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

Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

November is the month dedicated to the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 22 The Sleeping Arrangements of the Monks - Ch 28 Those Who Refuse to Amend after Frequent Reproofs

Praised be the Lord, I exclaim.

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

MARY, REFUGE OF SOULS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

For I am compassionate.

(Ex 22:26)

Welcome to the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time. Jesus gives us a tall order in today's Gospel, that is, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And, love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:37-39). Do not be daunted. Instead, go to Saint Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (13:1-13) and Saint Benedict's Tools for Good Works found in Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule, for help. Just say no resounding gongs or clashing cymbals (see 1 Cor 13:1). 

So faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(1 Cor 13:13)

Never lose hope in God's mercy.

(Rule of Saint Benedict 4:74)

I learned about a new saint last Thursday. I was especially thinking of him yesterday when we commemorated Saints Simon and Jude. It occurred to me that Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes (and desperate situations, forgotten causes, hospital workers, hospitals, impossible causes, and the diocese of Sr. Petersburg, Florida!) was certainly busy working on Blessed Bartolo Longo (1841-1946). And what a story (see reference below *). In short, our dear Bartolo grew up in a family of faith who prayed the Rosary together daily. Then, Bartolo sort of wandered from the fold, to say the least. After his mother's death, Bartolo not only fell in with a paganic group, they "ordained" him as Satanist priest. He participated in all sorts of extracurricular activities - please read for yourself. In any case, Bartolo ultimately experienced a mental breakdown, and with help from his dead father's voice, "Return to God! Return to God!", and Dominican priest who heard Bartolo's confession, Bartolo returned to God and His Church. In 1871, Bartolo became a Third Order Dominican, took the name of Br. Rosario in honor of the Rosary, married a local widow on the advice Pope Leo XIII, and all this goes on to lead to the Basilica of the Most Holy Rosary in Pompeii. I am telling you that you have to read the story for yourself. Pope Saint John Paul II beatified Bartolo on October 26, 1980, calling him the "Apostle of the Rosary." And it is said that over 30,000 people attended the ceremony. There will more to this story as our faith unfolds. All told, with God, ALL things are possible. Give God the praise!

In this week when we say farewell to October and welcome to November, our first three voices speak to us of the Most Holy Rosary, and the following honor saints, including some we commemorate this week, or those who preached on the most holy days we celebrate this week. And something to keep in mind throughout the whole of the liturgical year are the words of Blessed Columba Marmion: "We should be by grace what Jesus was by nature, a child of God and a child of Mary." Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

If I ever come to the end of the day without having said the rosary, I confess that I feel disappointed. There are some people who say: "The rosary is a good thing for women and children." Granted. But what does the Lord say? Unless you become as little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven-and for my part, I want to go there!

(Blessed Columba Marmion, 1858-1923)

By its nature the recitation of the rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord's life as seen through the eyes of Her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are unfolded.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, 1897-1978, Marialis Cultus, 47) 

The rosary is not a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it is the devotion to Mary!

(Blessed Pauline Jaricot, 1799-1862)

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints ...

we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession.

(From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot, in Office of Readings, November 1)

Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die. Hour by hour keep careful watch over all you do, aware that God's gaze is upon you, wherever you may be.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:46-49)

The example of Martin's life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first, by loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbor as yourself ...

Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved men because he honestly looked on them as God's children and as his own brothers and sisters. Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.

(From a homily at the Canonization of Saint Martin de Porres by Pope John XXIII, in Office of Readings, November 3)

If you wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new ardor.

(Saint Charles Borromeo, 1538-1584)

And finally, we join Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan (1928-2002) in prayer, and at the same time remember that "Whenever one person does something good for another, there God is especially near. Whenever someone opens himself for God in prayer, then he enters into His special closeness."**

Lord, give to our world many saints. I may produce material goods, but you alone, Lord, can give us saints.

(Venerable Francis Xavier Van Thuan)

BLESSED BARTOLO LONGO, APOSTLE OF THE ROSARY,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

BLESSED CHIARA LUCE BADANO,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI COLLEGE,

SAINT COLMAN MACDUAGH,

SAINT MARCELLUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF WINCHESTER,

SAINT THOGER,

BLESSED DOMINIC COLLINS,

BLESSED MARIA TAUSCHER,

SAINT ALPHONSO RODRIGUEZ,

SAINT WOLFGANG AND THE 14 HOLY HELPERS,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT GIANNA MOLLA,

SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES,

SAINT WINEFRIDE,

SAINT MALACHY,

BLESSED JOHN BODY,

BLESSED RUPERT MAYER,

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

SAINT BENEDICT,

PRAY FOR US. 

* See Angelo Stagnaro, "Blessed Bartolo Longo, the ex-Satanist Who Was Freed Through the Rosary," in National Catholic Register, December 12, 2016.

**Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald (Ignatius, 2002).

Today's photo: Acadia National Park, in the woods near Long Pond, Bar Harbor, Maine, The Pine Tree State. Thank you, beloved Marshall family.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 12 The Celebration of the Solemnity of Lauds - Ch 17 The Number of Psalms to Be Sung at These Hours

He refreshes my soul.

MARY, SINGULAR VESSEL OF DEVOTION,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!

(Is 25:9)

Marching on in this month of October dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, we have more heavy-hitter saints to invoke this week kicking it off with the great Doctor Saint Teresa of Avila, who wrote, "Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you ..." Why is it that we let things disturb us though 🤔. Rather, why not take a moment to breathe in the Holy Spirit and breathe out the Peace the world cannot give. And Saint Teresa continues ... 

All things pass away:

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.

He who has God

Finds he lacks nothing;

God alone suffices. 

It happens that I have been going through some old journals which has proven to be both fun and enlightening, among other things. Fun? A November 1997 entry found me in New Zealand where I wrote, "I've written 45 postcards with two left." Rest assured, I did much more than write postcards. ☺However, I love to write postcards (and cards and letters!) and receive them too (hint). Just last week I received three postcards from the state of Maine! Enlightening? A 2003 entry found me in the midst of this exchange. Voice 1: "I don't have time to myself. My personal life is non-existent. Why?" Voice 2: "Because you said 'Yes', Sister." "Yes," is a very powerful word, one voice commented just the other day. And as it relates to today's Gospel (see Mt 22:1-14), the Lord invites each of us to the daily feast. Do you accept the invitation? Does your "Yes" really mean "Yes", no matter what? So, we pray with Pope Francis and all the faithful gathered today in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus Address, "May Mary, who with her 'yes', made room for God, help us not to be deaf to his invitations." 

United in faith and prayer, we “rejoice and be glad that God has saved us" (Is 25:9). And as we go forth, we thank Saint Paul for his words of encouragement: "My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen" (Ph 4:19-20). Thy will be done.

Our voices this week come our great Saint and Doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus, who influenced our beloved Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), also known as Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.* At the name of Jesus every knee should bend!

Oh, what a good friend You make, my Lord! How You proceed by favoring and enduring. You wait for others to adapt to Your nature, and in the meanwhile You put up with theirs!

(The Book of Her Life, Ch 8, 6)

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else but an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.

(The Book of Her Life, Chapter 8, 5)

The important thing is not to think much but to love much.

(The Interior Castle)

Let us love the virtues and inward goodness, and let us always apply ourselves and take care to avoid attaching importance to externals.

(The Way of Perfection, Ch IV)

I mean that the King of glory will not come to our souls-that is, so as to united with them-unless we strive to gain the greatest virtues.

(The Way of Perfection, Ch XVI)

Although it is a great grace from God to practice self-examination, yet "too much is as bad as too little," as they say; believe me, by God's help, we shall advance more by contemplating the Divinity than by keeping our eyes fixed on ourselves, poor creatures of earth that we are ...

Our understanding and our will become more noble and capable of good in every way when we turn from ourselves to God.

(The Interior Castle, Ch 3, 8, 11)

Let the Christian be valiant.

(The Interior Castle, Chapter I, 13)

Getting used to solitude is a great help to prayer. Since prayer must be the foundation on which the house is built, it is necessary for us to learn to like whatever gives us the greatest help in it.

(The Way of Perfection, Chapter IV)

Humility, however deep it be, neither disquiets nor troubles nor disturbs the soul; it is accompanied by peace, joy and tranquility.

(The Way of Perfection, Ch XXXIV)

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT HEDWIG,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUES,

SAINT MARGARET D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH,

SAINT LUKE,

SAINT JOHN DE BREBEUF AND ISAAC JOGUES AND THEIR COMPANIONS,

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD,

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ALCANTARA,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

SAINT BERTILLA BOSCARDIN,

SAINT HILARION,

SAINT GASPARE OF THE BUFALO,

BLESSED CHARLES OF AUSTRIA,

PRAY FOR US.

*NB. Check out the Holy Father's hot off the press issued today, October 15, 2023, Apostolic Exhortation to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth the great Doctor and Saint Therese of Lisieux, C'est la confiance It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love. See www.vatican.va. Go Little Flower ⚘ go!

Today's photo: For our viewing pleasure, my beloved bro Thomas captured this live while doing a little work in his yard, Indianapolis, Indiana, The Hoosier State. Raindrops keep falling on my head ... Sun and moon, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him forever! Saint Thomas, Saint Anselm of Canterbury, pray for us. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 7:59 Humility - Ch 11 The Celebration of Vigils on Sunday

Take care of this vine.

MARY, MIRROR OF JUSTICE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Then the God of peace will be with you.

(Ph 4:9)

Welcome to the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time in the month of October dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. And if you don't know who Blessed Alan de la Roche (1428-1478) is (I just met him ☺) or what Blessed Alan de la Roche (1428-1478) said about the rosary, please allow me to pass along his words that I just heard: "The Holy Rosary is the storehouse of countless blessings." So, "recite your Rosary with faith," says Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716), and "with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance." After all, "the greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary" (Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622). Hail Mary, full of grace ... Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us. 

As it turns out, the Church offers us some of my favorites today. The first is quoted in the reading from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. There we hear an echo of the Psalmist and the Prophet Isaiah: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Ps 118:22-23/Is 28:16). And it occurred to me during First Vespers yesterday afternoon that, because of this gift, I should certainly "have no anxiety all" (Ph 4:6), as Saint Paul writes. And that leads me to another favorite, not in the readings today, namely, "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Ps 127:1). It is the Cornerstone, the Rock, the firm foundation upon which we stand. Build your house on Him. Yes, "by the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes" (Ps 118:23). And "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Ph 4:6-7). 

United in faith and prayer, let us sing about our friend and His vineyard (see Is 5:1), and go forth.

And now a word or two from our sponsors in heaven to keep us going.

Make my language clear, my Savior, open my mouth and, after filling it, penetrate my heart so that my acts may correspond to my words.

(Saint Romanus the Melodist, late 5th century-556) 

Let us produce worthy fruits of penance. Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin ... We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all who live in this way and persevere in it to the end. He will permanently dwell in them. They will be Father's children who do His work. They are the spouses, brothers and mothers of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226, From a letter written to all the faithful, in Office of Readings, October 4)

O life so monotonous, how many treasures you contain! When I look at everything with the eyes of faith, no two hours are alike, and the dullness and monotony disappear.

(Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905-1938)

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

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226)

Take every day as a ring which you must engrave, adorn, and embellish with your actions, to be offered up in the evening at the altar of God.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

God's works are done with clasped hands and on our knees. Even when we "run" we must rest spiritually on our knees before Him.

(Saint Luigi Orione, 1872-1940)

And to encourage us to pray the rosary during this month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, we have "Land of Lincoln" Illinois born, Venerable Fulton Sheen. 

The rosary is the book of the blind where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world have 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 Sheen, 1895-1975)

MARIST MARTYRS OF BARCELONA,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT DENIS AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI,

SAINT PHILIP NERI,

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

OUR LADY OF APERECIDA, PATRONESS OF BRAZIL,

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR, PATRONESS OF SPAIN AND THE AMERICAS,

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS, 

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: And protect what Your right hand has planted.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

October is the month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

Readings from the Rule of Saint Benedict for the Week: Ch 7:34-58 Humility  

Teach me your paths.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL,

MARY, MIRROR OF HOLINESS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Ph 2:10-11)

Welcome to the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time and the month of October dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us. 

In this month loaded with heavy hitter saints including two Doctors of the Church and the beloved il Poverello to intercede for us as we respond to the universal call to holiness, our introduction comes from the Holy Father Pope Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, 32, 34:

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

So, our voices this week come from a great Saint who did not shy away from becoming one. I will turn things over, then, to the Little Flower, that is, Saint Therese of Lisieux, also called Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.* 

I understood that to become a saint one had to suffer much, seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and forget self. I understood, too, there were many degrees of perfection and each soul was free to respond to the advances of Our Lord, to do little or much for Him, in a word, to choose among the sacrifices He was asking. Then, as in the days of my childhood, I cried out, "My God, 'I choose all!' I don't want to be a saint by halves, I'm not afraid to suffer for You, I fear only one thing: to keep my own will; so take it, for 'I choose all' that You will!"

(Manuscript A, Chapter I)

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

(Manuscript A, Chapter IV)

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

(Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

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

(Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

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

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

(Manuscript B, Chapter IX)

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

(Epilogue)

And finally, some words from The Little Flower about three months before she died, words that certainly ring true:

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

(Epilogue)

Beloved Saint Therese of Child Jesus and all of the holy ones commemorated this week, please help us to preserve our lives and live by turning away for all the sins that we have committed (See Ezk 18:27-28). Help us to do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than ourselves, each of us looking out not for our own interests, but all for those of others (See Ph 2:3-4). In faith and with prayer, may we be of the same mind, with the same love, and united in heart (See Ph 2:2). Keep going!

SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX,

ALL THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF SUSSEX,

SAINT THOMAS CANTILUPE,

BLESSED ANDRE DE SOVERAL AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA,

SAINT THEODORE GUERIN,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS,

SAINT BRUNO,

BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER,

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY,

PRAY FOR US.

*All quotations come from Saint Therese of Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux Study Edition (ICS, 2005). This edition might be considered for a book club or discussion group. ☺ Another book to consider, perhaps as a companion book, or introduction to the Little Flower, is Heather King, Shirt of Flame: A Year with Saint Therese of Lisieux. In fact, I stumbled across that little gem while cleaning some shelves one day. It jumped out at me as happens sometimes; it turned out to be just the book I needed. 

Today's photo: In honor of “The Little Flower," she speaks again: "It seems to me that if a little flower could speak, it would tell simply what God has done for it without trying to hide its blessings" (Manuscript A, Chapter I).

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Friday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Our Lady of the Rosary

First Friday of the Month

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:56-58 Humility

Mass: Gal 3:7-14; Resp Ps 111; Lk 11:15-26

Majesty and glory are His work.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

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

Welcome to the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, on the first Friday of the month of October, devoted to the Most Holy Rosary. In brief, today's commemoration, in honor of Our Lady of Victories, was instituted by Pope Pius V (1504-1572, Pontificate 1566-1572) to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. This victory was due in large part to the faithful praying the Rosary. One of the best things to do today, and throughout this month is to pray the rosary. Pope Leo XIII* gives us reason enough. Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

It has always been the habit of Catholics in danger and in troublous times to fly for refuge to Mary, to seek for peace in her maternal goodness; showing that the Catholic Church has always, and with justice, put all her hope and trust in the Mother of God. And truly the Immaculate Virgin, chosen to be the Mother of God and thereby associated with Him in the work of man's salvation, has a favour and power with her Son greater than any human or angelic creature has ever obtained, or ever can gain. And, as it is her greatest pleasure to grant her help and comfort to those who seek her, it cannot be doubted that she would deign, and even be anxious, to receive the aspirations of the universal Church.

(Pope Leo XIII, Supremi apostolatus officio, 2)

*NB. Fun Fact: Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903, Pontificate 1879-1903), wrote twelve encyclicals and five apostolic letters on the rosary. You can find them on www.vatican.va. In the last one, Diuturni temporis, given in 1898, the Holy Father wrote: "We have never ceased to encourage the constant use of the Rosary among Christians, by publishing every year since September 1, 1883, an Encyclical Letter on this subject, besides frequently issuing Decrees on this subject" (2). You can learn the history about the devotion to the Most Holy Rosary in paragraph 4 of the first encyclical, Supremi apostolatus officio, given in 1883. Thank you, Pope Leo XIII.

Today's photo: Gracious and merciful is the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saint: Our Lady of Fatima; Saint Erconwald (-693); Blessed Imelda Lambertini OP (c.1321-1333)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 1:16-22 Qualities of the Abbot 

Mass: Acts 13:26-33; Resp Ps 2; Jn 14:1-6

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before Him.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, CORNERSTONE OF FAMILIES,

PRAY FOR US.

For starters on this Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, remembering too that we are still in the Year of the Family, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has invited the faithful to unite in a Day of Fasting and Praying the Rosary. There are several prayer intentions that can be found on the USCCB website, including these two:

For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death.

For Our Blessed Mother's intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and create a culture of life.

Secondly, Jesus offers support and solace in His loving heart: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me (Jn 14:1). I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me (Jn 14:6), says the Lord. United in faith and prayer, with trust and hope, we follow Jesus to the Father.

The ardent need for justice, this benevolent flame within, this deep love for suffering and groaning humanity, all this is and can only be an unconscious turning toward this infinite Love and infinite Justice, toward this supreme Goodness that is God.

(E. Leseur, The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, pp. 151-152) 

OUR LADY OF FATIMA,

VENERABLE JEROME LEJEUNE,

SERVANT OF GOD ELISABETH LESEUR,

SAINT ERCONWALD,

BLESSED IMELDA LAMBERTINI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one makes me dizzy 😎 A recent guest and faithful reader captured this "look from reclining position" on our property. It is certainly cause for rejoicing before Him. With trembling rejoice!

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Saint Luke Kirby (c.1549-1582); The Yorkshire Martyrs Margaret Clitherow, Henry Walpole and others (c.16th century); Saint Joan of Arc (c.1412-1431); Saint Walstan (11th century)

Pray the Rosary to end the Covid-19 pandemic, promoted by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization: "Devoted with one accord to prayer, together with Mary" (Acts 1:14)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 7:24-30
Mass: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Resp Ps 11; Jn 21:20-25

The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.