†Saint Quote of the DayI see clearly with the interior eye, that the sweet God loves with a pure love the creature that He has created, and has a hatred for nothing but sin, which is more opposed to Him than can be thought or imagined. St. Catherine of Genoa
Today's Meditation“If we have any distinct concept of blessedness connected with mourning, it could likely have been that it is a blessed thing to be rid of it. Are not mourners by widely accepted definition the unhappy ones? Obviously, if a mourner is blessed, then it has to mean that he is blessed to have gotten out of this painful predicament, to have escaped from this sorrowful situation, to have fended off suffering. And so we might well have written the third Beatitude like this: Blessed are they who enjoy the comfort of not having anything to mourn about. But then we run up against the hard fact that this is just not what Christ said…We shall have to deal with the words that our blessed Savior uttered and not with the words that we think He ought to have uttered.” —Mother Francis, PCC, p.36
Daily Verse †Make me understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate on thy wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to thy word! Put false ways far from me; and graciously teach me thy law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I set thy ordinances before me. I cleave to thy testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of thy commandments when thou enlargest my understanding! Psalm 119:27-32
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EWTN Daily Saint
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St. Catherine of GenoaPatron Saint of: Hospitals, nurses, the sick, and Genoa
Feast Day: September 15 St. Catherine (1447–1510) was born into an aristocratic family in Genoa, Italy. She was a quiet, obedient, physically beautiful, and holy child who devoted herself to prayer and penance. At the age of 13 she made an attempt to enter a convent, but was rejected. At the age of 16 she consented to a marriage arranged by her family for political and financial gain. Her husband was faithless and violent, and their marriage was miserable. Catherine did not bear any children, and for the first five years lived as a hermit in her fine home. After this time, upon her family’s rebuke of her solitude, she began to engage in the kind of social activity expected for her state in life. This only increased her weariness and depression, and led to the loss of her religious fervor. Catherine prayed earnestly for assistance in her trouble. Taking the advice of her sister, who was a nun, Catherine went to confession, and through the sacrament had a profound mystical experience in which she clearly saw the depth of her sinfulness contrasted with the depth of God’s love. From that point on she renewed her commitment to rigorous prayer, penance, and works of mercy, and God continued to favor her with mystical visions. Catherine later won the conversion of her husband, and they were received into the Third Order of St. Francis. Together they cared for the poor and sick in the Genoa hospital, over which Catherine became administrator. St. Catherine’s mystical visions were recorded by her confessor toward the end of her life, the most famous being her Treatise of Purgatory. Her feast day is celebrated on September 15th.
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Memorial of Our Lady of SorrowsLectionary: 444/639 Reading 11 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the Church
to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;
then, mighty deeds;
then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,
and varieties of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. Responsorial PsalmPsalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5 R. (3) We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
For he is good, the LORD,
whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Sequence (Optional)
At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful Mother weeping,
Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,
All his bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed. Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blessed
Of the sole begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs,
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying, glorious Son. Is there one who would not weep,
'Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold? Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that mother's pain untold? Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent. For the sins of his own nation
Saw him hang in desolation
Till his spirit forth he sent. O sweet Mother! font of love,
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with yours accord. Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord. Holy Mother, pierce me through,
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Savior crucified. Let me share with you his pain,
Who for all our sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died. Let me mingle tears with you,
Mourning him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live. By the cross with you to stay,
There with you to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of you to give. Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine. Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of yours.
Wounded with his every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In his very Blood away. Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In his awful judgment day. Christ, when you shall call me hence,
Be your Mother my defense,
Be your cross my victory. While my body here decays,
May my soul your goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally.
Amen. (Alleluia) Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary;
without dying you won the Martyr’s crown
beneath the Cross of the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelJohn 19:25-27 Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple,
“Behold, your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. or Luke 2:33-35 Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
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Praise to You Oh Lord Jesus Christ!
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From Word Among Us WAU.org
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Daily Meditation: John 19:25-27Standing by the cross of Jesus . . . (John 19:25) How painful it must have been for Mary to watch her innocent son dying a slow and torturous death by crucifixion! The woman who had birthed and nurtured him was now helpless to relieve his suffering. All she could do was stand by him, trust in God, and pray that Jesus’ suffering would end soon so that he could return to his heavenly Father. After Jesus’ death, Mary took his broken body in her arms and then watched as they laid him in the tomb. How she must have grieved! But even in her sorrow, she clung to God and trusted in his plan for her son. Can you imagine what joy she felt when, three days later, she saw him again, now risen from the dead! Today’s feast reminds us that we have a heavenly mother who understands our own sorrows. She knows what it’s like to worry, to suffer, and to grieve. Think of how she had to flee Herod’s rage and find refuge in Egypt. Or how she lost her young son for three days in Jerusalem, accepted his mission to leave home to begin his public ministry, and witnessed his unjust treatment by those who opposed him. Imagine how she felt as she accompanied him through his passion and death. Mary has been through it all, and she can help you walk your own path. But Mary can do more than be with you in your sorrow; she can remind you that your heavenly Father is trustworthy. Her own life is a testament to that truth. In today’s Gospel, for instance, Jesus said to John from the cross, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). He made his mother, Mary, the mother of the whole Church. What an honor and a privilege this was for her—and what a grace for all of us! Like any good mother, your heavenly mother, Mary, has compassion on you. Just as she stood by Jesus on the cross, she will stand by you as you carry your own crosses. So seek her comfort—and her prayers—every time your heart is sorrowful. Let her assure you, as Jesus did with his disciples, that one day your sorrow will turn to joy (John 16:20)! “Our Lady of Sorrows, pray that I might always trust in my Father and his plan for my life.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31
Psalm 100:1-5
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Reflections with Brother Adrian:
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From today's Holy Gospel: "..Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed….”
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From Roberto Juarez: "Today we contemplate Mary of Sorrows. A woman wounded by the suffering of her Son. A Mother pierced by a sword. But also a woman of faith. Mary teaches us that faith does not make us immune to pain. She teaches us something much deeper: faith allows us to go through pain without losing God. When our own cross comes, when we do not understand, when a person we love is suffering and we do not know what to do, when we can only remain with those who suffer, let us remember Mary. And when our heart is wounded, let us place it next to hers.
Let us ask her today: Mary, Mother of Sorrows, teach us to remain close to Christ. When we do not understand, give us faith. When we suffer, give us hope. When we feel alone, accompany us. When we see those we love suffer, teach us to remain with them. And when our cross seems too heavy, lead us to your Son. May the sword that pierced Mary's heart not only be for us a memory of sorrow, but a school of faith, fidelity and hope. Because Mary reminds us that the cross is not the end of history. After Good Friday comes Easter morning. And together with the Risen Christ, every pain given out of love can finally become life". ▪ end of quote from Roberto.
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end of quote from Roberto. |
From Brother Adrian:
Bishop Barron said:
"In entrusting Mary to John, Jesus was, in a real sense, entrusting Mary to all those who would be friends of Jesus down through the ages." end quote. Today we remember Our Lady of Sorrows. Some of the darkest looking statues of her are of the Our Lady of Sorrows. They are sad, truly sad looking, truly dark and in the darkest of moments, usually she is dressed in black. And even the tears look black. And she is holding her Son, in her arms, struck with grief.
Only a person who has lost the love of their life, the person they truly loved could understand this…an innocent child dead in her arms.
Her baby. Her love.
Her only son. Her livelihood.
Her part of herself, that only God had fathered through.
We only have the flesh of Mary, in Jesus the Christ.
They say a mother holds particles, DNA bits of their children in their womb…forever.
If this is true, then she holds Him forever in body and soul, because of the divinity mingled with humanity, as it does on the altars across the world every day in a Catholic Mass.
Who dares pray with the Sorrows of Mary? They say there are great graces granted to those who pray with her.
Again, many protestants detest suffering, but the Church teaches that there is good in suffering to be reckoned with.
And this should point to everything. God is everything. If God is in suffering, than suffering can be made good, very good indeed.
It is Good, the Holy will of our Father.
If only we would love and hold with faith…Jesus…in our arms. Mother of God, pray for us.
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Random Bible Verse 1
Ephesians 4:26–27 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil."
Word of the Lord!
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Month of Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa)
Devotion of the Month Opening prayer of Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: O, Mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonized on the cross; by the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathizing with your sorrows and offering you my petition with childlike trust. Dear Mother, since your Son refuses you nothing, ask of His Sacred Heart to mercifully grant what I ask, through the merits of His sacred passion, along with those of your sufferings at the foot of the cross. Mother most merciful, to whom shall I go in my misery if not to you who pities us poor, sinful exiles in this valley of tears? In our name, offer Jesus but one drop of His most precious blood, but one pang of His loving heart. Remind Him that you are our sweetness, our life, and our hope, and your prayer will be heard. Amen.
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God Bless You! Peace
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