Taken from www.SAINTS.SQPN.com
Born to a pious middle-class French family of tradesmen; daughter of Blessed Louis Martin and Blessed Marie-Azelie Guérin Martin, and all four of her sisters became nuns. Her mother died when Francoise-Marie was only four, and the family moved to Lisieux, Normandy, France to be closer to family. Cured from an illness at age eight when a statue of the Blessed Virgin smiled at her. Educated by the Benedictine nuns of Notre-Dame-du-Pre. Confirmed there at age eleven. Just before her 14th birthday she received a vision of the Child Jesus; she immediately understood the great sacrifice that had been made for her, and developed an unshakeable faith. Tried to join the Carmelites, but was turned down due to her age. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy at for the Jubilee of Pope Leo XIII whom she met and who knew of her desire to become a nun. Joined the Carmelites at Lisieux on 9 April 1888 at age 15, taking her final vow on 8 September 1890 at age 17. Known by all for her complete devotion to spiritual development and to the austerities of the Carmelite rule. Due to health problems resulting from her ongoing fight with tuberculosis, her superiors ordered her not to fast. Novice mistress at age 20. At age 22 she was ordered by her prioress to begin writing her memories and ideas, which material would turn into the book History of a Soul. Therese defined her path to God and holiness as The Little Way, which consisted of child-like love and trust in God. She had an on-going correspondence with Carmelite missionaries in China, often stating how much she wanted to come work with them. Many miracles attributed to her. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.
Taken from www.SAINTS.SQPN.com
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Day 1
Pray for the Suffering Women of the World Labor day usually brings to mind images of factory workers, farmers or heavy equipment operators. Yet we also use labor to describe the first work which brought each one of us to birth: those first hours of maternal sacrifice which brought us into the world. It's too easy to forget that and all the other sacrifices which the vocation of motherhood entails. Pray for the mothers in labor today. Those who give birth. Those who work two jobs to support a child. Those who go without so their child's needs are met. Those whose patient endurance is a sign of God's love upon the cross. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 2 Pray for Mothers who will Give Birth Today 'At first I was scared,' Sarah told me. 'I was scared, excited and filled with the most incredible expectation. It was like those words we hear at Mass: we wait in joyful hope. I thought of all those women who feel the first kick, the stirrings of life deep within them. I prayed for them, that they would love their child, cherish their little baby and know that in being a mother they are involved in something so much bigger than themselves. They have been chosen by God to be custodians of the mystery of life. At first I was scared, and then I just cried ... with joy.' (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 3 Pray for Fathers at the Birth of their Child 'At first I was petrified", Jon told me. "Petrified that I would faint or get in the way or not know what to do to help Sarah. But then I prayed to Mary. I know, praying to Mary is something you?d think a mother would be doing. But somehow, I think Mary understood Saint Joseph more than anyone else. She probably saw the fear in his eyes and sensed the restlessness of his heart. She probably spent a lot of time praying for him as well. And when I prayed to Mary for my child about to be born, I knew she understood and heard me and prayed for me to her son. At first I was petrified, and then I put everything into God's hands." (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 4 Pray for All Children The eyes of a child are an infinite well of life, hope and goodness. If you doubt the value of life, look into the eyes of a child. If you are worn by life's worries, look into the eyes of a child. If you want to see tomorrow, look into the eyes of a child. And what you will see is the divine spark which brought beauty out of chaos, the infinite beauty, which is the presence of the Creator in his creation. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 5 Pray for Families I know of a family which prays each night. Since the kids were little they are gathered from their games and their grumbling to the couch in the living room. There they pray for those whom they love and those they have a hard time loving. They pray for the unborn and for little babies. They pray for the sick and the dying. They pray for the Church and for their priest. Many a night it was the knowledge of those prayers that gave me hope and peace and a good night's sleep. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 6 Prayer for Life Begins in the Home I know of another family which used to pray for unborn children every Friday night. They chose Friday because that's when Christ, innocent and without sin, was sent to the cross. There's no prayer more powerful than that said over little folded hands asking God to take care of all the babies who you've made. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 7 Secret Suffering We look all around us at Church and see them: all the people whose kids never seem to scream and who look like they haven't a problem in the world! But what if we really knew them? We would see the 'secret sufferings' that mirror our own. Mass is the gathering of those who have looked at the their own brokenness through the lens of the cross, and live! Today is the perfect day to pray for all God's broken children and especially those who are tempted to break the lives of others. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 8 The Holy Cross Each time I pray, I am called to join my prayer with Christ's perfect prayer upon the cross. It is easy from the vantage of the cross to see the world clearly. To see how easy it is to join the suffering of the innocent to the suffering of him who is without sin. We should work for an end to all the forms of violence which threaten life. That is a wonderful good. But it is even more important to stand with the Virgin Mother and to beg her son to come to our aid. (Continue with the Concluding Prayer below) Day 9 Our Lady of Sorrows We end as we began nine days ago: with Mary, weeping silently beside the cross. Weeping for the innocent child so violently taken. Weeping for the nation which has let him die. Weeping for her child and for our, we place them both in her arms. CONCLUDING PRAYER Holy Mother of God, hear the prayers of the Church for all mothers, especially those wearied by life and overcome by the suffering they bear for their children. Hail Mary... O Mother of the Word Incarnate, intercede for them from your place in heaven, that the mercy of your divine Son might lighten their burden and give them strength. Hail Mary... Glory to the Father.... During September, as in all of Ordinary Time (formerly known as Time After Pentecost), the Liturgy does not focus on one particular mystery of Christ, but views the mystery of Christ in all its aspects. We follow the life of Christ through the Gospels, and focus on the teachings and parables of Jesus and what it means for us to be a follower of Christ. During Ordinary Time we can concentrate more on the saints and imitate their holiness as Christ's followers.
Carmelite Father Romano Gambalunga, is the new Postulator leading the Cause of Beatification of Sister Lúcia. He was born in Trento in 1970. He made his Solemn Profession as a Discalced Carmelite in 1996 and was ordained a priest in 1997. He graduated in Spiritual Theology at the Institute of Spirituality at the Faculty of Theology Teresianum in Rome, and in Philosophy and Spirituality at the Pontificio Ateneu S. Anselmo in Rome, where he also earned a doctorate in the History of Theology. He was appointed Postulator General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites on June 6, 2012, succeeding the previous Postulator P. Iidefonso Moriones. In July 2013, he moved to Portugal, and took charge of the Diocesan phase of the Process, to deepen his knowledge about the development of the Cause of Beatification of Sister Lúcia and visit the places where she lived, Fátima and Coimbra. It was concluded that the work of the Cause of this Servant of God is very large, given to her long life, her many writings and with the many issues that she was involved and related to. In his opinion, the Process is to be developed in the best possible way, since a large part of the work has been done which is necessary for the completion of this diocesan phase. He expressed the desire that soon, the Cause could reach Rome, there, to give a continuation to its development. P. Romano also took knowledge of two cases that may be considered miracles, that will be analyzed and studied in Rome, by competent experts. SOURCE: http://www.lucia.pt/ August 9, 2013. (Romereports.com) The church of San Francesco a Ripa is the first parish in Rome dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. It was built in 1231, at the same place where the saint himself stayed, during his trip to Rome.
composed by Saint Giovanni Maria Vianney Cure of Ars.
PRAYER (to be recited every day of the novena) Glorious Virgin and Martyr greatly loved by God, Saint Philomena, I rejoice with you for the power that God has given you for the glory of His name, for the building of His church and to honour the merits of your life and your death. I delight in seeing you so pure, so generous, so faithful to Jesus Christ and to his Gospel, so magnificently rewarded in heaven and on earth, drawn by your example to practise virtue, full of hope because of all the rewards conceded to your merits I propose to imitate you by avoiding sin and obeying God completely. Help me o Great Saint by your powerful intercession. Grant me above all an inviolable purity for ever, an indomitable spirit against all evil, the generosity to deny nothing to deny no sacrifice to God and a love as strong as death for the faith of Jesus Christ for the holy Roman Catholic Church and for the Pope, the Father of all the faithful, Shepherd of shepherds and of sheep, vicar of Jesus Christ throughout the world, to these graces that I now ask for with all the ardour of my soul O Saint Philomena, I add even more graces, which I am confident that through your powerful intersession will be granted me. (State with simplicity, trust and humility that graces that you desire from the Saint) No, the good God for whom you shed your blood and gave your life, the good God who is so lavish with you, and through you of his gifts and favours the good God who loved me so much as to die for me, and who gives himself to me through the Eucharist, no, he will not say no to your prayers to my wishes, he surely feels the need to help us. I fervently hope so; I put all my trust in him and in you. Amen. FIRST DAY Consider that Saint Philomena was a virgin. A virgin in this world… a virgin despite persecution… a virgin until death. What an example! What is the reason of my confusion? What is the remedy? Humiliate yourself often for what has caused you shame, pondering on her virginal purity. Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. SECOND DAY Consider that Saint Philomena was and remained a virgin… because she repressed the corrupt desired of the flesh…, she retained the modesty of Jesus Christ she avoided the deceiving world and dangerous occasions. Do you imitate here in all these ways? What are the causes of your temptations…of your weaknesses… of your unease…of your downfall? Try to eliminate them. Shun what has harmed you; practice what you have neglected to do in regards to chastity. THIRD DAY Consider that Saint Philomena maintained and increased her love for virginity with prayer, a great source of spiritual life; with the sacraments; the soul is washed with the blood of Christ, and is nourished with his sacred body, divine origin of Christian virginity considering that her members were the members of Jesus Christ and her body was the temple of the holy spirit. Have you not all these means also? What use do you make of them? Double the fervour of your prayers, every now and them repeat to yourself: my members are those of Jesus Christ the temple of the Holy Spirit (Holy mass etc.. as first day) FOURTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena was a martyr… that she suffered… she suffered a lot… suffered until death, and she showed in these moments of torment and invincible patience…are suffering and patience inseparably connected in you? Do you rarely suffer…suffer very little…never enough to die because of it…where does this weariness come from? Would you not like to make some changes?… in which way would you obtain this? Accept with patience the few discomforts, obstacles and difficulties that it pleases the lord to send you today. Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. FIFTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena was a martyr for Jesus Christ …they wanted for take her faith away…they wanted her to transgress her Baptismal vows…induce her to follow the examples of the idolaters and apostate. What does the devil, the world, the flesh and your heart want from you if not the same unfaithfulness? They are offensive to God… is it not vain fear that makes you betray your faith, stops you from fulfilling your duties? My God what disgraceful laxity! Find the necessary courage… Gain the respect of a fellow human being, say to yourself occasionally it is better to be pleasing to God rather than to a Man. Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. SIXTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena when she died for Jesus Christ followed this rule made by our Saviour: “if you do not love me more that your father and your mother, even more than you love yourself then you cannot be my disciple.” She did not hesitate… she sacrificed everything, even though blood and nature made themselves heard. In less difficult situations are we worthy of Jesus Christ? If at times when we have to choose between God and Man, Between Grace and Nature, who do we choose? Oh! Let us in the future respect our dignity as children of God and disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us try today to please only god or other beings, always and solely for God. Keep far from confused affections. Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. SEVENTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena when she died for Jesus Christ had to tolerate the mockery, the abuse of her persecutors, of her executioners and most of the spectators of her torture. She was very generous very constant, very cheerful when publicly declaring her faith… if the world offered you a similar chalice to drink would you have enough courage to devour the jestings the scorn the most unjust persecutions,.. can he who is honoured by God be dishonoured? Have no fear…follow your path…it will end with the gaining of eternal glory. Do not allow anger into your heart, if something is said abruptly, coarsely, sharply, insultingly etc… Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. EIGHTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena by dying for love of Jesus Christ entered eternal life full of joy “yes I am certain” she would say form the bottom of her heart ” that the supreme Judge will give me in exchange for the worldly good that I have sacrificed to his love, the Crown of justice that he had promised me.” She dies…and here she is in the tabernacle of God with the Saints to follow the Lamb… are these the thoughts that I try to have when I have to make a sacrifice? What impression do they make on my soul? To which side do the scales tilt? Ah! The Saints to obtain all would say: let us leave all what will I say? Let us decide on a voluntary sacrifice for today…Let us with pleasure fulfil all our duties etc… Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. NINTH DAY Consider that Saint Philomena in this unworthy world sacrificed all for Jesus Christ, receiving in return in this world directly from him a hundred fold of what she had renounced to. What power! What Glory! How much grandeur humiliated at her feet, how many pilgrims at all her sanctuaries. How many festivities in her honour. What tributes of veneration are offered to her, what agitated zeal to collect her relics. In this way God fulfilled his promises. Eh! If only we kept our promises to him with such faithfulness! But by taking away his Glory do we not deprive ourselves of many favours and merits in this world and in the next? So courage…be loyal…so that God will be loyal with you. Today perform and act of mercy in honour of the Saint. Prepare yourself with a good confession to receive Our Lord Jesus Christ worthily. Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures. PRAYER Oh God among the miracles of your power you also donated to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom help us who celebrate the birth of the blessed Philomena your virgin and martyr with her examples to you we come. Through Christ Our Lord Amen Starting tomorrow, We would not entertain any communications because we will be experiencing a regional and total Black out. Please bare with us in this situation and please pray for us and our region to settle this critical issue. Thank you and God Bless! +
From the Staff of Ad Jesum Per Mariam Catholic Lay Ministry Clelia Barbieri was born to Giacinta Nannetti and Giuseppe Barbieri, on February 13th, 1847 in a village called "Budrie" of S. Giovanni in Persiceto in the outskirts of Bologna, Italy and in the Archdiocese of Bologna. Her parents were of different origins: Giuseppe Barbieri came from perhaps the poorest family of "Budrie" while Giacinta from the most important family in town: he worked as servant for Giacinta's uncle, the district's medical doctor, while she was the daughter of the well-to-do Pietro Nannetti. After her much-contested wedding, the wealthy Giacinta accepted the poverty of a laborer's life and moved from a comfortable home to the humble cottage of her father-in-law, Sante Barbieri; nevertheless forming a family built on the rock of faith and a totally Christian life. In line with her mother's expressed wish, she was baptized Clelia, Rachele, Maria on the very day of her birth. The mother taught Clelia to love God early in her life placing in her heart the desire for sanctity. One day Clelia asked her, "Mother, how can I become a saint?" In the meantime Clelia also learned the art of sewing, spinning and weaving kemp which was the most important work of the district. In 1855, during a cholera epidemic the then eight-year-old Clelia lost her father and through the generosity of her uncle, the doctor, she, her mother and younger sister Ernestina moved into a more comfortable house near the parish church. For Clelia the days became more saintly and dedicated. Anyone who wanted to see her could always find her either at home weaving and sewing or in church praying. Although it was usual at that time to receive First Communion almost at adulthood, Clelia due to her unusual catechistic preparation and spirituality, made hers on June 17th, 1858, at only eleven years of age. This was a decisive day for Clelia's future since it was then that she had her first mystic experience: exceptional contrition and repentance for her own sins and those of the world. She underwent anguish and suffering for the sins that crucified Christ and so sorrowed Our Lady. From the day of her First Communion, the crucifix and Our Lady of Sorrows inspired her saintly soul. At the same time she had a first inspiration as to her future which she perceived as based on prayer and good works. In adoration before the Holy Tabernacle she was motionless, rapt in prayer, while at home she was the companion and model for the other working girls. Far more mature than her years, she found in her work the first contact with the girls of "Budrie" where working hemp fibers was the main occupation and where all were engaged in this hard work. Clelia brought something particularly personal to her little world: she worked with joy and love, praying and thinking of God at all times and even speaking of Him to her companions. While Clelia was not Martha, Completely devoted to the cares of the world, yet she dedicated herself lovingly to the service of those most loved by Our Lord, the very poor, to the extent that her delicate hands were marked early in her short life with the hard labors she undertook. While Clelia was not Mary who abandoned, excluded and neglected everything to prostrate herself in love and devotion, yet Clelia had no other thought, no other love than that for Our Lord whom she carried in her heart and soul as she walked with Him through life as if already in his world. She lived in charity, completely dedicated to loving her fellowmen without restraint. She forgot and even ignored her body. She was happy to belong to the Lord and her happiness rested, in fact, in thinking only of Him. Something, however, compelled her to turn towards her fellowmen, the poorest and most tried, who often waited in vain for some small sign of love and brotherhood. A fervent faith burned inside her, and she felt that she "must go" to give herself to all of God's poor. She loved that solitude which would permit her to reach God more fully, but she left the protection of her home and went forth inspired by her all-consuming love for mankind. At this time in history, there existed in the Church a group called "The Christian Catechism Workers" who were mainly men whose aim it was to combat the prevalent religious negligence of the times. At "Budrie" the group was led by an elderly schoolteacher. Clelia aspired and then became one of the Christian Catechism Workers. Then, at "Budrie" with her acceptance, the catechism group was reborn and attracted others with her very same dedication and faith. At first, Clelia was admitted as an assistant teacher and was the least important member, but soon her surprising talents and preparation evidenced themselves so that the senior members placed themselves under her leadership. Having rejected several flattering marriage proposals, the group of young ladies which had sprung up from the Catechism group, elected Clelia as their leader and conceived the idea of a community devoted to an apostolic and contemplative way of life. This was to be a life of service which would spring from the Eucharist with daily Holy Communion and would ennoble itself with the teaching of catechism to the farmers and laborers of the area. The idea could not become a reality immediately due to the political situation at the time of Italy's unification (1866-67). However, it was finally realized on May 1st, 1868 when with the bureaucratic and local problems solved, Clelia and her young friends moved into the so-called "teacher's house" where the Workers for Christian Catechism had formerly met. This was the humble beginning of Clelia Barbieri's religious family which later was to be named the religious community of the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata". "Minime" because of Clelia's devotion to the saint, Minimo Romito di Paola, S. Francesco, patron and provident protector of the young community; "dell'Addolorata" because this title of Our Lady of Sorrows was the most loved of all of Our Lady's titles by Clelia Barbieri. After moving into "the teacher's house", a series of extraordinary events in the form of assistance to the young community occurred which were undoubtedly the work of Divine Providence and without which the group could never have survived. The small group was inspired by Clelia's physical and moral sufferings in her darkest hours and in the absurd humiliations she endured at the hands of those who should have been more understanding. However, her faith and devotion in prayer were always extraordinary. In the small "Budrie" community there was faith, a desire for God and a missionary zeal full of creativity and imagination by no means based on any organization support which was virtually nonexistent. Clelia was the moving spirit. The small initial group grew as well as the number of poor, sick and young boys and girls needing catechism and religious instruction. Slowly, the people began to see Clelia as a leader and teacher of the faith. They started calling her "Mother" although she was only twenty-two years old. They called her with this title until her death which came about very shortly. The dormant tuberculosis she had always carried, suddenly flared up only two years after she had founded the order. Clelia died prophesizing to the sister at her bedside, "I'm leaving, but I'll never abandon you. When in that alfalfa field next to the church there will be a new community house, I will no longer be with you ... You will grow in number, and you will expand over plains and mountains to work in the vineyard of the Lord. The day will come when here at 'Budrie' many will arrive with carriages and horses ...". And she added, "I'm going to Heaven and all those who will die in our community will enjoy eternal life". She died on July 13th, 1870 with the happiness of one going to meet her Spouse and beloved Lord. Clelia's death prophecy has been fulfilled. The religious order Suore Minime dell'Addolorata has expanded and continues to grow. It extends throughout Italy, in India and in Tanzania. Today, the sisters following in Clelia's footsteps, humbly continue their useful work of assistance to all in need and now number three hundred spread over thirty-five community houses. Being only twenty-three at the time of her death, Clelia Barbieri is the youngest founder of a religious community in the history of the Church. Taken from the Vatican
The Statue of Our Lady under our custody
In 1945 Pierina Gilli, a nursing sister at the hospital in Montichiari,Italy, in the Brescian Alps near Milano, was visited by Our Lady dressed all in purple with a heart displayed on her breast pierced by 3 swords. At the next appearance she had changed her dress to all white with a gold border (as at Fatima) and on her breast were three roses -- red, white and gold or yellow, which stand for prayer, sacrifice, penitence. Each time Pierina was visited Our Lady asked for the same things from the people. On December 8th Our Lady appeared to her in the Dom Cathedral on a huge white staircase lined with angels, and she asked Pierina to make a cross with her tongue on four bricks on the floor, after which Our Lady stepped off the staircase and onto the bricks. These bricks are now miraculous and they have been protected by a railing around them. In the suburb of Montichiari, at Fontanelle where there stood an unused abandoned well, Our Lady also appeared and Pierina was asked to descend the steps backwards and kiss each step, after which Our Lady placed her bare foot on each one all the way to the bottom, where she touched the waters twice with her hands. The waters are now miraculous and one side is used to drink from while the other is used to bathe in. The well is now called the Spring of Grace and there are many pilgrims who visit the site annually. Pierina has been forbidden by the bishop to visit the sites any longer, but she still has the benefit of Our Lady's visits to her in a private chapel in the Convent specifically set aside for these visits. At the Spring of Grace they still present statues of Our Lady, the Mystical Rose to be blessed during each month. The first 12 days are set aside for special prayers each month, and the 13th day is a day devoted to Our Lady and special prayers are said then. The statues which are blessed are sent throughout the world as Pilgrim Madonnas which have in many different spots been blessed by weeping real tears, tears of blood or tears of oil or Myrrh. Also, when Our Lady appeared to Pierina she appeared with Francisco and Jacinta who each held up a hem of her cape on either side of her. The Miracle of the Sun also appeared at Montichiari-Fontanelle...as well as Our Lady appearing over the wheatfields, after which the grain was ground into flour to make communion wafers and a measure was set aside to send to Fatima to the bishop there, per Our Lady's request. We Celebrate her Feast day on July 13 as Our Lady requested Source - http://www.christusrex.org/www1/apparitions/http:/pr00016.htm |
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