BIG C CATHOLICS

"When the Lord told his disciples to go and teach all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, he conferred on them the power of giving men new life in God. He had promised through the prophets that in these last days he would pour out his Spirit on his servants and handmaids, and that they would prophesy. So when the Son of God became the Son of Man, the Spirit also descended upon him, becoming accustomed in this way to dwelling with the human race, to living in men and to inhabiting God’s creation. The Spirit accomplished the Father’s will in men who had grown old in sin, and gave them new life in Christ." — St. Irenaeus _______________________________________________ Prayer in Honor of the Holy Spirit God our Father, let the Spirit you sent on your Church to begin the teaching of the gospel continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your So

As we look forward to the season of repentance and renewal that is Lent, may we live in full the words Saint Ephraim beautifully expressed in his Lenten prayer. O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen. Pour into our hearts O Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, at whose prompting the Deacon Saint Ephrem exulted in singing of your mysteries and from whom he received the strength and fortitude to serve you and you alone. We ask this in trustful humility through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint John of God demonstrated extreme virtue, living self-imposed poverty and ministering tirelessly to the sick and poor. While serving others, in imitation of Our Lord, his great devotion to God and personal humility never wavered. Have charity first towards our own souls, cleansing them by confession and penance; then charity towards our neighbors and our brethren, wishing them that which we desire ourselves. — St. John of God ___________________________________________ O God, who filled Saint John of God with a spirit of compassion, grant, we pray, that, giving ourselves to works of charity, we may merit to be found among the elect in your Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Church observes the optional memorial of Saint John of God on March 8th. Of Portuguese descent, he was first a shepherd, a dealer and then a soldier. At the age of forty, he was converted, and devoted himself to the care of those sick in mind and body. John proved in various thankless tasks to be a true innovator and a saint of super-human virtue and compassion. He founded the Order of the Brothers Hospitallers, which bears his name. He died at Granada, Spain in 1550. St. John of God was so called because of the great love he had for others. That love was made manifest in the hospitals he established, some of which exist to this day. He once wrote “When I see so many of my brethren in poverty, and my neighbors suffering beyond their strength, and oppressed in mind or body by so many cares and am unable to help them, it causes me exceeding sorrow.” These words show that John of God shared the same love that God has; a love that is sorrowful in the face of human degradation, p

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was an English writer, lay theologian, poet, philosopher, journalist, critic and Christian apologist. Chesterton converted from High Church Anglicanism to Catholicism in 1922. He authored nearly a hundred books and thousands of essays. Below he considers heterodoxy that is embraced as truth. Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions. — G.K. Chersteron ________________________________ A Prayer in Darkness by G.K. Chesterton This much, O heaven--if I should brood or rave,      Pity me not; but let the world be fed,      Yea, in my madness if I strike me dead, Heed you the grass that grows upon my grave. If I dare snarl between this sun and sod,      Whimper and clamour, give me grace to own,      In sun and rain and fruit in season shown, The shining silence of the scorn of God. Thank God the stars are set beyond my power,      If I must travail in a night of wrath,      Thank God my tears wi

Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday. — Venerable Fulton Sheen ___________________________________________ Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Fulton Sheen Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic virtue and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was an instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of Your people. If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we humbly ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this through Jesus, our Lord who reigns together with You. Amen.

Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens... __________________________________________ Freedom is a Gift from God God of justice and Father of truth, who guides your creation in wisdom and in goodness to fulfillment in Christ your Son, open our hearts to the truth of his Gospel, that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives and the life of our nation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The ultimate goal of fasting is to help each one of us to make a complete gift of self to God. — Pope Benedict XVI __________________________________ The Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, faintheartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sin and not to judge my brother, for You are blessed from all ages to all ages. Amen. Pour into our hearts O Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, at whose prompting the Deacon Saint Ephrem exulted in singing of your mysteries and from whom he received the strength and fortitude to serve you and you alone. We ask this in trustful humility through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Optional Memorial - February 8th There are many types of slavery and also many types of freedom. For some, who appear outwardly free, the slavery is internal and has various guises, such as attitudes that entrap, hurtful emotions that have not healed, or addictions which cripple and bind. Then there are people who seem trapped, but who have actually achieved an inner freedom of spirit that nothing in the world can overcome. Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was born in the Darfur region of southern Sudan around 1868, belonged to the later. Her story began in slavery and ended in sainthood. No one knows what her parents had called her. The child, who would eventually be known as Josephine, was kidnapped by Arab slave traders when she was barely seven years old. It was they who gave her the name Bakhita which, ironically, means “fortunate” or “lucky.” For several years, her name appeared to be a cruel joke, as she was sold and resold, to an Arab chieftain and then to a Turkish milita

People hate the truth for the sake of whatever it is that they love more than the truth. They love truth when it shines warmly on them, and hate it when it rebukes them.   — St. Augustine of Hippo __________________________________________ Prayer for St. Augustine's Intercession Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord, that spirit with which you endowed your Bishop Saint Augustine that, filled with the same spirit, and by his intercession, we may thirst for you, the sole fount of true wisdom, and seek you, the author of heavenly love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns, together with you, and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Bosco’s ministered amid political and religious persecution. A series of Italian governments enacted anti-clerical laws to diminish the Church’s power as Italy was reunited in the mid-19th century. Yet, Don Bosco’s faith never wavered for God’s promises are infinitely greater than the Church’s diabolical enemies. All past persecutors of the Church are now no more, but the Church still lives on. The same fate awaits modern persecutors; they, too, will pass on, but the Church of Jesus Christ will always remain, for God has pledged His Word to protect Her and be with Her forever. —  St John Bosco __________________________________________ Prayer for St. John Bosco’s Intercession O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the fire of love, and by his intercession, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity

Feast Day – January 30th  Often, the stories of the saints inspire by showing us, not so much the holiness they eventually attained, but the very human obstacles they overcame to get there. Saint Hyacintha of Mariscotti is one such example; although indulging in a luxurious, spoiled existence — even in the midst of convent life — God found a way to soften her heart and reform her ways, so that it was her humility and penitential heart that eventually inspired those who lived with her. Hyacintha was an Italian nun of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. She was born in 1585 near Viterbo, Italy, and entered the Convent of St. Benardine after her hopes for marriage did not come to pass. For ten years, however, she virtually ignored her vows, using her family’s wealth to provide herself with rich foods and luxurious clothes. It was only when a serious illness forced her confessor to bring Communion to her in her cell that he observed her manner of life; he advised her most stro

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.  — St. Thomas Aquinas __________________________________________ Tantum Ergo Sacramentum (A Hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas) Down in adoration falling, lo! the sacred host we hail; lo! o'er ancient forms departing, newer rites of graces prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, and the Son, who reigns on high, with the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from each eternally, be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty. Amen. (See Benediction of the Eucharist)

Saint Angela Merici, the 16th century virgin and religious educator, founded the Order of Ursulines, the first teaching order for women recognized by the Church. Her fortitude and trust in God is evident in this advice she gave to postulants: Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand. — St. Angela Merici __________________________________________ Almighty God, Who by means of your Saint Angela Merici did commence a new Order of holy virgins to flourish in Thy Church, grant, through her intercession, that we may imitate her angelic virtues, and forsaking all earthly things, may be found worthy of eternal bliss, through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Saint Francis de Sales, the 17th century French bishop and Doctor of the Church, yearned to save souls. His gentleness of spirit, pastoral aptitude and compassion made him a great teacher of the Faith. The following illustrates his deep insight: Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs. — St. Francis de Sales __________________________________________ Prayer for the Intercession of St. Francis de Sales Almighty God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example and holy intercession, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbor. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Marianne Cope was a 19th century Sister of Saint Francis, who dedicated her life to helping to care for the poor, especially those suffering from leprosy. In Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i, she set up a home for girls with leprosy and became friends with Saint Damien de Veuster. Here is her quote on imitating Christ with humility. What little good we can do in this world to help and comfort the suffering, we wish to do it quietly and so far as possible unnoticed and unknown. —  St. Marianne Cope  ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Marianne Cope’s Intercession O God, who called us to serve your Son in the least of our brothers and sisters, grant, we pray, that by the example and intercession of the Virgin Saint Marianne Cope, we may burn with love for you and for those who suffer. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen. St. Marianne Cope, help us see Christ in the weak and those despised by society.

It seems at times that anything negative said about the Church will be simply accepted without question. This creates a dizzying array of charges. The Church is both “inconsistent” and “legalistic;” “contaminated by worldly values” and “too removed from the world;” she has too much “sackcloth and ashes” and too much “pomp and ritualism.” No accusation is off-limits. As Chesterton wrote in 1908: Any stick [is] good enough to beat Christianity with. When Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you,” he added: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (From Fr. Butler's Homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C .) _________________________________________ Prayer for the Church's Adversaries Almighty Jesus, Prince of Peace, you commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let us pray for our adversaries and all who oppose the Church. Through the guidance of the Holy S

Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot was a 19th century French Catholic laywoman and the foundress of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary Association. During her life, she visited with Saint John Vianney many times. Here are the Curé d'Ars words to her on bearing our crosses with love. Through the hands of the Blessed Virgin, the Good God frequently grants one of the greatest gifts in heaven's treasury; an understanding of the way of the cross: a love of trials and sufferings. My sister, to try to get from under the cross is to be crushed by its weight, but to suffer it lovingly is to suffer no longer. ― St. John Vianney __________________________________ Prayer in Honor of the Holy Cross of Christ Almighty God and Father, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race and restore all things to You, grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth, may duly merit the grace of his redem

Saint André Bessette was a 19th century French Catholic religious brother with the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He experienced ill-health throughout his life and consigned himself in humility to serve the sick and the poor. Bessette knew suffering. He too was sick and poor. Perhaps this explains his insights into God. There is so little distance between heaven and earth that God always hears us. Nothing but a thin veil separates us from God. — St. André Bessette ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Saint André Bessette’s Intercession Lord our God, friend of the lowly, who gave your servant, Saint Andre Bessette, a special devotion to Saint Joseph and a deep commitment to the indigent and the afflicted, help us through his intercession to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first person born in America to be named a saint. Her road to sainthood was paved with difficulties that sound quite modern in their familiarity. Before founding her Order and what would eventually become the parochial school system, she was a loving wife and mother to five children. If I had to advise parents, I should tell them to take great care about the people with whom their children associate… Much harm may result from bad company, and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse than what is better. — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Intercession Almighty ever-living God, who crowned with the gift of true faith Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's burning zeal to find you, grant by her intercession and example that we may always seek you with diligent love and find you in our daily service with sincere faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your only Son, who live