BIG C CATHOLICS

June 15, 2016 In many societies today, the mere utterance, "I am a Christian," is a crime punishable by death. So widespread is such persecution that Pope Francis called it a "third world war, waged piecemeal... a form of genocide." Day 3 - The Novena for the Persecuted Church O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us! In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me, personally, with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross. (Mention your personal intentions here) St. Edith S

Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI will be honored on the 65th anniversary of his priestly ordination with a quiet ceremony in the Clementine Hall of the apostolic palace later this month. Joseph Ratzinger was ordained a priest for the Munich archdiocese on June 29, 1951, in Freising, Germany. He was 24. The Vatican celebration will occur June 28th. Pope Francis is expected to attend. See Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI's Vatican page for more.

June 14, 2016 O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us! In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me personally with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross. Amen. Day 2 - Novena for the Persecuted Church O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us!

For those familiar with monarchy like those in Europe, the idea that Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth might seem odd. In Western monarchies, the king and queen are typically husband and wife. By this standard, Mary the Mother of God would have no claim to such a designation. That Catholics accord to her the title "Queen" has even prompted Protestant accusations that Catholics divinize the Mother of Christ. In ancient Middle Eastern monarchies, kings had numerous wives as well as concubines. The greatest kings of the Davidic Kingdom were no exception. The Bible names eight wives of King David and acknowledges many more – although the exact number is not known. 1st Kings 11:1-3 indicates King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Amid such rampant polygamy, to bestow upon a wife the honor of being queen would doubtless cause envy, disappointment and recrimination among those in the royal harem not chosen. Israel's kings had many wives, but only one mother. It was

June 13, 2016 Day 1 - Novena for the Persecuted Church O great cloud of witnesses! O host of Angels and Saints worshiping God for all eternity! O holy ones in heaven above, Pray for us! You who were once part of the Church on earth, you who were faithful servants of the Church Militant, you who suffered for the love of God, Pray for us! In all ages, the Church is persecuted and hated. We pray, oh Lord, through your holy Saints, that we may be blessed with the freedom to worship and adore you at all times! We pray that you may bless your Church throughout the world and me, personally, with your grace to persevere with love in the face of persecution just as You did on the Cross. (Mention your personal intentions here) St. Joan of Arc – Pray for us! St. Valentine – Pray for us! St. Carmen Moreno and St. Ampara Caronell – Pray for us! St. Sebastian – Pray for us! St. Peter – Pray for us! St. Stephen – Pray for us! St. Denis – Pray for us! Amen. For more on the No

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ. — St. Anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony of Padua, also known as Anthony of Lisbon, was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Originally named Fernando Martins, he was born to a wealthy family at Lisbon. At the age of fifteen he asked to be sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz where he learned theology and Latin. Following his ordination, Fernando was placed in charge of the abbey's hospitality. When Franciscan friars established a hermitage outside Coimbra, Fernando felt compelled to join them. He was granted permission to do so, and upon entering the Franciscan Order, changed his name to Anthony. As a popular preacher and teacher of theology Anthony fought tirelessly against heresy. His homilies were inspired by the love of God and of souls and are remarkable for their insights. Pope Gregory IX, who heard Anthony preach, called him during his lifetime the Arca Testamenti , meaning "the living repository of the Holy Scriptures". Pope Pius XII, in proclaiming him a Doctor o