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Novena to St. Joseph

Novena to St. Joseph
Nine Days to increase in the Graces of St. Joseph

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Sunday, August 10, 2025

  Claire’s Corner ·           Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the  Divine Office  giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shoppi...

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Sunday, August 17, 2025

 



Claire’s Corner

·         Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.

·         Bucket List Trip: Around the World “Perfect Weather”

o   Bhutan

§  Paro

·         Spirit Hour: Frisky Bison

o   Sleep Tea

·         Foodie: Matsutake Recipes

Do the Herb

·         30 Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger

o   Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

MEDICINAL PLANTS Day 3-Revealed by Heaven to Luz De María

OUTDOORS EXPOSURE AND GOOD SAMARITAN OIL

My children are suffering more frequently from respiratory diseases, which increase, being recurrent and requiring long treatment. Children, have you not asked yourselves why it is that you should be weaker faced with respiratory diseases?

Exposure to drastic changes in the climate greatly contributes to your bodies’ being exposed to respiratory complications, but at the same time the hand of man is implicit, spreading chemicals and viruses through the air so that you fall sick more frequently, and these sometimes become mortal for human beings. Faced with this, you should protect yourselves in order to minimize exposure to white trails when they cover the atmosphere. At the same time, spray the oil of the Good Samaritan on what you have chosen to protect your nose and mouth.

Sick minds of powerful nations are the demons that spread the disease on My children in airplanes. Shut your homes and do not expose yourselves to the open air when you see strange forms in the atmosphere.” Blessed Virgin Mary, 12.21.2019

·         Hurricane Camille hit Gulfport Mississippi in 1969-Know what to do in a Hurricane; you don’t just drink them. My dad was stationed in Gulfport in 1974 at the Seabee base there.

On Sundays Pray:

Glorious Queen of Heaven and Earth, Virgin Most Powerful, thou who hast the power to crush the head of the ancient serpent with thy heel, come and exercise this power flowing from the grace of thine Immaculate Conception. Shield us under the mantle of thy purity and love, draw us into the sweet abode of thy heart and annihilate and render impotent the forces bent on destroying us. Come Most Sovereign Mistress of the Holy Angels and Mistress of the Most Holy Rosary, thou who from the very beginning hast received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan. Send forth thy holy legions, we humbly beseech thee, that under thy command and by thy power they may pursue the evil spirits, counter them on every side, resist their bold attacks and drive them far from us, harming no one on the way, binding them to the foot of the Cross to be judged and sentenced by Jesus Christ Thy Son and to be disposed of by Him as He wills.

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, come to our aid in this grave battle against the forces of darkness, repel the attacks of the devil and free the members of the Auxilium Christianorum, and those for whom the priests of the Auxilium Christianorum pray, from the strongholds of the enemy.

St. Michael, summon the entire heavenly court to engage their forces in this fierce battle against the powers of hell. Come O Prince of Heaven with thy mighty sword and thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits. O Guardian Angels, guide and protect us. Amen.

God's blessings are indeed signs of His goodness, signs of His infinite Love. Are we indifferent to those signs of His goodness and love? Are we so unaware of His signs that we are disconnected from Him that we can take it or leave it?



AUGUST 17 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Luke, Chapter 20, Verse 19

The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they FEARED the people, for they knew that he had addressed this parable to them.

 

Politics never changes. Those in power find it very difficult to surrender. The powerful leaders of Israel were offended because Christ told them the truth, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”

 

The Real Issue was Surrender[1]

 

The scribes had set a trap by asking whether it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. They sought to label Him as a traitor to the Jews if he said yes and if He said no they could accuse Him before the Romans. Their plan was perfect yet, Jesus was able to see past the façade. Taxes were not the issue: Surrender was the issue. Who or what are the values and assumptions about life do we surrender too? Christ’s question, “Who’s image is on the coin.” He meant that any object stamped with a person’s image belongs to the individual pictured. This coin carried Caesar’s image, so they were to surrender that coin to Caesar. Christ’s point was the Israel’s had been stamped with God’s image. They therefore should surrender themselves to God.

 

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship[2]

As Catholics we therefore must give our consciences to God. Catholic’s are called to care and vote responsibly.

The Catholic bishops of the United States offer to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, their teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics.

 

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Luke 20:19 and the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost is rich with insight and spiritual urgency. Let’s deepen the layers a bit more—especially around the themes of surrender, conscience, and political responsibility.


🕊️ Luke 20:19 — Fear, Truth, and Power

“The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people…”

This verse captures a moment of spiritual tension. The religious elite recognized that Jesus’ parable—about the wicked tenants—was aimed directly at them. Their fear wasn’t rooted in moral conviction but in public backlash. Commentary expands this:

·         Jesus’ parables exposed hypocrisy: His teachings weren’t abstract; they were confrontational, revealing the leaders’ failure to steward God’s people faithfully.

o    Fear of the crowd restrained them: Their authority was fragile, dependent on public perception. They feared losing control more than they feared God.

§  The real confrontation was spiritual: Jesus wasn’t just challenging politics—He was calling for a radical reorientation of the soul.

§  This moment is a mirror: when truth threatens our comfort or status, do we surrender to it—or suppress it?


🪙 “Whose Image Is This?” — The Coin and the Conscience

Jesus’ response to the tax trap— “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is God’s”—wasn’t just clever. It was theological brilliance.

·         The coin bore Caesar’s image: So, it belonged to Caesar.

o    We bear God’s image: So we belong to God.

§  This is the heart of surrender. The issue wasn’t taxation—it was identity. Jesus was asking: To whom do you belong? The scribes wanted to trap Him in politics; He invited them into divine allegiance.


🗳️ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

The U.S. Catholic bishops’ document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, echoes this call to surrender—not to political ideologies, but to God’s truth. You can read the full document on the USCCB website.

Key principles include:

·         Conscience formation is ongoing: It requires prayer, study of Scripture, and reflection on Church teaching.

o    Not all issues carry equal moral weight: Some, like abortion and euthanasia, are intrinsic evils and must be opposed.

§  Catholics must engage politics for the common good.

§  This isn’t about partisanship—it’s about prophetic witness.

🔥 The Real Issue Is Still Surrender

“The real issue was surrender”—is the spiritual crux. Whether in ancient Jerusalem or modern America, the question remains:

To whom do we give ourselves?

·         Do we surrender to fear, comfort, or ideology?

o    Or do we surrender to the One whose image we bear?

§  This Sunday’s Gospel isn’t just a historical moment—it’s a living challenge that as Catholics we are invited to respond not with evasion, but with Eucharistic courage. 

ON KEEPING THE LORDS DAY HOLY[3]

 

CHAPTER V

 

DIES DIERUM

 

Sunday: The Primordial Feast, Revealing the Meaning of Time

CONCLUSION

86. I entrust this Apostolic Letter to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, that it may be received and put into practice by the Christian community. Without in any way detracting from the centrality of Christ and his Spirit, Mary is always present in the Church's Sunday. It is the mystery of Christ itself which demands this: indeed, how could she who is Mater Domini and Mater Ecclesiae fail to be uniquely present on the day which is both dies Domini and dies Ecclesiae?

As they listen to the word proclaimed in the Sunday assembly, the faithful look to the Virgin Mary, learning from her to keep it and ponder it in their hearts (cf. Lk 2:19). With Mary, they learn to stand at the foot of the Cross, offering to the Father the sacrifice of Christ and joining to it the offering of their own lives. With Mary, they experience the joy of the Resurrection, making their own the words of the Magnificat which extol the inexhaustible gift of divine mercy in the inexorable flow of time: "His mercy is from age to age upon those who fear him" (Lk 1:50). From Sunday to Sunday, the pilgrim people follow in the footsteps of Mary, and her maternal intercession gives special power and fervor to the prayer which rises from the Church to the Most Holy Trinity.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Humility and its source in knowing that all goodness comes from the Spirit.

AT the Introit of the Mass, join with the Church in extolling the help of God, whereby we are defended against our enemies. “When I cried to the Lord, He heard my voice from them that draw near against me, and He humbled them, Who is before all ages, and remains forever. Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication; be attentive to me, and hear me.”

Prayer. O God, Who dost particularly manifest Thy omnipotence by sparing and showing mercy, multiply Thy mercy towards us, that running to the possession of what Thou hast promised, Thou mayest make us partakers of heavenly goods.

EPISTLE, i. Cor. xii. 2-11.

Brethren: You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say, the Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit: and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord: and there are diversities of operations, but the same God, Who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one, indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith in the same Spirit: to another the grace of healing, in one Spirit: to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another divers kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of speeches. But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to everyone according as He will.

Explanation. As the Holy Ghost gave on Pentecost the gift of tongues, so also, He imparted to the faithful many other gifts. This Holy Spirit works in different ways. He confers not only ordinary but extraordinary graces on whom He will, and how He will, as He finds it for the edification of the body of Christ, and whatever gift anyone receives he must use for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, without being elated by it, since he has received it only as a pure grace.

GOSPEL. Luke xviii. 9-14

At that time, to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, Jesus spoke this parable: Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men: extortioners, unjust, adulterers: as also is this publican; I fast twice in a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven: but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner! I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other, because everyone that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Why did Jesus recite the parable of the Pharisee and the publican?

 To warn us against pride, ambition, and vanity in our good works, which thereby lose all their merits; to teach us not to despise or judge any man, although he should appear most impious; finally, to show us that if we would be heard in our prayers, we must appear before God with an humble and penitent heart.

Why was not the Pharisee’s prayer acceptable to God?

Because it was not a prayer, but rather a boast; for he praised himself, attributing his good works to himself, instead of giving God glory for them. Thus, despising and presumptuously judging others, he sinned the more against God, instead of making himself worthy of his praise.

Why was the prayer of the publican acceptable to God?

Because, though short, it was most humble and penitent. He did not, like the Pharisee, advance into the temple, but remained afar off, as though unworthy the presence of God and the fellowship of men. There he stood, with eyes cast down, in token that, for his sins, he was not worthy to look up to heaven; nay, he openly confessed himself a sinner, and in sorrow smote his breast, thereby punishing, as it were, says St. Augustine, the sins which had come from his heart. Let us, then, be afraid of vainglory, like St. Ignatius, who said, “They who praise me scourge me” and St. Hilary, who wept when he saw himself honored, because he was afraid of receiving his reward on earth. Learn to despise vainglory and think of what St. Augustine says: God is most high; exalt yourself, and He withdraws from you; humble yourself, and He comes down to you.” Seek in all things not your own but God’s glory; accustom yourself before every undertaking to raise your heart to God by making a good intention, and you will, like the publican, find grace before God.

Bible in a Year Day 60 Intercessory Prayer

Fr. Mike makes note of how the tribes of Israel travel with Judah (praise) leading the way, and makes note of how Moses intercedes for the people and acts as a mediator between God and man. Today's readings are Numbers 10, Deuteronomy 9, and Psalm 10.

 

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Individuals with Mental Illness

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

Saturday, August 16, 2025


Vinny’s Corner

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverb 31:30

·         Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

·         Foodie National Panini Month

o   Bigos

·         Spirit hour: Soul Kiss Cocktail With Blood Orange

o   Boost Your Immunity with Fermented Garlic Honey

·         James Cameron Birthday 1954

o   Avatar

§  Titanic

·         Today is World Honeybee Day. Here’s a smart tip. If you are going on a trip to another country or some distance, try to get some honey from the area you are going to. It will help you build resistance to the illnesses in the area you are visiting.

Ways to Celebrate and Reflect Spiritually

o   Plant a pollinator garden: Lavender, borage, and marjoram are bee favorites. Consider dedicating the garden to St. Francis of Assisi, patron of ecology.

o   Host a honey-themed meal: Try honey-roast duck, honey mustard salmon, or honey cake. Pair with a bourbon tasting or Darjeeling tea for a sensory meditation.

o   Reflect on bees as a symbol of community and sacrifice: Like the Body of Christ, each bee plays a role in sustaining the hive. Their selflessness echoes virtues like diligence, humility, and charity.

o   Pray for creation: Use Psalm 104 (“You make springs gush forth in the valleys…”) to meditate on God’s providence through pollinators.

·         30 Days of Women and Herbs – Frauendreissiger – Nr. 2 Horehound (Marrubium vulgaris or rafanum)

MEDICINAL PLANTS Day 2-Revealed by Heaven to Luz De María

RAW GARLIC Bactericide effect. Useful in disease prevention. High Vitamin C content. Contributes to the correct functioning of the thyroid gland, favoring the basic metabolism. Garlic has the following properties: Strengthens immune system. Preventive effect on diseases. Antihistaminic properties. Increases hemoglobin production. Contributes to growth and repair of body tissue. Vitamin C has the following properties: Known as: Ascorbic Acid

GINGER Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea Family: Asteraceae Reinforces immune system. Maintains the defenses of the organism. Fights intestinal bactericide infections. Expectorant and antibiotic.

As mother, I ask you observe, as part of your diet for life, the daily need to ingest VITAMIN C, to ingest raw garlic or ginger daily. Blessed Virgin Mary, 03.12.2017

·         Bucket Item tripKraków, Poland – Divine Mercy & John Paul II.

o   This is a spiritually rich week, perfectly timed. August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption, and August 16 is the feast day of St. Stephen of Hungary, a saint deeply connected to Central European Catholic identity—making Kraków a fitting location.

o   In Kraków, you can immerse yourself in:

§  🕊️ Divine Mercy Sanctuary – Home of St. Faustina’s revelations

§  🧳 John Paul II Center – Pilgrimage site honoring his legacy

§  🏰 Wawel Cathedral – Burial site of Polish kings and saints

§  🖼️ Cultural pairings – Pierogi, Polish hymns, and Vistula River walks


A Prayer Before Mass (Saturday) (by Saint Ambrose)

Catholic Online Prayers

I entreat Thee also, O Lord, by this most holy mystery of Thy Body and Blood, wherewith we are daily fed, and cleansed, and sanctified in Thy Church, and are made partakers of the one Supreme Divinity, grant unto me Thy holy virtues, that filled therewith I may with a good conscience draw near unto Thy holy Altar, so that these heavenly mysteries may be made unto me salvation and life; for Thou hast said with Thy holy and blessed lips: The Bread which I will give is My Flesh, for the life of the world. I am the living Bread which came down from heaven. If any man eats of this Bread, he shall live forever. O most sweet Bread, heal the palate of my heart, that I may taste the sweetness of Thy love. Heal it of all infirmities, that I may find sweetness in nothing out of Thee. O most pure Bread, having all delight and all savor, which ever refreshest us, and never failest, let my heart feed on Thee, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor. The Angels feed on Thee fully; let pilgrim man feed on Thee after his measure, so that, refreshed by this nourishment, he may not faint by the way. Holy Bread! Living Bread! Pure Bread! Who didst come down from heaven, and who givest life to the world, enter into my heart and cleanse me from all impurity of flesh and spirit. Come into my soul; heal and cleanse me within and without; be the protection and continual health of my soul and body. Drive far from me all foes that lie in wait: let them flee afar off at the presence of Thy power; that, strengthened by Thee without and within, I may by a straight way arrive at Thy kingdom, where, not as now in mysteries, but face to face, we shall behold Thee; when Thou shalt have delivered up the kingdom to God Thy Father, and shalt be God All in all. Then shalt Thou satisfy me with Thyself by a wondrous fullness, so that I shall never hunger nor thirst any more forever. Who with the same God the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever livest and reignest world without end.
Amen.


AUGUST 16 Saturday in the Octave of the Assumption

FEAST OF ST. JOACHIM-St. Stephen Of Hungary-Rum Day

 

Joshua, Chapter 24, Verse 14

Now, therefore, FEAR the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt and serve the LORD.

 

Joshua was telling the Israelites that it was a day for decision-making, a day for clarifying what they worship and to what they will give their ultimate allegiance.

In a sermon by Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas she states:

“Put away the gods that your ancestors served...” Joshua declares. Doing that requires an act of self-examination.

·         What are the gods that I serve?

·         What does my bank statement or my credit card statement say about my values?

·         What does the way I spend my free time say about what matters most to me?

·         How does the way that I treat family-members and co-workers, neighbors and friends show which gods I serve?

·         To what do I give my best, most focused attention and care?

·         What do I Really care about?

·         What motives really drive me?

·         What goals really draw me forward?

·         Are there compulsive patterns of thought or behavior to which I am excessively attached?

You and I can go to church and say very sincerely that we worship God, but in the hurly-burly of daily life there are all kinds of lesser gods that tug at us and clamor for our attention and our devotion.[1]

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 5:3)

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This passage from Joshua 24:14, paired with Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas’s sermon, opens a profound invitation to spiritual honesty and discernment. It’s not just a call to reject idolatry in the ancient sense—it’s a summons to examine the subtle allegiances of our hearts in the modern world.

 

🔍 A Day of Decision: Joshua’s Call to Clarity

Joshua’s exhortation is not gentle—it’s urgent. He stands before the people at Shechem, pressing them to choose whom they will serve. The context is rich:

 

·         “Fear the LORD”: Not terror, but awe, reverence, and surrender.

·         “Serve him completely and sincerely”: No half-measures, no divided loyalties.

·         “Cast out the gods your ancestors served”: A radical break from inherited patterns, cultural norms, and internalized idols.

 

This is a moment of covenant renewal, but also of personal reckoning.

 

🧠 Self-Examination: The Modern Idols We Serve

Rev. Bullitt-Jonas’s questions pierce through the veneer of religious routine and ask us to confront the gods we serve in practice, not just in theory. Here’s how her reflection might be expanded:

 

Question

Underlying Idol

Spiritual Counterpoint

What do my financial habits say about me?

Materialism, security, status

Generosity, trust in providence

How do I spend my free time?

Entertainment, distraction, self-indulgence

Rest, renewal, service

How do I treat others?

Control, ego, indifference

Compassion, humility, presence

What gets my best attention?

Productivity, ambition, perfectionism

Worship, love, contemplation

What do I really care about?

Reputation, success, comfort

Justice, mercy, truth

What drives me?

Fear, pride, envy

Faith, hope, love

What compulsions bind me?

Addiction, resentment, anxiety

Freedom in Christ, healing grace

 

These “lesser gods” are often socially acceptable, even praised. But they fragment our souls and dilute our devotion.

 

🌿 The Beatitude Lens: Poverty of Spirit

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:3— “Blessed are the poor in spirit”—offer a counter-cultural vision. Poverty of spirit is not weakness; it’s the gateway to the Kingdom. It means:

·         Recognizing our dependence on God rather than our own strength.

·         Letting go of self-sufficiency and the illusion of control.

·         Opening space for grace to enter where idols once ruled.

This beatitude reframes Joshua’s challenge: to cast out false gods is to become poor in spirit, and thus rich in divine presence.

A Spiritual Practice: Daily Allegiance Check

You might consider a simple daily examen inspired by this theme:

1.      What did I give my best energy to today?

2.      Did I serve God or a lesser god in my choices?

3.      Where did I feel tugged away from love, truth, or peace?

4.      What do I need to release to serve God more sincerely tomorrow?

-Think of Joining the Knights of Columbus

·         Bl. Michael McGivney[2]

The eldest son of an immigrant Irish family in Connecticut, young Michael left school at 13 to work in a brass factory making spoons. At 16 he began studies for the priesthood in Quebec, but was obliged to leave to help support the family when his father died. Michael completed his education in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained for the diocese of Hartford in 1877.

Assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, Fr. McGivney was very active in parish and civic affairs, serving as director of public plays and fairs. He volunteered to become the guardian of Alfred Downes, a minor whose father had died leaving a large family in poverty. This situation as well as his own family's circumstances and that of other immigrants impressed on Fr. McGivney the need for lay Catholic men to establish a mutual aid society to provide financial assistance for their families if the primary wage earner died. Protestant fraternal groups already provided this type of life insurance protection for their members.

In 1882, Fr. McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus among a small group of St. Mary's parishioners to promote charity, unity, and fraternity, assisting widows and orphans. Because of the Knights' emphasis on serving Church, community and family, the organization grew and did not remain strictly parish-based. Patriotism was added as a founding principle in 1900.

Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890 and was buried in Thomaston, Connecticut. Later his body was moved back to St. Mary’s in New Haven where it remains today. He was beatified in 2020.
—Excerpted from Franciscan Media

Highlights and Things to Do:

Feast of St. Joachim

Today is the Feast of St. Joachim using the traditional Latin Mass calendar. Upon reflection with yesterday being the feast of the assumption of Mary that the church would honor Her earthly father.

(LifeSiteNews) –– From time immemorial the Greeks have celebrated the feast of St. Joachim on the day following our Lady’s birthday. The Maronites kept it on the day after the Presentation in November, and the Armenians on the Tuesday after the Octave of the Assumption of the Mother of God. The Latins at first did not keep his feast. Later on it was admitted and celebrated sometimes on the day after the Octave of the Nativity, September 16th, sometimes on the day following the conception of the Blessed Virgin, December 9th. Thus both East and West agreed in associating St. Joachim with his illustrious daughter when they wished to do him honor.

About the year 1510, Julius II placed the feast of the grandfather of the Messias upon the Roman Calendar with the rank of double major; and remembering that family, in which the ties of nature and of grace were in such perfect harmony, he fixed the solemnity on March 20, the day after that of his son-in-law, St. Joseph. The life of the glorious patriarch resembled those of the first fathers of the Hebrew people; and it seemed as though he were destined to imitate their wanderings also, by continually changing his place upon the sacred cycle.

Hardly fifty years after the Pontificate of Julius II the critical spirit of the day cast doubts upon the history of St. Joachim, and his name was erased from the Roman breviary. Gregory XV, however, re-established his feast in 1622 as a double, and the Church has since continued to celebrate it. Devotion to our Lady’s father continuing to increase very much, the Holy See was petitioned to make his feast a holy day of obligation, as it had already made that of his spouse, St. Anne. In order to satisfy the devotion of the people without increasing the number of days of obligation, Clement XII in 1738 transferred the feast of St. Joachim to the Sunday after the Assumption of his daughter, the Blessed Virgin, and restored it to the rank of double major.

On the 1st August 1879, the sovereign pontiff, Leo XIII, who received the name of Joachim in baptism, raised both the feast of his glorious patron and that of St. Anne to the rank of doubles of the second class.

The following is an extract from the decree Urbi et Orbi, announcing this final decision with regard to the said feasts: “Ecclesiasticus teaches us that we ought to praise our fathers in their generation; what great honor and veneration ought we then to render to St. Joachim and St. Anne, who begot the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and are on that account more glorious than all others.”

“By your fruits you are known,” says St. John Damascene, “you have given birth to a daughter who is greater than the Angels and has become their Queen.” (J. Damasc. Oratio I de V.M. Nativity) Now since, through the divine mercy, in our unhappy times the honor and worship paid to the Blessed Virgin is increasing in proportion to the increasing needs of the Christian people, it is only right that the new glory which surrounds their blessed daughter should redound upon her happy parents. May this increase of devotion towards them cause the Church to experience still more their powerful protection.

MASS

Prayer is good with fasting and alms more than to lay up treasures of gold. (Tobit 12:8) Far better than Tobias, did Joachim experience the truth of the Archangel’s word. Tradition says that he divided his income into three parts: one for the Temple, the second for the poor, and the third for his family. The Church, wishing to honor Mary’s father, begins by praising this liberality, and also his justice which earned him such great glory.

INTROIT

He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Ps. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he delighteth exceedingly in his commandments. Glory, etc. He hath.

Mother of God: such is the title which exalts Mary above all creatures; but Joachim, too, is ennobled by it; he alone can be called, for all eternity, Grandfather of Jesus. In heaven, even more than on earth, nobility and power go hand in hand. Let us then, with the Church, become humble clients of one so great.

EPISTLE

Lesson from the Book of Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11

Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them: Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

Joachim’s wealth, like that of the first patriarchs, consisted chiefly in flocks and herds. The holy use he made of it drew down God’s blessing upon it. But the greatest of all his desires heaven seemed to refuse him. His holy spouse Anne was barren. Amongst all the daughters of Israel expecting the Messias, there was no hope for her. One day the victims Joachim presented in the temple were contemptuously rejected. Those were not the gifts the Lord of the temple desired of him; later on, instead of lambs from his pastures, he was to present the Mother of the Lamb of God, and his offering would not be rejected.

This day, however, he was filled with sorrow and fled away without returning to his wife. He hastened to the mountains where his flocks were at pasture; and living in a tent, he fasted continually, for he said: “I will take no food till the Lord my God look mercifully upon me; prayer shall be my nourishment.”

Meanwhile Anne was mourning her widowhood and her barrenness. She prayed in her garden as Joachim was praying on the mountain. (Epiphanius, Oratio de laudibus Virgin) Their prayers ascended at the same time to the Most High, and he granted them their request. An Angel of the Lord appeared to each of them and bade them meet at the Golden Gate, and soon Anne could say: “Now I know that the Lord hath greatly blessed me. For I was a widow and I am one no longer, and I was barren, and lo! I have conceived!” (Protoevang. Jacobi)

The Gradual again proclaims the merit of alms-giving and the value God sets upon holiness of life. The descendants of Joachim shall be mighty and blessed in heaven and upon earth. May he deign to exert his influence with his all holy daughter, and with his grandson Jesus, for our salvation.

GRADUAL

He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

℣. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth: the generation of the mighty shall be blessed. Alleluia, alleluia.

℣. O Joachim, holy spouse of Anne, father of the glorious Virgin, assist now thy servants unto salvation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Matthew 1:1-16

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab.

And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham.

And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

“Rejoice, O Joachim, for of thy daughter a Son is born to us,” (J. Damasc. Oratio I de V.M. Nativity ex Isaiah 9:6) exclaims St. John Damascene. It is in this spirit the Church reads today the list of the royal ancestors of our Savior. Joseph, the descendant of these illustrious princes, inherited their rights and passed them on to Jesus, who was his Son according to the Jewish law, though according to nature He was of the line of His virgin Mother alone.

St. Luke, Mary’s Evangelist, has preserved the names of the direct ancestors of the Mother of the Man-God, springing from David in the person of Nathan, Solomon’s brother. Joseph, the son of Jacob according to St. Matthew, appears in St. Luke as son of Heli. The reason is that by espousing Mary, the only daughter of Hili or Heliachim, that is Joachim, he became legally his son and heir.

This is the now generally received explanation of the two genealogies of Christ the Son of David. It is not surprising that Rome, the queen city who has become the Bride of the Son of man in the place of the repudiated Sion, prefers to use in her Liturgy the genealogy which by its long line of royal ancestors emphasizes the kingship of the spouse over Jerusalem. The name of Joachim, which signifies “the preparation of the Lord,” is thus rendered more majestic, without losing aught of its mystical meaning.

He is himself crowned with wonderful glory. Jesus, his Grandson, gives him to share in his own authority over every creature. In the Offertory we celebrate St. Joachim’s dignity and power

 

St. Stephen of Hungary (969-1038). Vaik, son of Geza, Duke of Hungary, was baptized about 985 by St. Adalbert of Prague who gave him the name of Stephen. He was chosen by God to bring his people to the Christian faith. With the assistance of monks from Burgundy, he established bishoprics, founded several monasteries and re-organized the whole life of the country. Pope Silvester II offered him the privilege of being crowned king and the ceremony took place on December 25, 1000. His great zeal for the spread of the Catholic faith earned him the title of apostolic king and apostle of Hungary. He died on August 15, 1038, the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, to whom he had consecrated his kingdom.

 

Rum Day[3]

“The only way that I could figure they could improve upon Coca-Cola, one of life’s most delightful elixirs, which studies prove will heal the sick and occasionally raise the dead, is to put rum or bourbon in it.” ~ Lewis Grizzard

Rum is a fantastic drink, one that has served as the stuff of legends for pirates of every walk of life. Rum also appears in everything from dinners to desserts, with rum balls being one of our particular favorites. Of course, as the great Lewis Grizzard said, it also is an amazing mixer, and one of the only ones capable of improving Coca-Cola. So, we all know that pirates like rum and that rum is an alcoholic beverage but many of us are less than clear on what, exactly, makes rum RUM. Let’s start with the basics, shall we? Rum is a distilled alcohol, specifically distilled from byproducts of sugarcane. Some varieties are made from molasses, others from sugarcane juice but all rum, when its finished being distilled, is clear. The color you see in rum is from additives or seasonings and are not in any way a bad thing. Rum first was created in the Caribbean after it was discovered that molasses could be fermented into alcohol. Ironically, it was the slaves who made this discovery, but it was the Colonials who discovered how to distil it into true rum. So important did rum become in the years to follow that it played a major role in the political system of the colonies. How? By being offered as a bribe to those the candidates wished to curry favor with. The people thus coerced were no fools, however. They would attend multiple hustings to determine which of their patrons might provide them with the largest quantity of rum. Thus, it can be fairly said that rum was of such note that it literally decided elections.

How to Celebrate Rum Day

Yo ho ho matey! The best way to celebrate Rum Day is to indulge in this most ignoble and distinguished of drinks. A contradiction? Not at all! Rum has long had a reputation for being the devil’s drink by dint of the ease of production, the delicious flavor, and the powerful kick it carried. Rum Day is your James Cameronto sample as many varieties as you like and decide which one will be coming aboard your vessel for the next pillage.

Bible in a Year Day 59 Obligations to God

As we read Numbers 8-9, Deuteronomy 8, and Psalm 93, Fr. Mike reflects on how the Israelites were expected to celebrate Passover in all circumstances, learned to trust that God would lead them to where they needed to go, and needed to remember God in times of abundance as well as darkness.

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: For the Poor and Suffering

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Go to MASS

·         Rosary