Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saint: Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Cure of Ars, Principal Patron Saint of Parish Priests (1786-1859)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Resp Ps 51; Mt 16:13-23

Cast me not from Your presence.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

This is another wonderful day with a powerful saint to intercede for all of us, but especially for all parish priests. A great inspiration, Saint John Baptist Mary Vianney gave of his entire self to serve the Lord. A devout man of prayer, zealous for the salvation of souls, John Vianney led others to God through catechesis, service to the poor, and spending sixteen to eighteen hours a day in the confessional! Thousands flocked to Ars to receive his pastoral care and guidance. John Vianney certainly knew Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, and helped the faithful to know Him too. And an awesome fun fact is that John Vianney's breviary is located in northern Minnesota. No kidding! I read this: "It will be on display August 19-21 - along with the largest collection of Vatican artifacts outside of Rome" (The Loop). The exhibit is called "Vatican Unveiled: An Exploration of Legacies," in Duluth, MN, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Google it. 😊

My little children, reflect on these words: the Christian's treasure is not on earth but in heaven. Our thoughts, then, ought to be directed to where our treasure is.

This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man's happiness lies.

(From the catechetical instructions by Saint John Mary, Vianney, priest, in Office of Readings, August 4)

SAINT JEAN-BAPTISTE-MARIE VIANNEY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one is a good companion for our Responsorial Psalm. A view from Cannon Beach, Oregon, sent by a longtime and faithful friend, also an occasional photo contributor to our daily reflections. Your Holy Spirit take not from me.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

National Back to School Month

Saints: Saint John Mary Vianney, Cure of Ars (1786-1859)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Nb 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35; Resp Ps 106; Mt 15:21-28

Remember us, Lord, as you favor your people.

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

MARY, QUEEN OF CONFESSORS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today we commemorate another great saint, Saint John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests, he most humble, loving, and caring, a "noted preacher, and celebrated confessor: such was his fame, and his reputation for insight into his penitents' souls and their futures." It is said that he spent up to 18 hours a day in the confessional, "so great was his demand." Saint John Mary Vianney must have never turned anyone away. He would be pleased with Saint Benedict's chapter on the Reception of Guests, which begins today with this: "All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith and to pilgrims" (RB 53:1-2). 

This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man's happiness is.

(From the catechetical instructions by Saint John Mary Vianney, priest, in Office of Readings, August 4)

All of the following quotations attributed to Saint John Mary Vianney come from my trusty Quotable Saints. As stated on pp. 179-180, Saint John Mary Vianney is "so often quoted in this book." And I have not included all of the quotations!

The saints were so completely dead to themselves that they cared very little whether others agreed with them or not.

The saints had no hatred, no bitterness. They forgave everything.

Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have true ideas: that is why so many ignorant people are wiser than the learned. The Holy Spirit is light and strength.

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.

You must accept your cross; if you carry it courageously it will carry you to heaven. 

God commands you to pray, but he forbids you to worry.

If something uncharitable is said in your presence, either speak in favor of the absent, or withdraw, or, if possible, stop the conversation.

We must never lose sight of the fact that we are either saints or outcasts, that we must live for heaven or for hell: there is no middle path in this.

You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.

If people would do for God what they do for the world, what a great number of Christians would go to heaven.

SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From Catherine on the island of Kauai. Wow!

© Gertrude Feick 2021