:

“(St.) Robert Bellarmine relates that having gone to assist a certain dying person, and having exhorted him to make an act of contrition, the man replied that he did not know what contrition was. Bellarmine endeavored to explain it to him; but the sick man said: ‘Father, I do not understand you; I am incapable of these things.’ And thus he died, ‘leaving clear signs of his damnation,’ as is recorded in the writings of Bellarmine. The just punishment of the sinner, says St. Augustine, will be, that having forgotten God in his lifetime, he shall forget himself in death.”

 St. Alphonsus (+1755) - Preparation for Death,

9th Sunday After Pentecost - Bishop Bonaventure, OFM
Bishop Giles, OFM - Saturday July 20
Bishop Giles, OFM - 9th Sunday After Pentecost
Holy Mass from Our Lady of the Rosary - Fr. Bernard, OFM
9th Sunday after Pentecost - Fr. Joseph OFM

 Watched this movie last night - cried like a baby.  What a wonderful man, certainly a saint!

Damien of Molokai

The Leper Priest, the Hero of Molokai. Born in Tremelo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840, he joined the Sacred Hearts Fathers in 1860. He was bom Joseph and received the name Damien in religious life. In 1864, he was sent to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he Was ordained. For the next nine years he worked in missions on the big island, Hawaii. In 1873, he went to the leper colony on Molokai, after volunteering for the assignment. Damien cared for lepers of all ages, but was particularly concerned about the children segregated in the colony. He announced he was a leper in 1885 and continued to build hospitals, clinics, and churches, and some six hundred coffins. He died on April 15 , on Molokai. Slandered by a Protestant minister, Mr. Hyde, Damien was defended by Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote an impassioned defense of Damien in 1905.

Saint Francis Solano

 

Saint Francis Solano Feast Day – July 13
Saint Francis Solano was born in 1549 at Montilla in the beautiful province of Andalusia, of distinguished and very devout parents. At the special request of his mother, he received the name of Francis in baptism, because she ascribed the fortunate delivery of the child to the intercession of the Seraphic Founder to whom she had recommended herself in her distress.
The boy grew to be a joy to his parents. While he was pursuing his studies with the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, his modesty, gentleness, and piety merited the esteem of his teachers as well as the friendship of his fellow students.
At the age of 20, Saint Francis Solano entered the Friars Minor. It was necessary to check his zeal rather than to stimulate it, for he knew no bounds in the practice of the strictest penitential exercises. In everything he chose the worst for his own use and spent the greater part of the night in prayer.
After he completed his studies and was ordained to the priesthood, he evinced tireless zeal for souls. The heroic sacrifices he made during an epidemic were especially admirable. He cared for the corporal and spiritual needs of the sick without any fear of infection. He became afflicted with the malady, but was miraculously restored to health. On every hand the name of Father Francis was spoken with the greatest reverence, and he was regarded as a saint. Such veneration offended his humility, and he requested his superiors to send him to the missions in Africa, but another field of mission activity was assigned to him.
Since the discovery of the New World by Columbus, the sons of St Francis had been active in preaching the Gospel in America. The fearless missionaries advanced farther and farther in their effort to bring the message of salvation to the savage Indians.
In 1589 Father Francis was sent to South America with several members of his order. The provinces of Tucuman (Argentina), Gran Chaco (Bolivia), and Paraguay fell to his lot. He encountered countless hardships; nevertheless he began his mission activities with glowing zeal. He approached the Indians so courteously and kindly that they rejoiced at his very appearance.
God Almighty assisted Saint Francis Solano in an extraordinary way. He learned the difficult language of the Indians in a very short time, and he was understood wherever he went, even in those places which he visited for the first time.

---

---

God also gave Saint Francis marvelous power over hearts. Once when he was in the city of La Rioja, a horde of thousands of armed Indians approached in order to slay all Europeans and Christianized Indians. Saint Francis went out to meet them. His words at once disarmed them. All understood what he said although they spoke different languages. They begged him for instructions, and 9,000 were baptized.
Saint Francis would lay his mantle on roaring rivers and sail across on it to the opposite shore. He placed his cord around the neck of a mad bull that had everybody in a panic, and led it away as though it were a lamb. Once when a swarm of wild locusts came up and hovered like a black cloud over the fields of the poor Indians, threatening to devastate the entire harvest, he commanded that none of them should alight but that they should depart to the mountains; at once they withdrew. Such miracles and benefits opened to him the hearts of all; they loved and revered him as their common father.
During the holy season of Christmas, Saint Francis assembled his Indians around the crib, and taught them to sing the most beautiful hymns to the Christ Child, and he himself accompanied them on the violin. He often cheered the sick with song and music. Once he was seen sitting under a tree, playing his beloved violin, and the birds flocked about him and sang along.
After Father Francis had labored 12 years among the Indians, and had won an uncounted number of heathens to Christendom, he was called to the city of Lima in Peru. There Christianity had been established for a longer time, and many Spaniards lived there, but much wantonness and immorality prevailed in this large city.
One day, led by divine inspiration, St Francis passed through the town the way the prophet Jonas once did at Ninive, and proclaimed to the inhabitants the judgements of God if they would not be converted. They were all seized with fear. They called aloud upon God for mercy, and desired the holy sacrament of Penance. The worst sinners publicly declared their determination to reform. The saint thanked God for these fruits of grace, and in devout hymns at her altar gave praise to the Mother of Mercy.
Saint Francis Solano had labored untiringly for the salvation of souls in South America for twenty years, when God called him to Himself on the feast of his special patron, St. Bonaventure, July 14, 1610. The viceroy and the most distinguished persons of Lima bore the body of the poor Friar Minor to the grave.
Almighty God glorified Saint Francis after death by many miracles, especially in favor of sick children; yes, even dead children were restored to life at his grave. Pope Benedict XIII canonized Saint Francis Solano amid great solemnity in the year 1726.
*from: The Franciscan Book of Saints, ed. by Marion Habig, ofm.

Feast of St. Bonaventure - Bishop Giles, OFM

Feast of St. Bonaventure - Fr. Joseph OFM

 Here are two audio sermons that were preached over the weekend of July 14th at St. Joseph's Mission in Union, KY by Bishop Bonaventure Strandt, OFM

Feast of St. Francis Solano 7-13-13

Feast of Saint Bonaventure of Bagnorea 7-14-13

A HIDDEN TREASURE

Appearing to one of the sisters of her community shortly after her
death, St. Teresa of Avila told the sister that she would be willing
to return to a life of suffering on earth until the end of time if
thereby she could merit that degree of glory with which God rewards
one devoutly recited "Hail Mary." St. Paul speaks in like manner when
he says: "The sufferings of this life are not to be compared with the
glory to come."

If one short prayer is thus rewarded, what reward awaits those who
offer to the Eternal Father, the Precious Blood of Jesus. "An
offering," says Father Faber, is "More than a prayer." "In prayer we
are the recipients, but when we make an offering God vouchsafes to
accept something from us." In Our Lord's own words to Sister Mary
Martha Chambon, Apostle of the Holy Wounds, " To offer to the Eternal
Father the Sacred Wounds of Jesus is to offer Him His Glory, to offer
Heaven to Heaven." Each time you offer to My Father the merits of My
Divine Wounds," He said to her, "You gain an immense fortune . . .
You must not remain poor, your Father is very rich."

If you and I, at this very moment, were standing on the threshold of
eternity, we would see a limitless duration extending before us which
our vision would fail to terminate. Looking on this endlessness the
awful truth would come to us that the time of merit had passed
forever. The saints realized this truth while yet in life, and we can
see the vastness of their reward.

Those who have passed into eternity realize that there will be no
further opportunities for additional merit, for time has passed
forever. If regrets were possible in Heaven, unused opportunities
would be the cause, for the blessed know what greater capacity for
giving accidental honor to God they would have had if they had used
all their opportunities. Because of God's mercy they have no regrets,
but their status is sealed forever.

The position of the priest in heaven must be tremendous for he offers
daily a Victim-of-Infinite-Worth; and yet each one of us can offer the
same Victim in a different manner by sincerely saying:
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood
of Jesus."

Just suppose that if you were to make the seven offerings each day.
It would take only a few minutes of time, and yet the vast merit
gained would last eternally.

What an investment!

SEVEN OFFERINGS OF
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the propagation and exaltation of my dear Mother the Holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of her visible Head, the Holy Roman Pontiff, for the cardinals, bishops and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of the sanctuary.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Blessed and praised forevermore be Jesus Who hath saved us by His Precious Blood! Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the peace and concord of nations, for the conversion of the enemies of our holy faith and for the happiness of all Christian people.

Glory be, etc. above

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the repentance of unbelievers, the extirpation of all heresies, and the conversion of sinners.

Glory be, etc. above

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all my relations, friends and enemies, for the poor, the sick, and those in tribulation, and for all those for whom Thou willest I should pray, or knowest that I ought to pray.

Glory be, etc. above

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all those who shall this day pass to another life, that Thou mayest preserve them from the pains of hell, and admit them the more readily to the possession of Thy Glory.

Glory be, etc. above

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all those who are lovers of this Treasure of His Blood, and for all those who join with me in adoring and honoring It, and for all those who try to spread devotion to It . .

Glory be, etc. above

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all my wants, spiritual and temporal, for the holy souls in Purgatory, and particularly for those who in their lifetime were most devoted to this Price of our redemption, and to the sorrows and pains of our dear Mother, most Holy Mary . . .

Glory be, etc. above

Blessed and exalted be the Blood of Jesus, now and always, and through all eternity. Amen.

 


First Friday in July - Bishop Giles, OFM
First Saturday in July - Bishop Giles, OFM
7th Sunday After Pentecost - Bishop Giles, OFM

7th Sunday after Pentecost - Bishop Bonaventure, OFM

7th Sunday after Pentecost - Fr. Joseph, OFM

Holy Sacrifice of the Mass from Waubeka, WI - Fr. Bernard, OFM

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Her Doctrine and Morals Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 7 July 2013

The Sunday Sermon

Dear Friends,

All that God has created is good. Actually, when we look at all things we must likewise see that they are good. Somehow, we also see much evil in the world today. This presents a dilemma for us, as we try to discern the moral from the immoral.

Today’s gospel presents us with a key to aid us in unraveling this dilemma. “By their fruits you will know them.” Everything is good, but what makes some things sinful is the disordered will of men. When we take something good and use it badly or for an evil purpose, then we produce evil fruit. The fault does not lie within the material object itself, but rather in the will of man.

We have heard that: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Too often, men hear or read this and falsely conclude that it is the money (coins and paper) that is evil. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Money is good and useful when it is obtained and used as it was created to be used. The inordinate love of it causes people to hoard it or to use evil means to obtain it. This inordinate love of money causes great suffering and injustice in the world. However, the fault is in the wills of inordinate men and not in the money.

We hear that “power corrupts” and this also, is not quite right. Power only comes from God and it is good. The inordinate pursuit of power or the inordinate use of power is what is evil. Many false religions inspire people to reject authority because authority exercises power. Everyone has seen the evil that those in power have or are capable of performing. What is too often overlooked, is the good that comes from authority and power. When we see with the eyes of faith we discern that all power and authority come from God and is good. Even when evil men use power and authority in a malicious way, those who are subject to them can still benefit by their obedience for the love of God. The lives of the saints testify to us over and over again that in humble obedience all turns out well even if those in authority act immorally. In all humility, they obeyed and suffered great persecution for their loyal and faithful obedience to all that was not sinful or against their consciences. The fruit was manifestly good. “Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’s sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt 5. 10)

There is another good that God has created that is commonly abused and put to use for evil purposes and ends. It is our own physical bodies. Beauty is a gift from God, but it soon becomes repulsive when it is vain and proud. Too often, we forget that our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. God lives within us when we are in the state of grace. His joy is to be with us physically. The devils hate our bodies and seek every opportunity to entice us to defile it and thus chase the Holy Ghost out and away from us. We see the increase of “body art” defacing and defiling the God given beauty of the human body everywhere in our daily lives. There is no doubt that some of the “art” has aesthetic merit, but that is not the point we should be focusing upon. The art of man as good as it may be has no comparison with the art of God. The cause of such almost universal defilement of the human body seems to be the result of defiled consciences. When God is driven out of our lives our souls are no longer beautiful and in an attempt to hide the evil that lies within the soul people deface their own bodies with “art.” Needless to say it is quite ineffectual; and it is because of this that many people keep adding more and more until their entire bodies are covered. Their souls become more and more corrupt, and they perceive this and in an attempt to hide it they defile their bodies even more; and as many have seen they are completely repulsive now both inside and out.

Human reproduction is closely linked to the body and this process is also good in itself. But, it is the inordinate use of our reproductive faculties that turn this good into an evil. The act of reproduction is physically the same in either the married or the unmarried state. The difference is in the will. In the married state there is conformity with the will of God; this act is engaged in for the love of God and the desire for children. In the unmarried state, this act of reproduction is engaged in for very selfish reasons (lust) and this act excludes the love of God and most often even the logical purpose of the very act itself, the conception of children. The sin is not in the act itself, but in our wills.

May we learn from today’s Gospel to observe the fruits of everything and discern good from evil. But, let us always remember that all that God has made is good, the evil lies in the perverted use or actions that men perform with God’s good things and this is what renders the fruits evil. When God’s gifts are displayed and used to entice one another to sin it is not the thing that is evil but the will of men that lead and follow in this evil presentation of what is good. Let us not fall into the trap of declaring the human body evil because nudity abounds and leads many into sin and evils abound because of human flesh. Rather let us always remember that all beauty is from God. May we not be enticed by bodies to sin and defilement, but work to make our hearts and minds lift up to God and see His work and know that it is good. Also, let us condemn the evil use that men have made of it. Out of compassion for our fellow men, may we ever strive to assist in lifting their hearts and minds so that this evil abuse may no longer abide in us or in them.