Just for fun I am reading Martin Luther’s essay “Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants.”
What are you chewing on today?
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 – 1680), is known popularly as the “Lily of the Mohawks” and the “Geneviève of New France.” Kateri was born in the Mohawk area of Ossemenon in New York State, the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Catholic Algonquin woman whom he had saved from captivity at the hands of the Iroquois. By the time she four years old smallpox killed her parents and her brother; she was left her scarred and with impaired eyesight.
Adopted by her uncle, the chief of the Turtle clan, and Kateri had many offers of marriage. The Jesuit missionaries (the Black Robes) gave some knowledge of the Catholic faith to Kateri that gave her the desire to live life not only as a Christian but as a virgin: a heroic determination at the time. However, Kateri was not baptized until she was 20. Because of her virtue she experienced persecution and death threats, she fled to the established Christian community at Kahnawake in Québec. Observers testify that Kateri advanced in communio with God taking on bodily mortifications with intense prayer; she died at the age of 24. Kateri Tekakwitha was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 22 June 1980.
on the other side of the Mississippi
… for a few days I am fishing for catfish … and eating Ted Drews …
Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes
On the liturgical ordo of the Carmelite Order today is the feast of the relatively unknown saint outside some circles (on the Roman ordo today’s saint is memorialized on April 12). Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes was born on July 13, 1900 and died on April 12, 1920 and having spent only 11 months as a Carmelite nun.
Baptized Juanita Fernandez Solar she took the name Teresa of Jesus of the Andes. Teresa of Jesus was the first Chilean to be canonized. She is today, a model for young people. The Church concerned for holiness proposes to us today this beautiful, young and “unaccomplished” saint as a perfect model for our journey.
The spiritual autobiography, if as compelling as the Little Flower’s, can have a profound influence on someone (think also of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross who was influenced by St Teresa of Avila), so much so that the young Teresa entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery of the Andes on May 7, 1919.
At Santiago de Chile Pope John Paul II beatified Teresa of Jesus on April 3, 1987 and the Pope later canonized her on March 21, 1993. Her brother Luis attended the beatification. Teresa is also the Discalced Carmelite nun to be canonized outside of Europe and the 4th “Teresa” of the Carmel Order to be canonized.
Read the Vatican’s biography of Saint Teresa of Jesus of the Andes.
Communion and Liberation Vacation 2010
Scenes from the 2010 Northeast Coast Communion & Liberation Vacation in the Hudson Valley, outside New Paltz, New York, July 1-5, 2010 … Can anything make life new again?
Vacation time offers the unique opportunity to pause before the thought-provoking spectacles of nature, a wonderful “book” within reach of everyone, adults and children. In contact with nature, a person rediscovers his correct dimension, rediscovers himself as a creature, small but at the same time unique, with a “capacity for God” because interiorly he is open to the Infinite. Driven by his heartfelt urgent search for meaning, he perceives in the surrounding world the mark of goodness and Divine Providence and opens almost naturally to praise and prayer. (Pope Benedict XVI)
Theme for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011 announced
Each year the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a theme and the theme for the 2011 observance of the Week of Prayer is One in the Apostles’ Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer.
The 2011 theme was announced by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. The Christians in Jerusalem are the major consultants for the 2011 observance. The theme’s “inspiration” comes from Acts 2:42.
For more information on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011 and other resources, visit the website.
New Catholic high school named for McGivney
My friend Robin in Glen Carbon, IL, let me know about a fund raising opportunity for a new Catholic high school, Fr McGivney Catholic High School.
To my surprise, a new school is named for the Venerable Servant of God Michael J. McGivney, the priest who founded the Knights of Columbus here in New Haven.
May the Venerable Servant of God Michael J. McGivney intercede for this crucial endeavor.
Paul the octopus was correct…
… who would have thought that someone, anyone, would think that a common octopus named Paul, would select THE winner of the World Cup 2010!!!
The octopus is spared from the calamari plate one more time…
Well, I am partial to Paul the octopus!
Praying the Maronite Liturgy
Today, I was one of the acolytes at St Ann Melkite Church (Waterford, CT) for the Maronite Liturgy celebrated in the another Eastern Church, the Melkite Church. It is not typical for one Liturgy to be celebrated in a church of another Eastern Church but since there are a number of Maronite Catholics who live in southeastern Connecticut it was judged rightly to have the Maronite Liturgy this weekend. The Liturgy was done in both English and Arabic. My friend Archimandrite Edward Kakaty welcomed visiting Maronites with their priest from Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Waterbury, CT, to St Ann’s.
For nearly three years I served as acolyte for the Maronite Liturgy and frequently the Melkite Liturgy so today was like coming home.
Saint Benedict
Come! Lift your hearts to God on high,
That we be joined in praise this day,
For God has called this blessed man
Who leads us in Christ’s narrow way.
From youth he sought to know God well,
Preferred, to all things else, Christ’s love
That, freed within the three-fold vow,
His heart be set on things above.
He founded, in his holy zeal,
A school of service of the Lord
Where all might leave self-seeking cares,
That God in all things be adored.
His sons and daughters he has formed
To run the way of God’s commands
Within the cloister and the world,
Through common life in many lands.
To men and women, monks and nuns,
Who strive within their rule to grow,
Give purity of heart; grant joy;
That in all thorns, Christ’s peace they know.
O Father, Son, and Spirit blessed,
With Benedict we sing your praise.
All glory be, until that time
We join the saints for endless days.
J. Michael Thompson
Copyright © 2009, World Library Publications
LM; DUKE STREET, DEUS TUORUM MILITUM