21 posted on 02/04/2016 9:30:54 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

'Since God wishes it - there is nothing to be done. . . Why should you thus torment yourself? Get rid of whatever He shows you to be an obstacle to His love, for His only desire is that you should live stripped of all that is not Himself.'

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

22 posted on 02/04/2016 9:32:34 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

23 posted on 02/04/2016 9:33:39 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

The Feast of St. Agatha is truly universal as she is remembered this day on the Orthodox calendar:

Apolytikion of Martyr Agatha in the Fourth Tone

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice:
O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest,
and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried.
I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee;
for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee:
accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice.
Lord, save our souls through her intercessions,
since Thou art great in mercy.

Kontakion of Martyr Agatha in the Fourth Tone

Let the Church be clad today with royal purple in a splendid covering dyed in the chaste and hallowed blood of Martyr Agatha,
and let it now cry:
Rejoice, O thou boast of Catania.

24 posted on 02/05/2016 4:24:57 AM PST by lightman (O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance, giving to Thy Church vict'ry o'er Her enemies.)

Mark
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Mark 6
14.	And king Herod heard, (for his name was made manifest,) and he said: John the Baptist is risen again from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him.	Et audivit rex Herodes (manifestum enim factum est nomen ejus), et dicebat : Quia Joannes Baptista resurrexit a mortuis : et propterea virtutes operantur in illo.	και ηκουσεν ο βασιλευς ηρωδης φανερον γαρ εγενετο το ονομα αυτου και ελεγεν οτι ιωαννης ο βαπτιζων εκ νεκρων ηγερθη και δια τουτο ενεργουσιν αι δυναμεις εν αυτω
15.	And others said: It is Elias. But others said: It is a prophet, as one of the prophets.	Alii autem dicebant : Quia Elias est ; alii vero dicebant : Quia propheta est, quasi unus ex prophetis.	αλλοι ελεγον οτι ηλιας εστιν αλλοι δε ελεγον οτι προφητης εστιν ως εις των προφητων
16.	Which Herod hearing, said: John whom I beheaded, he is risen again from the dead.	Quo audito Herodes ait : Quem ego decollavi Joannem, hic a mortuis resurrexit.	ακουσας δε [ο] ηρωδης ειπεν οτι ον εγω απεκεφαλισα ιωαννην ουτος εστιν αυτος ηγερθη εκ νεκρων
17.	For Herod himself had sent and apprehended John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her.	Ipse enim Herodes misit, ac tenuit Joannem, et vinxit eum in carcere propter Herodiadem uxorem Philippi fratris sui, quia duxerat eam.	αυτος γαρ ο ηρωδης αποστειλας εκρατησεν τον ιωαννην και εδησεν αυτον εν φυλακη δια ηρωδιαδα την γυναικα φιλιππου του αδελφου αυτου οτι αυτην εγαμησεν
18.	For John said to Herod: It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.	Dicebat enim Joannes Herodi : Non licet tibi habere uxorem fratris tui.	ελεγεν γαρ ο ιωαννης τω ηρωδη οτι ουκ εξεστιν σοι εχειν την γυναικα του αδελφου σου
19.	Now Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death, and could not.	Herodias autem insidiabatur illi : et volebat occidere eum, nec poterat.	η δε ηρωδιας ενειχεν αυτω και ηθελεν αυτον αποκτειναι και ουκ ηδυνατο
20.	For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man: and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him willingly.	Herodes enim metuebat Joannem, sciens eum virum justum et sanctum : et custodiebat eum, et audito eo multa faciebat, et libenter eum audiebat.	ο γαρ ηρωδης εφοβειτο τον ιωαννην ειδως αυτον ανδρα δικαιον και αγιον και συνετηρει αυτον και ακουσας αυτου πολλα εποιει και ηδεως αυτου ηκουεν
21.	And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.	Et cum dies opportunus accidisset, Herodes natalis sui cœnam fecit principibus, et tribunis, et primis Galilææ :	και γενομενης ημερας ευκαιρου οτε ηρωδης τοις γενεσιοις αυτου δειπνον εποιει τοις μεγιστασιν αυτου και τοις χιλιαρχοις και τοις πρωτοις της γαλιλαιας
22.	And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the king said to the damsel: Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee.	cumque introisset filia ipsius Herodiadis, et saltasset, et placuisset Herodi, simulque recumbentibus, rex ait puellæ : Pete a me quod vis, et dabo tibi :	και εισελθουσης της θυγατρος αυτης της ηρωδιαδος και ορχησαμενης και αρεσασης τω ηρωδη και τοις συνανακειμενοις ειπεν ο βασιλευς τω κορασιω αιτησον με ο εαν θελης και δωσω σοι
23.	And he swore to her: Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom.	et juravit illi : Quia quidquid petieris dabo tibi, licet dimidium regni mei.	και ωμοσεν αυτη οτι ο εαν με αιτησης δωσω σοι εως ημισους της βασιλειας μου
24.	Who when she was gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But she said: The head of John the Baptist.	Quæ cum exisset, dixit matri suæ : Quid petam ? At illa dixit : Caput Joannis Baptistæ.	η δε εξελθουσα ειπεν τη μητρι αυτης τι αιτησομαι η δε ειπεν την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου
25.	And when she was come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith thou give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist.	Cumque introisset statim cum festinatione ad regem, petivit dicens : Volo ut protinus des mihi in disco caput Joannis Baptistæ.	και εισελθουσα ευθεως μετα σπουδης προς τον βασιλεα ητησατο λεγουσα θελω ινα μοι δως εξαυτης επι πινακι την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου
26.	And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her:	Et contristatus est rex : propter jusjurandum, et propter simul discumbentes, noluit eam contristare :	και περιλυπος γενομενος ο βασιλευς δια τους ορκους και τους συνανακειμενους ουκ ηθελησεν αυτην αθετησαι
27.	But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish.	sed misso speculatore præcepit afferri caput ejus in disco. Et decollavit eum in carcere,	και ευθεως αποστειλας ο βασιλευς σπεκουλατορα επεταξεν ενεχθηναι την κεφαλην αυτου
28.	And he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave it to the damsel, and the damsel gave it to her mother.	et attulit caput ejus in disco : et dedit illud puellæ, et puella dedit matri suæ.	ο δε απελθων απεκεφαλισεν αυτον εν τη φυλακη και ηνεγκεν την κεφαλην αυτου επι πινακι και εδωκεν αυτην τω κορασιω και το κορασιον εδωκεν αυτην τη μητρι αυτης
29.	Which his disciples hearing came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.	Quo audito, discipuli ejus venerunt, et tulerunt corpus ejus : et posuerunt illud in monumento.	και ακουσαντες οι μαθηται αυτου ηλθον και ηραν το πτωμα αυτου και εθηκαν αυτο εν μνημειω

25 posted on 02/05/2016 6:27:05 AM PST by annalex (fear them not)

14. And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
15. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.
16. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

GLOSS. After the preaching of the disciples of Christ, and the working of miracles, the Evangelist subjoins an account of the report, which arose amongst the people; wherefore he says, And king Herod heard of him.

PSEUD-CHRYS. This Herod is the son of the first Herod, under whom Joseph had led Jesus into Egypt. But Matthew calls him Tetrarch, and Luke mentions him as ruling over one fourth of his father's kingdom; for the Romans after the death of his father divided his kingdom into four parts. But Mark calls him a king, either after the title of his father, or because it was on consonant to his own wish.

PSEUDO-JEROME; It goes on, For his name spread abroad. For it is not right that a candle should be placed under a bushel. And they said, that is, some of the multitude, that John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do show themselves forth in him.

BEDE; Here we are taught how great great the envy of the Jews. For, lo, they believe that John, of whom it was said that he did no miracle, could rise from the dead, and that, without the witness of anyone. But Jesus, approved of God by miracles and signs, whose resurrection, Angels and Apostles, men and women, preached, they chose to believe was carried away by stealth, rather than suppose that He had risen again. And these men, in saying that John was risen from the dead, and that therefore mighty works were wrought in him, had just thoughts of the power of the resurrection, for men, when they shall have risen from the dead, shall have much greater power, than they possessed, when still weighed down by the weakness of the flesh. There follows, But others said that it was Elias.

THEOPHYL; For John confuted many men, when he said, You generation of vipers. It goes on, But other said, that it is a prophet or as one of the prophets.

PSEUD-CHRYS. It seems to me that this prophet means that one of whom Moses said, God will raise up a prophet to you of your brethren. They were right indeed, but because they feared to say openly, This is the Christ, they used the voice of Moses, veiling their own surmise through fear of their rulers. There follows, But when Herod heard thereof; he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: He is risen from the dead. Herod expressly says, this in irony.

THEOPHYL. Or else, Herod, knowing that he without a cause had slain John, who was a just man, thought that he had risen from the dead, and had received through his resurrection the power of working miracles.

AUG. But in these words Luke bears witness to Mark to this point at least, that others and not Herod said that John had risen but Luke had represented Herod as hesitating and has put down his words as if he said, John have I beheaded, but who is this of hear such things? We must however suppose, that after this hesitation, he had confirmed in his own mind what others had said, for he says to his children, as Matthew relates, This is John the Baptist, he has risen from the dead. Or else these words are to be spoken, so as to indicate that he is still hesitating, particularly as Mark who had said above that others had declared that John had risen from the dead, afterwards however is not silent as to Herod's plainly saying, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. Which words also may be spoken in two ways, either they may be understood as those of a man affirming or doubting.

17. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
18. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.
19. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not;
20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and a holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
22. And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever you wilt, and I will give it you.
23. And he swore unto her, Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give it you, to the half of my kingdom.
24. And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that you give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
28. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

THEOPHYL. The Evangelist Mark, taking occasion from what went before, here relates the death of the Forerunner, saying, For Herod himself had sent John and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

BEDE; Ancient history relates, that Philip the son of Herod the great, under whom the Lord fled into Egypt, the brother of this Herod, under whom Christ suffered, married Herodias, the daughter of king Aretas; but afterwards that his father in-law, after certain disagreements had arisen with his son in-law, had taken his daughter away, and, to the grief of her former husband, had given her in marriage to his enemy; therefore John the Baptist rebukes Herod and Herodias for contracting an unlawful union, and because it was not allowed for a man to marry his brother's wife during his lifetime.

THEOPHYL. The law also commanded a brother to marry his brother's wife, if he died without children; but in this case there was a daughter which made the marriage criminal: there follows, Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him but she could not.

BEDE; For Herodias was as afraid, lest Herod should repent at some time, or be reconciled to his brother Philip, and so the unlawful marriage be divorced. It goes on, For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and a holy.

GLOSS. He feared him, I say, because he revered him, for he knew him to be just in his dealings with men, and holy towards God, and he took care that Herodias should not slay him. And when he heard him, he did many things, for he thought that he spoke by the Spirit of God, and heard him gladly, because He considered that what he said was profitable.

THEOPHYL. But see how great the fury of lust, for though Herod had such an awe and fear of John, he forgets it all, that he may minister to his fornication.

REMIG. For his lustful will drove him to lay hands on a man, whom he knew to be just and holy. And by this we may see how a less fault became the cause to him of a greater; as it is said, He which is filthy, let him be filthy still. It goes on, And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee.

BEDE, The only men whom we read of, as celebrating their birthdays with festive joys are Herod and Pharaoh, but each, with an evil presage, stained his birthday with blood; Herod, however, with so much the greater wickedness, as he slew the holy and guiltless teacher of truth, and that, by the wish, and at the instance of a female dancer. For there follows, And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatever you will, and I will give it you.

THEOPHYL. For during the banquet, Satan danced in the person of the damsel, and the wicked oath is completed. For it goes on, And he swore to her, Whatever you shall ask of me, I will give it you, to the half of my kingdom.

BEDE; His oath does not excuse his murder, for per-chance his reason for swearing was, that he might find an opportunity for slaying, and if she had demanded the death of his father and mother, he surely would not have granted it. It goes on, And she went forth, and said to her mother, What shall I ask? And He said, The head of John the Baptist. Worthy is blood to be asked as the reward of such a deed as dancing.

It goes on, And she came in straightway with haste, &c.

THEOPHYL. The malignant woman begs that the head of John he given to her immediately, that is, at once, in that very hour, for she feared lest Herod should repent. There follows, And the king was exceeding sorry.

BEDE; It is usual with Scripture, that the historian should relate events as they were when believed by all, thus Joseph is called the father of Jesus by Mary herself. So now also Herod is said to be exceeding sorry, for so the guests thought, since the hypocrite bore sadness on his face, when he had joy in his heart; and he excuses his wickedness by his oath, that he might be impious under pretense of piety. Wherefore there follows For his oath's sake, and for their sakes who sat with him, he would not reject her.

THEOPHYL. Herod not being his own master, but full of lust, fulfilled his oath, and slew the just man, it would have been better however to break his oath, than to commit so great a sin.

BEDE; In that again which is added, And for their sakes who sat with him, he wishes to make all partakers in his guilt, that a bloody feast might be set before luxurious and impure guests. Wherefore it goes on, But sending an executioner, he commanded his head to be brought in a charger.

THEOPHYL. 'Spiculator' is the name for the public servant commissioned to put men to death.

BEDE; Now Herod was not ashamed to bring before his guests the head of a murdered man; but we do not read of such an act of madness in Pharoah. From both examples, however, it is proved to be more useful, often to call to mind the coming day of our death, by fear and by living chastely, than to celebrate the day of our birth with luxury. For man is born in the world to toil, but the elect pass by death out of the world to repose. It goes on, And he beheaded him in prison, &c.

GREG. I cannot, without the greatest wonder, reflect that he, who was filled even in his mother's womb with the spirit of prophecy, and then was the greatest that had arisen amongst those born of women, is sent into prison by wicked men, is beheaded for the dancing of a girl, and though a man of so great austerity, meets death through such a foul instrument. Are we to suppose that there was something evil in his life, to have wiped away by so incomprehensible a death? When, however, could he commit a silo even in his eating, whose food was only locusts and wild honey? How could he offend in his conversation, who never quitted the wilderness? How is it that Almighty God so despises in this life those whom He has so sublimely chosen before all ages, if it be not for the reason, when is plain to the piety of the faithful, that He thus sinks them into the lowest place, because he sees how he is rewarding them in the highest, and outwardly He throws them down amongst things despised, because inwardly he draws them up even to incomprehensible things. Let each then infer from us what they shall suffer, whom he rejects, if he so grieves those whom he loves.

BEDE; There follows, And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. Josephus relates, that John was brought bound into the castle of Macheron, and there slain; and, ecclesiastical history says that he was buried in Sebaste, a city of Palestine, once called Samaria. But the beheading of John the Baptist signifies the lessening of that fame, by which he was thought to be Christ by the people, as the raising of our Savior on the cross typifies the advance of the faith, in that He Himself, who was first looked upon as a prophet by the multitude, was recognized as the Son of God by all the faithful; wherefore John, who was destined to decrease, was born when the daylight begins to wax short; but the Lord at that season of the year in which the day begins to lengthen.

THEOPHYL. In a mystical way, however, Herod, whose name means, 'of skin,' is the people of the Jews, and the wife to whom he was wedded means vain glory, whose daughter even now encircles the Jews with her dance, namely, a false understanding of the Scriptures; they indeed beheaded John, that is, the word of prophecy, and, hold to him without Christ, his head.

PSEUDO-JEROME; Or else, The head of the law, which is Christ, is cut off from his own body, that is, the Jewish people, and is given to a Gentile damsel, that is, the Roman Church, and the damsel gives it to her adulterous mother, that is, to the synagogue, when in the end we believe. The body of John is buried, his head is put in a dish; thus the human Letter is covered over, the Spirit is honored, and received on the altar.

Catena Aurea Mark 6

26 posted on 02/05/2016 6:27:40 AM PST by annalex (fear them not)

Salome with the Head of John the Baptist

Lucas Cranach the Elder

1509-10
Oil and tempera on oak, 61 x 50 cm
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon

27 posted on 02/05/2016 6:28:22 AM PST by annalex (fear them not)

Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Memorial
February 5th

Francisco de Zurbaran
St Agatha
1630-33 -- Oil on canvas
Musée Fabre, Montpellier

History:
One of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity, put to death for her steadfast profession of faith in Catania, Sicily. Although it is uncertain in which persecution this took place, we may accept, as probably based on ancient tradition, the evidence of her legendary life, composed at a later date, to the effect that her martyrdom occurred during the persecution of Decius (250-253).
Her name appears in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Collect:
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray,
for she found favor with you
by the courage of her martyrdom
and the merit of her chastity.
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.
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:23-26
And He[Jesus] said to all, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

28 posted on 02/05/2016 8:51:50 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

29 posted on 02/05/2016 8:58:14 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Agatha

Feast Day: February 05
Born:(around)220 :: Died:250

A beautiful Christian girl named Agatha lived in Sicily in the third century. The governor heard of Agatha's beauty and brought her to his palace. He wanted to make her commit sins, but she was brave and would not give in. "My Lord Jesus Christ," she prayed, "you see my heart and you know my desire. I am all yours. Save me from this evil man. Make me worthy of winning out over the devil."

The governor then sent Agatha to the house of a wicked woman and hoped she would become bad too. But Agatha had great trust in God and prayed all the time. She kept herself pure. She would not listen to the evil ideas of the woman and her daughters.

After a month, she was brought back to the governor. He tried again to win her. "You are a noblewoman," he said kindly. "Why have you lowered yourself to be a humble Christian?"

"Even though I am a noble," answered Agatha, "I am a slave of Jesus Christ." "Then what does it really mean to be noble?" the governor asked. Agatha answered, "It means to serve God."

When he realized that she would not sin, the governor became angry. He had Agatha whipped and tortured. As she was being carried back to prison she whispered, "Lord, my Creator, you have protected me from the cradle. You have taken me from the love of the world and given me patience to suffer. Now receive my soul." Agatha soon died a martyr at Catania, Sicily, in the year 250.

30 posted on 02/05/2016 9:02:51 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Information: St. Agatha

Feast Day: February 5

Born: Catania or Palermo

Died: 251, Catania

Patron of: bellfounders; breast cancer; bakers; against fire; earthquakes; eruptions of Mount Etna; fire; jewelers; martyrs; natural disasters; nurses; rape victims; single laywomen; sterility; torture victims; volcanic eruptions; wetnurses

31 posted on 02/05/2016 9:08:35 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Friday

February 5, 2016

A Prayer for Pope Francis

One of the first acts of Pope Francis was his asking the people of the world to pray for him. This is a continual request. Let us offer our hearts and minds in thanksgiving to God for this wonderful Pastor. We pray,

Lord God, we offer our joyful prayers in thanksgiving for our Holy Father Francis, Vicar of Christ and Servant of the servants of God.

In Pope Francis we recognize the successor to Peter, the touchstone for the mission of the Church.

We pray that your Holy Spirit will strengthen him to be a messenger of love, peace and unity.

We give thanks for the many gifts of this Shepherd of our church.

May he please you in his holiness and guide his flock with love and watchful care, especially for the sick, the poor and the vulnerable.

Protect him, Lord, as we pledge our love and support for him.

With him, we accept the invitation to spread the Good News of the Gospel in word and action, and we offer our prayer through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Year of Mercy Calendar for Today: “Fast from spreading gossip today.”

32 posted on 02/05/2016 4:11:18 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, February 5

Liturgical Color: Green

Today is the Memorial of St.
Agatha, virgin and martyr.
Agatha was a beautiful, young
girl desired by a Roman senator
for marriage around 250 A.D.
Wanting to remain pure for
Christ, she refused, and was
tortured until she died.

33 posted on 02/05/2016 4:40:34 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: February 5th

Memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr

MASS READINGS

February 05, 2016 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray, for she found favor with you by the courage of her martyrdom and the merit of her chastity. 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.

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Litany of the Saints
Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes
Old Calendar: St. Agatha
St. Agatha died in defense of her purity, in Catania, Sicily, where she was born. After Quintanus, the governor of Sicily, tried in vain to force her to consent to sin, she was imprisoned for a month with an evil woman. He then turned from sensuality to cruelty and had her breasts cut off; but that night Agatha was healed by St. Peter. She was then rolled over sharp stones and burning coals, and finally taken to prison where she died while praying. Her name appears in the Roman Canon.

St. Agatha
It is impossible to write a historically reliable account of St. Agatha's life. The "Acts" of her martyrdom are legendary, dating from the sixth century.
According to these sources Agatha was a Sicilian virgin of noble extraction. Quintianus, governor of Sicily, became deeply enamored of her; but she rejected his advances. As a result she was charged with being a Christian and brought before his tribunal. To the question concerning her origin she replied: "I am noble-born, of a distinguished family, as all my relatives will attest." When asked why she lived the servile life of a Christian, she answered: "I am a handmaid of Christ, and that is why I bear the outward appearance of a slave; yet this is the highest nobility, to be a slave to Christ." The governor threatened her with the most dreadful tortures if she did not renounce Christ. Agatha countered: "If you threaten me with wild beasts, know that at the Name of Christ they grow tame; if you use fire, from heaven angels will drop healing dew on me."
After being tortured, "Agatha went to prison radiant with joy and with head held high as though invited to a festive banquet. And she commended her agony to the Lord in prayer." The next day, as she again stood before the judge, she declared: "If you do not cause my body to be torn to pieces by the hangmen, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the martyrs. She was then stretched on the rack, burned with red-hot irons, and despoiled of her breasts. During these tortures she prayed: "For love of chastity I am made to hang from a rack. Help me, O Lord my God, as they knife my breasts. Agatha rebuked the governor for his barbarity: "Godless, cruel, infamous tyrant, are you not ashamed to despoil a woman of that by which your own mother nursed you?"
Returning to prison, she prayed: "You have seen, O Lord, my struggle, how I fought in the place of combat; but because I would not obey the commands of rulers, my breasts were lacerated." In the night there appeared to her a venerable old man, the apostle Peter, with healing remedies. Agatha, ever delicately modest, hesitated to show him her wounds. "I am the apostle of Christ; distrust me not, my daughter." To which she replied: "I have never used earthly medicines on my body. I cling to the Lord Jesus Christ, who renews all things by His word." She was miraculously healed by St. Peter: "Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise because by Your apostle You have restored my breasts." Throughout the night a light illumined the dungeon. When the guards fled in terror, her fellow prisoners urged her to escape but she refused: "Having received help from the Lord, I will persevere in confessing Him who healed me and comforted me."
Four days later she was again led before the judge. He, of course, was amazed over her cure. Nevertheless, he insisted that she worship the gods; which prompted another confession of faith in Christ. Then by order of the governor, Agatha was rolled over pieces of sharp glass and burning coals. At that moment the whole city was rocked by a violent earthquake. Two walls collapsed, burying two of the governor's friends in the debris. Fearing a popular uprising, he ordered Agatha, half dead, to be returned to prison. Here she offered her dying prayer: "Blessed Agatha stood in the midst of the prison and with outstretched arms prayed to the Lord: O Lord Jesus Christ, good Master, I give You thanks that You granted me victory over the executioners' tortures. Grant now that I may happily dwell in Your never-ending glory." Thereupon she died.
A year after her death the city of Catania was in great peril from an eruption on Mount Etna. Pagans, too, were numbered among those who fled in terror to the saint's grave. Her veil was taken and held against the onrushing flames, and suddenly the danger ceased. Her grave is venerated at Catania in Sicily.
â€”The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
Patron: Bell-founders; breast cancer; breast disease; Catania, Italy; against fire; earthquakes; eruptions of Mount Etna; fire; fire prevention; jewelers; martyrs; natural disasters; nurses; Palermo, Italy; rape victims; single laywomen; sterility; torture victims; volcanic eruptions; wet-nurses; Zamarramala, Spain.
Symbols: Breasts on a dish; embers; knife; loaves of bread on a dish; pincers; shears; tongs; veil; virgin martyr wearing a veil and bearing her severed breasts on a silver platter.
Things to Do:
- Bake an Agatha loaf! On St. Agatha's feast day people would bake loaves attached to a picture of St. Agatha and prayers for protection from fires. The parish priests would bless the loaves, and people would keep them in their homes in case of a poor harvest and famine. The prayers would then be hung above the main door of each home to invoke St. Agatha's guardianship.
- Spanish tradition associates this feast day with ancient fertility customs. Young men would visit many farms throughout the countryside, singing songs of praise to St. Agatha and invoking God's blessing upon people, animals, and fields. However, if they did not receive the customary gifts of money or food for their services, they would call down a 'quick old age' upon the ungrateful inhabitants of that farm. Although most of us do not live in such communities where this kind of custom would be practicable or even understood, we can pray to St. Agatha for a greater openness to the transmission of new life in our culture, and actively affirm and support young couples with children whenever possible.
- St. Agatha is the patron saint against fire. Take this day to establish a fire escape plan for the family and to practice a family fire drill. Also check the smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors to see if they are all working. Change the batteries on all the alarms! (Idea taken from A Treasure Chest of Traditions for Catholic Families by Monica McConkey. Used with permission. Write to [email protected] or see Arma Dei for more information about this great book. Treasure Chest is filled with unique ideas for activities, crafts and recipes to help families celebrate the various Seasons and Feast Days of the year.) She also has a couple of excellent websites worth a visit: Equipping Catholic Families and Arma Dei Shop.

34 posted on 02/05/2016 5:12:27 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51

Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (Memorial)

God's way is unerring . . . He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:31)

Television shows and movies all have theme songsâ€”music that establishes the mood and helps the viewer enter the show's world more fully. Today's responsorial psalm works in much the same way.

The first reading provides a review of King David's life, and the psalm gives the theme song. It captures the best of David by reflecting his attitude toward God. Even in the midst of weaknesses and offenses, David's life was marked by repentance and changed behaviorâ€”again and again. Each time, David picked up the pieces and moved forward because he knew that God, his rock, would never abandon him. He trusted God to continue to save him, and that's exactly what happened.

Today's psalm gives us ample reason to praise God as well. His way is always right. It was right when he chose David to be king of Israel, even though David was very young, and even though he later committed adultery and engineered an innocent man's death. Human fears, weaknesses, sins, and failings don't change God's ways. John the Baptist's followers might have struggled to embrace that truth when Herod had him beheaded. Jesus' disciples certainly did after the crucifixion. Yet in the end, they learned that God is completely trustworthy.

Though the devil, the world, and our fallen nature put up a fight at times, God remains our rock. He will always offer us a secure, stable place to stand. He has redeemed you, and he works every day to deliver you from the consequences of sin.

God's promises are sure. They are reliable beyond any doubt. David knew this and depended on it with all his heart.

So today, make it a point to echo David's praises. Praise God for his ways and his promises. Praise him for what he did in David's life. And most important, praise him for what he is doing in your life. Let David's theme song resound in your heart and mind. Sing it outâ€”"The Lord live! And blessed be my Rock!" (Psalm 18:47).

"Father, you are the God of my salvation, and I praise you. I exalt you today and always!"

Sirach 47:2-11
Mark 6:14-29

35 posted on 02/05/2016 6:17:01 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for February 5, 2016:

In the everyday love of husband and wife, parents and children, the Christian family participates in the prophetic, priestly and kingly mission of Jesus. (See John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 50) What a high calling!

36 posted on 02/05/2016 6:32:42 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Regnum Christi

Grace’s Last Stand and Ultimate Victory

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

February 5, 2016 - Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard about it, for his fame had become widespread, and people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Others were saying, "He is Elijah"; still others, "He is a prophet like any of the prophets." But when Herod learned of it, he said, "It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up." Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother´s wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias´s own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore (many things) to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king´s presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you and all that you taught as it has been passed down to us through your Church. I hope in you, knowing that you will never send me out of your presence. Only by sin could I cut myself away from your loving hands. Although I am weak, I trust that you will keep me close. Lord, I love you and long for my love for you to grow, for you deserve so much better than my measly offering. Yet I know, too, that you are pleased with my desire for you.

Petition: Grant me, O Lord, an honest and sincere heart.

“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up”: The verdict of conscience always makes itself known. Herod’s guilt regarding John the Baptist’s murder is projected into the present as a haunting memory. Those who have radically rejected God, though they might possess great power or wealth, great intelligence or ability, are ultimately the most insecure people on earth. When true goodness appears in their life, it presents itself as a threat. It condemns them and alienates them from themselves. All this is but a reflection of their state of soul before God. Such is the power of man’s conscience: it imposes its painful sentence long before the person ever reaches the ultimate tribunal of justice. Like Christ, we can only remain silent before the Herods of the world, praying that they break their resistance to grace.

“He was very much perplexed yet he liked to listen to him…”: “Fear the grace of God that passes never to return.” In the lives of all persons, even the wicked, enough goodness is given them to be saved, enough such that God can offer them the truth of salvation within the scope of their freedom. Such graces last for only a time, not forever. These moments cannot be treated as moments that temporarily pacify our conscience, only to permit us to continue in our sin and resistance to living a holy life. Herod feared John, knew he was a holy man and felt the attraction of his words, but he did nothing to respond to it. You cannot play around with God and win. Herod loses and attacked what he knew he should love. This tragedy must teach us to be sincere and never imprison the voice of God in our soul, but to let it reign in our life. We must use our freedom to respond to God’s voice, breaking the chains of human respect or fear of sacrifice that bind us to darkness.

He Was Beheaded in Prison: The last honor Christ could offer a faithful apostle, who has stood firm in the truth against the twisted provocations of evil around him, is––in some sense––a “full” participation in his Paschal Mystery. What began as testimony by proclaiming conversion, John now concludes with testimony to the victorious hope the blessed possess in Christ. This is never clearer than in a martyr’s death as intimated in this passage from the Book of Wisdom:

For though in the sight of men they were punished,

their hope is full of immortality.

Having been disciplined a little,

they will receive great good,

because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;

like gold in the furnace he tried them,

and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them (Wisdom 3:4-6).

May we accept today the hard road of fidelity so as to be “disciplined a little” and be found worthy of the hope that is “full of immortality.”

Conversation with Christ: Let me experience, dear Jesus, the glory of your martyrs through many small acts of fidelity—to my conscience, to my mission and to the service to souls. Heroic and filled with hope, may I accept a sentence of love and not fear any path you set before me today. May I be like one who has died and yet lives the blossom of a holy life that will never end.

Resolution: I will work to be sincere in all I do, and use the sacrament of confession as a place of constant conversion and openness to God’s will.

37 posted on 02/05/2016 6:59:56 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | EspaÃ±ol

All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 2

<< Friday, February 5, 2016 >>

St. Agatha

Sirach 47:2-11
View Readings

Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51

Mark 6:14-29
Similar Reflections

TIME WARP?

"The Lord forgave him his sins and exalted his strength forever." â€”Sirach 47:11

Herodias hated St. John the Baptizer for pointing out that she was an adulteress (Mk 6:18-19). When she said she wanted John's head, her daughter took her very literally, added on to her request, and asked Herod: "I want you to give me, at once, the head of John the Baptizer on a platter" (Mk 6:25). Herod granted her request. So a waiter walking around with John's head on a platter may have been part of the "entertainment" at Herod's birthday party.

To put it mildly, Herod was warped. He was warped in and by adultery, and in and by murder. When Herod later heard of Jesus, he projected his perversion and misidentified Jesus. "Herod exclaimed, 'John, whose head I had cut off, has been raised up!'" (Mk 6:16) Satan had twisted the mind and heart of Herod for many years, through sin after horrible sin, from adultery to murder, so that when Herod heard of Jesus, he would certainly jump to the wrong conclusion and live a Christ-less existence forever.

At this moment, many of us are being blinded, numbed, and warped by sin. In the near future, we may have our best or even last chance to recognize Jesus as our Lord and God. Repent now. Begin to return to reality. Jesus is coming soon. Don't miss Him.

Prayer: Father, "I want to see" (Mk 10:51).

Promise: "With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had His praises sung." â€”Sir 47:8

Praise: St. Agatha accounted all as loss except preserving her Christ-filled relationship. When offered a chance to escape martyrdom by becoming a prostitute, she exclaimed: "Christ alone is my life and salvation," and was executed as a martyr.

38 posted on 02/05/2016 7:17:38 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

39 posted on 02/05/2016 7:18:49 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

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