Lessons from St. Joseph: Caeser demanded a census. Joseph takes Mary (pregnant with Jesus) to Bethlehem to be counted, but finds no room in which to stay. The earthly father whom Jesus Himself had chosen for this very moment, allowed the Queen of Heaven and Redeemer of the world to be sheltered in a cold, stale, smelly cave. Joseph didn’t just accept Providence. He embraced its mystery.
The St. Andrew’s novena is prayed from November 30 through December 24. Enjoy this contemplative version as you prepare to receive the Christ Child in your heart. 😊
Thanksgiving is on the horizon with Christmas a month away. In-between is much time spent with family, friends, and strangers who often have very different belief systems from our own. It is a season that begins with gratitude and ends with the birth of the Prince of Peace. But an unfortunate American tradition for Christians and non-Christians alike is that depression and suicide skyrocket during this particular holiday season.
“Lord, bring peace to a world lamenting and anguishing for rest. Amen”
This is our Lepanto moment. With the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7, please join me in praying this beautiful and powerful novena of rosaries given to us by Mr. Wade Chio. Each day’s intention will be prayed at the beginning of the rosary. The novena may begin Sept. 28 through Oct. 6, or begin Sept. 29 and end Oct. 7, the feast day. And please share with others!
Perhaps, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to a woman first simply because she was there, and the men weren’t. She made herself available to Him. And so should we.
In St. Benedict’s rule for living monastic life, one finds many pearls of wisdom for living in our domestic church.
Summertime brings summer reading, and the Catholic saints of the underground English Church give us a model for struggling with joy today in our own lives. Mary Ward is a saint for our times.
Every generation in every century has thought their battles against Satan to be the worst, and so too will future generations of the Church. And while God has won the war, we still must fight the battles to save souls. Let us not hesitate to call upon St. Joseph frequently as God has intentionally made him part of His providential plan for us.
Tracing Jesus’ holy lineage, we find there is much to ponder in this union of Mary and Joseph as husband and wife. The Holy Family is not only the model for all families, the Holy Spouses are the greatest intercessors for them.
Saints have their own personalities and sometimes those can rub even other holy people! Mother Cabrini’s life demonstrates for us how God works through people who have humbly submitted themselves to Him.