Fidei Catholicae http://www.catholicae.org Christo et Ecclesiae Wed, 18 May 2011 18:24:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Double Feast of Saint Venantius, Martyr http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/18/double-feast-of-saint-venantius-martyr/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/18/double-feast-of-saint-venantius-martyr/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 18:23:29 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/18/double-feast-of-saint-venantius-martyr/ Saint Venantius was born in Camerino, Italy during the persecution of the cruel Roman Emperor Decius At the tender age of fifteen years Venantius became a Christian, preaching Christ to others. His history is one of the most miraculous in the annals of the early martyrs.

Having learned that he was about to be arrested, he presented himself to the governor of Camerino, Antiochus, at the city gates, and said to him that the lives of the gods were filled with every kind of crime, that there was only one God, whose unique Son had become a man to deliver his fellow humans from the tyranny of sin. When it was found impossible to shake his constancy either by threats or promises, he was condemned to be scourged, but was miraculously saved by an Angel. He was then burnt with torches and suspended over a low fire that he might be suffocated by the smoke.

The judge’s secretary, while admiring the steadfastness of the Saint, saw an Angel robed in white, who stamped out the fire and again set free the youthful martyr. This man proclaimed his faith in Christ and was baptized with his whole family. Shortly afterwards he won the martyr’s crown.

Venantius was summoned to appear before Antiochus. Unable to make him renounce his faith, the governor cast him into prison with an apostate soldier, who strove in vain to tempt him. Antiochus, furious, then ordered his teeth and jaws to be broken and had him thrown into a furnace, from which the Angel once more delivered him. The Saint was sent to a city magistrate to be condemned, but this judge after hearing his defense of Christianity, fell headlong from his seat and expired, saying, “The God of Venantius is the true God; let us destroy our idols.”

When this circumstance was told to Antiochus, he ordered Venantius to be thrown to the lions. These brutes, however, forgetting their natural ferocity, crouched at the feet of the Saint. Then, by order of the tyrant, the young martyr was dragged through a heap of brambles and thorns and retired half-dead, but the next day he was cured; God had manifested the glory of His servant once more. On behalf of soldiers who had dragged him outside the city over stones and rocks, and were suffering from thirst, the Saint knelt on a rock and signed it with a cross; immediately a jet of clear, cool water welled up from the spot. This miracle converted many of those who beheld it. The rock remained imprinted by his knees and was placed in a church in Camerino, where it still remains.

The governor finally had Venantius and his converts beheaded on the same day, in the year 250. The bodies of these martyrs are kept in the same church at Camerino. The Acts of Saint Venantius’ martyrdom have been carefully studied and declared authentic by the Church.

Collect

Latin:

Deus, qui hunc diem beáti Venántii Mártyris tui triúmpho consecrásti: exáudi preces pópuli tui, et praesta; ut, qui ejus mérita venerámur, fídei constántiam imitémur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Translation:

O God, Who hast consecrated this day to the triumph of blessed Venantius, Thy martyr, harken to the prayers of Thy people, and grant that we, who venerate his merits, may imitate the constancy of his faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. Amen.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/18/double-feast-of-saint-venantius-martyr/feed/ 0 Double Feast of Saint Pascal Baylon, Confessor and Religious Founder http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/double-feast-of-saint-pascal-baylon-confessor-and-religious-founder/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/double-feast-of-saint-pascal-baylon-confessor-and-religious-founder/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 17:47:18 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/double-feast-of-saint-pascal-baylon-confessor-and-religious-founder/ St. Paschal Baylon was a simple lay brother of the Franciscan Order, and, by preference, occupied himself with the roughest and most servile tasks. He was distinguished by an ardent love and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He died in the odor of sanctity, May 15, 1592. Even after death his body moved and his eyes opened in an act of adoration when the priest raised up the sacred host at the elevation in the Mass. Pope Leo XIII declared him protector of all Eucharistic Congresses and works.

Collect

Latin:

Deus, qui beátum Paschálem Confessórem tuum mirífica erga córporis et sánguinis tui sacra mystéria dilectióne decorásti: concéde propítius; ut,quam ille ex hoc divino convívio spíritus percépit pinguédinem, eámdem et nos percípere mereámur: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Translation:

O God, Who didst adorn blessed Paschal, Thy confessor, with a wonderful love for the sacred mysteries of Thy body and blood, mercifully grant that we, too, may be worthy to feel the same unction of the spirit which he received from this divine banquet. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, Forever and ever. Amen.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/double-feast-of-saint-pascal-baylon-confessor-and-religious-founder/feed/ 0 Qoute of the Day http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/qoute-of-the-day/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/qoute-of-the-day/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 17:20:45 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/qoute-of-the-day/ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/17/qoute-of-the-day/feed/ 0 Double Feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Cardinal, Confessor and Doctor of the Church http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/13/double-feast-of-saint-robert-bellarmine-cardinal-confessor-and-doctor-of-the-church/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/13/double-feast-of-saint-robert-bellarmine-cardinal-confessor-and-doctor-of-the-church/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 07:15:42 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/13/double-feast-of-saint-robert-bellarmine-cardinal-confessor-and-doctor-of-the-church/ O God, who didst adorn blessed Robert, Thy Bishop and Doctor, with marvelous learning and virtue to expose the deceptions of error and to defend the rights of the Apostolic see, grant that, by his merits and intercession, love for the truth may increase in us and the souls of the erring may return to the unity of Thy Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Deus, qui ad errórum insídias repelléndas et Apostólicæ Sedis jura propugnánda beátum Robértum, Pontificem tuum atque Doctórem,mira eruditióne et virtúte decorásti: ejus méritis et intercessióne concéde; ut nos in veritátis amóre crescámus, et errántium corda ad Ecclésiæ Tuæ rédeant unitátem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum: Qui Tecum vivit et regnat.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/13/double-feast-of-saint-robert-bellarmine-cardinal-confessor-and-doctor-of-the-church/feed/ 0 Semi-Double feast of the Holy Martyrs Saints Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/12/semi-double-feast-of-the-holy-martyrs-saints-nereus-achilleus-domitilla-and-pancras/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/12/semi-double-feast-of-the-holy-martyrs-saints-nereus-achilleus-domitilla-and-pancras/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 05:49:26 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/12/semi-double-feast-of-the-holy-martyrs-saints-nereus-achilleus-domitilla-and-pancras/ Let us pray. Let the blessed solemnity of Thy martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras, ever comfort us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and render us worthy of Thy service. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, Forever and ever. Amen.

Oremus. Semper nos, Dómine, Mártyrum tuórum Nérei, Achíllei, Domítíllæ atque Pancrátii fóveat, quæsumus, beáta solémnitas: et tuo dignos reddat obséquio. Per Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.   

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/12/semi-double-feast-of-the-holy-martyrs-saints-nereus-achilleus-domitilla-and-pancras/feed/ 0 Feast of Saint Antoninus, Bishop and Confessor http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/10/feast-of-saint-antoninus-bishop-and-confessor/ http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/10/feast-of-saint-antoninus-bishop-and-confessor/#comments Wed, 11 May 2011 01:48:35 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/10/feast-of-saint-antoninus-bishop-and-confessor/ Let us pray. May we be assisted, O Lord, by the merits of St. Antoninus, Thy confessor and bishop, that, as we declare Thee wonderful in him, so we may glory in Thy mercy toward us. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen

Oremus. Sancti Antoníni, Dómine, Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis, méritis adjuvémur: ut, sicut te in illo mirábilem prædicámus, ita in nos misericórdem fuísse gloriémur. Per Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.   

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2011/05/10/feast-of-saint-antoninus-bishop-and-confessor/feed/ 0 Today’s Readings http://www.catholicae.org/2010/12/06/todays-readings/ http://www.catholicae.org/2010/12/06/todays-readings/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 18:17:18 +0000 admin http://www.catholicae.org/2010/12/06/todays-readings/ Monday, Dec 6, 2010
St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor
Reading 1: Hebrews 13:7-17
Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and to day; and the same for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name. And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God’s favour is obtained. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-23
For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord’s money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2010/12/06/todays-readings/feed/ 0 June 10 – St. Margaret – Widow, Queen of Scotland http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/10/june-10-st-margaret-widow-queen-of-scotland/ http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/10/june-10-st-margaret-widow-queen-of-scotland/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:10:58 +0000 Mike http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/10/june-10-st-margaret-widow-queen-of-scotland/ Margaret was born in Hungary, though of the Saxon royal stock, and was maried to Malcolm III, King of Scotland. Her long reign of thirty years was illustrious for her inexhaustible charity to the poor. She died in 1093 and is honored as Patron Scotland.

Deus, qui beatam Margaritam reginam eximia in pauperes caritate mirabilem effecisti: da, ut ejus intercessione et exemplo, tua in cordibus nostris caritas jegiter augeanostris caritas jugiter augeatur. Per Dominum nostrum.

O God, Who didst make the blessed Queen Margaret wonderful for her surpoassing charity to the poor: grant that by her intercession and example, Thy love may ever grow in our hearts. Through our Lord.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/10/june-10-st-margaret-widow-queen-of-scotland/feed/ 0 June 9 – Commemoration of SS. Primus and Felician http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/09/june-9-commemoration-of-ss-primus-and-felician/ http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/09/june-9-commemoration-of-ss-primus-and-felician/#comments Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:50:51 +0000 Mike http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/09/june-9-commemoration-of-ss-primus-and-felician/ Primus and Felician were brothers. After suffering the most cruel torments for the Faith they were beheaded at Rome in 286.

Fac nos, quaesumus, Domine, sanctorum Martyrum tuorum Primi et Feliciani sempeer fest sectari: quorum suffragiis protectionis tuae dona sentiamus. Per Dominum nostrum.

Ever make us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, honor the festival of Thy holy Martyrs Primus and Felician: and through their prayers may we obtain the gift of Thy protection. Through our Lord.

]]> http://www.catholicae.org/2010/06/09/june-9-commemoration-of-ss-primus-and-felician/feed/ 0 To Be Perfected, We Must Suffer http://www.catholicae.org/2010/03/12/to-be-perfected-we-must-suffer/ http://www.catholicae.org/2010/03/12/to-be-perfected-we-must-suffer/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:58:34 +0000 Mike http://www.catholicae.org/?p=58 In the Gospel reading today, Our Lord tells His apostles that no one can work a mighty deed in His name and then speak ill of Him, and then goes on to say, Anyone who is not against us is for us. We look around at our situation as it is and there are lots of people who will call upon the Name of the Lord; but, at the same time, as yet they do not believe in the fullness of the truth. But if they are true in calling upon the Lord, they will come to that truth eventually if they are truly seeking it. That, of course, is where the difficulty comes. They do not necessarily willfully speak ill of the Lord, although many of them do wind up speaking ill of His Church, and in that way speaking ill of the Lord without even realizing that is what they are doing. Yet, at the same time, what we are also seeing is that there are lots of people who call upon the Name of the Lord and they are becoming Catholic because they are open to the truth and they are seeking that truth.

That is precisely what we hear in the first reading when we hear about Wisdom. Remember, as we heard the other day, Saint Paul tells us that Jesus is the Wisdom of God. So we are talking here about the Second Person of the Trinity, the Wisdom of God, and it says, At first, Wisdom walks with him as a stranger. In other words, initially they are not fully aware of Who the Lord is. But then it says, She puts him to the test; fear and dread she brings upon him and tries him with discipline. We have all experienced how that works if we are going to walk with the Lord, and how there are going to be various trials and problems and difficulties.

The devil in his wily ways has convinced many people who call upon the Lord that by doing so there will be no trials; there will be no problems. It is what they call “The Gospel of Health and Wealth,” that as long as you believe in Jesus you are going to be wealthy and everything is going to be great and you will have no problem. Well, when we hear that the Lord is going to test us and He is going to try our souls and He is going to put us into fear and dread to see if we are going to remain faithful, you start out with people who already believe that there will be no suffering if they believe in Jesus, and they are not open to the truth. They are not open to be able to be formed by the Wisdom of God.

So it is imperative for us not to begin with any kind of preconceived notion of what things ought to be. Even for people who know they are going to suffer when they take up the spiritual life, they assume they are going to suffer in the way that they ought to. That is pure foolishness. You are not going to be able to tell God how you ought to do things. God, with His infinite imagination, is certainly not going to do it your way – and He has lots of interesting ways to test us. We simply have to understand, if we are going to do the work of the Lord, that we have to allow Him to be in charge, that we have to allow Him to purify us, that He is going to test us, not according to the way that we think we ought to be tested, but according to the way that He knows we truly need. As it says, She tries him with discipline, tries him by her laws to trust his soul, and then goes on to say, Then she comes back to him. The soul feels abandoned by God in the most severe trials. God is nowhere to be found, or so it seems, because He will not allow Himself to be felt. Yet if we remain faithful and we continue to grow in love, that is when all of the gifts will be given: the happiness and the secrets and the treasures of knowledge and the understanding of justice, as Sirach talks about. But that is only after things have been purified.

And so if we are going to walk with the Lord, as Sirach warned us yesterday, prepare yourself for trials. But do not try to assume what trials they are going to be because they will never be the ones that you expect. Let God lead and do not assume that because things are difficult that God hates you, that He is angry with you, that He has abandoned you, or anything else; nothing could be further from the truth. If you are going to try to do His Will, He is so grateful to you and He loves you so much – and it is because He loves you and He wants you to love even more than what you already do – that He tries you and He purifies you so that you can be perfect, so that you can fully do the Will of God in all things. That is why these things happen.

What we need to do simply is pray that God will take away all of our preconceived notions and ideas; that He will take away all of our fears; that He will give us the grace to do His Will and to truly desire the fullness of the Wisdom of God, which is union with Jesus Christ; and that we will accept whatever it takes to get there because that requires the trials, the discipline, and the difficulties that will come, but then it will bring about its fruit – which is peace of soul and union with Jesus Christ.

Homily by Fr. Robert Altier, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Reading (Sirach 4:11-19) Gospel (St. Mark 9:38-40).

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