Our Holy Queen

I dedicated a whole blog on our Holy Queen, please view it and leave a comment.

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished
children of Eve, to thee do we send
up our sighs, mourning and weeping
in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us; and
after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.

A Childs view on the Old and New Testaments

This comes from a Catholic elementary school. Kids were asked questions about the Old and New Testaments. They have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., incorrect spelling has been left in.)... Enjoy!

* In the first book of the bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the
world, so he took the Sabbath off.

* Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. Noah's wife was called
Joan of Ark. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.

* Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.

* The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had trouble with
the unsympathetic Genitals.

* Samson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel
like Delilah.

* Moses led the hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread
which is bread without any ingredients.

* The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses
went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments.

* The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.

* Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the
hebrews in the battle of Geritol.

* The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand
still and he obeyed him.

* David was a hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. he fought with the
Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

* Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

* When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the
Magna Carta.

* When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in
the manager.

* Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

* Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before
they do one to you. He also explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone."

* It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the
tombstone off the entrance.

* The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles
were the wives of the apostles.

* One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.

* St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is
another name for marriage.

* Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

Saint of the Day Tuesday May 11th : St. Ignatius of Laconi, OFMCap

St. Ignatius of Laconi, OFMCap

His feast is celebrated MAY 11 The second of nine children born to Matthew Peis and Anna Maria Sanna first saw the light of day on December 18, 1701. In baptism, he received the name Francis Ignatius Vincent, but was known as Vincent. The family was economically poor, cultivating a small plot of land in the village of Laconi on the island of Sardinia. Difficulties had marked Anna Maria's pregnancy with Vincent which prompted her to dedicate the unborn child to Francis of Assisi, promising that, in return for a safe delivery, the child would enter the Franciscan Order. The Peis family provided for the religious education of Vincent who received the sacraments of confirmation and eucharist on May 17, 1707. Vincent loved to go to church which he called "my home." Noticing the youngster's prayerful attitude, people called him "the little saint." Vincent felt drawn to the contemplative life and would openly speak of his vocation to become a Franciscan. However, his father would not permit him to pursue religious life because the survival of the family depended on Vincent's help. During adolescence, Vincent fell seriously ill. He promised that, if he recovered, he would become a Capuchin. Despite Vincent's recovery, Matthew continued to oppose his son's resolve. Toward the end of 1712, Vincent confronted his parents with the vow he had made to enter the Capuchins, and their resistance vanished. On November 2, 1721, the 20-year-old Vincent, together with his father, traveled to Cagliari. At St. Anthony Friary, situated on the hill called Buoncammino, Vincent made his request to Francis Mary of Cagliari, the Capuchin provincial minister. The minister's response was a quick, cold "no." The provincial judged that Vincent's frail constitution was too much of an obstacle for living the austere, rigorous life of a Capuchin. The family had recourse to the Marquis of Laconi, Don Gabriel Aymerich, protector of the Peis family, asking that he intervene on Vincent's behalf. On the follow
ing day, the marquis and the provincial minister met and decided to allow Vincent to enter the Capuchins.
On November 10, 1722, at the isolated novitiate of St. Benedict the Abbot, Vincent laid aside the traditional Laconese costume, was invested with the Capuchin habit, and given the name, Ignatius. Louis of Nureci was his novice director. Firmly founded in the tradition of unquestioning obedience and humble service, Ignatius professed vows a year later, after which, he ministered as cook and fuller. For the last 40 years of his life, he served as questor for the friary of Buoncammino.
Ignatius was illiterate, his grammar poor and his dialect rough. Still, everyone welcomed him because they recognized his holiness. He always set out on his quest with rosary in hand and eyes cast down. There was hardly a house in Cagliari, especially in the poorer district of Stampace, that hadn't welcomed the brother. People would give alms to Ignatius more out of personal devotion to him than out of charity. Despite their own need, even the poor would offer some gift. Ignatius would courteously refuse their offering, telling them, "Take this offering for yourselves right now; give it to me sometime in the future when I ask you for it." Despite being held in high esteem by others and being referred to as the "holy friar," Ignatius was very self-effacing. Conscious of his own human weakness and the shortcomings of his natural temperament, Ignatius focused on his need of God's pardon and mercy. He never sought personal prestige or recognition. His words, though unpolished, always reflected a faith perspective. To those who came to him for comfort, he would advise, "Trust God." In numerous instances, God's healing power was channeled through this "apostle of the streets."
Ignatius had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. Once, while assigned as cook at Iglesias, as he was drawing water from the well the keys to the friary storeroom fell into the well. Ignatius knelt down and devoutly recited three "Hail Mary's". When he retrieved the bucket, the keys were found inside. Although blind for the last two years of his life, Ignatius was still actively engaged in ministry until just a few months before his death. Ignatius died on May 11, 1781 at the friars' infirmary at Buoncammino. He was buried in a separate vault next to the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at the Buoncammino friary. His tombstone reads: "cum sanctitatis acclamatione." Due to a number of factors: the political events affecting the island‹especially the French Revolution and the suppression of religious orders‹and the conflicting interests of some of the Capuchin superiors of Cagliari, the cause for beatification was not begun until July 16, 1844. It was Pius XII who beatified Ignatius on June 16,1940 and canonized him on October 21, 1951.

The Second Posting: 

Ignatius was the son of a poor farmer in Laconi, Italy. He was born on December 17, 1701. When he was about seventeen, he became very ill. He promised to be a Franciscan if he would get better. But when the illness left him, his father convinced him to wait. A couple of years later, Ignatius was almost killed when he lost control of his horse. Suddenly, however, the horse stopped and trotted on quietly. Ignatius was convinced, then, that God had saved his life. He made up his mind to follow his religious vocation at once.

Brother Ignatius never had any important position in the Franciscan order. For fifteen years he worked in the weaving shed. Then, for forty years, he was part of the team who went out from house to house. They requested food and donations to support the friars. Ignatius visited families and received their gift. But the people soon realized that they received a gift in return. Brother Ignatius consoled the sick and cheered up the lonely. He made peace between enemies, converted people hardened by sin and advised those in trouble. They began to wait for his visits.

There were some difficult days, too. Once in a while, a door was slammed in his face, and often the weather was bad. Always, there were miles and miles to walk. But Ignatius was dedicated. Yet people noticed he used to skip one house. The owner was a rich moneylender. He made the poor pay back much more than they could afford. This man felt humiliated because Ignatius never visited his home to ask for donations. He complained to Brother Ignatius' superior. The superior knew nothing about the moneylender so he sent Ignatius to his home. Brother Ignatius never said a word, but did as he was told. He returned with a large sack of food. It was then that God worked a miracle. When the sack was emptied, blood dripped out. "This is the blood of the poor," Ignatius explained softly. "That is why I never ask for anything at that house." The friars began to pray that the moneylender would repent.

Brother Ignatius died at the age of eighty, on May 11, 1781. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1951.

Reading Monday May 10th 2010

May 10, 2010
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Reading 1

Acts 16:11-15

We set sail from Troas, making a straight run for Samothrace,

and on the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi,

a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.

We spent some time in that city.

On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river

where we thought there would be a place of prayer.

We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.

One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,

from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,

and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention

to what Paul was saying.

After she and her household had been baptized,

she offered us an invitation,

“If you consider me a believer in the Lord,

come and stay at my home,” and she prevailed on us.

 Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b

Responsorial Psalm

R.          (see 4a)  The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.          Alleluia.

Sing to the LORD a new song

of praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel be glad in their maker,

let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.

R.          The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.          Alleluia.

Let them praise his name in the festive dance,

let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the LORD loves his people,

and he adorns the lowly with victory.

R.          The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.          Alleluia.

Let the faithful exult in glory;

let them sing for joy upon their couches.

Let the high praises of God be in their throats.

This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.

R.          The Lord takes delight in his people.

or:

R.          Alleluia.

Jn 15:26—16:4a

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,

the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,

he will testify to me.

And you also testify,

because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have told you this so that you may not fall away.

They will expel you from the synagogues;

in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you

will think he is offering worship to God.

They will do this because they have not known either the Father or me.

I have told you this so that when their hour comes

you may remember that I told you.”

The Sign of the Cross

Hey guys! I wanted to share something I found with you all, I think you might find it as interesting as I have. A few weeks back I heard this story about a cross that reflects off a bathroom window in this family's home. I thought wow this has to be interesting, but would it be real? I've always been fascinated with the " paranormal", this just hit a cord with me being Catholic. I promise I'm going to post the pictures down below and let you judge for your self's, but first I want to give a little background on the pictures. The cross first appeared Easter Week, a 10 year old boy who lives in the home noticed it one day while he was playing outside. Its this huge cross radiating off the bathroom window, its very bright and you can't miss it, and It seems to move when you move with it. The smaller candles the family has inside the bathroom's window sill all reflect a cross on their flame, as well as the lighter flame, matches, flash light, It all shows a cross when any source of light reflects from the inside out. Its a beautiful idea of a cross in the bathroom, its a loving reminder that GOD is all around us even in the bathroom ( mental note to by air freshener ), But the fact of the matter is, the women who lived here, wouldn't close the window. It made a double window pane on the side that reflected the cross and, It's hard not to out rule that it could be just the reflection of the light bulb ( energy efficient BTW kudos for caring about the earth) on the window. It has this film over it( I don't know exactly what its called, but It blurs the window so nobody can look in or out) and it makes sense for there to be a reflection, For me to honestly truly believe, I would love to see it with both windows closed, but I promised you guys pictures and please don't let my judgment influence yours. We all love GOD in our own way, and understand him the best we can. If I find out anymore information on the window Ill update the blog!

With all my love and God's Blessing,
Tess

Saint of the Day: Monday, May 10, 2010 St. Damien of Molokai (1840-1889)

When Joseph de Veuster was born in Tremelo, Belgium, in 1840, few people in Europe had any firsthand knowledge of leprosy (Hansen's disease). By the time he died at the age of 49, people all over the world knew about this disease because of him. They knew that human compassion could soften the ravages of this disease.

Forced to quit school at age 13 to work on the family farm, six years later Joseph entered the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, taking the name of a fourth-century physician and martyr. When his brother Pamphile, a priest in the same congregation, fell ill and was unable to go to the Hawaiian Islands as assigned, Damien quickly volunteered in his place. In May 1864, two months after arriving in his new mission, Damien was ordained a priest in Honolulu and assigned to the island of Hawaii.

In 1873, he went to the Hawaiian government's leper colony on the island of Molokai, set up seven years earlier. Part of a team of four chaplains taking that assignment for three months each year, Damien soon volunteered to remain permanently, caring for the people's physical, medical and spiritual needs. In time, he became their most effective advocate to obtain promised government support.

Soon the settlement had new houses and a new church, school and orphanage. Morale improved considerably. A few years later he succeeded in getting the Franciscan Sisters of Syracuse, led by Mother Marianne Cope (January 23), to help staff this colony in Kalaupapa.

Damien contracted Hansen's disease and died of its complications. As requested, he was buried in Kalaupapa, but in 1936 the Belgian government succeeded in having his body moved to Belgium. Part of Damien's body was returned to his beloved Hawaiian brothers and sisters after his beatification in 1995.

When Hawaii became a state in 1959, it selected Damien as one of its two representatives in the Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.


Comment:

Some people thought Damien was a hero for going to Molokai and others thought he was crazy. When a Protestant clergyman wrote that Damien was guilty of immoral behavior, Robert Louis Stevenson vigorously defended him in an "Open Letter to Dr. Hyde."

Quote:

During the beatification homily, Pope John Paul II said: "Holiness is not perfection according to human criteria; it is not reserved for a small number of exceptional persons. It is for everyone; it is the Lord who brings us to holiness, when we are willing to collaborate in the salvation of the world for the glory of God, despite our sin and our sometimes rebellious temperament."

May 9, 2010 Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 9, 2010
Sixth Sunday of Easter

Reading 1

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,

“Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,

you cannot be saved.”

Because there arose no little dissension and debate

by Paul and Barnabas with them,

it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others

should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders

about this question.

The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,

decided to choose representatives

and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.

The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas,

and Silas, leaders among the brothers.

This is the letter delivered by them:

“The apostles and the elders, your brothers,

to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia

of Gentile origin: greetings.

Since we have heard that some of our number

who went out without any mandate from us

have upset you with their teachings

and disturbed your peace of mind,

we have with one accord decided to choose representatives

and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So we are sending Judas and Silas

who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:

‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us

not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,

namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,

from blood, from meats of strangled animals,

and from unlawful marriage.

If you keep free of these,

you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”

Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Responsorial Psalm

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!

or:

R. Alleluia.

May God have pity on us and bless us;

may he let his face shine upon us.

So may your way be known upon earth;

among all nations, your salvation.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or:

R. Alleluia.

May the nations be glad and exult

because you rule the peoples in equity;

the nations on the earth you guide.

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or:

R. Alleluia.

May the peoples praise you, O God;

may all the peoples praise you!

May God bless us,

and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

or:

R. Alleluia.

Rev 21:10-14, 22-23

Reading 2

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain

and showed me the holy city Jerusalem

coming down out of heaven from God.

It gleamed with the splendor of God.

Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,

like jasper, clear as crystal.

It had a massive, high wall,

with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed

and on which names were inscribed,

the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.

There were three gates facing east,

three north, three south, and three west.

The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,

on which were inscribed the twelve names

of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city

for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.

The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it,

for the glory of God gave it light,

and its lamp was the Lamb.

Jn 14:23-29

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;

yet the word you hear is not mine

but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all that I told you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give it to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you,

‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’

If you loved me,

you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;

for the Father is greater than I.

And now I have told you this before it happens,

so that when it happens you may believe.”

To all the mothers in the world esp mine Happy Mothers Day! May God Bless you and keep you forever and ever!


Loving God,
as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
Bless these women,
that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honor them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Saint of the Day: Sunday, May 09, 2010 St. Catharine of Bologna

Some Franciscan saints led fairly public lives; Catharine represents the saints who served the Lord in obscurity.

Catharine, born in Bologna, was related to the nobility in Ferrara and was educated at court there. She received a liberal education at the court and developed some interest and talent in painting. In later years as a Poor Clare, Catharine sometimes did manuscript illumination and also painted miniatures.

At the age of 17, she joined a group of religious women in Ferrara. Four years later the whole group joined the Poor Clares in that city. Jobs as convent baker and portress preceded her selection as novice mistress.

In 1456 she and 15 other sisters were sent to establish a Poor Clare monastery in Florence. As abbess Catharine worked to preserve the peace of the new community. Her reputation for holiness drew many young women to the Poor Clare life. She was canonized in 1712.

"Jesus Christ gave up his life that we might live"- St. Catharine of Bologna