Friday, July 18, 2014
Feast Day: Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 16th July
This name is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as the patron of the Carmelite Order. This feast is also known as the 'Scapular feast' because the Carmelite Order is using the brown scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. A tradition says that the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Prior General of the Carmelite Order on July 16, 1251 and gave the brown scapular to him and that became part of the Carmelite Order. Carmelites believe the Holy Virgin Mary is a model of virtue and is also a perfect model of interior life of prayer. This feast was instituted by the Carmelite Order between the years 1376-1386, to celebrate their victory over their enemies, on obtaining the approbation of its name and constitution from Pope Honorius-III on January 30, 1226. The scapular is a modified version of Holy Mary’s own garment and it gives special protection to those who wear it. St. John of the Cross credited Holy Mary with saving him from drowning as a child, leading him to Carmel and helping him from prison. The Carmelites say that this Order was first founded by prophets Elijah and Elisha on the Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is in Israel (District Haifa). During the apparition of Holy Mary at Fatima on October 13, 1917, when the Miracle of the Sun happened (Sun became red and rotated like a wheel) the children saw the visions of Jesus, Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Carmel. The feast was extended to the entire Latin Church by Pope Benedict-XIII on September 24, 1726.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Saint of Today: St. Augine (Augustine) Zhao Rong and Companions
St. Augine was a native of China and was born in the year 1746. He worked as a soldier in the beginning and served as one of the soldiers who escorted Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society to his execution in Beijing. Augine, on seeing the heroism and courage exhibited by the bishop before and at the time of his death for the cause of the Christian faith, got change of mind and wished to convert to Christianity. He became a Christian by getting baptism at the age of 30 years. He then studied for priesthood and ordained a priest after 5 years.
During the reign of Chinese Emperor KiaKin (17961821), Christian missionaries whether foreign or native Chinese were killed indiscriminately, simply for following Christian faith. Augine Zhao Rong was caught and was asked to renounce his Christian faith. But he refused to renounce Christianity and he was executed on September 14, 1815.
Another noted native martyr in the group was a 14year old Chinese girl named Ann Wang, who bravely faced torture and death for the cause of her Christian Faith. Just before she was beheaded, she declared 'The door of heaven is opened to all' and shouted the name of Jesus three times. Yet another Chinese born martyr was an 18year old boy named Chi Zhuzi, who was then preparing to receive baptism. He was captured by the authorities on the road and was asked to worship their native gods but he refused and also bravely revealed that he was a Christian. His right arm was cut off immediately but still he did not deny his faith in Christianity. Before execution, he fearlessly pronounced 'Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian'.
St. Augine Zhao Rong and Companions were canonized by Pope John PaulII on October 1, 2000 along with 120 Chinese Martyrs.
During the reign of Chinese Emperor KiaKin (17961821), Christian missionaries whether foreign or native Chinese were killed indiscriminately, simply for following Christian faith. Augine Zhao Rong was caught and was asked to renounce his Christian faith. But he refused to renounce Christianity and he was executed on September 14, 1815.
Another noted native martyr in the group was a 14year old Chinese girl named Ann Wang, who bravely faced torture and death for the cause of her Christian Faith. Just before she was beheaded, she declared 'The door of heaven is opened to all' and shouted the name of Jesus three times. Yet another Chinese born martyr was an 18year old boy named Chi Zhuzi, who was then preparing to receive baptism. He was captured by the authorities on the road and was asked to worship their native gods but he refused and also bravely revealed that he was a Christian. His right arm was cut off immediately but still he did not deny his faith in Christianity. Before execution, he fearlessly pronounced 'Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian'.
St. Augine Zhao Rong and Companions were canonized by Pope John PaulII on October 1, 2000 along with 120 Chinese Martyrs.
Saint of Today: St. Veronica Giuliani
Saint of Today: St. Veronica Giuliani
She was born in the year 1660 in Italy. Her baptismal name was Ursula Giuliani. Her parents were Francesco Giuliani and Benedetta Mancini. It is said that her first words when she was about two years of age were 'Do justice, God sees you', said to a crooked merchant. From her early age she began to show great compassion towards the poor and used to set apart a portion of her meal to the poor people. She even gave her clothes when she saw poor children with torn dress.
She entered the Capuchin branch of the Poor Clares in Citta-di-Castello in Umbria, Italy, on July 17, 1677 and took the name 'Veronica'. She was very submissive towards her spiritual directors and did all menial works given to her with happiness. In the beginning she worked in the kitchen and in sacristy and also worked as the porters in the Monastery. She became the Novice Mistress when she was 34 years and later became Abbess and worked for about 11 years. The marks of the crown of thorns appeared miraculously on her forehead in 1694 and the five wounds corresponding to the wounds of Jesus due to crucifixion, also appeared on her body in the year 1697.
The bishop removed her from the ordinary community life and put her under constant observation. On discrete observation, the bishop decided that the phenomena happened to Veronica were authentic and allowed her to the normal community life. She died of a stroke caused by a brain hemorrhage at age 67 and died on July 9, 1727. Her heart was examined after her death, which showed miraculous images of a cross, crown of thorns and chalice, as told by her when she was alive. Close examination of her body also revealed a curvature of the right shoulder as if she had carried a heavy cross.
She was beatified by Pope Pius-VII on June 17, 1804 and canonized by Pope Gregory-XVI on May 26, 1839.
She was born in the year 1660 in Italy. Her baptismal name was Ursula Giuliani. Her parents were Francesco Giuliani and Benedetta Mancini. It is said that her first words when she was about two years of age were 'Do justice, God sees you', said to a crooked merchant. From her early age she began to show great compassion towards the poor and used to set apart a portion of her meal to the poor people. She even gave her clothes when she saw poor children with torn dress.
She entered the Capuchin branch of the Poor Clares in Citta-di-Castello in Umbria, Italy, on July 17, 1677 and took the name 'Veronica'. She was very submissive towards her spiritual directors and did all menial works given to her with happiness. In the beginning she worked in the kitchen and in sacristy and also worked as the porters in the Monastery. She became the Novice Mistress when she was 34 years and later became Abbess and worked for about 11 years. The marks of the crown of thorns appeared miraculously on her forehead in 1694 and the five wounds corresponding to the wounds of Jesus due to crucifixion, also appeared on her body in the year 1697.
The bishop removed her from the ordinary community life and put her under constant observation. On discrete observation, the bishop decided that the phenomena happened to Veronica were authentic and allowed her to the normal community life. She died of a stroke caused by a brain hemorrhage at age 67 and died on July 9, 1727. Her heart was examined after her death, which showed miraculous images of a cross, crown of thorns and chalice, as told by her when she was alive. Close examination of her body also revealed a curvature of the right shoulder as if she had carried a heavy cross.
She was beatified by Pope Pius-VII on June 17, 1804 and canonized by Pope Gregory-XVI on May 26, 1839.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Prayer for Children
Oh God, make me a better parent. Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions wisely and kindly. Keep me from criticizing them so that they can learn from their strengths and weaknesses. Keep me from making all decisions so that they can learn to solve problems. Keep me from interfering so that they can develop responsibility.
Yet, help me to have the courage to refuse giving in to what will harm them. Help me to appreciate my children as they are, not as I would have them to be. When I grow discouraged, remind me that my child is Your child also. You abide in us always- sheltering us in Your care, surrounding us with Your goodness, and enfolding us in Your love. Amen.
Yet, help me to have the courage to refuse giving in to what will harm them. Help me to appreciate my children as they are, not as I would have them to be. When I grow discouraged, remind me that my child is Your child also. You abide in us always- sheltering us in Your care, surrounding us with Your goodness, and enfolding us in Your love. Amen.
Prayer: Reconciliation between Spouses
Until now, Lord, separation was something that happenend to someone else, anyone else, except me. Yet here I am, my mind full of details of separation, and my heart full of pain. If this separation is a mistake, guide my spouse and me toward the reconcilitaion which will allow us to work toward a successful marriage. Although it seems difficult now, I know that we can work toward reconciliation if we remember the love that first brought us together. It will not be easy, but the home and life my spouse and I have built together might be able to be restored if we both are willing to try again. Guide us, Lord, with Your love and grace at this difficult time. Amen.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Prayer when expecting a child
Father, we thank you for your marvellous gift; you have allowed us to share in your divine parenthood. During this time of waiting, we ask you to protect and nurture these first mysterious stirrings of life. May our child come safely into the light of the world and to the new birth of baptism. Mother of God, we entrust our child to your loving heart. Amen.
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