The Immaculate Heart of Mary (optional memorial) ~ 13 June 2015

"O Mary, conceived without sin, 

pray for us who have recourse to thee."

"Everything in Mary leads us toward her Son, our only Saviour, by whose foreseen merits she was preserved immaculate and full of grace; everything in Mary lifts up our hearts to the praise of the Holy Trinity." ~ Pope Paul VI in encyclical celebrating the centenary of the apparitions at Lourdes.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. 

Luke 2:19

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth 

and was subject to them. 

And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 

Luke 2:51

"I will never leave you; 

my Immaculate Heart will be your refuge, 

and the way that will lead you to God."

~ Our Lady to the Lucia at Fatima, 13 June, 1917 ~

Grant, Lord God, that we, your servants, may rejoice in unfailing health of mind and body, and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, may we be set free from present sorrow and come to enjoy eternal happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 2:41-51

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.” And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial) ~ 22 May

Saint Rita was born at Rocca Porrena, in the diocese of Spoleto near Cascia in Umbria, Italy, in 1381. She begged her parents to allow her to enter a convent as she had great desire was to become a nun but in obedience to her parents she agreed to be married at the age of twelve to Paolo Mancini, a minor official in the town. After eighteen years of married life and at her lost by death, her husband murdered and her twin sons died of natural causes. Saint Rita, 36 was called into the religious life where she professed the Rule of St. Augustine at Cascia her native town, in central Italy. Saint Rita's hidden, simple life in religion was distinguished by obedience and charity; she performed many extreme penances. After hearing a sermon on the Passion of Christ she returned to her cell; kneeling before her crucifix, she implored: "Let me, my Jesus share in Thy suffering, at least of one of Thy thorns" and as she prayed before a Crucifix, a wound appeared on her forehead like that of a thorn piercing Christ’s forehead. For the next 15 years she was to bear the pain of that wound with great love and patience, never complaining even though the pain was intense. During the last four years of her life, after experiencing a vision of Our Lord and the indescribable joy of heaven, she was confined to bed and ate so little that she practically existed on the Eucharist alone.Saint Rita is often depicted holding roses, or roses and figs, and the interesting story behind it is that as Saint Rita was dying, she requested her fellow sister to bring her a rose from her old home at Rocca Porrena. Although it was not the season for roses, the sister went and found a rose in full bloom. It was as if God was rewarding Rita for all the thorns in her life with the miracle of the rose. For this reason roses are blessed in the Saint's honour.

Saint Rita's died on 22 May 1457, her face became beautifully radiant, while the odor from her wound was as fragrant as that of the roses she loved so much. Pope Leo XIII canonized Saint Rita on the Feast of the Ascension 24 May, 1900. Saint RITA is universally called the ‘Saint of the Impossible’, because her intercession has been found effectual with God in most desperate and hopeless cases and is often regarded, like Saint Jude. Saint Rita of Cascia is the patron saint for abuse victims, against loneliness, against sterility, bodily ills; desperate causes, difficult marriages, forgotten causes, impossible causes, infertility, lost causes, parenthood, sick people, victims of physical spouse abuse, and widows. Saint Rita’s example reminds us to put our faith in God, who raised his only Son, Jesus from the dead and promises us that we, too, will share everlasting life with him in heaven.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Prayer to Saint Rita of Cascia 

Holy patroness of those in need, Saint Rita of Cascia, 

so humble, pure and patient, 

whose pleadings with thy divine Spouse are irresistible, obtain for me from our Crucified Lord my request. 

(Mention it.) 

Be propitious towards me

for the greater glory of God, 

and I promise to honour thee 

and to sing thy praises forever. 

Amen. 

Saint Rita of Cascia, advocate of the impossible, 

pray for us. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father . . . (3x). 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, the wisdom and strength of the Cross, with which you were pleased to endow Saint Rita, so that, suffering in every tribulation with Christ, we may participate ever more deeply in his Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Thursday, 22 May, 2014
St. Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Acts 15: 7 - 21
7	And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8	And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us;
9	and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.
10	Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11	But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
12	And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13	After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brethren, listen to me.
14	Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15	And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,
16	`After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up,
17	that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
18	says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.'
19	Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
20	but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood.
21	For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues."

Psalm

Psalms 96: 1 - 3, 10
1	O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!
2	Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
3	Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
10	Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."

Gospel

John 15: 9 - 11
9	As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.
10	If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
11	These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial) ~ 15 May

Isidore, a Spanish labourer, born near Madrid, somewhere around the year 1070. He worked most of his life as a ploughman for a nobleman near Madrid, Spain. He married a young maid-servant, Maria de la Cabeza, who was as simple and upright as himself. She too was also canonized as Saint Maria de la Cabeza. Isidore had deep religious instincts nad he attended mass every morning before going to work at one of the church in Madrid. He also spent many of his holidays devoutly visiting the churches of Madrid and surrounding areas. He loved the poor, and there are many accounts of him providing them miraculously with food. He also had a great concern for the just and proper treatment of animals. All day long, as he walked behind the plow, he communed with God. Based on the legend, his master once found Isidore at prayer, while an angel was doing the ploughing for him. Again in another occasion his master saw angel ploughing on either side of him, so that Isidore's work was equal to that of three of his fellow-labourers.

Isidore died on 15 May, 1130, and was declared a saint in 1622 with Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila and Philip Neri. Together in Spain, they are known as "the five saints." St. Isidore is the patron saint for farmers, farm workers, ranchers, rural communities, and Madrid, Spain.

Lord God, to whom belongs all creation, and who call us to serve you by caring for the gifts that surround us, inspire us by the example of Saint Isidore to share our food with the hungry and to work for the salvation of all people. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Thursday, 15 May, 2014
Saint Isidore the Farmer (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Acts 13: 13 - 25
13	Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphyl'ia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem;
14	but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisid'ia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.
15	After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."
16	So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel, and you that fear God, listen.
17	The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
18	And for about forty years he bore with them in the wilderness.
19	And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years.
20	And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21	Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22	And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; of whom he testified and said, `I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'
23	Of this man's posterity God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
24	Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25	And as John was finishing his course, he said, `What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

Psalm

Psalms 89: 2 - 3, 21 - 22, 25, 27
2	For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens.
3	Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant:
21	so that my hand shall ever abide with him, my arm also shall strengthen him.
22	The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
25	I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
27	And I will make him the first-born, the highest of the kings of the earth.

Gospel

John 13: 16 - 20
16	Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17	If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
18	I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.'
19	I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
20	Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me."

Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial) ~ 13 May 2014

13 May, 1917 is the first day the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the three children (Lucia Santos, Francisco Marto, and Jacinta Marto) of Fatima, Portugal. On Sunday, 13 May, 1917, toward noon, a flash of lightning drew the attention of the children, and they saw a brilliant figure appearing over the trees of the Cova da Iria. The "Lady" asked them to pray for the conversion of sinners and an end to the war, and to come back every month, on the 13th. Our Lady urgers us through the children for us to pray for sinners, recite the Rosary, and to carry out works of penance. 

Make of everything you can a sacrifice 

and offer it to God as an act of reparation 

for the sins by which He is offended, 

and in supplication, for the conversion of sinners.

Due to his towards our Lady of Fatima, Pope John Paul II life was spared of death by our Lady during an assassination attempt was made on his life on her feast day 13 May 1981. 

O God, who chose the Mother of your Son to be our Mother also, grant us that, persevering in penance and prayer for the salvation of the world, we may further more effectively each day the reign of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Tuesday, 13 May, 2014
Our Lady of Fatima (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Acts 11: 19 - 26
19	Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoeni'cia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews.
20	But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyre'ne, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21	And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.
22	News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23	When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;
24	for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord.
25	So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
26	and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

Psalm

Psalms 87: 1 - 7
1	On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2	the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3	Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [Selah]
4	Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -- "This one was born there," they say.
5	And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6	The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." [Selah]
7	Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."

Gospel

John 10: 22 - 30
22	It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem;
23	it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
24	So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25	Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me;
26	but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
27	My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;
28	and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29	My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
30	I and the Father are one."

Saint Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr (Commemoration) ~ Optional Memorial ~ 11 April 2014

St. Stanislaus was the Bishop of Cracow, Poland. Stanislaus Szczepanowski was born to his noble parents, Belislaus and Bogna on 26 July 1030 in Szczepanow near Cracow and was educated at Gnesen and at Paris. Lambert Zula, Bishop of Cracow, ordained him priest and made him pastor of Czembocz near Cracow. After his ordination to the priesthood he was made a canon of the cathedral at Cracow as well as archdeacon and preacher. Upon the death of the bishop of Cracow, he was nominated bishop of the diocese by Pope Alexander II. In 1072 was named Bishop of Cracow. King Boleslaus II, who was becoming notorious for his violent and depraved lifestyle. Stanislaus spared neither tears nor prayers and admonitions to bring the king to lead a more Christian life. The king was furious and followed the bishop with his guards, some of whom he sent to kill the saint. These dared not obey, Boleslaus took matters into his own hands. He ambushed Stanislaus and struck him down with a sword during his celebration of Mass at the chapel of Saint Michael, Cracow on 8 May 1079. Stanislaus was acclaimed a martyr, while Boleslaus II lost his power, became a fallen monarch and left Poland. Stanislaus was canonized 1253 by Innocent IV at Assisi, Italy. St. Stanislaus is the patron saint for Cracow, Plock, Poland and soldiers in battle.

O God, for whose honour the Bishop Saint Stanislaus fell beneath the swords of his persecutors, grant we pray, that we may persevere strong in faith even until death. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Friday, 11 April, 2014
St. Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr (Commemoration)

Reading ~ Jeremiah 20:10-13

I hear the whisperings of many:
“Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!”
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
“Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him.”
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
For he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!

Psalm ~ Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7

R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
The breakers of death surged round about me,
the destroying floods overwhelmed me;
The cords of the nether world enmeshed me,
the snares of death overtook me.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.
In my distress I called upon the LORD
and cried out to my God;
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry to him reached his ears.
R. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Gospel ~ John 10:31-42

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father.
For which of these are you trying to stone me?”
The Jews answered him,
“We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.
You, a man, are making yourself God.”
Jesus answered them,
“Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, ‘You are gods”‘?
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came,
and Scripture cannot be set aside,
can you say that the one
whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world
blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me;
but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me,
believe the works, so that you may realize and understand
that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Then they tried again to arrest him;
but he escaped from their power.

He went back across the Jordan
to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained.
Many came to him and said,
“John performed no sign,
but everything John said about this man was true.”
And many there began to believe in him.

Our Lady of Lourdes (Optional Memorial) ~ 11 February ~ World Day of the Sick

A optional memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, who first appeared on 11 February 1858 to Marie-Bernarde Soubirous, 14 (Saint Bernadette) at a grotto near the Soubirous home in southern France. While she was out gathering firewood with her sister and a friend at the grotto of Massabielle outside Lourdes, Bernadette claimed to see the first of 18 visions of what she termed "a small young lady" standing in a niche in the rock.There were 18 apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette between February and July 1858. On 25 March 1858 (Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord), the 16th apparition, our lady revealed herself to Bernadette as the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception and known to us as Our Lady of Lourdes. 

On 18 January 1862, Bishop Laurence, the Bishop of Tarbes, gave the solemn declaration: “We are inspired by the Commission comprising wise, holy, learned and experienced priests who questioned the child, studied the facts, examined everything and weighed all the evidence. We have also called on science, and we remain convinced that the Apparitions are supernatural and divine, and that by consequence, what Bernadette saw was the Most Blessed Virgin. Our convictions are based on the testimony of Bernadette, but above all on the things that have happened, things which can be nothing other than divine intervention”.

Pope John Paul II visited Lourdes three times and Pope Benedict XVI made a visit to Lourdes on 15 September 2008, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the apparitions of 1858.

11 February was proclaimed World Day of the Sick by Pope John Paul II. Therefore, it would be appropriate to celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on this day during a Mass or Liturgy of the Word. (The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is only to be given to "those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age", Roman Ritual. This Sacrament must not be given indiscriminately to all who take part in Masses for the sick.)

The first to witness Our Lady's presence at Lourdes was little Bernardette Soubirous, who became her intrepid messenger. Although she is buried far away in Nevers in the north of France, her body totally incorrupt, as if she were asleep.

Grant us, O merciful God, protection in our weakness, that we, who keep the Memorial of the Immaculate Mother of God, may with the help of her intercession, rise up from our iniquities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Tuesday, 11 February, 2014
Our Lady of Lourdes (Optional Memorial)

Reading

1 Kings 8: 22 - 23, 27 - 30
22	Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
23	and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to thy servants who walk before thee with all their heart;
27	"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
28	Yet have regard to the prayer of thy servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, hearkening to the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prays before thee this day;
29	that thy eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which thou hast said, `My name shall be there,' that thou mayest hearken to the prayer which thy servant offers toward this place.
30	And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, when they pray toward this place; yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Psalm

Psalms 84: 3 - 5, 10 - 11
3	Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at thy altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.
4	Blessed are those who dwell in thy house, ever singing thy praise! [Selah]
5	Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
10	For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11	For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Gospel

Mark 7: 1 - 13
1	Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem,
2	they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed.
3	(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders;
4	and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.)
5	And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?"
6	And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
7	in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'
8	You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men."
9	And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition!
10	For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die';
11	but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) --
12	then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother,
13	thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."

St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial) ~ 6 December

December 6, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Both Eastern and Western Christians, recognizes this memorial of this advent season saint. Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Turkish bishop, is undoubtedly one of the Western world most popular saints and is remembered in the United States for the unique personality of Saint Claus, the jolly, rotund, white-bearded gentleman who captivates children with promises of gifts on Christmas Eve. He is known for his giving generosity to the poor and is an intercessor for financial problems.He is the patron saint of children, and also invoked by sailors, merchants, bakers, travellers, pilgrims, poor people, unmarried girls and pawnbrokers. He is also known as a patron against imprisonment, against robberies and against robbers. Together with Saint Andrew, he is honoured as the co-patron of Russia.

In a traditional legend tells of a family with three daughters of a poor family. The father could not afford to pay the dowries required for his daughters to marry. If he is unable to get his daughters married then they would be forced into prostitution or slavery to earn money. When Nicholas found out about this family’s plight, he visited the house three times, each time tossing a bag of gold into the house through a window. These three bag of gold became the dowry for each of  the daughter. This legend could have been the reason Saint Nicholas is the patron unmarried girls.

We humbly implore your mercy, 

Lord protect us in all dangers 

through the prayers of the Bishop Saint Nicholas, 

that the way of salvation may lie open before us. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity 

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

AMEN.

St. Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ, 

assist us in thy loving kindness. 

Amen.

Friday, 6 December, 2013
St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Isaiah 29: 17 - 24
17	Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?
18	In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
19	The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
20	For the ruthless shall come to nought and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,
21	who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.
22	Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale.
23	For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24	And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction."

Psalm

Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13 - 14
1	The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
4	One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
13	I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14	Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Gospel

Matthew 9: 27 - 31
27	And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."
28	When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."
29	Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
30	And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it."
31	But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

A Prayer to Saint Nicholas

Glorious St. Nicholas, my special patron, from thy throne in glory, where thou dost enjoy the presence of God, turn thine eyes in pity upon me and obtain for me from our Lord the graces and helps that I need in my spiritual and temporal necessities and especially this favour 

(mention your request), 

provided that it be profitable to my salvation). Be mindful, likewise, O glorious and saintly Bishop, of our Sovereign Pontiff, of Holy Church, and of all Christian people. Bring back to the right way of salvation all those who are living steeped in sin and blinded by the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the afflicted, provide for the needy, strengthen the fearful, defend the oppressed, give health to the infirm; cause all men to experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with the supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.

St. Faustina, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska 

the apostle of the Divine Mercy
and "Secretary" of His Divine Mercy

(1905-1938)

On 5 October, we celebrate the optional memorial of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, born Helen Kowalska, she had a religious vocation from the age of seven, after being rejected by a number of congregations, she finally entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Warsaw in 1925. Faustina was chosen by Jesus to remind the world of the mystery of God's merciful love, the devotion to Divine Mercy. Jesus appeared to her as "King of Divine Mercy" and said to Faustina, "Today I am sending you with my mercy to the people of the whole world." It is his desire to heal the aching world, to draw all people into his merciful heart of love. In her spiritual life she also distinguished herself with a love of the Eucharist and a deep devotion to the Mother of Mercy.

St. Faustina's mission was to spread devotion to God's Mercy, which she called His greatest attribute. She was to do this by founding a congregation of religious devoted to the Divine Mercy and by having an image painted of Christ's mercy (Jesus with red and white rays radiating from His Heart, with the legend "Jesus, I trust in you"). She is spread the Divine Mercy Chaplet, a devotion revealed by Jesus to her and to ask the Holy Father to establish the Sunday after Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy. Jesus promised great graces to those who would pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

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The Chaplet of Divine Mercy 

is prayed on an ordinary rosary. 

Sign of the Cross

Begin with the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Apostle's Creed. Then, on the Our Father beads, pray:

Eternal Father, 

I offer Thee the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity 

of Thy dearly beloved Son, 

our Lord, Jesus Christ, 

in atonement for our sins 

and those of the whole world.

On the Hail Mary beads, pray:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, 

have mercy on us and on the whole world.

At the end, recite the following three times:

Holy God, 

holy Mighty One, 

holy Immortal One, 

have mercy on us 

and on the whole world.

Sign of the Cross

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Faustina was declared Faustina Venerable on 7 March, 1992 by Pope John Paul II and later beatified on 18 April, 1993, and finally canonized by Pope John Paul II, on 30 April, 2000. The first Sunday after Easter was declared Divine Mercy Sunday.

O God, who manifest your almighty power above all by pardoning and showing mercy, bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us and make those hastening to attain your promises heirs to the treasures of heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

This year 2013 marks 

the 75th Anniversary of St. Faustina's death.

Saturday, 5 October, 2013
St. Faustina, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Baruch 4: 5 - 12, 27 - 29
5	Take courage, my people, O memorial of Israel!
6	It was not for destruction that you were sold to the nations, but you were handed over to your enemies because you angered God.
7	For you provoked him who made you, by sacrificing to demons and not to God.
8	You forgot the everlasting God, who brought you up, and you grieved Jerusalem, who reared you.
9	For she saw the wrath that came upon you from God, and she said: "Hearken, you neighbors of Zion, God has brought great sorrow upon me;
10	for I have seen the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting brought upon them.
11	With joy I nurtured them, but I sent them away with weeping and sorrow.
12	Let no one rejoice over me, a widow and bereaved of many; I was left desolate because of the sins of my children, because they turned away from the law of God.
27	"Take courage, my children, and cry to God, for you will be remembered by him who brought this upon you.
28	For just as you purposed to go astray from God, return with tenfold zeal to seek him.
29	For he who brought these calamities upon you will bring you everlasting joy with your salvation."

Psalm

Psalms 69: 33 - 37
33	For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.
34	Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves therein.
35	For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; and his servants shall dwell there and possess it;
36	the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

Gospel

Luke 10: 17 - 24
17	The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"
18	And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19	Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.
20	Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
21	In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
22	All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
23	Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!
24	For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

Almighty and ever-living God

who revealed to Saint Faustina

the pierced side of your Risen Son

flowing with water and with blood,

grant, through her intercession,

that we may enter into the merciful designs of his Heart

for the salvation of sinners

and for the joy of his one Bride, the Church.

Through Christ our Lord. 

AMEN.

Prayer of St. Faustina before the Most Blessed Sacrament

I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed Your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my soul recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration.

My Lord and Creator, Your goodness encourages me to converse with You. Your mercy abolishes the chasm which separates the Creator from the creature. To converse with You, O Lord, is the delight of my heart. In You I find everything that my heart could desire. Here You light illumines my mind, enabling it to know You more and more deeply. Here streams of graces flow down upon my heart. Here my soul draws eternal life. O my Lord and Creator, You alone, beyond all these gifts, give Your own self to me and unite Yourself intimately with Your miserable creature.

O Christ, let my greatest delight be to see You loved and Your praise and glory proclaimed, especially the honor of Your mercy. O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen.

prayer source:EWTN