Monday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: Saint Willibrord (658-739); Saint Engelbert (1185-1225)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:1-12 Qualifications of the Monastery Cellarer

Mass: Titus 1:1-9; Resp Ps 24; Lk 17:1-6

The Lord's are the earth and its fullness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Increase our faith.

(Lk 17:5)

We have several good qualities to emulate as we look to our reading from Saint Paul to Titus. Saint Paul exhorts a bishop to be blameless, not arrogant, not irritable, not a drunkard, not aggressive, not greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, temperate, just, holy, and self-controlled ... (see Titus 1:7-8). And if those aren't enough qualities to strive for, Saint Benedict writes about the monastery cellarer. The monk or nun chosen as cellarer should be someone who is wise, mature in conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not proud, excitable, offensive, dilatory or wasteful, but God-fearing (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 31:1-2. After all, she will take care of everything (RB 31:3). This should keep up busy enough.

As we continue in this month of saints galore, here is a friendly reminder to add another saint's name to your growing collection. At the same time, we learn from one of our saints of the day that affirms what the Holy Father Pope Francis writes below, that is, the saints were made of flesh and blood. It may also be helpful to remember something that Jacques Philippe (b. 1947) writes: "The person I'm judging and condemning will perhaps one day be a great saint. When we look at the lives of the saints, there are assassins, adulterers, criminals - but grace changed their hearts." Saint Engelbert, elected Archbishop of Cologne, Germany [I was at the Cathedral in Cologne in high school], was anything but a saint. It is said that the pope excommunicated Engelbert at one point for waging war on a neighboring archbishop ("Saint of the Day," in The Loop from CatholicVote, November 7, 2022). He repented though and by the grace of God kept going. So how does dear Saint Engelbert help us understand what some our actions may mean? United in faith and prayer, there is hope for all of us as we keep going too. 

Let us read the lives of the saints which narrate in a comprehensible way the style God uses in the lives of people not that different from us since they were made of flesh and blood like us. Their deeds dialogue with our own actions, and help us understand what they mean.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, November 7, 2022)

SAINT WILLBRORD,

SAINT ENGELBERT,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: The world and those who dwell in it.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

In other years: All the Saints of Ireland; All Saints of Africa; Saint Illtud or Illtyd (early 6th century); Saint Leonard of Noblac, Hermit (6th century); Saint Nuno Alvares Pereira (1360-1431); Blessed Josepha Naval Girbes (1820-1893)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 30 The Manner of Reproving Boys

Mass:  2 Macc 7:1-2, 9-14; Resp Ps 17; 2 Th 2:16-3:5; Lk 20:27-38

Lord, when Your glory appears, my joy will be full.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

May Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God Our Father, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word ...

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.

(2 Th 2:16-17; 3:5)

Something was said about Maltese fr. Marius Zerafa, O.P. (1929-2022), a great man who died recently, that seems, among other things, fitting for today. Another Maltese Dominican friar said this about fr. Marius: "Marius lived his earthly life to the fullest and now he is enjoying eternal life in God's presence." I had the privilege of having fr. Marius as a teacher of art history during my studies in Rome. I remember him fondly, a man who certainly knew the God of the living. He was most definitely "a beloved teacher, scholar, art historian, and member of the Angelicum community for many decades" (Angelicum website). Among other notables, fr. Marius was the mastermind behind the successful recovery of Caravaggio's Saint Jerome that had been stolen from St. John's Co-Cathedral [Valletta, Malta] in the 1980s." I remember his account of the drama. It is true what a cousin of his wrote: "He risked his life, and sanity, and dealt with the threat of being kidnapped in the process, all for the love of art" (L. Boffa, "Fr Marius Zerafa, my naughty cousin," Times Malta, November 1, 2022). 

May we live our lives to the fullest, here, there, and in ways small and not so small. God is praised even in the details. United in faith and prayer, and as we march on to Glory, may we live this earthly life to the fullest and look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ. And don't forget about us! Amen.

May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict 72:12)

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND,

ALL SAINTS OF AFRICA,

SAINT ILLUD OR ILLTYD,

SAINT LEONARD OF NOBLAC, 

SAINT NUNO ALVARES PEREIRA,

BLESSED JOSEPHA NAVAL GIRBES,

PRAY FOR US.

Friendly reminder: Don't forget to add another saint's name to your collection. A saint is busy looking for you, to be your companion throughout the new liturgical year, coming soon. ☺🎕

Today's photo: For a Sunday. Attend to my outcry.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

First Saturday of the Month

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Domninus, Teothimus and Companions, Martyrs (3rd-4th century); Blessed Frances d'Amboise (1427-1485); Blessed Bernard Lichtenberg, Priest and Martyr (1875-1943)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 29 Readmission of Brothers Who Leave the Monastery

Mass: Ph 4:10-19; Resp Ps 112; Lk 16:9-15

The upright generation shall be blessed.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, HELP OF ALL CHRISTIANS,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

PRAY FOR US.

I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me.

(Ph 4:13)

What is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.

(Lk 16:15)

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month. We have more saints to commemorate and also dedicate the day to Our Blessed Mother. With Jesus, His Mother Mary, and all the saints in glory, we are good to go.

May your poor heart encounter in the Most Blessed Virgin Mary the tenderness of a mother, of a sister-that is what really matters. May you speak to Her with total honesty; talk of Her divine Son; ask Her for anything; and have confidence in Her. Then you'll see, things will go well for you ...

with God, I can do all things, and with Mary's help, I can do even more ... You'll see how, with those two things, and without relying on ourselves for anything at all, we'll become saints ...

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz in a November 27, 1935, letter to his Aunt Maria Osorio)

SAINTS DOMNINUS, THEOTHIMUS AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED FRANCES D'AMBROISE,

BLESSED BERNARD LICHTENBERG,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A rose for Our Lady. Mary, comfort of all those who mourn, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

First Friday of the Month

Saint: Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop, Patron of Catechists and Catechumens (1538-1584)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 28 Those Who Refuse to Amend After Frequent Reproofs

Mass: Ph 3:17-4:1; Resp Ps 122; Lk 16:1-8

To it the tribes go up.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT, 

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

(Ph 4:1)

The saint we commemorate today, Saint Charles Borromeo, the patron saint of catechists and catechumens, certainly stood firm in the Lord. It is no wonder that he died at the age of 46, no doubt worn out. There is so much to say about him, one does not know where to begin let alone where to end. Born into an affluent family in northern Italy, Charles had massive influence on the Church. He was about education (he had degrees in both civil and canon law); was made a cardinal at the age of 21; played a large part in diplomatic efforts that led to the re-opening in 1562 of the Council of Trent; was consecrated Archbishop of Milan; worked on the catechism, the Missal and the Breviary and reformed his diocese. Charles gave much of his property to the poor; he taught children the faith and inspired the Sunday School movement; at his own expense, Charles fed thousands of people during a famine and cared for the sick and buried the dead during a two-year plague. And not surprisingly, Charles encountered much opposition due to his reform efforts with the clergy and religious. A couple of my favorite stories are that his aunts, in Dominican convents, treated the introduction of grilles as a personal insult while the canons of one church slammed the door in his face to prevent him from making a visitation and then the servants fired at him! Charles also had to deal with priests who were practicing witchcraft and sorcery (see Universalis, "About today", November 4, 2022). Did I mention that Charles suffered throughout his life from some kind of speech impediment? He overcame it though, as one friend, Achille Gagliardi, commented: "I have often wondered how it was that, without any natural eloquence or anything attractive in his manner, he was able to work such changes in the hearts of his listeners. He spoke but little, in a voice barely audible-but his words always had an effect" (Butler's Lives of the Saints, November volume, pp. 29, 31). All in a day's work. Charles Borromeo was canonized 26 years after his death by Pope Paul V, on November 1, 1610. 

SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. I used to walk past a statue of Saint Charles Borromeo every morning in Rome on my way to school. It stands behind the 17th century church of San Carlo al Corso, in the Piazza Augusto Imperatore. Due to that and also that I belonged to the parish of Saint Charles Borromeo in Charleston, IL, when I was a graduate student at Eastern Illinois University, Saint Charles Borromeo has been a favorite. 

Friendly reminder: Don't forget to add another saint's name to your collection. I have hard time deciding which one to add. ☺ Holy! Holy! Holy! all the saints adore thee ...

Today's photo: This one from a dear faithful reader who happens to be my sister in Carmichael, CA. From a walk around the block. We will go up to the house of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: Saint Martin de Porres, Religious (1579-1639); Saint Winefride (6th-7th century); Saint Malachy (c.1094-1190); Blessed John Body (1549-1583); Blessed Rupert Mayer (1876-1945)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 27 The Abbot's Concern for the Excommunicated

Mass: Ph 3:3-8a; Resp Ps 105; Lk 15:1-10

Sing to Him, sing His praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

(Ph 3:8a)

Only the third day of glorious November 2022, the month has been full. We continue to commemorate saints galore (don't forget to add another saint's name to your collection) and rejoice in the richness of the Word proclaimed. And today we hit the jackpot. In these days, we have been immersed in Saint Benedict's chapters on the penal code (Ch. 23-30). These chapters are important and have much to say about taking personal responsibility for our motivations and actions. If I am stubborn, disobedient, proud, or when I grumble in any way, despise the holy rule and defy the orders of the Abbess (RB 23:1), something has to be done. It all begins with me, however. Thankfully, the Lord is kind and merciful as proclaimed in today's Gospel when Jesus not only welcomes sinners and eats with them, but goes after the one lost sheep, finds it, sets it on His shoulders and rejoices (see Lk 15:2-6). Saint Benedict echoes this today, in his Ch 27 on the Abbot's concern for wayward brothers (RB 27:1). It is the abbot's responsibility to have great concern and to act with all speed, discernment and diligence in order not to lose any of the sheep entrusted to him (see RB 27:5). Yes, the abbot is to imitate the loving example of the Good Shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep in the mountains and went in search of the one sheep that had strayed (see RB 27:8). There will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:10). Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us.

The example of Martin's life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us ...

Saint Martin, always obedient and inspired by his divine teacher, dealt with his brothers with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility in spirit. He loved men because he honestly looked at them as God's children and as his own brothers and sisters. Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was.

(From a homily at the Canonization of Saint Martin de Porres by Pope Saint John XXIII in Office of Readings, November 3)

Take note: Buon viaggio to the Holy Father Pope Francis. Papa Francesco is on his 39th Apostolic Journey abroad, to the 58th country he has visited, this time the Kingdom of Bahrain. In preparation for his journey, the Holy Father visited the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome for the 100th time since the start of his pontificate. There, as is customary, he spent some time in prayer before the icon of Maria Solus Populi Romani. Mary, health of the Roman People, pray for us.

SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES,

SAINT WINEFRIDE,

SAINT MALACHY,

BLESSED JOHN BODY,

BLESSED RUPERT MAYER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Glory in His holy name.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 26 Unauthorized Association with the Excommunicated

Mass: Wisdom 3:1-9; Resp Ps 23; Rm 5:5-11 or Rm 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40

The Lord is my shepherd.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:46-47)

If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

(Rm 6:8)

Let us then die with Christ, to live with Christ. We should have a daily familiarity with death, a daily desire for death. By this kind of detachment our soul must learn to free itself from the desires of the body.

(From a book on the death of his brother Satyrus by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, November 2)

In midst of these holy and precious days, we turn our prayers especially this day to the faithful departed. We remember those who have gone before us, some more known than others, most forgotten after living lives that were ordinary, obscure, and laborious. And then all those people who die, like all the ones who will die today, that just die, somewhere, somehow, and unknown to others. Yes, we need to pray for the dead and ask them to pray for us. As the years go on, I begin to understand better and better why, as children, my friends and I used to sing, "Pray for the dead and the dead will pray for you." I often repeat to myself, and too often to others, that there is only one way out of here. However, it is true. United in faith and prayer then, let us make this a good day in Christ Jesus, and as Saint Benedict tells us, "Hour by hour keep careful watch over all you do, aware that God's gaze is upon you, wherever you may be" (RB 4:48-49). Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness and so you are revered ...For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plenteous redemption (Ps 130).     

All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter into the joy of heaven.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030)

Let us help and commemorate the dead. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice [see Job 1:5], why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

(Saint John Chrysostom, 347-407)

ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED,

PRAY FOR US.

Friendly reminder: Don't forget to add another saint's name to your basket, bowl, hat, or other vessel of choice. 👼And, visit a cemetery near you today. 💗

Today's photo: There is nothing I shall want. Mother Myriam, Sister Diane, Sister Godelieve, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Solemnity of All Saints

Poor Souls in Purgatory

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults

Mass: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; Resp Ps 24; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a

Lord, this is the people that longs to see Your face.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS, 

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.

(Rev 7:12)

Welcome to November faithful readers.  This is a great month for many reasons. There are so many things to write about, I don't know where to begin and where to end, so I will just go on for a while. 😊

First, November is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, so we invoke two saints in particular to pray with us this month (and maybe some others too), Saint Nicholas of Tolentino (1245-1305) the Patron of Holy Souls, and my patron, Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta (1256-1301/2). Both were devoted to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The former we commemorate September 10, the latter November 16. Second, we begin a new liturgical year on November 27, the First Sunday in Advent. And we get off to roaring start today with the Solemnity of All Saints, then continue tomorrow when we commemorate all the faithful departed on All Souls' Day. And then we have all the glorious saints to commemorate throughout the month like Saint Leo the Great (November 10), Saint Martin of Tours (November 11), Saint Margaret of Scotland (November 16), Saint Elizabeth of Hungary (November 17), Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (November 18), Saint Cecilia (November 22), Saint Andrew (November 30), and more including the anniversary of the dedication of the Saint John Lateran Basilica on the 9th. This is the glory of all His faithful ones. Praise the Lord! (Ps 149:9).

An email came through this morning from the Elizabeth Ann Seton Shrine. In an article "The Saints Want Us to Be With Them," the author, Elizabeth Scalia, shares an excellent reflection and gives a  brilliant idea (You can easily search the web and find the article. Check it out.). Mrs. Scalia suggests following an ancient tradition of choosing a "patron" saint for the new liturgical year, or rather, letting a saint choose you. As a cloistered nun once told her, "The saint chooses you. Pray, first that the patron be guided your way. But the prayer is more for you, for your awareness." In any case, every day during the month of November, beginning today, write the name of a saint on a little piece of paper, and collect the daily papers in a basket or bowl (mine will be in a hat). Then on the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (November 20th), pull a paper out of the basket and that saint will be your patron for the year. Learn about him or her, however obscure or unknown to you. What can he or she teach you? As Mrs. Scalia commented, "you have been given a great opportunity for spiritual growth, if you stick together." And if you think the saint fails you in way or another, or that he or she doesn't have anything to teach you, remember more words from that cloistered nun: "Your previous patrons didn't fail - you just weren't open to them."

I will start today and write the name of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint, on a piece of paper. If you can't think of any other saints, look at the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I) from the Mass. There is a litany of saints there. Ask a friend to help suggest a saint or two. Look to my reflections for the saints of the day listed. There are several saints mentioned in the course of this ramble. Sources for saints are endless. You know what to do. United in faith and prayer, we join with all the saints, those formally canonized, the "saints next door," and all of us saints in the making, and go forth. 

The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself.

(From a sermon by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, abbot, in Office of Readings, November 1)

The saints did not begin well, but they ended well.

(Saint John Vianney)

Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.

(Pope Saint Clement I)

Do not be afraid to become the saints of the new millennium.

(Pope Saint John Paul II)

Today's photo: For all the saints who from their labors rest ... Such is the race that seeks Him.

© Gertrude Feick 2022