Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Catholic Schools Week

First Friday of the Month

Saints: Saint Ansgar (Oscar), Bishop (-865); Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, Patron Saint of the Throat (4th century); Saint Laurence of Canterbury (-619); Saint Dunstan of Canterbury (-988); Saint Theodore of Canterbury (602-690); Saint Werburg (d. c. 700); Saint Anne Line, nee Heigham (1565?-1601); Saint Anthony of Pavio OP (1326-1374); Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio OP (c.1420-1466); Blessed Peter of Rufia OP (c.1320-1365)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:49-50 Humility

Mass: Heb 13:1-8; Resp Ps 27; Mk 6:14-29 

He will hide me in His abode.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

HOLY FAMILY, PRAISED BY THE ANGELS,

PRAY FOR US.

Let mutual love continue. 

Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have knowingly entertained angels.

(Heb 13:1)

Welcome to South Sudan Papa Francesco. Keep going. 

Considering the word proclaimed in the Letter to the Hebrews above, we remember something Saint Benedict teaches us in the chapters on the liturgical code, in this case that we consider how we ought to behave in the presence of God and His angels (RB 19:6), for as our holy father tells us in his chapter on humility, "every day the angels assigned to us report out deeds to the Lord day and night" (RB 7:28). I find comfort in this, knowing that there are angels looking after me. And who knows who might show up at the door today. ☺

We have the privilege to commemorate a litany of saints today. One of my favorites is Saint Blaise, 4th century Bishop of Sebastea, Armenia, in modern-day Turkey. He is the patron saint of the throat and there is the traditional blessing of throats on this day. I always loved having my throat blessed as a child and in my adult years too. It is another beauty of our faith tradition and a custom I miss. It is said that Bishop Blaise miraculously saved a young boy from choking on a fish bone, and also successfully commanded a hungry wolf to return a pig that belonged to a poor elderly woman. The latter he did while being led to prison in Sebastea; the wolf did as commanded and to the amazement of all, the pig was alive and uninjured. Refusing to worship pagan gods, Blaise was beheaded.* All in day's work. It's good enough for me, and another reason to remember those who have gone before us who spoke the word of God, then consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. For, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Heb 13:7-8). Thanks be to God.

The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?

(Heb 13:6)

Little happens by accident. The other day, while working in the library, I opened a book by Simone Weil (French philosopher, 1909-1943), The Need for Roots (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1952). A random opening, it was even more cause to take notice. In the midst of Catholic Schools Week, this what I my eyes found:

Future professional teachers and schoolmasters should simply be told that religion has at all times and in all countries, save quite recently in certain parts of Europe, played a dominant role in the development of human culture, thought, and civilization. An educational course in which no reference is made to religion is an absurdity. Furthermore, in the same way as when studying history little French children are told a lot about France, so it is natural that, being in Europe, when you talk about religion you should refer primarily to Christianity.

(p. 92)

SAINT ANSGAR,

SAINT BLAISE,

SAINT LAURENCE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT DUNSTAN OF CANTERBURY, 

SAINT THEODORE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT WERBURG,

SAINT ANNE LINE,

SAINT ANTHONY OF PAVIO,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW OF CERVERIO,

BLESSED PETER OF RUFIA,

PRAY FOR US.

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

Today's photo: This precious creature makes an appearance now and then. Thank you, MG. He will conceal me in the shelter of His tent.

© Gerrude Feick 2023

Friday before Epiphany

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

First Friday of the Month

Saint: Saint Andre Bessette, "Miracle Man of Montreal," Patron Saint of the Rejected (1845-1937)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Prologue 39-44 

Mass: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Resp Ps 147; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38  

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US. 

JESUS, BRIGHTNESS OF ETERNAL LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

I write these things to you so that you may know that you have eternal life, 

you who believe in the name of the Son of God.

(1 Jn 5:13)

We have yet another privilege before us today, that is, to commemorate a great saint, Saint Andre Bessette. A simple and humble man, Alfred Bessette, the future Andre, was born into a poor Quebec family in 1845. Both of his parents died when he was young, the family was split up, and Alfred, barely literate and physically weak from birth, wandered from job to job for years. At the age of 25, Alfred presented himself to the Novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Montreal. Leary of his sickness, the brothers did not receive him, but prodded by the bishop, assigned him the humble job of porter at Notre Dame College. As porter, our dear Andre simply did the daily of washing floors and windows, cleaning lamps, carrying firewood, and so on. As Brother Andre used to say, "It is with the smallest brushes that the artists paint the most beautiful pictures." Andre just carried on and welcomed whoever came to the door, the sick, heartbroken, and anyone else for that matter, and invited them to pray to Saint Joseph. This went on for 25 years. Andre eventually built a chapel with help from friends and the money he earned from cutting students' hair. So, Andre was resourceful too, not unlike his dear Saint Joseph, guardian and protector. Andre died January 6, 1937, at the age of 91. It is said that a million people braved the bitter Montreal winter and filed past his coffin. Pope Benedict XVI canonized him on October 17, 2010, and preached this: "For him, everything spoke of God, and of God's presence. May we, in his footsteps, seek God with simplicity in order to discover him ever present in the heart of our life! May the example of Bro. Andre inspire Canadian Christian life!"* Amen.

Do not seek to have your trials removed, ask rather for the grace to bear them well.

(Brother Saint Andre Bessette)

SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE,

PRAY FOR US.

*See Catholic News Agency, "St. Andre Bessette"; "Homily of His Holiness Benedict XVI," October 17, 2010, www.vatican.va; Congregation of the Holy Cross, holycrosscongregation.org. 

Today's photo: Here is another one from Monday afternoon. While my pot of Borscht was simmering, I went on the prowl for photos. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:10-21 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass: 1 Jn 4:7-16 or Jer 26:1-9; Resp Ps 34 or Resp Ps69; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42

I will bless the Lord at all times.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed Him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at His feet listening to Him speak.

(Lk 10:38-39)

We are blessed to commemorate Saints Martha, her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus, friends of the Lord. Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and Lazarus (Jn 11:5). They believed what Jesus told them: I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die (Jn 11:25-26). It wasn't until last year, 2021, that we started to commemorate Martha, Mary and Lazarus together, as it had become relatively clear that Mary Magdalene (commemorated last Friday, July 22) is not the same person as Martha's sister Mary. Before 2021 then, July 29 was reserved to Martha alone. Thanks be to God that we have all these saints to pray for us!

It was some years ago that a friend of happy memory gifted me with 52 cards, one for each week of the year. Each card, a holy card, postcard, or a greeting card of one kind of another, had a quotation on the back. One year (he did this for at least three years), each card included a passage from Adrienne von Speyr's Three Women of the Lord. I include words for today, in honor of our beloved saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus too. 

As we contemplate the Lord on His journey it is axiomatic that love inspires His steps. It comes from the Father and goes to the Father and all the time He is in the Father. On His way He meets a woman and she too does something out of love; she takes Him into her house. This woman is like the rod of the tree, and her sister is the fruit ...

The fact that Mary's love radiates forth is a consequence of Martha's action in bringing the Lord into their house. Martha's action may be totally eclipsed by the brilliance of what follows upon it, but all the same it was the precondition for all that took place. It was the precondition for the Lord's coming: for the Lord's eternal Advent.

Welcome Jesus into your heart today, sit at His feet and listen.

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I stumbled across this beauty yesterday in Eureka, CA, and received help with its name from my dear companion on the journey. This bold bougainvillea has three white stigmas, one for Martha, one for Mary, and one for Lazarus. Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol His name.

© 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

Tuesday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 42 The Great Silence After Compline
Mass: Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Resp Ps 15; Lk 19:1-10

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.