Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

Today is the feast of the Annunciation of our Lord, Jesus. It is celebrated 9 months before Christmas.

Today Pope Francis consecrated Russia and the Ukraine, along with the rest of the world, to Mary, Mother of Jesus and Queen of Peace.

January 28 - Feast Day of Saint Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was born into a noble Italian family around 1226. At the age of 10, he was judged ready to enter the University of Naples. At 17, he joined the newly founded Dominican Order, against his family’s wishes. His brothers, who were generals in the Italian army, kidnapped Thomas and held him prisoner for two years in their castle. However, Thomas escaped in a basket over the wall and went to Germany to study under Saint Albert the Great. He became a priest and was sent to the University of Paris, where he taught philosophy and theology for many years.

Saint Thomas deeply loved and revered Our Lord Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. He wrote special prayers and hymns for the feast of Corpus Christi—the Body of Christ. His greatest and probably best-known work is a summary of the theology of the Church—the Summa Theologica.  

One day God gave Saint Thomas a special experience of His presence. After this, Saint Thomas stopped writing, saying his writing was like “so much straw” when compared to God’s glory. Saint Thomas died in 1274. He was named the Angelic Doctor— one of the 33 Doctors, or Teachers—of the Church, because the Church considers his teachings to be as wise and holy as those of the angels in heaven.

Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels

 The whole Church, and all her members, benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels. From the beginning, we are surrounded by their ever-watchful care and prayer. 

The Church teaches that every human person has an angel to protect and shepherd them. At the moment of our birth, each of us is given a Guardian Angel to accompany us through life. In this way we already share here on earth in the blessed company of the angels. 

Jesus once said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matthew 18:10).

When King Herod threw Peter into prison, his fellow believers prayed for his safety. God heard their prayers, and He sent an angel to the prison. The angel removed Peter’s chains. At first Peter thought it was all a dream, but when the angel led him past the guards, outside the prison, and into freedom, he realized that God had sent an angel to deliver him.

Our Guardian Angels are always there to help us — they are our partners on the path to heaven. Let us call on our Guardian Angels to protect us and help us to follow Jesus and to live good lives.

Guardian Angel Prayer

O Angel of God, my Guardian dear,

To whom God's love, commits me here;

Ever this day, be at my side,

To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Guest Blogger - Bart Tesoriero

Feast of Saint Augustine

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Patron of Theologians and Printers

Feast Day: August 28

Saint Augustine was born in 354, in Africa. He was very intelligent and quite popular. However, his heart was far from God. His mother, Monica, prayed every day that God would help her son.

After 33 years, God answered Saint Monica’s prayers. Augustine asked Jesus to come into his heart, and God gave Augustine the gift of faith.

He was baptized and gave all his goods to the poor. He became a bishop and fought the enemies of the Church by his life, preaching, and writing.

Saint Augustine died in 430.

Our hearts were made for Thee, O Lord,

and restless shall they be,

until they rest in Thee.

--Saint Augustine

Submitted by Guest Blogger Bart Tesoriero

Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus

 

Born in France in 1647, Margaret Mary Alacoque was crippled by a disease at age 8.  After promising to give her life to Jesus’ service, she was miraculously healed through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 23, she entered the Visitation Order of Nuns.

 

Sister Margaret Mary fervently loved our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament—the consecrated Body of Christ from Holy Communion, which is kept in the tabernacles of Catholic churches. The world had grown cold and unresponsive to God and His offer of salvation through the grace His Son won for us all on the Cross. Over the course of a few years, Jesus appeared to Margaret, revealing to her His Sacred Heart.  

The flames coming forth from Jesus’ Heart remind us of His burning love for us and His desire that we love Him in return. The crown of thorns around His Heart reminds us of His sacrifice for us and His invitation that we offer our sufferings to Him, as Saint Paul teaches us: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24).

 

Jesus made at least twelve promises to Sister Margaret Mary, revealing the abundance of His love and telling her how He would help those who honor His Sacred Heart. He said,

“Behold this Heart which has loved men and women so much, and yet they do not want to love Me in return.

Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth.”

Jesus further promised, “I will bless every home in which an image of My Heart will be honored.”

 

Sister Margaret Mary died in 1690, and was canonized a saint in 1920

Submitted by guest blogger Bart Tesoriero

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

 

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. 

 

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

 

This feast is celebrated 9 months before Christmas, and is a Solemnity, a day of greatest importance in the Church.

  

Guest Blogger Bart Tesoriero

A Universal Prayer to Saint Joseph

 

Dear friends, 

Pope Francis has declared this the Year of Saint Joseph. As we celebrate his feast this Friday, March 19^th,  let us pray together:

 

The Memorare to Saint Joseph

 

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto you, our spiritual father, and beg your protection. O Foster Father of the Redeemer, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer us. Amen.

May the Lord bring you ever closer to good Saint Joseph and our Blessed Mother Mary, now and forever. Amen.

 

Sincerely,

Catholic Gifts and More

Prayer written by Bart Tesoriero