Feast of St. Wenceslaus: September 28th

 

St. Ludmilla and young Wenceslaus

Wenceslaus, Duke of Bohemia, was born of a Christian father, Wratislaus, and a pagan mother, Drahomira (who had feigned conversion and received Baptism). Brought up in piety by the holy woman Ludmilla, his grandmother, he was adorned with every virtue and with the utmost care preserved his virginity unspotted throughout his life. His mother, having murdered Saint Ludmilla, seized the reigns of government; but her wicked life, and that of her younger son, Boleslaus, excited the indignation of the nobles. These, wearied of a tyrannical and impious rule, threw off the yoke of both mother and son, and proclaimed Saint Wenceslaus King at Prague.

He ruled his kingdom rather by kindness than authority. He helped orphans, widows, and all the poor with the greatest charity, sometimes even carrying wood on his shoulders by night, to those in need of it. He frequently assisted at the funerals of poor persons, liberated captives, and often visited the prisoners during the night, assisting them with gifts and advice. It caused great sorrow to his tender heart to condemn even the guilty to death. He had the greatest reverence for priests; and with his own hands he would sow the wheat and prepare the wine to be used in the Sacrifice of the Mass. At night he used to go the round of the churches barefoot, through ice and snow, while his bloodstained footprints warmed the ground.

The Angels formed his bodyguard. In order to spare the lives of his soldiers, he undertook to fight in single combat with Radislaus, Duke of Gurima; but when the latter saw Angels arming Saint Wenceslaus, and heard them forbidding him to strike, he was terrified and fell at the Saint’s feet begging his forgiveness. On one occasion, when he had gone to Germany, the Emperor Otto I, at his approach, saw two Angels adorning him with a golden Cross; whereupon, rising from his throne, he embraced the Saint, bestowed on him the regal insignia, and presented him with the arm of St. Vitus. Nevertheless his wicked brother, instigated by their mother, invited the Saint to a banquet. Afterwards, while St. Wenceslaus was praying in a church and preparing himself for the death that he knew awaited him, Boleslaus, together with some accomplices, killed him. His blood is still to be seen sprinkled on the walls. God avenged his Saint; the earth swallowed up the inhuman mother, and the murderers perished miserably in various ways.

Picture: Encyclopedia.com

Saint Wenceslaus won the crown of martyrdom in the Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, which he visited on account of their Feast on September 27. He also acknowledged the Feast of tomorrow with his last words at the fratricidal banquet: “In honor of the Archangel Saint Michael, let us drink this cup, and let us beseech him to lead our souls into the peace of eternal happiness.”

Christian de Scala, son of the fratricide Boleslaus the Cruel, and nephew of the Saint, became a monk and wrote the lives of St. Wenceslaus and St. Ludmilla. The feast of the latter is celebrated on September 16.

more information at St. Wenceslaus where this article can be found

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
"Good King Wenceslaus" is a popular Christmas carol about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (the second day of Christmas, December 26). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king's footprints in the snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935), known in the Czech language as Svatý Václav. The lyrics are by English hymnwriter John Mason Neale, and the tune is Scandinavian, from Piae Cantiones.

Feast of St. Vincent de Paul: September 27th

Patron Saint of Charitable Societies

Many parishes have a St. Vincent de Paul Society. It is a wonderful group to be involved in, esp. these days with so many out of work or down on their luck and in need of help. A collection just held was, School Supplies, for children going back to school and in need of supplies. SVDP programs help with food and/or small finances such as paying a utility bill. They can not sustain an individual or family for a great length of time, but long enough to give some immediate relief. The most active time for this society is Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter when food baskets (toys/gifts included at Christmas) are donated by parishioners and given to those in need.  Many SVDP programs have a food pantry and are always seeking food items. Check with your local parishes to see when they collect and what they need the most. Please don't forget that people need food even in the summer. This is when cupboards are bare because many are on vacation. Food and monetary donations are always appreciated. Christ asks us to take care of those less fortunate...let us all make an effort to do so. God Bless!

St. Vincent was born of poor parents in the village of Pouy in Gascony, France, about 1580. He enjoyed his first schooling under the Franciscan Fathers at Acqs. Such had been his progress in four years that a gentleman chose him as subpreceptor to his children, and he was thus enabled to continue his studies without being a burden to his parents. In 1596, he went to the University of Toulouse for theological studies, and there he was ordained priest in 1600.

In 1605, on a voyage by sea from Marseilles to Narbonne, he fell into the hands of African pirates and was carried as a slave to Tunis. His captivity lasted about two years, until Divine Providence enabled him to effect his escape. After a brief visit to Rome he returned to France, where he became preceptor in the family of Emmanuel de Gondy, Count of Goigny, and General of the galleys of France. In 1617, he began to preach missions, and in 1625, he lay the foundations of a congregation which afterward became the Congregation of the Mission or Lazarists, so named on account of the Prioryof St. Lazarus, which the Fathers began to occupy in 1633.

It would be impossible to enumerate all the works of this servant of God. Charity was his predominant virtue. It extended to all classes of persons, from forsaken childhood to old age. The Sisters of Charity also owe the foundation of their congregation to St. Vincent. In the midst of the most distracting occupations his soul was always intimately united with God. Though honored by the great ones of the world, he remained deeply rooted in humility. The Apostle of Charity, the immortal Vincent de Paul, breathed his last in Paris at the age of eighty. His feast day is September 27th. He is the patron of charitable societies.

Article St. Vincent de Paul  found on Catholic Online

18 Year Old Italian Woman, Beatified 9/25/10

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, pray for us!

Chiara died on 7 October 1990 at 18 years old. She is to be beatified on 25 Sept. 2010 at the shrine of the Virgin of "Divine Love" (Rome - Castel di Leva) chaired by Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Sometimes we’d prefer that our lives be a different story than the one God seems to be writing.  In our fragile existence it doesn’t take much to turn a romance into a drama, or an adventure into a tragedy.  At a glance, the story of Chiara Badano—an only child conceived after 11 years of marriage, who died at 18 after a bout with a painful form of bone cancer—looks like an empty tragedy, but not from the perspective of the Divine Author.  
Chiara seemed to have everything going for her as a teen.  She had a loving, holy family and a rock solid faith that was nurtured by retreats and youth ministry programs.  She was popular amongst her friends and was liked by boys.  It’s not hard to see why.  She was beautiful.  Chiara loved to hang out in coffee shops.  She was great at tennis, swimming and mountain climbing.  Her outgoing personality and adventurous spirit made her dream of becoming a flight attendant.  Chiara had a bright life ahead of her. 
One day while playing tennis, Chiara experienced excruciating pain in her shoulder.  Shortly afterwards she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma.  She watched her bright future slip away.  But it’s here that the real story of her life begins—the story of heroic virtue.
Chiara’s joy was explosive and it only increased with her suffering.  After one very pain-filled night she said, “I suffered a lot, but my soul was singing.”   Story continues at link below

By Christopher Stefanick.

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano

Chiara Luce Badano - born October 29, 1971
Died of bone cancer - October 7, 1990
Cause for beatification opened - June 11, 1999
Diocesean Inquiry closed - August 21, 2000
Declared Venerable - July 3, 2008
Miracle Approved - December 9, 2009
Beatification - September 25, 2010

Prayer

O Father, source of all good,
through Your Son Jesus You produce wonderful goodness in those
who entrust themselves to Your  love,
we give You thanks for the Christian
testimony of Chiara Badano.
Inspired by the fervor of Your Spirit,
she found in the union with Jesus
the light to recognize in Love
life's ideal and the strength to offer her youth,
in filial abandonment to Your will,
for the good of the Church.
If it is Your will that
the example of the Servant of God
be proposed to the veneration
of the faithful, we pray that you give us
the grace of ..… for the glory of
Your Fatherly benevolence.
We ask this through Our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen

FEAST OF ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA

The Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina is September 23rd.
St. Pio is considered an "incorrupt" saint. He died over 40 years ago and his body shows no sign of  decay. The body was exhumed in early March 2008. His body is viewed by thousands of pilgrims each day. St. Pio's body, as seen in this video, is in a remarkable state of preservation.

A Prayer to Padre Pio

         

Beloved Padre Pio, today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to you every day by those who love and venerate you in Jesus’ name. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of your friendship with the Lord, he heals those you ask to be healed, and forgives those you ask be forgiven in Jesus’ name.

Through your visible wounds of the Crucified Jesus, which you bore for 50 years, you were chosen in our time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us bring back the veneration of the wounds of Jesus Christ, for we acknowledge His Precious Blood as true a sign of salvation, cleansing and purifcation.

As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced your hands, feet and side, like beloved Jesus Christ, we not only remember the blood He shed as you also shed in pain, along with your smile, and the invisible halo of sweet smelling flowers that surrounded your presence, certainly the Scent of The Lord, symbolic as the perfume of sanctity.

Padre Pio, may the healings of the sick become the testimony that the Lord has invited you to join the holy company of Saints. In your kindness, please help me with my own special request: (mention here your petition, and make the sign of the Cross).

Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

St. Pio Pray For Us!

FEAST OF ST. MATTHEW, THE APOSTLE

Feast Day - September 21

Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, also called Levi, was sitting at his tax-collector's desk in Caphernaum when he was called by Christ. He followed Him at once, and also gave a feast for Him and the other disciples. After the resurrection of Christ, while Matthew was still in Judea before going to the district which it had fallen to his lot to evangelize, he wrote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Hebrew for the sake of the Jews who had become believers. Then he went to Ethiopia and preached the Gospel, confirming his teaching with many miracles.
By one of his greatest miracles, that of bringing back to life the king's daughter, he converted the king and his wife together with the whole country to the faith of Christ. When the king died, his successor Hirtacus wished to marry Iphigenia, the daughter of the former king; but she had vowed her virginity to God, and she persevered in her holy determination. Since the vow had been taken through Matthew's influence, Hirtacus had Matthew killed at the altar while celebrating Mass. It was on the 21st of September that Matthew's apostolic work was crowned with the glory of martyrdom. His body was taken to Salerno, and later, under Pope Gregory VII, it was transferred to the church dedicated to St. Matthew. There it is honored devoutly by a great number of persons.            St. Matthew Pray For Us!

Happy Patron Saint Day to all those named Matthew,
esp. my nephew Matthew DeStefano

livingwatercommunity.com for this and other information on saints.

Saint of the Day: St Augustine

I have special interest in St. Augustine. 12 years ago I was professed as a Secular Augustinian Recollect...a lay ministry that follows the "rule" of  St. Augustine. The Monastery that I attend is the Tagaste Monastery in Suffern, NY. The grounds are beautiful in a country setting, so serene. The Good Samaritan Hospital is across the street and the priests visit the patients there and celebrate Mass in the hospital chapel.

  A Brief History of St. Augustine

A Christian at 33, a priest at 36, a bishop at 41: many people are familiar with the biographical sketch of Augustine of Hippo, sinner turned saint. But really to get to know the man is a rewarding experience.

There quickly surfaces the intensity with which he lived his life, whether his path led away from or toward God. The tears of his mother, the instructions of Ambrose and, most of all, God himself speaking to him in the Scriptures redirected Augustine’s love of life to a life of love.

Having been so deeply immersed in creature-pride of life in his early days and having drunk deeply of its bitter dregs, it is not surprising that Augustine should have turned, with a holy fierceness, against the many demon-thrusts rampant in his day. His times were truly decadent—politically, socially, morally. He was both feared and loved, like the Master. The perennial criticism leveled against him: a fundamental rigorism.

In his day, he providentially fulfilled the office of prophet. Like Jeremiah and other greats, he was hard-pressed but could not keep quiet. “I say to myself, I will not mention him,/I will speak in his name no more./But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,/imprisoned in my bones;/I grow weary holding it in,/I cannot endure it” (Jeremiah 20:9).

Our Charism: The "chante love" of contemplation, the "ordered love" of community life, and the "diffusive love" of the apostolate are the essential elements of the Augustinian Recollect Charism.



Contemplation: in St. Augustine, is communitarian and apostolic. By dint of being ordered toward God, the human being is essentially contemplative. By means of a process of interiorization and transcendence, man's and will encounter God, who is the highest Truth and the greatest Good. The Augustinian person feels totally dependent upon God in his or her origin, and ordered toward him is destiny. He is from God and for God. He loves God disinterestedly and without measure. The is the amor castus of Augustinian contemplation.
Community: a second love plays its essential part in the communitarian aspect of the charism. It is the "ordered love" through which we "use" material things, and "rejoice" in God and in rational creatures. The vow of poverty is the communitarian vow par excellence.

Apostolate: the "chaste love" of contemplation, besides being a force for union, also is a force for diffusion, and is thus apostolic. The Augustinian person commits himself to service of all. He is available to dent to the needs of the Church.


Augustine is still acclaimed and condemned in our day. He is a prophet for today, trumpeting the need to scrap escapisms and stand face-to-face with personal responsibility and dignity.

Quote:
“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty of ancient days, yet ever new! Too late I loved you! And behold, you were within, and I abroad, and there I searched for you; I was deformed, plunging amid those fair forms, which you had made. You were with me, but I was not with you. Things held me far from you—things which, if they were not in you, were not at all. You called, and shouted, and burst my deafness. You flashed and shone, and scattered my blindness. You breathed odors and I drew in breath—and I pant for you. I tasted, and I hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I burned for your peace” (St. Augustine, Confessions).

Saint of the Day: The Feast of St. Monica: August 27th

The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica’s prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism.


Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father’s death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact, she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted.

When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead, he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine’s trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan.

In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, St. Ambrose, who also became Monica’s spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her (see Quote, below). Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste.

She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter, 387, St. Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death.

This piece is taken from American Catholic.org http://www.americancatholic.org/

John Bosco Among Us...USA & Canada Pilgrimage 2010

DON BOSCO AMONG US

The Relic of St. John Bosco will visit the USA and Canada from September 11, 2010 to October 9, 2010. Mark Your Calendar!
Unlike most pilgrimages, which usually involve an individual going to a sanctuary to venerate a saint, the Pilgrimage of Don Bosco’s Relic brings the relic of Don Bosco to the people! The relic of Don Bosco will be transported to the US to grant individuals an opportunity to honor and respect St. John Bosco. Adults & children will be given the chance to pray before the casket and ask St. John Bosco to intercede for them.
It is important to respect and pray to saints for they are role models which all Christians should strive to imitate. Devotion to saints provides hope, and encourages us to ask the saints to intercede for us before God
A relic is an object of religious veneration. In Acts 19:11-12 it states: “Meanwhile, God worked extraordinary miracles at the hands of Paul. When handkerchiefs or clothes which had touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases were cured and evil spirits departed from them.” It is not magic, but symbolizes how God works through the saints even after they have died.
St. John Bosco founded the Salesian Society, named after St. Francis de Sales, because he wanted Salesians to follow St. Francis’ kind and gentle ways. This society’s mission is to be a friend to poor kids, abandoned kids, at risk kids and thus, be a friend of Christ. The educational philosophy is reason, religion & kindness, and basic principle of the system is deep understanding and love for young people and their problems.
For complete schedule of the Relic Pilgrimage of St. John Bosco in USA and Canada go to www.DonBoscoAmongUs.org