Saints and the Liturgical Year

[grateful_child]

April 28 - Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial)

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who willed to direct the steps of the Priest Saint Louis
along the way of salvation and of the love of Christ,
in the company of the Blessed Virgin,
grant us, by his example,
that, meditating on the mysteries of your love,
we may strive tirelessly for the building up of your Church.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever." or

"Almighty and eternal God, who made the Priest Saint Louis
an outstanding witness and teacher
of total devotion to Christ your Son
through the hands of his Blessed Mother,
grant us that, following the same spiritual path,
we may constantly spread your Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"St. Louis (1673-1716) was born to a poor family at Montfort-La Cane in Brittany. Ordained at twenty-seven, he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary ...He founded an order of priests (Company of Mary) and a religious institute of women devoted to the poor (Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom). (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Louis and other saints, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...demontfort.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=36

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

April 28 - Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest (Optional Memorial)

"Almighty and eternal God, who made the Priest Saint Louis
an outstanding witness and teacher
of total devotion to Christ your Son
through the hands of his Blessed Mother,
grant us that, following the same spiritual path,
we may constantly spread your Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

St. Louis Marie G. de Montfort gave us the Montfortian Consecration whereby we consecrate all that we are and have to Jesus Christ, through His holy Mother Mary.

One may ask: Why not simply consecrate ourselves directly to Jesus Christ? Why is it better to have the Blessed Mother with us as 'channel'?

Below are excerpts from the writings of St. Louis de Montfort which explain why:

True Devotion to Mary (# 24):
"God the Son imparted to his mother all that he gained by his life and death, namely, his infinite merits and his eminent virtues. He made her the treasurer of all his Father had given him as heritage. Through her, he applies his merits to his members and through her, he transmits his virtues and distributes his graces. She is his mystic channel, his aqueduct, through which he causes his mercies to flow gently and abundantly."
---

So important is the role of Mary, our Queen and Mother, in our salvation that St. John Damascene wrote: "Devotion to you, O Blessed Virgin, is a means of salvation which God gives to those whom he wishes to save." (from True Devotion to Mary, # 41.)

The Secret of Mary (#23):
"... Nevertheless, St. Thomas teaches that in the order of grace, established by divine Wisdom, God ordinarily communicates Himself to men only through Mary. Therefore, if we would go up to Him and be united with Him, we must use the same means He used to come down to us, to be made man to impart His graces to us. That means is a true devotion to our Blessed Lady."

[grateful_child]

April 29, 2012 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day Prayer for Vocations.

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty ever-living God,
lead us to a share in the joys of heaven,
so that the humble flock may reach
where the brave Shepherd has gone before.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

April 29 - St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who set Saint Catherine of Siena on fire with divine love
in her contemplation of the Lord's Passion
and her service of your Church,
grant, through her intercession,
that your people,
participating in the mystery of Christ,
may ever exult in the revelation of his glory.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"St. Catherine (1347-1380) was instrumental in the return of Pope Gregory XI from Avignon to Rome. In word and deed, she showed her love for God's Church and the Roman Pontiff. Her short life is an example of courage. Imprinted with the stigmata, she died in Rome at thirty-three years of age. She was proclaimed patroness of Italy on June 18, 1939, and in 1970 Pope Paul VI proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)


St. Catherine is also the patron saint of firefigters, against fire, bodily ills, miscarriages, sexual temptation, patron saint of people ridiculed for their piety, sick people, etc.

For more on St. Catherine and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...ineofsiena.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=37

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

April 29, 2012 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Today is also Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day Prayer for Vocations.

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty ever-living God,
lead us to a share in the joys of heaven,
so that the humble flock may reach
where the brave Shepherd has gone before.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

Today's Readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18

Excerpt from today's Euchalette:

"Today is 'Good Shepherd Sunday,' a day of special prayer for priestly, religious and missionary vocations. We honor and thank, first of all, Jesus, the 'Senior Good Shepherd' who laid down his life for the salvation of all human beings. But we also honor, thank and pray for the 'junior good shepherds' who were chosen and sent by Jesus himself to minister to our spiritual needs. It is also our duty to pray that many more may heed the invitation of the 'Senior Good Shepherd' and respond to it with generous faithfulness."

Today, "let us include these intentions in the Eucharistic Celebration ...". (p.1.)

[grateful_child]

April 30, 2012 - Monday, 4th Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, perfect light of the blessed,
by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth,
bring us, we pray,
to rejoice in the full measure of your grace
for ages unending.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


April 30 - Saint Pius V, Pope (Optional Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who in your providence
raised up Pope Saint Pius the Fifth in your Church
that the faith might be safeguarded
and more fitting worship be offered to you,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may participate in your mysteries
with lively faith and fruitful charity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"The pontificate of Pope Pius V (1504-1572) was one ot the most notable of the sixteenth century. He enforced the decrees of the Council of Trent, published the Roman Catechism, and revised the Roman Missal and Liturgy of the Hours." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Pius V and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpiusv.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=37

[grateful_child]

May 1, 2012 - Tuesday, 4th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, celebrating the mysteries of the Lord's Resurrection,
we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 1 - St. Joseph the Worker (Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, Creator of all things,
who laid down for the human race the law of work,
graciously grant
that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage
we may complete the works you set us to do
and attain the rewards you promise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"This feast was instituted in 1955 by Pope Pius XII and is celebrated on May 1, which corresponds to the day labor is honored in many countries. In the Gospel Christ was called 'the son of the carpenter.' Human labor, no matter how ordinary, can be sanctified, which in turn can sanctify oneself and others, making each of the faithful a participant in Christ's work of redemption." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Joseph the Worker and other saints of the day, see links:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Feat...t.aspx?id=1370
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjoseph.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=37

[grateful_child]

May 2, 2012 - Wednesday, 4th Week of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, life of the faithful,
glory of the humble, blessedness of the just,
listen kindly to the prayers
of those who call on you,
that they who thirst for what you generously promise
may always have their fill of your plenty.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 2 - Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty ever-living God,
who raised up the Bishop Saint Athanasius
as an outstanding champion of your Son's divinity,
mercifully grant,
that, rejoicing in his teaching and his protection,
we may never cease to grow in knowledge and love of you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unityof the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"St. Athanasius (297-373), Bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, was a great champion of the Faith against the Arian heresy at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. He suffered persecution, including seventeen years of intermittent exile, for resisting to compromise in the essentials of the Faith. He wrote many outstanding apologetical works." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on St. Athanasius and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...athanasius.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38

[grateful_child]

May 3, 2012 - Thursday, 4th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who restore human nature
to yet greater dignity than at its beginnings,
look upon the amazing mystery of your loving kindness,
and in those you have chosen to make new
through the wonder of rebirth
may you preserve the gifts
of your enduring grace and blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 3 - Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Feast):

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, who gladden us each year
with the feast day of the Apostles Philip and James,
grant us, through their prayers,
a share in the Passion and Resurrection
of your Only Begotten Son,
so that we may merit to behold you for eternity#
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

"Like Sts. Peter and Andrew, St. Philip was from Bethsaida, in Galilee. According to tradition he was crucified at Hierapolis in Phrygia, where he had preached the Gospel. He introduced St. Bartholomew (Nathanael) to Christ. Christ declared to St. Philip, 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father ... I am in the Father and the Father is in me' (Jn 14:8,11)."

"St. James was a cousin of Our Lord. He is often called St. James the Less because of St. Mark's reference to him as 'the younger' (Mk 15:40). As Bishop of Jerusalem, St. James wrote an Epistle of the New Testament. He was thrown from the terrace of the Temple and then stoned to death. Sts. Philip and James are named in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer)." (Daily Roman Missal, MWTF.)

For more on Sts. Philip and James and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stphilip.asp
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...sthelesser.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38

[grateful_child]

May 4, 2012 - Friday, 4th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"O God, author of our freedom and of our salvation,
listen to the voice of our pleading
and grant that those you have redeemed
by the shedding of your Son's Blood
may have life through you
and, under your protection,
rejoice for ever unharmed.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unityof the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 4 - St. Godehard of Hildesheim:
St. Godehard was a bishop. He died in 1038 and was canonized in 1131 by Pope Innocent II. He is the patron invoked against fever, dropsy, gout, childhood sicknesses, etc.

For more on St. Godehard and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...hildesheim.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38

[grateful_child]

May 5, 2012 - Saturday, 4th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer:
"O God, who in the celebration of Easter
graciously give to the world
the healing of heavenly remedies,
show benevolence to your Church,
that our present observance
may benefit us for eternal life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives ad reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 5 - St. Hilary of Arles
St. Hilary of Arles was a bishop. He was born around 401 and died in 449.

For more on St. Hilary and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...aryofarles.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38

[grateful_child]

May 6, 2012 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism
may, under your protective care, bear much fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 6 - St. Eadbert:

St. Eadbert was a bishop who lived in 7th century England. He died in 698.

For more on St. Eadbert and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/E/steadbert.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by grateful_child

May 6, 2012 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism
may, under your protective care, bear much fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."

Today's Readings: Acts 9:26-31; 1Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8 (The Vine and the Branches.)

Excerpts from today's Euchalette:

"The claim, 'Without me, you can do nothing,' would sound empty or offensive ... Yet, when it comes from Jesus, we have to admit that it is simply true. In our spiritual life, in fact, we are absolutely dependent on him. Just asGod is the only source of grace, so is JESUS CHRIST the only 'channel' through which divine grace reaches us. Just as we have no alternative sources of life, aside from the Creator, so we have no 'alternative ways' of reaching out to Him and enjoying the fullness of His saving love, except through Christ, the only Savior of mankind. He is the one and only Mediator. (See 1Tim 2:5.)" (p. 4.)

"We share in God's life by being united with Jesus. Such a life-giving union started out at baptism, when we became part of him - members of his Body, thereby beginning to enjoy the fruits of his passion, death and resurrection. Jesus' union and solidarity with us caused him suffering and death. Our union and solidarity with him produces in us happiness and salvation. Such is the vital meaning of us being branches of the fruitful vine that Jesus is." (p.4.)

"But our union with Jesus can be broken because of our weakness. It does get broken whenever we sin. This should never happen. Instead, we should steadily aim not only at preserving our union with Jesus, but actually at increasing it because such a union is not static, but dynamic and vital. We call it a COMMUNION, and it brings about a mutual 'inhabitation': He is in us, and we are in Him. (See Jn 15:4.) ..." (p. 4.)

"The preservation and growth of our union with our Lord Jesus Christ can happen only on one condition: that we keep his commandments. (See 1 Jn 3:24.) Then shall we bear the abundant fruits of the new life inaugurated by Jesus with his resurrecdtion, especially the fruits of peace, and the genuine love of neighbor which expresses itself 'in deeds and truth and not merely inwords' (1 Jn 3:18, 19.)..." (p.4.)

[Amiciel]

Originally Posted by Amiciel

Today's Readings: Acts 9:26-31; 1Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8 (The Vine and the Branches.)

Excerpts from today's Euchalette:

"We share in God's life by being united with Jesus. Such a life-giving union started out at baptism, when we became part of him - members of his Body, thereby beginning to enjoy the fruits of his passion, death and resurrection. Jesus' union and solidarity with us caused him suffering and death. Our union and solidarity with him produces in us happiness and salvation. Such is the vital meaning of us being branches of the fruitful vine that Jesus is." (p.4.)

Spiritual writers have pointed out that during our life on earth, our love for God can consistently grow, through the help of God's grace; and this growth can be from intensity to intensity. Upon death, however, our love's intensity is fixed and we enter eternity with the intensity of our love for God at this point in time.

May we, then, spend life nourishing and nurturing our love for God that it may consistently grow - and reach - the intensity of love which God planned for us when He created us. Staying within God's love and drawing life from Him as branches draw life from the fruitful Vine (that Jesus Christ is) certainly means we are bound to become fruitful branches ourselves.

[grateful_child]

Originally Posted by Amiciel

Spiritual writers have pointed out that during our life on earth, our love for God can consistently grow, through the help of God's grace; and this growth can be from intensity to intensity. Upon death, however, our love's intensity is fixed and we enter eternity with the intensity of our love for God at this point in time.

May we, then, spend life nourishing and nurturing our love for God that it may consistently grow - and reach - the intensity of love which God planned for us when He created us. Staying within God's love and drawing life from Him as branches draw life from the fruitful Vine (that Jesus Christ is) certainly means we are bound to become fruitful branches ourselves.

The saints are great witnesses to this truth, Amiciel. Years - even centuries - after their death, their lives continue to inspire and encourage us! And how many people have received physical and material blessings through their intercession, especially through the Blessed Mother!

[grateful_child]

May 7, 2012 - Monday, 5th Week of Easter:

Opening Prayer at Mass:
"May your right hand, O Lord, we pray,
encompass your family with perpetual help,
so that, defended from all wickedness
by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son,
we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever."


May 7 - St. John of Beverley:

St. John of Beverley was an early English Bishop, a contemporary of St. Bede, who lived in the 8th century. He died in the year 721.

For more on St. John of Beverley and other saints of the day, see links:
EWTN - http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saint...ofbeverley.asp
Odhiambo - http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...622273&page=38