BIG C CATHOLICS

Blessed Charles de Foucauld desired to be a disciple of Jesus by witnessing to God's great love for all people and "proclaiming the Gospel with his whole life." Fr. Foucauld understood his call to be that of following Jesus of Nazareth. His priesthood was a life of prayer, pious adoration, poverty and radical humility. The evangelisation that I am called to live is not through the word but through the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the offering of the sacrifice of the Mass. It is through prayer and penance and the practice of the Gospel virtues... fraternal and universal love, sharing even my last mouthful of bread with every poor person, with every visitor, every stranger, and welcoming each person as a beloved brother or sister. — Bl. Charles de Foucauld ____________________________________ Prayer of Abandonment by Bl. Charles de Foucauld  Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am read

Traditionally November 28th is the feast of Saint Catherine Labouré, the 19th century nun and mystic. She responded to God’s divine call by entering the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Here, the Blessed Virgin Mary, revealed to her the mission of having the Miraculous Medal made and spread throughout the world. St. Catherine’s life was one of deep humility. I knew nothing. I was nothing. For this reason, God picked me out.   — St. Catherine Labouré ____________________________________ Prayer for St. Catherine Labouré's Intercession  O Lord Jesus Christ, Who has deigned to strengthen the Virgin, Saint Catherine, by a wonderful vision of Your Immaculate Mother; grant, we pray, that after the examples of tender devotion shown us by the same blessed Catherine, by her intercession, we may so honor Your holy Mother as to obtain the joys of eternal life. Who reigns with God the Father, and with the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

Throughout his ministry, Father Pro experienced great suffering and adversity. Yet, despite the systematic persecution of Catholics by the secular authorities, this humble priest was a source strength who exuded the love of Jesus Christ. Here in the midst of the vortex I am amazed by the special aid of God, the very special graces He grants us in such perils, and how His Presence is now more intimately felt when discouragement comes to make our souls smaller. — Blessed Father Miguel Pro ____________________________________ Prayer for Blessed Miguel Pro's Intercession Our God and Father, who conferred upon your servant Blessed Father Miguel Pro the grace of ardently seeking your greater glory and the salvation of all souls, grant, through his holy intercession and example, that by faithfully and joyfully performing our daily duties and effectively assisting those around us, we may serve you with zeal and ever seek your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your S

The practice of recommending to God the souls in Purgatory, that He may mitigate the great pains which they suffer, and that He may soon bring them to His glory, is most pleasing to the Lord and most profitable to us. For these blessed souls are His eternal spouses, and most grateful are they to those who obtain their deliverance from prison, or even a mitigation of their torments. When, therefore, they arrive in Heaven, they will be sure to remember all who have prayed for them. — St. Alphonsus Liguori  ____________________________________ Prayer to Release Souls from Purgatory Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great, that the following prayer would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners which would alleviate the indebtedness accrued to them: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Pu

Do you think Satan is so unskillful in his craft, as to ask you openly and plainly to join him in his warfare against the Truth? He scoffs at morals, and at every institution which reveres them. He prompts you what to say, and then listens to you, and praises you, and encourages you. He shows you how to rise and become as gods. Then he laughs and jokes with you; he takes your hand, and gets his fingers between yours, and grasps them, and then you are his. — Blessed John Henry Newman ______________________________________ Prayer for the Canonization of Bl. John Henry Newman Eternal Father, You led John Henry Newman to follow the kindly light of Truth, and he obediently responded to your heavenly calls at any cost. As writer, preacher, counsellor and educator, as pastor, Oratorian, and servant of the poor he labored to build up your Kingdom. Grant that through your Vicar on Earth we may hear the words, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the company

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne was a 19th century educator and missionary. Born in Grenoble, France, she would join the Society of the Sacred Heart and travel to America where together with her Order, she ministered to the native population. At a mission school in Saint Charles, Missouri, she spent her final hours. On the verge of her holy death, St. Rose looked toward heaven and joyously proclaimed: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart, my soul, and my life – oh, yes, my life, generously. — St. Rose Philippine Duchesne ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne's Intercession Almighty God, who filled the heart of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne with charity and missionary zeal, and gave her the desire to make you known among all your people, grant us to follow her way and by her intercession, fill us with that same love and zeal to extend your Kingdom to the ends of the earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. who reigns

Saint Gregory, the 3rd century bishop of Neocaesarea in Asia Minor, is usually remembered for his piety, pastoral wisdom and miracles. Known in his life as "Thaumaturgus", the wonderworker, he defended the doctrines of the Church against heretical attacks. Here he encourages all Christians to act with humility: They who keep the commandment ought to keep it without any sordid covetousness, demanding neither recompense, nor reward, nor fee, nor anything else that bears the name of acknowledgment. — St. Gregory Thaumaturgus  ______________________________________ Prayer for St. Gregory the Wonderworker's Intercession O holy Saint Gregory, confessor and priest of the Lord, I pray that you would intercede with God on my behalf, that, being purified from all vice, I may please Him in all things, and that He will grant me also the peace possessed by all His servants. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. To Him be all glory and honor. Amen.

St. Gertrude the Great of Helfta was a 12th century German Benedictine nun, mystic and theologian. Graced with visions of Christ, her spiritual insights into mystical union with God, Purgatory, and the eternal value of suffering for our souls are a treasure for the Church. Here she speaks to the merit of suffering. Bodily and spiritual affliction are the surest sign of Divine predilection. Gratitude for suffering is a precious jewel for our heavenly crown... Man should always firmly believe that God sends just that trial which is most beneficial for him. — St. Gertrude the Great ____________________________________ Prayer for St. Gertrude the Great's Intercession O God, who prepared a delightful dwelling for yourself in the heart of the Virgin Saint Gertrude, graciously bring light, through her intercession, to the darkness of our hearts, that we may joyfully experience you present and at work within us always. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and

"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person —  among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you' (Jer 1:5; cf Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11). 'My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth' (Ps. 139:15). Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable." (CCC, 2270-2271) St. John Paul II explains this further: "The child then must be understood as the maximum expression of the communion between man and woman, the reciprocal acceptance and donation that is realized and transcended in a 'third,' who is that child. The child is God's

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, was a 19th century religious missionary and foundress who dedicated her life to caring for the poor immigrants in New York City. She understood that human beings have both spiritual and physical needs. Prayer is powerful! It fills the earth with mercy, it makes the Divine clemency pass from generation to generation; right along the course of the centuries wonderful works have been achieved through prayer. — St. Frances Xavier Cabrini ____________________________________ Prayer for St. Frances Xavier Cabrini's Intercession God our Father, who called St. Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy to serve the immigrants of America, by her example, teach us to have concern for the stranger, the sick, and all those in need, and by her intercession help us to see Christ in all those we meet. 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. Amen.

Saint Leo the Great, the 5th century pontiff and Doctor of the Church, is regarded as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church, and was a tireless defender of doctrinal orthodoxy. He fought courageously against the heresies of Arianism, Manichaeism and others to preserve Church teaching against error. The faith by which we live shall never vary in any age ... for one is the faith which sanctifies the Just of all ages. — St. Leo the Great ____________________________________ Prayer for St. Leo the Great's Intercession Almighty God, who never allow the gates of hell to prevail against your Church, firmly founded on the apostolic rock, grant to her, we pray, that through the intercession of Pope Saint Leo, she may stand firm in your truth and know the protection of lasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.

Padre Pio was a man of immense spiritual gifts and insight. As a Capuchin priest, his ministry was marked by prayer and piety. His suffering was constant. He bore the stigmata of Our Lord’s Crucifixion with their attending agony, and was beset by demonic manifestations. He was graced with the ability to read souls and see his guardian angel. He was also visited by souls seeking release from Purgatory. We must empty Purgatory with our prayers. — St. Pio of Pietrelcina ____________________________________ Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen. [Poor souls, upon attaining heaven, pray that I may also experience holy beatitude at the close of my earthly life.] Prayer for St. Padre Pio’s Interc

Saint Godfrey was a 12th century German noble, born into wealth and prestige before encountering Saint Norbert at Cologne. Soon after, Godfrey was received into the Norbertine Order by Norbert himself. Godfrey eventually traveled to Cappenberg, his home. On his way back, he fell sick at Ilbenstadt. Surrounded by his Norbertine brethren and his brother Otto, Godfrey bid them all his peace: " My brothers, through love for the Order, through zeal for the glory of God, I have occasionally reprimanded some of you too harshly. I beg your pardon now. " Moments later, seeing a vision of angels, Godfrey exclaimed, " How beautiful! How beautiful! The messengers of my Creator and God have finally come !" With this, the future saint died peacefully in the Lord. Humble St. Godfrey, interceed for us! Almighty God, who strengthened St. Godfrey, so that, despising everything he possessed, he might happily attain to You, grant that we too, renouncing the riches of the world

The brilliant theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas thought deeply about the ends of Christian life, including and especially on the "Last Things". His comment on the souls' longing for God in Purgatory reminds us that to live virtuously is our duty. The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just (because this impetus toward him is not hampered by the weight of the body, and that time of enjoyment of the Perfect Good would have come) had there been no obstacle; the soul suffers enormously from the delay. — St. Thomas Aquinas ________________________________ Prayer for St. Thomas Aquinas' Intercession Almighty ever-loving God, who made Saint Thomas Aquinas outstanding in his zeal for holiness and his study of sacred doctrine, grant us, we pray, that we may understand what he taught and imitate what he accomplished by his witn

St. Charles Borromeo was a 16th century, cardinal, bishop of Milan, and Counter Reformation reformer, who was instrumental in the formation and implementation of the Council of Trent’s doctrine. Known for his personal holiness and devotion to God, Borromeo ministered tirelesly to the many plague-stricken citizens of Italy. Such is the nature of faith that the greater are the obstacles it encounters, the more ardent it becomes. — St. Charles Borromeo ________________________________ Prayer of Saint Charles Borromeo  Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches. Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them. Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain. Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing o

St. Martin had a great desire to go off to some foreign mission and thus earn the palm of martyrdom. However, since this was not possible, he made a martyr out of his body, devoting himself to ceaseless and severe penances. God endowed him with many graces and wondrous gifts, such as aerial flights and bilocation. Everything, even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick could be a prayer, if it were offered to God. — St. Martin de Porres _________________________________ Prayer for St. Martin de Porres's Intercession O Holy God, who led Saint Martin de Porres by the path of humility to heavenly glory, grant that we may so follow his radiant example, by his intercession in this life. as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.

St. Catherine of Genoa was a 15th century Italian Franciscan tertiary and mystic. She wrote treatises about her altruistic and mystical experiences. The later often centered on Purgatory. Pope Benedict XVI said of her, “With her life St Catherine teaches us that the more we love God and enter into intimacy with him in prayer the more he makes himself known to us, setting our hearts on fire with his love.” Apart from the happiness of the saints in heaven, I think there is no joy comparable to that of the souls in purgatory. — St. Catherine of Genoa  _________________________________ Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen. [Poor souls, upon attaining heaven, pray that I may also experience holy beati

The final prophet of the Old Testament, Malachi lived during the Persian period, the time of the return to Zion from the Babylonian captivity. Here Malachi urges God's priests to be faithful: "A great King am I, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways…" (Malachi 1:14B-2:2B, 8-10) _________________________________ A Prayer for Priests Lord Jesus, we pray to You for our priests. You have gifted them to us for our salvation. You have made them priests in the liken

As October draws to a close, we conclude the 100th anniversary observance of the Fatima apparitions with the words of Sister Lucia dos Santos to mankind… The appearance of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, which Lucia witnessed together with her cousins Francisco and Jacinta marked a new and definitive stage in salvation history. Making known Our Lady’s urgent appeal for repentance, prayer and renewed devotion to God, centered on the most Holy Rosary, was the singular mission to which Sister Lucia remained faithful her entire life. God’s Mercy, while great, is not inexhaustible. Mary implores us to holiness while there is still time. The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem…no matter ho

Martyrdom according to the Catechism is "the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death." Blessed Pope Paul VI in his homily for the canonization of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales speaks of the ineffable fortitude the martyrs display in witnessing to the love of Christ. Faced with the choice of remaining steadfast in their faith and of dying for it, or of saving their lives by denying that faith, without a moment’s hesitation and with a truly supernatural strength they stood for God and joyfully confronted martyrdom.  — Blessed Pope Paul VI _________________________________ O God, who was pleased to give light to your Church by adorning on your Forty Martyrs of England and Wales the victory of eternal life graciously grant that, as they imitated the Lord's Passion, so we may, by following in their footsteps, be worthy to attain eternal joys. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with