O
odhiambo
Guest
April 27
Today is also the feast day of
Saint Louis Mary de Montfort
Among many other Saints
Today is also the feast day of
Saint Louis Mary de Montfort
Among many other Saints
- Status
S
Shin
Guest
April 28th
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
"From his childhood, he was indefatigably devoted to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and, when from his twelfth year he was sent as a day pupil to the Jesuit college at Rennes, he never failed to visit the church before and after class. He joined a society of young men who during holidays ministered to the poor and to the incurables in the hospitals, and read for them edifying books during their meals. At the age of nineteen, he went on foot to Paris to follow the course in theology, gave away on the journey all his money to the poor, exchanged clothing with them, and made a vow to subsist thenceforth only on alms. He was ordained priest at the age of twenty-seven, and for some time fulfilled the duties of chaplain in a hospital. In 1705, when he was thirty-two, he found his true vocation, and thereafter devoted himself to preaching to the people. During seventeen years he preached the Gospel in countless towns and villages. As an orator he was highly gifted, his language being simple but replete with fire and divine love. His whole life was conspicuous for virtues difficult for modern degeneracy to comprehend: constant prayer, love of the poor, poverty carried to an unheard-of degree, joy in humiliations and persecutions.
The following two instances will illustrate his success. He once gave a mission for the soldiers of the garrison at La Rochelle, and moved by his words, the men wept, and cried aloud for the forgiveness of their sins. In the procession which terminated this mission, an officer walked at the head, barefooted and carrying a banner, and the soldiers, also barefooted, followed, carrying in one hand a crucifix, in the other a rosary, and singing hymns.
Grignion’s extraordinary influence was especially apparent in the matter of the calvary at Pontchateau. When he announced his determination of building a monumental calvary on a neighbouring hill, the idea was enthusiastically received by the inhabitants. For fifteen months between two and four hundred peasants worked daily without recompense, and the task had just been completed, when the king commanded that the whole should be demolished, and the land restored to its former condition. The Jansenists had convinced the Governor of Brittany that a fortress capable of affording aid to persons in revolt was being erected, and for several months five hundred peasants, watched by a company of soldiers, were compelled to carry out the work of destruction. Father de Montfort was not disturbed on receiving this humiliating news, exclaiming only: “Blessed be God!”"
His greatest contribution to the Church and world is Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin. He propagated this in his day by preaching and after his own death by his other famous book True Devotion to Mary. Consecration to Mary is for Saint Louis the perfect manner of renewing one’s baptismal promises.
How different are theirs from ours! Their roses are pleasures of the flesh, worldly honours and passing riches which wilt and decay in no time, but ours, which are the Our Father and Hail Mary which we have said devoutly over and over again, and to which we have added good penitential acts, will never wilt or die, and they will be just as exquisite thousands of years from now as they are today.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
‘Because Mary remained hidden during her life she is called by the Holy Spirit and the Church “Alma Mater”, Mother hidden and unknown. So great was her humility that she desired nothing more upon earth than to remain unknown to herself and to others, and to be known only to God. In answer to her prayers to remain hidden, poor and lowly, God was pleased to conceal her from nearly every other human creature in her conception, her birth, her life, her mysteries, her resurrection and assumption. Her own parents did not really know her; and the angels would often ask one another, “Who can she possibly be?”, for God had hidden her from them, or if he did reveal anything to them, it was nothing compared with what he withheld.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
‘According to St. Bonaventure, all the angels in heaven unceasingly call out to her: “Holy, holy, holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God.” They greet her countless times each day with the angelic greeting, “Hail, Mary”, while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests. According to St. Augustine, even St. Michael, though prince of all the heavenly court, is the most eager of all the angels to honour her and lead others to honour her. At all times he awaits the privilege of going at her word to the aid of one of her servants.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
"From his childhood, he was indefatigably devoted to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and, when from his twelfth year he was sent as a day pupil to the Jesuit college at Rennes, he never failed to visit the church before and after class. He joined a society of young men who during holidays ministered to the poor and to the incurables in the hospitals, and read for them edifying books during their meals. At the age of nineteen, he went on foot to Paris to follow the course in theology, gave away on the journey all his money to the poor, exchanged clothing with them, and made a vow to subsist thenceforth only on alms. He was ordained priest at the age of twenty-seven, and for some time fulfilled the duties of chaplain in a hospital. In 1705, when he was thirty-two, he found his true vocation, and thereafter devoted himself to preaching to the people. During seventeen years he preached the Gospel in countless towns and villages. As an orator he was highly gifted, his language being simple but replete with fire and divine love. His whole life was conspicuous for virtues difficult for modern degeneracy to comprehend: constant prayer, love of the poor, poverty carried to an unheard-of degree, joy in humiliations and persecutions.
The following two instances will illustrate his success. He once gave a mission for the soldiers of the garrison at La Rochelle, and moved by his words, the men wept, and cried aloud for the forgiveness of their sins. In the procession which terminated this mission, an officer walked at the head, barefooted and carrying a banner, and the soldiers, also barefooted, followed, carrying in one hand a crucifix, in the other a rosary, and singing hymns.
Grignion’s extraordinary influence was especially apparent in the matter of the calvary at Pontchateau. When he announced his determination of building a monumental calvary on a neighbouring hill, the idea was enthusiastically received by the inhabitants. For fifteen months between two and four hundred peasants worked daily without recompense, and the task had just been completed, when the king commanded that the whole should be demolished, and the land restored to its former condition. The Jansenists had convinced the Governor of Brittany that a fortress capable of affording aid to persons in revolt was being erected, and for several months five hundred peasants, watched by a company of soldiers, were compelled to carry out the work of destruction. Father de Montfort was not disturbed on receiving this humiliating news, exclaiming only: “Blessed be God!”"
- Catholic Encyclopedia
His greatest contribution to the Church and world is Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin. He propagated this in his day by preaching and after his own death by his other famous book True Devotion to Mary. Consecration to Mary is for Saint Louis the perfect manner of renewing one’s baptismal promises.
- Patron Saints’
How different are theirs from ours! Their roses are pleasures of the flesh, worldly honours and passing riches which wilt and decay in no time, but ours, which are the Our Father and Hail Mary which we have said devoutly over and over again, and to which we have added good penitential acts, will never wilt or die, and they will be just as exquisite thousands of years from now as they are today.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
‘Because Mary remained hidden during her life she is called by the Holy Spirit and the Church “Alma Mater”, Mother hidden and unknown. So great was her humility that she desired nothing more upon earth than to remain unknown to herself and to others, and to be known only to God. In answer to her prayers to remain hidden, poor and lowly, God was pleased to conceal her from nearly every other human creature in her conception, her birth, her life, her mysteries, her resurrection and assumption. Her own parents did not really know her; and the angels would often ask one another, “Who can she possibly be?”, for God had hidden her from them, or if he did reveal anything to them, it was nothing compared with what he withheld.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
‘According to St. Bonaventure, all the angels in heaven unceasingly call out to her: “Holy, holy, holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God.” They greet her countless times each day with the angelic greeting, “Hail, Mary”, while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests. According to St. Augustine, even St. Michael, though prince of all the heavenly court, is the most eager of all the angels to honour her and lead others to honour her. At all times he awaits the privilege of going at her word to the aid of one of her servants.’
St. Louis Marie de Montfort
S
Shin
Guest
St. Louis Marie de Montfort loves Mary and he loves God.
He is also a strong saint against evil, as I have read.
On one occasion, for example, he was walking through the streets of a town when his attention was caught by a singer who was singing a licentious song and selling the music to his indecent song. He would not let this offense pass; he took the music sheets and tore them up in the face of the singer.
On another occasions, some drunks from a nearby tavern heckled him during his sermon. He went into the tavern, and beat the tar out of them. The next day they were his best listeners.
He is also a strong saint against evil, as I have read.
On one occasion, for example, he was walking through the streets of a town when his attention was caught by a singer who was singing a licentious song and selling the music to his indecent song. He would not let this offense pass; he took the music sheets and tore them up in the face of the singer.
On another occasions, some drunks from a nearby tavern heckled him during his sermon. He went into the tavern, and beat the tar out of them. The next day they were his best listeners.
O
odhiambo
Guest
Way to go St. Louis Marie de MontfortSt. Louis Marie de Montfort loves Mary and he loves God.
He is also a strong saint against evil, as I have read.
On one occasion, for example, he was walking through the streets of a town when his attention was caught by a singer who was singing a licentious song and selling the music to his indecent song. He would not let this offense pass; he took the music sheets and tore them up in the face of the singer.
On another occasions, some drunks from a nearby tavern heckled him during his sermon. He went into the tavern, and beat the tar out of them. The next day they were his best listeners.
O
odhiambo
Guest
28 April
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Peter Chanel
Among many other saints
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Peter Chanel
Among many other saints
O
odhiambo
Guest
Saint Peter Chanel
Priest and Martyr.
Peter was born in 1803 at Cluet( Clet) in the diocese of Belley, France. His parents were peasants. At the age of seven, he was a shepherd boy. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier. The priest convinced his parents to let him study, in a little school he had started locally. From there Peter went on to the seminary. Here, at the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professorst It was said of him: “He had a heart of gold with the simple faith of a child, and he led the life of an angel.”
He was ordained a priest in 1827 and assigned to a parish at Crozet. In three years he had transformed the parish. In 1831, he joined the newly founded Society of Mary( Marist Fathers).He had always wanted to become a missionary. He was, however, assigned to teach at the seminary in Belley. He did this for five years. Finally, in 1836, his dream was realized, and he was sent with other Marists to the islands of the Pacific. St. Peter was appointed Superior of this little band of missionaries.
After strenous ten month journey, the team reached their destination. They split up and St. Peter went to the Island of Futuna ( ? Marshall Islands) accompanied by a lay brother and an English layman, Thomas Boog. They were at first well received by the pagans and their king Niuliki who had only recently forbidden canabalism. However, the king’s jealousy and fear was aroused when the missionaries learned the language and gained the people’s confidence. He realized the adoption of the Christian Faith would lead to the abolition of some of the powers he enjoyed as highpriest and also as king.
The last straw, was when the chief’s son asked for baptism. This so angered the chief that he sent warriors to kill the missionary.
On April 18, 1841, a band of native warriors entered the hut of Father Peter Chanel on the island of Futuna in the New Hebrides islands near New Zealand. They clubbed the missionary to death and cut up his body with hatchets.
Two years after this detestible murder of Saint Peter, we are told that the whole island was Catholic!
Here is a very appropriate commentary from Eternal Word Television Network on the martyrdom of Saint Peter. A link is given below to their article on this saint.
“St. Peter Chanel’s death bears witness to the ancient axiom that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” He is the first martyr from Oceania, that part of the world spread over the south Pacific, and he came there as the fulfillment of a dream he had had as a boy”
Saint Peter Chanel
Saint Peter was canonized in 1954 by Pope XII.
Saint Peter Chanel,
Pray for us!
Priest and Martyr.
Peter was born in 1803 at Cluet( Clet) in the diocese of Belley, France. His parents were peasants. At the age of seven, he was a shepherd boy. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier. The priest convinced his parents to let him study, in a little school he had started locally. From there Peter went on to the seminary. Here, at the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professorst It was said of him: “He had a heart of gold with the simple faith of a child, and he led the life of an angel.”
He was ordained a priest in 1827 and assigned to a parish at Crozet. In three years he had transformed the parish. In 1831, he joined the newly founded Society of Mary( Marist Fathers).He had always wanted to become a missionary. He was, however, assigned to teach at the seminary in Belley. He did this for five years. Finally, in 1836, his dream was realized, and he was sent with other Marists to the islands of the Pacific. St. Peter was appointed Superior of this little band of missionaries.
After strenous ten month journey, the team reached their destination. They split up and St. Peter went to the Island of Futuna ( ? Marshall Islands) accompanied by a lay brother and an English layman, Thomas Boog. They were at first well received by the pagans and their king Niuliki who had only recently forbidden canabalism. However, the king’s jealousy and fear was aroused when the missionaries learned the language and gained the people’s confidence. He realized the adoption of the Christian Faith would lead to the abolition of some of the powers he enjoyed as highpriest and also as king.
The last straw, was when the chief’s son asked for baptism. This so angered the chief that he sent warriors to kill the missionary.
On April 18, 1841, a band of native warriors entered the hut of Father Peter Chanel on the island of Futuna in the New Hebrides islands near New Zealand. They clubbed the missionary to death and cut up his body with hatchets.
Two years after this detestible murder of Saint Peter, we are told that the whole island was Catholic!
Here is a very appropriate commentary from Eternal Word Television Network on the martyrdom of Saint Peter. A link is given below to their article on this saint.
“St. Peter Chanel’s death bears witness to the ancient axiom that “the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” He is the first martyr from Oceania, that part of the world spread over the south Pacific, and he came there as the fulfillment of a dream he had had as a boy”
Saint Peter Chanel
Saint Peter was canonized in 1954 by Pope XII.
Saint Peter Chanel,
Pray for us!
O
odhiambo
Guest
29 April
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Catherine of Siena
Among many other saints.
Today is the Feast day of
Saint Catherine of Siena
Among many other saints.
O
odhiambo
Guest
Saint Catherine of Siena.
Dominican tertiary.
Doctor of the Church-
Papal Adviser.
Dominican Tertiary.
Catherine was on 25 March, 1347 at Siena, in northern Italy. She was the youngest of the 25 children born to her parents . Her father, Giacomo di Benincasa, was a wool dyer and her mother, Lapa, was the daughter of a local poet. Catherine was a special child, different from other little girls.
From an early age, (before what is considered to be ‘the age of reason’) she began to practice austerities, to spend long periods of time in prayer, and to have mystical visions. She consecrated her viginity to Christ when she was just seven.
Her parents raised her strictly and at the age of twelve, they thought of arranging a marriage for her, but she begged them to allow her to remain single. They tried unsuccessfully to discourage her but when she remained steadfast in her resolve, her father relented.
Catherine then joined the Third Order of Dominicans. She was now sixteen years old. After becoming a Dominican tertiary, she spend the next three years ‘in the desert’ in a small room in her parent’s home. She lived the life of the anchorites of the desert in that room.
Sometime during this time, she underwent what is called a ‘spiritual espousal’, and she had a vision of the Infant Jesus offering her a wedding band.
She rejoined the world, and began to serve Christ in the sick, poor and ignorant. Many people were attracted to her by her charm, calm and wisdom. She served the poor, sick and also prayed for the conversion of sinners. She still spend much time in prayer. Despite persecutions by the local clergy and others, she began to gather disciples.
In 1370 Catherine received a series of special manifestations of Divine mysteries, which culminated in a prolonged trance, a kind of mystical death, in which she had a vision of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, and heard a Divine command to leave her cell and enter the public life of the world. She began to dispatch letters to men and women in every condition of life, entered into correspondence with the princes and republics of Italy, was consulted by the papal legates about the affairs of the Church.
It was chiefly her letters, advice, and persistence that finally convinced Saint Gregory XI to leave Avignon and return to Rome, to reform the clergy and administration of the Papal States, and to call for a Crusade to regain Jerusalem from the muslim infidels. Catherine traveled to many cities (at a time when travel wasn’t easy or comfortable, especially for women) working for peace in Italy and the Church. She wrote hundreds of letters to important people and ordinary people alike. All were treasured for their wisdom and clarity of thought. She also wrote a book, called the Dialogue a conversation between the Eternal Father and the human soul, discussing the whole of mankind’s spiritual life. For this important body of work and her service to the Church, she was named a Doctor of the Church in1970 becoming one of two women to be named Doctor of the Church (the other is St. Teresa of Avila).
Saint Catherine died on 29 April 1380, when she was just 33 years old.
Her mortal remains are in Rome and her relics are enshrined in Siena and Venice.
She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461
She was named co-patroness of Europe, with Saint Brigid of Sweden and Saint Edith Stein, on October 1, 1999, by Pope John Paul II.
In 1939, she was made patroness of Italy and in 1970 was declared a Doctor of the Church as mentioned above, by Pope Paul VI.
She has been the patroness of Rome since 1866 and patroness of the dying.
She is invoked against headaches and the plague
Saint Catherine,
Pray for us!
Ref: 1. the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Dominican tertiary.
Doctor of the Church-
Papal Adviser.
Dominican Tertiary.
Catherine was on 25 March, 1347 at Siena, in northern Italy. She was the youngest of the 25 children born to her parents . Her father, Giacomo di Benincasa, was a wool dyer and her mother, Lapa, was the daughter of a local poet. Catherine was a special child, different from other little girls.
From an early age, (before what is considered to be ‘the age of reason’) she began to practice austerities, to spend long periods of time in prayer, and to have mystical visions. She consecrated her viginity to Christ when she was just seven.
Her parents raised her strictly and at the age of twelve, they thought of arranging a marriage for her, but she begged them to allow her to remain single. They tried unsuccessfully to discourage her but when she remained steadfast in her resolve, her father relented.
Catherine then joined the Third Order of Dominicans. She was now sixteen years old. After becoming a Dominican tertiary, she spend the next three years ‘in the desert’ in a small room in her parent’s home. She lived the life of the anchorites of the desert in that room.
Sometime during this time, she underwent what is called a ‘spiritual espousal’, and she had a vision of the Infant Jesus offering her a wedding band.
She rejoined the world, and began to serve Christ in the sick, poor and ignorant. Many people were attracted to her by her charm, calm and wisdom. She served the poor, sick and also prayed for the conversion of sinners. She still spend much time in prayer. Despite persecutions by the local clergy and others, she began to gather disciples.
In 1370 Catherine received a series of special manifestations of Divine mysteries, which culminated in a prolonged trance, a kind of mystical death, in which she had a vision of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, and heard a Divine command to leave her cell and enter the public life of the world. She began to dispatch letters to men and women in every condition of life, entered into correspondence with the princes and republics of Italy, was consulted by the papal legates about the affairs of the Church.
It was chiefly her letters, advice, and persistence that finally convinced Saint Gregory XI to leave Avignon and return to Rome, to reform the clergy and administration of the Papal States, and to call for a Crusade to regain Jerusalem from the muslim infidels. Catherine traveled to many cities (at a time when travel wasn’t easy or comfortable, especially for women) working for peace in Italy and the Church. She wrote hundreds of letters to important people and ordinary people alike. All were treasured for their wisdom and clarity of thought. She also wrote a book, called the Dialogue a conversation between the Eternal Father and the human soul, discussing the whole of mankind’s spiritual life. For this important body of work and her service to the Church, she was named a Doctor of the Church in1970 becoming one of two women to be named Doctor of the Church (the other is St. Teresa of Avila).
Saint Catherine died on 29 April 1380, when she was just 33 years old.
Her mortal remains are in Rome and her relics are enshrined in Siena and Venice.
She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461
She was named co-patroness of Europe, with Saint Brigid of Sweden and Saint Edith Stein, on October 1, 1999, by Pope John Paul II.
In 1939, she was made patroness of Italy and in 1970 was declared a Doctor of the Church as mentioned above, by Pope Paul VI.
She has been the patroness of Rome since 1866 and patroness of the dying.
She is invoked against headaches and the plague
Saint Catherine,
Pray for us!
Ref: 1. the Catholic Encyclopedia.
2. Our Sunday VisitorsEncyclopedia of Saints-Revised.
K
kelvinf
Guest
Do you mean that she was named Doctor of the Church along with St. Teresa of Avila making them the first two female DoCs at that time? Cos there are currently 3 female DoCs. (Reminds me of the screen name 3DOCTORS
)
O
odhiambo
Guest
Hi Kelvin.Do you mean that she was named Doctor of the Church along with St. Teresa of Avila making them the first two female DoCs at that time? Cos there are currently 3 female DoCs. (Reminds me of the screen name 3DOCTORS
I am glad you are interested in this thread. Saints’ life histories are so inspiring, are they not?
Yes, that is exactly what I mean; that is , at the time she was declared Doctor of the Church, on 4 October 1970, there was just Saint Teresa of Avila who had just been
proclaimed a Doctor of the Church the previous month. That made two of them at the time.
Now we have three, as Saint Therese of Lisieux also became a Doctor of the Church some years later.
K
kelvinf
Guest
Hi,Hi Kelvin.
I am glad you are interested in this thread. Saints’ life histories are so inspiring, are they not?
Yes, that is exactly what I mean; that is , at the time she was declared Doctor of the Church, on 4 October 1970, there was just Saint Teresa of Avila who had just been
proclaimed a Doctor of the Church the previous month. That made two of them at the time.
Now we have three, as Saint Therese of Lisieux also became a Doctor of the Church some years later.
well I unfortunately can’t thoroughly go through the history of each and everyone of them, but I heed the ‘famous’ ones.
O
odhiambo
Guest
30 April
Today is the Feast day of
Pope Saint Pius V,
Among many other saints.
Today is the Feast day of
Pope Saint Pius V,
Among many other saints.
O
odhiambo
Guest
**Saint Pius V, Pope( 1504-1572)
**
Pope Pius V, said to be one of the foremost leaders of the Catholic Reformation, was born at Bosco, a little town in the diocese of Tortona, Italy, on the 27th of January 1504. He was descended of a noble Bolognese family, by then reduced to poverty. His given name was Antonio Ghislieri.
From his early years, Antonio was taught the ways of the Lord; and he never swerved from those principles during the whole of his life. He studied grammar under the care of the Dominican friars at Voghera. He also worked as a shepherd. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Dominican Order. He was ordained in 1528, taking the name of Michele Ghislieri (Michael Ghisleri).
He was called Brother Michele according to the book, Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints-Revised.
He studied at Bologna and Genoa, and then taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years before holding the posts of master of novices as well as prior for several Dominican houses.
He was named inquisitor for Como and Bergamo , and was so capable in fullfilling the duties of his office that by 1551, and at the urging of the powerful Cardinal Carafa, he was named by Pope Julius III, commisionary general of the Inquisition.
In 1555, Carafa was elected Pope Paul IV and was responsible for Ghislieri’s swift rise as bishop of Nepi and Sutri in 1556, cardinal in 1557, and grand inquisitor in 1558.
Under Pope Pius IV (1559–65) Ghisleri fell out of favour with the pope who disliked his reputation for excessive zeal. His opposition to that pontiff had procured his dismissal from the palace and the abridgment of his authority as inquisitor. Before Michele Ghislieri could return to his episcopate, Pope Pius IV died. On 7 January 1566, and that very same day, January 7, 1566, Ghisleri was unanimously elected to the Papal chair as Pope Pius V. He was crowned ten days later, on his 62nd birthday.
As pope, Pius saw his main course of action as the continuation of the massive programe of reform for the Church, in particular, the full implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent.
He published the Roman Catechism -1566.
The revised Roman Brieviary-1568.
And the Roman Missal. He also declared Saint Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church, commanded a new edition of the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas-1570, and created a commission to revise the Vulgate.
The decrees of Trent were published throughout all Catholic lands. The pope insisted on strict adherence to the decrees.
In 1571, Pope Pius V created the Congregation of the Index to give strength to the Church;s resistance to Protestant and heretical writings and he used the inquisition to prevent any Protestant ideas from gaining a foot hold in Italy.
In dealing with the threat of the Ottoman Turks, who were advancing steadly across the Mediterranean, Pius organised a formidable alliance between Venice and Spain, culminating in the battle of Lepanto in October 5, 1571, which saw a complete and shattering defeat of the Turks, a triumph over them.
That day; the day of the victory, was declared a feast day of Our Lady of Victory( This was later changed to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary)The day was dedicated to Our Lady in recognition of her intercession in answer to the saying of the Rosary all over Catholic Europe. Pope Pius V also spurred the reforms of the Church by example. He insisted upon wearing his coarse Dominican robes(thereby inaugurating the custom of popes wearing white), even beneath the magnificient vestments worn by the popes, and was wholeheartedly devoted to the religious life.
It is noted, however, that Pope Saint Pius V’s reign was blemished only by the continuing oppression of the Inquisition and the often brutal treatment of the Jews of Rome and the ill-advised decision to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I of England in February 1570.
These blemishes were , however, overshadowed by his contributions to the Catholic Reformation, that is, according to the book cited at the below.
Pope Pius V died on the 1st of May 1572.He was sixty-eight years, three months, and fifteen days old, having governed the church six years and almost four months. He was beatified by Clement X in 1672 and canonized by Clement XI in 1712. His precious remains lie in the church of St. Mary Major.
Pope Saint Pius V
Pray for us!
Ref:1. Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints-Revised.
2.Eternal Word Television Network.
**
Pope Pius V, said to be one of the foremost leaders of the Catholic Reformation, was born at Bosco, a little town in the diocese of Tortona, Italy, on the 27th of January 1504. He was descended of a noble Bolognese family, by then reduced to poverty. His given name was Antonio Ghislieri.
From his early years, Antonio was taught the ways of the Lord; and he never swerved from those principles during the whole of his life. He studied grammar under the care of the Dominican friars at Voghera. He also worked as a shepherd. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Dominican Order. He was ordained in 1528, taking the name of Michele Ghislieri (Michael Ghisleri).
He was called Brother Michele according to the book, Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints-Revised.
He studied at Bologna and Genoa, and then taught theology and philosophy for sixteen years before holding the posts of master of novices as well as prior for several Dominican houses.
He was named inquisitor for Como and Bergamo , and was so capable in fullfilling the duties of his office that by 1551, and at the urging of the powerful Cardinal Carafa, he was named by Pope Julius III, commisionary general of the Inquisition.
In 1555, Carafa was elected Pope Paul IV and was responsible for Ghislieri’s swift rise as bishop of Nepi and Sutri in 1556, cardinal in 1557, and grand inquisitor in 1558.
Under Pope Pius IV (1559–65) Ghisleri fell out of favour with the pope who disliked his reputation for excessive zeal. His opposition to that pontiff had procured his dismissal from the palace and the abridgment of his authority as inquisitor. Before Michele Ghislieri could return to his episcopate, Pope Pius IV died. On 7 January 1566, and that very same day, January 7, 1566, Ghisleri was unanimously elected to the Papal chair as Pope Pius V. He was crowned ten days later, on his 62nd birthday.
As pope, Pius saw his main course of action as the continuation of the massive programe of reform for the Church, in particular, the full implementation of the decrees of the Council of Trent.
He published the Roman Catechism -1566.
The revised Roman Brieviary-1568.
And the Roman Missal. He also declared Saint Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church, commanded a new edition of the works of Saint Thomas Aquinas-1570, and created a commission to revise the Vulgate.
The decrees of Trent were published throughout all Catholic lands. The pope insisted on strict adherence to the decrees.
In 1571, Pope Pius V created the Congregation of the Index to give strength to the Church;s resistance to Protestant and heretical writings and he used the inquisition to prevent any Protestant ideas from gaining a foot hold in Italy.
In dealing with the threat of the Ottoman Turks, who were advancing steadly across the Mediterranean, Pius organised a formidable alliance between Venice and Spain, culminating in the battle of Lepanto in October 5, 1571, which saw a complete and shattering defeat of the Turks, a triumph over them.
That day; the day of the victory, was declared a feast day of Our Lady of Victory( This was later changed to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary)The day was dedicated to Our Lady in recognition of her intercession in answer to the saying of the Rosary all over Catholic Europe. Pope Pius V also spurred the reforms of the Church by example. He insisted upon wearing his coarse Dominican robes(thereby inaugurating the custom of popes wearing white), even beneath the magnificient vestments worn by the popes, and was wholeheartedly devoted to the religious life.
It is noted, however, that Pope Saint Pius V’s reign was blemished only by the continuing oppression of the Inquisition and the often brutal treatment of the Jews of Rome and the ill-advised decision to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I of England in February 1570.
These blemishes were , however, overshadowed by his contributions to the Catholic Reformation, that is, according to the book cited at the below.
Pope Pius V died on the 1st of May 1572.He was sixty-eight years, three months, and fifteen days old, having governed the church six years and almost four months. He was beatified by Clement X in 1672 and canonized by Clement XI in 1712. His precious remains lie in the church of St. Mary Major.
Pope Saint Pius V
Pray for us!
Ref:1. Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints-Revised.
2.Eternal Word Television Network.
O
odhiambo
Guest
May 1
This year May 1 has combined a number of celebrations:
1: It is Mercy Sunday; The Liturgical celebration of The Divine Mercy.
2: It is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.
3: It is the Beatification Day of Pope John Paul II in Rome
This year May 1 has combined a number of celebrations:
1: It is Mercy Sunday; The Liturgical celebration of The Divine Mercy.
2: It is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.
3: It is the Beatification Day of Pope John Paul II in Rome
O
odhiambo
Guest
**Today is Mercy Sunday.
**
The Liturgical celebration of The Divine Mercy.
The Devotion to the Divine Mercy dates back to a Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska,(1905 - 1938), described as the Apostle of Divine Mercy. To this nun, Jesus appeared bringing the message of God’s Mercyful Love for all mankind in a series of revelations. Her spiritual director advised her to write down all the revelations she received from Jesus. She wrote a diary of about 600 pages.Even before she died, the devotion to Divine Mercy had started to spread.
The “Devotion to The Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful”
Remember when Pope John Paul II went to the prison to meet the man who had shot him in 1986 ? He was leading us in being “merciful as He is merciful”
According to Saint Faustina, Jesus Himself, had requested, not once, but severally, that Christians honor the Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter.
On 30 April 2000, at the Canonization of Sr. Faustina,Pope John Paul II, responded to this request because it was then that he established this liturgical celebration.
Note this : John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, just after a vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday, and six years later, he’s being beatified on the very day.
So brothers and sisters in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ask for the Lord’s Mercy in constant prayer. He is merciful and full of love for us .
Be merciful as He Himself is merciful.
“Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
**
The Liturgical celebration of The Divine Mercy.
The Devotion to the Divine Mercy dates back to a Polish nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska,(1905 - 1938), described as the Apostle of Divine Mercy. To this nun, Jesus appeared bringing the message of God’s Mercyful Love for all mankind in a series of revelations. Her spiritual director advised her to write down all the revelations she received from Jesus. She wrote a diary of about 600 pages.Even before she died, the devotion to Divine Mercy had started to spread.
The “Devotion to The Divine Mercy involves a total commitment to God as Mercy. It is a decision to trust completely in Him, to accept His mercy with thanksgiving, and to be merciful as He is merciful”
Remember when Pope John Paul II went to the prison to meet the man who had shot him in 1986 ? He was leading us in being “merciful as He is merciful”
According to Saint Faustina, Jesus Himself, had requested, not once, but severally, that Christians honor the Divine Mercy on the Sunday after Easter.
On 30 April 2000, at the Canonization of Sr. Faustina,Pope John Paul II, responded to this request because it was then that he established this liturgical celebration.
Note this : John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, just after a vigil Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday, and six years later, he’s being beatified on the very day.
So brothers and sisters in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ask for the Lord’s Mercy in constant prayer. He is merciful and full of love for us .
Be merciful as He Himself is merciful.
“Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
O
odhiambo
Guest
May 1
Today is also the day Pope John Paul II is beatified in Rome.
The late pope died in April 2005. All over the world, Catholics grieved and those who knew him best, we are told that, in their grief, they demanded that he be made saint immediataly, “Santo Subito!” we are told, they mourned the departed pontiff. Well, today marks another step towards that eventuality.
In preparation for today, last Friday, the coffin of the late pope was exhumed from “the crypts below St. Peter’s Basilica.” where it had been kept. It will be placed in front of St. Peter’s Basilica’s main altar for the ceremony. After all the visitors have viewed the coffin, “it will be moved to a new crypt under an altar in a side chapel near Michelangelo’s statue of the Pieta.”
During the beatification process, a vial of blood drawn from the late pontiff will serve as a relic.
It will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI and exposed for veneration during the Mass in St. Peter’s Square this. “The vial will then be stored in a shrine by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, along with other relics.”
Four vials of blood had been drawn from John Paul II before his death on April 2, 2005 by his personal physician. This was done precautionarily in case the pontiff needed blood transfusion.
**"**One vial will remain in the custody of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome.
The remaining two vials are now in the possession of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the Archbishop of Krakow and former secretary of John Paul II and will be installed in a Polish church soon after the beatification.
Piotr Sionko, the spokesman for the John Paul II Center in Krakow, said the vials will be encased in crystal and built into the altar of a church in the city. The church, which is still under construction in Krakow’s Lagiewniki district, will open sometime after the May 1 beatification. The building is part of a planned center devoted to cultivating the memory and teachings of the late Pope, a former archbishop of Krakow.
Sionko said that Cardinal Dziwisz proposed the idea of using the blood as a relic, saying that the cardinal “is of the opinion that this is the most precious relic of John Paul II and should be the focal point of the church.”
Blessed John Paul II
Pray for us!
From Vativan News
Today is also the day Pope John Paul II is beatified in Rome.
The late pope died in April 2005. All over the world, Catholics grieved and those who knew him best, we are told that, in their grief, they demanded that he be made saint immediataly, “Santo Subito!” we are told, they mourned the departed pontiff. Well, today marks another step towards that eventuality.
In preparation for today, last Friday, the coffin of the late pope was exhumed from “the crypts below St. Peter’s Basilica.” where it had been kept. It will be placed in front of St. Peter’s Basilica’s main altar for the ceremony. After all the visitors have viewed the coffin, “it will be moved to a new crypt under an altar in a side chapel near Michelangelo’s statue of the Pieta.”
During the beatification process, a vial of blood drawn from the late pontiff will serve as a relic.
It will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI and exposed for veneration during the Mass in St. Peter’s Square this. “The vial will then be stored in a shrine by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, along with other relics.”
Four vials of blood had been drawn from John Paul II before his death on April 2, 2005 by his personal physician. This was done precautionarily in case the pontiff needed blood transfusion.
**"**One vial will remain in the custody of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome.
The remaining two vials are now in the possession of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the Archbishop of Krakow and former secretary of John Paul II and will be installed in a Polish church soon after the beatification.
Piotr Sionko, the spokesman for the John Paul II Center in Krakow, said the vials will be encased in crystal and built into the altar of a church in the city. The church, which is still under construction in Krakow’s Lagiewniki district, will open sometime after the May 1 beatification. The building is part of a planned center devoted to cultivating the memory and teachings of the late Pope, a former archbishop of Krakow.
Sionko said that Cardinal Dziwisz proposed the idea of using the blood as a relic, saying that the cardinal “is of the opinion that this is the most precious relic of John Paul II and should be the focal point of the church.”
Blessed John Paul II
Pray for us!
From Vativan News
O
odhiambo
Guest
O
odhiambo
Guest
May 1
Today is also the Feast day of
Saint Joseph the Worker.
Among many other saints.
May I has long been the day dedicated to the working class. Labor Day as it is known internationally.
On this day, in 1055, members of the Catholic Association of Italian Workers had converged in Saint Peter’s Square, to celebrate the 10 th anniversary of their society, and to pledge their loyalty to the Social Programme of the Church. Here, Pope Pius XII granted them audience. It was then that the Pope instituted the liturgical feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, assigning it to the 1st day of May.The Pope assured his audience and the “working people of the entire world”: “ You have at your side a Shepherd, a defender and a Father.”
On March 19, we celebrated the Feast day of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus. Today however, It is Joseph the working man whom we have before us. The contemplation of Joseph is meant to enable us to understand how our daily labor is important in building a more just and Christian society.
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us!
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do all for the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
Today is also the Feast day of
Saint Joseph the Worker.
Among many other saints.
May I has long been the day dedicated to the working class. Labor Day as it is known internationally.
On this day, in 1055, members of the Catholic Association of Italian Workers had converged in Saint Peter’s Square, to celebrate the 10 th anniversary of their society, and to pledge their loyalty to the Social Programme of the Church. Here, Pope Pius XII granted them audience. It was then that the Pope instituted the liturgical feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, assigning it to the 1st day of May.The Pope assured his audience and the “working people of the entire world”: “ You have at your side a Shepherd, a defender and a Father.”
On March 19, we celebrated the Feast day of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus. Today however, It is Joseph the working man whom we have before us. The contemplation of Joseph is meant to enable us to understand how our daily labor is important in building a more just and Christian society.
Saint Joseph,
Pray for us!
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do all for the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
S
SugarMagnolia
Guest
May 1st is Mary’s Day
O Mary, we crown thee
with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels
and Queen of the May
:flowers:
O Mary, we crown thee
with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels
and Queen of the May
:flowers:
O
odhiambo
Guest
Really?May 1st is Mary’s Day
O Mary, we crown thee
with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels
and Queen of the May
:flowers:
I had no idea
- Status