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

Holy Week

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

April is the month dedicated to the Divine Mercy

By His wounds we are healed. 

DIVINE MERCY, INSPIRING HOPE AGAINST ALL HOPE,

I TRUST IN YOU.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

And to strengthen Him an angel from heaven appeared to Him.

(Luke 22:43)

Welcome to Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and our entrance into Holy Week 2025. 

You ask, "Why, why, why?" and rightly so. Look at the cross, venerate it, embrace it in your prayer. Jesus had to go through darkness, pain, and death so as to give meaning to our darkness, our pain, and our death. But more than this: suffering and death become friends because through them we have received new life which will be ours now and after death, and for always.

(Cardinal Basil Hume, The Mystery of the Cross)

For our reflection this Holy Week, here are the Communion Antiphons for each day. When was the last time you prayed with a Communion Antiphon? 

Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

(Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord)

Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress. 

Turn your ear towards me; on the day I call, speedily answer me.

(Monday of Holy Week)

God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all.

(Tuesday of Holy Week)

The Son did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

(Wednesday of Holy Week)

I will sing for ever of your mercies, O Lord, through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.

(Chrism Mass)

This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord, do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.

(Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper)

And for Friday, the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, the verse before the Gospel.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because us this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name.

We continue to "look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing" (RB 49:7) and pray:

O God, who in this season

give your Church the grace

to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary

in contemplating the Passion of Christ,

grant, we pray, through her intercession,

that we cling more firmly each day

to Your only Begotten Son

and come at last to the fullness of grace. 

Dear Jesus, grant us the grace to resolutely follow you all the days of our lives. Venerable Fulton Sheen gives us something else to ponder ...

So when God pulls down the curtain on the drama of the world's redemption, He will not ask what part we played, but only how well we the played the role assigned to us.

(The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen, Blue Sparrow, 2021, entry for April 13, p. 39)

POPE SAINT MARTIN I,

SAINT MARGARET OF CASTELLO, OP,

BLESSED LUCIAN BOTOVASOA,

BLESSED PETER GOONZALEZ, OP,

SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,

SAINT DONAN,

BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI OF MANTUA,

BLESSED CLARA GAMBACORTA, OP,

BLESSED MARIA MANCINI, OP,

SAINT LASERIAN OR MOLAISE,

BLESSED MARIE-ANNE BLONDIN,

BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION,

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO, OP,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BISCOSSI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Passionflower. From the archives, July 11, 2018.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

September is the Month dedicated to the Sorrowful Mother

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 5 Obedience - Ch 7:1-23 Humility

The Lord upholds my life.

HOLY MARY, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

(James 3:18)

Welcome to the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today is the autumnal equinox, the first day of fall. Change is in the air, dear faithful readers, in ways big and not so big. Take a stroll today: feel, look, listen, what changes are taking place in the place where you find yourself? What is stirring in your heart and soul ... is it time for a change, a shift toward moving closer to the heart of Jesus? 

At Mass late this morning, the words from the Book of Wisdom were proclaimed; I heard something the wicked say: "Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us" (Wisdom 2:12). It may be that we find this Christian way of life somehow obnoxious, inconvenient, even burdensome at times. Maybe we just aren't in the mood to love our neighbor, especially the one who we find difficult. And as far as looking after a poor and needy one, or as Saint Benedict says, "relieve the lot of the poor ...go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing" (RB 4:14, 18), what if I am busy or spending my limited quiet time in prayer? It is not unlikely that Jesus was busy, or conversing with His Father, when the poor, lame, hungry, sick, and dying came to Him. I don't recall that the Lord sent such people away. His disciples, well, that's another matter. Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), who we commemorate this Friday, and comes as our first voice for the week, wrote this: 

It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave Him for such service. One of God's works is merely interrupted so that another may be carried out. So when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule.

Padre Pio (1887-1968), another great saint who we commemorate this week, on Monday, wasn't about turning people away either. It is said that he heard confessions 15-18 hours a day. That's a lot of confessions, a lot of penance given, and a lot of absolution too. Dear Lord have mercy. 

Jesus never said following Him was going to be easy. If you wanted to be His disciple, He was clear that we must carry our cross and follow Him. And that includes helping others to carry their crosses, or as Saint Benedict puts it, "supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body and behavior" (RB 72:5). Willie Graf, 1918-1943, was clear: "To be a Christian is perhaps the hardest thing to ever become in life." It seems reason enough to become a Christian then, in word, deed, heart, and mind, whether or not it is inconvenient, burdensome, or in some way upsets our apple cart. This week, we can perhaps, united as we are in faith, prayer, and carrying our crosses, not question the Lord or argue about what He is asking us to do. We pray for the grace to go about the daily and be about the pure wisdom from above that is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity (see James 3:17). After all, Jesus did say, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all" (Mark 9:35). By the grace of God, we are what we are.

Before we hear a few voices, please note that this is the penultimate post that you will see for some weeks. There will be no posts during the month of October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, and perhaps into the month of November, the month dedicated to the holy souls in Purgatory. I have been at this since September 10, 2017, at least. That's over seven years. A little break is good for the heart and soul. So why not get busy and start collecting some voices, some you hear, here there and everywhere. Thank you for your prayerful support. 😊

Here then with more shouts from here and there, some echoes, some not:

At the death of Vratislaus, the people of Bohemia made his son Wenceslaus their king. He was by God's grace a man of utmost faith. He was charitable to the poor, and he would clothe the naked, feed the hungry and offer hospitality to travelers according to the summons of the Gospel. He would not allow widows to be treated unjustly; he loved all his people, both rich and poor; he also provided for the servants of God, and he adorned many churches.

(From the old Slavic legend, in Office of Readings, September 28)

We are never strong enough to bear our cross. It is the cross which carries us. Nor are we so weak to be unable to bear it, since the weakest become strong by its virtue.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

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

(Saint Ephram the Syrian, 306-373)

What profit you gain from God when you are generous? You give a coin and receive a kingdom; you give bread from wheat and receive the Bread of Life; you give a transitory good and receive an everlasting one. You will receive it back, a hundred times more than you offered.

(Saint Thomas of Villanova, Father of the Poor, 1488-1555)

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

(Padre Pio, 1887-1968) 

God loves a cheerful giver.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 5:16/2 Cor 9:7)

Lord, help me to live this day, quietly, easily. To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully. To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely. To meet others, peacefully, joyously. To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226)

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA, FATHER OF THE POOR,

SAINT PIO OF PIETRELCINA,

SAINT ADOMAN OF IONA,

SAINT STEPHANIE,

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM,

BLESSED EMILIE TAVERNIER-GAMELIN,

BLESSED ANTON MARTIN SLOMSHEK,

SAINT FINBARR,

BLESSED HERMANN CONTRACTUS "THE WONDER OF HIS AGE,"

SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MARTYRS,

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL, "APOSTLE OF CHARITY,"

SAINT WENSCESLAUS, MARTYR,

SAINT LAURENCE RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I will praise your name, O Lord, for your goodness.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Fifth Sunday of Lent

March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph

Readings for the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 38 The Reader for the Week - Ch 43 Tardiness at the Work of God or at Table

A clean heart create for me, O God.

SAINT JOSEPH, MINISTER OF SALVATION,

SAINT JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS,

MARY, MIRROR OF JUSTICE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

He was heard because of His reverence. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered; and when He was made perfect, He became the source of eternal life for all who obey Him.

(Hebrews 5:8-9)

Welcome to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and in other years, the commemoration of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. Remember that on Saint Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish. So why not join my very Irish Great Aunt Mary of happy memory and send out this old Irish blessing, or perhaps it's an old Irish curse. 😉 Aunt Mary had it typewritten on a bit of paper and placed with a magnet on the front of her refrigerator. 

May those who love us, love us.

And those who don't love us, 

may God turn their hearts.

And if He doesn't turn their hearts, 

may He turn their ankles,

so we'll know them by their limping.

As we absorb the words from the Letter to the Hebrews above, how about we make this week one of obedience to God's will. Our Lord tells us quite plainly in today's Gospel that whoever serves Him must follow Him; where He is so will His servant be (John 12:26). We are here to love and serve the Lord and obey Him by carrying our crosses, the big ones, and the little ones of tiny pinpricks that rub us the wrong way, upset our nicely organized apple carts, and shake us up a bit. In a beautiful letter received the other day, a young wife and mother related what a spiritual director told her once, before even dating her now husband: "Marriage is choosing to love your spouse every day. Every single day you have to wake up and choose to love him." It is like that for all the faithful. Every day. Every day we wake up and choose to love God and our neighbor, our husband or wife, our children, our co-workers, our teenage neighbor next door, the old man in the pew behind us at Mass, the sister or brother sitting next to us at a meal, and so on. Or not. We choose to follow the Lord, or not. The choice is ours. We will encounter much joy in the daily, and much suffering too. The Lord certainly did. No matter. He kept going; He was made perfect. Thankfully, the Father honors whoever serves His Son, Jesus Christ. We reach out to the Lord who is with us, without fail. 

Our voices for the week continue with a prayer that might be used as a morning offering, especially this week. 

Jesus, you know that we love you and that we wish to imitate your virtues. Today, grant us the virtue of obedience, that we might submit our judgment and our will to God's. Grant us that forgetfulness of self that will separate us from ourselves and which will unite us more to you forever. O Holy Virgin, obtain for me the grace of never wasting the least opportunity to obey, because this is the indisputable road to holiness, to maintain interior peace, to please Jesus, and to attain heaven.

Amen.

(Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, 1862-1937, wife, mother, and widow, the first Mexican laywoman to be beatified, see Magnificat, Meditation of the Day, March 15, 2024)

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, 

which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all else.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 5:1)

Bow down in suffering, love your enemies, avoid your friends, be patient in the midst of adversities. That is my cry now. Give me your help generously now, so that God may make my grief and my suffering bearable, so that I may wrest my way to the very pinnacle of God's will: Not as I will, but as you will ...

(Servant of God Joseph Mueller, 1894-1944)

I was like a stone lying in the deep mire;

and He that is mighty came, 

and His mercy lifted me up,

and verily raised me aloft and placed me on top of the wall.

(Saint Patrick, 5th century)

It is always tempting to take credit for the gifts of grace and to lay blame elsewhere for our faults. If we do not claim responsibility for the choices that are truly ours, neither can we ask for or accept forgiveness. Too heavy for us, our offenses-too heavy not to allow the Lord to wipe them away.

(Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, Introduction to Psalm 65, March 9, 2024)

United in faith and prayer, we keep going.

I trust in your faithfulness.

Grant my heart joy in your help,

That I may sing of the Lord,

"How good our God has been to me!"

(Psalm 13:6)

SAINT PATRICK, APOSTLE OF IRELAND,

SAINT BRIGID OF KILDARE,

SAINT GERTRUDE OF NIVELLES,

SERVANT OF GOD CHIARA LUBICH,

SAINT CYRIL OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDWARD THE MARTYR,

BLESSED FRANCIS PALAU Y OUER,

SAINT HERBERT,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT DEOGRATIUS,

SAINT NICHOLAS OWEN,

SAINT LEA,

SAINT TURIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Peach tree blossom; glorify the Lord with me. A willing spirit sustain in me. Thank you, dear Beth.

© Gertrude Feick 2024

Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

November is the month dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 29 Readmission of Brothers Who Leave the Monastery - Ch 34 Distribution of Goods According to Need

O Lord, my heart is not proud.

Those who endure the greatest suffering, 

my Jesus, mercy!

MARY, QUEEN OF THE HUMBLE OF HEART,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Has not the one God created us?

(Malachi 2:10)

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

(Mt 23:12)

Welcome to the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time and the month of November dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. 

There is plenty for us to do this week. One is to humble ourselves and be busy about serving others, whether we are in the mood or not. I already passed along these words from Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997); however, they are clear: "If you are truly humble, nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are." And that is what we are now, children of God made in the image and likeness of the one, living and true God. As children, we declare boldly: "By God's grace I am what I am (1 Cor 15:10), and again, "he who boasts should make his boast in the Lord" (2 Cor 10:17)/Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 31-32. 

And remember, the word of God is now at work in you who believe (see Th 2:13). I believe, help my unbelief. 

Now our voices for the week as we keep the faith and respond to the universal call to holiness. We begin with Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), to help us as we pray for the dying and the already deceased, those who die alone and suffer alone in purgatory with no one on earth to pray for them. And this is one reason why I ask a dying person not to forget me and help me get to Heaven to join them. Give God the praise. 

The practice of recommending to God the souls in Purgatory, that He may mitigate the great pains which they suffer, and that He may bring them to His glory, is most pleasing to the Lord and most profitable to us. For those blessed souls are His eternal spouses, and most grateful are they to those who obtain their deliverance from prison, or even a mitigation of their torments. When, therefore, they arrive in Heaven, they will be sure to remember all who have prayed for them.

Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.

(Pope Saint Clement I, d. 99)

In everything, do that which will make God loved the more.

(Blessed Frances d’Amboise, 1427-1485)

My fellow Christians, do we wish to celebrate joyfully the birth of this temple [the Lateran Basilica]? Then let us not destroy the living temples of God in ourselves by works of evil. I shall speak clearly, so that all can understand! Whenever we come to church, we must prepare our hearts to be as beautiful as we expect this church to be. Do you wish to find this basilica immaculately clean? Then do not soil your soul with the filth of sins. Do you wish this basilica to be full of light? God too wishes that your soul not be in darkness, but that the light of good works shine is us, so that He who dwells in the heavens will be glorified. Just as you enter this church building, so God wishes to enter your soul, for He promised: I shall live in them, and I shall walk the corridor of their hearts.

(From a sermon by Saint Caesarius of Arles, d. 542, in Office of Readings, November 9)

Invisible in His own nature [God] became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, He chose to come within our grasp.

(Pope Saint Leo the Great, d. 461)

Here was a man [Saint Martin of Tours] words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He was quite without a preference of his own; he neither feared to die nor refused to live. With eyes and hands always raised to heaven he never withdrew his unconquered spirit from prayer ... he left this life a poor and lowly man and entered heaven rich in God's favor.

(From a letter by Sulpicius Severus, 363-425, in Office of Readings, November 11)

The human mind is prone to pride when not supported by power; how much more, then, does it exalt when it has that support.

(Pope Saint Gregoy the Great, d. 604)

The lively consideration of graces received makes us humble 

because knowledge of them excites gratitude.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622, Introduction to the Devout Life, IV, 5)

Whoever needs less should thank God and not be distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble because of his weakness, not self-important because of the kindness shown to him.

(The Rule of Saint Benedict, 34:2-4, Distribution of Goods According to Need)

Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames!

(Saint Joan of Arc, 1412-1431)

BLESSED FRANCES D'AMBOISE,

SAINT JEAN-THEOPHANE VENARD,

SAINT ENGELBERT,

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND,

ALL SAINTS OF AFRICA,

SAINT ILLTUDE OR ILLTYD,

SAINT NUNO ALVARES PEREIRA,

BLESSED JOSEPH GIRBES,

SAINT WILLIBRORD,

ALL SAINTS OF WALES,

BLESSED GEORGE NAPIER,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

SAINT JOHN,

POPE SAINT LEO THE GREAT,

SAINT MARTIN OF TOURS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I walk by this little beauty more than once a day. Thankfully, no creature great or small has managed to eat it. Give God the praise.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord

In other years: Saint Otto, Bishop of Bamberg, indefatigable evangelizer and apostle of the Pomeranians (1060-1139)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults - 31 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a; Resp Ps 89; Rm 6:3-4, 8-11; Mt 10:37-42

You are the splendor of their strength.

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, IMMACULATE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, STREAM OF MERCY,

SAVE US.

If then we have died for Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

(Rm 6:8)

Welcome to the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the week when we celebrate our country's Independence Day, that is, the 4th of July! This week we pray especially to Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton (1774-1821), "the first daughter of the United States of America to be glorified with this incomparable title," as Pope Saint Paul VI preached at Mother Seton's canonization on September 14, 1975. "Saint Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a saint!", the pontiff proclaimed. In his homily, the Holy Father quoted Cardinal Francis Spellman (1889-1967), Archbishop of New York, who declared, "Elizabeth Ann Seton was wholly American." So, we pray to Mother Seton to intercede on behalf of our country, the people of our country, and the Church in our country. And may Mary, Immaculate Conception, the principal patroness of the United States of America, cover us in her protective veil. Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing!

Throughout this week, let us think of ourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus (see Rm 6:11). Like Mother Seton, may we be courageous witnesses to our faith, take up our crosses and follow after Jesus, for whoever does not take up his cross and follow after Jesus is not worthy of Him. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for Jesus' sake will find it (see Mt 10:38-39). "Be children of the Church," were the words of Mother Seton on her deathbed, January 2, 1821. United in faith and prayer, then, let us give it up for the Lord and be children of the Church. Amen.

For the voices this week, I turn again to tea bag tags. Gems are found therein. However, to keep things in priority, the first voice seems the best place to start. Saint Roman Adame was canonized by Pope Saint Paul II in the Jubilee Year of 2000. His feast is celebrated May 21.

Let everything be for God.

(Saint Roman Adame Rosales, 1859-1927)

Every neighbor can be your teacher.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

Let your energy be used to build, not destroy. 

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

The one who listens understands.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

Let the opportunities come to you.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

Balance of head and heart builds strength of character.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

Earth laughs in flowers.

(Anonymous, tea bag tag)

All you Saints of the Week, pray for us!

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN BAYLEY SETON,

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI,

SAINT OTTO,

SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE, PATRON OF ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL,

BLESSED JOHN CORNELIUS,

BLESSED MARIE CROCIFISSA CURCIO,

SAINT ANTONY MARY ZACCARIA,

SAINT MODWEN

BLESSED GEORGE NICHOLS, RICHARD YAXLEY, THOMAS BELSEN, HUMPHREY PRITCHARD,

SAINT MARIA GORETTI,

SAINT MONINNE,

BLESSED PETER TO ROT,

BLESSED EUGENE III,

SAINT MAELRUAIN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I found this some weeks ago in a medical office parking lot in Eureka. At your name they rejoice all the day.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord

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

In other years: Saint John Baptiste de LaSalle, Priest, Founder of the Brothers of Christian Schools (1651-1719); Saint Henry Walpole (1558-1595)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 55:1-14 The Clothing and Footwear of the Brothers

Friday of the Passion of the Lord: Is 52:13-53:12; Resp Ps 31; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42

You are my God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, CRUCIFIED FOR US,

LOVE SUBSTANTIAL OF THE FATHER AND THE SON,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

He Himself bore our sins in His body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

(1 Pt 2:24)

The body of the historical Jesus no longer hangs upon the cross.

The Cross is here so that the triumph

which took place in Jesus once and for all

might continue to happen in His Body-

so that His triumph might take place in us,

in our lives and in our death.

In this hope, let us come to embrace the Cross.*

SAINT JOHN BAPTISTE DE LA SALLE,

SAINT HENRY WALPOLE,

PRAY FOR US.

* Thomas Savage, SJ (d. 1972), in M.H. Marchal "Jesus is Lifted Up: The Roots and Reform of the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday in the Roman Rite," Worship, Volume 97 (April 2023), pp. 147-159, here p. 159.

Today's photo: The crucifix in our church. We proclaim Christ crucified.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of Holy Week

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

In other years: Pope Saint Sixtus I (42-c.128); Saint Irene of Rome, Martyr, Widow of the Martyr Saint Castulus (d. 288); Saint John, Bishop of Naples, aka the Peacemaker (d. 849); Saint Richard, Bishop of Chichester in England (1197-1253)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery

Mass: Is 42:1-7; Resp Ps 27; Jn 12:1-11  

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAIINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ONLY SON OF THE FATHER,

HOLY SPIRIT, THE COMFORTER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the hope of glory and a lesson in patience.

(Saint Augustine)

Welcome to Monday of Holy Week. A passage from the Letter to the Hebrews was brought to my attention yesterday as one to reflect upon this holy week. It happens that it is sandwiched nicely between today's patristic reading from the Office of Readings, one taken from a sermon by Saint Augustine. 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him He endured the cross, despising its shame and has taken His seat at the right of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2)*

The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon Himself the death that He found in us, He has most faithfully promised to us life in Him, such as we cannot have of ourselves ...

Let us then fearlessly acknowledge, and evenly openly proclaim, that Christ was crucified for us; let us confess it, not in fear but in joy, not in shame but in glory.

(Saint Augustine)

United in faith and prayer then, we go forth and proclaim with Saint Paul: Let me not boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

POPE SAINT SIXTUS I,

SAINT IRENE,

SAINT CASTULUS,

SAINT JOHN THE PEACEMAKER,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

PRAY FOR US.

*All of Chapter 12 from the Letter to the Hebrews may prove helpful. 

Today's photo: It is difficult to tire of looking up. Be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

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

Saints: Saint Mary of Egypt (4th-5th centuries); Saint Ceallach (1080-1129); Saint Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble (1053-1132): Saint Venantius, Bishop of Salona and Martyr (d.259)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling

Mass: Ezk 37:21-28; Resp Ps (Jer 31); Jn 11:45-56   

Proclaim it in distant isles.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, THE MOST HIGH,

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, 

HAVE MERCY ON US.

They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area,

"What do you think? That He will come to the feast?"

(Jn 11:56)

Welcome to April, the month dedicated both to devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit. Throughout this month, we will invoke Jesus from the litany to the Holy Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit from the litany of the Holy Spirit.

So, will He come to the feast? United in faith and prayer, we go with Him and prepare to enter Holy Week.

Let us take part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in the literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies ... let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon His heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise ... we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating His passion by our sufferings, and honoring His blood by shedding His own. We must be ready to be crucified.

(From a homily by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fifth Week of Lent, Saturday)

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

(Verse Before the Gospel, Mass)

SAINT MARY OF EGYPT,

SAINT CEALLACH,

SAINT HUGH,

SAINT VENANTIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From Wednesday morning just before 8am. They shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saint: Saint Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr (-155)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:12-19 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Dt 30:15-20; Resp Ps 1; Lk 9:22-25 

Delights in the law of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

HOLY FAMILY, PRAISED BY THE ANGELS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving Him, and walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous ...

if you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish.

(Dt 30:15-18)

Welcome to Thursday after Ash Wednesday. How did it go yesterday? 

The words above from the author of the Book of Deuteronomy are pretty clear. What will it be then, life and prosperity, or death and doom? There are plenty of opportunities throughout the day to make a choice. United in faith and prayer, we go forth, deny ourselves in one way or the other, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is how we save our lives (see Lk 9:23-24). May it be that when faced with contradictions and pinpricks throughout the day, we could pray as Saint Polycarp did just before he embraced martyrdom.

Lord, almighty God, Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ ... I bless You for judging me worthy of this day, this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ, Your anointed one ...

I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You through the eternal high priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son. Through Him be glory to You, together with Him and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

(From a letter on the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by the Church of Smyrna, in Office of Readings, February 23)

SAINT POLYCARP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Frosty made a brief appearance yesterday. Please take note of his ashes. ⛄ Whatever he does prospers.

© Gertrude Feick 2023