Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint John Climacus, or Saint John the Ladder (579-649); Blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy (1435-1472)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:22-25 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass: Gn 17:3-9; Resp Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59  

Look to the Lord in His strength.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MAN OF FAITH,

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever keeps my word will never see death.

(Jn 8:51)

Today's optional "Prayer over the People," is one response to the word proclaimed by Saint John. Bow and bend low to hear and be blessed ...

Be gracious to your people, Lord, we pray,

that, as from day to day they reject what does not please you,

they may be filled instead with delight at your commands.

Through Christ our Lord.

May God be gracious to us so that we keep His word and delight in His commands, no matter what. 

I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make a change. But if each one would light a candle, we would have a tremendous light.*

(Servant of God Thea Bowman, 1937-1990)

Keep going, faithful readers, and do your little bit today. Thank you for being there.

SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT OF SINAI,

BLESSED AMADEUS IX OF SAVOY,

SERVANT OF GOD THEA BOWMAN,

PRAY FOR US.

*From a May 1987 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace.

Today's photo: Early yesterday morning in the garden. This happy flower is in honor of one of our saints of the day, Blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy, who was nicknamed the Happy. Among other notables, the Happy was a particular protector of the Franciscan friars and endowed other religious houses as well as homes caring for the poor and suffering. So says Wikipedia; it's good enough for me.  May the Happy intercede for us. Seek to serve Him constantly.

©. 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

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Frey Galvao, First Brazilian-born Saint (1739-1822); Saints Crispin and Crispinian,** Brothers, Preachers and Martyrs in 3rd century Gaul (modern day France)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:20-25 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Eph 5:21-33; Resp Ps 128; Lk 13:18-21

Blessed are you who fear the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Be subordinate to one another out of love for Christ.

(Eph 5:21)

The first line of today's reading from Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians is fitting for all of us. It is in the same way that Saint Benedict teaches us to foster good zeal with fervent love. We should try to be the first show respect to the other, and pursue not what we judge better for ourselves, but instead, what we judge better for someone else (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:3, 4, 7). It is also the same fervent love, good zeal, respect, and reverence that a husband and wife give to one another. We pray especially today for all married couples, that they may grow in love for the Lord, and grow then in their love for one another. Each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband (Eph 5:21). The family that prays together, stays together. 

Christ loved the Church and handed Himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the Church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

(Eph 5:25-27)

May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of our life.

(See Eph 3:17)

SAINT FREY GALVAO,

SAINTS CRISPIN AND CRISPINIAN,

PRAY FOR US.

** About two of the saints of the day, the twin brothers Crispin and Crispinian. We hear about them in Shakespeare's Henry V, Act 4, when the king rouses the English forces to victory against fearful odds at the battle of Agincourt. "This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home/Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian." Many can call Saints Crispin and Crispian their patron saints including cobblers, glove makers, lace workers, leather workers, saddle makers, saddlers, shoemakers, tanners and weavers. (See "Saint of the Day," in The Catholic Loop, October 25, 2022).

Today's photo: Blessed shall you be, and favored.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of Holy Week

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

Saint: Saint Zeno of Verona, Bishop (d. 371)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 58:17-29 The Procedure for Receiving New Brothers

Mass: Is 49:1-6; Resp Ps 71; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38  

I will sing of your salvation.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength!

(Is 49:5)

There is a lot going on in today's Gospel. We begin with Jesus reclining at table with His disciples. Troubled in spirit, Jesus testifies: Amen, Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me (Jn 13:21). Imagine the confused looks on some of the disciple's faces, and the fear and anxiety in some of their hearts. "Surely not I," some may think. Or "please, don't let it be me ....", others might be thinking. Others may be busy pointing their fingers at this disciple, or that one. Meanwhile three fingers are pointing at themselves. We close with Jesus, who asks Peter a question: Will you lay down your life for me? (Jn 13:38). This question comes just after Peter declares: "I will lay down my life for you" (Jn 13:37). It may be that some of us (three fingers are pointing at me ...) betray and deny Jesus in little ways every day. Betrayal and denial come in many forms. "Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:25-26), our holy father Benedict provides as tools for good works. "Seeing with the eyes of Christ," writes Pope Benedict XVI, "I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love which they crave" (Deus caritas est God is love, 18). Heart of Jesus, full of faithfulness and love, have mercy on us.

United in faith and prayer, we march on to Jerusalem during this holy week.  

To attain holiness ... we must not only pattern our lives on Christ's by being gentle, humble and patient, we must also imitate Him in His death. Taking Christ for his model, Paul said that he wanted to become like him in his death in the hope that he too would be raised from death to life.

(From the book On the Holy Spirit by Saint Basil, bishop, in Office of Readings, Tuesday, Holy Week)

SAINT ZENO OF VERONA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: These "clothed in Lenten violet" tulips are busy singing. Thank you, Catherine.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

National Back to School Month

Saint: Saint Monica (331-387)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery

Mass: 1 Th 4:1-8; Resp Ps 97; Mt 25:1-13

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

THE WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD WILL HERSELF BE PRAISED. HER CHILDREN HAVE CALLED HER MOST BLESSED, HER HUSBAND HAS SUNG HER PRAISES.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass)

As we commemorate Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, it occurs to me that Saint Monica and Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur (1866-1914) could have a lively discussion about the power of prayer. Jesus tells us a parable today, the one about the foolish virgins and the wise ones. In the end, we are to stay awake, no matter what. We never know the results of perseverance in prayer. We keep on praying for one another; Jesus acts when He will. Saint Monica saw the answer to her prayers before she died. Servant of God Elisabeth saw them in her husband after she died. Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour (Mt 25:13). 

The day was now approaching when my mother Monica would depart from this life; you knew that day, Lord, though we did not. She and I happened to be standing by ourselves at a window that overlooked the garden in the courtyard of the house. At the time we were in Ostia on the Tiber ... And so the two of us, all alone, were enjoying a very pleasant conversation ... My mother said: "Son, as far as I am concerned, nothing in this life now gives me any pleasure. I do not know why I am still here, since I have no further hopes in this world. I did have one reason for want to live a little longer: to see you become a Catholic before I died. God has lavished his gifts on me in that respect, for I know that you have even renounced earthly happiness to be his servant. So what am I doing here?

(From the Confessions of Saint Augustine, bishop, in Office of Readings, August 27)

Let us not think that by our personal action we can hasten the coming of God's Kingdom in souls. As soon as the divine hour has come, our efforts will be useless, or rather they will only be an active prayer, and appeal to Him who transforms and saves. Nevertheless, let us make this appeal to Him with the humble conviction that He alone will do what must be done, and will bring life to the souls for which we act and pray.

(Elisabeth Leseur from her Journal, in The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, p. xiv)

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT AUGUSTINE,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Another look at Three Sisters from atop Scott Mountain, Oregon. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Friday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Our Lady of Mount Carmel; Saint Helier (-555)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 37 The Elderly and Children

Mass: Ex 11:10-12:14; Resp Ps 116; Mt 12:1-8 

My vows to the Lord I will fulfil before all his people.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today I remember dear Sister Carmel, OSB, of happy memory who died at the age of 101. Avid reader, teacher of French and Latin, artist, lover of God, faithful Benedictine, Sister Carmel was a marvel to behold. Another person who, like her, led a full life and died at a rather advanced age is Blessed Sebastian de Aparico of Spain (d. 1600). One time sheep rancher, then businessman in Mexico, a marvel of charity, and although wealthy led a simple life, he gave generously to the poor. Then he got married at the age of 60 and his wife died soon thereafter. So he married again and this wife died too. So at 72, not after being ill for some time, Sebastian became a Franciscan friar. It is said he roamed the countryside for the next 26 years begging for alms to support the friars. It is also said that he "developed a special relationship with all beasts, who responded to his whispered commands". In this, and other ways too, Sebastian was not unlike Saint Francis. Sebastian died at 98 years of age. This prayer is fitting: Loving Father, through the intercession of Blessed Sebastian de Aparico, help me to see that I am never too old to change (Magnificat, "Saint Who?", July 2021, p. 199).

Another one of our saints of the day, Saint Helier, is known in some parts of the world as a healing saint. Today he is invoked for diseases of the skin and eyes. However, since we have been with Saint Benedict's chapters on care of the sick (RB 36), and today the elderly and children (RB 37), we ask Saint Helier to pray for all the sick and suffering, all those in need of healing, those we know and those we don't know.

SAINT SIMON STOCK,

SAINT HELIER,

BLESSED SEBASTIAN DE APARICO,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: From padre on his 88th birthday and 53rd year as Christ's Jesuit priest. A look at Los Gatos, CA. As related, God blessed him with brilliance, as he gazed out of his window over the old winery yesterday morning. Grazie mille, padre and faithful reader. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: Blessed Christian de Cherge and the Martyrs of Algeria (1994-1996); 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

RB: Prologue 45-50

Mass: Acts 16:1-10; Resp Ps 100; Jn 15:18-21

Know that the Lord is God; He made us, His we are.

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

We conclude today the Prologue of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. At the same time, we remember the Martyrs of Algeria, nineteen individuals slain in Algeria between 1994 and 1996 during the Algerian Civil War. Seven of them were Trappist monks from the Atlas Abbey of Tibhirine. Along with the conclusion of the Prologue, I include words from one of the martyred monks, Christophe Lebreton, from his journal Born from the Gaze of God: The Tibhirine Journal of a Martyr Monk (1993-1996). They reveal, among other things, his faithfulness to the Holy Rule.

We live together in a land of hope. We cultivate it. We are dwellers in your house. We live there. We pray there. We abide there until its time to die. We live together in your hand. Who could dislodge us from this blatant happiness?

(May 7, 1995, p. 151)

Therefore we intend to establish a school of the Lord's service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend our faults and safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions, then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 45-50)

BLESSED CHRISTIAN DE CHERGE AND THE MARTYRS OF ALGERIA,

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE POOR,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Blessed Christian de Cherge and the Monks of Atlas through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Other saints: Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, Oblate O.C.S.O. (1911-1938); Saint Asicus (-c. 490); Saint Maughold, Bishop (c.4th-5th century); Bl. Hosanna of Kotor OP (1493-1565)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery

Mass: Acts 11:19-26; Resp Ps 87; Jn 10:22-30

Alleluia!

JESUS, TRUE LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

May the words of Barnabas in today's account from the Acts of the Apostles, encourage us as they did the nascent Church in Antioch: Remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart (Acts 11:23). By our witness may a large number of people be added to the Lord (Acts 11:24).

Included here for our time spent in prayer and reflection, especially during this Year of Saint Joseph and in preparation for the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker (instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 and celebrated May 1), is a prayer to Saint Joseph by Pope Leo XIII. It comes at the conclusion of his encyclical Quamquam pluries, given August 15, 1889. Pope Leo XIII intended the prayer to the be added to the end of the rosary, especially during the month of October. That said, it can be prayed "any day of the Year of Saint Joseph, but especially on his various feast days or other devotional days dedicated to Saint Joseph" [United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website]. 

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. As you once rescued the child Jesus from deadly peril, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under your patronage, that, following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven.

Amen.

Saint Joseph, intercede for us so that we, like you, may remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.

SAINT RAFAEL ARNAIZ BARON,

SAINT ASICUS,

SAINT MAUGHOLD,

BLESSED HOSANNA OF KOTOR,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

N.B. If interested in reading Pope Leo XIII's Quamquam pluries, you will find it on www.vatican.va. In addition, the USCCB website has historical information as well as information about the use of the prayer and indulgences. To look further into indulgences, please refer to your trusty Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1471-1479.

Today's photo: This sweet rose greeted me on Locust Street in Garberville, CA.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Tuesday of the Thirty-Fourth, or Last, Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor
Mass: Rev 14:14-19; Resp Ps 96; Lk 21:5-11

Let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! Then all the trees of the forest exult.