Monday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

Saints: Saint Paulinus (-644); Saint Daniel Comboni (1831-1881)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:62-70 Humility

Mass: Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1; Resp Ps 113; Lk 11:29-32

Praise, you servants of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

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)

Welcome to Monday faithful readers. Saint Benedict's words above from the Prologue of the Holy Rule come to mind, so why not let our holy father help us begin another week. Even though we are ending his chapter on humility, the words are not entirely unrelated to how Saint Benedict concludes that chapter. "After ascending all these steps of humility [all twelve of them!], the monk will arrive at that perfect love of God which casts out fear." Benedict continues, "Through this love, all that he once performed with dread, he will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue" (RB 7:67-69). Out of love for Christ then, as we go through life descending by exaltation and ascending by humility (see RB 7:7), every time we begin a good work, we must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection. May all good work that we do come naturally, out of habit and delight in virtue. Heart of Jesus, source of all good, have mercy on us. And may your blessed Mother Mary, help of all Christians, help us be doers of the word and not hearers only ... not hearers who forget but doers who act. Such a one shall be blessed in what he does (see James 1:22, 25).

Those who want to work for moral reform in the world must seek the glory of God before all else. Because He is the source of all good, they must wait for His help, and pray for it in this difficult and necessary undertaking. They must then present themselves to those they seek to reform, as mirrors of every virtue and as lamps on a lampstand. Their upright lives and noble conduct must shine before all who are in the house of God.

(From a letter to Pope Paul V by Saint John Leonardi, priest, in Office of Readings, October 9)

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: High above the nations is the Lord; above the heavens is His glory.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Ambrose Barlow, OSB (1585-1641); Saint Egwin, Bishop (8th century); Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, Priest (13th century); Saint Nicholas of Tolentino (1246-1306); Blessed Francis Garate (1857-1929)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:1-10 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Resp Ps 116; Lk 6:43-49

To you will I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, VESSEL OF HONOR,

COMFORT OF THE SORROWFUL,

PRAY FOR US.

I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, listens to my words, and acts on them.

(Lk 6:47)

We listen to Jesus' words and build our foundation on Him, our Rock (Lk 6:48). As people of faith and the goodness of our hearts, we then produce good. For as the Lord says, a good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit (Lk 6:43-44).

When we believe in Jesus Christ, partake of His mysteries, and keep His commandments, the Savior Himself comes to love, in us, His Father and His brethren, our Father and our brethren. His person becomes, through the Spirit, the living and interior rule of our activity.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2074)

And as we dedicate our day to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

How could we not bless God ... with all our strength, considering His great mercy toward humanity in placing the Most Blessed Virgin Mary between heaven and earth?

(Rafael Arnaiz, in The Collected Works: Saint Rafael Arnaiz, p. 581)

SAINT AMBROSE BARLOW,

SAINT EGWIN,

BLESSED AGNELLUS OF PISA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

BLESSED FRANCIS GARATE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More beauty in southern Washington. I will call upon the name of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

In other years: Saint Cuthbert (634?-687); Saint Mac Nissi (5th century); Blessed Dina Belanger (1897-1929)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 21-32 

Mass: Wisdom 9:13-18b; Resp Ps 90; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33

Fill us at daybreak with Your kindness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SIGHING MOTHER,

PRAY FOR US.

Lord, take me as I am, with my defects, with my shortcomings, but make me become what you want me to be.

(Pope Blessed John Paul I)

Amidst of crowd of some 25,000 faithful, the Holy Father beatified Servant of God, Pope John Paul I, "the smiling pope", today in Saint Peter's Square. God is praised!

In our Gospel, we find great crowds traveling with Jesus, among them we find ourselves, here, there and everywhere. Jesus addresses us in this way: If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:26). In other words, Jesus comes first. Saint Benedict is clear too: "The love of Christ must come before all else" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:21), and "let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ" (RB 72:11). Jesus first, and all else will follow according to His will. If ready, "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom" (RB Prologue 21). Be prepared though, as Jesus tells us on more than one occasion, Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (Lk 14:27). United in faith and prayer, we go forth. 

Jesus asks each person to discern carefully their reason for following Him and the consequences that it will entail ...

To follow Him does not mean to become part of a court or triumphal procession, or even to receive a lifetime insurance policy. On the contrary, it means "carrying one's cross": shouldering like Him one's own burdens and those of others, making one's life a gift, not a possession, spending it in imitation of His own generous and merciful love for us. These are the decisions that engage the totality of our lives. For this reason, Jesus desires that His disciples prefer nothing to His love, even their greatest affections and deepest treasures.

(Pope Francis, homily, Holy Mass and Beatification of Servant of God, Pope John Paul I, Saint Peter's Square, September 4, 2022)

If you want to kiss Jesus crucified, "you cannot help bending over the cross and letting yourself be pricked by a few thorns of the crown on the Lord's head."

(Pope Blessed John Paul I)

POPE BLESSED JOHN PAUL I,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: That we may shout for joy and gladness all out days.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Saints:Saint Dunstan, Benedictine monk, Archbishop of Canterbury (909-988); Saint Milburga (-c.715); Saint Ivo or Yves, Patron of lawyers (1253-1303); Blessed Raphael Louis Rafiringa (1856-1919); Saint Francis Coll Guitart OP (1812-1875)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 4:1-21 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Acts 15:17-21; Resp Ps 96; Jn 15:9-11

Sing to the Lord a new song.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else., 

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:20-21)

They are certainly words to take to heart and into action in our daily lives, those that come from our holy father Saint Benedict above, from his chapter on the tools for good works. "First of all," however, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:1-2). Remain in my love (Jn 15:9), says the Lord. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete (Jn 15:11). 

God loves a cheerful giver. 

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

SAINT DUNSTAN,

SAINT MILBURGA,

SAINT IVO OR YVES,

BLESSED RAPHAEL LOUIS RAFIRINGA,

SAINT FRANCIS COLL GUITART,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

SAINT MARIE RIVIER,

SAINT CAROLINA SANTOCANALE,

SAINT CHARLES DE FOUCAULD,

SAINT DEVASAHAYAM PILLAI,

SAINT CESAR DE BUS,

SAINT LUIGI MARIA PALAZZOLA,

SAINT JUSTIN RUSSOLILLO,

SAINT ANNA MARIA RUBATTO,

SAINT MARIA DOMENICA MANTOVANI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This beauty is just outside the entrance to our church. Tell His glory among the nations.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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

Saints:Saint John of Avila, Priest, Doctor (c.1500-1569); Saint Damian of Molokai (1840-1889); Saint Comgall (510/520-597/602); Saint Antonius of Florence OP (1389-1459)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 1:6-13 The Kinds of Monks

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

Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.

(Acts 11:23)

One thing to do today is to listen for the Lord's voice. It is He who says: My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (Jn 10:27-28). Amen. We go forth united in faith and prayer with one of my favorite lines in the Acts of the Apostles: "It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians" (Acts 11:26). May others know we are Christians by our love. 😊

Sometimes the very desire for action leads to neglect of action. Looking for some wonderful opportunity to give oneself, to devote oneself, one forgets the humble brother close at hand who is waiting for a word of comfort, a saving gesture.

Let us not linger in contemplation of the road ahead; let us follow the narrow path. Let us not look too far or too high, but right in front of ourselves. The good to be done is perhaps right there.

(E. Leseur, The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur, p. 152)

SAINT JOHN OF AVILA,

SAINT DAMIAN OF MOLOKAI,

SAINT COMGALL,

SAINT ANTONIUS OF FLORENCE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Yesterday afternoon just when I started to think about a photo for today, something appeared from avid hiker, nature lover, and faithful reader Catherine in Corvallis, OR. Enjoy this wild iris. It is certainly glorious. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saints Maur and Placid, disciples of Saint Benedict; Saint Ita (c.475-570); Our Lady of Arabia; Saint Remigius, Remy or Remi (437-533)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:33-40 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a; Resp Ps 21; Mk 2:13-17

Lord, in your strength the king is glad.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Listen to Jesus, He is passing by: Follow me (Mk 2:14). Remember too, that Our Lord did not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mk 2:17). Thank God for that. We are united in faith and prayer, as we draw strength for this day. Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.

God's blessing must be our objective, and the way to win it our study ...

We must recognize, therefore, that all upright men have been graced by good works, and that even the Lord Himself took delight in the glory His works gave Him. This should inspire us with a resolute determination to do His will and make us put our whole strength into the work of living a Christian life.

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

SAINTS MAUR AND PLACID,

SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT ITA,

OUR LADY OF ARABIA,

SAINT REMIGIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I had to get down low to capture this sweet little flower. For Our Lady, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ...

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

First Saturday of the Month 

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Cuthbert (?684-687); Saint Mac Nissi (5th century); Blessed Dina Belanger (1897-1923)

Readings of the Day

RB:  Prologue 21-32

Mass: Col 1:21-23; Resp Ps 54; Lk 6:1-5

God himself is my help.

MARY, HOUSE OF GOLD,

PRAY FOR US.

With the words from Saint Paul in our first reading, may we "persevere in the faith, firmly grounded, stable, and not shifting from the hope of the Gospel" (Col 1:23). Well-equipped, we are "clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, [and] set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see him who has called us to his kingdom" (RB Prol. 21).

Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory.

By God's grace I am what I am.

He who boasts should make his boast in the Lord.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 30-32)

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I wanted something white to honor Our Lady and found this in the archives. A repeat performance yet no less beautiful and fitting.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Wednesday of the Twenty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: "A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God"

Saints: Saint Giles, Patron of Edinburgh (c.650-c.710); Saint Teresa Margaret Redi of the Sacred Hear (1747-1770)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 1-7

Mass: Col 1:1-8; Resp Ps 52; Lk 4:38-44

I will thank you always for what you have done.

Welcome to September. One thing I like about the various Letters of Saint Paul is how the Apostle begins with a greeting. Wouldn't it be nice to greet all those we meet in a similar way: Grace to you and peace from God our Father (Col 1:2). And what follows in today's Letter to the Colossians is especially nice: We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you (Col 1:3).

On this first day of September we begin our third reading of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for this year. Verses 1-7 of the Prologue are packed. The first word is one many familiar with the Holy Rule know by heart. Listen. So why not listen and take some of Pope Francis's words to heart: "Ask the Lord for the strength to turn off the television and open the Bible, to turn off our cell phone and open the Gospel" (Pope Francis, homily, January 24, 2021).  And then, as Saint Benedict says, "every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection" (RB Prol. 4).

She immediately got up and waited on them. 

(Lk 4:39)

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is where I was on September 1, 2010. Kloster Maria Rickenbach, in the village of Niederrickenbach, Switzerland, home of the Benedictine Sisters. I'm looking up from behind the monastery. I have fond of memories of privileged time spent with the Sisters of Maria Rickenbach, the mother house of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2021