ACT OF CHARITY

O MY GOD, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Catholic

Almanac:

Wednesday, June 8
Liturgical Color: White
Today the Church remembers St. William, Archbishop of York. He was much beloved because of his kind and pious ways, but also had enemies who had him deposed. After much turmoil he was returned to his see, but died a month later in 1154.

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: June 08, 2011
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: God of wisdom and love, source of all good, send your Spirit to teach us your truth and guide our actions in your way of peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

8th

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter Old Calendar: Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces; St. Medard (Hist)

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces. Pope Leo XIII declared in his Encyclical of September 22, 1891: "We may affirm that nothing, by the will of God, is given to us without Mary's mediation, in such way that just as no one can approach the almighty Father but through His Son, likewise no one, so to speak, can approach Christ but through His Mother."

Mentioned in the Roman Martyrology from 1961, we observe the "birthday" of St. Médard, Bishop of Noyon, France. (When the Church uses the word "Birthday" in regard to saints, She refers to the commemoration of the day on which the saint died.) Legend says that a sudden shower once fell, soaking everyone except St Médard who remained perfectly dry, because an eagle had spread its wings over him. Ever since, Médard was known as maître de la pluie – master of rain. In religious art, an eagle shelters Médard from the rain.

We continue the Novena to the Holy Spirit.

Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces
Traditionally, today is the feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces. All the graces which flow from the redemption of Jesus Christ are granted to the human family through the motherly intercession of Mary. Mary mediated Jesus Christ, the Author of all graces, to the world when she agreed to be the human mother of God made man (cf. Lk 1:38). And from the cross at Calvary (Jn 19:26) and as the final gift to humanity, Jesus gives Mary as a spiritual mother to us all: "Son, behold your mother" (cf. Jn 19:26). For this reason, Vatican II refers to Mary as a "mother to us in the order of grace " (Lumen Gentium, n. 62) and several twentieth century popes have officially taught the doctrine of Mary as Mediatrix of all graces, quoting the words of St Bernard: "It is the will of God that we obtain all favours through Mary." The Mediatrix performs this task in intimate union with the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, with whom she began the drama of our Lord's Redemption at the Annunciation (cf. Lk. 1:35).

Thirdly, Mary is our Advocate for people of God, in that she takes the petitions of her earthly children, especially in times of difficulties, and brings them through her maternal intercession before her Son and our Lord Jesus.

In the Old Testament, the Queen Mother brought the petitioned needs of the people of Israel to the throne of her son the king (cf. 1 Kings 2:19). Now Mary is the new Queen Mother and Advocate in the new Kingdom of her Son, who brings the petitioned needs of the people of God to the throne of her glorious Son, Christ the King, particularly in our present difficult times.

The universal mediation of the Mother of Jesus as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces, and Advocate for the people of God is already contained in the official and authoritative teachings of the Church's Magisterium. Now, at the summit of the Marian era, what remains is the final proclamation by the Church of this final Marian doctrine as Christian dogma revealed by God.

Things to Do:

Read this article by Fr. William G. Most.
Pray the Litany of The Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Grace

St. Médard
Bishop of Noyon, b. at Salency (Oise) about 456; d. in his episcopal city June 8, about 545. His father, Nectardus, was of Frankish origin, while his mother, named Protagia, was Gallo-Roman. It is believed that St. Gildardus, Bishop of Rouen, was his brother. His youth was entirely consecrated to the practise of Christian virtues and to the study of sacred and profane letters. He often accompanied his father on business to Vermand and to Tournai, and frequented the schools, carefully avoiding all worldly dissipation.

His exemplary piety and his knowledge, considerable for that time, decided the Bishop of Vermand (d. 530) to confer on him Holy Orders, and caused him to be chosen as his successor. Forced, in spite of his objections, to accept this heavy charge, he devoted himself zealously to his new duties. In an effort to accomplish those duties in greater security, since Vermand and the northern part of France in general were then generally troubled by wars and exposed to the incursions of the barbarians, he removed his episcopal see in 531 from Vermand, a little city without defence, to Noyon, the strongest place in that region.

The year following, St. Eleutherius, Bishop of Tournai, died and St. Médard was invited to assume the direction of that diocese also. He refused at first, but being urged by Clotaire himself he at last accepted. This union of the two dioceses lasted until 1146, when they were again separated.

Clotaire, who had paid him a last visit at Noyon, had his body transferred to the royal manor of Crouy at the gates of the city of Soissons. Over the tomb of St. Médard was erected the celebrated Benedictine abbey which bears his name.

St. Médard was one of the most honoured bishops of his time, his memory has always been popularly venerated in the north of France, and he soon became the hero of numerous legends. One of which says that if it rains on St. Médard's feast day it will be followed by forty days of rain; and forty days of sunshine will follow if it is clear.

Excerpted from the Catholic Encyclopedia

Patron: against bad weather; against imprisonment; against sterility; brewers; captives; harvests; for good weather; for rain; imprisoned people; mentally ill people; peasants; prisoners; toothache; vineyards.

Symbols: two white doves; three white doves; eagle; knife; ox; colt; torch; tooth;
Often Portrayed as: being sheltered from rain by an eagle or other large bird; holding a citadel; laughing aloud with his mouth wide open; leaving footprints in stone; with two horses at his feet

Things to Do:

Fourteen centuries ago as bishop of Tournai in Picardy, France, Médard founded the annual Rose Festival (Fetes des Roses). It is still held there on this day, and the region's most beautiful and virtuous maiden is crowned.

Holy Spirit Novena for the Feast of Pentecost

Lauds - - Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

Introduction

O God, come to my aid.

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Eternal Monarch, King most high,

Whose Blood hath brought redemption nigh,

By whom the death of Death was wrought,

And conquering Grace’s battle fought.

Ascending to the throne of might,

And seated at the Father’s right,

All power in heaven is Jesu’s own,

That here his manhood had not known.

That so, in nature’s triple frame,

Each heavenly and each earthly name,

And things in hell’s abyss abhorred

May bend the knee and own him Lord.

Yea, Angels tremble when they see

How changed is our humanity;

That flesh hath purged what flesh had stained

And God, the Flesh of God, hath reigned.

Be thou our joy and strong defence,

Who art our future recompense;

So shall the light that springs from thee

Be ours through all eternity.

Psalm 85 (86) A poor man's prayer in time of trouble

Give joy to your servant, Lord, for to you I lift up my soul.

Turn your ear to me, Lord, and hear me,

for I am poor and destitute.

Keep my life safe, for I am faithful;

O God, save your servant, who trusts in you.

Take pity upon me, O Lord,

for I call to you all the day long.

Make your servant’s heart glad,

for to you, O Lord, I have raised it.

For you, Lord, are gentle and mild:

you are kind to all those who call on you.

Let your ears hear my prayer, O Lord!

Turn to the voice of my pleading!

In my time of trouble I call on you,

for you, O Lord, will hear me.

No other god is like you, O Lord,

and nothing compares with your works.

All people – all nations you made –

will come and worship before you;

they will give glory to your name.

For you are great, you work wonders:

you alone are God.

O Lord, teach me your paths,

and I will come to your truth.

Make my heart simple and guileless,

so that it honours your name.

I will proclaim you, Lord my God,

and give you praise with all my heart.

I will give glory to your name for ever,

for your great kindness is upon me:

you have rescued me from the deepest depths.

O God, the proud rise against me,

in the meetings of the powerful they seek my life:

they do not keep you in their sight.

And you, Lord, are a God of compassion,

full of mercies, patient and true.

Look upon me, have mercy upon me,

give your strength and protection to your servant:

your servant, the child of your handmaid.

Give me a sign of your goodness,

let my enemies see it and be confounded;

because you, O Lord, have helped me and given me comfort.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Give joy to your servant, Lord, for to you I lift up my soul.

Canticle	Isaiah 33

The Lord will give just judgement

Blessed is the man who walks in justice and speaks what is true.

Hear what I have done, you who are far off,

and you who are near, learn of my strength.

In Zion, the sinners are afraid;

the hypocrites tremble.

Which of you could live with a devouring fire?

Which of you will abide in everlasting burning?

He who walks in justice, he who speaks fairly –

he who rejects the spoils of robbery –

he who throws back a bribe –

he who blocks his ears against murderous counsels –

he who shuts his eyes against evil sights –

this is he who will dwell on high, secure in a fortress of rocks.

Bread is given to him; his supply of water is secure.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Blessed is the man who walks in justice and speaks what is true.

Psalm 97 (98) The Lord has brought salvation

Acclaim the King, the Lord.

Sing a new song to the Lord,

for he has worked wonders.

His right hand, his holy arm,

have brought him victory.

The Lord has shown his saving power,

and before all nations he has shown his justice.

He has remembered to show his kindness

and his faithfulness to the house of Israel.

The farthest ends of the earth

have seen the saving power of our God.

Rejoice in God, all the earth.

Break forth in triumph and song!

Sing to the Lord on the lyre,

with the lyre and with music.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn,

sound jubilation to the Lord, our king.

Let the sea resound in its fulness,

all the earth and all its inhabitants.

The rivers will clap their hands,

and the mountains will exult at the presence of the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge all the world in justice,

and the peoples with fairness.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Acclaim the King, the Lord.

Short reading	Romans 6:8-11 ©

We believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, as we know, having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. When he died, he died, once for all, to sin, so his life now is life with God; and in that way, you too must consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.

Short Responsory

The Lord has risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

– The Lord has risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

He who hung on the tree for our sake, alleluia, alleluia.

– The Lord has risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– The Lord has risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle	Benedictus

The Messiah and his forerunner

We thank God for giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption.

He has raised up the sign of salvation

in the house of his servant David,

as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones,

his prophets through the ages:

to rescue us from our enemies

and all who hate us,

to take pity on our fathers,

to remember his holy covenant

and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,

that he would give himself to us,

that we could serve him without fear

– freed from the hands of our enemies –

in uprightness and holiness before him,

for all of our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High:

for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path,

to let his people know their salvation,

so that their sins may be forgiven.

Through the bottomless mercy of our God,

one born on high will visit us

to give light to those who walk in darkness,

who live in the shadow of death;

to lead our feet in the path of peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

We thank God for giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia.

Prayers and Intercessions

The Holy Spirit bears witness to our souls that we are sons of God. So let us give thanks to God the Father and pray:

– Our Father, hear your children.

God of patience and comfort, grant that we may agree with one another, following the example of Jesus Christ,

and with one soul and one voice give you honour.

– Our Father, hear your children.

Grant that each of us may be pleasing to his neighbour,

for our shared good and edification.

– Our Father, hear your children.

Do not let us be led by the spirit of this world, who is turned towards evil,

but by the Spirit who comes from you.

– Our Father, hear your children.

You see into men’s hearts:

lead us in the ways of sincerity and truth.

– Our Father, hear your children.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

God of mercy,

you have gathered your Church together by the Holy Spirit.

Keep us devoted to your service

and united among ourselves.

[We make our prayer] through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

AMEN

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Acts 20:28-38

“We must help the weak.” (Acts 20:35)

What a tender moment! It is a final farewell from St. Paul, who had not only founded the church at Ephesus but lived among the believers for three years. During that time, “God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.” As a result, “the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily” (Acts 19:11,20).

However, the elders were not crying in admiration of Paul’s accomplishments. Theirs were tears of affection for a brother. And Paul, in turn, was concerned not for the continuation of his ministry but for the survival of “the whole flock … that [God] acquired with his own blood,” and especially “the weak” (Acts 20:28,35).

The church in Ephesus had produced leaders like Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)—quick studies whose keen minds grasped the significance of Paul’s message. Teaching such converts must have been very gratifying for Paul. However, he said nothing here about this aspect of his ministry. His attention seems to be on those at the other end of the spectrum, the humble and lowly who enjoy a special relationship with the Lord.

Every community, every congregation, even every family has its own “weak” members. Through whatever combination of genetics, upbringing, sin, and hard luck, it is unlikely that they will ever be able to take care of themselves adequately. These are the ones Paul singled out for special attention, for he knew the fundamental precept that those who are more graced should care for those who are in need—not take advantage of them or ignore them.

Such a philosophy goes against our human nature. Those who move quickly find it irritating to slow down for those who lag behind. It can be hard for someone with a quick mind to have to explain things to someone who just doesn’t get it. Instead of putting ourselves in their shoes, we tend to imagine them in ours: “If that happened to me, I would surely have handled it better.” But when we do this, we exercise the judgment that belongs to God and fail to extend his mercy—a mercy that belongs to the strong and weak alike.

“Jesus, pour out special grace on the poor and needy. Let their cry pierce my heart. Show me how I can be your arms to encourage them and lift them up.”

Psalm 68:29-30,33-36; John 17:11-19

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Daily Marriage Tip for June 8, 2011:

Triangles are the most stable geometric form. Invite God into your marriage to make it a threesome. Prayer to God can provide a perspective when both of you want your own way.

Vultus Christi

Sayings of Mectilde de Bar

By

Father Mark

on June 8, 2011 6:11 AM |

In my conference at ADORATIO 2011 I will be quoting more than once Mother Mectilde du Saint-Sacrement (Catherine de Bar, 1614-1698), the foundress of the Benedictines of the Perpetual Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament, an Institute that is still flourishing here in Italy. Mother Mectilde is not well known in the English-speaking world. Practically none of her writings have been translated in English.
Saint John of the Cross has nothing on Mother Mectilde: their doctrines are strikingly similar, except that Mother Mectilde's is rooted in the Rule of Saint Benedict with a marked emphasis on the adorable mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and on the feasts and mysteries of the Liturgical Year.

Why is Mectilde du Saint-Sacrement not a Blessed or a Saint? It's all very curious but, in spite of extensive searches and even archeological explorations, her body has never been found. In order for a cause to go forward, there must be a body, or at least the remain thereof. In the case of Mother Mectilde, the only body that remains is the body of her writings. Here are some of her sayings that I have translated:

Inward Emptiness

You must make in yourself a great emptiness of all that is not God, and apply yourself seriously to exclude anything that might be an obstacle to the descent of the divine Paraclete in your hearts.

The Nothing and the All

Let us labour energetically to make Jesus reign in our hearts, and to this end let us annihilate ourselves; it is the only way to make Him the possessor of our hearts.

Pious Fantasy

The interior life is not what one thinks or imagines. It consists not in having beautiful thoughts, nor in saying beautiful words, nor in remaining in a passive kind of prayer without applying one's mind, as if one were in lofty heights. All of this is, more often than not, no more than fantasy.

The interior life is found in the solid practice of mortification, in the love of littleness and in total detachment from oneself and from creatures.

Death to Self in Little Things

If you are entering religious life to belong more to God, enter disposed at every moment to sacrifice. Providence will offer you very frequent occasions for this, without taking into account the things that will happen with the express purpose of putting you to the test. You will not be mortified in big things; the little things are more often the cause of our pain. At times a word will be harder for you to bear, not much is needed to make you suffer.

Expect Unexpected Things

Consider that God alone is, and that what He wants from a victim is that she should abandon herself to Him even to the the complete loss of herself. When we consecrate ourselves to God as victims, I assure you that we don't know what we are doing: if it pleases the Lord to accept our sacrifice, something which will not fail to happen when the soul does this in His Spirit, the soul must resolve to accept unexpected things.

Pure Abandonment

All the nerve of the interior life is in this pure abandonment, which is neither seen, nor intuited, nor felt: it really is a state of death, in which one must resist in spite of nature and the cry of self-love.

Recourse to Mary Most Holy

One day, finding myself in great suffering and having no one to whom I could open my heart, I turned to the Holy Mother of God in these terms: "O Most Holy Virgin, have you brought me here to let me die? Would it not have been better to leave me in the world, given that here I do not find here the means to serve God with more holiness and purity? You see that I do not know to whom I ought to have recourse to teach me my duties, I have no one, and I know neither how to pray nor how to make mental prayer. Be for me, I pray you, a mother and a teacher. Teach me all that I must know."

A Really Bad Monastic Day

Everything tires me, everything bothers me. The most inoffensive words irritate me, and I am finding it hard even to put up with myself. How can I do always the same thing, always at the same hour, in the same way, what enslavement!

Filled Full with Holiness and Love of Christ

Let me know You, O divine Jesus. Lift the veil of our shadows: let the torch of faith make me penetrate the holiness and the love contained in Your holy mysteries, and let my soul be penetrated by these to the point that no creature may be able to occupy it.

Mystical Death

It is necessary to lose all, this I see well, but my interior nature seeks to rest at least the tips of my feet so as to catch a breath. Oh, how rare it is, this total death! It is necessary to die and to be buried in Him who triumphs and is glorified in the death of His creatures. It is necessary that I die even to helpful things, to the light and to all that would be to me even the slightest support.

Eucharistic Prayer

They speak to me often of prayer, but I never hear anyone speak of the Most Holy Sacrament. Is there perhaps another mean to attain to God other than the Holy Eucharist? Is not the Holy Eucharist God Himself?

Pride

Pride is the source of all our faults and also of all our misfortunes.

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

Introduction

O God, come to my aid.

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Sing we triumphant hymns of praise,

New hymns to heaven exulting raise:

Christ, by a road before untrod,

Ascendeth to the throne of God.

The holy Apostolic band

Upon the Mount of Olives stand,

And with the Virgin Mother see

Jesu’s resplendent majesty.

O grant us thitherward to tend,

And with unwearied hearts ascend

Toward thy kingdom’s throne, where thou

(As is our faith) art seated now.

All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,

Ascending o’er the stars to-day;

All glory, as is ever meet,

To Father and to Paraclete.

Psalm 125 (126) Gladness and hope in the Lord

Those who were sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

When the Lord gave Zion back her captives, we became like dreamers.

Our mouths were filled with gladness and our voices cried in exultation.

Among the Gentiles they were saying,

“By his deeds the Lord has shown himself great.”

The Lord’s deeds showed forth his greatness,

and filled us with rejoicing.

Give us back our captives, O Lord,

as you renew the dry streams in the desolate South.

Those who sow in tears will rejoice at the harvest.

They wept as they went, went with seed for the sowing;

but with joy they will come, come bearing the sheaves.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Those who were sowing in tears will sing when they reap.

Psalm 126 (127) Without the Lord, we labour in vain

The Lord will build a house for us; he will watch over our city.

If the Lord does not build the house,

its builders labour in vain.

If the Lord does not watch over a city,

its workmen guard it in vain.

It is vain for you to rise before the dawn

and go late to your rest,

eating the bread of toil –

to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep.

The Lord bestows sons as an heirloom,

the fruit of the womb as a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior –

so are the sons of one’s youth.

Happy the man who fills his quiver thus:

when he disputes with his enemies at the gate,

he will not be the loser.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

The Lord will build a house for us; he will watch over our city.

Canticle	(Colossians 1)

Christ, firstborn of all creatures and firstborn from the dead

From him, through him and in him are all things that exist: to him be glory for ever. Alleluia.

Let us give thanks to God the Father,

who has made us worthy to share in the light that is the saints’ inheritance.

He has rescued us from the power of the shadows

and brought us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption

and the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the first-born of all creation,

for in him all things were created,

in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible,

thrones and dominations,

principalities and powers.

All things were created through him and for him:

he is before all things,

and in him all things hold together.

And he is the head of the body, the Church.

He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead,

and so he is pre-eminent above all.

For it was the Father’s will that the fullness of God should dwell in him,

and that through him all things should be reconciled to himself.

Through the blood of the Cross he brought peace to all things,

both on Earth and in the heavens.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

From him, through him and in him are all things that exist: to him be glory for ever. Alleluia.

Short reading	1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ©

The things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard, things beyond the mind of man, all that God has prepared for those who love him. These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.

Short Responsory

The Holy Spirit is the Advocate. Alleluia, alleluia.

– The Holy Spirit is the Advocate. Alleluia, alleluia.

He will teach you everything.

– The Holy Spirit is the Advocate. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– The Holy Spirit is the Advocate. Alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle	Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Alleluia.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.

For he has shown me such favour –

me, his lowly handmaiden.

Now all generations will call me blessed,

because the mighty one has done great things for me.

His name is holy,

his mercy lasts for generation after generation

for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:

he has scattered the proud and conceited,

torn princes from their thrones;

but lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,

he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Christ will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Alleluia.

Prayers and Intercessions

With the Apostles and all who enjoy the first-fruits of the Holy Spirit, let us praise God and call on him:

– Lord, listen to us.

Almighty God, you have glorified Christ in heaven:

grant that all may recognise his presence in the Church.

– Lord, listen to us.

Holy Father, you said of Christ: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him”:

grant that all may hear his voice and be saved.

– Lord, listen to us.

Send your Spirit into the hearts of your faithful,

to wash what is filthy and water what is shrivelled and dry.

– Lord, listen to us.

May your Spirit come, and deign to guide the course of history,

and renew the face of the earth.

– Lord, listen to us.

We commend the dead to your care

and beg you to fulfil our hopes and bring us to resurrection.

– Lord, listen to us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

God of mercy,

you have gathered your Church together by the Holy Spirit.

Keep us devoted to your service

and united among ourselves.

[We make our prayer] through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

Amen.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

AMEN

Regnum Christi

In But Not Of the World

INTERNATIONAL | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (June 8, 2011)

June 8, 2011
Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Father Paul Campbell, LC

John 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in you. I believe that you are here with me. I thank you for your loving presence in my life. I place all of my hope in you. I humbly offer you the love in my heart and my desire to continue your mission in the world.

Petition: Lord, strengthen my resolve to serve you.

1. He Always Loved Those Who Were His Own in the World: Jesus completed his mission of protecting those entrusted to his care. He fulfilled his vocation as a man; not one of his apostles was lost except the son of destruction. We have his protection still. He sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. We have the help of his mother, Mary, and all the saints in heaven. We are surrounded by a great crowd of saints, who support our efforts to live as God wants us to live. They are God’s gift to protect us on our pilgrimage in life.

2. Here For the Spiritual Battle: As Jesus was leaving the world, he prayed for his disciples. He did not pray that they would be taken out of the world, but that they be kept from the evil one. Sometimes we can feel beaten up and broken, and we seek to flee the battle. Jesus needs us in the combat and entrusts us with the fight. He doesn’t keep us from the battle, instead offers us the strength of his help. He is with us, fighting at our side. He is within us, giving us the interior strength to do his will.

3. Just Passing Through: Although we are in the world, we are here as pilgrims. We are passing through on our way to heaven. We have a mission: to save the souls that God has entrusted to our care. It is easy to get distracted, to begin to look for calm, ease or a more comfortable resting place for our weary souls and bodies. The world remains attractive to our fallen nature. Alluring advertisements can leave their mark on us, and we can desire the things of earth more than the treasures of heaven. This is why we must give priority to prayer in our life and contemplate life from the perspective of eternity.

Conversation with Christ: Jesus, protect me from the evil one. He is battling me on many fronts. Keep me strong in your love. Don’t let me give in to discouragement or despair. I have the protection of your love and your intercession. Increase my hope in you. Help me to continue your work in the world.

Resolution: I will speak to someone about Christ today, sharing with them the love he lavishes upon us.

Homily of the Day

Are You a Compelling Advertisement for Jesus?

June 8th, 2011 by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Acts 20:28-38 / Jn 17:11-19

Saying goodbye, especially when it’s for the last time, can wrench the heart unbearably. It brings back memories of countless past joys and presses them together so they’re all felt at once. It brings back regrets too, and renders them all the more poignant, because now they’re beyond reach. Saying goodbye closes many doors, but it opens new ones as well. And so it was with St. Paul as he bade his last farewell and went off to Rome to die.

Closing doors are easier to see than those that are just opening. This seems always to be the case. But the new doors are there, waiting for us to walk through them and to carry on where another has left off. It is always so, generation after generation, as it was with Paul, who left to us his mission of sharing Jesus’ Good News.

And that brings us to today’s question: How are you doing at sharing the Good News? Does your life look like good news? Are you a compelling advertisement for Jesus? If not, you’re not just betraying your mission, you’re missing life’s best joys.

Maybe it’s time to rethink your life’s mission and what you are bringing to it. Every moment you delay is a moment of joy lost forever.

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, June 8, 2011 >>

Pentecost Novena - Day 6
Saint of the Day

Acts 20:28-38
View Readings

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36

John 17:11-19

A FOOL IN THE SPIRIT

"Keep watch over yourselves, and over the whole flock the Holy Spirit has given you to guard." —Acts 20:28

When the Spirit is activated in our lives, many other realities come alive, such as Christian community, spiritual warfare, and Satan. In our highly independent, secularized society, these are not popular realities. When you enter into life in the Spirit, you will not be popular either. You'll even be laughed at, mocked, and insulted. When you seek Christian community, you'll seem un-American or a throwback to the Sixties. When you speak of Satan and spiritual warfare, even many Christians will consider you primitive or prehistoric, although you are only espousing Biblical orthodoxy.

When you live the life in the Spirit, you seem like a fool to some and an antique to others. Some people will not even want to be seen with you anymore. This is the price of activating the Spirit in your life. Are you willing to be different, even if that means ridicule and rejection? To receive the Spirit, you must answer this question "Yes."

Prayer: "O Father most holy, protect them with Your name which You have given Me [that they may be one, even as We are One]" (Jn 17:11).

Promise: "Be on guard, therefore. Do not forget that for three years, night and day, I never ceased warning you individually even to the point of tears. I commend you now to the Lord, and to that gracious word of His which can enlarge you, and give you a share among all who are consecrated to Him." —Acts 20:31-32

Praise: Francis lost his friends when he came into the Church, but found not only a true Friend but countless brothers and sisters.

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

Introduction

O God, come to my aid.

O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

Hymn

Jesu, the world’s redeeming Lord,

The Father’s co-eternal Word,

Of light invisible true Light,

Thine Israel’s Keeper day and night.

Our great Creator and our Guide,

Who times and seasons dost divide,

Refresh at night with quiet rest,

Our limbs by daily toil oppressed.

We pray thee, while we dwell below,

Preserve us from our ghostly foe;

Nor let his wiles victorious be

O’er them that are redeemed by thee.

That while in this frail house of clay

A little longer here we stay,

Our flesh in thee may sweetly sleep,

Our souls with thee their vigils keep.

All praise be thine, O risen Lord,

From death to endless life restored;

All praise to God the Father be,

And Holy Ghost eternally.

Psalm 30 (31) Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

Turn your ear to me,

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rampart, my fortification;

keep me safe.

For you are my strength and my refuge:

you will lead me out to the pastures,

for your own name’s sake.

You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me –

for you are my strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit:

you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Psalm 129 (130) Out of the depths

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Out of the depths I have cried to you, Lord:

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears listen out

for the voice of my pleading.

If you took notice of our transgressions, Lord –

Lord, who would be left?

But with you is forgiveness,

and for this we revere you.

I rely on you, Lord,

my spirit relies on your promise;

my soul hopes in the Lord,

more than the watchman for daybreak.

More than the watchman for daybreak,

let Israel hope in the Lord:

for with the Lord there is kindness

and abundant redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel

from all its transgressions.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reading	Ephesians 4:26-27 ©

Even if you are angry, you must not sin: never let the sun set on your anger, or else you will give the devil a foothold.

Short Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness, alleluia, alleluia.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis

Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.

You have fulfilled your promise.

My own eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.

A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;

the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, you lay a gentle yoke upon those who follow you. Meek and humble, you give them a light burden to carry. Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; and give us rest, to make us more eager to serve you, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

AMEN

	Regina Caeli

Queen of Heaven, be joyful,

Alleluia.

You who were worthy to bear him.

Alleluia.

He has risen, as he promised.

Alleluia.

Pray for us to God.

Alleluia.

Regina caeli laetare, Alleluia,

Quia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia,

Resurrexit sicut dixit, Alleluia.

Ora pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.

John
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	John 17
11.	And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are.	Et jam non sum in mundo, et hi in mundo sunt, et ego ad te venio. Pater sancte, serva eos in nomine tuo, quos dedisti mihi : ut sint unum, sicut et nos.	και ουκετι ειμι εν τω κοσμω και ουτοι εν τω κοσμω εισιν και εγω προς σε ερχομαι πατερ αγιε τηρησον αυτους εν τω ονοματι σου ω δεδωκας μοι ινα ωσιν εν καθως ημεις
12.	While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled.	Cum essem cum eis, ego servabam eos in nomine tuo. Quos dedisti mihi, custodivi : et nemo ex eis periit, nisi filius perditionis, ut Scriptura impleatur.	οτε ημην μετ αυτων εν τω κοσμω εγω ετηρουν αυτους εν τω ονοματι σου ους δεδωκας μοι εφυλαξα και ουδεις εξ αυτων απωλετο ει μη ο υιος της απωλειας ινα η γραφη πληρωθη
13.	And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves.	Nunc autem ad te venio : et hæc loquor in mundo, ut habeant gaudium meum impletum in semetipsis.	νυν δε προς σε ερχομαι και ταυτα λαλω εν τω κοσμω ινα εχωσιν την χαραν την εμην πεπληρωμενην εν αυτοις
14.	I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world.	Ego dedi eis sermonem tuum, et mundus eos odio habuit, quia non sunt de mundo, sicut et ego non sum de mundo.	εγω δεδωκα αυτοις τον λογον σου και ο κοσμος εμισησεν αυτους οτι ουκ εισιν εκ του κοσμου καθως εγω ουκ ειμι εκ του κοσμου
15.	I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil.	Non rogo ut tollas eos de mundo, sed ut serves eos a malo.	ουκ ερωτω ινα αρης αυτους εκ του κοσμου αλλ ινα τηρησης αυτους εκ του πονηρου
16.	They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world.	De mundo non sunt, sicut et ego non sum de mundo.	εκ του κοσμου ουκ εισιν καθως εγω εκ του κοσμου ουκ ειμι
17.	Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth.	Sanctifica eos in veritate. Sermo tuus veritas est.	αγιασον αυτους εν τη αληθεια σου ο λογος ο σος αληθεια εστιν
18.	As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.	Sicut tu me misisti in mundum, et ego misi eos in mundum :	καθως εμε απεστειλας εις τον κοσμον καγω απεστειλα αυτους εις τον κοσμον
19.	And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.	et pro eis ego sanctificabo meipsum : ut sint et ipsi sanctificati in veritate.	και υπερ αυτων εγω αγιαζω εμαυτον ινα και αυτοι ωσιν ηγιασμενοι εν αληθεια

11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name: those that you gave me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

CHRYS. And now I am no more in the world: i.e. though I no longer appear in the flesh, I am glorified by those who die for Me, as for the Father, and preach Me as the Father.

AUG. At the time at which He was speaking, both were still in the world. Yet we must not understand, I am no more in the world, metaphorically of the heart and life; for could there ever have been a time when hen He loved the things of the world? It remains then that He means that He was not in the world, as He had been before; i.e. that He was soon going away. Do we not say every day, when any one is going to leave us, or going to die, such an one is gone? This is shown to be the sense by what follows; for He adds, And now I come to You. And then He commends to His Father those whom He was about to leave: Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom you have given Me. As man He prays God for His disciples, whom He received from God. But mark what follows: That they may be one, as We are: He does not say, That they may be one with us, We are one: but, that they may be one: that they may b one in their nature, as We are one in Ours. For, in that He was God and man in one person as man He prayed, as God He was one with Him to Whom He prayed.

AUG. He does not say, That I and they maybe one, though He might have said so in the sense, that He was the head of the Church, and the Church His body; not one thing, but one person: the head and the body being one Christ. But strewing something else, viz. that His divinity is consubstantial With the Father, He prays that His people may in like manner be one; but one in Christ, not only by the same nature, in which mortal man is made equal to the Angels, but also by the same will, agreeing most entirely in the same mind, and melted into one Spirit by the fire of love. This is the meaning of, That they may be one as We are: viz. that as the Father and the Son are one not only by equality of substance, but also in will, so they, between whom and God the Son is Mediator, may be one not only by the union of nature, but by the union of love.

CHRYS. Again He speaks as man: While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name; i.e. by your help. He speaks in condescension to the minds of His disciples, who thought they were more safe in His presence.

AUG. The Son as man kept His disciples in the Father's name, being placed among them in human form: the Father again kept them in the Son's name, in that He heard those who asked in the Son's name. But we must not take this carnally, as if the Father and Son kept us in turns, for the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost guard us at the same time: but Scripture do does not raise us, except it stoop to us. Let us understand then that when our Lord says this, He is distinguishing the persons, not dividing, the nature, so that when the Son was keeping His disciples by His bodily presence, the Father was waiting to succeed Him on His departure; but both kept them by spiritual power, and when the Son withdrew His bodily presence, he still held with the Father the spiritual keeping . For when the Son as man received them into His keeping , He did not take them from n the Father's keeping, and when the Father gave them into the Son's keeping , it was to the Son as man, who at the, same time was God. Those that you gave Me I have kept, and none of them is lost but the Son of perdition: i.e. the betrayer of Christ, predestined to perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled, especially the prophecy, in Psalm 108.

CHRYS. He was the only one indeed who perished then, but there were many after. None of them is lost, i.e. as far as I am concerned; as He says above more clearly; I will in no wise cast out. But when they cast themselves out, I will not draw them to Myself by dint of compulsion. It follows: And now I come to you. But some one might ask, Can you not keep them? I can. Then why say you this? That they may have my joy fulfilled in them, i.e. that they may not be alarmed in their as yet imperfect state.

AUG. Or thus: That they might have the joy spoken of above: That they may be one, We are one. This spoken i.e. bestowed by Him, He says, is to be fulfilled in them on which account He spoke thus in the world. This joy is the peace and happiness of the life to come. He says He spoke in the world, though He had just now said, I am no more in the world. For, inasmuch as He had not yet departed, He was still here; and inasmuch as He was going to depart, He was in a certain sense not here.

14. I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through your truth; your word is truth.
18. As you hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

CHRYS. Again, our Lord gives a reason why the disciples are worthy your of obtaining such favor our from the Father: I have given them your word; and the world has hated them; i.e. They are had in hatred for your sake, and on account of your word.

AUG. They had not yet experienced these sufferings which they afterwards met with; but, after His custom, He puts the future into the past tense. Then He gives the reason why the world hated them; viz. Because they are not of the world. This was conferred upon them by regeneration; for by nature they were of the world. It was given to them that they should not be of the world, even as He was not of the world; as it follows; Even as I am not of the world.

He never was of the world; for even His birth of the form of a servant He received from the Holy Ghost, from Whom they were born again. But though they were no longer of the world, it was still necessary that they should be in the world: I pray not that you should take them out of the world.

BEDE. As if to say, The time is now at hand, when I shall be taken out of the world; and therefore it is necessary that they should be still left in the world, in order to preach Me and You to the world. But that you should keep them from the evil; every evil, but especially the evil of schism.

AUG. He repeats the same thing again; They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

CHRYS. Above, when He said, Then whom you gave Me out of the world, He meant their nature; here He means their actions. They are not of the world; because they have nothing, in common with earth they are made citizens of heaven. Wherein He shows His love for them, thus praising them to the Father. The word as when used with respect to Him and the Father expresses likeness of nature; but between us and Christ there is immense distance Keep them from the evil, i.e. not from dangers only, but from falling away from the faith.

AUG. Sanctify them through your truth: for thus were they to be kept from the evil. But it may be asked, how it was that they were not of the world, when they were not yet sanctified in the truth? Because the sanctified have still to grow in sanctity, and this by the help of God's grace. The heirs of the New Testament are sanctified in that truth, the shadows of which were the sanctification of the Old Testament; they are sanctified in Christ, Who said above, I am the way, the truth, and the life. It follows, your discourse is truth. The Greek is i.e. word. The Father then sanctified them in the truth, i.e. in His Word the Only-Begotten, them, i.e. the heirs of God, and joint-heirs With Christ.

CHRYS. Or thus: Sanctify them in your truth; i.e. Make them holy, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and sound doctrines: for sound doctrines give knowledge of God, and sanctify the soul. And as He is speaking of doctrines, He adds, your word is truth, i.e. there is in it no lie, nor anything typical, or bodily. Again, Sanctify them in your truth, may mean, Separate them for the ministry of the word, and preaching.

GLOSS. As you have sent Me into the world, even so have 1 also sent them into the world. For what Christ was sent into the world, for the same end were they as said Paul, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself; and has given to us the word of reconciliation. As does not express perfect likeness between our Lord and His Apostles, but only as much as was possible in men. Have sent them, He says, according to His custom of putting the past for the future.

AUG. It is manifest by this, that He is still speaking of the Apostles; for the very word Apostle means in the Greek, sent. But since they are His members, in that He is the Head of the Church, He says, And for their sakes I sanctity Myself; i.e. I in Myself sanctify them, since they are Myself. And to make it more clear that this was His meaning, He adds, That they also might be sanctified through the truth, i.e. in Me; inasmuch as the Word is truth, in which the Son of man was sanctified from the time that the Word was as made flesh. For then He sanctified Himself in Himself, i.e. Himself as man, in Himself as the Word: the Word and man being one Christ.

But of His members it is that He said, And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, i.e. them in Me, since in Me both they and I are. That they also might be sanctified in truth: they also, i.e. even as Myself; and in the truth, i.e. Myself.

CHRYS. Or thus: for their sakes I sanctify Myself, i.e. I offer Myself as a sacrifice to You; for all sacrifices, and things that are offered to God, see called holy. And whereas this sanctification was of old in figure, (a sheep being the sacrifice,) but now in truth, He adds, That they also might be sanctified through the truth: i.e. For I make them too an oblation to You, either meaning that He who was offered up was their head, or that they would be offered up too: as the Apostle says, Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy.

Catena Aurea John 17

The Communion of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia

From Communion of of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia (Russ.)

The communion of the new martyrs began to form as in 1989 the first saint was canonized. [...] Currently, on January 1, 2011 1774 saints [have been canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church].
Iconography
... The feats of the saints are shown not as a vivible to eye reality, but as a rememberance, a sketch of the essential marks of the event and necessary asa testimony of the feat, a victory of the Saint over the forces of evil, which at the same time is shown int he context of the Heavenly Kingdom. [...]
The Middle Part
The Host of saints is on the background of an Orthodox temple, reminiscent of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, and symbolizing the Orthodox Church, as well as her destiny (destruction and then reestablishment) in XXc.
The red altar in front, dressed in Paschal colors, also symbolizes the resurrection of the Orthodoxy in Russia. The Gospel on the Altar says "Do not fear those who kill the body, the soul they cannot kill" (Mt 10:28).
The lower part there is the image of the Holy Royal Martyrs, and left and right -- two groups fo new martyrs.
[...]
Side Sections
On the side there are 15 most known places of martyrdom and most outstanding suffering of saints:

Solovky monastery, converted to Solovky Camp of Special Purpose in 1923.
Suffering and blessed death of Holy Martyr Peter Polyansky...
The prosecution of holy Martyr Veniamin of Kazan and other priests
The fire-squadding of Andronik, bishop of Perm and Solikamsk and Hermogen, bishop of Tobolsk and Siberia
The sacking of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and theft of the relic of most holy Sergus of Radonezh.
The beastly murder of Great Princess Elizaveta Fedorovna on July 5 1918 with other martyrs
Most Holy Patriarch Tikhon in prison in Donskoy Monastery
The murder of the Royal family
The mass firesquadding of priests in Butovo in 1930s
The shooting of the way of the Cross procession in Astrakhan
The killing of Vladimir, metropolitan of Kiev January 25, 1918
The image of a nameless holy woman with children
The arrest of a priest in the temple during liturgy
The sacking of Sarov hermitage, the theft of the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov
The fire squadding of Kirill, metropolitan of Kazan

[...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jj1bepQgTw

Daily Readings for: June 08, 2011(Readings on USCCB website)

ACTIVITIES

PRAYERS

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter Old Calendar: Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces; St. Medard (Hist)

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

AMEN

Meditation: Acts 20:28-38

Sayings of Mectilde de Bar

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

AMEN

Homily of the Day

Are You a Compelling Advertisement for Jesus?

One Bread, One Body

A FOOL IN THE SPIRIT

Compline (Night Prayer)

AMEN

Daily Readings for: June 08, 2011
(Readings on USCCB website)