ChristMass

Father Greg Friedman – Greccio and the Christmas Crib

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel has come thee, oh Israel

Icon of the Theotokos

Saint Metrobio of Malesco, December 24

Saint Metrobio of Malesco, Martyr
December 24

In the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul in Malesco, the center of Val Vigezzo in Verbania a few miles from the Swiss border, are the relics of St. Metrobio, arrived in the resort ossolana in the 17^th century. The only source which sounds like a saint hagiography with this name is the Roman Martyrology, where it is stated as at December 24:

Blessed Nicholas Fattore, December 23

Blessed Nicholas Fattore

December 23

Franciscan preacher. A native of Valencia, Spain, he entered the Franciscans in 1537 and subsequently labored as a preacher. It was his custom to scourge himself before delivering each sermon. In the process of his beatification in 1786, St. Paschal Baylon and Blessed Louis Bertrand were summoned to act as witnesses.

Source: Catholic Online

Archaeologists in Nazareth unearth remains of building dating back to Jesus’ time

Just in time for Christmas! How cool is that?

Jerusalem (CNN) — Archaeologists in Israel say they have discovered the remains of a home from the time of Jesus in the heart of Nazareth.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority said the find “sheds light on the way of life at the time of Jesus” in the Jewish settlement of Nazareth, where Christians believe Jesus grew up.

The find marks the first time researchers have uncovered the remains of a home in Nazareth from that time period, the Israeli Antiquities Authority said in a statement.

Social Networking and Addictive Behavior

Everyone knows someone who spends too much time online; sometimes I’m that person. I check my e-mail way too much; I have it open in a browser window, both at home and at work. Especially at home. Yet I know people who consider e-mail to be a huge timewaster in their workday and who manage it by checking a few times a day; first thing in the morning, before or after lunch and before leaving at the end of the day.

Right now, I have my e-mail browser open, and yes, if an e-mail pops up, I look at it. I’m not on Facebook, though the NY Times has an interesting article on the addictive qualities thereof and the lengths to which people will go avoid logging in. Including asking someone else to change their password. You know it’s serious when someone gives it up for Lent!

I’m trying to post a few days at a time so I can step back from the computer but at the same time share information with others; I missed a day again, as I was in the midst of a shopping frenzy, buying, wrapping  and delivering my charitable contributions. Saturday I went everywhere, including the cemetery (cemetery season has now officially closed until Easter), then went to vigil Mass and back shopping again. On Sunday, my charitable activities interfered with my favorite Mass time.

Mass was quiet tonight and if I’d been prepared, I could’ve gone to Confession. Two priests, no waiting! There was also Confession tonight but I plan to go tomorrow after Mass and Adoration. It’s best that way.

Saint Honoratus, December 22

Saint Honoratus, Bishop of Toulouse
December 22

We know little about this character and the scant information we have is uncertain. He ranked second in the list of Bishops of Toulouse, including Saint Saturninus, Martyr to the 250 and Rhodes, who died in 358, but his name comes from the legend of St. Firmino martyr, “the story of the most fabulous,” according to Duchesne. According to this document, Honoratus, bishop of Toulouse, was educated and ordained bishop Firmino, son of Senator Spanish Firmus, himself converted by Saint Saturnino.

His body was found in 1265 in the basilica of St-Sernin and was the object of worship in the 15^th centiry; his name was added to December 22 in the calendar of a Breviary copied in 1404.

Author: Henri Platelle

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Dominic Spadafora, December 21

Blessed Dominic Spadafora, Friar and Priest

Randazzo, Sicily, ca. 1450-December 21, 1521

Dominic Spadafora received the habit at the priory of St Zita at Palermo and became a zealous preacher of the Word in Sicily and throughout Italy. He had a special devotion to the passion of our Lord and by his charity and humility converted many to the Lord, even attracting some to the Order. He founded thepriory of Our Lady of Grace in Monte Cerignone, Sicily, where he remained as superior until his death on December 21, 1521.

The order commemorates his death on October 3, the date of the translation of his remains in 1677.

Source: Order of Preachers

Keep the Baby or Get an Abortion?

She was pregnant. Her fiance would be hurt, angy, disappointed in her and he would surely cancel the wedding….he KNEW it was not his baby. All her girlfriends told her to get an abortion. That would make everything great. She wouldn’t hurt him so deeply and her parents would never know. It all sounded so simple…no one would know. But somehow she just couldn’t do it.

She had to bear the shame…the hurt in the eyes of dear Joey and her mother…it made her cry to remember the shame they all felt that day. And when all their friends and neighbors found out they just rubbed salt in the wound of shame. But, eventually the nine months passed and she gave birth to her son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger as she kissed the face of God.

Saints Abraham and Coren, December 20

Saints Abraham and Coren Confessors
December 20

Abraham and Coren were disciples of the holy bishops Joseph, Isaac, and Leander, Armenian priests who were married and had the cure of souls. When in 450 the king of Persia, the Armenians Iezdegerd II sent a decree ordering the mazdeismo to accept as religion, the clergy and principles of Armenians gathered at the synod of Artashat, responded strongly that they preferred death rather than renounce their Christian faith. At this synod was attended by Abraham and Coren. The following year (451) the king sent his army to impose by force what had been unable to achieve with the threats, but the Armenian people under the leadership of her principles fought bravely, and the clergy to support and encourage the soldiers in tough fight. The war marked a defeat for the Armenians, many of whom gained the palm of martyrdom, while others were taken prisoner. Among the latter were also Abraham and Coren, who together with their teachers Joseph, Isaac, and Leander, were thrown into prison for three years in the city of Nisapur, north-east of Persia.

The bishops were put to death since they were held responsible for the rebellion against the king, while their disciples Abraham and Coren, asked to renounce their faith in favor of the worship of the sun was proposed to be set free. They refused, and so the judge ordered them Tamsapur dragged on the ground and then cut off their ears, then sent them to forced labor in Mesopotamia in the lands of the king. Here they lavished help and console the survivors of the Armenian prisoners of war 451. After seven years of hard work, in 461, Coren died after a sunstroke confessing his faith, while Abraham continued for two years to endure life in exile, until he was released in 463 and was able to return home. Here, however, because the people honored him as a confessor, he retired to devote himself to life in solitude cenobitic. After three years, however, the fame of his angelic life attracted even more attention to the people, which forced him to accept the consecration of bishops. He was, in fact, Bishop of Bznunik for some years and died with a reputation for holiness. The feast of the two holy confessors is celebrated on 20 December.

Author: Paolo Ananian

Source: Santi e Beati

Blessed 6 Mercedarian Fathers, December 19

Blessed 6 Mercedarian Fathers
December 19

The Blessed Mercedarians: Peter of Benevento, Giovanni de Verdera, Bartholomew of Podium, William de Pruner, Peter de Gualba and William de Gallinaris, distinguished for the sanctity of life. Distinguished by the observance of monastic rules, by constant prayer and the practice of every virtue rushed to go to heaven and enjoy eternal delight.

The Order celebrates them on December 19.

Source: Santi e Beati

St. Malachi, December 18

St. Malachi Prophet
December 18
Sofa, Palestine, ca. 519 to 425 BC

The book of the prophet Malachi closes in the Old Testament, the series of minor prophets. Emblematic of the fact that the last verses speak of a messenger of God sent to restore the proper relationship between God and his people. A messianic prophecy that comes in the heart of Israel’s history but is not limited to the context in which it originated. Malachi operates several decades after the reconstruction of the temple, which had occurred around 520 BC, after his return from exile. In this period had already prophesied to look ahead and pushed the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. But the restoration of temple ritual is often emptied of its true soul: the celebration of God’s work in history. Malachi’s voice rises to denounce indifference and externality, remoteness from the Lord and injustice. The solution proposed by the Holy Prophet is that of a preparatory meeting with the Lord. A message that resonates particularly appropriate at this time of Advent.

Source: Santi e Beati

St. John de Matha, December 17

St. John de Matha

Faucon (Provence), France ca. 1154-Rome, 1213

Tradition holds that John de Matha was born in Faucon (Provence), France around the year 1154. He completed his graduate studies with honors at the University of Paris where he later taught theology. Ordained to the priesthood he experienced a heavenly vision while celebrating his first Mass. He quickly realized that he had been destined by the Lord to redeem Christian captives.

To attain this objective, he founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity at Cerfroid, France about 1193. He wrote the Order’s Rule, which was approved by Pope Innocent III in 1198. Professing the Rule with great zeal, he was very active in redeeming Christian captives and performing works of mercy. All his life he sought the glory of the Triune God, whose mystery of love and redemption he set as the foundation and purpose of the Order. He died in Rome in the house of St. Thomas In Formis on the Caelian Hill on December 17, 1213.

Source: Trinitarian Order

Blessed Honoratus (Wenceslas) Kazminski, December 16

Blessed Honoratus (Wenceslas) Kazminski, Capuchin
Biala (Poland), October 16, 1829 –Nowe Miasto, December 16, 1916

Honoratus, born Wencesalo Kozminski, was born in Biala Podlaska October 16, 1829. He received his early education at home and completed his primary studies in Plock, then went to Warsaw to study architecture. In 1846 he suffered a religious crisis, after which he entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in Warsaw, and was ordained a priest on December 27, 1852. He dedicated himself to an intense pastoral care and founded over 26 religious institutes, 18 of which exist today. He was a prolific writer, spiritual director and sought out confessor. He died in Nowe Miasto December 16, 1916. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1988.

St. Maximin of Micy, Abbot, December 15

SAINT MAXIMIN or MESMIN of VERDUN
Abbot of Micy
(† ca. 520)

Saint Maximin was a native of Verdun. A priest named Euspicius, uncle of Maximin, brought about a reconciliation between the French monarch Clovis and his subjects of that city, after the latter had engaged in a revolt. Clovis, appreciating the virtues of the good priest, persuaded Euspicius to take up his residence at the court in Orleans; and the servant of God took Saint Maximin, his nephew, with him. Maximin was ordained a deacon by the bishop of Orleans, and then a priest.

Saint Pompey of Pavia, December 14

Saint Pompey Bishop of Pavia
December 14

Roman Martyrology: At Pavia, Saint Pompey, bishop, who, successor to the San Siro after a few peaceful years passed and the Lord.

Five days ago, speaking of San Siro, first bishop of Pavia and fabulous evangelist for much of the valley of the mighty Po. In the work of throwing the net of the fisherman of men on the flat and fertile land stretched as far as d ‘ eye around the towers and steeples of Pavia, he had as collaborator San Pompeo.

Blessed John Marinon, December 13



Blessed John Marinoni
Venice, December 25, 1490 – Naples, December 13, 1562

Roman Martyrology: In Naples, Blessed John (Francis) Marinoni, a priest of the Order of Clerics Regular those Teatini, dedicated to St. Gaetano, together to reform the clergy and the salvation of souls, and gave impetus to the pawnshop for the help needy.

He is called the master of the holy Theatines, born December 25, 1490 in Venice by parents natives of Bergamo, at baptism he took the name of Francis who changed following his religious profession.

Why Gay Marriage is not Inevitable!

NRO has an excellent piece on the subject.

Maggie’s Top Eight Reasons Why Gay Marriage Is Not Inevitable

1. Nothing is inevitable.

We are talking about the future here. It’s weird to have  “reporting” that something that has not yet happened will certainly happen. The future is never inevitable.

2. Young people are not as unanimous as most people think.

In California, the young-adults vote split 55 percent to 45 percent. Is it so hard to imagine 5 percent of those young people changing their minds as they move through the life cycle?

3. The argument from despair is bait and switch.

They are trying push the idea that gay marriage is inevitable, because they are losing the argument that gay marriage is a good idea.

Atheists or Anti-Christians, you decide

I was a bit perplexed at the self-characterization as atheists of a group of people who celebrate the Winter Solstice; Solstices have long been celebrated by polytheistic pagan groups.

It seems odd not to admit pagan tendencies; rejecting Christmas and instead celebrating a traditional polytheistic day of worship does not an atheist make.

I guess they just don’t want to admit that they’re anti-Christians when all is said and done; atheist implies that they reject god in all forms, not just the Christian God. Celebrating the Solstice implies they find polytheistic worship acceptable.

Blessed James Capocci of Viterbo, December 12

Blessed James Capocci of Viterbo
Viterbo, about 1255 – Naples, 1307 / 8

He was born in Viterbo around 1255, but there is no information about his childhood. In 1272 he entered between the Hermits of St. Augustine, dressed in the habit in Viterbo Convent of the Holy Trinity. He studied theology in Paris where he received his doctorate in theology in 1293. Taught in Naples for two years beginning in 1300, when Boniface VIII appointed him archbishop of Benevento and then he went to Naples. Here he gained the confidence of King Charles II of Anjou and his son Robert, Duke of Calabria, who helped him in building the new cathedral. On May 13, 1306 he started, at the request of Clement V, the cause of canonization of Celestine V. In this cause he devoted himself with zeal until his death in Naples at the end of 1307. His only published work in full and the ‘De regimine christiano, “written in 1303 during the struggle between Boniface VIII and Philip the Fair. His cult was officially confirmed by Pius X in 1911.

Blessed Martin Lumbreras Sanchez Perez Peralta and Melchiorre Sanchez, December 11

Blessed Martin Lumbreras Sanchez Perez Peralta and Melchiorre Sanchez, Augustinian Priests and Martyrs
+ Nagasaki, Japan, December 11, 1632

Spanish Blessed Martin of St. Nicholas Lumbreras Peralta, professed priest of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, was Martyred with his brother Melchior of Saint Augustine Sanchez just arrived in the Japanese city of Nagasaki, were closed in a dark cell, and then burnt. John Paul II beatified them April 23, 1989.

Roman Martyrology: At Nagasaki in Japan, and Melchiorre Blessed Martin Lumbreras Peralta Sánchez Pérez, Priests and Martyrs of the Order of Saint Augustine, who just arrived in this city were arrested and thrown into a dark cell, and finally burned at the stake.

Martin was born in Zaragoza Lumbreras a noble family in 1598. He took the habit of an Augustinian convent in Recollet Borja, taking vows in Zaragoza in 1619. Three years later, in July, 1622, he set out from Cadiz to the islands of the Philippines, where he arrived the following year, accompanied by thirteen Augustinian Recollect missionaries. Led to the withdrawal was particularly cloistered and his superiors assigedn him to the convent of Manila, in the first place as sacristan major, then for a period of eight years as novice master. In recent years, he greatly promoted the cult of the Virgin of Pilar, to which he dedicated a picture and an altar in the church of S. Nicola.

His desire was still hidden Japan: live and die for the Christian community, as proven at that time. In a letter dated August 4, 1631 he announced his desire to the vicar general, and exactly one year later, on August 4, 1632, he departed from Manila for Japan in the company of Fr Melchior of Saint Augustine who would be his constant companion until his martyrdom. Both arrived in Nagasaki eight days later.

Melchiorre Sanchez was born in Granada in 1599. At the age of nineteen he professed his religious vows in the convent of Augustinian Recollects of his hometown. In 1621, he departed for the Phillipines in the company of twenty-three other Augustinian Recollect missionaries, arriving in Manila in July of 1622. He learned the Tagalog dialects and Hisaya and exercised the apostolate in the recently opened missions of Mindanao, without a doubt the most difficult of the archipelago. He also spent some time in Manila as a preacher of the Spaniards until August 4, 1632, when he made his desire to go to Japan.

From that moment his life took place beside Martin.

Todd Sentell’s Tribute to Flannery O’Connor: I WENT DOWN TO THE INTERSECTION OF PICK-UP TRUCKS AND HOLY WATER

From the National Book Award page.

Concerning the dedication of your Georgia historical marker under the hot Milledgeville sun

Dear Flannery,

Forty-three years after you died too young, a Georgia historical marker was stuck in the ground across the highway from the end of Andalusia’s driveway. On a boiling morning in July, in the long shadow of a big Badcock & More furniture store sign, just before the dedication ceremony started, a suntanned fellow in a red pick-up truck drove past and honked his horn. For an instant, I thought Parker was back.

The mayor of Milledgeville spoke about you in his Milledgeville accent. And then, a priest with an Irish name in a big white robe from your old church got up in front of everybody and waved his hands around and read some things from out of that book that’s not exactly the Bible. He said some things that a few of your fellow Catholics repeated with him, and then the priest flicked the historical marker, while it was still covered with an official Georgia historical marker blue cover, with holy water. He flicked his wood water wand six times. I counted.

Blessed Thomas Somers, December 10

Blessed Thomas Somers, Priest and Martyr
+ Tyburn, England, December 10, 1610

Thomas Somers, a Priest from the Westmoreland, shared the fate of the Benedictine John Roberts: both because they were accused, convicted and hanged, drawn and quartered for refusing to convert to Anglicanism. Thomas Somers was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI and some of his relics are found in the Abbey of Downside.

Roman Martyrology: At Tyburn, nineteen years later, Saint John Roberts, the Order of St. Benedict, and Blessed Thomas Somers, Priests and Martyrs, who, under King James I were condemned for their priesthood, they were hung together at the same scaffold as sixteen criminals.

source: Santi e Beati

Friday’s Flannery: A Stroke of Good Fortune, by Flannery O’Connor

William Blake’s Jacob’s Ladder

Friday’s Flannery is a series of posts on Flannery O’Connor’s short stories.

A Stroke of Good Fortune is a masterful little story.  By no means Flannery’s most popular, it strikes at the heart of post War American aspirations and the spiritual challenges that accompany them.  Ruby Hill is another of Flannery’s tortured souls.  As with most of her sorry characters, Ruby’s miseries are  produced by a bad interaction between her state in life and her refusal to understand and accept it gracefully.  Her ambitions are patently American and modern rather than specifically Southern.  Ruby is caught up in self pity over her daily routine of walking eight blocks each way for groceries and having to carry them up four flights.  In her head spin aspirations of one-storied suburban life, a novelty in 1949.  She pines for the “good life,” desperately seeking to avoid the miseries of her mother who bore eight children and lost several along the way.  She is proud of having mastered her fertility which in her mind is both wise and progressive.

Progress and Sin

Many of Flannery’s stories address the idea of progress and contrast it with eternal verities.  In A View of the Woods, she contrasts the pursuit of money and power represented by progress with the values of family and the beauty of nature.  Some of her characters dismiss Catholicism as medieval and backward.  Flannery almost always presents the modern and the progressive as instances of certain deadly sins including Greed, Jealousy, Gluttony and Pride.   In A Stroke of Good Fortune, we

Bruce Allen, RIP

Today I learned that the guitarist for a great local band, the Suburbs, died at a young age. Bruce Allen was only 54.

Remember, Love is the Law.

BeFrienders Ministry Training

I’m behind on Saints and Blesseds as I suddenly and unexpectedly had BeFrienders Ministry training. It was purely unintentional and was an exhausting couple of days; I had a busy schedule last weekend anyway, so no time to post or to do many other necessary things. There was a lot of material and it required responding to difficult issues so was rather emotional at times. In some ways I’m uncertain whether I’m qualified for this, but I know I was supposed to go through the training. I had forgotten all about it; the information session I attended was about 6 weeks ago and there wasn’t much of a warning before the training.

Another requirement of the Church is Virtus training; it’s required for all who come in contact with children, whether clergy, employees or volunteers.

The great thing about this training is that it raises awareness and people are more likely to report inappropriate behavior. We were also provided with a list of contact numbers for the county child protection departments, though in some circumstances it may be appropriate to call 911. The bottom line? If someone is behaving inappropriately with children, the authorities need to investigate. No matter who’s going to be embarrassed.

There will also be a background check, which, in my case, will be easy; I’ve had them before, for various reasons, most recently a couple of years ago. Interestingly the trainer referenced a case in which an organization collected information for background checks but chose not to follow through with them.

Hello, lawsuit?

While many perpetrators go years without being caught, it’s irresponsible not even to see what comes up in a background check; maybe the person doesn’t have a record of violence against children, but there could be other violent acts or indications of substance abuse.

Because it involves bringing Communion to people in various situations, someone will make a judgment call on whether I’m an appropriate person to carry the Body of Christ with me. I’m uncertain about it.

Other than that? It’s a discernment process, both on my part and that of the person in charge of this ministry.

Blessed Aloysius Liguda, December 9

Blessed ALOYSIUS LIGUDA, SVD – Priest
1898, Winow- December 9, 1942, Dachau
Educator and Spiritual Director

Not much is known about the death of Fr. Aloysius Liguda. According to eye-witnesses he was drowned along with nine other prisoners on December 9, 1942, in the concentration camp at Dachau. But his Calvary was a long one, since he endured nearly three years of suffering before his death. He was arrested in Gorna Grupa in February, 1940, and he passed through two different concentration camps (Stutthof and Sachsenhausen) before his detention at Dachau. He experienced forced labor, hunger, beatings, and other inhuman treatment, but his presence was a support to other prisoners. His spirit of tranquility and his sense of humor helped many to endure the brutal ity of the concentration camp. Even in the most trying situations he found words of encouragement or a joke to share with others. He remained faithful to his religious missionary vocation in the midst of torture and disdain for human dignity until his martyrdom.

Blessed Adolph Kolping, December 4

Blessed Adolph Kolping, Priest, Founder
Kerpen (Cologne), December 8, 1813 – Cologne, December 4, 1865

Adolph Kolping, cobbler, became a priest and a true father of workers artisans formed a work, Kolpingwerk, spread throughout the world with hundreds of thousands of members. Born in 1813 in Kerpen (near Cologne) in a family of shepherds, he exercised the profession of cobbler around Germany. Then he resumed his studies and was ordained priest in Cologne. He was assigned to the industrial area of Wuppertal and became an assistant of the local society of young workers. In 1835 he founded the first home care and vocational training. He died in Cologne in 1865. He was Beatified in 1991.

Roman Martyrology: At Cologne, Germany, Blessed Adolph Kolping, a priest, who, moved by fervent love for the problems of workers in factories and on issues of social justice, he founded an association of young workers and spread to many places.

Christmas Stamps for Blondes

A blonde went to the post office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards.

She asked the clerk for fifty Christmas stamps. The clerk asked, ‘What denomination?’ The blonde exclaimed ‘God help us, Has it come to this?

Give me 6 Catholic, 12 Presbyterian, 10 Lutheran and 22 Baptist!’

When Did Catholics Add Books to the Bible?

Q. When did Catholics add books to the Bible?

A. They never did. The Jews and the Protestants removed books from the OT. The Catholic Church simply received the Septuagint version of the Hebrew scriptures, from the Jews, at the time of Christ. This became known as the Old Testament. 70 years later, the Jews removed 7 Old Testament books from the Septuagint. The reason given for this was that they could no longer find those books in Hebrew.

Interestingly some of these books were being used to good advantage to make converts among the Jews. For example:

Blessed John Nepomuk Von Tschiderer Gleifheim, December 3

Blessed John Nepomuk Von Tschiderer Gleifheim
Bolzano, 15 April 1777 – Trent, December 3, 1860

In the diocese of Trent, he devoted himself tirelessly to pastoral visits.

Roman Martyrology: In Trent, Blessed John Nepomuk von Tschiderer, Bishop, who ruled his church with evangelical fervor of faith and sense of humanity in times of misfortune and offered a wonderful testimony of love for his flock.

Fifth of seven brothers, John of Nepomuk de Tschiderer was born in Bolzano April 15, 1777 by Giuseppe Gioacchino de Tschiderer of Gleifheim, collector general of Tyrol and Catherine de Giovanelli. As a child he had pronunciation problems and stuttered slightly as an adult. From the family he received careful and strict upbringing. In 1785, his family had moved to Innsbruck, but next he would be back in Bolzano at his grandfather’s house to attend the school of the Franciscans, where he distinguished himself for honest and diligent enforcement.

Pope Benedict VXI’s Prayer Intentions for December

BENEDICT XVI’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER

VATICAN CITY, 1 DEC 2009 (VIS) – Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for December is: “That children may be respected and loved and never be the victims of exploitation in its various forms”.

His mission intention is: “That at Christmas the peoples of the earth may recognise in the Word Incarnate the light which illuminates every man, and that the nations may open their doors to Christ, the Saviour of the world”.

BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/DECEMBER/…                            VIS 091201 (80)

Blessed Raffaele Chylinski, December 2

Blessed Raffaele Chylinski, Franciscan
Poznan, Poland, 1694 – Lagiewniki, Poland, December 2, 1741

Roman Martyrology: In Logiewniki, Poland, Blessed Raffaele (Melchior) Chylinski, a Priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, who, in Krakow, during the plague, visited the patients to help them prepare for a holy and honorable and Christian death.

Thanks to a miracle attributed to his intercession and approved January 22, 1991, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II June on 9, 1991 in Warsaw, during his apostolic visit to Poland.

Chylinski Melchiorre was born in Wysoczko the January 8, 1694 in the district of Poznan in Poland, grew up in healthy environment and pious and completed his studies in the schools of his city, embraced the military life and became lieutenant-Journal, but did not last long, obeying the call of God he felt within himself, at age 21 he went to Krakow and entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual and April 4, 1715, received the habit of changing the cleric named Raffaele.

After his novitiate he made his solemn profession if vows in December 1717 and was ordained a priest. Was Brother monastery of rare spirituality, he carried out his apostolate in various convents of the Order especially in Krakow and Lagiewniki, surrounded by the fame of sanctity.

He died with the unanimous regret of the members in Lagiewniki December 2, 1741 at 47 years or so.

On 29 August 1772, his cause for beatification was introduced by the Diocese of Warsaw and came under the decree on May 13, 1949.

Author: Antonio Borrelli

source: Santi e Beati

 

 

Sanitized Claus

Thomas Nast’s Santa

You better watch out, you better not shout, you better not cry, I’m tellin’ you why….Sanitized claus is comin’ to town! Sanitized Claus is comin’ to town!

~~~

Santa Claus is not on the priority immunization list so is bringing loads of hand sanitizer with him to the mall or parties, wherever he goes. You can’t trust people to stay home or keep their kids home when they’re sick.

Saint Alexander Briant, December 1

Saint Alexander Briant, Jesuit Priest and Martyr

Somerset, England, about 1556 – Tyburn, London, December 1, 1581

Roman Martyrology: In London, England, Saint Edmund Campion, Rodolfo Sherwin and Alexander Briant, priests and martyrs under Queen Elizabeth I, celebrated for their ingenuity and strength in faith. Edmund, who from an early age he professed the Catholic faith, admitted into the Society of Jesus in Rome and was ordained priest in Prague, he returned home, where, for their efforts in comforting the souls of the faithful with his words and his writings , was killed, after many torments, at Tyburn. With him suffered the same torments the saints Rudolph and Alexander, the second of which he obtained in prison to be admitted into the Society of Jesus.

Blessed Josè Otín Aquiluè, November 30

Blessed Josè Otín Aquiluè, Salesian, Priest and Martyr
Huesca, Spain, December 22, 1901 – Valencia, Spain, November 1936

Roman Martyrology: At Valencia, Spain, Blessed Joseph Otín Aquila, a priest of the Salesian Society and Martyr, who, in the same persecution, reached the heavenly kingdom undefeated in the constancy of faith.

He was born in Huesca on December 22, 1901. He studied in the Salesian Schools. Soon he decided to go to Campello (Alicante), to give answer to his vocation. He was ordained a priest in 1928. His smile had attracted a character that easily linked with young people. Apart from studies in Carabanchel (Madrid), the rest of his life was spent in the province of Alicante: Villena, Campello and Alcoy. When civil war broke out he left for Valencia and found refuge in an inn. He stayed there until he was terminated, then disappeared and he sank into oblivion.

One of the Blessed Spanish Salesian Martyrs of Valencia, he was beatified on March 11, 2001 by Pope John Paul II with 201 other victims of the same persecution.

Source: Salesians

source: Santi e Beati

Blessed Dionysius of the Nativity (Peter Berthelot, Priest) and Redemptus Cross (Thomas Rodriguez) Martyrs, November 29

Blessed Dionysius  of the Nativity (Peter Berthelot) and Redemptus Cross (Thomas Rodriguez) Martyrs

December 12, 1600, Honfleur, France – November 29, 1638, Aachen Ca. 1598, Portugal – November 29, 1638, Aachen

Dionysius was born in Honfleur in France December 12, 1600. Cosmographer and captain of ships of the kings of France and Portugal, in 1635 he became a Discalced Carmelite in Goa, where in 1615 he professed as a “talk” Thomas also Rodriguez de Cunha (born 1598), Portuguese, taking the name of the Cross, Redeemed . Mandates on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, November 29, 1638 crowned with martyrdom, near the city of Aachen, their faith in Christ, witnessed steadfastly to the end. They were beatified by Pope Leo XIII June 10, 1900.

St. Stephen the Younger, November 28

St. Stephen the Younger, Monk, Eastern Martyr
Constantinople, 715 – November 28, 764

A Monk of the East, he lived in the eighth century, during the iconoclast period, of which he was a victim and Martyr. Born in Constantinople in 715, Stephen began at first under the direction of a hermit, then entered the monastery of Monte Sant’Aussenzio in Bithynia, where he became Aabbot. Here he lived, praying and doing the job of copying texts. At that time the emperor Constantine Copronymo, the iconoclast in his battle against the sacred images, had aimed particularly at the monks. Following the council of Hiera, which in 753 condemned the defenders of icons, Stephen openly sided against the emperor. This cost him long harassment, imprisonment and abuse. On November 28, 764 Stephen was killed by some officers of the palace at Constantinople, without the order of the emperor.

Reclaiming Christmas from the Mall

On this Eve of Black Friday, it turns out that there are people who don’t worship at the altar of the retail gods the day after Thanksgiving.

What I find striking about this article, coming from the Catholic tradition, in which Mass is available every day of the week, is that the Unitarians have to have a special service on Black Friday. They have nothing scheduled otherwise. Apparently they just go to church on Sunday and call it good.

Granted, I live in a historically Catholic area, and there are churches with Mass in the morning, convenient for people before work; but there’s a church three blocks from my workplace with 12:10 Mass every day. And there are several in the area with 5:15 pm daily Mass. Sometimes, like Thanksgiving, the schedule is curtailed, and there’s only one Mass and no Confession.

Tomorrow? Many churches with daily Mass will be on their regular schedule. If not? The Cathedral where I live is on its regular schedule. I bet the Basilica is too. If you need a respite from extreme shopping, there’s a Catholic Church near you with Mass, Confession and Adoration.

Blessed Bernardine of Fossa, November 27

Saint Bernardine of Fossa, Franciscan Priest

Fossa (L’Aquila), 1421 – L’Aquila, November 27, 1503

Of the Order of Friars Minor, historian and ascetical writer, b. at Fossa, in the Diocese of Aquila, Italy, in 1420; d. at Aquila, 27 November, 1503. Blessed Bernardine belonged to the ancient and noble family of the Amici, and sometimes bears the name of Aquilanus on account of his long residence and death in the town of Aquila. He received his early training at Aquila and thence went to Perugia to study canon and civil law.

On the 12th of March in the year 1445, he received the Seraphic habit from St. James of the Marches who was then preaching a course of Lenten sermons at Perugia. From the time of his entrance into religion, Bernardine never ceased to advance in religious perfection, and the success which crowned his missionary labours throughout Italy, as well as in Dalmatia and Serigonia, bears witness to the eminent sanctity of his life. Bernardine fulfilled the office of provincial of the province of St. Bernardine and of the province of Dalmatia and Bosnia, and would have been chosen Bishop of Aquila had not his humility forbidden him to accept this dignity.

His cult was approved by Leo XII, 26 March, 1828. His feast is kept in the Franciscan Order on the 7th of November. The writings of Blessed Bernardine include several sermons and divers ascetical and historical opuscules; among the latter, the “Chronica Fratrum Minorum Observantiae” deserves special mention. This interesting chronicle was first edited by Leonard Lemmens, O.F.M., from the autograph manuscript, and is prefaced by an interesting life of Blessed Bernardine and a critical estimate of his writings. It may also be mentioned that Bernardine is the author of the first life of his patron, St. Bernardine of Siena.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia

 

Saint Leonardo de Porto Maurizio, November 26

Saint Leonardo de Porto Maurizio, Priest
Porto Maurizio, Imperia, 1676 – Rome, November 26, 1751

It is this saint to whom we owe the credit for having conceived the Via Crucis. Ligure (1676-1751), was the son of a sea captain. Born in Porto Maurizio, Imperia today, he studied in Rome at the Collegio Romano, then entered the retirement of St. Bonaventure, on the Palatine Hill, where he would wear the Franciscan habit. Posted in Corsica by the Pope to restore harmony among the citizens, he was able to obtain, despite the serious divisions among the inhabitants, an unthinkable embrace. The theme of the Cross was at the center of his preaching drew crowds to repentance and Christian piety. Alfonso Maria de Liguori called him “the greatest missionary of our century.”

Roman Martyrology: In Rome in the convent of Saint Bonaventura on the Palatine Hill, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, Priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who, full of love for souls, engaged all his life in preaching, in publishing books of devotion and to visit in over three hundred missions in Rome, Corsica and Northern Italy.

Young Franciscan Leonardo had asked to be a missionary in China. Cardinal Colloredo had replied: “Your China will be Italy.”

And at the end of the seventeenth century, Italy had enough misery and misfortune enough to be considered mission territory.

Leonardo was a student in Rome, when a friend suggested going to hear a sermon. A few steps, they found that a hanged man dangling from the gallows. “This is the sermon,” said the two young men.
A few days later, the son of a sea captain of Porto Maurizio, Liguria, followed by two figures of monks who climbed to the convent of San Bonaventura on the Palatine Hill, where he donned the habit of the Franciscans called “the riformella” or “displaced” .

Devoting himself to preaching, perhaps remembering that torture hanging from the gallows, including Leonardo was always in mind the other execution, hanging on the Cross. Therefore, his favorite theme was that of the Via Crucis, typically Franciscan devotion to which he gave the largest spread.

His preaching had something dramatic and tragic, often by torchlight and voluntary torture, which underwent between Leonardo, now placing his hand on the torch lit, now scourging blood.

Immense crowds flocked to hear him and be impressed by his fiery speech, which re-called to repentance and Christian piety. “He is the greatest missionary of our century,”said St. Alphonsus de Liguori. Often, the entire audience, during his sermons, burst into sobs.

He preached throughout Italy, but the region of Tuscany was beaten because of the cold Jansenism, he wanted to fight first of all with the fervor of his heart, then with his themes more effective, namely the Name of Jesus, the Madonna and the Via Crucis.

In a visit to Corsica, the island’s troubled robbers fired their muskets into the air, shouting: “Viva friar Leonardo, long live peace.”

Back in Liguria, was launching a galley, named in his honor, San Leonardo. But he was gravely ill, the sailors said: “The boat is water.”

Consumed by the missionary labors, he was finally recalled to Rome, where, with his impassioned sermons, which also assisted the Pope, he prepared the spiritual climate for the Jubilee of 1750. On that occasion, he planted the Via Crucis at the Colosseum, declaring that place sacred to the martyrs.

Historians have also demonstrated that the Colosseum was never martyred Christians, but the preaching ~ in good faith – of San Leonardo prevented the further destruction of the monument, hitherto regarded as a quarry of good stone.

It was his last effort. He died the following year, and San Bonaventura al Palatino it took the soldiers to hold back the crowd who wanted to see the Holy priest and take away his relics. “We lose a friend on earth – the Pope Lambertini said – but we gain a protector in heaven.”

It was he who suggested the definition of the Marian dogma of the Immaculate Conception, through consultation letters with all the pastors of the Church.

Source: Parish Archives

Note: The site of the Compagnia di San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio

source: Santi e Beati

VOCATIONS TUESDAY: Society of Saint Vincent Ferrier

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NOTE TO READERS: If you have any suggestions for orders or communities you feel should be highlighted for TCB’s “Vocations Tuesday” please Contact us! @ ASimpleSinner@gmail.com! Include “VOCATIONS TUESDAY” in the subject line please!

Blessed Giacomo Meseguer Burillo, November 25

 

Blessed Giacomo Meseguer Burillo, Dominican Priest, Martyr
Híjar Meseguer Burillo (Teruel), Spain, 1 May 1885-Barcelona, Spain, date unknown

Roman Martyrology: The blessed Martyr Giacomo Meseguer Burillo, a Dominican Priest, who, in Barcelona, on a day remaining unknown, completed test to the glorious Christ.

He was Beatified on March 11, 2001, together with 232 others, a group known as Blessed Spanish Dominicans of Aragon.

source: Santi e Beati

~~~

Note: other sources name him Santiago. I don’t know which is right.  I don’t know where he was buried. I don’t know when he died. I would love to have more information.

Please join me in praying for the repose of his soul.

 

 

 

Blessed Louis de la Pena, November 24

Blessed Louis de la Pena, Priest, Martyr, Mercedario
+ November 24, 1599

Of Chilean origin, Blessed Louis de la Pena received his Mercedarian religious training in Chile, professing before the year 1578. Ordained a priest, he held various offices in his province, especially evangelize Araucans and was Commendatore of the convent of Valdivia. In an attack Araucans warriors who entered the night in the convent, Father Luig, awakened after the other men, went down in the church and ate the consecrated hosts, to prevent them from being desecrated. He still had the ciborium in his hand, when the warriors came to the church and killed him with blows of lance and looking for the Blessed Sacrament, they opened his chest and tore his heart out. It was November 24 1599, where his body was burned in the fire of the church and he is considered a Martyr of the Eucharist.

The Order celebrates him on November 24.

source: Santi e Beati

Celtic Woman – Ave Maria Novena – Day Four

Blessed Michael Augustin Pro, November 23

Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro Jesuit Martyr
November 23
Guadeloupe, January 13, 1891 – Mexico City, November 23, 1927

Born in Guadeloupe in 1891, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1911, after two of his sisters had taken the veil. He studied in Nicaragua, Spain and Belgium, where he was ordained a priest in 1925. Back in Mexico, he carried out his mission in a period of persecution against the Church. In 1927 he was wrongly accused of being part of a plot to kill a general candidate for president. After a farcical trial, he was shot. To his funeral, defying prohibitions, rushed 20 thousand people. He was beatified on September 25, 1988 by Pope John Paul II, together with other Mexican Martyrs of Persecution.

What would Jesus buy?

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, with lots of food and travel, immediately followed by a black Friday shopping frenzy, a columnist poses the question, “What would Jesus buy?”

There are a couple of groups out there that advocate against consumerism. While I’m no longer the shopper that I was, and have pared down my gift list considerably, I can’t imagine that many people will be able to avoid the big box stores or will think to shop locally.

In my area, “locally” could arguably include several big box retailers headquartered here. And a lot of people rely on incomes derived from working either at HQ or in retail stores. In fact, one of my friends just completed several months as a temp at one of the HQ’s. She loved it and hopes to become an employee.

Since I want a new electronic item, I’m likely to shop at a big box store. Soon, because after Thanksgiving, I’m not likely to want to venture to them.

There are a lot of great local stores though, in particular a couple of gift shops; I won’t say they’re chains, but each has several locations. I have no information on the religious or political stance of the owners but do know that if I’m at a loss for what to buy, either of these places will have something fun, appropriate and not seen everywhere. I sometimes go window shopping when I don’t need a gift, just to see what’s new.

One place to shop locally, for icons, is at the Carmelite Monastery. Another, for books on theology, saints and other religious topics, is Loome’s. There are also several religious goods stores in the area, some of which have more than one location.

Our local Little Sisters of the Poor have a holiday boutique with crafts, gift baskets and baked goods. You can also support your parish by supporting its gift shop. Or gift case.

I don’t know what Jesus would buy, but I doubt he’d go into a shopping frenzy.

Bishop Tobin says “No Communion for you in my Diocese, Rep. Kennedy”

I guess this means Rep. Kennedy isn’t as Catholic as anyone. NO communion for you in my diocese, due to your public stance that’s against Catholic teaching.

Go Bishop Tobin!

St. Peter Ramirez Esqueda, November 22

St. Peter Ramirez Esqueda, Priest and Martyr
San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico, April 29, 1887 – Teocaltitlán, Mexico, November 22, 1927

He was born in Mexico in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco (Diocese de San Juan de los Lagos) April 29, 1887. As a priest he devoted himself with special care and passion to the catechesis of children. He founded various centers of study and a school for the catechetical formation. When he was in prison he was beaten so severely that a wound opened on his face. A soldier, after hitting him, said, “Now you will be sorry that you are a priest.” But Father Pedro answered, “No, not even a moment, and I miss just watching the sky.” On November 22, 1927 they pulled him out of jail for justice, children surrounded him and father Esqueda repeated insistently: “Do not neglect to study the catechism, nor any reason to leave out the Christian doctrine.” They three shots were fired. He is remembered along with the Mexican saints and martyrs of the twentieth century.

Roman Martyrology: In the city of Teocaltitlán in Mexico, St. Peter Esqueda Ramírez, Priest and Martyr, who, during the persecution in Mexico was thrown into prison for his priesthood, and finally shot.

The 25 Mexican Martyred Saints (Christopher Magallanes Jara and 24 fellows), by the will of John Paul II, immediately after Canonization, were placed in the Roman Calendar on May 21 as an optional memorial. The Martyrologium Romanum commemorates each Saint and Blessed separately, each on the anniversary of martyrdom.

source: Santi e Beati

 

Pope St. Gelasius I

Pope St. Gelasius I  (image source)

November 21

Gelasius was born in Rome, in the fifth century, the son of an African named Valerius. Later, ordained a priest, he was elected Pope on March 1st, 492.  Gelasius had a reputation for learning, justice, holiness, and charity. However, he was burdened with difficulties caused by a conflict with Euphemius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, over the Acacian heresy. He also protested the encroachments by Constantinople on Alexandria and Antioch. Gelasius was influential in setting aside Roman pagan festivals. Moreover, in opposition to the Manichaeans, he ordered reception of the Eucharist under both species. Gelasius is known to have composed liturgical Prefaces and Orations for Sacramentaries, which may be part of the Leonine Sacramentary. However, he had nothing to do with the Gelasian Sacramentary or the Gelasian Decree (listing the Canonical books of the Bible) – which have been erroneously attributed to him. He died at Rome on November 21, 496.

Source: Saints & Angels