Saint Jerome

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Jerome. He was a man of science who realized his main mission was to become holy. He used his holiness to translate the Bible. Saint Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.

Saint Jerome made a tremendous contribution and influence to the development of Marian tradition within the Western Christianity. He affirms Mary's perpetual virginity. Her virginity is firmly based on Scripture. Those who are ignorant of Scripture are ignorant of the Mother of God. He vehemently challenged anyone to deny this obvious fact. He used most of the prophets, the Psalms and the Song of Songs to praise Mary bountifully. The value, reverence and respect for the Word of God and its translation possessed Jerome. This was his life-long pursuit, joy and calling. He found God's glory in all of its expression and he expressed it with his whole heart and mind.

It was said that he removed a thorn from a lion's paw and the lion remained with him ever after. Those who scoff at such a possibility know little of the power of God or prayer. God works such abundant miracles for his loved ones that it is impossible to enumerate them and the ones that seemed farfetched become most credible with the enlightenment of his Spirit. If Jesus walked on water, fasted for forty days, raised Lazarus from the dead and promised us the same power, then it is quite easy to believe the lion incident in the story of Saint Jerome.

The Catholic Church has always insisted on guarding the translations of the Bible as the highest priority. For that reason, Saint Jerome is the Doctor of Biblical Science because of his painstaking care in expressing the meaning and accuracy of God's word.

Words of Saint Jerome, the fiery and furious, lover of God's Word:

"Love the Holy Scripture, and wisdom will love you. Love wisdom, and she will keep you safe." God's words are God's wisdom. God's love is God's words. God's wisdom is His loving words.

Feast of the Archangels

Today is the feast day of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

What is an Angel? Sacred Scripture and the Church's tradition enable us to discern two aspects. On the one hand, the Angel is a creature who stands before God, oriented to God with his whole being. All three names of the Archangels end with the letters "EL", which means "God". God is inscribed in their names, in their nature. Their true nature is: existing in his sight and for him. In this very way, the second aspect that characterizes Angels is also explained: they are God's messengers. They bring God to men, they open heaven and thus open earth.
Pope Benedict XVI

The angels have five duties. The first is to continually sing hymns and praises to their Creator. The second duty is to present the prayers of mortals to God and commend them with their petitions. The third duty consists in their being sent as messengers to declare what God wants to declare. The fourth duty is protecting men whether as individuals or groups. The last duty is to serve as soldiers and armed leaders. Let good men love their fellow citizens, the angels.
Saint Robert Bellarmine

Michael the archangel, whose name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?", is revered as the leader of the angelic army who will conquer Satan and his armies of demons, and is considered the defender of the Church. Michael is often shown wearing armor, slaying the Dragon (Satan) in Revelation 12.

The archangel Gabriel, whose name in Hebrew means "Strength of God", announced the birth of John the Baptist to Zachariah, and soon after, announced to Mary that she was to become the mother of Our Lord. His address to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" (the "angelic salutation") is familiar to all who pray the Rosary.

The archangel Raphael, whose name means medic or ointment of God, is mentioned by name in the Old Testament book of Tobit (Tobias), whom the angel aided by healing him of blindness and guiding him on his travels.

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:7-9

The angels that appear in Scripture are never described as having wings. In fact, in several passages, the people who are visited by angels do not realize these messengers from On High are not ordinary men until it is revealed later.

Bless the Lord, all you his angels, mighty in power. You obey His Word and heed the sound of His Voice. Psalm 102:20

Saint Padre Pio

Today is the Feast of Saint Padre Pio. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a special child of God. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of Church. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio.

The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God. He would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. Pare Pio devoted his life to the Eucharist and prayer.

Words of Padre Pio about Our Blessed Mother

Hold on tightly to the Rosary. Be very grateful to the Madonna because it was she who gave us Jesus. Love Our Lady and make her loved; always recite the Rosary and recite it as often as possible.

May the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, obtain for us from her Son the grace to live a life according to the heart of God, a life that is entirely interior and hidden in Him. Give yourself up into the arms of your Heavenly Mother. She will take good care of your soul.

A Mother's Love

Saint Bernard sums up the great spiritual advantage
of true devotion to our Blessed Mother.

"By following her, you will not go astray.
By praying to her you will not despair.
By thinking of her you will not make a mistake.
Supported by her, you will not fail.
Under her protection, you will no longer be afraid.
Guided by her, you will never grow weary.
Having her benevolence, you are assured of salvation."

Let us imitate Mary and ponder everything in our heart.

Our Lady of Sorrows

Stabat Mater
At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.

While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.

With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.

Ever-patient in her yearning
Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.

Who, that sorrow contemplating,
On that passion meditating,
Would not share the Virgin's grief?

Christ she saw, for our salvation,
Scourged with cruel acclamation,
Bruised and beaten by the rod.

Christ she saw with life-blood failing,
All her anguish unavailing,
Saw him breathe his very last.

Mary, fount of love's devotion,
Let me share with true emotion
All the sorrow you endured.

Virgin, ever interceding,
Hear me in my fervent pleading:
Fire me with your love of Christ.

Mother, may this prayer be granted:
That Christ's love may be implanted
In the depths of my poor soul.

At the cross, your sorrow sharing,
All your grief and torment bearing,
Let me stand and mourn with you.

Fairest maid of all creation,
Queen of hope and consolation,
Let me feel your grief sublime.

Virgin, in your love befriend me,
At the Judgment Day defend me.
Help me by your constant prayer.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers
receive me with the fruits of victory.

Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine

Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awe-full judgment day.

Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers
receive me with the fruits of victory.

While my body here decays
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally.
Amen. Alleluia.

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows. Stabat Mater is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time. It is based upon the prophecy of Simeon that a sword was to pierce the heart of His mother. The hymn originated in the 13th century and is often associated with the Stations of the Cross. The message of the Stabat Mater focuses on the bond which unites Mary and all of us to the death of her Son on the Cross. From this bond, we can see the compassion and holiness in Mary's character. The Blessed Mother showed her motherly compassion to all generations by her presence and participation with her Son Jesus at the foot of the Cross. Our Lady shared in her Son's suffering.

She is Our Lady of Sorrows because her Son Jesus bore the sins of the world during His passion and death. As the faithful disciple, Our Blessed Mother invites us to unite our personal suffering with her own. We can share in Jesus' burden on the Cross, just as Mary did. As Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary also reminds us that we are called to offer our sufferings for our sins and the sins of the world. We can share in the bond between the Blessed Mother and Our Lord through fasting, prayer, and contrition for sin. Our Lady of Sorrows teaches us that the Crown of eternal life in Heaven can be reached when we choose to share with Our Lord in His suffering and death on the Cross.

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady
The Prophecy of Simeon
The Flight into Egypt
The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross
The Crucifixion
The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross
Jesus laid in the Tomb

Our Lady of Sorrows, help us to be like you and offer our sufferings to Jesus. Let us stand at the foot of the Cross with you.

We Remember 9/11/01 Today...and Always

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, cover our nation with your protective mantel. Lead us to Your Beloved Son. We ask, through your intercession, that peace be planted in our hearts and the hearts of all people of all faiths and all nations.



We remember all the babies and children who lost loved ones nine years ago today and we entrust them to the care of Our Lady.

The Nativity of Mary

Today the Church celebrates the birth of Mary. September 8th is nine months after the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th. It is through Mary, conceived without sin, that Jesus came into the world.

Scripture does not give an account of Mary's birth. According to writings of Saint James, Anna and Joachim were infertile and prayed for a child. They received the promise of a child who would advance God's plan of salvation for the world. Such a story stresses the special presence of God in Mary's life from the beginning.

Saint Augustine connects Mary's birth with Jesus' saving work. He tells the earth to rejoice and shine forth in the light of her birth. "She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed." The opening prayer at Mass speaks of the birth of Mary's Son as the dawn of our salvation and asks for an increase of peace.

We can see every human birth as a call for new hope in the world. The love of two human beings has joined with God in his creative work. Loving parents are hope in a world filled with troubles. The new child has the potential to be a channel of God's love and peace to the world. This is all true in a magnificent way in Mary. If Jesus is the perfect expression of God's love, Mary is the foreshadowing of that love. If Jesus has brought the fullness of salvation, Mary is its dawning.

Birthday celebrations bring happiness to the celebrant, as well as to family and friends. Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary's birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Today, as we celebrate her birth, let us pray for an increase of peace in our hearts and in the world.

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother Mary! You were created by God in grace. By your "yes" to God and your cooperation with the Holy Spirit, God became one in you, and you gave Jesus to us. Dear Mary, Mother of Jesus, thank you for trusting God and showing us how to respond to and cooperate with Him in our lives. Happy Birthday, Mary, our Mother!

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

At the age of eighteen, moved by a desire to become a missionary, Gonxha Agnes left her home in 1928 to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known as the Sisters of Loreto, in Ireland. There she received the name Sister Mary Teresa after St. Thérèse of Lisieux. In December, she departed for India, arriving in Calcutta in January 1929. After making her First Profession of Vows in May 1931, Sister Teresa was assigned to the Loreto Entally community in Calcutta and taught at Saint Mary’s School for girls. Sister Teresa made her Final Profession of Vows in 1937, becoming, Mother Teresa, the “spouse of Jesus” for “all eternity.”

Today is the anniversary of her death. A person of profound prayer and deep love for her religious sisters and her students, Mother Teresa’s twenty years in Loreto were filled with profound happiness. Noted for her charity, unselfishness and courage, her capacity for hard work and a natural talent for organization, she lived out her consecration to Jesus, in the midst of her companions, with fidelity and joy.

In September 1946 during the train ride from Calcutta to Darjeeling for her annual retreat, Mother Teresa received her “inspiration,” her “call within a call.” On that day, in a way she would never explain, Jesus’ thirst for love and for souls took hold of her heart and the desire to satiate His thirst became the driving force of her life. Over the course of the next weeks and months, by means of interior locutions and visions, Jesus revealed to her the desire of His heart for “victims of love” who would “radiate His love on souls.”

“Come be My light,” He begged her. “I cannot go alone.” He revealed His pain at the neglect of the poor, His sorrow at their ignorance of Him and His longing for their love. He asked Mother Teresa to establish a religious community, Missionaries of Charity, dedicated to the service of the poorest of the poor. Nearly two years of testing and discernment passed before Mother Teresa received permission to begin. In August 1948, she dressed for the first time in a white, blue-bordered sari and passed through the gates of her beloved Loreto convent to enter the world of the poor.

She renounced everything for Jesus only to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She looked “pro-choice” politicians in the eye and told them that abortion was murder. She passed out prayer holy cards at the United Nations and got ambassadors praying in the UN general assembly room. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta exemplifies the uncompromising loyalty to Jesus.

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta

My pastor knew Mother Teresa and was blessed to meet with her privately. Her words to him, "Be only all for Jesus through Mary."

The Faces of Mary

By God’s grace, Mary brought Jesus to us at his birth in Bethlehem; she presented Him to Simeon in the Temple; she asked Him to perform his first miracle at the wedding in Cana. She said to the stewards that day and to us now, “Do whatever he tells you.” That is what we are called to do. Follow Jesus and do whatever He tells us by meditating on His Word. Through the intercession of Mary, she strengthens our faith. She takes us by the hand and leads us to Jesus.