St. Louise de Marillac

St. Louise de Marillac

Feast day: March 15

Died: 1660

Louise de Marillac was born probably at Ferrieres-en-Brie near Meux, France, on August 12, 1591. She was educated by the Dominican nuns at Poissy. She desired to become a nun but on the advice of her confessor, she married Antony LeGras, an official in the Queen's service, in 1613. After Antony's death in 1625, she met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. She devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct his Ladies of Charity in their work of caring for the sick, the poor, and the neglected. In 1633 she set up a training center, of which she was Directress in her own home, for candidates seeking to help in her work. This was the beginning of the Sisters (or Daughters, as Vincent preferred) of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (though it was not formally approved until 1655). She took her vows in 1634 and attracted great numbers of candidates. She wrote a rule for the community, and in 1642, Vincent allowed four of the members to take vows. Formal approval placed the community under Vincent and his Congregation of the Missions, with Louise as Superior. She traveled all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions. By the time of her death in Paris on March 15, the Congregation had more than forty houses in France. Since then they have spread all over the world. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, and was declared Patroness of Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960. Her feast day is March 15th.

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

   Veronica steps from the crowd so she can wipe the blood and sweat from Jesus’s forehead and face. By doing this she showed her love and concern for Jesus. It was not much some may say but Veronica did what she could to help Jesus. 

     We are all called to help one another, even in the smallest of ways. Just smiling at someone or holding the door is an act of kindness. When we think of doing charity work, we think of doing grand things like soup kitchens, clothing drives, etc.. They are all great things but not everyone can do them for their own reasons. Yet there are other things we all can do. 

   What are someways that someone just out a smile on your face when you were down? Has someone told you that you made their day and you have no idea what you did? These questions happen more then we know. The little things in life helps us to move on sometimes when we do not think anyone cares or understands. They are the extra push that we need. 

    Veronica did what anyone else in the crowd could have done. The difference is that she did it when no one else did. She stepped away from the norm of the crowd to do something kind for Jesus. Sometimes we need to step from the norm of the crowd to do what is right. When someone drops what they are carrying, help them pick them up instead of laughing. Lend a helping hand instead of a pointing finger. You see a mother trying to open the door and get the stroller in the store, hold the door for her. There are many many little things we can do each day for others. Once you start it will be just part of the normal day to help others.

    It is not just in doing extraordinary things that we can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus but it is also in the small day to day things we can do as Jesus asks of us. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and remember Jesus in the grand and small things. 

Conclave Date Set

Conclave Date Set

    The Conclave date has been set for Tuesday, March 12th. This weekend I ask for all of us to offer up our prayers and mass for all the Cardinals Say a rosary or two. Go to adoration for some time. This is how we are able to be a part of this time of transition. The Catholic Faith is that of a Universal Faith. The Faith is one and as one united body we need to come together and offer ourselves to the church body and unite for the soon to be new Pontiff. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may the Holy Spirit guide us all. 

Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas

Feast day: July 3

Patron of architects

St. Thomas was a Jew, called to be one of the twelve Apostles. He was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities. At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of his Master. Thomas' unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merited for him the title of "doubting Thomas." Eight days later, on Christ's second apparition, Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded - seeing in Christ's hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, St. Thomas became convinced of the truth of the Resurrection and exclaimed: "My Lord and My God," thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus. St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred. This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. Tradition says that at the dispersal of the Apostles after Pentecost this saint was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians; he ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves "Christians of St. Thomas." He capped his left by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine. His feast day is July 3rd and he is the patron of architects.

Church to Pray

Church to Pray

    The Vatican today invited the entire Church to pray with cardinals when they dedicate tomorrow afternoon to prayer and adoration in St. Peter's basilica for the upcoming papal election. The prayers begin at 5pm Rome time (11a.m. EST). I ask that we join in Union in our hearts and souls with the Cardinals. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may the spirit guide us all. 

Chipping Away

Chipping Away

    Have you ever just stopped whatever you were doing and sighed then looked around and just got a feeling of God or Jesus out of no where? They were not on your mind at that time but a feeling just comes over you and it is like you are transported to another place where it s calm and you start to search your soul? Well, it has happened a few times for me and just a while ago that feeling came over me.  

    I know for some I may sound a bit crazy or just slightly out there but please humor me and listen with an open mind and heart. I debated about sharing this because it is more on a deeper personal level but is it not that deeper personal level we are seeking with God and Jesus? So, how can I not. 

     As I said Lent is my time of working on myself daily and chipping away at myself so I may find Jesus with in me. I have more to chip away since being away. More sin to chip away. More doubts to chip. More anger to chip. More misunderstandings to chip. With each hit of the hammer and chisel I try to take more and more of myself away so that Jesus can shine through me. I was walking through my home and I just stopped and let out a sigh and a feeling of calm and warmth came over me. For a little while, problems and decisions seemed to be clearer in my head. Things seemed to settle in my heart, mind and soul. For the first time in a long time I felt I was on the right path to God. The doubts were gone and the path was straight. 

      It did not last long but knowing for just a few moments my life was in line with God and Jesus was calming and the fears of going the wrong way was gone. My greatest fear in my life is not of sin but of going that wrong way and not being on the right path. That I am not serving God and Jesus in the right way. Tonight it was getting that bit of confirmation, that seal of approval I have been worried about. 

     Is there some decisions or areas of your life that you pray are in line with God and Jesus? That you pray that you get some confirmation on? I pray that you get those confirmations. It was like a sigh of relief tonight for me. That God is working in me and I am chipping away to find Jesus in me. A lot is to be done still and it never becomes perfection till we are all in His presence in all His glory and grace. 

       I was not searching or praying for that confirmation tonight but that is part of how God and Jesus works. We may not get those answers or confirmations when we are seeking them but will get them when we are not expecting them. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and may we all feel that sigh of God’s Love and Jesus’ Grace. 

Tony Melendez

Tony Melendez

Tonight I went to see the Tony Melendez concert. He is a man of God who seeks to show God’s grace and love to others. Tonight instead of a normal blog I am just posting some of his videos because there are just no words that can explain his ministry.