'We have nothing to say which you have not already heard, no doctrine to propound that is new to anyone; but we treat of matters which it is necessary for everyone to bear in mind, and God inspires us with the hope that our message will not fail to bear abundant fruit.'

Pope St. Pius X, 'Haerent Animo'

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).

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3613291/posts?page=3

Saint of the Day — Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions

Information: St. Veronica Giuliani

Feast Day: July 9

Born: 1660, Mercatello in the Duchy of Urbino

Died: 9 July 1727, Città di Castello

Canonized: 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI

Major Shrine: Monastery of St. Veronica Giuliani, Città di Castello

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

The Martyrs of Orange

Feast Day: July 09
Born/Died: Eighteenth century

During the French Revolution, thirty-two nuns were put in prison at Orange in France. These sisters were from different religious orders. There were sixteen Ursuline sisters, thirteen Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, two Bernardine sisters and one Benedictine sister.

These nuns were told that they had to take an oath of loyalty to the leaders of the French Revolution. The sisters who knew and believed that the oath was against God and the Church refused to sign it. They were immediately taken to the Orange jail.

Some of the sisters knew each other, while others did not. In the prison, the nuns got together and formed a community in that dark, damp room. They prayed together at particular times during the day. They cheered up and comforted each other and formed strong bonds, as the early persecuted Christian Church had.

On July 6, the first sister was taken to trial and condemned to the guillotine. She never returned. Every day another sister, some days two sisters, were taken to be killed. No one knew who would be next. The group became smaller and smaller, but the remaining sisters prayed especially for those who would die that day. Then they would sing a hymn of praise to God called the Te Deum.

By the end of July, 1794, thirty-two sisters had been sentenced to death by the people's court at Orange, France and died as martyrs for their faith in Jesus. When the French Revolution was over, the judges of Orange were found guilty and punished for what they had done.

The thirty-two sisters called the martyrs of Orange were declared "blessed" by Pope Pius XI in 1925.

Reflection: In times of difficulty, how am I able to both give and receive support within my faith community?

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Monday, July 9

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church honors St. Denis,
bishop and martyr. He became the
first bishop of Paris, converting many
to the Church. This angered local
officials and led to his beheading in
250 A.D.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: July 9th

Optional Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and companions, Chinese martyrs

MASS READINGS

July 09, 2018 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who in your wonderful providence have strengthened your Church through the confession of the Martyrs Saint Augustine Zhao and companions, grant that your people, faithful to the mission entrusted to it, may enjoy ever greater freedom and witness to the truth before the world. 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.

O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. 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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Old Calendar: St. Maria Goretti, virgin & martyr; St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More (Hist)

Saint Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese diocesan priest who was martyred with his 119 companions in 1815. Among their number was an eighteen year old boy, Chi Zhuzi, who cried out to those who had just cut off his right arm and were preparing to flay him alive: "Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am Christian."

Traditionally today is the feast of St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr. Her optional memorial is new to the USA liturgical calendar and is celebrated on July 9.

Historically today is also the feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. Their feasts are currently celebrated on June 22.

Augustine Zhao Rong and companions
Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China's relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly.

The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and 1930. Most of them (eighty-seven) were born in China and were children, parents, catechists or laborers, ranging from nine years of age to seventy-two. This group includes four Chinese diocesan priests.

The thirty-three foreign-born martyrs were mostly priests or women religious, especially from the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Jesuits, Salesians and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse (Paris Foreign Mission Society) to his martyrdom in Beijing. Augustine was baptized and not long after was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.

Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were canonized in Rome on October 1, 2000.

Excerpted from Saint of the Day, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

Things to Do:

Read more about the missionaries and Chinese believers who were canonized.

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

Daily Marriage Tip for July 9, 2018:

“For we do not know how to pray as we ought.” (Rom 8:26) Prayer is good for anyone, at any time, but many couples aren’t sure how to pray together. It may feel like letting another into one’s private world. ForYourMarriage.org has resources to help you get started.

Regnum Christi

July 9th, 2018 – Faith is All-Powerful

Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Father Edward McIlmail, LC [Matthew 9:18-26]

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Introductory Prayer: Jesus, you are my savior and redeemer; I believe that you want to hear from me. I approach you in confidence and offer this prayer for those who are afraid to draw near to you.

Petition: Grant me, Jesus, a deeper faith in your power to heal me and my loved ones.

Awaiting Our Move: We note that the official’s faith moves Jesus to action. Remarkable! The Son of God accommodates a mere creature, due to a show of faith. So often we see problems around us and expect God to solve them without any effort on our part. God knows our problems better than we do (cf. Matthew 6:8). Yet, he sometimes doesn’t act until he sees an act of faith on our part. The official showed such faith. It was extraordinary, after all, for him to approach Jesus in front of other people and ask point-blank for a miracle. Do I have such confidence when I approach Jesus in prayer? Is my faith strong enough to ask him for something extraordinary?

Touching Moment: The woman suffering hemorrhages had great faith in Jesus, too. In her case, she didn’t express it in words. Rather, she expressed it in a deed, by discreetly touching Jesus’ cloak. That kind of faith speaks volumes. It helps if our words are joined with actions. Petitions don’t always suffice. We have to act, to move, to leave our comfort zone, in order to approach Jesus. Prayer is good; prayer plus action gives God even more fertile ground to work with. How can I complement my prayer life? Can I help my pastor with a special project, for instance?

Mourning Has Broken: In Our Lord’s time it was not uncommon to have professional mourners show up when someone died. Jesus’ comment that the official’s daughter was merely sleeping brought ridicule on him. Who needs mourners if the young lady is alive? We can be like professional mourners at times, resigned to the evil and death around us. We might throw up our hands and think we can hope for nothing better. We might even be tempted, like the mourners, to ignore Our Lord’s reassuring presence. We might think: “What! Me, be a saint?” Or: “Me, called to the priesthood or consecrated life?” Or: “Do you really expect us to handle another child right now?” Luckily for us, Christ is undeterred. He comes to bring us life, to lead us out of sin, to make us more generous. In a word, he comes to call us to holiness. Do I resist such a call?

Conversation with Christ: The official and the suffering woman show an admirable faith. I want to have that same kind of faith, Lord. Sometimes I feel paralyzed by my problems, so much so that I find it hard to approach you confidently. Increase my faith and sense of hope. Let me live as if I really believe that you rule the world.

Resolution: I will offer up a sacrifice (or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or an act of charity) for a special intention.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 34, Issue 4

<< Monday, July 9, 2018 >>

St. Augustine Zhao Rong
& the Chinese Martyrs

Hosea 2:16-18, 21-22
View Readings

Psalm 145:2-9

Matthew 9:18-26
Similar Reflections

DROWN YOUR SORROWS

"My daughter has just died." �Matthew 9:18

Recall some of the saddest words you have ever said. Maybe you've said such things as "She's dead," "There's no hope," "He's gone," "I'm lost," or "I don't want to go on."

Like the synagogue leader, bring your sadness to Jesus. "Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you" (1 Pt 5:7). "We do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weakness" (Heb 4:15). "So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and favor and to find help in time of need" (Heb 4:16).

Jesus may immediately take away your sadness and pain. He may do what you ask or surprise you with something even better. Perhaps you might not realize for years how greatly He is loving you. Nevertheless, know for sure that the Lord is loving you personally with a perfect, infinite, unconditional, crucified, and eternal love. Drown your sorrows in "the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love" (Eph 3:18).

Prayer: Father, use my sufferings for the consolation of others (2 Cor 1:4-7).

Promise: "I will espouse you to Me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the Lord." —Hos 2:21-22

Praise: The one hundred-and-twenty Chinese Martyrs, who included men, women, children, priests, and lay people, showed the depth of the faith by giving everything, including their lives, to Jesus.

Daily Gospel Commentary

Saint Athanasius (295-373)
Bishop of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church
On the Incarnation of the Word, 8-9 (cf SC 190, p. 288f.)

"He came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose"

The incorporeal and incorruptible and immaterial Word of God came to our realm, although he was not far from us before. For no part of Creation is left void of him: he has filled all things everywhere, remaining present with his own Father. But he came in condescension to show us loving-kindness and visit us... He took pity on our race, and had mercy on our infirmity, and condescended to our corruption, and, unable to bear it that death should have the mastery— lest the creature should perish, and his Father's handiwork be spent in vain — he took to himself a body no different from ours. For He did not simply will to become embodied, or will merely to appear. For if he had willed merely to appear, he would have been able to effect his divine appearance by some other and higher means as well. But he took a body of our kind...

The Word took a body capable of death so that it... might remain incorruptible because of the Word which had come to dwell in it and, from now on, all might be delivered from corruption by the grace of the Resurrection. Whence, by offering to death the body he himself had taken, as an offering and sacrifice free from stain, the Word straightway obliterated death by delivering from death all those who shared his likeness by the offering of that body like theirs.

For it is only right that the Word of God, who is above all and who offered his own temple, his body, for the life of all, should satisfy our debt by His death. And thus he, the incorruptible Son of God, being united with all by a like nature, naturally clothed us all with incorruption by the promise of the resurrection. For the actual corruption in death has no power against us any longer by reason of the Word that has come to dwell among us in his singular body.