MARCELLUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF WINCHESTER,

SAINT THOGAR,

BLESSED DOMINIC COLLINS,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA TAUSCHER,

SAINT ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ,

SAINT WOLFGANG OF RATISBON,

PRAY FOR US.

*See sockreligious.com 

This month's photo: For Our Lady, raindrops on a rose. Mt. Angel, OR. Lord, hear my voice!

© Gertrude Feick 2025

For all the Saints

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary 

Be holy, for I am holy.

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

MARY, JOY OF ALL SAINTS,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear faithful readers, welcome to a special edition of newsy news on this Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, a time of the year that is anything but ordinary. This day, then, we are all about saints, one of my favorite subjects. For all the Saints, young ones, not so young ones, and all those who were and are just the age they were and are, give God the praise!

United in faith and prayer, we have much to celebrate. On this day, September 7, 2025, the day before we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we recall something Pope Francis (1936-2025) wrote about in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit, addressed to young people and the entire people of God. In paragraphs 49-63, Pope Francis called to mind young saints. As he wrote, "The heart of the Church is also full of young saints who devoted their lives to Christ, many of them dying even to a martyr's death. They were precious reflections of the young Christ; their radiant witness encourages us and awakens us from our lethargy" (49). Amen to that. Among some of the young saints Pope Francis highlighted were Saint Sebastian (51), Saint Francis of Assisi (52), Saint Joan of Arc (53), Blessed Andrew Phu Yen (54), Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (55), Saint Dominic Savio (56), Saint Therese of the Child Jesus "The Little Flower" (57), Blessed Ceferino Namuncura (58), Blessed Isidore Bakanja (59), Blessed Marcel Callo (61), and Blessed Chiara Badano (62). And there are so many more, including another young saint Pope Francis highlighted (60), and another he highlighted later in the document (104-106), both of whom stand out especially on this extraordinary day. 

Alert the media entire people of God, Pope Leo XIV canonized two extraordinary young people today, Italian Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), and British by birth, Italian Carlo Acutis (1991-2000), the first millennial saint. Auguri! Stand up and shout, "For all the saints who from their labors rest!"

And not only do we mark two canonizations of young people, but we also mark the 50th Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), affectionately called "Mother Seton," the first native-born American saint, the one who the late Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, called "wholly American," and who was canonized by Pope Saint Paul VI on September 14, 1975. Mother Seton, a saint who was just the age she was, a ripe 46 when she died. 46? Mother Seton is a young saint too. ☺

As you might imagine, I could go on and on, something that is never too difficult for me, more especially something that is not so difficult given the excitement of all the saints, newly canonized, not so newly canonized, and all the saints "next door," those who are never beatified or canonized, but who witness to the faith quietly and courageously. Those who Pope Francis wrote about in his 2018 Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (7):

I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God's people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those women and men who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in the elderly religious who never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the holiness I see the holiness of the Church militant. Very often it is the holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God's presence. We might call them "the middle-class of holiness.

To temporarily "fix" my tendency to overdo things, I will limit the voices to a few. Kind of. lol.  First, we hear from our highlighted saints, from oldest to youngest. So, two quotations from each one. Given that there are so many in my collection of quotations, this is not so easy. ☺ 

Keep your hearts at rest. Never can you find a surer way of obtaining all your desires than that of leaving all to God, Who delights to grant the wishes even for this life if you are full of confidence.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton)

God will provide. That is all my comfort.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton)

There is no need to pay attention to gossip, much less get ill by giving in to those who perhaps have never known what truth is.

(Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati)

Given today's Gospel passage (Luke 14:25-43), Anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:43), this one is fitting. 

We must sacrifice everything for everything: our ambitions, indeed our entire selves, for the cause of the Faith.

(Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati)

Here is one my favorites. Just say no to the herd mentality, for settling for mediocrity.

Everyone is born original, but most end up dying as photocopies.

(Saint Carlo Acutis)

Jesus, make yourself at home!

Live within me as if it were your own dwelling.

(Saint Carlo Acutis)

For further encouragement, 

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 Symeon the New Theologian, 949-1022)

Holiness is for everyone in every circumstance in life. We are all called to be saints. And we become saints by loving God and others with our whole being in whatever situation we find ourselves.

(Danielle Bean, "Mothers First: Saint Bridget and Mother Seton Remind Us That We are all Called to Holiness," in Seton Reflections, July 23, 2023)

Last, and certainly not least, we remember a call from the Second Vatican Council, one addressed to each and every one of us, that is, the entire people of God. No exceptions. Open your ears and listen with the ear of your heart. Put another way, be encouraged, arise and awake from your lethargy! Christus vivit! Christ is alive! Oremus pro invicem!

,

Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord - each in his or her own way - to that perfect holiness by which the Father Himself is perfect.

(Lumen Gentium, 11)

Today's photo: One from the archives that reaches to heaven ... for all the saints in glory cheering us on.

Gertrude Feick 2025

September 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary 

Holy Mother, pierce me through,

in my heart each wound renew

Of my savior crucified.

SORROWFUL MOTHER, ROCK OF CONSTANCY,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT RAPAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, 

Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

(John 19:25)

 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, 

with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

(Revelation 12:1)

Dear Pilgrims of Hope, faithful readers all, welcome to September, the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. And on this first day of the month we celebrate Labor Day. Many will gather today, and have been these past weekend days, to celebrate the end of summer. At the same time, we remember to honor those who labor at home and away from home, with work of the mind, hands, and heart. We also remember to rest from our labors, with time for prayer and holy leisure, in things that refresh and renew us to build the Kingdom of God on earth. Bless the work of our hands and hearts. 

Unless the Lord build the house,

they labor in vain who build it.

(Psalm 127:1)

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

Why not continue with a quiz? Tradition honors these as the Seven Sorrows of Mary ...  Can you hear the music from Jeopardy? 🎶 Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum. Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum bum bum bum. 🎵 Ready or not, here they come ... What are The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:35), The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13), Search for the Child in Jerusalem (Lk 2:46, 48), Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross (John 19:17/Luke 23:27), Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27), The Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross (John 19:38), Assisting at the Burial of Christ (Luke 23:55, 56). It occurs to me that any one of us, or a group if you have one, could invent a novena leading up to September 15 when we commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows. Since there are Seven Sorrows, that covers a Sorrow for seven days, the Seven Sorrows could be sandwiched with your favorite prayer to Mary, one on Day 1 (September 7) and one on Day 9 (September 15). Included in those days are September 8, when we celebrate The Birth of Mary, and September 12, when we celebrate The Most Holy Name of Mary. And there is always the Litany to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, a few invocations noted above. What is your favorite invocation? Faithful readers, it is going to be a busy month.

Even though I have been thinking about the Sorrowful Mother, Mary, so strong and courageous, Our Lady who Simeon told, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35), I have also been thinking about Mary, a Joyful Mother. Yes, Mary was sorrowful. Rightly. At the same time, she was a woman of joy. Otherwise, Mary would not have proclaimed, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior ..." (Luke 1:46-55). We can turn to Mary every day then, and at every moment, for help and guidance, especially as a human tendency is to focus on sorrows, or our troubles and problems. A Sorrowful Mother, Mary is also A Joyful Mother. Mary wept; Mary sang; Mary danced. After all, even babe in the womb John the Baptist leaped for joy when the sound of Mary's greeting reached the ears of her cousin Elizabeth (see Luke 1:41-45). And when I pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, before beginning the Second Mystery, the Visitation, I attempt to give a leap of joy, if not physically, then mentally and in my heart, and pray for Mary and Elizabeth, and little John too, to help me leap for joy. Every one of us has many sorrows: moments of pain, grief, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, doubt. On the other hand, each of us has so much to be joyful about, first and foremost at how much Jesus loves each and every one of us. Yes, Jesus loves you; Jesus loves me. And so does Mary, His mother. There is no greater Love than Jesus. At the same time, there is no greater love than Mary. So, in our favor, we are privileged to have the greatest Love in Jesus, and the greatest love in Mary, His Mother, both sorrowful and joyful. In fact, it is overwhelming even to think about it. So much Love and love. And as I heard a minister preach at a wedding many years ago: "It's all aboot love." Yes, aboot. And it certainly is aboot Love and love. 

And before we hear from a number of voices this month, we also remember September 14, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. So don't forget to lift high the cross and help others carry their crosses. And then there are the powerful Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, set for September 29. And an added bonus is that we begin the third "straight through" read of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for 2025 (see Rule of Saint Benedict 58:9-16). So, we begin with "Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice" (RB Prologue 1). Did I mention the heavy line-up of saints to pray for us this month? You will see below ... 

First, speaking of dancing ...

Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be a common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for Him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.

(From a discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop, in Office of Readings, September 8, Birth of Mary)

In dangers,

in hardships

in every doubt

think of Mary

call out to Mary.

Keep her in your mouth

keep her in your heart ...

With your hand in hers

you will never stumble.

With her protecting you

you will not be afraid.

With her leading you

you will never tire.

Her kindness

will see you through to the end.

Then you will know 

by your own experience

how true it is that

the Virgin's Name was Mary.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

Although you have not seen Him you love Him;

even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him,

you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.

(1 Peter 1:8)

Many times, praying at odd hours of the night, the little birds would come to sing and I would bet with them who would praise God the most.

(Blessed John Macias, 1585-1645)

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither.

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

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

Jesus alone is my hope.

(Blessed Catherine of Racconigi, 1486-1547)

Manners or good behavior cannot be separated from Christian morals, since Christianity cannot succeed where ordinary humanity is absent.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

If I ever become a saint-I will surely be one of "darkness". I will continually be absent from heaven-to light the light of those in darkness on earth.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

I forgive, I forgive, I forgive.

(Last words of Blessed Leonella Sgorbati, 1940-2006)

The melody of her life is played just as it was written. Mary was thought, conceived, and planned as the equal sign between ideal and history, thought and reality, hope and realization.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Many acts of love for God ... although good and very desirable, are yet very suspect when they do not lead to the practice of effective love.

(Saint Vincent de Paul. 1580-1660)

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

(Saint Pius of Pietrelcina "Padre Pio" 1887-1968)

In moments when fever, agony, and pain make it hard to pray, the suggestion of prayer that comes from merely holding the rosary-or better still, 

from caressing the Crucifix at the end of it-is tremendous!

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Let us love our neighbors, my friends, let us love the one who is near to 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)

If men only knew the power of love. which they often appreciate so little-the power of being able to love, to be sustained and defended by love, to grow in love at every instant. This, in spite of the imperfections of all my works, gives me the courage to labor ... My longings to love God are infinite, and only God can fill my emptiness with His infinite love ... I need all His love in order to love Him as I ought. I hope that He will give it to me, and I do not doubt that He will.

(Venerable Mary Magdalene of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P., d. 1960)

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

SAINT BEATRICE DA SILVA MENESES,

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET DE SAINT SAUVER,

THE SEPTEMBER MARTRYS,

JESUIT MARTYRS FOR THE NAME OF JESUS,

POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT,

POPE SAINT BONIFACE I,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

MOTHER SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT HERBERT,

BLESSED THOMAS TZUGI,

SAINT PETER CLAVER,

BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM,

SAINT CIARAN OF GLONMACNOISE,

SAINT OSBURG,

SAINT AMBROSE BARLOW, OSB,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT EGWIN, BISHOP,

BLESSED AGNELLUS OF PISA, PRIEST,

BLESSED FRANCIS GARATE,

BLESSED OGLERIO OF LORELIO,

SAINT PETER II OF TARENTAISE,

SAINT DEINIOL,

SAINT JANE GABRIEL,

SERVANT OF GOD VINCENT CAPODANNO,

BLESSED MARY OF JESUS,

VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ,

BLESSED APOLLINARIS FRANCO,

SAINT AILBE,

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MIRIN,

POPE SAINT CORNELIUS,

SAINT CYPRIAN,

SAINT NINIAN,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, 

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDITH OF KEMSING,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT STANISLAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JANUARIUS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT EMILY DE RODAT,

SAINT THEODORE OF TARSUS,

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PAUL CHONG HASANG, AND COMPANIONS,

ALL KOREAN MARTYRS,

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA,

SAINT PIUS OF PIETRELCINA "PADRE PIO", PRIEST,

SAINT ADOMNAN OF IONA,

SAINT STEPHANIE,

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM,

BLESSED ANTON MARTIN SLOMSHEK,

BLESSED EMILIE TAVERNIER-GAMELIN,

SAINT FINBARR,

SAINT HERMANN CONTRACTUS,

SAINT COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MARTYR,

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST,

SAINT WENCESLAUS,

SAINT LAWRENCE RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT LIOBA,

SAINT MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS,

SAINT JEROME, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. A new custom is to post a reflection at the commencement of each month of the calendar year, which turns out to be 12 months, each with a specific Catholic devotion. United in faith and prayer, we keep going. Until further notice.

This month's photo: Mother Do Not Mourn for Me, by the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2025