Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Little Saint Who Loved the Lord
From http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/the-little-saint-who-loved-the-lord/
As we travel along the Italian and French Riviera on our way to
Lourdes, France, we have always passed by Toulouse — and, previously, we
never thought to see what the Lord had for us there.
Then we were gifted to learn about a little saint, not well known in
the United States, but powerful in her region of France: St. Germaine du
Pibrac, who was born in 1579. Her shrine is about 15 miles east of
Toulouse, and it is a tribute to the "Little Saint of the Unwanted."
She is so well loved by the people of the area that her feast day, June
15, is a cause for celebration on June 15 and 16. The theme this year
is "With Germaine, Celebrate the Joy of Believing."
The turnout of local people is so great that the little church where
she is laid out was not big enough to accommodate all who came, so the
townspeople eventually built a beautiful basilica in her honor. It was
begun on the feast of her death in 1901 and completed in 1965.
Saintly Suffering
This precious girl’s story is one of the saddest accounts we have ever
written about. She was born with a crippled and paralyzed right arm and
scrofula, a form of tuberculosis that affects the neck. No one knew for
sure who her parents were. She might have been left at the doorstep as a
baby. She may have been the daughter of Laurent Cousin’s first wife. He
took her in as his child but never cared for her. He remarried, and his
new wife hated Germaine. She treated Germaine terribly. The child was
kept away from her stepfamily, allowed to sleep under a stairway in the
barn but never allowed to live in the house.
She lived in rags and never had a pair of shoes. She ate the stale
bread and water that was left for her at the front door of the house
every day.
The mood of her stepmother usually determined how badly St. Germaine
would be treated. At any given time, the local farmers could see welts
and bruises on her hands and face. Her father never interfered with his
wife’s ill treatment of the girl.
Holy Hunger
The only concession Germaine’s father seemed to give her was permission
to go to Mass every week, which she took advantage of whenever she
could. This is where the Lord spoke to her. He showed her how her life
could be; he gave her an understanding of the sacraments.
Germaine developed a hunger for the Mass. During the week, as she was
tending her sheep, she could hear the church bells ring for the
beginning of Mass. She wanted so badly to be there. Her spirit soared
from the field — she took part in the Mass spiritually.
Miraculous Moments
But a time came when that was not enough for her, due to her hunger for
the Eucharist, which was to be the catalyst that brought about one of
the miracles given to her.
One day, the Lord spoke to Germaine’s heart. She was out in the field,
tending the sheep, as usual. She heard the bells that called the people
to Mass and knew they were calling her to Mass, too.
So she took her distaff — a staff with a cleft end for holding flax,
which she used for spinning her wool — and thrust it into the ground.
Then she huddled her flock of sheep around the distaff and told them to stay there together, not to wander off.
She ran to the church to take part in the Mass, while the sheep stayed
behind, as instructed. That the sheep stayed together was a miracle,
considering there were wolves all around them.
God had helped her meet him in the Eucharist — and he continued to do so.
Germaine’s time at Mass was not only the high point of her day; it
became the driving force in her life. She would gladly suffer all that
her stepmother and the weather in the fields and her illness and
deformity handed out to her. But she could not do without her Lord Jesus
in the Eucharist.
Another miraculous manifestation that has been the talk of the village
and St. Germaine’s followers all these years is what is called the
"Miracle of the Flowers."
Germaine gave scraps of bread to the various beggars who came to her
for help. But the few scraps she was given for her meals were not
enough, so she snuck into the house to take crusts of bread from the
kitchen.
One day, after Germaine had taken bread from the kitchen and was
heading down the road to give it to some of the destitute people who
depended on her, her stepmother discovered what she was doing. She ran
after Germaine, calling her a thief, and demanded she open her apron so
that the bread would fall out. This took place in the center of town,
where everyone could hear. The stepmother planned it this way so that
she could justify her wicked behavior towards the girl before the whole
village. Germaine obediently opened her apron, thinking the bread would
fall out and she would have to suffer the wrath of her stepmother. But
the Lord stepped in, and, rather than bread falling out, beautiful
flowers cascaded to the ground. The flowers were not found in that area
of France, and definitely not in the wintertime, which is when this
occurred. Praise Jesus!
More Miracles
Eventually, Germaine’s illnesses caught up with her, and the Lord took
her to heaven, in 1601, at the age of just 22. When the villagers heard
about her death, they were devastated.
Great pains were taken to make the day she died the most memorable one of her life.
Her body was brought, in solemn procession, to the church she loved so much, and she was buried there.
That was the end of Germaine’s story, or so everyone thought. But 43
years later, in 1644, a woman in the parish died. She had requested to
be buried in the church near the altar. When the workmen dug up the
floor near the altar, which is where Germaine was buried, they found
Germaine’s body perfectly intact.
Miracle upon miracle came about through her intercession. A beautiful
urn was created for her body, which is venerated inside the church to
this day.
St. Germaine is a powerful intercessor. Get to know her. Ask for her help. She is very kind; she will come to your aid.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Pro Life Campaign condemns Taoiseach’s ‘disgusting attempt to demonise pro-life movement’
From http://prolifecampaign.ie/?page_id=3073
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) has rejected the Taoiseach's latest reference to alleged intimidating or unpleasant contact from people concerned about the Government's abortioon proposal, saying he is out to demonise the pro-life movement.
“It’s interesting that the last time the Taoiseach complained of harassing or unpleasant behaviour was just after the highly successful Unite for Life vigil in January, said PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock. “Now the Taoiseach is making lurid claims again – just after the largest ever pro-life demonstration in Ireland, the National Vigil for Life last Saturday.”
“This is nothing more than spin designed to distract from the Bill. It’s a disgusting attempt to demonise the pro-life movement rather than debate the proposed legislation”, Ms Sherlock said.
“We remind him that pro-life people also suffer harassment. Only last week people at the Pro Life Campaign received death threats. Instead of issuing a press release, we reported it to the Gardai and we would encourage the Taoiseach to do likewise. That way, he is not putting ideas into the heads of other disturbed people who might piggyback on this or any other campaign.
“We believe that the Taoiseach is trying to make capital out of this situation, to distract from his highly dangerous and unjust abortion proposal. We remind him that the real victims here are the unborn children who will be vulnerable to abortion on request – and some at a late term of pregnancy – on the basis of a threat of suicide. And the mothers, some of whom will suffer negative mental health consequences in the future as a result of their abortion.
"The Government is also trying to confuse people into thinking that the proposed abortion legislation is restrictive," Ms. Sherlock said.
“The Taoiseach claimed today that the number of children who will lose their lives every year will not rise above the 30 who die as a result of necessary medical interventions. Is he saying that no abortions will take place on the suicide ground? Who is advising him to say this and do they have any respect for the truth?” Ms Sherlock asked.
Ms Sherlock noted that pro-life Government TDs and Senators had been pressurised by the Taoiseach and his Ministers over the legislation.
“People have been bullied and cajoled, and County Councillors have been drafted in to threaten TDs and Senator that they will lose their political support if they vote against abortion. This is not the right way to pass a law in a democracy. It's time to shout stop."
Monday, June 10, 2013
St. Columba and the Loch Ness Monster
From http://www.fisheaters.com/animals13.html
St. Columba (also known as "Columcille") was born of the O'Donnell Clan in Garten, County Donegal, Ireland, on December 7, 521; he died on 9 June, 597. In between, he founded monasteries in and evangelized Ireland and Scotland. The story of his meeting Nessie -- said to have taken place in A.D. 565 -- was first recorded by Adamnan in "The Life of Saint Columba" sometime in the late 7th Century. An excerpt:
CHAPTER XXVIII
How an Aquatic Monster was driven off by Virtue of the Blessed Man's Prayer.
On another occasion also, when the blessed man was living for some days in the province of the Picts, he was obliged to cross the river Nesa; and when he reached the bank of the river, he saw some of the inhabitants burying an unfortunate man, who, according to the account of those who were burying him, was a short time before seized, as he was swimming, and bitten most severely by a monster that lived in the water; his wretched body was, though too late, taken out with a hook, by those who came to his assistance in a boat.
The blessed man, on hearing this, was so far from being dismayed, that he directed one of his companions to swim over and row across the coble that was moored at the farther bank.
And Lugne Mocumin hearing the command of the excellent man, obeyed without the least delay, taking off all his clothes, except his tunic, and leaping into the water.
But the monster, which, so far from being satiated, was only roused for more prey, was lying at the bottom of the stream, and when it felt the water disturbed above by the man swimming, suddenly rushed out, and, giving an awful roar, darted after him, with its mouth wide open, as the man swam in the middle of the stream.
Then the blessed man observing this, raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and commanded the ferocious monster, saying, "Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed." Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and the beast.
Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they themselves had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians.
St. Columba (also known as "Columcille") was born of the O'Donnell Clan in Garten, County Donegal, Ireland, on December 7, 521; he died on 9 June, 597. In between, he founded monasteries in and evangelized Ireland and Scotland. The story of his meeting Nessie -- said to have taken place in A.D. 565 -- was first recorded by Adamnan in "The Life of Saint Columba" sometime in the late 7th Century. An excerpt:
CHAPTER XXVIII
How an Aquatic Monster was driven off by Virtue of the Blessed Man's Prayer.
On another occasion also, when the blessed man was living for some days in the province of the Picts, he was obliged to cross the river Nesa; and when he reached the bank of the river, he saw some of the inhabitants burying an unfortunate man, who, according to the account of those who were burying him, was a short time before seized, as he was swimming, and bitten most severely by a monster that lived in the water; his wretched body was, though too late, taken out with a hook, by those who came to his assistance in a boat.
The blessed man, on hearing this, was so far from being dismayed, that he directed one of his companions to swim over and row across the coble that was moored at the farther bank.
And Lugne Mocumin hearing the command of the excellent man, obeyed without the least delay, taking off all his clothes, except his tunic, and leaping into the water.
But the monster, which, so far from being satiated, was only roused for more prey, was lying at the bottom of the stream, and when it felt the water disturbed above by the man swimming, suddenly rushed out, and, giving an awful roar, darted after him, with its mouth wide open, as the man swam in the middle of the stream.
Then the blessed man observing this, raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and commanded the ferocious monster, saying, "Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed." Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and the beast.
Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they themselves had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Friday, June 7, 2013
Benedict XVI in retirement: 'I read, I pray. I'm fine.'
From http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=18084
Manfred Lutz, a German scholar who is a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Bild Zeitung that he found the retired Pontiff “physically weaker and a bit more stooped” than a few months earlier, but still mentally alert and cheerful. He said that the Pope-emeritus found himself thoroughly in accord with the theological statements of Pope Francis.
Benedict XVI described his current life as quiet and relaxed. “I read, I pray. I’m fine,” he said.
The Italian site Libero, perhaps intending to stir up controversy, wondered whether Benedict’s statement that he agreed with Pope Francis on theological matters could hint that he disagreed with his successor on other issues. But the statement by the former Pontiff—which was relayed by Lutz rather than given in Benedict's own words—contained no such indication.
CWN - June 06, 2013
“I’m fine. I live like a monk,” Benedict XVI told an old German
friend who visited him recently at his new residence in the Mater
Ecclesiae monastery on the Vatican grounds. Manfred Lutz, a German scholar who is a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity and the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Bild Zeitung that he found the retired Pontiff “physically weaker and a bit more stooped” than a few months earlier, but still mentally alert and cheerful. He said that the Pope-emeritus found himself thoroughly in accord with the theological statements of Pope Francis.
Benedict XVI described his current life as quiet and relaxed. “I read, I pray. I’m fine,” he said.
The Italian site Libero, perhaps intending to stir up controversy, wondered whether Benedict’s statement that he agreed with Pope Francis on theological matters could hint that he disagreed with his successor on other issues. But the statement by the former Pontiff—which was relayed by Lutz rather than given in Benedict's own words—contained no such indication.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Church to beatify father of seven who saved 100 lives
.
Odoardo Focherini will be beatified in the Italian city of Carpi on June 15 for his life of faith and dedication to helping those in need, including 100 Jews he helped escape the Nazis.
“One of the Jews whom he saved said, ‘we are the miracles of Odoardo Focherini,’ and they saw his as their savior and angel,” said Focherini’s grandson, Francesco Manicardi.
“His neighbors weren’t just Jews, but also his family, of which there are now 21 great grandsons,” he added during a June 4 Vatican Radio press conference.
Focherini, an Italian journalist and father of seven children, died at 37-years-old in the Hersbrueck Nazi concentration camp in 1944, after a wound in his leg became infected.
On Saturday, June 15, he will also be beatified, the step before being recognized as a saint, for having managed his work and family life as an exemplary Catholic.
Focherini married his beloved wife Maria Marchesi in 1930, and by 1943 they had seven children.
During those years, Focherini helped organize important diocesan events, such as Eucharistic congresses, and in 1939 he became the managing director of L’Avvenire d’Italia, a Catholic newspaper.
He first started helping Jews flee the Nazi persecution in 1942, but his large-scale effort did not begin until Sept. 8, 1943, when he asked his wife’s permission to help provide false identity cards so that the Jewish refugees could cross the Italian-Swiss border.
Bishop Francesco Cavina of Carpi, who also attended today’s press conference, underlined that the beatification “isn’t a fruit of speculation.”
According to the bishop, Focherini showed “no separation between his spiritual and family life.”
“He is a complete man because work, family, apostolate in the Church have been his path to beatification,” he stated.
“He let himself be transformed by Jesus Christ until he, like him, died,” he said.
The postulator of his cause, Franciscan Father Giovangiuseppe Califano, reported that extensive studies clearly showed that his persecutors acted “in odium fidei,” or “in hatred of the faith.”
“The proofs are those (things) he himself revealed (in his writings): that there was an anti-Catholic tone by his interrogators in his first interrogation,” said the Franciscan.
“There was an intention to suppress a Catholic activist,” said Fr. Califano.
According to the postulator, Focherini never uttered “a word of hatred against his persecutors.”
“We can attribute to him, not only the crown of faith, but also the crown of charity,” Fr. Califano said.
He will be beatified in a Mass held at 9:30 a.m. on June 15 in Carpi. Organizers are expecting 4,000 people and around 20 bishops to attend the ceremony.
Odoardo Focherini will be beatified in the Italian city of Carpi on June 15 for his life of faith and dedication to helping those in need, including 100 Jews he helped escape the Nazis.
“One of the Jews whom he saved said, ‘we are the miracles of Odoardo Focherini,’ and they saw his as their savior and angel,” said Focherini’s grandson, Francesco Manicardi.
“His neighbors weren’t just Jews, but also his family, of which there are now 21 great grandsons,” he added during a June 4 Vatican Radio press conference.
Focherini, an Italian journalist and father of seven children, died at 37-years-old in the Hersbrueck Nazi concentration camp in 1944, after a wound in his leg became infected.
On Saturday, June 15, he will also be beatified, the step before being recognized as a saint, for having managed his work and family life as an exemplary Catholic.
Focherini married his beloved wife Maria Marchesi in 1930, and by 1943 they had seven children.
During those years, Focherini helped organize important diocesan events, such as Eucharistic congresses, and in 1939 he became the managing director of L’Avvenire d’Italia, a Catholic newspaper.
He first started helping Jews flee the Nazi persecution in 1942, but his large-scale effort did not begin until Sept. 8, 1943, when he asked his wife’s permission to help provide false identity cards so that the Jewish refugees could cross the Italian-Swiss border.
Bishop Francesco Cavina of Carpi, who also attended today’s press conference, underlined that the beatification “isn’t a fruit of speculation.”
According to the bishop, Focherini showed “no separation between his spiritual and family life.”
“He is a complete man because work, family, apostolate in the Church have been his path to beatification,” he stated.
“He let himself be transformed by Jesus Christ until he, like him, died,” he said.
The postulator of his cause, Franciscan Father Giovangiuseppe Califano, reported that extensive studies clearly showed that his persecutors acted “in odium fidei,” or “in hatred of the faith.”
“The proofs are those (things) he himself revealed (in his writings): that there was an anti-Catholic tone by his interrogators in his first interrogation,” said the Franciscan.
“There was an intention to suppress a Catholic activist,” said Fr. Califano.
According to the postulator, Focherini never uttered “a word of hatred against his persecutors.”
“We can attribute to him, not only the crown of faith, but also the crown of charity,” Fr. Califano said.
He will be beatified in a Mass held at 9:30 a.m. on June 15 in Carpi. Organizers are expecting 4,000 people and around 20 bishops to attend the ceremony.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Pope leads Catholics in first worldwide 'Holy Hour'
From http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/02/us-pope-holyhour-idUSBRE95109Z20130602
(Reuters) - Pope Francis led Roman Catholics on Sunday in the first worldwide "Holy Hour," in which participants prayed at the same time around the globe for those suffering from war, slave labor, human trafficking and the economic crisis.
The Vatican asked Catholics to join him between 5-6 p.m. Rome time (11.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m. ET) in what is known as a Eucharistic adoration - praying before a consecrated communion host.
They were asked to gather in cathedrals, neighborhood parishes and monasteries to pray for two general intentions penned by the pope, who prayed in St. Peter's Basilica.
One was for those "who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running and slave labor" as well as for the "unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners and those who experience marginalization".
The other was for the 1.2 billion member Church itself and that it be "without stain or blemish", an apparent allusion to scandals that have undermined its credibility, such as the sexual abuse of children by clergy.
A Vatican official said it was "the first time in the history of the Church" that such an event was taking place. The Vatican said it was impossible to estimate immediately how many people took part.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by David Stamp)
(Reuters) - Pope Francis led Roman Catholics on Sunday in the first worldwide "Holy Hour," in which participants prayed at the same time around the globe for those suffering from war, slave labor, human trafficking and the economic crisis.
The Vatican asked Catholics to join him between 5-6 p.m. Rome time (11.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m. ET) in what is known as a Eucharistic adoration - praying before a consecrated communion host.
They were asked to gather in cathedrals, neighborhood parishes and monasteries to pray for two general intentions penned by the pope, who prayed in St. Peter's Basilica.
One was for those "who still suffer slavery and who are victims of war, human trafficking, drug running and slave labor" as well as for the "unemployed, the elderly, migrants, the homeless, prisoners and those who experience marginalization".
The other was for the 1.2 billion member Church itself and that it be "without stain or blemish", an apparent allusion to scandals that have undermined its credibility, such as the sexual abuse of children by clergy.
A Vatican official said it was "the first time in the history of the Church" that such an event was taking place. The Vatican said it was impossible to estimate immediately how many people took part.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella; editing by David Stamp)
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