BIG C CATHOLICS

June 2 is the Optional Memorial of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs Sts. Marcellinus and Peter are two Roman martyrs who suffered under the Diocletian persecution, about the year 303; the first was an exorcist, the second a priest. The word martyr means witness. From the beginning, the Church has honored its martyrs. Marcellinus and Peter gave the ultimate witness to the faith, showing they were willing to die rather than lie. After they were imprisoned they led many of their fellow prisoners to become Christian and be baptized right there in prison. They were so popular with their fellow Christians that they were secretly taken to a forest, forced to dig their own graves and there beheaded. One of the soldiers were so impressed by their courage that he became a Christian and revealed their burial place. The community came and got their bodies to give them a proper burial. Their cultus was so important that after peace was restored to the Church, Constantine built a basilic

Saint Justin the Martyr is considered Christianity's first apologist. He was a pagan philosopher, who after becoming Christian, spent his life explaining the faith to the pagan world. One of his writings about the Eucharist, the First Apology written by St. Justin in 150 AD, shows that from the beginning, the Church believed that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. St. Justin wrote: The apostles, in their recollections, which are called Gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that He took bread, gave thanks and said: “Do this in memory of Me. This is My body.” In the same way He took the cup, He gave thanks and said: “This is My blood.” The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through His Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

June 1, 2016 is Day 8 of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Let us pray for more loving hearts so as to be like Christ in loving selflessly. This we ask in Christ's name; that we may love others as much as Christ loves us. Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Prayers, Day 8 O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here) Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. G

St. Justin was born in Flavia Neapolis, a city of Samaria, modern day Nablus, about 110 A.D. His father and grandfather were of Roman origin. After converting to Christianity, Justin went go on to be one of the most important Christian writers of the second century. He himself tells how his study of all the schools of thought led him to Christianity, and how he dedicated his life to the defense of the Christian faith as "the one certain and profitable philosophy." St. Justin is particularly celebrated for the two Apologies which he was courageous enough to address in succession to the persecuting emperors Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius. One of them contains a description of the rites of baptism and the ceremonies of Mass, thus constituting the most valuable evidence that we possess on the Roman liturgy of his day. He was beheaded in Rome in 165. Justin is also referred to as "the Philosopher." The Life of St. Justin Justin, the son of Priscus, was a Greek by

The Visitation, Luke 1:39-56 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice saying, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." The feast of the Visitation recalls to us the following great truths and events: The visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation; the cleansing of John the Baptist from original sin in the womb of his mother at the words of Our Lady's greeting; Elizabeth's proclaiming of Mary — under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost — as Mother of God and "blessed among women"; Mary's singing of the sublime hymn, Magnificat ("My soul doth magnify the Lord") which has become a part of the daily official prayer of the Church. The Visitation is frequently depicted in art, and was the central mystery of St. Francis de Sales' devotions. The Mass of today salu

May 31, 2016 is Day 7 of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Let us pray that we may have more pure hearts like Christ. As disciples of Jesus and the children of God, such an aspiration is fitting. Let's pray that we may see and treat others with love while putting all judgement and malice aside. Sacred Heart of Jesus Novena Prayers, Day 7 O my Jesus, you have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of… (Mention your Intention Here) Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,

Father Ed Broom, OMV, wrote " 10 Beautiful Things About the Visitation " for the Feast of the Visitation, (Catholic Exchange, 2012) in which he makes the following insight: Both of these women in the modern society could be candidates for abortion. Why? One was very young, Mary; whereas, the other was very old, Elizabeth. However, both had an infinite trust in God’s Divine Providence and gave birth to the greatest:  St. John the Baptist and JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! At all times, by our meditation on the mystery of the Visitation, may we be staunch defenders of human life, from the moment of conception until natural death.  God is the author and origin of life and only He has the right to take life to Himself! To read the article in full go here .