Pope explains Year for Priests: To Rediscover the Essence of Ministry

VATICAN CITY, 24 JUN 2009 (VIS) - During today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope focused his remarks on the Year for Priests which he inaugurated last Friday, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and day of prayer for the sanctification of the clergy, and which is intended to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Mary Vianney.

"Why a Year for Priests?" the Pope asked. "And why should it recall the holy 'Cure of Ars' who apparently did nothing out of the ordinary?"

The Holy Father went on to explain how "Divine Providence ordained that the figure [of St. John May Vianney] should be associated with that of St. Paul" because, "although the two saints followed very different life paths, ... these exists nonetheless a fundamental factor that unites them: their total identification with their ministry, their communion with Christ".

"The aim of this Year for Priests", he went on, "is to support each priest's struggle towards spiritual perfection, 'upon which the effectiveness of his ministry particularly depends', and to help priests, and with them the entire People of God, to rediscover and revive an awareness of the extraordinary and indispensable gift of Grace which the ordained ministry represents, for the person who receives it, for the entire Church, and for the world which would be lost without the real presence of Christ".

Interesting article...go HERE to read the complete version from our Holy Father.

Quotes

"Have no fear, all is arranged and controlled by My Love." - Our Lord to Sister Josefa Menedez, from The Way of Divine Love.

"We ought to have a clear understanding of what the dogma of the Mystical Body permits and even commands in our particular circumstances of life. Once we are convinced of our duty, we should go to the limit in our Christ-life. We are not here merely to serve God and save our own souls; we are bound to save our neighbor. This point is very important. How can anyone work effectively for the salvation and sanctification of his neighbor unless he uses the most saving and most sanctifying means; sacrifice.?" -from "Progress in Divine Union," by Father Raoul Plus, S.J.

Year for Priests Begins!

Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009. The year will end in Rome on June 19, 2010.

Also, with the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé d’Ars.

What else can I say other than I am very excited about this! I am excited for the opportunity to visit and help our dear priests. I am also excited to teach my boys during this year (well at least the oldest will be able to understand:) everything about the priesthood, and what a gift it is, not just for the men who become priests, but for the faithful people that they patiently guide.

Most of all, I am excited to spend more of the next year in prayer for our dear, dear Fathers. They need our prayers so much! Think of the temptations that they must go through! They bring Christ to so many people, I'm sure the evil one isn't happy about that. Their blessed hands are consecrated for just this purpose! But priests are human, just like all of us, and they need support and companionship and love. I hope and pray to see some kind of a renewal, especially amongst us mothers, in the church of taking better care of our beloved priests,getting more involved in their lives, and just being available always to help them in any way we can, even making sacrifices for them! Think about it, without our Holy priests, we would all be so lost and have nothing, because they bring us Jesus in the Eucharist!

To start the year off, here are some links that I gathered about the 2009 Year for Priests:

Go HERE to find that the USCCB has a site filled with information about this special year. Also, HERE is a direct link at the USCCB where you can find FREE printable prayers pertaining to the year for priest.

A great article, by Cardinal Justin Rigali on the Year for Priests and St. John Vianney.


And a blog dedicated to this year in 2009 for priests.

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, Keep them, for they are Thine-
Thy priests whose lives burn out before they consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world, Through from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure,- shelter them in Thy Heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain.
When all their life of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord they have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts, with human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed, deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Thursday's with Saint Rita of Cascia

image

(My apologies on being a day late. A friend needed a baby sitter last minute yesterday so I was busy busy with children all day and night!:)

For the introductory prayers and other information on this devotion go HERE.

THIRD THURSDAY

St. Rita's Life-Education by Image and Example

We know nothing very precise about the education the Lotti gave their daughter. One simply cannot give what one does not have. At the time of the Lotti the poor were probably unlettered. The great book of images that children studied was the church of their village. Pictures, paintings, statues, stained glass windows, all helped to excite their minds and hearts...Child that she was, Rita did not have eyes enough for the many wonders mother Lotti explained to her....In the Bible and the legends (of the saints) Rita quenched her thirst for religious knowledge. One "book" nevertheless, topped them all: the Crucifix, the imposing Crucifix of so many Italian Churches. It taught the child everything: love of Jesus, hatred of sin, and the spirit of Penance.


Reflection: Importance of A Catholic Education

There is a great difference between Rita's education and the education of most children today. Times have changed, for sure. In our day it would be unthinkable to let a child remain unlettered. Children need to be educated....However, it is regrettable that too many parents insist on their children's instruction in matters that concern their future earthly destiny and neglect their children's religious education, which they regard as of little importance...Christian parents must understand that one of their principal duties is to provide for the religious education of their children....our little ones should always receive at home their first Christian Education.


Closing Prayer

O St. Rita, you had the great happiness of being brought up by truly religious parents. Raise up among us many parents like yours. Let their Principal care be to lead their children to Jesus. Let them be aware of their responsibility and have all the understanding and all the tact they need to fulfill this role. Humbly ask the Holy Spirit to help mothers be solicitous for the faith and generosity of their children. Let our little ones learn to be unselfish and devoted to others. let our teenagers be resolved to do their best, and let them be guided by a true love for Jesus. May our Lord help them to remain upright and pure in a world that is not. The temptations they will face are so many and so great that their perseverance will seem at times to be compromised. O saint of the most difficult cases, help the parents of today to educate the Catholic of tomorrow. Amen.


Just for Fun, go HERE for a wealth of St. Rita devotional materials, including statues, medals, books etc.

Book Review: Magnificat-May 2009

I was lucky enough to get sent a copy of the Magnificant from the Catholic Company last month. This book is one that you subscribe to and receive a different issue on a monthly basis. It contains all the Mass readings for the month. If you are a daily mass attendee I would recommend this book, however I would also recommended this book if you are maybe just someone who desires to attend daily mass but cannot make it so often.



The book is laid on wonderfully, with the beginning including some short article and meditations to think of for the month. You will also find a wealth of prayers including litanies and novenas that are applicable to the current month and hymns too. Then, each day doesn't just include the daily mass readings, but also includes morning and evenings prayers, and a selection on the saint of the day. To top it all off, the cover page is always just so beautiful, worth framing in fact! When I saw our blessed mother on the cover of the Magnificant it definitely stirred in me a desire to pray and to ask her intercession. A very Holy subscription that, if followed along with, I'm sure would help increase your faith.

Thursday's With Saint Rita of Cascia

For the introductory prayers and other information on this devotion go HERE.


SECOND THURSDAY



St. Rita's Life- The Miracle of the Bees

For a great explanation of this mystery surrounding St. Rita when she was just a baby go HERE.


Reflection-Blessed are the Meek

Are we artisans of peace wherever we are: at home, at work, or in anywhere else? How do we handle our relations with one another? It would do us no good to have a certain piety if at the same time we were like people who deliberately create misunderstanding and, as the saying goes, "throw oil on the fire." That Rita was predestined to be a saint of meekness was also suggested, at the time of her infancy, by delightful miracle of the bees. Honey has always been a symbol of meekness. let us not forget St. Francis de sales affirming, from experience, that more flies are caught with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.

Our Lord weighed his words well when he said: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land." (Matthew 5:4)


Closing Prayer-

O St. Rita, deeply Christian parents inculcated in you the sense of Christian Goodness. Teach us to put it into practice. Obtain for us the honey of meekness. WE know that to acquire this virtue we must first be capable of mastering ourselves. And we know very little about doing that. We let ourselves be led by our antipathies, our prejudices, our material interests. Help us change all that, you who were the Saint of meekness. Amen

(all writings taken from "Saint Rita, Saint of the Impossible.")

Just for fun, go HERE for a link to a hymn in Honor of Saint Rita.

Book Review: Francis of Assisi

"Francis of Assisi," by Michael del la Bedoyere, is another great Catholic classic that has been reprinted recently. (And what else could one expect but the best quality goods from the Catholic Company:) This book is a well written biography that is quite engaging. The author really does a wonderful job of letting you get to know Francis, the man and human being, along with Francis the great Saint. While reading you will also get a taste of Assisi the town and what life was like there, so much so that it will make you want to go and explore the city that brought forth such a Saint as Francis. But, don't be mistaken to think that this book would be heavy on the historical aspects of the time. It doesn't feel like you are reading a history book at all, in fact it seems more like you are having a cup of coffee with a good friend who happened to know St. Francis and is telling you all about it.

If you want to know more about this great saint (and who doesn't want to know about one of the most popular saints of our times) definitely read this book before reading any of the newer writings on him.

From a Mother's perspective, such as my own, I have come to realize as well, that St. Francis really is a Saint for Wives and Mothers too! When comparing the many aspects of his life, faith journey, and trials to my own vocation, I found many instances that I could relate to. A few examples:

*Francis always had an unfailing obedience to the Church and also to Her representatives. (Priests, bishops etc.) He looked at these religious men and took what they said as a direct command from God. I compare this to my call to be obedient to my husband, and trust that the Lord has given him to me as a partner and as a guide, and that the Lord will protect me and nourish me and my faith through my husband and my marriage vocation.

*Francis was sensitive and would cry often. Well, we know that most likely Francis cried Holy tears of sorrow, hope, love and faith, and maybe my tears are more out of frustration, resentment, or jealously, but it was consoling to find this saint so very sensitive. It was a lesson for me to reflect on this type of "Holy sensitiveness" instead of my normal "selfish sensitiveness."

*St. Francis was the ultimate declutter! Seriously though, he lived an extremely simple and austere lifestyle. Only living day by day trusting on our Lord's providence. I think of him and his lifestyle often now, especially when I am doing any shopping. I am learning more and more that the things I thought I "needed" were really just distractions on my path to serve God. Now, I may not be able to live as simply as the great St. Francis, but it really is an eye opener for me to look around the house and ponder on how much stuff I own and if it is good and necessary to have.

Do you like reading Catholic books and then giving your opinion? The good people at the Catholic Company are now accepting new applicants for reviewers. Go HERE to find out more and apply!


Saint Francis’ Prayer Before the Crucifix


Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me
true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge, Lord, that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen.

Thursday's With Saint Rita of Cascia

I came across the Fifteen Thursday Devotion while studying about Saint Rita of Cascia, the Saint of the Impossible. Traditionally this series of prayer and petitions are offered the fifteen weeks preceding St. Rita's feast day, which is May 22nd, however I have decided to begin this devotion now. This devotion has been practiced in remembrance of the fifteen years that St. Rita received and endured with the gift of the thorn.

I was not able to find a listing of the prayers anywhere on-line so I purchased this little book that fortunately included them. This devotion seems to be one that used to be quite popular, but is now less known, with the exception to some places in Europe and at St. Rita's shrines around the world.

Each Thursday devotion consists of a preparatory prayer, a short reading on St. Rita's life, a reflection, and then a closing prayer. I will be posting just a sampling of the prayers and reflections, but it will be enough to follow the devotion along. However, I would recommended highly getting, "Saint Rita, Saint of the Impossible," if you are interested in this devotion. The book is quite reasonable as I have never seen it for more than $4.00.


FIRST THURSDAY

Preparatory Prayer

O my God, whose splendor fills heaven and earth, I believe You are present here. I know You are near me and in me. Immersed in my unworthiness, I deeply adore You.

I thank You for the many graces You have accorded me and for all the graces, spiritual and material, You in Your fatherly goodness have prepared to straighten my weakness.

I ask You to forgive the many faults I have committed in the past. I beg the help of your grace to keep me from offending You in the future and to remain faithful to the promises I have made to You many times. I sincerely renew them today.

O blessed Virgin, Saints in heaven, and especially you, St. Rita, help me make this Holy Exercise devoutly in order to obtain the light of mind and the strength of will to attain my eternal salvation. Amen



St. Rita's Life-"The Precious Pearl in a Desolate Land"

"Rita is a lovely name, It comes from the latin "margarita," which means "pearl." It was providential name, seeing that in the fifteenth century St. Rita was one of the most precious jewels of Holy Church. She lived five hundred years ago, at the time of St. Joan of Arc.....At. Rita's birth, the Church herself was divided. The "Great Schism: had begun three years earlier. For forty years there were two popes opposed to each other and even three at the end."


Reflection: The Value of Saints in Our Lives


"Among us there is a "common union" called the "Communion of Saints," a union of all baptized people....Regrettably, in this large "Body" there are many spiritually sick members, who weaken the whole. This weakness must be strengthened. And it is the saints who are the ones charged with this function....Not only are the saints the counterbalance to the sins of the world; they are also witnesses of the Gospel. Their existence is like a living lesson for all to see. They show us the human masterpiece that can be achieved by following Christ and taking His message and counsels seriously...."

Closing Prayer

O St. Rita, the Providence of God raised you up in the fifteenth century to help save the Christian world from the lamentable state in which it had fallen. Look at our times. They are scarcely any better. Now and then we too are divided by so much misunderstanding and, at times, hatred. For us also the peril is at our door because of our sins. By your merits, keep away from us and our children the frightful dangers of war. Our misery consists above all in being so far removed from true Christianity. Help us to return to a live that is more in harmony with the Gospels. By your example, make us understand that we must be converted and live in charity as true baptized people of Christ Jesus. Amen

(all writings taken from "Saint Rita, Saint of the Impossible.")

Just for fun....HERE is a link to the national Shrine for Saint Rita of Cascia.

Sick Days

A summer cold has hit my family and we have all been under the weather the past several days. Because of this I have had some extra time to do some reading and surfing around on the web, and ok, some shopping too!:) I wanted to pass along some well known Catholic sites that I found to have wonderful sale and clearance sections, some with books as little as $2.00. Check it out if you have the time!

Tan Books-HERE is a link to the Saint Benedict Press Clearance Section, and also go HERE for a link on all Tan books that are on sale.

Catholic Company-This great company has actually launched a new separate company called Catholicoverstock.com. You can find deeply discounted catholic books, statues, rosaries, etc.

Sophia Institute Press-Another great Catholic publisher that has a clearance section where all books are $2.00! Go HERE to check out their selection.

Our Lady of the Rosary Library-the name calls this apostolate a library, but it is really an online store that offers wonderful traditional catholic books, prayer cards and pamphlets for just pennies on the dollar of what you would normally pay. Here is an excerpt from their website:

"Our Lady of the Rosary Library has been in existence for over 28 years. Our purpose is to promote the greater honor and glory of Our Dear Savior and the salvation of souls. The Library is a non-profit family apostolate. We offer our material at very low prices to encourage widespread distribution."

Go HERE to view their selection.