St. Irenaeus of Lyons

On the life, writings and spirituality of St. Irenaeus of Lyons, bishop and martyr

St. Irenaeus of Lyons, c. 130-202 A.D.: considered the 1st great theologian of the Church

Biographical sketch

The name of Irenaeus means in Greek "peace lover" or "peacemaker". He was born probably in Asia Minor about the year 130 A.D. He became a priest in early adulthood in the year 177 A.D. at Lyons in France and afterwards was made bishop of that city. Known as a disciple of St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, he was sent to work under Pothinus, the bishop of Lyons, to evangelize the Gauls. It was at this time that Montanus spread erroneous interpretations of Sacred Scripture. Pothinus thus sent Irenaeus to Rome to plead with the Pope for leniency to Montanus and followers. But persecutions of Christians had begun in Gaul. During the absence of St. Irenaeus, Pothinus and others were martyred, and when Irenaeus returned, it was to replace Pothinus as bishop.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons proved himself an excellent pastor, and he was indeed true to his name because he served as moderator of many disputes. In 190 A.D., he restored peace between Pope Victor III and the Christians in Asia Minor, who were excommunicated for observing Easter on the date of Jewish Passover.

St. Irenaeus defended the Catholic faith in his books and soon died a martyr in 202 A.D. during the persecution of Christians under Septimus Severus.

Teaching and spirituality

St. Irenaeus wrote to defend the Catholic faith against the errors of the Gnostics, particularly Valentinian Gnosticism. Valentinian Gnosticism was a popular 2nd century movement which sees God as unknowable and totally remote from matter. However, St. Irenaeus rejects the Gnostic claim that this unknowable God is hostile to the material world. He defended the Catholic faith from this wrong teaching by showing that God is like a loving parent from whom all humanity receives the breath of life. St. Irenaeus teaches that although God may be transcendent and unknowable, God is also immanent - He can be known in love. His basic principle: God cannot be comprehended according to greatness, but only according to love. And according to St. Irenaeus, God's glory is the human person fully alive. The glory of God's divine presence can thus be seen in the dynamism of our human life.

Books and writings

St. Irenaeus wrote the books, "Against Heresies" and "The Proof of the Apostolic Preaching"


Listed below are excerpts from his writings. We can learn about the teaching of St. Irenaeus through what he wrote to defend the Catholic faith.


God shaped the first human; it was God - and no lesser being - who breathed the breath of life into the face of that first human being and imprinted the divine image in its very flesh (Against Heresies 5,6,1)

The glory of God is the living human person, and the life of the human person is the vision of God (Against Heresies 4,20,7)


The joining of the flesh made in the image of God and the soul forms the whole person made into the likeness by the Spirit (Against Heresies 5,6,1)

St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer

St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer was born on January 9, 1902 A.D., in Barbastro, Spain. By divine inspiration, he founded Opus Dei. This prelature has grown to more than 50,000 members and has spread to five continents. The spirit that led Opus Dei is a spirit of holy involvement in the world: one in which all peoples of various walks of life can contribute to the sanctification of the world. For more detailed information about St. Josemaria Escriva and Opus Dei, you may visit:

• 
  www.escrivaworks.org

"The Forge"

This is a book written by St. Josemaria Escriva that has the same writing style and manner as "The Way" and "Furrow". Inspiring and encouraging, the book is divided into short paragraphs of about three to six sentences each - marked and identified by numbers in bold typeface. At the back, there is an index for reference to search for specific subjects of interest.

Titles in the book

To get an idea what St. Josemaria Escriva writes about in "The Forge", the following are titles of chapters in the book:

• Dazzled
• Struggle
• Defeat
• Pessimism
• You can!
• To fight once more
• Recovery
• Victory
• Work
• Crucible
• Selection
• Fruitfulness
• Eternity

"Loyalty to the Church"

This work by St. Josemaria Escriva is a booklet that contains homilies written by him from another writing: "In God's Household". He speaks in this booklet with great love for the Catholic Church and calls her "Mother" in his writing. He develops well why the Church as "Mother" is a mystery: how She is the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. Knowing that She is assailed by many in the world, he defends the Church well by his teachings. Below is an excerpt about the Church being attacked by many in the world and how he goes to Her side in defense:

"If by chance you hear words or shouts of offense to the Church, show these loveless individuals, with humanity and with charity, that one cannot mistreat a Mother in that way. They attack her now with impunity, because her kingdom, which is that of her Master and Founder, is not of this world."

Memorial of Saints (June 26)

St. Vigilius was educated at Athens. He returned to his birthplace in Trent, Italy, were he was named bishop in 385 A.D. As leader of his diocese, he stopped usury, helped the poor, and converted many to the faith. His work received great success that almost everyone in his diocese was Christian before his death. St. Vigilius died a martyr for the faith because he ordered a statue of a pagan god thrown into the Sarka River - which angered those who believed in it (died ca. 405 A.D.).

St. Josemaria Escriva was ordained in 1925 A.D. He worked in a rural parish at first until he felt the call to found the Opus Dei on October 2, 1928 A.D. When religious persecutions were prevalent in Spain, Josemaria left, and returned only after the Civil War ended. Back in Madrid, he worked for the growth of Opus Dei in Spain. Opus Dei emerged as a strong force in many parts of the world. This prelature followed the spirit of service to the Church exemplified by their founder, St. Josemaria Escriva (died October 6, 2002 A.D.).

Sts. John and Paul were Roman martyrs of the 4th century A.D. Tradition preserves the popularity of their story. John and Paul were brothers and both soldiers of the Emperor Constantine. They continued their military service until the death of the Emperor. Emperor Constantine's successor was not sympathetic to the Christian faith of the two brothers. He had both brothers executed when they refused to renounce their faith in Christ. Their bodies were buried in the Celian Hill (died ca. 410 A.D.).

St. Maxentius became a monk, and soon left the abbey he worked and lived, to escape the praise of his companion monks. Despite his resistance to this temptation, he was acclaimed a miracle worker when his return coincided with the end of a long drought. He then decided to join another monastic community where he became known for his austerities and holiness. Elected abbot of this community in ca. 500 A.D., St. Maxentius worked well for the good of his community. After resigning from his post as abbot, he lived as a hermit near his community's monastery (died ca. 515 A.D.).

St. Salvius was a bishop who went to Valenciennes, France, in ca. 768 A.D. Salvius received success from his work of evangelization in that area of France. Together with a companion called Superius, they both were killed by a son of an official of Valenciennes (died ca. 768 A.D.).

St. John of the Goths was elected bishop of the Goths in 761 A.D. John upheld the Church practice of veneration of relics and sacred images. He also attended the General Council of Nicaea in 787 A.D. This Council defined Catholic doctrine on the veneration of saints and relics. On his return from the Council, he was captured by Khazar invaders. However, he was able to escape and find refuge in Amastria in Asia Minor, where he spent the last years of his life (died ca. 800 A.D.).

St. Pelagius was a hostage of the Moors when he was 10 years old at Cordova, Spain. After three years, Abd-ar-Rahman III offered Pelagius his freedom, if he would renounce his Christian faith, and become an adherent of Islam. When St. Pelagius refused to accept the offer, he was tortured to death (died ca. 925 A.D.).

St. Anthelm at first was a secular priest but then decided to be a Carthusian in ca. 1137 A.D. He became the 7th abbot of the Carthusian Order in 1139 A.D. and worked to rebuild the Order's physical facilities. He also delegated the drawing up of a Carthusian Rule for women to Blessed John the Spaniard. Resigning his abbacy in 1152 A.D., he lived as a hermit. He wanted to continue in his solitude, but despite objections to his being named bishop of Belley, he reluctantly acceded to this need in 1163 A.D. After actively involving himself in the politics of his time, he spent his last years working with lepers and the poor (died ca. 1178 A.D.).

12th Sunday of the Year (A)

12th Sunday Ordinary Time, Year A:


"Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destory the soul."

Jesus spoke these words to His apostles because He knows that like Himself, they too will suffer the fate of a prophet - martyrdom (save for the beloved disciple, John). But the Lord assures them that there is nothing to fear. They only need to fear the One who can kill both body and soul - and throw both to Gehenna. His apostles now become aware that their following of Jesus will also bring them before the courts - before kings and princes. Their will witness to the love of God and risk their lives for the faith they preach and profess. But despite this stark reality, Jesus assures them and gives them confidence and courage, because the Father loves them as much as He does. They are assured of a martyr's crown in heaven if they do not disown Jesus before these courts.

To follow Jesus and His teachings does not lead all to the opportunity to preach in the manner of the apostles and disciples. The ministry of the word in the Eucharist and the Sacraments is the responsibility of the clergy. However, post-Vatican II theology calls all the lay faithful to preach the Word of God in deeds of service. The lay faithful are called to preach the Word in action - in the very circumstances they find themselves in life and work. As the lay faithful participate in the celebration of the Sacraments, they will be granted the faith and courage to resist whatever temptation they will need to face and do what is according to God's will in their respective states of life. Fear should not weaken any soul to resist evil and do good. The Holy Spirit, the personification of love between the Father and the Son, will permeate every action with the Spirit of God's Word. If every Christian were to let himself be driven by the Spirit into the world, to enkindle every heart with God's love, then Christ's Word will truly bear fruit in good soil and the Church and her Sacraments will stand the test of time.

The Crusades: Six Military Campaigns to Reconquer the Holy Land

The Crusades: Campaigns To Reconquer the Holy Land

The Crusades had a deeply Christian and missionary purpose: the reconquest of the Holy Land and a war against Islam. Though it produced much knightly energy, the war at times expressed itself in a bloody and un-Christian frenzy. This period of the Crusades to recover Jerusalem can be divided into six military campaigns.

Jerusalem under the Turks

In 1071 A.D., the Turks conquered Jerusalem. Pilgrims to the Holy Land soon complained about the restrictions placed on them by the Turks. This then created an appeal to the general Christian conscience and awakened the desire to help the eastern Christians and recapture the Holy Land. Pope Urban II placed himself at the head of this movement and carried the masses with him under the cry "God wills it".

First Crusade: 1096-1099 A.D.

Before the actual crusade, under the preaching and leadership of the hermit Peter of Amiens, bands of peasants and excited mobs moved through the Rhineland and committed excesses against the native populations. However, they were decimated by the Seljuk Turks when they reached Asia Minor.


The actual crusade came from a main army of knights who were recruited from the Romance countries. These included the princes Raymond of Toulousse, Godfrey of Bouillon, and the Norman Bohemond of Tarentum. After much hardship and bitter bloody battles, they were able to capture Jerusalem in 1099 A.D.


After this First Crusade, the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem was founded. Godfrey of Bouillon was chosen as the first "protector of the Holy Sepulchre". His brother Baldwin I (1100-1118 A.D.) succeeded him. And under Fulco of Anjou (1131-1143 A.D.), the kingdom achieved its greatest extension.

Second Crusade: 1147-1149 A.D.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was active in this crusade. He was able to obtain the participation of the kings of France and Germany. However, this campaign ended with a great loss for the French and German armies. Jerusalem was lost again in 1187 A.D.

Third Crusade: 1189-1192 A.D.

This Crusade was led by the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. At Ikonium, he defeated the Turks, but drowned in the Saleph in 1190 A.D. His leaderless army did not achieve any other successes. The leadership of the English king Richard Lionheart and the French king Philipp II, did not also achieve a reconquest of Jerusalem. However, in 1192 A.D., a truce with Sultan Saladin was achieved. This truce permitted the peaceful visit of Jerusalem by the Christian pilgrims.

Fourth Crusade: 1202-1204 A.D.

This Crusade was led by Pope Innocent III. All of western Christianity was united with this campaign. However, due to the interference of Venetian merchants, the crusading army was diverted to Constantinople. That resulted in its conquest and a Latin Kingdom was established. However, no religious unity between the Greek and Latin churches was effected. Rather, events only led to the further division between eastern and western Churches.

Fifth Crusade: 1228-1229 A.D.

This Crusade was a private project of Emperor Frederick II. Through his negotiations with the Egyptian sultan, he obtained the return of Jerusalem to the Christians. However, in 1244 A.D., the Holy City was lost for good.

Sixth Crusade: 1248-1254 A.D.

St. Louis IX, king of France, desired to conquer Egypt and recover the Holy Land. However, in April 1250 A.D., his army was defeated at Cairo and Louis himself was captured together with his troops.

Significance of the Crusades

As a whole, the Crusading movement is still contested. This was due in part to the military excesses committed in the battles. However, the positive outcome of these military enterprises were as follows:

• it strengthened a consciousness of community in the West
• it expanded the European horizon
• it promoted learning through encounters with Byzantine and Islamic culture
• it promoted commerce between eastern and western civilizations
• and the brilliant growth of western philosophy and theology in scholasticism was due to the eastern influences brought about by these Crusades

Spiritually, the Crusades had a profound and lasting mark on Western piety. The crusaders committed themselves to endless dangers and hardships for the sake of Christ. They also took upon themselves the poor life of the cross-bearing Savior and went head-on to share in His suffering and Cross.

A saint who was involved also in this movement was St. Francis of Assisi. He adopted the healthy core of the crusading spirit and attempted the peaceful conversion of the Holy Land instead of the means of crushing conquest. He tried to bring the gospel of peace to the sultan near Damietta. Although this did not effect peace, that mission of St. Francis in the Holy Land continues up to this time through his followers.

Related resources:

• "A History of the Church", by August Franzen and John P. Dolan
• Books on the Crusades, from Ignatius Press

Memorial of Saints (June 19)

St. Romuald was the founder of the Camaldolese Order. He entered a monastery patterned after Cluny, but left to live a solitary life under the direction of a hermit near Venice. He then made extensive studies of the Desert Fathers, and discovered a pathway to holiness through solitude. Romuald founded a monastery at Camaldoli, in Tuscany, Italy. This religious foundation was then to develop into a religious order known as the Monk Hermits of Camaldoli - also known as the Camaldolese (died ca. 1027 A.D.).

St. Juliana Falconieri was the niece of one of the founders of the Servite Order. Her family wanted her to get married but she instead decided to become a Servite tertiary. When Juliana's mother died in 1304 A.D., she led a group of women who dedicated themselves to prayer and charitable works. This group developed until St. Juliana became religious superior and found it necessary to draw a religious rule for their community. This rule was approved 120 years later by Pope Martin V (died ca. 1341 A.D.).

Sts. Gervase and Protase were twin brothers. Just as their parents suffered martyrdom, so did the two brothers suffer martyrdom during the persecution of Christians in the first century. Gervase was beaten to death with a lead-tipped whip, while Protase was beheaded. These two brothers are considered the first martyrs of Milan, Italy (died ca. 1st century A.D.).

St. Deodatus became bishop of Nevers in ca. 655 A.D. After several years, he resigned from his position to become a hermit at Vosges. At Vosges, he was then driven out by the inhabitants. So he had to flee to an island near Strasbourg. When political tensions died down, Deodatus was able to return to Vosges. He settled here again and founded the Jointures monastery - becoming its abbot and spending his last years there (died ca. 679 A.D.).

St. Boniface of Querfurt studied at Magdeburg. After working in the court of Emperor Otto III, he became a Camaldolese monk in ca. 1000 A.D. Living only a year with the Camaldolese community, he left and joined a monastery founded by Emperor Otto III at Pereum. Five of the monks of this monastery were martyred. St. Boniface then decided to leave and be a missionary to Germany. Boniface lived an active missionary life - preaching also to the Magyars, the Pechenegs, and the Prussians. On February 14, together with 18 companions, St. Boniface was killed in a massacre near Braunsberg, Poland (died ca. 1009 A.D.).

St. Romuald and the Camaldolese Order of Monk Hermits

Introduction

Although the monastic spirit of the Benedictines became popular in the early Middle Ages, new forms of monasticism arose in abundance among both clergy and lay faithful. As the monks of the Benedictine Order triumphed the ideal "ora et labora", the new forms of monastic and ascetical life made their ideal of life the "vita apostolica" of poverty and voluntary renunciation. One of those religious founders who followed this new form of monasticism was St. Romuald (or Romwald).

Conversion after a "wild youth"

Romuald was of the noble Onesti family of Ravenna, Italy. He lived a "wild youth", probably influenced by his father, Sergius, who had killed a relative in a duel over a piece of land. To expiate for his father's killing and atone for the crime, Romuald retired at twenty years of age to San Apollinare Monastery at Classe (a monastery under the central authority of Cluny in France), and became a monk around the year 972 A.D. This monastery followed the rule of St. Benedict.

In search of "austerity"

After three years at the Classe monastery, Romuald left in search of a more austere life. He went to the woods near Venice, and placed himself under the spiritual direction of the hermit, Marinus. Romuald lived a solitary life for about 10 years. He returned home to assist his father, who also became a monk, but was having doubts on this vocation.

Abbot of San Apollinare

In 998 A.D., Otto III appointed Romuald as abbot of the monastery at Classe. Romuald however resigned after more than a year, to live again as a hermit - this time at Pereum (Pereum became an important center for the training of clergy for the Slavonic missions). Romuald wandered through northern Italy, on the heights of the Apennines, seeking God in solitude and prayer.

Discovery of a new vocation

Romuald also obtained a mandate from the Pope to carry out a mission to the Magyars in Hungary. He however became ill and was forced to return to Italy. He then studied more on the Desert Fathers and discovered a vocation and path to holiness through solitude. He founded a monastery at Fonte Avellana (refounded by St. Peter Damian) and another at Camaldoli, Tuscany in 1023 A.D. (the name Camaldoli is derived from Campus Maldoli).

The Camaldolese Order

The founding at Camaldoli covered a fifteen-year span. After St. Romuald's death, the community developed into the Camaldolese Order (Monk Hermits of Camaldoli). St. Romuald did not leave a written Rule for the Order. This Camaldolese Order (which began as five hermitages built by St. Romuald) combined the cenobitic (community) and eremitical (hermit) life following the rule of St. Benedict (with some modifications).

Contribution to Benedictine monasticism

The spiritual legacy of St. Romuald was to provide a place for the eremitical life within the framework of the Rule of St. Benedict. The Camaldolese hermits would have liturgical worship and meals together, but would then live independently of one another - going to each one's own cell. This Camaldolese spirit is the one that influenced St. Bruno, who would later on draw a spiritual framework for the Carthusian Order.

Summary and conclusion

One biographer reports of St. Romuald as wanting to inspire many to his sense of contrition and "to change the world into nothing but a hermitage". St. Romuald's search for God in solitude and prayer is well-expressed in art, where he is shown in the white robe of the Camaldolese Order with his finger to his lips, requesting silence.

The Church celebrates the feast of St. Romuald every June 19

11th Sunday of the Year (A)

"Beg the harvest Master to send out laborers to gather his harvest"

This Sunday's gospel describes how Jesus names and calls the 12 who will be His apostles. When Jesus had to make important decisions, the gospel says that He goes out to a quiet place to pray. This is what He did when He called the 12 who will be His apostles. Jesus saw the need for followers to work in the harvesting of souls for the Kingdom of God.

"Beg the harvest Master to send out laborers to gather his harvest". This may have been the content of Jesus' prayer when praying to the Father for help to choose men to bring about the kingdom of God. Jesus chose 12 simple people - mostly fishermen. He chose them not because of any superior quality. Rather, He chose them by the qualities of mind and heart that they potentially have. These are the minds and hearts which He would form according to the mind and heart of God.

All Catholic faithful are called to be "laborers to gather Jesus' harvest". Jesus has already sown the gospel and every generation of Catholics since the apostles are entasked by baptismal consecration to witness to God's love in word and deed. Today, it is imperative that all undertake this task because St. John Paul II has described this present era as an era with "darkness". He instituted the Light Mysteries of the rosary to show that what this present era needs more than ever the Light of Christ. All Catholics can bear the light of Christ in their being if each one believes and does what Jesus asks with respect to each one's state of life. That is all that is necessary. Faith and works of charity and kindness and justice and generosity and service: in the parish, in the family, at work, or in all these. If all Catholics keep to the spirit of the Gospel and are wary and careful not to follow what is evil in the spirit of the flesh and the world, then everyone will do their part to labor for the harvest of the Kingdom. We can always pray to receive the light of Christ in the Eucharistic celebration and to bring that light to others also.

Consecration of the Family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Family Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Steps to consecrate family to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The family consecration

It is an act the family makes to the Sacred Heart: to acknowledge Him as King and promises to make Him reign and rule over the whole family.

Two elements

• the head of the family recognizes the right of the Sacred Heart to rule over his family
• an act of the will, by which he submits both himself and his family to the dominion of the Sacred Heart

Obligations of the family

• to keep God's commandments and the precepts of the Church
• to discharge the duties of their state of life
• to avoid whatever displeases the Sacred Heart, whatever endangers faith and morals
• to imitate the virtues shone in the Holy Family of Nazareth: mutual charity, obedience, prayer, purity and devotion to work
• to cultivate a spirit of true piety by
• night prayers in common
• assistance in Mass
• frequent communion
• devotion to the Sacred Heart (on First Fridays and Feast day)

Visible manifestation

• The image of the Sacred Heart must occupy a prominent place of honor.
• Members of the family must greet Him on coming in and going out of the house (through spiritual ejaculations).
• They will share with Him reunions and rejoicings, making Him truly a member of the family.
• The family will best pray in common before Him especially in times of difficulties (also on First Fridays and feast of the Sacred Heart)

Ceremony preparation

• set the consecration on a day when all members of the family can be present
• invite a priest to preside over the ceremony
• decorate the image with flowers and candles in a prominent, permanent place
• prepare the family internally by confession, Mass and communion
• obtain a diploma of consecration where members will sign their names with the presiding priest

Procedure

Blessing of the home

• members of the family carry lighted candles
• the priest prays the blessings for the home and all who live in it
• then he sprinkles all the rooms with holy water

Solemn consecration of the family to the Sacred Heart

• all sing "Heart of Jesus"
• blessing of the image by the priest
• recitation of "the Apostles' creed"
• a short sermon by the priest
• all kneel for the solemn act
• the father of the family recites:

O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, You revealed to St. Margaret Mary Your desire to rule over Christian families; behold, in order to please You, we gather before You this day, to proclaim Your full sovereignty over our family. We desire henceforth to live Your life; we desire that the virtues, to which You have promised peace on earth, may flower in the bosom of our family; we desire to keep far from us the spirit of the world, which You have condemned. You are King of our minds by the simplicity of our faith; you are King of our hearts by our love for You alone, with which our hearts are on fire, and whose flame we shall keep alive by frequently receiving the Holy Eucharist. Be pleased, O Sacred Heart, to preside over our gathering together, to bless our spiritual and temporal affairs, to ward off all annoyance from us,to sanctify our joys and comfort our sorrows. If any of us has ever been so unhappy as to fall into the misery of displeasing you, grant that we may remember, O Heart of Jesus, that You are full of goodness and mercy toward the repentant sinner. And when the hour of separation strikes and death enters our family circle, whether we go or whether we stay, we shall bow humbly before Your eternal decrees. This shall be our consolation to remember that the day will come when our entire family, once more united in heaven, shall be able to sing of Your glory and Your goodness forever. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious patriarch St. Joseph deign to offer You our act of consecration, and to keep the memory of it alive in us all the days of our lives. Glory to the Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father.
The whole family recites in unison:
We consecrate to You, O Heart of Jesus, the trials and joys, and all the happiness of our family life, and we beg you, to pour out Your best blessings, on all its members, present and absent, living and dead. And when one after the other, we shall have closed our eyes in holy death, O Jesus, may all of us in paradise, find again our entire family, united in Your Sacred Heart. Amen.
The priest prays an act of thanksgiving.

Recitation of the Litany of the Sacred Heart

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, hear us

Christ, graciously hear us,

God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the Virgin Mother, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, house of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, King and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke You, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, loaded down with reproaches, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, victim of sin, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in You, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in You, have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make our hearts like unto Thine.


Let us pray:

O almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your dearly beloved Son, and upon the praise and sanctification He offers You in behalf of sinners, and being appeased, grant pardon to those who seek Your mercy, in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns in You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for the deceased members of the family

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Invocations

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your Kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.

Heart of Jesus burning with love of us, set our hearts on fire with love of You.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Glory, love and thanksgiving be to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.


Blessing of the family by the priest

Final hymn


Signing of the consecration dimploma

Indulgence gained

plenary indulgence - confession and communion

indulgence of 7 years

Renewal of the family consecration to the Sacred Heart

This done every year on the first anniversary or feast of the Sacred Heart or Christ the King or any important family occasion.

• hymn "Heart of Jesus"
• apostles' creed
• act of consecration
• prayer for departed members
• prayer for the family

O God of goodness and mercy, to Your fatherly protection we commend our family, our household, and all that belong to us. We commit all to Your love and keeping. Fill this house with Your blessing even as You filled the holy house of Nazareth with Your presence. Keep far from us, above all things else, the taint of sin and reign alone in our midst by Your law, by Your most Holy Love and by the exercise of every Christian virtue. Let each one of us obey You, love You, and set himself to imitate in his own life Your example, that of Mary, Your Mother and our Most loving Mother, and that of Your blameless guardian, St. Joseph. Preserve us and our house from all evils and misfortunes, and grant that we may always be resigned to Your divine will even in the sorrows which it may please You to send us. Finally, give to all of us the grace to live in perfect harmony and in the fullness of love toward our neighbor. Grant that every one of us may deserve, by a holy life, the comfort of Your holy sacraments at the hour of death. O Jesus, bless us and protect us. O Mary, mother of grace and of mercy, defend us against the wicked spirit; reconcile us with Your Son, commit us to His keeping, so that we may be made worthy of His promises. St. Joseph, foster-father of our Savior, guardian of His Holy Mother, head of the Holy Family, intercede for us, bless us and defend our home at all times. St. Michael, defend us against all the wicked cunning of hell. St. Gabriel, make us understand the holy will of God. St. Raphael, keep us free from all sickness and from every danger to our lives. Our Holy Guardian angels, keep our feet safely on the path of salvation day and night. O Holy Patrons, pray for us before the throne of God. Yes, bless this house, O God, the Father, who has created us. O God the Son, who suffered for us upon the Holy Cross. O Holy Spirit, who has sanctified us in holy baptism. May the one God in three divine persons preserve our bodies, purify our minds, direct our hearts and bring us all to everlasting life. Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Final hymn

Indulgence gained

plenary indulgence - same conditions

an indulgence of three years

Making the consecration is one thing, living the consecration is another

To be made by at least one member of the family
• daily Mass and communion
• first Friday devotions
• family holy hour each month
• daily rosary
• observe the month of June with Mass and communion as often as possible
• renewal of the family consecration on the feast of the Sacred Heart

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton is an autobiographical novel that is inspiring to any reader in search of God. The book is Merton's own search for God before he entered the Cistercian Order (The strictest branch - The Trappists). This book is an eye-opener for anyone discerning to enter religious life or the seminary. But it can also be a refreshing reading experience for those building their professional careers. Professionals and business people can achieve better balance from the reading experience.

An autobiography

The Seven Storey Mountain begins with the story written in the author's own words: his search for God beginning in the context of a university setting. Merton was a student first and then became a professor in the university where he graduated. He was not Catholic. But, in the course of his teaching career, life events have led him to seek God. The book will give details of this conversion experience. So, Merton found himself baptized in the Catholic Church. His first attempt in his search was with the Franciscans. This did not work out for Thomas Merton. Finally, after additional discernment, he finally entered the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. This is a monastic order that has a vow of silence in one of its vows. In his life as a Trappist monk, Thomas Merton authored many books. This book, The Seven Storey Mountain is one of them; it is his most popular auto-biography.

Poignant moments

The book has some poignant moments can deeply affect readers. One of which relates to his family. Merton tells the story of how his younger brother visited him one day to inform Merton of a decision to join the Air Force. Merton then tells the story poignantly of the meeting and of the time also when he heard the news of his brother's death in the war.

A modern Catholic classic

The Seven Storey Mountain could well be considered a modern classic that any personal library can have. It can be read and reread as many times as one wishes, because Merton writes very intelligently. He gives a lot of his insights and wisdom in his life-story. His reflections are naturally deep and integrated in his autobiography. The education-rich setting of a university and his life as a Trappist monk all contributed to the richness of his faith and wisdom. If one needs a break, a "retreat" from the secular concerns one is daily attending to, this book is refreshing break from the "rat race". For it will certainly provide many great reminders of what really are the essential things in life. If you need a great book to read and reread way up to your retirement and leisure years, this certainly is a must-have.

St. Anthony of Padua (Feast: June 13)

St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church, 1195-1231 A.D.

Introduction

There are three Franciscans who were given the title by the Church as "doctors" - men and women whose intellectual brilliance and sanctity was important in the development of Catholic doctrine and spirituality. These three Franciscans were St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231 A.D.), St. Bonaventure (1217-1274 A.D.), and St. Lawrence of Brindisi (1559-1619 A.D.). Of the three, the most widely known is St. Anthony of Padua. Statues and paintings often depict him with the infant Jesus in his arms, because of a pious legend that says one of his friends glanced at the window of a house and then saw St. Anthony holding the child Jesus in his arms.


St. Anthony's popularity gave him the title of patron saint for Padua, Lisbon, Split, Paderborn, Hildesheim, children, travelers, married couples, women, animals and miners. His intercession is invoked against infertility, demons, fevers, wars, shipwrecks, and plagues.

Born Ferdinand de Bulhoes in 1195 A.D.

St. Anthony's baptismal name was Ferdinand de Bulhoes. He took the religious name Anthony, after St. Anthony of Egypt - the hermit-saint. It was in a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Egypt that Ferdinand, who now became Anthony, received the Franciscan habit in 1221 A.D.


Before joining the Franciscans, "Ferdinand de Bulhoes", who was from Lisbon, Portugal, joined the Augustinian monks of Coimbra at 15 years of age. He was at Coimbra for eight years, devoting himself to study and prayer. During these years, he acquired a thorough knowledge of Scripture.

Inspired by the Franciscan martyrs of Morocco

In 1220 A.D., when the crown prince of Portugal brought back from Morocco the relics of Franciscan missionaries who had been martyred, St. Anthony felt a strong desire to die for the faith. Thus, he soon joined the Franciscans and found himself embarked to Morocco on a mission to the Moors. However, before he could settle, he was afflicted with a severe illness and had to return to Europe. On the return trip, the ship in which he was on was taken off its course and had to land in Sicily. It was here in Sicily that he recovered his health.

A new assignment

There was soon a general chapter of the members of the Franciscan Order. At the end of the chapter, new assignments were made by the provincial ministers of the Order. St. Anthony was sent by his provincial to the lonely hermitage of San Paoli, near Forli, where he was assigned menial tasks such as washing dishes and pots after meals.

Became a brilliant and eloquent preacher

St. Anthony entered the preaching ministry by surprise. At an ordination ceremony for Franciscans and Dominicans at Forli, lack of communication suddenly found the ceremony without anyone to deliver the customary address. St. Anthony was told by his superior to go forward and say whatever the Holy Spirit might inspire him to speak. St. Anthony delivered a brilliant and eloquent address to everyone's surprise. Years of studying Scripture had truly prepared him to be used by the Holy Spirit.

"Hammer of Heretics" and "Wonder Worker"

Because of this show of talent and brilliance, St. Anthony was sent to preach throughout Italy and France. Wherever he went, crowds flocked, and many were converted by his knowledge of the Bible. He was soon recognized as a great scholar and became the first Franciscan friar to teach theology to other Franciscan friars. He was also appointed minister provincial of the Order. But he was released from this duty in 1226 A.D. to resume his ministry of preaching. He settled in Padua which he completely reformed. He also helped the poor and worked untiringly in his preaching against heretics. Thus he obtained the name, "Hammer of Heretics". He was also known as "the Wonder Worker" because of reported miracles - including the story of his preaching in the rain to crowds yet his audiences remained dry. All this work took its toll on his health and he died on June 13 at 36 years of age.

Canonized and declared doctor of the Church

St. Anthony was canonized a year after his death and declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946 A.D. Alms given to seek his intercession are often referred to as "St. Anthony's Bread". He is also known as an intercessor for the finding of lost articles. This belief is founded on the pious legend that tells of a prank played on him by a Franciscan novice, who took St. Anthony's books of Psalms and ran away with it. St. Anthony prayed for the return of the psalter, and the novice, who was struck by an alarming vision, brought back the book to St. Anthony.

Related resources:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney


• "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.


• "Doctors of the Church" by Fink


• "Saints for Our Time" by Ransom

Solemnity of Corpus Christi (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

June 22, 2014
Liturgical readings
Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a
Psalm 147
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
John 6:51-58

"Jesus is the Living Bread who came down from heaven."

The Jews in Jesus' time quarreled among themselves when Jesus spoke of his Body and Blood as nourishment. They did not understand that the Lord meant to institute a Sacrament and memorial of His mercy. (This memorial was instituted at the Last Supper before His death on the Cross). But for Catholics now, this truth of "the living Bread came down from heaven" as the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood is understood clearly as a sign that points to a reality beyond just the level of physical senses. It points to eternal life. This is what the Jews in the Lord's time failed to understand. They understood what He said from their established Jewish religion and the physical world in which they lived. But the Lord did not exclude them. He invited them to understand on the level of faith - faith in His Person, and His words and His deeds.

A good explanation of this mystery of Christ's Body and Blood comes from St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas explains this mystery in very intelligible words. He said: Christ wanted to ensure the memory of the gift of himself (his words, deeds, and life) to abide with his followers forever. The Lord left his Body as food, and his Blood as drink, for all the faithful to consume in the form of bread and wine in the Eucharist. It is his Body and Blood which heals each and every one from all infirmities of soul. Christ, the Divine Physician, left this living sign, this continuous outpouring of his life, to heal and save all from their sins. If properly disposed to receive the Sacrament in the Eucharist, the faithful gain an increase of virtues and an abundance of spiritual gifts - giving health and strength to the soul once more.

This gift and Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood encourages all those carrying the weight of many secular concerns. The Sacrament lifts up tired spirits and renews all hopes. The faithful again have a renewed understanding that life is more than just the physical food and material things they monotonously work for each day. Faith can make us understand this: if the Lord fed 4,000 to 5,000 men in his time by multiplying a few loaves and fish, could he not do the same to about 1 billion Catholics in our present generation? It is the fulfillment of the promise that God will be with us until the end of time. And if each Catholic will be faithful to Christ, then each one becomes the Lord's Body and Blood to those who do not know Him - by the witness of His presence as a force that gives life to one's work and life.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"Because the loaf of bread is one, we, many though we are, are one body for we all partake of the one loaf." (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)

Memorial of Saints (June 12)

St. John of Sahagun was educated by the Benedictine monks. He was ordained in 1445 A.D., then spent some years studying at the University of Salamanca. He did a lot of work the next decade, but fell ill and had a serious operation. After this serious illness, he entered the Augustinians in 1463 A.D. St. John worked well as an Augustinian, and was known for his gift of reading men's souls (died ca. 1479 A.D.).

St. Antonina was tortured and martyred during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Tradition reports her martyrdom to have happened at Nicaea, Bithynia, during the governorship of Priscillian. Many places aside from Nicaea, Bithynia also claim the honor of her martyrdom. She is also known by the name Antonia - the name listed in the Roman Martyrology (died ca. 304 A.D.).

St. Onuphrius was an Egyptian hermit. Originally a monk in a large monastery in the Thebaid, he felt called to a solitary life. Onuphrius lived as a hermit for sixty years after leaving the monastery in the Thebaid. Paphnoutious, a monk who wanted also to be a hermit, met Onuphrius in the desert. While with St. Onuphrius, Paphnoutius learned of the old hermit's life and wrote a biography on the Saint (died ca. 400 A.D.).

St. Ternan was a monk at Culross Monastery in Scotland, and a disciple of St. Paliadus. He was consecrated bishop in 432 A.D. Ternan worked as a missionary among the Picts. He was known to have also founded the abbey of Culross in Fifeshire. This is where he spent the last years of his life (died 6th century A.D.).

St. Peter of Mount Athos fought against the Saracens in his youth, but was captured and imprisoned by them. He was released through the intercession of St. Simeon. Peter then went to Rome where he received the monastic habit from the Pope. He then went to Mount Athos in the Greek peninsula, and became the first Christian hermit there (died 8th century A.D.).

St. Leo III was a cardinal-priest before he was elected Pope on December 26, 975 A.D. Involved in a political conflict, he managed to escape an attempt on his life by fleeing to St. Erasmus Monastery. Leo III sought Charlemagne's protection, who sent a delegation to help him go back to Rome. Charlemagne helped Leo III against his enemies, then Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. When Charlemagne died in 814 A.D., Leo III's enemies rose up against him again. However St. Leo III prevailed against them (died ca. 816 A.D.).

St. Odulf was ordained, did parish work, and then became a canon at Utrecht in the Netherlands. He became known for his learning and eloquent preaching. He also became a missionary to Friesland - receiving much success. St. Odulf also built a church and a monastery at Stavoren. He spent his last years at Utrecht (died ca. 855 A.D.).

St. Eskil accompanied his relative St. Sigfrid on a missionary trip to Sweden. Upon arrival, he was consecrated bishop at Strängnäs and received success in his missionary work in Södermanland. Because the pagan practices were still strong in Strängnäs, St. Eskil was accused of magic when a pagan sacrificial altar was destroyed by lightning. St. Eskil was stoned to death and died a martyr for the Lord (died ca. 1080 A.D.).

St. Guy of Cortona was influenced by St. Francis of Assisi where the Saint visited his hometown at Cortona. Eventually, Guy expressed his desire to be a Franciscan. As required of all Franciscans, Guy abandoned his possessions - giving them to the poor. He donned the Franciscan habit and lived inside a small cell on a bridge over a stream. St. Guy was known among his townsmates to have raised back to life a girl who drowned and also to have multiplied food during a famine (died ca. 1245 A.D.).

St. Gaspar Bertoni was the founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Stigmatines) in 1816 A.D. During the twenty-year French occupation of northern Italy, St. Gaspar worked in hospitals for the sick and the wounded. He was also ordained chaplain to the Canossian sisters in 1800 A.D. (died ca. 1853 A.D.).

St. Ephrem of Syria (Feast: June 9)

St. Ephrem of Syria, Deacon and Doctor of the Church: ca. 306-373 A.D.

Birth and early life

St. Ephrem (also spelled Ephraem), was born in Nisibis, Northern Mesopotamia. When he was converted to Christianity, some biographers say his pagan parents disowned him. This is not certain. But what is certain is that he was baptized at the age of eighteen, and then taken by St. Jacob, the bishop of Nisibis.

St. Ephrem was reported to have accompanied Bishop Jacob to the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Upon their return, the bishop ordained Ephrem as a deacon - which was to be the last permanent diaconate in the Church until after Vatican II.

After Bishop St. Jacob's death, Ephrem served the next three succeeding bishops.

The fall of Nisibis into Persian rule

St. Ephrem stayed in Nisibis and became well known as a superb teacher in the Christian biblical school of Nisibis. But Nisibis was soon to be attacked by the Persians - not once, but three times. St. Ephrem was credited with securing the deliverance of the city by his prayer in 328 A.D. However, Nisibis was eventually awarded to the Persians in a peace settlement made in 363 A.D.

Retirement to Edessa

Fearing for their safety, St. Ephrem and the other Christians fled the city to go to Edessa in Syria. Ephrem retired to a cave on a lonely mountain, and led a very austere life. He spent much time in prayer and work. It was here in Edessa where Ephrem did much of his writing. According to the Byzantine historian Sozomen, St. Ephrem wrote more than a thousand works during his lifetime. He also eventually became well known in Edessa, which he called the "city of blessing". Preaching often to the people in the city, he spoke against the Arian heresy.

"Harp of the Holy Spirit"

St. Ephrem was among the first Christians to make sacred songs part of public worship. As one way to battle the heresies of his day, St. Ephrem took the popular melodies of his time and substituted it with words that clearly expressed Christian teaching. The themes of his songs and hymns included the superiority of the virgin state of life, faith, and the existence of the Church as the continuation of Jesus on earth. His hymns earned him the title "Harp of the Holy Spirit".

His writings

St. Ephrem wrote voluminously in Syriac on exegetical, dogmatic, and ascetical themes, drawing heavily on scriptural sources. He also wrote against the Arians and the Gnostics, and on the subject of the Last Judgment. His other writings were commentaries on the Old Testament books and an annotation on the Diatessaron, a writing about the Redemption. St. Ephrem's works were translated from Syrian into Greek, Latin and Armenian.

Famine in Edessa and death

As a deacon, St. Ephrem administered large sums of money for the Church in Edessa. In the winter of 372 A.D., a famine struck Edessa and caused suffering among the people of Syria. St. Ephrem organized a relief operation which included providing ways to carry the sick. The great work St. Ephrem exerted in the service of the people, may have caused him a great loss of strength and resistance. After he returned to his cave on the lonely mountain overlooking the city of Edessa, he died a month later in 373 A.D.

Doctor of the Church

Due to his exceptional humility, St. Ephrem is probably the least known of the Doctors of the Church. He was not declared a Doctor of the Church until the twentieth century - in 1920 A.D. - 1547 years after his death. St. Ephrem is the only Syrian honoured with the title in the Church. Along with St. Cecilia, he can be considered a patron of music. The Church celebrates his feast on June 9.

Sources of this blog post:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• A Year with the Saints, by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• Saints for Our Time, by Ed Ransom
• The Doctors of the Church, volume one, by John F. Fink
• The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism, by editor Bernard McGinn

Memorial of Saints (June 5)

St. Boniface was influenced early in life to commit himself to God. After his ordination, he became a very inspiring preacher. In 718 A.D., Boniface was authorized by the Pope to be a missionary to Germany. Boniface had to convert the people from pagan superstitions. He built new churches and new convents all over Germany. He was then named Bishop of Mainz and Primate of Germany. In 754 A.D., while quietly reading in his tent, he was killed by a band of pagans. St. Boniface is known in Catholic tradition as the Apostle of Germany (died ca. 754 A.D.).

St. Dorotheus of Tyre was a scholar and a priest who was exiled during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. After the persecutions ended, Dorotheus returned and was made bishop of Tyre. He was able to attend the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., but had to flee again, this time to Varna in Bulgaria, because of another wave of persecutions. St. Dorotheus was arrested there at Varna and died of the beating he received (died ca. 362 A.D.).

St. Sanctius was born at Albi, France, and was captured by the Moors as a young boy. He was brought to Cordova where he was trained to be a member of the Turkish infantry corps. He however decided to declare his Christian faith. Because of this declaration, he was condemned by the authorities, was tortured and then impaled to death as a martyr for Christ (died ca. 851 A.D.).

Trinity Sunday (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

June 15, 2014
Liturgical readings
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9
Daniel 3
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
John 3:16-18

"God sent his Son that the world might be saved through him."

The truth about the Most Blessed Trinity is an important teaching of the Catholic faith. It is a truth emphasized by St. John Paul II when he dedicated the years 1997, 1998, and 1999, to each of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. This act of the Church before the turn of the millenium shows the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity to the lives of all Catholics and other Christian denominations who believe in the Trinity. For Catholics, the Trinity is an essential part of worship and liturgy. The name of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is always invoked at the beginning and conclusion of every prayer in the liturgy. It is also invoked in every prayer gathering of the family, and in personal prayers.

It is difficult to understand a mystery, but the Holy Trinity can be understood through hymns and poems, since these are expressions of love and devotion. As an example, a hymn by Felice de Giardini honors God as "the great One in Three". Singing the hymn, the "great One in Three", is easy to understand; the heart quickly "sees" what the head sometimes miss to see. Catholics know by heart what it means: to have faith in a Father who provides; to have faith in the Son who saves from sins; and to have faith in the Holy Spirit who breathes new Life. This is the faith and the truth all are called to live by. Each one is called to make his soul a dwelling place of the Most Holy Trinity: "If a man loves me," says the Lord, "he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him (Catechism #260).

To be a dwelling place of the Most Holy Trinity is a call to a way of praying and living. Much is required to purify in one's being: vices and sinful directions. There is one classic teacher who can instruct as in this: St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622 A.D.). He writes in his books and letters that: "from time to time, we are to examine the evil passions that dominate our hearts". Once discovered, the soul is called to strive to live in a manner opposed to these evil passions. As St. Francis de Sales counsels, (and so do the Church even in these modern times), it is necessary to bring one's soul to the Sacrament of Confession. With the Sacrament of Confession, the grace and the strength to resist these evil passions is easier. Only when purged from these evil passions, one step at a time, one day at a time, will the life of the Trinity indwell in the soul.

Scripture quotes for reflection:
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever." (Daniel 3)

Feast of Saints Celebrated in the Month of June

Justin, martyr (June 1)

also on June 1: Pamphilus and Companions, martyrs; Proculus, "the soldier," and Proculus of Bologna, bishop; Caprasius or Caprais; Wistan; Simeon of Syracuse; Eneco or Iñigo, abbot; Theobald of Alba

Marcellinus and Peter: (died c. 303): Marcellinus was a priest and Peter, an exorcist; beheaded under Diocletian; both mentioned in the Roman Canon. (June 2)

also on June 2: Erasmus, bishop and martyr; Pothinus and Companions, martyrs; Eugenius I, pope; Stephen of Sweden, bishop and martyr; Nicholas the Pilgrim; Blandina, martyr

Charles Lwanga: and 21 Ugandan companions, (died 15 November 1885 - 27 Jan. 1887); protomartyrs of Black Africa; over 100 killed in this period, including Anglicans; Charles is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action. (June 3)

also on June 3: Cecilius; Pergentinus and Laurentinus, martyrs; Lucillian and Companions, martyrs; Clotilda, widow; Liphardus and Urbicius, abbots; Kevin or Coegmen, abbot; Genesius of Clermont, bishop; Isaac of Cordova, martyr; Morand

on June 4: Francis Caracciolo, confessor; Quirinus, bishop and martyr; Metrophanes, bishop; Optatus of Milevis, bishop; Petroc, abbot; Vincentia Gerosa, virgin

Boniface (died 754): Anglo-Saxon O.S.B.; founded abbey of Fulda; bishop of Mainz; martyred along with 30 companions at Dokkum in Frisia; known as "the Apostle of Germany." (June 5)

also on June 5: Dorotheus of Tyre, martyr; Sanctius or Sancho, martyr

Norbert: (died 1134); founded the Premonstratensians; archbishop of Magdeburg; strong supporter of the Church reform and evangelization; devoted to the Holy Eucharist. (June 6)

also on June 6: Philip the Deacon; Ceratius or Ceras, bishop; Eustorgius of Milan, bishop; Jarlath, bishop; Gudwal or Gurval; Claud, bishop

on June 7: Paul of Constantinople, bishop; Meriadoc, bishop; Colman of Dromore, bishop; Vulflagius or Wulphy; Willibald, bishop; Gottschalk, martyr; Robert of Newminster, abbot; Antony Gianelli, bishop; Agostino Roscelli

also on June 8: Maximinus of Aix; Medard, bishop; Clodulf or Cloud, bishop; William of York, bishop

Ephrem: (died 373); Syrian theologian and poet who authored biblical commentaries, homilies, and composed hymns; founded a school at Nisbis; lived in Edessa (in Mesopotamia). (June 9)

also on June 9: Primus and Felician, martyrs; Columba or Columcille, abbot; Vincent of Agen, martyr; Pelagia of Antioch, virgin and martyr; Richard of Andria, bishop

on June 10: Gerulius and Companions, martyrs; Ithamar, bishop; Landericus or Landry, bishop; Bogumilus, bishop

Barnabas: (died 1st c.); preached the gospel in Antioch; companion of Paul; attended the Council of Jerusalem; martyred; patron saint of the island of his birth, Cyprus; name mentioned in the Roman Canon. (June 11)

on June 12: John of Sahagun, confessor; Antonina, martyr; Onuphrius; Ternan, bishop; Peter of Mount Athos; Leo III, pope; Odulf; Eskil, bishop and martyr

Anthony of Padua (died 1231 at the age of 36); from Lisbon; O.F.M.; devoted student of scriptures; first to teach theology to his fellow friars; gifted orator and preacher; known as the "Evangelical Doctor"; patron saint of lost articles, harvest, the poor and of Portugal. (June 13)

also on June 13: Felicula, martyr; Aquilina, martyr; Triphyllius, bishop

on June 14: Valerius and Rufinus, martyrs; Dogmael; Methodius I of Constantinople, bishop

on June 15: Vitus, martyr; Hesychius, martyr; Tatian Dulas, martyr; Orsieslus, abbot; Landelinus, abbot; Edburga of Winchester, virgin; Bardo, bishop; Aleydis or Alice, virgin; Germaine of Pibrac, virgin

on June 16: Ferreolus and Ferrutio, martyrs; Cyricus and Julitta, martyrs; Tychon, bishop; Aurelian, bishop; Benno, bishop; Lutgardis, virgin; John Francis Regis

on June 17: Nicander and Marcian, martyrs; Bessarion; Hypatius, abbot; Avitus, abbot; Nectan; Herve or Harvey, abbot; Botulf or Botolph, abbot; Adulf, bishop; Moling, bishop; Rainerius of Pisa; Teresa and Sanchia of Portugal; Emily de Vialar, virgin; Albert

on June 18: Mark and Marcellian, martyrs; Gregory Barbarigo, bishop; Amandus, bishop; Elizabeth of Schonau, virgin

Romuald (died 1027): O.S.B. from Ravenna; founded
(980) the Camaldolese hermits, today numbering about 200 members; urged contemplative prayer through solitude, silence and fasting. (June 19)

also on June 19: Juliana of Falconieri, virgin; Gervase and Protase, martyrs; Deodatus or Die, bishop; Bruno or Boniface of Querfurt, bishop and martyr

on June 20: Silverius, priest; Goban or Gobain, martyr; Bagnus or Bain, bishop; Adalbert of Magdeburg, bishop; John of Maters, abbot

Aloysius Gonzaga: (died 1591); Jesuit scholastic, died at age 23 caring for the sick; from the princely family of Castiglione; a page at the court of Medicis and of Philip II of Spain; renounced inheritance to enter Jesuits; Robert Bellarmine was his spiritual director; strongly devoted to the Eucharist, interior prayer, and charitable service; patron of youth and of students in Jesuit colleges and universities. (June 21)

also on June 21: Eusebius of Samosata, bishop; Alban or Albinus of Mainz, martyr; Meen or Mewan, abbot; Engelmund; Leutfridus or Leufroy, abbot; Ralph or Raoul, bishop; John Rigby, martyr

Paulinus of Nola: (died 431); husband and father who gave his possessions to the poor; dedicated bishop, especially during the Visigoth invations. (June 22)

John Fisher: (beheaded 22 June 1535); chancellor of Cambridge University; bishop of Rochester; dedicated pastor of souls; renowned for his preaching and educational reforms; defender of Church tradition against Luther, and of the Roman primacy against Henry VIII. (June 22)

Thomas More: (beheaded 6 July 1535); humanist and chancellor of England; close friend of Erasmus; wrote “Utopia”; refused to support Henry VIII’s divorce of Queen Catherine and his Act of Supremacy; patron of lawyers, statesmen and politicians. (June 22)

also on June 22: Alban, martyr; Nicetas of Remesiana, bishop; Eberhard, bishop

on June 23: Agrippina, virgin and martyr; Etheldreda or Audrey, widow; Lietbertus or Libert, bishop; Joseph Cafasso; Thomas Garnet, priest and martyr

The Birth of John the Baptist: This feast, dating from the 4th c. in both East and West, came to be celebrated, in accord with Lk 1:36, six months before the Lord’s birth; quoting Jn 3:30, Augustine found this date (near summer solstice) appropriate for, after the birth of John, the daylight begins to grow shorter, whereas after Jesus’ birth, it begins to increase. (June 24)

also on June 24: The martyrs under Nero; Simplicius, bishop; Bartholomew of Farne

on June 25: William of Vercelli, abbot; Febronia, virgin and martyr; Gallicanus; Prosper of Aquitaine; Prosper of Reggio, bishop; Maximus of Turin, bishop; Moloc or Luan, bishop; Adalbert of Egmond; Eurosia, virgin and martyr; Gohard, bishop, and Companions, martyrs

on June 26: John and Paul; Vigilus, bishop and martyr; Maxentius, abbot; Salvius or Sauve and Superius; John of the Goths; Pelagius or Pelayo, martyr; Anthelm, bishop; Josemaria Escriva

Cyril of Alexandria: bishop and doctor; Zoilus and Companions, martyrs; Samson of Constantinople; John of Chinon; George Mtasmindeli of the Black Mountains, abbot; Ladislaus of Hungary; Benvenuto of Gubbio

Irenaeus: (died 202); from Smyrna; disciple of Polycarp; for 25 years the bishop of Lyons; wrote against the Gnostics, esp Adversus haereses; first to provide a coherent rationale for a Christian Bible including both Testaments, and the first to offer a comprehensive account of belief in God’s universal providential and redemptive economy. (June 28)

also on June 28: Plutarch, Potamiaena and Companions, martyrs; Paul I, pope; Heimrad; Sergius and Germanus of Valaam, abbots; John Southworth, priest and martyr

Peter (died c. 64 in Rome under Nero); Galilean fisherman; spokesman for the Twelve who became "Prince of the Apostles"; two epistles are ascribed to him; patron of those in fishing industry. (June 29)

Paul: according to tradition, was martyred in Rome c. 67; Pharisee who became the "Apostle of the Gentiles"; his letters may be dated from c. 50-65; patron of the lay apostolate, of Malta and Greece. (June 29)

also on June 29: Cassius, bishop; Salome and Judith; Emma, widow

The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome: Those many Christians who were tortured, crucified and burned alive in 64 BC in Nero’s Garden on the Vatican Hill are honored today. (June 30)

also on June 30: Martial, bishop; Bertrand of Le Mans, bishop; Erentrude, virgin; Theobald or Thibaud of Provins