October 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary 

Month of Mission, World Mission Sunday, October 19: "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples"

Respect Life Month: "Life: Our Sign of Hope"

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

OUR LADY OF VICTORY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Welcome to October, dear faithful readers. Yes, indeed, you can be sure that I am wearing my Little Flower footies today.* For all the saints ... Ready or not, then, this is a great month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Why not accept the invitation of Pope Leo XIV, one he extended in a recent General Audience. On September 24, 2025, after he delivered his catechesis, the Holy Father made this announcement:

Dear brothers and sisters, the month of October is now approaching, and in the Church it is dedicated in a special way to the Holy Rosary. Therefore, I invite everyone, every day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace: personally, in the family, in the community.

On this first day of month of October, we get started. With peace as our quest and aim (see the Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17), then, a rosary a day keeps the doctor away. Remember that we pray for peace that the world cannot give as Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). After all, "He is peace ... He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:14, 17-18). 

What does peace mean to you? One way to look at peace is through the eyes of Jesus. How did Jesus respond to division, lack of faith, unrest, anxiety, doubt, rejection, betrayal, dismissal? When Jesus rebuked the disciples, He clearly told them that He, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders" (Luke 9:21-22). We too suffer and are rejected by others, sometimes those we love. Our privilege is to suffer with Jesus and be rejected with Jesus. I marveled at the witness of Saint Therese Couderc (1805-1885), who became the first member of a new religious community in 19th century France, one dedicated to operating retreats for women, work that was a dangerous novelty at the time. Not daunted, Therese led the community to grow in numbers, even though they faced poverty and harsh climate. When the community ran into debt, Therese was blamed. She humbly stepped aside. Successive superiors blamed and ignored Therese and assigned her menial tasks. When the community became divided, Therese was called in to reconcile arguments among the sisters. Alas, Therese was overlooked again. Therese's response is not entirely unpredictable. As related, Therese "learned a great deal about loving God during times of trial and how to peacefully accept His will" (Magnificat, "Saint Who?", September 26, 2025, p. 371). 

Since God certainly loves us no matter what, we, in turn, love Him no matter what. So, as we pray the Most Holy Rosary each day this month, most especially on Mondays and Saturdays with the Joyful Mysteries, and the first mystery, The Annunciation, we pray with Mary, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). And on Tuesdays and Fridays, when we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, and are with Jesus in the garden in the first mystery, we pray with Jesus, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). We are united in faith and prayer and remember something Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), one of the great Doctors of the Church commemorated on October 15, wrote in The Interior Castle, that is, "Let the Christian be valiant." Together, with Jesus and Mary, we pray for peace this month, personally, in the family, in the community. May the peace of Jesus fill our hearts with joy and hope. 

And not without a few voices (I meant to have more so be on the lookout) to encourage us and plenty of saints to intercede for us, we keep going.

The Rosary is the book of the blind where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying then the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1885-1979)

We can pray fifty times or more each day: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us poor sinners how and at the hour of our deaths. Amen." Is it likely that the Blessed Mother will abandon us in our final hour if we say this prayer each day?

(Blessed Franz Jagerstaetter, 1907-1943)

The Holy Rosary is the storehouse of countless blessings. 

(Blessed Alan de la Roche, 1428-1478)

To pray the rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and His Mother.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

If by chance your conscience is burdened by sin, take your Rosary and say at least part of it ... [Jesus] will plead for you and will obtain for you contrition and the forgiveness of your sins.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

To be always close to Jesus, that's my life's plan.

The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.

The Rosary is the ladder to climb to Heaven.

(Saint Carlo Acutis, 1991-2006)

The Rosary is not a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it is the devotion to Mary.

(Blessed Pauline Jaricot, 1799-1862)

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226)

Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.

(The Little Flower, Saint Therese of Lisieux, 1873-1897)

The heart is commonly reached, not through the reason, but through the imagination. Persons influence us, voices melt us, looks subdue us, deeds inflame us. Many a man will live and die upon a dogma: no man will be a martyr for a conclusion.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.

(Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1647-1690)

All the elect die in the love of God. but it is the privilege of few to die of the love of God ... And to die of the love of God is the surest way of going to Him at once.

(Mother Saint Theodore Guerin, 1798-1856)

There is no place for selfishness-and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when loves requires sacrifice.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Every one of us is entrusted is to the care of an angel. That is why we must have a lively and profound devotion to our own guardian angel, and why we should often and trustfully repeat the dear prayer we were taught in the days of our childhood.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

Amen.

It's your Church, Lord, I'm going to bed. ☺

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963, when turning in for the night)

SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS "THE LITTLE FLOWER,"

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS,

SAINT MOTHER THEODORE GUERIN,

THE BLESSED MARTRYS OF SUSSEX,

SAINT THOMAS CANTILUPE,

BLESSED ANDRE DE SOVERAL AND AMBROSIO FRANCISCO FERRO,

SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS,

SAINT PELAGIA THE PENITENT,

THE MARIST MARTRYS OF BARCELONA,

SAINT BRUNO,

BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER,

SAINT DENIS OF PARIS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS,

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA,

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I, MARTYR,

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA,

SAINT HEDWIG,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT MARGARET D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST,

SAINTS JOHN DE BREBEUF, ISAAC JOGUES AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD,

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ACALNTARA,

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

BLESSED CHARLES (KARL) OF AUSTRIA,

BLESSED DIEGO LUIS DE SAN VITORES, PRIEST, AND SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT ANTONY MARY CLARET, BISHOP,

SAINT MAGLIORE,

BLESSED CARLO GNOCCHI,

FREI GALVAO,

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT CEDD,

SAINT OTTERAN,

SAINT SIMON, APOSTLE,

SAINT JUDE, APOSTLE,

SAINT FRUMENTIUS OF ETHIOPIA,

SAINT AEDEIUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI COLLEGE,

SAINT COLMAN MACDUAGH,

SAINT NARCISSUS,

BLESSED CHIARA BADANO,

SAINT MARCELLUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF WINCHESTER,

SAINT THOGAR,

BLESSED DOMINIC COLLINS,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA TAUSCHER,

SAINT ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ,

SAINT WOLFGANG OF RATISBON,

PRAY FOR US.

*See sockreligious.com 

This month's photo: For Our Lady, raindrops on a rose. Mt. Angel, OR. Lord, hear my voice!

© Gertrude Feick 2025

For all the Saints

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary 

Be holy, for I am holy.

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS,

MARY, JOY OF ALL SAINTS,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear faithful readers, welcome to a special edition of newsy news on this Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, a time of the year that is anything but ordinary. This day, then, we are all about saints, one of my favorite subjects. For all the Saints, young ones, not so young ones, and all those who were and are just the age they were and are, give God the praise!

United in faith and prayer, we have much to celebrate. On this day, September 7, 2025, the day before we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we recall something Pope Francis (1936-2025) wrote about in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit, addressed to young people and the entire people of God. In paragraphs 49-63, Pope Francis called to mind young saints. As he wrote, "The heart of the Church is also full of young saints who devoted their lives to Christ, many of them dying even to a martyr's death. They were precious reflections of the young Christ; their radiant witness encourages us and awakens us from our lethargy" (49). Amen to that. Among some of the young saints Pope Francis highlighted were Saint Sebastian (51), Saint Francis of Assisi (52), Saint Joan of Arc (53), Blessed Andrew Phu Yen (54), Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (55), Saint Dominic Savio (56), Saint Therese of the Child Jesus "The Little Flower" (57), Blessed Ceferino Namuncura (58), Blessed Isidore Bakanja (59), Blessed Marcel Callo (61), and Blessed Chiara Badano (62). And there are so many more, including another young saint Pope Francis highlighted (60), and another he highlighted later in the document (104-106), both of whom stand out especially on this extraordinary day. 

Alert the media entire people of God, Pope Leo XIV canonized two extraordinary young people today, Italian Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), and British by birth, Italian Carlo Acutis (1991-2000), the first millennial saint. Auguri! Stand up and shout, "For all the saints who from their labors rest!"

And not only do we mark two canonizations of young people, but we also mark the 50th Anniversary of the Canonization of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), affectionately called "Mother Seton," the first native-born American saint, the one who the late Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, called "wholly American," and who was canonized by Pope Saint Paul VI on September 14, 1975. Mother Seton, a saint who was just the age she was, a ripe 46 when she died. 46? Mother Seton is a young saint too. ☺

As you might imagine, I could go on and on, something that is never too difficult for me, more especially something that is not so difficult given the excitement of all the saints, newly canonized, not so newly canonized, and all the saints "next door," those who are never beatified or canonized, but who witness to the faith quietly and courageously. Those who Pope Francis wrote about in his 2018 Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (7):

I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God's people: in those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those women and men who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in the elderly religious who never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the holiness I see the holiness of the Church militant. Very often it is the holiness found in our next-door neighbors, those who, living in our midst, reflect God's presence. We might call them "the middle-class of holiness.

To temporarily "fix" my tendency to overdo things, I will limit the voices to a few. Kind of. lol.  First, we hear from our highlighted saints, from oldest to youngest. So, two quotations from each one. Given that there are so many in my collection of quotations, this is not so easy. ☺ 

Keep your hearts at rest. Never can you find a surer way of obtaining all your desires than that of leaving all to God, Who delights to grant the wishes even for this life if you are full of confidence.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton)

God will provide. That is all my comfort.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton)

There is no need to pay attention to gossip, much less get ill by giving in to those who perhaps have never known what truth is.

(Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati)

Given today's Gospel passage (Luke 14:25-43), Anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:43), this one is fitting. 

We must sacrifice everything for everything: our ambitions, indeed our entire selves, for the cause of the Faith.

(Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati)

Here is one my favorites. Just say no to the herd mentality, for settling for mediocrity.

Everyone is born original, but most end up dying as photocopies.

(Saint Carlo Acutis)

Jesus, make yourself at home!

Live within me as if it were your own dwelling.

(Saint Carlo Acutis)

For further encouragement, 

The saints in each generation, joined to those who have gone before, and filled like them with light, become a golden chain in which each saint is a separate link, united to the next by faith, works and love.

(Saint Symeon the New Theologian, 949-1022)

Holiness is for everyone in every circumstance in life. We are all called to be saints. And we become saints by loving God and others with our whole being in whatever situation we find ourselves.

(Danielle Bean, "Mothers First: Saint Bridget and Mother Seton Remind Us That We are all Called to Holiness," in Seton Reflections, July 23, 2023)

Last, and certainly not least, we remember a call from the Second Vatican Council, one addressed to each and every one of us, that is, the entire people of God. No exceptions. Open your ears and listen with the ear of your heart. Put another way, be encouraged, arise and awake from your lethargy! Christus vivit! Christ is alive! Oremus pro invicem!

,

Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state, are called by the Lord - each in his or her own way - to that perfect holiness by which the Father Himself is perfect.

(Lumen Gentium, 11)

Today's photo: One from the archives that reaches to heaven ... for all the saints in glory cheering us on.

Gertrude Feick 2025

September 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

September is the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary 

Holy Mother, pierce me through,

in my heart each wound renew

Of my savior crucified.

SORROWFUL MOTHER, ROCK OF CONSTANCY,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, TREASURE OF THE FAITHFUL,

SORROWFUL MOTHER, MIRROR OF PATIENCE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL,

SAINT RAPAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother's sister, 

Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

(John 19:25)

 A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, 

with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

(Revelation 12:1)

Dear Pilgrims of Hope, faithful readers all, welcome to September, the month dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary. And on this first day of the month we celebrate Labor Day. Many will gather today, and have been these past weekend days, to celebrate the end of summer. At the same time, we remember to honor those who labor at home and away from home, with work of the mind, hands, and heart. We also remember to rest from our labors, with time for prayer and holy leisure, in things that refresh and renew us to build the Kingdom of God on earth. Bless the work of our hands and hearts. 

Unless the Lord build the house,

they labor in vain who build it.

(Psalm 127:1)

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

Why not continue with a quiz? Tradition honors these as the Seven Sorrows of Mary ...  Can you hear the music from Jeopardy? 🎶 Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum. Bum bum bum bum, bum bum bum bum bum bum. 🎵 Ready or not, here they come ... What are The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:35), The Flight into Egypt (Mt 2:13), Search for the Child in Jerusalem (Lk 2:46, 48), Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to the Cross (John 19:17/Luke 23:27), Standing at the Foot of the Cross (John 19:25-27), The Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross (John 19:38), Assisting at the Burial of Christ (Luke 23:55, 56). It occurs to me that any one of us, or a group if you have one, could invent a novena leading up to September 15 when we commemorate Our Lady of Sorrows. Since there are Seven Sorrows, that covers a Sorrow for seven days, the Seven Sorrows could be sandwiched with your favorite prayer to Mary, one on Day 1 (September 7) and one on Day 9 (September 15). Included in those days are September 8, when we celebrate The Birth of Mary, and September 12, when we celebrate The Most Holy Name of Mary. And there is always the Litany to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, a few invocations noted above. What is your favorite invocation? Faithful readers, it is going to be a busy month.

Even though I have been thinking about the Sorrowful Mother, Mary, so strong and courageous, Our Lady who Simeon told, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many may be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35), I have also been thinking about Mary, a Joyful Mother. Yes, Mary was sorrowful. Rightly. At the same time, she was a woman of joy. Otherwise, Mary would not have proclaimed, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior ..." (Luke 1:46-55). We can turn to Mary every day then, and at every moment, for help and guidance, especially as a human tendency is to focus on sorrows, or our troubles and problems. A Sorrowful Mother, Mary is also A Joyful Mother. Mary wept; Mary sang; Mary danced. After all, even babe in the womb John the Baptist leaped for joy when the sound of Mary's greeting reached the ears of her cousin Elizabeth (see Luke 1:41-45). And when I pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, before beginning the Second Mystery, the Visitation, I attempt to give a leap of joy, if not physically, then mentally and in my heart, and pray for Mary and Elizabeth, and little John too, to help me leap for joy. Every one of us has many sorrows: moments of pain, grief, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, fear, doubt. On the other hand, each of us has so much to be joyful about, first and foremost at how much Jesus loves each and every one of us. Yes, Jesus loves you; Jesus loves me. And so does Mary, His mother. There is no greater Love than Jesus. At the same time, there is no greater love than Mary. So, in our favor, we are privileged to have the greatest Love in Jesus, and the greatest love in Mary, His Mother, both sorrowful and joyful. In fact, it is overwhelming even to think about it. So much Love and love. And as I heard a minister preach at a wedding many years ago: "It's all aboot love." Yes, aboot. And it certainly is aboot Love and love. 

And before we hear from a number of voices this month, we also remember September 14, The Exaltation of the Holy Cross. So don't forget to lift high the cross and help others carry their crosses. And then there are the powerful Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, set for September 29. And an added bonus is that we begin the third "straight through" read of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict for 2025 (see Rule of Saint Benedict 58:9-16). So, we begin with "Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice" (RB Prologue 1). Did I mention the heavy line-up of saints to pray for us this month? You will see below ... 

First, speaking of dancing ...

Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be a common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for Him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.

(From a discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop, in Office of Readings, September 8, Birth of Mary)

In dangers,

in hardships

in every doubt

think of Mary

call out to Mary.

Keep her in your mouth

keep her in your heart ...

With your hand in hers

you will never stumble.

With her protecting you

you will not be afraid.

With her leading you

you will never tire.

Her kindness

will see you through to the end.

Then you will know 

by your own experience

how true it is that

the Virgin's Name was Mary.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

Although you have not seen Him you love Him;

even though you do not see Him now yet believe in Him,

you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.

(1 Peter 1:8)

Many times, praying at odd hours of the night, the little birds would come to sing and I would bet with them who would praise God the most.

(Blessed John Macias, 1585-1645)

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither.

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

(J.R.R. Tolkien, 1892-1973)

Jesus alone is my hope.

(Blessed Catherine of Racconigi, 1486-1547)

Manners or good behavior cannot be separated from Christian morals, since Christianity cannot succeed where ordinary humanity is absent.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

If I ever become a saint-I will surely be one of "darkness". I will continually be absent from heaven-to light the light of those in darkness on earth.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

I forgive, I forgive, I forgive.

(Last words of Blessed Leonella Sgorbati, 1940-2006)

The melody of her life is played just as it was written. Mary was thought, conceived, and planned as the equal sign between ideal and history, thought and reality, hope and realization.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Many acts of love for God ... although good and very desirable, are yet very suspect when they do not lead to the practice of effective love.

(Saint Vincent de Paul. 1580-1660)

Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter.

(Saint Pius of Pietrelcina "Padre Pio" 1887-1968)

In moments when fever, agony, and pain make it hard to pray, the suggestion of prayer that comes from merely holding the rosary-or better still, 

from caressing the Crucifix at the end of it-is tremendous!

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

Let us love our neighbors, my friends, let us love the one who is near to us, so that we may be able to reach the love of the one who is above us. Then we shall reach the happiness of the heavenly multitude, the happiness of which we have received an assurance of the Holy Spirit. Let us move forward toward that goal where we shall be happy without end with all our love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604)

If men only knew the power of love. which they often appreciate so little-the power of being able to love, to be sustained and defended by love, to grow in love at every instant. This, in spite of the imperfections of all my works, gives me the courage to labor ... My longings to love God are infinite, and only God can fill my emptiness with His infinite love ... I need all His love in order to love Him as I ought. I hope that He will give it to me, and I do not doubt that He will.

(Venerable Mary Magdalene of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P., d. 1960)

SAINT GILES,

SAINT TERESA MARGARET REDI OF THE SACRED HEART,

SAINT BEATRICE DA SILVA MENESES,

BLESSED ANDRE GRASSET DE SAINT SAUVER,

THE SEPTEMBER MARTRYS,

JESUIT MARTYRS FOR THE NAME OF JESUS,

POPE SAINT GREGORY THE GREAT,

POPE SAINT BONIFACE I,

SAINT CUTHBERT,

SAINT MAC NISSI,

BLESSED DINA BELANGER,

MOTHER SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA,

SAINT HERBERT,

BLESSED THOMAS TZUGI,

SAINT PETER CLAVER,

BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM,

SAINT CIARAN OF GLONMACNOISE,

SAINT OSBURG,

SAINT AMBROSE BARLOW, OSB,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT EGWIN, BISHOP,

BLESSED AGNELLUS OF PISA, PRIEST,

BLESSED FRANCIS GARATE,

BLESSED OGLERIO OF LORELIO,

SAINT PETER II OF TARENTAISE,

SAINT DEINIOL,

SAINT JANE GABRIEL,

SERVANT OF GOD VINCENT CAPODANNO,

BLESSED MARY OF JESUS,

VENERABLE ALOYSIUS SCHWARTZ,

BLESSED APOLLINARIS FRANCO,

SAINT AILBE,

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MIRIN,

POPE SAINT CORNELIUS,

SAINT CYPRIAN,

SAINT NINIAN,

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, 

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN,

SAINT ALBERT OF JERUSALEM,

SAINT EDITH OF KEMSING,

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO,

SAINT STANISLAW KOSTKA,

SAINT JANUARIUS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT EMILY DE RODAT,

SAINT THEODORE OF TARSUS,

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAEGON, PAUL CHONG HASANG, AND COMPANIONS,

ALL KOREAN MARTYRS,

SAINT MATTHEW, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT THOMAS OF VILLANOVA,

SAINT PIUS OF PIETRELCINA "PADRE PIO", PRIEST,

SAINT ADOMNAN OF IONA,

SAINT STEPHANIE,

OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM,

BLESSED ANTON MARTIN SLOMSHEK,

BLESSED EMILIE TAVERNIER-GAMELIN,

SAINT FINBARR,

SAINT HERMANN CONTRACTUS,

SAINT COSMAS AND DAMIAN, MARTYR,

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST,

SAINT WENCESLAUS,

SAINT LAWRENCE RUIZ AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS,

SAINT LIOBA,

SAINT MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS,

SAINT JEROME, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

PRAY FOR US.

NB. A new custom is to post a reflection at the commencement of each month of the calendar year, which turns out to be 12 months, each with a specific Catholic devotion. United in faith and prayer, we keep going. Until further notice.

This month's photo: Mother Do Not Mourn for Me, by the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

August 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

August is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Sing with joy to God our help.

HEART OF MARY, BLESSED AMONG ALL HEARTS,

HEART OF MARY, SEAT OF MERCY,

OUR LADY, QUEEN AND MOTHER,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Hope finds its supreme witness in the Mother of God. In the Blessed Virgin, we see that hope is not naive optimism, but a gift of grace beyond the realities of life.

(Spes non confundit, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, 24)

Dear faithful readers, welcome to the month of August, the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Inspired by Mary, I thought it was a good day to pay special attention to Our Lady, in this very special month dedicated to her ever-loving heart. A heart so BIG, it occurred to me, that it has room for all of us. That is one BIG heart. 💓 So this month, each and every day, listen to Cistercian Father Adam of Perseigne (1145-1221), who wrote, "If you stand in need of mercy, it is found in the full measure in the heart of the Virgin" (Letter III). Go to Mary then, when you find yourself troubled, anxious, worried, or needing a dose of tender loving care. At the same time, however, Mary is ever ready to sing with you, as you sing the praise of her beloved Son for the many gifts He has bestowed upon you. With Mary, let your soul magnify the Lord! And if this is not enough, how about this from Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron (1911-1938).

Surely we'd go mad if we truly loved Mary. By honoring the Virgin, we will love Jesus more. By placing ourselves under her mantle, we will understand divine mercy better. When we invoke Her name, it's as if everything becomes lighter. When we turn to Her as our intercessor, what will we not receive from her Son, Jesus?

In addition to dear Mary, we also have a heavy hitter list (that seems to grow day by day☺) of saints to invoke this month, beginning today with a great Doctor of the Church, patron saint of confessors and moralists, Saint Alphonsus Liguori (1698-1787). Speaking of Doctors of the Church, did you hear the good news that Saint John Henry Newman (1801-1890) will be declared a Doctor of the Church by the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV? It was the Holy Father's predecessor in name, Pope Leo XIII, who made John Henry Newman a Cardinal in 1879. 

August is also loaded with feasts to celebrate such as the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (August 5), the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6), the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, the patronal feast of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance), the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 22), and the Passion of Saint John the Baptist (August 29).

As I've gone on for some time now, we close with a few voices, that too, may grow as the month progresses. Keep the faith. Keep going. We are united in faith and love. That's ALL of us who fit together into the BIG heart of Mary Immaculate. No pushing and shoving allowed; there is room for everybody! The first one is a favorite.

My mother [Mary] is very strange; if I bring her flowers she does not want them; if I bring her cherries she will not take them, and if I then ask what she desires, she replies, "I desire thy heart, for I live in hearts."

(Saint Joseph of Cupertino, 1603-1663)

The spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most holy Virgin Mother of God.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2502)

All for God and all through Mary!

(Saint Rafael Arnaiz Baron, 1911-1938)

Be humble. Trust always and a great deal in divine Providence; never, never must you let yourselves be discouraged, despite contrary winds. I say it again: trust in God and Mary Immaculate; be faithful and forge ahead.

(Saint Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, 1865-1942)

The golden urn is blessed Mary,

golden by reason of the excellence of her life,

golden through her integrity and purity,

golden through the fullness of grace.

(Amadeus of Lausanne, 1110-1159)

And for all Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year:

Mary is the reason for all my hope.

(Poster in the cell of Padre Pio, 1887-1968)

I feel that my mission is being a mother ... I wish to encompass in my soul the love from all of heaven and earth, the immense and maternal love of Mary.

(Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida, 1862-1937)

And just in case you thought that Mary wasn't human, let Mother Teresa bring you back to earth.

What did Mary do, after she heard that she was to bear the Savior? Did she stay and meditate on the great mystery? No, when she heard that her elderly cousin Elizabeth was also with child, she immediately got up to go on a long journey - a very long journey to help her. To wash the pots and pans and whatever needed to be done.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI,

SAINT EUSEBIUS OF VERCELLI,

SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD,

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT GERMANUS OF AUXERRE,

SAINT OSWALD,

SAINT AETHELWOLD,

SAINT JOHN VIANNEY, CURE OF ARS,

POPE SAINT SIXTUS II AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAJETAN,

OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS,

SAINT EMYGDIUS,

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSOONE.

SAINT NICHOLAS POSTGATE,

SAINT ALBERT OF TRAPANI,

SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS,

SAINT LAURENCE,

BLESSED ISIDORE BAKANJA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIA,

SAINT BLAAN,

SAINT DOMINIC,

SAINT TERESA BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI,

SAINT FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

BLESSED ISIDORE BAKANJA,

SAINT MUREDACH,

SAINT ATTRACTA,

SAINT LELIA,

SAINT BLAAN,

SAINT PONTIAN AND HIPPOLYTUS,

SAINT FACHTNA OR FACHANAN OF ROSS,

BLESSED WILLIAM FREEMAN,

BLESSED MICHAEL MCGIVNEY,

SAINT MAXIMUS THE CONFESSOR,

SAINT MAXIMILLAN KOLBE,

SAINT STEPHEN OF HUNGARY,

SAINT ROCH,

BLESSED ANGELUS MAZZINGHI,

BLESSED VICTORIA RASOAMANARIVO,

SAINT HELENA,

SAINT ALBERTO HURTADO CRUCHAGA,

BLESSEDS JOHN-BAPTIST DUVERNEUIL, MICHAEL-ALOYSIUS BRULARD AND JAMES GAGNOT,

SAINT EZEKIEL MORENO,

SAINT OSWIN

SAINT JOHN EUDES,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

POPE SAINT PIUS X,

SAINT JOHN KEMBLE,

SAINT ROSE OF LIMA,

SAINT EUGENE,

SAINT JOHN WALL,

SAINT LOUIS OF FRANCE,

SAINT JOSEPH CALASANZ,

SAINT MARY OF JESUS CRUCIFIED BAOUARDY,

BLESSED DOMINIC BARBERI,

SAINT DAVID LEWIS,

OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA,

SAINT CAESARIUS OF ARLES,

BLESSED JOSEPH RETOURET,

SAINT TERESA OF JESUS' TRANSVERBERATION,

SAINT JEANNE ELIZABETH DES BICHIER DES ANGES,

SAINT MONICA,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

BEATRICE OF NAZARETH,

SAINT MARGARET CLITHEROW,

SAINT ANNE LINE,

SAINT MARGARET WARD,

BLESSED GHEBRE MICHAEL,

SAINT FIACRE,

SAINT JEANNE JUGAN, AKA SISTER MARY OF THE CROSS,

SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH,

SAINT AIDAN,

PRAY FOR US.

This month's photo: Thank you to Jean, who not only loves sunflowers, grows a variety of them in her garden. 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

© Gertrude Feick 2025

The Solemnity of our Holy Father Saint Benedict

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

He lived a holy life; 

Benedict, blessed in name and in grace.

MARY, QUEEN OF MONKS AND NUNS,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL DISCIPLES OF SAINT BENEDICT,

MARY, QUEEN OF ANGELS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, PEACE AND TENDERNESS OF HEARTS,

SAVE US.

Let them prefer nothing to the love of Christ. 

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:11)

"Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?", asks Saint Benedict who echoes the psalmist. If you hear this call, and your answer is "I do," then welcome to the Solemnity of our Holy Father Saint Benedict (480-546). Otherwise, well, how can anyone not yearn for life and not desire to see good days? If you join, then, the multitude that has answered this question in the affirmative for the last 1,500 years or so, "then God directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 15-17). And "once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers: and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am" (Prologue, 18). Not much, dear faithful readers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us. See, then, how the Lord in His love shows us the way of life (see Prologue 19-20). Ready or not, let us, clothed with faith and the performance of good works, 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 (see Prologue 21). This alone should keep us busy for the next 1,500 years or so. And we are only in the Prologue of the Holy Rule, a "little Rule written for beginners” which has a Prologue followed by 73 short chapters. Even though written around the year 500ish or so, the Holy Rule withstands time and place. Everything Saint Benedict teaches is relevant today. Same world, different people. And Saint Benedict certainly knew something about the human condition which doesn't change too much. 

Before moving on, why is Saint Benedict's Rule a holy rule?  It is a relic, one we treasure, and where we learn of the wisdom, insight, moderation, compassion, love, and sanity of Saint Benedict, as he guides us in this way of life, lived by monks, nuns and sisters in monasteries throughout the world for ages, and by even more Benedictine oblates all over the world, those men and women, many lay, others not, who admirably live by the Gospel and Holy Rule, wherever they find themselves. All those in monasteries owe the oblates heartfelt gratitude for keeping the tradition alive. It is through Saint Benedict's voice in the holy rule, then, that often quotes directly from or alludes to Sacred Scripture or is adapted from rules that came before his, where one learns the genius of Saint Benedict. One can learn too from the Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great, Book Two, the "Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict." In the Dialogues, we also meet Saint Scholastica, Benedict's twin sister (see Ch. 33). O, dear Saint Scholastica, whose love was greater than her brother's. Saint Scholastica knew, after all, what Saint John tells us, that is, "God is love."

It is from the Holy Rule, however, where one learns of the true character of Saint Benedict. Pope Saint Paul VI was a big promoter of Saint Benedict. In the apostolic letter Pacis Nuntius (October 24, 1964), the pontiff proclaimed Saint Benedict as the principal patron of Europe giving him the illustrious titles of messenger of peace, creator of unity, teacher of civility, and above all the herald of the religion of Christ and the founder of western monasticism!* And it was Pope Saint Paul VI who appointed Abbot Basil Hume as Archbishop of Westminster in 1976, and encouraged him when he said, "Always remain a monk." With that, may all of us always remain disciples of Saint Benedict, here, there, and everywhere. We keep going, united, as we strive to keep our way of acting different from the world's way, knowing too that the love of Christ must come before all else (see RB 4:20-21). So, we join Saint Benedict's favorite apostle, Saint Paul, and declare: "By God's grace I am what I am," and again, "He who boasts should make his boast in the Lord" (see RB 4:31-32).

One voice to inspire us for the following weeks is Saint Benedict, with other voices scattered throughout. It could go on forever, so, in order to refrain from rambling, I will restrain myself ☺. Chapter 4, "The Tools for Good Works," provides more than enough practical tools to use for generations to come. In any case, you can always pick up your handy copy of the Holy Rule and reflect on your favorite passages. The Holy Rule will be referenced as RB, other sources will be made clear.  The first is from a novel I am in the thick of, A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory, by Michael Norton (Ignatius, 2022). The voice is the angel Rafe, something he says to our hiker Dan. It provides a commentary of sorts on the Prologue 15-17, seen above, and the passages from Chapter 4:24-28, that follow Rafe's words.

What I am trying to tell you is this: you're about to discover how much you've been dependent on lies and evasions to get by in the world, and how difficult it can be to give them up. Truthfulness-being truthful in everything-is a skill that doesn't come easily to most people (p. 32).

Rid yourself of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love. Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue.

(RB 4: 24-28)

Truth is not something we invent; if we do, it is a lie, rather, truth is something we discover, like love.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down.

(RB 4:73)

The real test of a Christian is not how much he loves his friends, but how much he loves his enemies.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer.

(RB 4:55-56)

Give yourself over to sacred reading until continual meditation fills your mind and the Scriptures fashion you after their likeness.

(John Cassian, 340-435)

Listen, carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

(RB Prologue 1)

The direction of oneself toward God and toward solitude in Him prepares the soul for the acquisition of that peace that helps us in the most distracting, most active external work ... Man's silence makes room for God's word. When man is silent, God is heard. And once we listen intently to God we maintain our silence even in the midst of our speech.

(Blessed Stefan Wyszynski, 1901-1981)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(RB Prologue 4)

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience.

(RB 5:1)

Humility is a lovable virtue-delightful to observe in others; painfully difficult to acquire for oneself ... humility ... is a whole attitude of mind ... humility is a virtue for the strong monk, because it enables him to put God and other people at the center of his life, and not himself. It should release the powers and energies with which God has endowed him, and make him a valuable instrument in the service of the Lord. Monks have to be good human beings; the proud are not.

(Cardinal Basil Hume, June 9, 1980, Archabbey of St Vincent's, Latrobe, PA)

Place your hope in God alone ... never lose hope in God's mercy.

(RB 4:41, 74)

The younger monks, then, must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors.

(RB 63:10)

They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else.

(RB 72:4-7)

Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, 48)

May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:12)

OUR HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT SCHOLASTICA,

AMMA SYNCLETICA,

AMMA SARAH, 

SAINT ANTHONY, 

SAINT PACHOMIUS,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

BLESSED COLUMBA MARMION,

SAINT JOHN JONES,

SAINT KJELD,

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND MARIE AZELIE GUERIN,

SAINT VERONICA,

SAINT HENRY,

SAINT TERESA OF LOS ANDES,

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA,

 “LILY OF THE MOHAWKS,” “ GENEVIEVE OF NEW FRANCE,”

SAINT BONAVENTURE, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT SWITHUS,

SAINT OSMUND OF SALISBURY,

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL,

SAINT HELIER,

SAINT KENELM,

BLESSED JOHN SUGAR, PRIEST AND ROBERT GRISSOLD, MARTYRS,

BLESSED INACIO DE AZEVEDO,

BLESSED THERESE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS,

SAINT JOHN PLESSINGTON,

SAINT APOLLINARIS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT THORLAK,

SAINT ELIJAH, FATHER OF THE CARMELITES,

POPE SAINT LEO IV,

SAINT ARSENIUS,

SAINT LAURENCE OF BRINDISI,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE,

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN,

SAINT PHILIP EVANS AND SAINT JOHN LLOYD,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

SAINT CHARBEL MAKHLOUF, PRIEST,

SAINT DECLAN,

SAINT JOHN BOSTE,

BLESSED ROBERT LUDLAM AND NICHOLAS GARLICK,

BLESSED JOHN SORETH,

BLESSED MARIA MERCEDES PRAT,

SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE,

SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY, AND LAZARUS,

SAINT OLAV, MARTYR, PATRON OF NORWAY,

BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER,

POPE SAINT VICTOR I,

SAINT SAMPSON, 

SAINT ALPHONSA MUTTATHUPADATHU,

SAINT PETER CHRYSOLOGUS,

SAINT JUSTIN DE JACOBIS,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

PRAY FOR US.

*From Gertrude Feick, "The Lived Theology of St. Benedict: Echoes of St. Paul the Apostle in the ‘Holy Rule.’" Thesis, License in Sacred Theology, 2012. 

Today's photo: Saint Benedict, by the hand of Brother Claude, OSB, used with permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2025