Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

June is the month of the Sacred Heart

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of the Lord

In other years: Saint Luan (520-592)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18 The Order of the Psalmody - Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: Jer 20:10-13; Resp Ps 69; Rm 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33

Shame covers my face.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, DELIGHT OF ALL THE SAINTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, COURAGE OF MARTYRS,

SAVE US.

So do not be afraid.

(Mt 10:31)

Welcome to the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Blessed be our God, always.

On the subject of not being afraid, then, for how could we be afraid in any case. The Lord is with us, no matter what, be it joy, trial, persecution, murmuring, grief, and so forth. Through it all, the Prophet Jeremiah could still sing to the Lord, and praise the Lord; for He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked (see Jer 20:13). And what about "the Shreveport Martyrs" who I learned about yesterday. Shreveport, you ask? Yes, that would be Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, in the Diocese of Shreveport. The martyrs, now Servants of God (whose cause for canonization continues per the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who voted unanimously to continue it!), were five young French priests who immigrated to Shreveport in 1873 during an outbreak of yellow fever. Father Isidore A. Quemerais, Father Jean Pierre, Father Jean Marie Biler, Father Louis Marie Gergaud, and Father Francois LeVezouet, responded to a posting on the wall of their seminary in France. It went like this:

We offer no salary, no recompense, no holiday or pension. But, much hard work, a poor dwelling, few consolations, many disappointments, frequent sickness, a violent or lonely death, and an unknown grave.

Still, the young men went for it. God is praised. When they arrived in Louisiana and commenced their work, the disease struck. The yellow fever epidemic was no small matter, either. It was the "third-worst epidemic of Yellow Fever in United States history"; people fled the city and within three months of August 1873, Shreveport lost one-fourth of its population - over 1,200 deaths in total. The epidemic was over by mid-November 1873, leaving in its wake devastating losses for the city of Shreveport, including all five priests who died of the fever in September and October 1873. So, with gratitude for their "giving it all up for Jesus," let's pray them into sainthood and ask them to please intercede for us, giving us strength, courage, and perseverance as we pray to grow in faith, hope, and love. May we be inspired. And, cry out with Father Biler as he died, "I am going to Heaven!" Mary, queen of all martyrs, pray for us. Mary, queen of all saints, pray for us.*

This week's voices come again from George Cardinal Pell and his Prison Diary: The Cardinal Makes His Appeal, Volume 1. I continue to be inspired by the Cardinal's voice as well as by the voices he quotes.

If you have hate in your heart, you won't do any good; 

you won't be at peace until you get ride of it.

(Bishop James Patrick? O'Collins, 1892-1983, p. 216)

O Lord, 

Give us a mind that is humble, quiet, peaceable,

Patient and charitable,

And a taste of your Holy Spirit

In all our thoughts, words, and deeds.

(From a prayer by Saint Thomas More, 1478-1535, p. 214)

Life is mostly froth and bubble,

Some things stand like stone,

Friendship in another's trouble,

Courage in your own.

(Adam Lindsey Gordon, 1833-1870, the first Australian poet to be recognized, horseman, police officer, and politician, p. 281)

If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.

(From Rudyard Kipling's, 1865-1936, poem, "If", p. 147)

Here are two reminders to maintain a positive attitude and be grateful for simple pleasures, those types of things we take for granted. And also, just to "go with the flow." Freedom is found therein.

I regard the pasties which are sometimes served at Saturday lunch, with tomato sauce, as the best meal available here. An added unusual bonus today was that it was warm; not hot, but warm food is something special. Deo gratias. 

(Cardinal Pell, p. 212)

Life returned to normal this morning as the siren sounded at 7:17 am, which is as close as we ever get to precision here in the jail. Delay is built into the system as a reminder to us, as prisoners, of our status. Once you accept this basic premise, life is simple and the warders are not unpleasant. 

(Cardinal Pell, pp. 192-193)

I have found the Cardinal's prayers to be helpful, so other-centered; he always prayed for others.

God our Father, I thank you for so many good friends; keep them in our care, reward them for their kindness, do not allow them to be put to the test too often, and keep their children faithful, good, and happy.

(Cardinal Pell, p. 147)

THE SHREVEPORT MARTYRS,

BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS,

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSITI,

SAINT LUAN,

BLESSED JOSEPHINE CATANEA,

SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT JOHN SOUTHWORTH,

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR,

BLESSED NYKYTA BUDKA,

BLESSED VASYL VELYCHKOVSKY,

SAINT IRENAEUS,

SAINT PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES,

THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE SEE OF ROME,

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, FATHER OF CALIFORNIA,

BLESSED NAZJY FALZON,

OUR LADY OF BUDSLAU,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Emily Glover, June 22, 2023, in CATHOLICVOTE, "Who are 'the Shreveport Martyrs'." Also, the official website, shreveportmartyrs.org, which includes a trailer for the documentary, "The Five Priests," a Cannes World Film Festival Winner.

Today's photo: Water lily with trellis shadow. I pray to you, O Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Father's Day

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 14 The Celebration of Vigils on the Anniversary of Saints - Ch 18 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Ex 19:2-6a; Resp Ps 100; Rm 5:6-11; Mt 9:36-10:8

Serve the Lord with gladness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.  

HEART OF JESUS, DESIRE OF THE EVERLASTING HILLS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Without cost you have received; 

without cost you are to give.

(Mt 10:8)

Welcome to the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. And Happy Father's Day to all fathers and grandfathers, and all Father fathers too. Saint Joseph, pillar of families, pray for us.

Today, and throughout the week, why not reflect on all the gifts God has given you, without measure. Write down five gifts, and then, pay something forward. Remember too some words from Jesus: Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you (Lk 6:38). In doing this, then, your spirits may be lifted, and your mood may lighten; you may be rejuvenated. Yes, the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mt 10:7). So, we boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rm 5:11) and remember that "In everything we do God considers our disposition rather than our actions. And so, whether we retire mentally to God in earnest contemplation and remain at rest or whether we are intent of being of service to those around us with good works and worthy undertakings, let our object be that we are motivated only by the love of Christ" (Saint Laurence Justinian, 1381-1456). 

Our voices for the week come from tea bag tags ☺, all fitting intros to a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889). United in faith and prayer, Jesus summons each one of us, just like He summoned His twelve disciples (Mt 10:1), and we go forth. Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.

Plant kindness and gather love.

(Proverb)

Beauty is not caused. It is.

(Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886)

Are not flowers stars of the earth?

(Clara Lucas Balfour, 1808-1878)

In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.

(Aristotle, 384-322 BC)

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.

(Shakespeare, 1564-1616)

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882)

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

(Lao Tzu, 6th-5th century BC)

Pied Beauty

Gerard Manley Hopkins

Glory be to God for dappled things-

For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;

For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;

Fresh-firecoal chestnut falls; finches' wings;

Landscape plotted and pieced-fold, fallow, and plough;

All all trades, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;

Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows him?)

With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;

He fathers-forth whose beauty is past changed:

Praise him.

SAINT ROMUALD

SAINTS ALBAN, JULIUS AND AARON,

THE IRISH MARTYRS,

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA,

SAINT JOHN RIGBY,

SAINT JOHN FISHER,

SAINT THOMAS MORE,

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA,

SAINT ETHELREDA,

SAINT THOMAS GARNET,

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: In Ordinary Time there is always something extraordinary. The world is charged with the grandeur of God ...

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Corpus Christi The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

Commencement of the Parish Year for Eucharistic Revival

In other years: Saint Barnabas the Apostle

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 8 The Divine Office at Night - Ch 13 The Celebration of Lauds on Ordinary Days

Mass: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a; Resp Ps 147; 1 Cor 10:16-17; Sequence Lauda Sion; Jn 6:1-58

He has granted peace in your borders.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HEART OF JESUS, MOST WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? 

The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

(1 Cor 10:16)

Welcome to the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our "Pope of the Eucharist," Pope Saint Pius X (1835-1914), has this to teach us: "Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven." Inspired by another great pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022), then, "Let us encourage one another to walk joyfully, our hearts filled with wonder, towards our encounter with the Holy Eucharist, so that we may experience and proclaim to others the truth of the words with which Jesus took leave of His disciples: 'Lo, I am with you always, until the end of the world' (Mt 28:20)."* Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Amen. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Eucharist, pray for us.

And now for the voices for the week, all from popes. In doing so, united in faith and prayer as we are, we remember Pope Francis who is convalescing in Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital after a recent surgery. The Holy Father will pray the customary Sunday Angelus prayer in private "uniting himself spiritually with affection and gratitude to the faithful, wherever they may be, who wish to accompany him" (Vatican News, June 10, 2023). We accompany Pope Francis, and hear from yet another great and Great pontiff, Pope Saint Gregory the Great (540-604):

When we are linked by the power of prayer, we, as it were, hold each other's hand as we walk side by side along a slippery path; and thus by the bounteous disposition of charity, it comes about that the harder each one leans on the other, the more firmly we are riveted together in love.

(Pope Saint Gregory the Great)

And since we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday ... 

Since there is in the Sacred Heart a symbol and a sensible image of the infinite love of Jesus Christ which moves us to love one another, it is fit and proper that we should consecrate ourselves to His most Sacred Heart - an act which is nothing else than an offering and a binding of oneself to Jesus Christ, seeing that whatever honor, veneration and love is given to this divine Heart is really and truly given to Christ Himself.

(Pope Leo XIII, 1810-1903)

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Modern man listens more readily to witnesses than to teachers; and if he does listens to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.

(Pope Saint Paul VI, 1897-1978)

Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. 

Look forward to the future with confidence.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Purity of heart is what enables us to see.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Jesus Himself warns us that the path He proposes goes against the flow, even making us challenge society by the way we live, and as a result, becoming a nuisance. He reminds how many people have been, and still are, persecuted simply because they struggle for justice, because they take seriously their commitment to God and to others. Unless we wish to sink into obscure mediocrity, let us not long for an easy life, for "whoever would save his life will lose it "(Mt. 16:25).

(Pope Francis, b. 1936)

SAINT BARNABAS,

SAINT GASPAR BERTONI,

SAINT ONUPHRIUS,

BLESSED ALPHONSUS MAZUREK AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED HILARY JANUSZEWSKI,

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA,

SAINT DAVNET,

SAINT LIDWINA,

SAINT ELISHA,

BLESSED MARIA CANDIDA OF THE EUCHARIST,

BLESSED PETER SNOW AND RALPH GRIMSTON,

SAINT RICHARD OF CHICHESTER,

SAINT BOTOLPH,

SAINT GERMAINE COUSIN,

PRAY FOR US.

*Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis Sacrament of Charity, 97.

Today's photo: Another spur of the moment shot. Swiftly runs His word!

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

June is the month of the Sacred Heart 

In other years: Saint Clotilde (575-545)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch  7:49-54 Humility

Mass: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; Resp Ps (Dn 3); 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18

Glory and praise forever. 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

HEART OF JESUS, IN WHOM DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Let all the monks rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 9:7)

Rise from your seats, dear faithful readers, and sign yourself big, with intention and reverence. Trace the sign of the cross: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Remind yourself how much God loves you; He "so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life"! (Jn 3:16). I believe, help my unbelief. Alleluia. God gave His life for you, all of us, so, as the Holy Father told the thousands of faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square at today's Angelus address, "we repeat to ourselves that His love envelops us completely, from top to bottom, from left to right, like an embrace that never abandons us." The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor 13:13). Amen.

And now with a warm welcome to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and the glorious month of June devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To start things off (after the not so brief introduction ☺) we hear from Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852): "If you have no earthly consolation, why do you not seek consolation in the heart of Jesus? To love Him is truest joy." Amen to that. Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us. And not without a couple of fun facts about the Sacred Heart, did you know that in 1856, Pope Pius IX established the Feast of the Sacred Heart for the universal church (celebrated June 16 this year)? And in his 1899 encyclical Annun Sacrum, Pope Leo XIII ordained that the "principal Church in every town and village" should be consecrated to the Sacred Heart (14). Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us. All of these things are enough to keep anyone busy for a week ☺O the beauty of our faith tradition. However, if you do not have enough to keep you busy this week, amidst your various, daily responsibilities, remember to "rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor 13:11). United in faith and prayer, we go forth.

And now our voices for the week, a word from here and there. 

Every day we are called to be salt for the world, bringing the flavor of [Jesus'] love to a culture bland from disillusionment. Spending my daily life on plans that are merely focused on myself is putting a bushel basket over what Jesus wants others to see and witness: His love radiating uniquely through you.

(Sister Faustina Maria Pia, S.V., member of the Sisters of Life)

Love everyone with a deep love based on charity ... but form friendships only with those who can share virtuous things with you. The higher the virtues you share and exchange with others, the more perfect your friendship will be.

(Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, 1567-1622)

Seventy-seven times forgiveness acknowledges that I do not see the whole story, that God does not love me more than He loves those with whom I am in conflict. It is absolute surrender and love, and extravagant kind of grace, and undeserved forgiveness that holds out a hand that may be refused.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits ... your only limit is your soul.

(Auguste Gusteau, in Ratatouille, 2007)

Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers and during my thanksgiving after Holy Communion. But I don't feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents whether they are asleep or awake and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. So I just think that God 'knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust'.

(The Story of a Soul: Autobiography of St Therese of Lisieux, Ch.8)

Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry.

(Saint Pio of Pietrelcino, Padre Pio, 1887-1968)

SAINT JOHN EUDES,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE,

SAINT CLOTILDE,

SAINT BONIFACE, APOSTLE OF GERMANY,

SAINT NORBERT,

SAINT EPHREM THE DEACON,

SAINT MARCELLIN CHAMPAGNAT,

SAINT JARLATH,

SAINT COLMAN OF DROMORE,

SAINT ROBERT OF NEWMINSTER,

BLESSED ANNE OF SAINT BARTHOLOMEW,

SAINT JAMES BERTHIEU,

SAINT WILLIAM OF YORK,

SAINT COLUMBA,

SAINT JOSE DE ANCHIETA,

BLESSED EDWARD POPPE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This photo was taken for one of our artist sisters to draw. It is these spurs of the moment type shots that turn out the best. I was standing on a chair for this one. ☺ Praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Pentecost Sunday

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Blessed Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (1473-1541); Blessed Bartholomew Bagnesi, OP (1514-1577)

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:10-18 Humility

Mass:  Acts 2:1-11; Resp Ps 104; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Squence Veni, Sancte Spiritus; Jn 20:19-23

Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN,

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

HOLY SPIRIT, 

ENGRAVE YOUR LAW IN OUR HEARTS.

Peace be with you ...

Receive the Holy Spirit.

(Jn 20:19, 22)

Welcome to Pentecost Sunday, the fiftieth day. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. I believe, help my unbelief! There sure are plenty of things to today. One would be to pray with the Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus, which can be prayed after the second reading from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians and before the Gospel Acclamation. You just may find a phrase or two that fits whatever comes your way this week. Come, Holy Spirit, come! ... O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours, And our inmost being fill! Or you can pray with the Litany to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, fire ever burning, have mercy on us.

One of my favorite readings used at Mass comes from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, the third reading proclaimed at the Vigil Mass of Pentecost. It will surely bring a smile to your face and give you hope at the same time. Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the Lord ... From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life ... and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army (Ezk 37:4-6, 9-10). Google the YouTube of the Cathedral Quartet singing "Dry Bones." It is awesome. "Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones ... now hear the Word of the Lord ... Your thigh bone connected to your hip bone ... These bones, these bones, got up and walked around!”

Another favorite comes from the epistle also proclaimed at the Vigil Mass. It is not uncommon to hear people say that they don't know how to pray. And it is true - we don't! So Saint Paul reassures us: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And furthermore, the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will (Rm 8:26-27). It seems, then, that we are good to go. From our own will, deliver us, O Holy Spirit. 

And our voices for the week ... United in faith and prayer, we go forth. And we honor all the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Rest in peace. Love and life of saintly souls, have mercy on us.

Come, Holy Spirit, come, O God, love;

fill my heart, which, alas, is empty of all that is good.

Set me on fire to love you.

Enlighten me to recognize you.

Draw me [to you] to delight in you.

Affect me [to achieve] thorough fruition of you.

(Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta, Spiritual Exercises, II, 32-37)

When the Spirit has been sent, the face of the earth is created and renewed: this means that our earthly will becomes heavenly, ready at a nod to obey more quickly than a nod. Blessed are people like this, for not only do they perceive evil, but they abide in a certain marvelous expansion of the heart.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153)

Uncage your heart, free your heart, let it be wild.

(Anonymous, on the tag of a Yogi teabag ☺)

May everyone be warmed and enlightened by the flame that burns in your heart and the light of your inner fire. 

(Saint Luigi Orione, 1872-1940)

Do not quench the Spirit.

(1 Th 5:19)

The first task of Christians is to keep alive the flame that Jesus brought to the earth, which is the love of God: the Holy Spirit. Without the fire of the Spirit, prophecies are extinguished, sorrow supplants joy, and routine substitutes love.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, May 26, 2023)

Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

So as to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.

COME, HOLY SPIRIT! FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL,

AND ENKINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE.

Grant, O merciful Father, that Your Divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame, and purify us, that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew and make us fruitful in good works, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

BLESSED MARGARET POLE,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW BAGNESI,

POPE SAINT PAUL VI,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

BLESSED JOSEPH GERARD,

BLESSED ELIA OF SAINT CLEMENT,

BLESSED WILLIAM ARNAUD AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT ZDZISLAWA OF LEMBERK, OP,

SAINT LUKE KIRBY,

THE YORKSHIRE MARTYRS,

SAINT JOAN OF ARC,

SAINT WALSTAN,

BLESSED JAMES SOLOMONIO,

SAINT JUSTIN MARTYR,

SAINT MARCELLINUS AND PETER, MARTYRS,

SAINTS POTHINUS AND BLANDINA,

SAINTS CHARLES LWANGA AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT KEVIN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: How manifold are your works, O Lord. Rowena Crest, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. Thank you, Maddy, avid hiker, photographer extraordinaire. Veni, Sancte Spiritus.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

The Ascension of the Lord

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Saint Christopher Magallanes and his Companions (20th century); Saint Eugene de Mazenod (1782-1861)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 4:44-62 The Tools for Good Works

Mass: Acts 1:1-11; Resp Ps 47; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20

Sing praise to God, sing praise.

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, 

that you may know what is the hope that belongs to His call.

(Eph 1:18)

Welcome to the Ascension of the Lord. With all sorts of thoughts going through my mind this busy Sunday morning, I stick with a simple message I sent to a dear niece. Even though Jesus ascended, He will send the Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Thanks be to God. 

Not done yet, as there follows all sorts of this and that ☺, here is something Pope Benedict XVI said about the Ascension. "The Lord draws the gaze of the Apostles - and our gaze - toward heaven to show how to travel the road of good during earthly life." And there are many ways to travel the road of good as expressed by Saint Benedict in Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule, The Tools for Good Works. And it happens that we have the privilege of being immersed in that chapter this week. As far as hope is concerned, then, "place your hope in God alone" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:41). And as Mother Julian of Norwich (1343-after 1416) said, "all will be well, and all will be well, and every kind of thing will be well." And it so happens that this year marks the 650th anniversary of Mother Julian's Revelations of the Passion of Christ. Pope Francis sent a message last week to all pilgrims gathered to mark the anniversary in the English city of Norwich.

All voices for this week come from George Cardinal Pell (1941-2023) and the first volume of his Prison Journal: The Cardinal Makes His Appeal (Ignatius, 2020). With this read, I am meeting a remarkable man of faith. The title of a recent article about him states it clearly: "Cardinal Pell Showed Us What Interior Freedom Really Looks Like," (Maryella Hierholzer, National Catholic Register, May 15, 2023). The late Cardinal is certainly showing me something about interior freedom, forgiveness, and taking pleasures in small things, among other things. At the same time, I am busy asking him to help me. And he delivers. The book is full of worthwhile passages to quote; Cardinal Pell has many things to teach the faithful, and not so faithful. For example, "I believe that one of the keys to surviving in prison, and especially in a solitary regime, is to concentrate on doing what one can rather than lamenting what one cannot do" (p. 95). Very good advice, wherever one finds herself. At the end of each journal entry, Cardinal Pell has a prayer, his own, another, or one that someone has sent him. Or he might end an entry with a stanza of poem or hymn. In any case, my book is full of page markers. So it may be that we hear from him again. 

Since we commemorate Our Lady, Help of Christians, this coming Wednesday, let's begin with a hymn addressed to her, "Help of Christians, Guard This Land," one that the Cardinal wrote is especially apt for Australia today. It is apt for any country though. 

Help of Christians, guard this land

From assault or inward stain;

Let it be what Christ has planned, 

A new Eden where you reign ...

Take from us the coward heart,

Fleeting will, divided mind,

Give us sight to play our part,

Though the world around is blind.

(p. 98)

Now with some prayers for the week, all from the Cardinal.

God our Loving Father, help me to keep hatred out of my heart.

Not only should I speak the truth in love, but I should think the truth in love.

(p. 30)

God our Father, I will always trust in you. Whatever, wherever I am, I know I can never be thrown away. Whether I am sick or perplexed or in sorrow, I may still serve you, and these difficulties may be necessary causes to some great end, which is quite beyond me.

You do nothing in vain, and you know what you are about. Amen.

(p. 150)

God our Father, help us always to be people of Christian hope even when, humanly speaking, the situation seems hopeless. May we always believe in the Resurrection as well as the crucifixion and be sustained by the promise of eternal life with you, Your Son, and the life-giving Spirit.

(p. 109)

God our Father, I pray for all my fellow prisoners, especially those who have written me. Help them to see their true selves; indeed, help me, too, to do this better for myself. Bring all of them some peace of mind, especially those who most certainly do not possess it.

(p. 26)

For everything I have received in a happy, full life and for all I am about to receive, 

my I be truly grateful.

(p. 322)

Loving God, you are our strength. Support us in our weakness, give us insight and wisdom, peace of heart and patience. Take us under you care, give us your love so that we will have the strength to embrace our weakness and confront our challenges.

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.

(p. 330)

There are plenty of saints to invoke this week too.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER MAGALLANES AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT EUGENE DE MAZENOD,

SAINT RITA OF CASCIA,

SAINT JOACHINA DE VEDRUNA DE MAS,

OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS,

BLESSED LOUIS-ZEPHERIN MOREAU,

SAINT ALDHELM,

SAINT DOMINIC,

POPE SAINT GREGORY VII,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE DE PAZZI,

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE,

SAINT PHILIP NERI,

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY,

BLESSED ANDREW FRANCHI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I took this photo last Monday. When I saw the early morning sunlight on this glorious bush, I thought of the coming of the Holy Spirit. All week I looked for another photo to use; this one kept coming back. The first glance is most often the best. "The Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Veni Sancte Spiritus. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May is the Month of Mary, Dedicated to the Devotion of the Blessed Mother

In other years: Saint Matthias, Apostle 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:23-29 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Resp Ps 66;1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21

Come and see the works of God.

MATER CREATORIS, MOTHER OF THE CREATOR,

MATER CHRISTI, MOTHER OF CHRIST,

MATER SALVATORIS, MOTHER OF THE SAVIOR,

PRAY FOR US.

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.

(1 Pt 3:15)

Welcome to the Sixth Sunday of Easter and the celebration of Mother's Day. For all Mothers and Grandmothers, living and deceased, to be Mothers and Mothers who have already sent their children back to God, Happy Mother's Day. You are God's majestic gift to the world. May Our Lady cover you and your families in Her protective veil. 

As we march through the 50 days of the Easter season, let's join Philip and proclaim Christ in word and deed (see Acts 8:5).  Remember though to do bear witness with gentleness and reverence (see 1 Pt 3:16). At the same time, keep your conscience clear, so that, when maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil (1 Pt 3:16-17). And as it is said and we believe, our help is in the name of the Lord. So whoever has His commandments and observes them is the one who loves Him. And whoever loves Him will be loved by His Father, and He will love you and reveal Himself to you (see Jn 14:21). May there be great joy in your city (see Acts 8:8).

As far as passing along a few voices for the week, I heard from one faithful reader who said she would re-read and reflect on a different quotation each day and see how it applied to her life. Another faithful reader remarked, "Your collection of voices is remarkable." With their prompting then, I include at least seven quotations, enough to get you through the week leading to the Ascension of the Lord.

A woman by her very nature is maternal - for every woman, whether married or unmarried, is called upon to be a biological, psychological, or spiritual mother - she knows intuitively that to give, to nurture, to care for others, to suffer with and for them - for maternity implies suffering - is infinitely more valuable in God's sight than to conquer nations and fly to the moon.

(Alice von Hildebrand, 1923-2022)

To serve God is to reign.

(Saint Antoninus of Florence, OP, 1389-1459)

Things seen superficially can disturb us, but if we regard them with the profundity of faith, nothing can make us lose peace.

(Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez, d. 1956)

Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness of vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?

(Our Lady of Guadalupe to Saint Juan Diego, 16th century)

The tenderness of God's love-no one can love us as God. He has made us in His image. He made us. He is our Father.

"The Father loves me, He wants me, He needs me." That kind of attitude is our trust, our joy, our conviction. Anything may come: impatience, failures, joy, but say to yourself, "The Father loves me." God has created the whole world but He is our Father. In prayer, create that conviction, from the inside: Father and child.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with Him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work our prosperously for you.

(Saint John of the Cross, 1542-1591)

If it should ever happen that you will waver and perhaps fall into sin, return as soon as possible to the right path by using such remedies as the Church ordains ... Think only of Jesus, and of your desire to gain His love, and nothing will harm you.

(Blessed Henry Suso, 1295-1366)

Sooner or later, we all discover that kindness is the only strength there is.

(Father Greg Boyle, SJ, b. 1954, founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program)

MOTHER SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

MOTHER SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT MATTHIAS,

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER,

SAINT CARTHAGE,

BLESSED ANDREW ABELLON, OP,

BLESSED GILES OF VAOZELA, OP,

SAINT SIMON STOCK,

SAINT BRENDAN,

SAINT JOHN STONE,

POPE SAINT JOHN I,

SAINT DUNSTAN,

SAINT BERNADINO OF SIENA,

BLESSED COLUMBA OF RIETI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I literally stumbled over these beauties when I tripped on the hidden curve at the beginning of the path that led to them. Whoopsie daisy. ☺You will find this and plenty of other beauty at Blake Garden in Kensington, CA, a 10.6-acre, public garden 4 miles north of the UC Berkeley campus. I had the privilege of a brief visit to the garden when spending a few hours with beloved friends I had not seen in six years. A married couple, both 88-years old, they have been married for 55 years. People of faith who formed their children in the faith, they keep going. Sing praise to the glory of His name. United in faith and prayer, we keep going with them. And be grateful for the little gifts God gives us each and every day.

© Gertrude Feick 2023