Archive for the ‘Christianity’ Category

Today Christians Honor Blessed Daniel Brottier – Please Pray For Us!

Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

Blessed Daniel BrottierBlessed Daniel Brottier (1876-1936) Image: Cradio

(Catholic Online) Born in France, Blessed Daniel Brottier, was a decorated Priest who served as a volunteer Chaplain during World War I risking his own life from time-to-time, cited six times for bravery, receiving the ‘Croix de Guerre’ and the ‘Legion of Honor’ according to 365 Rosaries during his 4 years at the front, ministering to the suffering and dying–It was miraculous that during the war, Fr. Brottier didn’t suffer a single wound.

Following the end of the war, Fr. Brottier was invited to help establish a project for orphaned and abandoned children in Paris, spending the last 13 years of his life there.

Blessed Daniel Brottier...Fr. Daniel Brottier –Image Courtesy: 365 Rosaries

Fr. Brottier was Beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II in Rome in November, 1984

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patron Saint of Youth – Please Pray For Us!

Tuesday, February 27th, 2024

St Gabriel of Our Lady of SorrowsSt. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows (1838-1862) — Catholic Tradition

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy into a large family and Baptized Francis, he lost his mother when he was only 4 yrs of age. Educated by the Jesuits and having been cured twice of serious illnesses, Young Francis came to believe that God was calling him to a religious life.

Not yet 17, Francis wished to join the Jesuits but twice was turned down. Subsequent to the death of his sister to cholera, his resolve to enter into a religious life became more fervent and he was accepted by the Passionists — Upon entering the novitiate, Francis was given the name of ‘Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.’

Ever popular and cheerful Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things, his spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionate Rule as well as his bodily penances–always subject to the will of his wise superiors, made a deep impression on everyone.

Gabriel’s superiors had great expectations of him as he prepared for the priesthood but after just 4 short years of religious life, symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, Gabriel patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions that it required, seeking no special consideration.

On the 27 February, 1862 Gabriel passed away at the age of just 24 and was fondly remembered as a remarkable young man example to both young and old.

Canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint Aloysius, is one of the Patrons of Youth.

More here from EWTN

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin – Please Pray For Us!

Monday, February 26th, 2024

Saint Maria....

Saint Anna Maria Bertilla Boscardin
(1888-1922) –Image: Mc Rodriguez

(CNA) Anna Francesca Boscardin was born in Italy Brendola and lived a difficult childhood in a poor peasant family with an abusive alcoholic father prone to jealousy, she was afforded little education, so she could spend more time at home working and was often the butt of jokes and nicknamed ‘The Goose’ as she wasn’t considered to be not very intelligent.

However Anna’s life changed when she entered the ‘Sisters of Saint Dorthy’ in 1904 taking the name ‘Bertilla’ working in the convents kitchen and laundry for three years while training to be a nurse.

Sister Maria Bertilla, began working in a hospital for children in Treviso with diphtheria, quickly becoming the children’s favorite due to her simple and gentle way. Later when the hospital was taken over by the military in World War I, she cared for wounded soldiers, even staying with patients comforting them amidst the threat of constant air raids and bombings.

Subsequently an envious supervisor reassigned Sister Maria Bertilla now popular among the patients to a hospital laundry but when her Mother-General learned of this she made Sister Maria Bertilla head of the children’s ward in 1919 until her death.

Sister Anna Maria Bertilla passed away on the 20 October 1922 following a long battle with cancer. On the 31 July, 1949 she was declared ‘heroic in virtue’ and was Beatified by Pope Pius XII in June, 1952

On the 11 May, 1961 by Pope John XXIII Canonized Sister Maria Bertilla before a crowd of many of her former patients that fondly remembered her caring for them.

Related: Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin –Vita dei Santi

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Sunday, February 25th, 2024

Jesus taught, “…about that day and hour no one knows,
neither the Angels of Heaven, nor the Son but only the Father.
For as the days of Noah were,  so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:36-37
Image Courtesy: Kayla Cusano

Signs of the End of the Age

When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the Disciples came to Him privately saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’

Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ They will lead many astray and you will hear of wars and rumors of  wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

Persecutions Foretold

Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Jesus!) then many will fall away, they will betray one another and hate one another, many false prophets will arise and lead many astray and because of the increase of lawlessness (See also: Romans 1:18-32;
2 Timothy 3:1-5)
the love of many will grow cold but the one who endures to the end will be saved. This Good News of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:3-14

Jesus taught, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life! Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (Jesus) Those who believe in Jesus are not condemned but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

John 3:16-18

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life
    Today Through The Good News of Christ Jesus!

Related: Final Battle will be Over Marriage/Family, Says Fatima Visionary Sister Lucia dos Santos  -Church Pop

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio, Patron of Travelers – Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, February 25th, 2024

Blessed Sebastian

Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio
Image:
Roman Catholic Saints

(Franciscan Media) Sebastian born of poor parents in Spain Galicia, throughout life his roads and bridges connected many distant places, his final bridge building was to help Women and Men, recognize their God given dignity with destiny.

At the age of 31 Sebastian sailed to Mexico where he began working in the fields, eventually building roads to facilitate agricultural trading and other commerce–his 446 mile road from Mexico City to Zacatecas took 10 years to construct and required careful negotiations with the indigenous people along the way.

As the years went by, Sebastian became a wealthy farmer and rancher. When he was 60, he got married, his spouse motivation many have been a large inheritance, his was to provide a respectable life for a young Woman without even a modest marriage dowry, when his first wife died, Sebastian remarried for the same reason, his second wife preceded him in death.

When Sebastian was 72 he distributed his wealth among the poor and entered the Franciscans as a Brother, assigned to a large Friary at Puebla de Los Angeles, south of Mexico City, Sebastian collected money for the Friars for the next 25 years, earning him the nickname “Angel of Mexico.”

Sebastian was Beatified on the 17 May, 1789 by Pope Pius VI

Today Christians Honor Blessed Luke Belludi – Please Pray For Us!

Saturday, February 24th, 2024

Blessed Luke Belludi

Bl. Luke Belludi (1200-1285)
Image:
Ad Jesum Per Mariam

(Franciscan Media) In 1220 as Fr. Anthony of Padua was ministering conversion to Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of Italy Padua, a young nobleman Luke Belludi, came up to him and humbly asked to receive the habit of the followers of Saint Francis — Anthony took to the talented, well educated Luke and personally recommended him to Saint Francis who then received him into the Franciscan Order.

Luke then only 20 yrs of age, was to be Anthony’s traveling companion and help in his ministry, tending to him through his last days and taking Anthony’s place upon his death. Subsequently appointed Guardian of the Friars Minor in the City of Padua. In 1239, the city fell into the hands of its enemies, Nobles were executed, the Mayor and Council were disbanded, the great University of Padua closed and the Church dedicated to Saint Anthony was left unfinished. –Luke, banished from Padua secretly returned and at night, Luke and the new Guardian of the Friars Minor, visited the tomb of Saint Anthony in the unfinished shrine to pray for his help.

One night a voice came from Saint Anthony’s tomb, assuring Luke and the present Guardian of the Friars Minor, that Padua would soon be delivered from the evil tyrant.

After the fulfillment of the prophetic message, Luke was elected Provincial Minister and furthered the completion of the great Basilica in honor of Saint Anthony his teacher, traveling companion and confidant. Luke subsequently founded many Convents of the order and had, as Saint Anthony, the Gift of Miracles.

Upon Luke’s death in 1285 he was laid to rest in the Basilica that he helped finish and has had a continual great respect up to the present time. Blessed Luke Belludi was beatified according to Roman Catholic Saints.com by Pope Pius XI

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Monday, February 19th, 2024

Jesus: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do
for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.”
Matthew 25:45
Images Courtesy of: Thomas R@Twitter
and Deacon Paul O’Connor

Judgment of the Nations

Jesus: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at the left.

Then the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come you that are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you gave Me clothing, I was sick and you took care of Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry and gave You food or thirsty and gave You something to drink? When was it that we saw You a stranger and welcomed You or naked and gave You clothing? When was it that we saw You sick or in prison and visited You?’

The King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of My family, you did it to Me.’

Then He will say to those at His left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from Me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me, naked and you did not give Me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of You?’

Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

These will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.'” –Matthew 25:31-46

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings, Visit: -USCCB

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against Me and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! — For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God.
Turn then and live. –Ezekiel 18:31A-32 (NRSVCE)
Image Courtesy: Blue Army Shrine Our Lady of Fatima

  • All Scripture is inspired by God
    and is useful for teaching, for reproof,
    for correction and for training in righteousness.
    2 Timothy 3:16

A Psalm of Asaph (5th Century BCE)

To those who who go the right way
I will show the salvation of God! (Psalm 50:23B)

The mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth  from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth! Our God comes and does not keep silence, before Him is a devouring fire and a mighty tempest all around Him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people; “Gather to me My faithful ones, who made a Covenant with Me by sacrifice!” The heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge.

“Hear, O My people and I will speak, O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; Your burnt offerings are continually before Me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every wild animal of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know the birds of the air and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all that is in it is mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High. Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.”

 

To the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite My Statues or take a Covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline and you cast My Words behind you. You make friends with a thief when you see one and you keep company with adulterers. You give your mouth free rein for evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your kin; you slander your own mother’s child. These things you have done and I have been silent; You thought that I was one just like yourself but now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. Mark this then, you who forgot God or I will tear you apart and there will be no one to deliver.”

 

“Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor Me; To those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God.” –Psalm 50:1-23

  • You May Know the Joy of Salvation and Eternal Life
    in Heaven Today Through The Good News
    of Christ Jesus!

Related: Why Does God Send People to Hell?  -The Fatima Center

Final Battle Will Be Over Marriage and the Family -ChurchPOP

Today Christians Celebrate the Feast of Blessed John of Fiesole, Universal Patron of Artists – Please Pray For Us!

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

Blessed Fra Angelico‘Annunciation and Decent from the Cross’
by Blessed John of Fiesole
Popularly Known as Blessed Fra Angelico

(Franciscan Media) Blessed John of Fiesole born in Vicchio overlooking Italy Florence, he took up painting as a young lad studying under the watchful eye of a local painting master and became known for the beauty of his paintings.

Given the name “Guido” at Baptism, he joined the Dominicans at the age of 20 taking the name ‘Fra Giovanni’ (nicknamed Angelico) by his brothers he eventually became known as ‘Fra Angelico’ as he ministered Jesus Christ by his life, his words and paintings.

Continuing studying painting and perfecting his own techniques which included broad brush strokes, vivid colors and generous life like figures, Michelangelo once said of Fra Angelico:

“One has to believe that this good Monk has visited paradise and been allowed to choose his models there.”

Whatever his subject matter, Fra Angelico sought to generate feelings of religious devotion in response to his paintings. Among his most famous works are the ‘Annunciation and Descent From the Cross’ as well as ‘Frescoes’ in the Monastery of San Marco in Florence.

Between 1425 and 1447 ‘Fra Angelico’ served in leadership positions for the Dominican convents and other ecclesiastical institutes at Fiesole in Florence, Cortona and Orvieto.

The fame of ‘Fra Angelico’ genius, merited him the esteem of  Pope Eugenio IV (1383-1447) and Nicholas V (1397-1455) whom they contracted with for the task of ‘frescoing painting’ several rooms in the Vatican Palace.

Fra AngelicoFra Angelico Frescoes in the ‘Cappella Niccolina
of the Plazzi Pontifica in the Vatican’

Fra Angelico passed away on this date (18 February) 1455 in the ‘Convent of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva’ in Rome and was buried in the adjoining Basilica, where his body was covered by a simple slab on which was carved his portrait, with a personality that was uncomplicated and clear.

“The virtue and and profound religious spirit which characterized the life of this artist and Dominican, is reflected in his (Fra Angelico) spirituality, his purity and the luminosity of his art,” wrote the Dominican Sisters.

Even before his official as ‘Blessed of the Church’ Fra Angelico had been given the faithful title ‘Beato Angelico’ in a moving ceremony on the 18 October,  1984 when Pope Saint John Paul II on his knees in front of ‘Fra Angelico’ tomb, proclaimed him solemnly to be the universal patron of all artists.

“The incarnation was on of Fra Angelico’s favorite themes and he painted over 25 variations of it, his painted meditations, so needed at the time of the early Renaissance are still necessary today. God became man to bring us closer to Himself by way of all things human–He makes all things new by fashioning them into possible vehicles of grace for us, so that by visible realities and concrete concepts, we can arrive at an understanding and a love of higher, invisible realities, all leading to God Himself.”

Related: Fra Angelico Paintings — Convent of San Marco

An Inspiration Of Time With God For Today

Saturday, February 17th, 2024

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” -St. Teresa of Calcutta
Image Courtesy: KTLA

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? –1 John 3:17

Warnings & Encouragements

When a crowd of many thousands had gathered so that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to speak, first to His disciples saying, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight and what you have whispered (gossip) in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

I tell you My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more but I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed has authority to throw you into Hell. Yes I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges Me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God but whoever disowns me before others will also be disowned before the angels of God and everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man (Jesus) will be forgiven but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

When you are brought before Synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance for me.’

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”

Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Jesus then told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones and there I will store my surplus grain and I’ll say to myself, you have plenty of grain laid up for ,many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’

God then said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Jesus: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Do Not Worry

Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or about your body what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them and how much more valuable are you than birds! Who of you worrying can ad a single hour to your life? Since you can not do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith! For the pagan world runs after all such things and your Father knows that you need them but seek His Kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom! Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in Heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their masters to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or towards daybreak but understand this: If the owner of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man (Jesus) will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” 

Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?’

Jesus answered, “Who then is the faithful and the wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions but suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ then begins to beat the other servants both men and women and to eat, drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows but the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Not Peace But Division

Jesus: “I have come to bring fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled but I have a baptism to undergo and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Interpreting the Times

Jesus said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘Its going to rain’ and so it does and when the south wind blows, you say, ‘Its going to be hot’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, how is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way or your adversary may drag you off to the judge and the judge turn you over to the officer and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” –Luke 12:1-59

Related: Sister Lucia dos Santos: Final Battle Between God and Satan, Marriage and the Family

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