Tag: Franciscan saints and blesseds

Blessed Junípero Serra

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God most High, Your servant Junipero Serra brought the gospel of Christ to the peoples of Mexico and California and firmly established the Church among them. By his intercession, and through the example of his apostolic zeal, inspire us to be faithful witness of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Blessed Junipero was born at Petra, Island of Majorca, November 24, 1713; he died at Monterey, California, August 28, 1784. Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988.

Saint Albert Chmielowski

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Come, blessed of my Father, for I was ill and you came to visit me. Amen, I say to you; as often as you did this for the least of my brothers, you did it to me.

O God, rich in mercy, You inspired Saint Brother Albert to see the wounded image of Your Son in the poor, the homeless and the destitute. Motivated by his example and prayers may we become true brothers and sisters to all who are in need.

Blessing of Lilies on the Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Spirit of God is upon me; he has anointed me. He sent me to bring good news to the poor, and to heal the broken hearted.

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V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.

O God, the Creator and Preserver of mankind, thou Who art the lover of holy purity, the giver of spiritual grace, the dispenser of eternal salvation, bless + these lilies we bring on this day in thanksgiving to thee and in honor of Saint Anthony, thy Confessor. Pour out on them heavenly dew by the saving + sign of the most holy cross, O God of love! Thou hast endowed these lilies with delicious fragrance to be a comfort and help to those on their sickbeds. Wherefore, imbue them with so great strength that whether they are used in a home, in a sickroom, or carried about one’s person, they may have power, through the intercession of Saint Anthony, to drive out evil spirits, to safeguard chastity, to turn away illness, and to bestow on thy servants peace and grace.

V. Pray for us, blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

May the devout and constant intercession of Blessed Anthony, thy Confessor, come to our aid, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may become of thy grace in this life, and merit everlasting joys in the next.

Saint Anthony of Padua

Loving God, upon this day
Sing we all in joyful praise:
Anthony, your faithful son,
On this day has heaven won.
He, the preacher of the Word,
Lived in deed the truth he heard;
Called by martyr’s death to be
Vowed to holy poverty.
Lord, accept the hymns we raise,
Singing Anthony’s holy praise!

Faithful friar, in Francis’ step
Bids us go where he has led,
Drawn by him, we offer laud
To Christ Jesus, Son of God.
Fearless teacher of the way,
Guiding us to work and pray,
Through his never-ceasing prayer
Leads us Christ-ward ev’rywhere.
Lord, accept the hymns we raise,
Singing Anthony’s holy praise!

To the Father and the Son
And the Spirit, Three-in-One,
Hymns of glory, songs of love
Sing we, echoing those above.
With the angels’ chorus high
Earth now makes this joyful cry;
With Saint Anthony we sing,
Praising God, our heav’nly King.
Lord, accept the hymns we raise,
Singing Anthony’s holy praise!

J. Michael Thompson
Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications
77 77 D; MENDELSSOHN, (or, without refrain, SALZBURG)

Blessed Florida Cevoli and Blessed Jolenta of Poland

Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, it is You who hold fast my lot. For me the measuring lines have fallen on pleasant sites; fair indeed is my inheritance.

God our Father, through contemplative prayer You ignited the flame of love deep in the heart and soul of blessed Florida; and taught blessed Jolenta to choose the lowly cross of Your Son in place of worldly honors and riches. Through their merits and prayers enable us to look rightly on perishable things and with sincere hearts to seek the things of heaven.

Saint Camilla Baptista Varani

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May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through it the world has been crucified to me and I to the world, alleluia.
Almighty God, You made the virgin Saint Camilla Baptista excel in meditating on the passion of Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us through her intercession to bear in our hearts the mortification of the cross and thus merit to obtain eternal life.

Saint Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes

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Come, bride of Christ, and receive the crown, which the Lord has prepared for you for ever, alleluia.
Heavenly Father, through virginal chastity and penance You were pleased to have Saint Mary Ann grow like a lily amid the thorns of the world’s allurements. Through her intercession may we be kept from vice and strive after perfection.

Read something on Saint Mary Ann, the 17th century saint of Quito, Ecuador here.

Saint Bernardine of Siena

St Bernardine of Siena.jpgMay my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever, alleluia.

Heavenly Father, You gave Saint Bernardine the priest an extraordinary love for the holy name of Jesus. By his merits and prayers grant that the spirit of love for You may ever inflame us.
Read a bit on Bernardine here.