SAINT OF THE DAY: St Francis Of Assisi

 Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan orders of the Friars Minor, the women's Order of St. Clare, and the lay Third Order

 Today is the feast of: St Francis d’Assisi, October 4; one of the holiest people to ever live. He kept his life simple and avoided all worldly distractions. He believed that all he needed to do was seek God's will and follow it; he believed God would look after everything else. 

Francis had all the comforts and luxuries of life and, in keeping with the times, was a highly popular romantic who passionately sought knighthood! Thus, in 1202, when Assisi went to war against Perugia, his involvement cost him a year in prison. Recovering from a serious illness that followed, his attempt in late 1205 to join the papal forces against Frederick II in Apulia came to naught when a vision at Spoleto bid him return to Assisi and there await a call to a new kind of knighthood whereby he would “serve the Master rather than the man”, marking the start of his conversion.

In prayerful solitude, he passionately prayed to know God’s will for him. His newfound concern for the poor and the sick reached its peak when he one day dismounted his horse to give a leper by the wayside alms and a warm embrace that, in his own words, changed “bitterness to sweetness.” In response to Jesus’ command from the cross at San Damiano’s Church, “Francis, go repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin,” he instantly set about repairing old, dilapidated San Damiano’s. In 1208, he perceived clearly at Mass the Lord’s plan for him in Matthew 10:5-14. In 1209, with the enrobing of Peter of Cattaneo, Canon of the Cathedral, was born the Order of Friars Minor, with Mary, Queen of the Angels as guide and protector. Canonized in 1228, Francis was called by Pope Benedict XV the “most perfect image of Christ” and by Pope Pius XI alter Christus.

PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

"LORD, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O DIVINE MASTER, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT FRANCIS

O GLORIOUS SAINT FRANCIS, who during the whole course of thy life continually wept over the passion of the Redeemer, and labored most zealously for the salvation of souls: Obtain for us, we pray, the grace of weeping continually over those sins by which we have crucified afresh Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may attain to be of the number of those who shall eternally bless His supreme mercy.

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.

Month-Long Prayers For 30 Miracles In October Rosary Month

31 Days Prayer To The Blessed Virgin Mary & St. Joseph

(To be prayed daily before or after Rosary recitation during the month of October)

To The Queen Of The Holy Rosary

Queen of the most holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict.

Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most holy Rosary.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. Amen

Prayer To Saint Joseph.

To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation, and having implored the help of your most holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. Through that charity which bound you to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.

O most watchful Guardian of the Holy Family, defend the chosen children of Jesus Christ; O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection, so that, supported by your example and your aid, we may be able to live piously, to die holily, and to obtain eternal happiness in heaven. Amen

✅ Please SHARE and God will bless you ♥ 💕 

Real Face of Jesus Project by Ray Downing

Ever wondered what Jesus really looked like?

Jesus's face has often been depicted in religious pieces of art as white with narrow features, framed by long, flowing hair, but a new discovery by scientists could change our perceptions of the religious icon completely. See more about the creation of the face of Jesus based on the Shroud of Turin by computer graphics artist Ray Downing. https://youtu.be/VsQ1m_sGFt4

PRAY THIS NOW IF YOU NEED A MIRACLE FOR YOUR FAMILY

PRAYER TO SAINT PADRE PIO FOR YOUR FAMILY

Saint Padre Pio, please kindly walk through our home and lay your miraculous hands upon each member of my family.

Heal and bless us.

Please guide us to the right path and protect us from dangers.

Saint Padre Pio, assist me  in my financial difficulties daily.

Please help us with our burdens that we are currently facing.

May the good Lord give the favor upon us the soonest.

May all our petitions be answered soon
Through your powerful intercession to Jesus  and Mary.
Amen.

HOW DOES JESUS REGARDS THE SINNERS

If you consider yourself a sinner, do you want to know how will Jesus consider you?

Scripture: 1 John 2:1–2
My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

When the Lord was criticized for eating with sinners, he revealed the purpose of his coming by responding, “They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

One of the most memorable sayings of Jesus on sin is found in Matthew 26:28. It reminds us of the purpose for which Christ left heaven and took on flesh. Jesus said, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto the remission of sins.” This ought to enlighten us regarding what Jesus taught about sin. 

Sin is so horrible that only the spotless blood of Jesus can atone for it. His love for the sinner is so deep, he was willing to pour it out. 

Thanks be to our Lord for teaching us the truth about sin and providing the ransom.


Meditation:

The Heart of Jesus, abyss of mercy.

It is enough to remember how Christ welcomed and treated sinners: the publicans, the paralytic, the Magdalene, the adulteress, the good thief, and so many others.

He himself said, “I came into this world to save sinners.”

This attitude of Christ inspires confidence and teaches us how to treat sinners.

Healing Prayer by St. Padre Pio

Powerful Healing Prayer by St. Padre Pio

Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me. Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit.

Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas.

Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus’ precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotion, even the deepest recesses of my heart.

Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy, and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life. And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honor to your holy name. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Share and be blessed

Salutations to Mary for the Conversion of Sinners

Recite these salutations for the conversion of sinners.
Those who recite these prayers for the conversion of sinners may rely on our Blessed Mother’s powerful protection and blessing.

The Salutations of Mary

Hail Mary! Daughter of God the Father,
Hail Mary! Mother of God the Son,
Hail Mary! Spouse of God the Holy Ghost,
Hail Mary! Temple of the Most Blessed Trinity,
Hail Mary! Celestial Rose of the ineffable love of God.
Hail Mary! Virgin pure and humble, of whom the King of Heaven willed to be born and with thy milk to be nourished.
Hail Mary! Virgin of virgins,
Hail Mary! Queen of Martyrs, whose soul a sword transfixed,
Hail Mary! Lady most Blessed! unto whom all power in Heaven and earth is given,
Hail Mary! my Queen and my Mother! my Life, my Sweetness, and my Hope,
Hail Mary! Mother most Amiable,
Hail Mary! Mother most Admirable,
Hail Mary! Mother of Divine Love,
Hail Mary! IMMACULATE; Conceived without sin!
Hail Mary! Full of Grace! the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou among women! And blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, JESUS!

Blessed be thy Spouse, St. Joseph,
Blessed be thy Father, St. Joachim,
Blessed be thy Mother, St. Anne,
Blessed be thy Guardian, St. John,
Blessed be thy Holy Angel, St. Gabriel, Glory be to God the Father, who chose thee,

Glory be to God the Son, who loved thee,
Glory be to God the Holy Ghost, who espoused thee, Glorious Virgin Mary, may all men love and praise thee,
Holy Mary, Mother of God! pray for us and bless us, now and at death in the Name of JESUS, thy Divine Son!

SAINT OF THE DAY- MATTHEW: SEPTEMBER 21

Matthew the Apostle, also known as Saint Matthew and as Levi, was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. According to Christian tradition, he was also one of the four Evangelists and thus is also known as Matthew the Evangelist. Wikipedia

Born: Nazareth, Israel

Died: 74 AD

Full name: Matthew of Galilee

Buried: Salerno Cathedral, Salerno, Italy

Parents: Alphaeus

Books: The Gospel According to Saint Matthew: King James Version

Matthew, the Evangelist who wrote the Gospel that appears first in the New Testament, was different from the other Apostles. He was not a popular man. Many people felt that he was unworthy to be a chosen as a follower of Jesus. Matthew worked for the Romans as a tax collector. The Romans ruled Palestine and the Jewish people in the time of Jesus. They forced the Jewish people to pay taxes to them. Many of the tax collectors cheated the people by charging more taxes than required and keeping the extra money for themselves. The Jews considered the tax collectors traitors.

In Chapter 9 of his Gospel, Matthew tells a story about how Jesus called him to follow him and how the Jewish people felt about tax collectors. You can read it in Matthew 9:9-13. In this story, the Pharisees, a group of Jews who strictly followed all the laws of their religion, call tax collectors “sinners. “ Jesus knew in his heart that Matthew was not a sinner or a cheat.

Matthew wrote his Gospel for Jewish people who had become followers of Christ. He wanted his audience to know that Jesus was the Messiah that God had promised to send to save all people. Matthew’s Gospel makes clear that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything said by the prophets in the Old Testament.

Matthew is also the only Evangelist who shares the eight Beatitudes with his readers. His Gospel faithfully reports how Jesus described who will be truly blessed by God in the Kingdom and the attitudes and actions that are required for those who follow the new Law Jesus came to bring.

After Jesus’ Ascension, Matthew preached the Gospel, as Jesus asked his disciples to do. It is believed that he established Christian communities in Ethiopia and other sections of the continent of Africa. Tradition tells us that he died as a martyr.

The symbol for Matthew’s Gospel is a man with wings. Matthew wrote about Jesus’ Incarnation and his Gospel makes clear that Jesus was true God and true man. Matthew is the patron saint of bankers, because he dealt with money as a tax collector. But anyone who reads Matthew’s Gospel knows that money was not important to him. What was important was believing in and living as a follower of Christ. Matthew helps us to remember that it is our faith in Jesus that makes us truly rich!

In addition to being the patron saint of our parish, St. Matthew is the patron saint for accountants, bankers, bookkeepers and tax collectors.

OUR MOTHER MARY'S FINAL TITLE AND HER OFFERED PROTECTION AGAINST SATAN

 
Blessed be thy Holy Angel, St. Gabriel, Glory be to God the Father, who chose thee, Glory be to God the Son, who loved thee, Glory be to God the Holy Ghost, who espoused thee, Glorious Virgin Mary, may all men love and praise thee, Holy Mary, Mother of God!

Our Beloved Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, goes by many names and titles, such as Star of the Sea, Queen of Heaven, Cause of Our Joy, Comforter of the Afflicted, Help of Christians. Each title sheds light on the various aspects of the Person of Our Lady, as well as the various roles that she plays in our lives. But did you know that the Holy Trinity wanted Our Lady to have one, final, important title, before Jesus comes again in His Second Coming?

Our Lady’s final title is “Mother of Salvation”. This was revealed by Our Lady herself in the “Book of Truth”. 

The following below are excerpts from the Message given by Our Lady entitled “As the Mother of Salvation, my last title from Heaven...

Mother of Salvation: "Children these times are very difficult and confusing. I, your beloved Mother, offer you protection against Satan if you would only ask me. 

I have been accorded the power to crush him. If you invoke my help I can ease your torment. My child his influence is becoming clear to many of you who open their eyes. His wickedness has manifested in many of God’s children."Murders, senseless killings, wars, greed, persecution, immorality and rampant sins which break every one of God’s Commandments, laid down by Moses, are there for all of you to see. For those who have little faith and say what does it matter you must know the damage which Satan inflicts upon your soul. He is like a disease which is difficult to cure. Once it grips you it leads to other diseases even worse than the first so that one cure is not enough."He poisons the soul, the mind and the body so quickly that it is very difficult to disengage yourself. Children, you do not realize how powerful and vindictive he is. Once he infests a soul he will not leave it alone so that the soul in question nearly loses his mind. In some cases these souls no longer control their own impulses.
As the Mother of all of God’s children, I have the power to help salvage your soul. As the Mother of Salvation, my last title from Heaven, let me help you.

"You must say my Holy Rosary every day for protection and Satan will leave you and your loved ones alone.Never underestimate this prayer for Satan’s power diminishes as soon as you say it. Children the power of God is bequeathed to those who call on my Son, Jesus, to give you the strength to live through these times. It cannot be given to you unless you ask for it."

Crusade Prayer 
Protect me from the influence of Satan
Mother of God, Mother of Salvation, 

Cover me with your most holy mantle and 

protect My family from the influence of Satan and his fallen angels
Help me to trust in the Divine Mercy of your 

beloved Son, Jesus Christ,at all times. 

Sustain me in my love for Him and 

never allow me to wander away from

The Truth of His teachings no matter 

how many temptations are placed before me.

Amen.

"Pray, pray, pray always for protection against the evil one for he causes terrible hurt, harm and misery in your lives.
If you do not ask you cannot receive these graces.
Trust in me, your Mother, at all times for it is my role to help my Son to salvage the souls of all of God’s children." -Your Loving Mother of Salvation

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INTENTION? PRAY The Novena To St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina for petitions

Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap., was a friar, priest, alleged stigmatist and mystic, now venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. Born Francesco Forgione, he was given the name of Pius when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. Wikipedia

Born: 25 May 1887, Pietrelcina, Italy

Died: 23 September 1968, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy

Full name: Francesco Forgione

Feast: 23 September

Canonized: 16 June 2002, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II

Saint Padre Pio is revered as a man of charity and piety. Also known as the patron saint of civil defense volunteers, adolescents, and stress-relief, Saint Padre Pio's life and works have inspired several devotees in the Roman Catholic Church from all over the world.

Novena Prayers

O St. Pio, I come to you today knowing that you are truly a miracle worker. As one who is close to Jesus, I ask that you would pray for these my intentions:

(State your intentions here)
I pray with the words of Pope John Paul II as I beg for your prayers on my behalf:

"Glorious, humble and beloved Padre Pio. Teach us, we pray, humility of heart, so that we may be counted among the little ones of the Gospel to whom the Father promised to reveal the mysteries of His Kingdom. Help us to pray without ceasing, certain that God knows what we need even before we ask Him.

"Obtain for us the eyes of faith that will help us recognize in the poor and suffering, the very face of Jesus.

"Sustain us in the hour of trouble and trial and, if we fall, let us experience the joy of the sacrament of forgiveness. Grant us your tender devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus and our Mother.

"Accompany us on our earthly pilgrimage toward the blessed Homeland, where we too, hope to arrive to contemplate forever the Glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Amen

In closing, St. Pio, we pray the prayer you composed for Confidence and Trust in God's Mercy:

"O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your Divine Mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church. Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory.

May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater glory.

O Jesus, most adorable Heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father."

Amen.

All 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.
St. Padre Pio, Pray for us!

Amen.

How do you pray the 9 day novena?
The most traditional way to pray a novena is to recite it at least once a day over the course of 9 days. Choose a time of day to recite your novena prayer. You should pray your novena during the same time each day. For example, if you pray at 9 am the first day, you should pray at 9 am the remaining days.

DO YOU NEED A MIRACLE TODAY? THIS PRAYER TO SAINT ANTHONY CAN HELP YOU

PRAYER TO SAINT ANTHONY FOR A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE

Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.

St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.

Miracles waited on your word, which you were ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I ask you to obtain for me the favors that I seek (mention your request here).

The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the Saint of Miracles.

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was full of sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be held in your arms ….. and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.  Amen.

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY BURDENED? SAY THIS PRAYER NOW AND WATCH THE POWER OF GOD WORK IN YOUR LIFE

Say this simple Prayer for Financial Blessings with all your heart and watch your fortunes turn around in Jesus Name. Amen

A Prayer for Financial Blessings

Heavenly Father, most gracious and loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you.

Almighty Father, our Creator, I send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only the Person who shared this with me, but for me and all that I will share this prayer with. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. I thank you in advance for your blessings. My God and Father, deliver the person reading this right now from debt and debt burdens.

Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that you have given me, ALMIGHTY FATHER, for I know how wonderful and mighty you are and how, if we just obey you and walk in your Word and have the faith of a mustard seed, that you will pour out blessings. I thank you now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come, because I know you are not done with me yet. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen

Say: 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be

SHARE this prayer immediately and within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know he loves. Peace and Blessings …. Ask the Lord to give you, day by day, more and more faith.

How can we help the souls being purified in purgatory?

"Purgatory is the state of those who die in God's friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven."
How can we help the souls being purified in purgatory?

Here are 2 ways to help the Souls in purgatory:

How to pray the Chaplet of Saint Gertrude The Chaplet of Saint Gertrude is prayed on the commonly known and popular Marian Rosary of 59 beads: Cross + 1 + 3 + 1 + Medal / 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10. Beginning at the Cross, pray the "Apostle's Creed". This is followed by 1 "Our Father", 3 "Hail Mary" and 1 "Glory be". Starting on the Medal and then on the 4 large beads between each decade (sets of 10 beads), pray the "Our Father." On each of the small beads (in the sets of 10 beads), say the following prayer: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home,and within my family. Amen." At the end of each set of 10 beads, say the following prayers: "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, open the hearts and minds of sinners to the truth and light of God, the Father." "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the conversion of sinners and the world." and 1 "Glory be." (Saint Gertrude was told by Our Lord that each time the faithful would pray the above devotion, 1,000 souls would be released from Purgatory.)

How to Pray the Chaplet of the Holy Souls

After making the sign of the cross while holding the crucifix of the rosary, say the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.

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, Amen.

Pray three Hail Marys on the following three beads.

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.

At the next large bead, pray the Glory Be.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.Amen.

On the large beads before each decade pray the following prayer.

O Holy Souls
draw the fire of God’s love into my soul,
to reveal Jesus Crucified in me here on earth,
rather than hereafter in Purgatory.

Then on the small beads pray this prayer.

Crucified Lord Jesus,
have mercy on the souls in Purgatory.

At the conclusion of the chaplet, pray 3 Glory Be prayers.

Why We Should Use the Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross, is powerful because it marks us as children of God who have thrown off the slavery of Satan and embraced the Cross of Christ as the way to salvation. The Cross destroyed death and hell, and through it, Jesus redeemed the world. By make the sign of the cross, we acknowledge that he has redeemed us, and that through baptism we have become the children of God.

Because the sign of the Cross is the mark of our redemption, Satan hates it. Demons flee from the sign of the cross when it is devoutly made. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (AD 386), Bishop of Jerusalem, says the following of this powerful sign:

Let us, therefore, not be ashamed of the Cross of Christ; but though another hide it, do thou openly seal it upon thy forehead, that the devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make then this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at walking: in a word, at every act.

Prayer for Innocent Unborn Children

Precious Blood Prayer for Innocent Unborn Children

We adore You, O Most Precious
Blood and Water; we implore You
to save the life of every innocent
unborn child and baptize aborted
children with the Water from Your
Sacred Side, in the Name of the
Father, and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit. May they through the
intercession of the Principalities
of Heaven and all the Angels reach
our everlasting Home.
Amen 

Pray: one Our Father and Hail Mary

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Last August 20 the Church celebrated the feast day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 
a Doctor of the Church thanks to his writings and sermons which greatly influenced Europe during the 12th century, and his numerous efforts which helped to avoid a schism in the Church in 1130.

Born in 1090, Bernard spent his early years near Dijon, France before leaving to joining the Cistercians at the age of 22. He was well educated and so passionate about his faith that he convinced his brothers, his uncle, and many of his friends to join him at the abbey.

Bernard first entered the abbey at Citeaux, but only three years later was sent with 12 other monks to establish another monastery in the Diocese of Champagne. The monastery came to be known Clairvaux (Valley of Light). He led the other monks there as the abbot for the rest of his life.

St. Bernard knew how to harmonize the contemplative life with important missionary work, as the Pope noted in 2006. However, the saint’s strict observance of silence and contemplation did not impede him from living a very intense apostolic life. His humility and his commitment to tame his impetuous temperament were exemplary, he said.

The Pope also highlighted the saint’s focus on the truth that God, who is love, created mankind out of love and that man’s salvation consists of adhering firmly to Divine love, revealed through the crucified and risen Christ.

“The richness of St. Bernard’s preaching and his theology were not in pursuing new paths, the Pope said, but in succeeding to propose the truth of the faith in a clear and incisive way so as to fascinate the listener and lead the person to prayer.”

St. Bernard is also well-known for his Marian devotion, especially in using and promoting the "Memorare" prayer. 

He became widely known throughout Europe and was consulted by Popes and political leaders. He died in 1153 and was canonized less than three decades later in 1174.

In August 2008, Pope Benedict spoke of the saint during his weekly general audience.  He recalled that Pope Pius VIII labeled the “Honey-Sweet Doctor” for his eloquence and that he traveled throughout Europe defending the Christian faith.

Benedict XVI added, “He was also remembered as a Doctor of Mariology, not because he wrote extensively on Our Lady, but because he understood her essential role in the Church, presenting her as the perfect model of the monastic life and of every other form of the Christian life.”

St. Bernard Clairvaux, pray for us