ST BRENDAN, ABBOT

ST BRENDAN, ABBOT – MEMORIAL: MAY 16

St Brendan was son of Findloga, and a disciple of St Finian at Clonard. Passing afterwards into Wales he lived some time under the discipline of St Gildas, and also several years in the abbey of Llan-Carven, in Glamorganshire. H built in Britain the monastery of Ailech, and another church in a territory called Heth.

Returning into Ireland he founded there several schools and monasteries, the chief of which was that of Cluain-Fearta. He wrote a monastic rule which was long famous in Ireland, taught some time at Ros-Carbre, and died at Enachduin, a monastery which he had built for his sister Briga, in Connaught.

He is named in the Roman Martyrology on the May 16, on which he passed to bliss, in the year 578, in the ninety-fourth year of his age.

Cluain, in the old Irish language signifies a retired or hidden place; and Fearta, wonders or miracles. – Excerpts from Fr. Butler’s “Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints

PRAYER:
(this can be prayed as a novena)

Glorious St Brendan, who during thy mortal course here on earth placed all thy glory in the annihilation of thyself before Him, for whose glory, and at whose call you forsook all things, thy country as well as thy people and thy father’s house. Look down now from the bosom of that God Whom thou didst ardently love whilst in this land of danger and sorrow, and forget not the charge thou didst receive when I, thine unworthy client, was committed to thy care, and received thee as patron, protector and advocate with Him Who is so much outraged by my infidelity and imperfection. Animated with firm hope in that charity which consumed thee in the service of thy neighbour, I confidently look up to thee now, where charity is perfect, and implore thee to use thy powerful intercession with thy Creator to obtain for me that succour which I so much need to run faithfully the course on which I have entered. O most compassionate father, behold the barrenness of this garden of my soul, notwithstanding the care the divine husbandman takes to render it fruitful. Let that charity and compassion for the miserable which consumed thee here be excited towards me, who groan under the slavery of my evil habits. Come then, O holy St Brendan, and enable me to do violence to my perverse inclinations, and to pluck up those noxious weeds which disfigure the garden of my soul. Plant and nurture there, I beseech thee, those fragrant flowers which will render to the Heavenly Bridegroom such an odour of sweetness as will constrain Him to make His abode there. I most earnestly beseech thee to obtain for me in an especial manner the virtue of (name it) together with the gift of final perseverance that I may for ever share with thee the reward promised to those who faithfully follow Christ. Amen. – St Anthony’s Treasury, 1916

 

ST CORONA, MARTYR

ST CORONA, MARTYR – MEMORIAL: MAY 14

St Corona, feast day May 14 (SS Victor and Corona) was a 16-year-old Christian who was martyred for her faith in Damascus in the second century. St Corona stood up publicly for Victor, a Roman soldier who was being tortured because he had converted to Christianity. For this act she died a horrific death. She was tied to two palm trunks that had been bent to the ground and when they whipped back up her body was torn to pieces. She is invoked by treasure hunters and people who play the lottery. Recently, her prayers to the Divine Physician are requested by those affected by Covid-19.

 

THE ASCENSION – SERMON OF ST LEO, POPE

THE ASCENSION – A GREAT AND UNSPEAKABLE CAUSE FOR REJOICING

After the blessed and glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein he raised up in three days that true temple of God, which had been destroyed by the ungodly Jews, there is this present day fulfilled, dearly beloved; that completed number of forty holy days, which had been ordained by a most sacred dispensation, and devoted to giving us valuable instructions: so that, while the Lord permitted his bodily presence to tarry among us for this space of time, our faith in his resurrection might be strengthened by necessary proofs.

For the death of Christ had greatly disturbed the hearts of the disciples, and a certain lethargy of disbelief had crept over their grief-laden minds at his torture on the Cross, at his giving up of the spirit, at the burial of his lifeless body.

Thus the most blessed apostles and all the disciples who had been full of fear at the death of the Cross, and uncertain in faith concerning the resurrection, were so strengthened by the clear vision of the Truth, that, when the Lord was going up into the heights of heaven, they were not troubled by any sadness, but rather were filled with great joy. And, in truth, it was a great and unspeakable cause for rejoicing, when in the sight of a holy multitude, human nature ascended above the dignity of all celestial creatures, to pass above the ranks of the angels, to be raised beyond the heights of the archangels, and not to have any degree of loftiness set a limit to its advancement, short of the right hand of the eternal Father, where it would be associated with his royal glory, to whose nature it was united in the Son.

Since, then, Christ’s ascension is our own exaltation, and where the glory of the head has gone before, there also is the hope of the body summoned.

Let us, dearly beloved, rejoice with due rejoicing and be glad, devoutly giving thanks. For today, not only have we been confirmed in the possession of Paradise, but in Christ we have penetrated even the height of heaven, having gained, through the ineffable grace of Christ, far more than we have lost through the malice of the devil. For those whom that venomous enemy cast down from the happiness of their first estate, these have the Son of God made to be one body with himself, and placed at the right hand of the Father, with whom he lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God through all eternity. Amen.

– From: An Approved English Translation of the Breviarium Romanum, Burns & Oates, London, 1964

 

CHRISTIAN LADIES’ FASHION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

MARY-LIKE STANDARDS FOR MODESTY IN DRESS

(THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES ARE APPLICABLE TO GENTLEMEN’S CHOICE OF CLOTHING, TOO)

Our Lady of Fatima pointed out that certain fashions will be introduced that offend our Lord very much. Adhering to certain guidelines, we can still express our taste and individuality without offending our Lord.

1. Mary-like is modest without compromise, like Mary, Christ’s Mother.
2. Mary-like dresses have sleeves extending at least to the elbows; and skirts reaching below the knees. (NOTE: because of impossible market conditions quarter-length sleeves are temporarily tolerated with Ecclesiastical Approval, until Christian womanhood again turns to Mary as the model of modesty in dress.)
3. Mary-like dresses require full coverage for the bodice, chest, shoulders, and back; except for a cut-out about the neck not exceeding two inches below the neckline in front and in back, and a corresponding two inches on the shoulders.
4. Mary-like dresses do not admit as modest coverage transparent fabrics – unless sufficient backing is added. However, their moderate use as trimmings is acceptable.
5. Mary-like dresses avoid the improper use of flesh-colored fabrics.

Mary-like fashions avoid emphasising the body unnecessarily. This would automatically eliminate such fashions as tight slacks, jeans, sweaters, shorts: shorts which do not reach down to the knees: sheer blouses and sleeveless dresses: etc. The lady who looks up to Mary as her ideal and model, will have no problem of modesty in dress. She will not be an occasion of sin or source of embarrassment or shame to others.

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART FOR PURITY

O, Imaculate Heart of Mary, Virgin Most Pure, mindful of the terrible moral dangers threatening on all sides, and aware of my own human weakness, I voluntarily place myself, body and soul, this day and always, under your loving maternal care and protection.

I consecrate to you my body, with all its members, asking you to help me never to use it as an occasion of sin to others. Help me to remember that my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and to use it according to God’s Holy Will, for my own personal salvation, and the salvation of others.

I consecrate to you my soul, asking you to watch over it, and to bring it home safe to you and to Jesus in Heaven for all eternity.

O Mary, my Mother, all that I am, all that I have is yours. Keep me and guard me under your mantle of mercy, as your personal property and possession.

Jesus, Mary, I love you; save souls!

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.

Imprimatur: Albert R. Zuroweste. Bishop of Belleville, Illinois

FATIMA 1917: “MEN MUST OFFEND OUR LORD NO MORE”

 

PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE GRACE OF LABOURING HOLILY

O blessed St Joseph, whose life was passed in toil and prayer, obtain for me the grace, I beseech thee, to sanctify my work by purity of intention, by remembrance of God’s presence and by frequent prayer.

Teach me to be contented with my lot, and if temptation comes to me to envy those who are above me or richer than myself, obtain for me the grace to despise it, and, only remembering thy life of humble toil, to desire only to imitate thee in the company of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

– From: St Anthony’s Treasury, 1916