May 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

May is the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Praise the Lord from the heavens. 

OUR LADY, QUEEN AND MOTHER,

OUR LADY, STAR OF THE SEA,

MOTHER ADMIRABLE,

MOTHER OF HOPE,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to May, the month dedicated to Our Lady. Still in the Easter Season, here's to hoping you are still singing your favorite Easter hymn, or mine, "Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia ..." 🎵 

It's a big month, dear faithful readers. What can be better than kicking off the festivities with today, May 1, when we commemorate Saint Joseph the Worker. Saint Joseph, model of workers, man of strength, man of courage, pray for us! Thank you. We celebrate Mother's Day on May 10 so let us rejoice. Thank a mother today for all she is and for all she does. Give God the praise for mothers! Our Lady, Queen of mothers, pray for us! Thank you. 

Depending on where you are in the world, we celebrate The Ascension of the Lord, either on Thursday, May 14, or Sunday, May 17. Next up is Pentecost Sunday set for May 24. And if that isn't enough, the next day, Monday, May 25, is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. It was Pope Saint Paul VI, who solemnly confirmed the title, Mother of the Church, in an address to the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council on November 21, 1964. The Pontiff decreed that the whole Christian people should, by the use of this beautiful title, give still greater honor to the Mother of God. And a beautiful title for Our Lady it is. Speaking of titles for Our Lady, why not take a look at the Litany to Mary and select a few of your favorite titles. Then, address Mary using the titles. As I say, go to Mary, she knows what to do. One of my favorite titles is Star of the Sea. Indeed, Our Lady is a star that will guide us, especially when we go astray. For never was it known that she left anyone unaided. 

In this glorious month of May when we turn our minds and hearts to blessed Mary, Our Lady, she, who said to the angel Gabriel, "Let it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38), and she, who "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart" (Lk 2:19), we might also reflect on our particular vocations*  our call from the Lord, to love Him and serve Him. No matter our state in life, be it married, single, widow, religious or priest, we remember words from our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, given in his March 16, 2026, Message for the 63rd World Day of Prayer, celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2026:

A vocation is not a fixed point, but a dynamic process of maturation sustained by intimacy with our Lord. To grow in one's vocation means being with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to act in our hearts and in the circumstances of life, and reinterpreting everything in light of this gift ...

a vocation, therefore, is not an immediate possession-something 'given' once and for all. Instead, it is a path that unfolds much like life itself. The gift we receive must not only be protected but also nourished by a daily relationship with God in order to grow and bear fruit. 'This is helpful, since it situates our whole life in relation to the God who loves us. It makes us realize that nothing is the result of pure chance but that everything in our lives can become a way of responding to the Lord, who has a wonderful plan for us.

One last thought, on May 30, we commemorate the great Saint Joan of Arc (d. 1431). With her in mind when you are looking for a parking place, turn to the Maid of Orleans and pray, "Saint Joan of Arc, show me a place to park." Joan knows what to do. And if for some reason or another, Joan is busy helping someone else, which is highly unlikely since she can manage quite a few things at once, you can turn to Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917) and pray, "Mother Cabrini, help me park the macchini." Keep going with inspiration from the following voices ...

Belief is certainty that God has shown Himself and has opened for us the view of truth itself.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Jesus says to each one of us, no matter where we are, "The path I have for you is simple enough for a child to follow. When we know we are loved as His very own, the Lord's way is wholly uncomplicated.

(Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V., member of the Sisters of Life)

Here we join Saint Faustina Kowalska in her words ...

I feel tremendous pain when I see the sufferings of my neighbors. All my neighbors' sufferings reverberate in my own heart; I carry their anguish in my heart is such a way that it even physically destroys me. I would like all their sorrows to fall upon me, on order to relieve my neighbor.

(Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905-1938)

And then invoke Our Lady ...

Mother of Mercy,

pray for us.

We must contain ourselves in patience, remembering each morning that our main job is to love God and to serve Him and if we don't get things done due to interruptions, well, it cannot be helped, and God will take care of what we leave undone. Saint Teresa says that God cannot rest in an unquiet heart. I have to remember that many times during the day.

(Servant of God Dorothy Day, 1897-1980)

Humility is not self-contempt but the truth about ourselves couples with a reverence for others; it is self-surrender to the highest goal.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Think ... of how we first came into being, of what we were at the first moment of our existence. Think of the dark tomb out of which our Creator brought us into His world where He had His gifts prepared for us even before we were born. All this we owe to Him and for everything we must give Him thanks. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement, pope, late 1st century)

We ought to be like the sunflower which follows all the 

movements of the sun and ever turns toward it.

(Saint Julie Billiart, 1751-1816)

Let us endure with courage the painful little experiences that Divine Providence allows to befall us. They are a necessary part of every life, and force us to place all our trust in God, for He alone can support and guide us.

(Saint Julie Billiart, 1751-1816)

The whole purpose of our lives is to be for others what Mary was for her Son on Calvary.

(Venerable Mary Potter, 1847-1913)

I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen-not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

(C.S. Lewis, 1898-1963)

Let us be inspired by the beauty of love; let us become witnesses to the love that Jesus has given us and taught us! Let us show every day that it is beautiful to love-that the greatest joys, in every situation, come from knowing how to give and from giving of ourselves, especially when we reach out to those most in need. The light of charity, nurtured in our homes and lived out in faith can truly transform the world.

(Pope Leo XIV, April 22, 2026, address to young people and families, Bata, Equatorial Guinea)

God has established as a law that His graces should flow to us through channels of prayer and the Sacraments; and they are so united that the performance of one is a preparation for the other. Prayer is a plant, the seed of which is sown in the heart of every Christian, but its growth depends entirely on the care we take to nourish and cultivate it; if neglected, it will die; if nourished by constant practice, it will blossom and produce fruit in abundance ...

(Venerable Catherine McAuley, R.S.M., 1778-1841)

I want creation to penetrate you with so admiration that everywhere, wherever you may be, the least plant may bring you to the clear remembrance of the Creator.

(Saint Basil the Great, 330-379)

Here are the last words of Blessed Maria Guggiari Echeverria (1925-1959), spoken at 4:10 am, April 28, 1959, as "she was dying, propped up on cushions, and surrounded by her siblings and parents, she sat up and spoke" them. They are fitting words to end each and every day ...

Jesus, I love you! What a sweet encounter! O Virgin Mary!

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SERVANT OF GOD TAKASHI NAGAI,

SAINT ATHANASIUS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES,

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIA RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI, OP,

SAINT ASAPH,

SAINT HILARY OF ARLES,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LACONI,

SAINT ROSE VENERINI,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT FRANCOIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT JOHN OF BEVERLEY,

SAINT EPIPHANIUS OF SALAMIS,

BLESSED ALBERT OF BERGAMO, OP,

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

SAINT PETER OF TARANTAISE,

THE ALGERIAN MARTYRS,

SAINT PACHOMIUS,

BLESSED FRANZ JAGERSTATTER, 

SAINT ANDREW BOBOLA,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

SAINT GEORGE PRECA,

SAINT DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI,

SAINT JOHN OF AVILA,

SAINT COMGALL,

SAINT ANTONIUS OF FLORENCE, OP,

THE CARTHUSIAN MARTYRS,

SAINT NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS, MARTYRS,

SAINT PANCRAS, MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN HOUGHTON AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED JANE OF PORTUGAL, OP,

BLESSED JOAN, PRINCESS OF PORTUGAL,

OUR LADY OF FATIMA,

SAINT ERCONWALD,

BLESSED IMELDA LAMBERTINI, OP,

SAINT MATTHIAS, APOSTLE,

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER,

SAINT CARTHAGE,

BLESSED ANDREW ABELLON, OP,

BLESSED GILES OF VAOZELA, OP,

SAINT SIMON STOCK,

SAINT BRENDAN,

SAINT JOHN STONE,

POPE SAINT JOHN I, MARTYR,

SAINT ERIK OF SWEDEN,

SAINT DUNSTAN,

POPE SAINT CELESTINE V,

SAINT MILBURGA,

SAINT IVO OR YVES,

SAINT RAPHAEL LOUIS RAFIRINGA,

SAINT FRANCIS COLL GUITART, OP,

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA, PRIEST,

BLESSED COLUMBA OF RIETI, OP,

SAINT CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,

SAINT JANE ANTIDE THOURET,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST DE ROSSI,

SAINT VINCENT OF LERINS,

SAINT JOACHINE DE VEDRUNA DE MAS,

OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

BLESSED LOUIS-ZEPHIRIN MOREAU,

SAINT ALDHELM,

SAINT DOMINIC,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,

VENERABLE EMIL KAPAUN, 

SAINT MARY MAGDALAN OF PAZZI,

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE,

SAINT PHILIP NERI, PRIEST,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY, BISHOP,

BLESSED ANDREW FRANCHI, OP,

BLESSED MARGARET POLE, COUNTESS OF SALISBURY,

BLESSED MARY BARTHOLOMEW BAGNESI, OP,

BLESSED ANTONI JULIAN NOWOWIEJSKI,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

SAINT MAXIMINUS,

BLESSED JOSEPH GERARD,

SAINT URSULA LEDOCHOWSKA,

BLESSED ELIA OF SAINT CLEMENT,

BLESSED WILLIAM ARNAUD, OP, AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT ZDZISALAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTRYS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

PRAY FOR US.

* Vocation comes from the Latin vocare, "to call".

This month's photo: A major Ohhhh Ahhh. 😊

Praise Him in the heights. 

© Gertrude Feick 2026

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

Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

Good Shepherd Sunday

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

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

Readings of the Day

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

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

Only goodness and kindness follow me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, 

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, TRUE SHEPHERD,

SPIRIT OF GRACE AND PRAYER,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

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

(Jn 10:10)

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

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

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

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,

has risen as He said, alleluia.

Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary,

alleluia!

For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(James 1:1)

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

(1 Pt 2:20b-21)

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

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

(James 1:19-25)

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

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

Do not speak evil of one another.

(James 4:11)

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

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17)

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

(Saint Athanasius)

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

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 1)

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

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

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

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

POPE SAINT PIUS V,

SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF AFRICA,

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT ATHANASIUS,

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES,

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIE RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI, OP,

SAINT ASAPH,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT FRANCOIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: He refreshes my soul.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Catholic Schools Week

Buon viaggio Papa Francesco, off on his 40th Apostolic Journey, the 5th one to Africa, and this time to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Saints: Saint John Bosco, Priest (1815-1888); Saint Alban Roe (1583-1642); Saint Thomas Green (c.1560-1642) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:34 Humility

Mass: Heb 12:1-4; Resp Ps 22; Mk 5:21-43   

May your hearts be ever merry!

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, BRIGHTNESS OF ETERNAL LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

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.

(Heb 12:1-2)

Welcome to Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week and the last day of January 2023. And the Holy Father is off to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The Pontiff is not lacking in an adventuresome spirit. After the Holy Father returns from this trip, he will have visited 60 countries so far during his pontificate. Keep going, Papa Francesco! All said, it is a busy day. 

In the midst of Catholic Schools Week, we have the privilege to commemorate Saint John Bosco, "Apostle of Youth," patron saint of young people, apprentices, and Catholic publishers and editors. That should keep him busy enough. John Bosco essentially dedicated his life to help boys and young men in Turin, Italy, at the time of the industrial revolution. Many of them lived on the streets and were without work or education. Because John Bosco was so shocked to see how many boys ended up in prison before the age of 18, and as a result left to starve spiritually and even physically, he went to work determined to save as many people as he could from a life of degradation. His aging mother even helped him. Before it was all said and done, John Bosco established the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales (the Salesians), in honor of Saint Francis de Sales, helped Saint Mary Dominic Mazzarello form a similar group for girls, survived assassination attempts, and before he died, the Salesians had expanded in Europe and beyond and helped at 130,000 children in 250 houses where they could receive religious instruction, lodging, education, and work opportunities. And what did John Bosco have to say about all of that? "I have done nothing by myself; it was Our Lady who has done everything" through her intercession with God. Saint John Bosco died in the early hours of January 31, 1888, after imparting a message: "Tell the boys I shall be waiting for them all in Paradise." He was canonized by Pope Pius XI, Easter Sunday, April 1, 1934.*

Now, more than a few words from Don Bosco (he's one of my favorites).

You should bear patiently the bad temper of other people, the slights, the rudeness that may be offered you.

(Saint John Bosco)

Never read books you are not sure about ... even if supposing these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?

(Saint John Bosco)

Since last Sunday was what I called "Beatitude Sunday," this one fits ...

Meekness was the method Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized, and still others to gain hope in God's mercy: Thus He bade us to be gentle and humble of heart.

(Saint John Bosco) 

The principal trap that the devil sets for the young people is idleness. This is a fatal source of all evil. Do not let there be any doubt in your mind that man is born to work, and when he does not do so he is out of his element and in great danger of offending God.

The chief thing is to take the burden on one's shoulders. As you press forward, it soon shakes down and the load is evenly distributed.

First tell the devil to rest, and then I'll rest too.

(Saint John Bosco)

When tempted, invoke your angel. Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: he trembles and flees at your guardian angel's sight.

(Saint John Bosco)

Love of our neighbor consists of three things: to desire the greater good of everyone; to do what good we can when we can; to bear, excuse, and hide other's faults.

(Saint John Bosco)

This is one of my favorite's and speaks of the character of John Bosco.

[A saint] was once asked, while playing happily with his companions, what he would do if an angel told him that in a quarter of an hour he would die and have to appear before the judgment seat of God. The saint promptly replied that he would continue playing because I am certain these games are pleasing to God.

(Saint John Bosco)

Not entirely unrelated is this from Pope Saint John Paul II, from an address to American bishops.

The mission of the Catholic school is the integral formation of students, so that they be true to their condition as Christ's disciples and as such work effectively for the evangelization of culture and for the common good of society.

(Address of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II to the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Regions of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, on their Ad Limina visit, May 30, 1998, #2)

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT MARY DOMINIC MAZZARELLO,

SAINT ALBAN ROE,

SAINT THOMAS GREEN

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, 

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Catholic News Agency, "St. John Bosco," for another lively account of a saint. 

Today's photo: Meet Father Cody Ross, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bellingham, WA (the Evergreen State), Chaplain at Western Washington University Newman Center, and two of his altar servers, seen here on All Souls' Day 2022. I introduce you to Father Cody, a former student of mine I add proudly ☺, because his patron is Saint John Bosco. The padre takes after his patron in various and sundry ways. Not only does he resemble his patron in looks, Father Cody is committed to the youth at WWU. In addition, he is a gymnast just like his patron, who as a child used to "entertain his peers with juggling, acrobatics, and magic tricks before explaining a sermon he heard, or leading them in praying the Rosary." Father Cody even does backflips, now! In fact, he is probably doing more than a few today. Father Cody and his two faithful altar servers certainly give us reason for hope. And if nothing else should inspire us to be faithful to our respective vocations, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, and go about it with joy and gladness of heart. Tomorrow you will meet Father Cody with the Newman students of WWU. Keep going, Father Cody, I am proud of you.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Saint: Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr (4th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 59 The Offering of Sons by Nobles or by the Poor

Mass: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Resp Ps 34; Mt 21:28-32

I will bless the Lord at all times.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The Word of God moves swiftly; He is not won by the lukewarm, nor held fast by the negligent. Let your soul be attentive to His word; follow carefully the path God tells you to take, for He is swift in His passing.

(From the book on Virginity by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, December 10)

Our saint of the day, Saint Lucy, was certainly attentive to the Word of God and followed carefully the path God told her to take - lukewarm and negligent she was not. Born into a family of means in 283, her father died when Lucy was young, and Lucy was left to the care of her mother Eutychia. Lucy, from a young age, consecrated her virginity to God and planned to devote any worldly goods to service of the poor. Eutychia had other plans for her daughter though with an arranged marriage. With prayer to Saint Agatha, another early Christian martyr, Lucy managed to have the marriage delayed. Agatha got to work and interceded on the behalf of Eutychia so that Eutychia was healed of a long illness. This drew Euthychia's attention as one might imagine, so Lucy's mother consented to her daughter's desire to live for God. Lucy persevered in her desire to serve God even with the rejected bridegroom denouncing her; the governor trying to force her into prostitution; enduring gruesome torture that included having her eyes torn out (other accounts say that it was Lucy who removed her own eyes in order to give them to a suitor who admired them - this seems like a Lucy thing to do), and so on. When Lucy's body was prepared for burial, it was found that her eyes had been restored. Saint Lucy "light" or "lucid" is the patron saint of the blind, eye trouble, and other eye ailments.* Whatever our vocation, may we be bold and faithful to the God who loves us. Be attentive - along with the Word of God that moves swiftly, so does this blessed season of Advent. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus.

To us, also, your servants,

who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share

and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs, 

with ...

Felicity, Perpetua,

Agatha, Lucy,

Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,

and all your Saints ...

(The Roman Canon, Eucharist Prayer I)

SAINT LUCY,

SAINT AGATHA,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Catholic News Agency, "St. Lucy."

Today's photo: The lowly will hear me and be glad.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saint: Saint Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 10 The Arrangement of the Night Office in Summer

Mass: Eph 1:1-10; Resp Ps 98; Lk 11:47-54

Sing to the Lord a new song.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY, 

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him.

(Eph 1:3-4)

To reflect upon what Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians can be overwhelming and marvelous at the same time. United in faith and prayer, all the faithful, the laity and religious together have been chosen to be holy and without blemish before Him. We have our vocations, one this and another that. We can turn again to some of the documents promulgated at the Second Vatican Council for insight and encouragement.

Since the laity, in accordance with their state in life, live in the midst of the world and its concerns, they are called by God to exercise their apostolate in the world like leaven, with the ardor of the spirit of Christ ...

Since Christ, sent by the Father, is the source and origin of the whole apostolate of the Church, the success of the lay apostolate depends upon the laity's living union with Christ, in keeping with Lord's words, "He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing ...

Such a life requires a continual exercise of faith, hope, and charity. Only by the light of faith and by meditation on the word of God can one always and everywhere recognize God in Whom "we live, and move, and have our being" ...

This plan for the spiritual life of the laity should take its particular character from their married or family state or their single or widowed state, from their state of health, and from their professional and social activity. They should not cease to develop earnestly the qualities and talents bestowed on them in accord with these conditions of life, and they should make use of the gifts which they have received from the Holy Spirit.

(Apostolicam Actuositatem Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 2, 4)

Since the Church has accepted their surrender of self they should realize they are also dedicated to its service.

The service of God ought to inspire and foster in them the exercise of the virtues, especially humility, obedience, fortitude and chastity. In such a way they share in Christ's emptying of Himself and His life in the spirit ...

The monastic life, that venerable institution which in the course of a long history has won for itself notable renown in the Church and in human society, should be preserved with care and its authentic spirit permitted to shine forth ever more splendidly both in the East and the West. The principal duty of monks [and nuns] is to offer a service to the divine majesty at once humble and noble within the walls of the monastery, whether they dedicate themselves entirely to divine worship in the contemplative life or have legitimately undertaken some apostolate or work of Christian charity ...

Religious should remember there is no better way than their own example to commend their institutes and gain candidates for the religious life.

(Perfectae Caritatis Decree on Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life, 5, 8, 24)

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Break into song; sing praise.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations "Called to Build the Human Family"

Mother's Day

In other years: Blessed Catherine of Saint Augustine (1632-1668); Blessed John Sullivan (1861-1933); Blessed Aloysius Rabata (c. 1443-1490); Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the entire Order of Preachers

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 45-50

Mass: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Resp Ps 100; Rev 7:9, 14b-17; Jn 10:27-30

Know that the Lord is good.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Remain faithful to the grace of God.

(Acts 13:43)

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. Your faithfulness to your vocation inspires me to be faithful to mine. Thank you. Mary, Queen of mothers, pray for us.

It is also the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations with the theme "Called to Build the Human Family." With that theme in heart and mind, as well as remembering that we are still in the Year of the Family, here is more wisdom from Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur. Elisabeth composed a treatise for her beloved niece and godchild Marie at the time of Marie's First Communion. Elisabeth wrote to Marie not only about First Communion, but also about her vocation as Christian, woman, wife and mother. Elisabeth, unable to have children of her own, loved her niece dearly. 

To my beloved only niece, my godchild by a precious and sacred bequest, and my adopted daughter, I offer this token of my deep Christian affection ...

In the first place, a Christian is a human being like everyone else. Every individual is a thinking, reasoning being, illumined by the natural light which is the first degree of the divine intelligible, as you will learn later from St. Augustine ... As beings possessed of sense and reason, we live lives that differ in no respect from that of other members of the human race, but there is something beyond, which is not, as too many people suppose, antagonistic to this life. There is a higher life, which sheds its radiance upon our whole individuality, transforming it, giving it motives for action, supernatural like itself, and fashioning our outward life after the likeness of our inward existence, so as to produce a harmonious whole ...

In the society in which you live, you will have an intellectual duty to perform, and this is more important now than ever. You ought to be a woman of real worth, well educated and with your mind open to every argument without. You ought to know how to discover amid incoherent and varying ideas and systems what is true or useful in each ... 

The second duty that you will have to discharge is toward your family; it is certainly not new, but so great and important that I want to speak about it again. With the Church, I believe that the whole structure of moral, national, and social life is based on the family. And I am convinced that everything done for the sake of the family adds to the greatness and strength of nations and society, whereas, they are irretrievably destroyed as soon as the family life, the cornerstone of the structure, is attacked.

You will therefore do your utmost to behold, in every way, respect and regard for family life. Later on, when you have a family of your own, you will make your home a glowing center of influence, and will be yourself the conscience of those who live in the light that you diffuse. To your husband you will be a friend and companion, and your children, a guide and personification of moral strength ...

There is also a duty toward society which every Christian woman has to discharge. And as your education will give you real worth, you ought to exert yourself to the utmost in order to improve the material and moral condition of others, and especially of the masses which, although robbed of their birthright and often led astray, are nevertheless still sound at heart, and are the reserve force of the nation and of the Church ...

(E. Leseur, The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur: The Woman Whose Goodness Changed Her Husband from Atheist to Priest, "Christian Womanhood", pp. 269, 275, 278-279)

May we follow the Good Shepherd Jesus. He knows us, individually and collectively. He calls each one of us by name and bestows on us our vocations. May we listen to His voice and be true to our calling. Jesus, Good Shepherd, have mercy on us.

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

MARY, VIRGIN MOST FAITHFUL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Beauty in simplicity.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saints: Blessed Gonsalvo of Amarante OP (c.1187-1259); Blessed Ann of the Angles Monteagudo OP (1602-1686)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 2:1-10 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: 1 Sm 1:1-8; Resp Ps 116; Mk 1:14-20 

To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

WITH YOU, O LORD, IS THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, 

AND IN YOUR LIGHT WE SEE LIGHT.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Welcome to Ordinary Time. It is wonderful to be here. It is the day we jump right into the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, as seen in today's Gospel. Our Lord calls His first disciples, Simon and his brother Andrew, James and his brother John, all fishermen (Mk 1:16-19). Jesus calls us too, each and every day, to follow Him. May we be so eager; we too can be fishers of men (Mk 1:17).

Give us grace, Lord, to hope in your Name, to which all creatures owe their being ...

Lord, we entreat you to help us. Come to the aid of the afflicted, pity the lowly, raise up the fallen, show your face to the needy, heal the sick, convert the wayward, feed the hungry, deliver the captives, support the weak, encourage the fainthearted. Let all nations know that you alone are God; Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture ...

Give peace and concord to us and to all mankind, even as you gave it to our ancestors when they devoutly called upon you in faith and truth. Lord, you alone are able to bestow these and even greater benefits upon us. We praise you through Jesus Christ, our high priest and the champion of our souls. Through Him be glory and majesty to you now and throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

(From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement I, pope, in Office of Readings, First Week in Ordinary Time, Monday)

BLESSED GONSALVO OF AMARANTE,

BLESSED ANN OF THE ANGELS MONTEAGUDO,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one was taken some years ago, after Second Vespers on a Sunday. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022