Week at a glanceTuesday May 23 ~
Wednesday May 24 ~ Blessed Louis-Zephirin
Moreau
Thursday May 25 ~ Saint Bede the Venerable
Saint Gregory VII Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi
Friday May 26 ~ Saint Philip Neri
Saturday May 27 ~ Saint Augustine
of Canterbury
Sunday May 28 ~ Pentecost Sunday
Monday May 29 ~ The Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of the Church
Tuesday May 30 ~
Wednesday May 31 ~ The Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday June 1 ~ Saint Justin
Friday June 2 ~ Saint Marcellinus &
Saint Peter
Saturday June 3 ~ Saint Charles Lwanga
& Companions
Sunday June 4 ~ The Most Holy Trinity
The monthly prayer intention of pope francisFor Church Movements and Groups
We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their mission of evangelization each day, placing their own charisms at the service of needs in the world. Daily Offering Prayer
God, our Father, I offer You my day. I offer You my prayers, thoughts, words, actions, joys, and sufferings in union with the Heart of Jesus, who continues to offer Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit, Who guided Jesus, be my guide and my strength today so that I may witness to your love. With Mary, the mother of our Lord and the Church, I pray for all Apostles of Prayer and for the prayer intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. |
calendar of saintsMay 24 ~ Blessed Louis-Zephirin Moreau
Louis-Zephirin Moreau was born in Becancour, Quebec, in 1824. The fifth of 13 children, Louis-Zephirin was educated in the seminary but was initially rejected for the priesthood because of his frail health. His desire was strong, however, and his persistence resulted in his ordination in 1846. He soon became secretary for the diocese of Montreal, and later for the newly founded diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe, where he was named bishop in 1875. Popularly known as the "good Bishop Moreau," he had compassion for the poor workers of his diocese, helping to establish the forerunners of today's mutual societies and credit unions. He also oversaw the foundation of several religious communities. In spite of his poor health, Louis- Zephirin worked tirelessly and died in Saint-Hyacinthe in 1901. He was beatified in 1987. May 25 ~ Saint Bede the Venerable
A teacher of great repute, Bede is the only English Doctor of the Church. Born in the north of England about 673, he was sent to a Benedictine monastery at the age of 7, and was educated in a neighbouring monastery, where he remained for the rest of his life. At 19, he became a deacon and at 30, a priest. Bede was considered the most learned man of his time and a gifted writer. Though he excelled in biblical commentary and history, he also wrote extensively in other areas, including poetry, biography, and chronology. His most famous work is the authoritative Historia ecclesiastica (Ecclesiastical History of the English People), the only source for much early Anglo-Saxon history. His particular gift seems to have been his ability to recognize, with precision and clarity, the needs of his contemporaries and to judge accurately the historical significance of the events he and they were living through. His wisdom and learning earned him the respectful title of "Venerable," which the Church formalized in 853. He died on this day in 735. May 25 ~ Saint Gregory VII
Born in Tuscany about 1023, Hildebrand (later Pope Gregory VII) was sent to a monastery to be educated under John Gratian. When Gratian was elected pope, Hildebrand became his personal secretary. He also served Pope Leo IX as counsellor and treasurer of the Church's finances. After serving as chief counsellor for the next four popes and gaining an international reputation as papal representative to several courts, Hildebrand himself was acclaimed pope in 1073. As Gregory VII, he began an extensive reform of the Church and of its relations with civil authorities, provoking conflict and intrigue. The Duke of Normandy came to Gregory's aid, but when Norman troops sacked Rome, even the Romans turned against the pope. In defending the Church against the threat of secular domination, Gregory made many enemies. He died in exile in 1085. May 25 ~ Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi
Born Catherine, Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi was born into a prominent family in Florence in 1566. Rejecting her parents proposed suitors, she convinced her family of her religious vocation and at 17 became a Carmelite nun. He biography, compiled by her confessor, gives a detailed account of her intense spiritual journey with its periods of desolation and ecstasy. Mary Magdalene had the gifts of prophecy and healing. She died in 1607 and her uncorrupted body is enshrined in the convent church. May 26 ~ Saint Philip Neri
Philip Neri was born in Florence in 1515 and educated by the Dominicans. He experienced conversion at the age of 18 and left for Rome, where he lived a life of seclusion and poverty. He studied philosophy and theology for three years before choosing to re-evangelize Rome, where Christianity had declined and was sadly in need of reform. He spent his days talking to people about God's love, and his nights in prayer. In 1548 he helped found a confraternity of laymen to minister to needy pilgrims, leading to the establishment of a now-famous Roman hospital, Santa Trinita dei Pellegrini. In 1551, his confessor insisted Philip be ordained. As a confessor himself, he was much sought after for his spiritual wisdom. Disciples flocked to him, and he founded the congregation of the Oratorians, which was formally approved in 1575. Pope Gregory XIII gave them an ancient church in Rome, which they rebuilt and occupy to this day. Philip's sermons were famous for their wisdom and good humour. He said, "I will have no sad spirits in my house. Cheerful people are more easily led to perfection." He died at the age of 80, much loved and respected, and is still known as the "Apostle of Rome." Philip Neri is the patron of home missions, supported in Canada through the Catholic Missions In Canada (www.cmic.info). May 27 ~ Saint Augustine of Canterbury
In 596, Pope Gregory the Great sent Augustine - prior of St. Andrew's monastery in Rome - and about 40 monks to evangelize England. The group was well received by King Ethelbert of Kent, who later became a saint himself. Augustine was soon made bishop and instructed to develop a hierarchy for England and to substitute Christian feasts for pagan celebrations. Apart from the Welsh refusal to accept either Augustine or the Roman traditions he proposed, the mission was successful. Augustine established a Benedictine monastery at Canterbury, the 'Apostle of the English,' Augustine continued to work for the faith in Britain until his death in 604. May 31 ~ The Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary This feast, commemorating the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, has been celebrated in the Roman liturgy since the 8th century. Found in Luke's Gospel, this event is one of rejoicing in the wonders God has done, as both the barren Elizabeth and the young Virgin Mary find themselves with child. Each woman experiences an outpouring of the Holy Spirit: Elizabeth's response is to declare Mary and her child blessed; and Mary's response is the hymn of praise, the Magnificat. June 1 ~ Saint Justin
Justin was of pagan Greek origin born in Samaria about the year 100. He trained as a philosopher but later converted to Christianity. Justin was a persuasive Christian apologist, travelling and teaching widely about Christianity. Denounced to the authorities, Justin and his companions were brought to trial. Court records reveal how they declared themselves Christians, refusing to sacrifice to the gods. They were condemned to death and martyred about the year 165. Of his writings, two of his Apologies survive, as well as a Dialogue in which he tells of his conversion. June 2 ~ Saint Marcellinus & Saint Peter
Little is known about Marcellinus and Peter, who lived in Rome during the time of the Emperor Diocletian. Peter is said to have been an exorcist who ministered under Marcellinus, a priest. Put to death for their faith about the year 304, the two are commemorated in the canon of the Mass. Accounts exist of miracles which resulted when their remains were moved to a German monastery in 827. June 3 ~ Saint Charles Lwanga & Companions
Charles Lwanga and his companions became Christians through the Catholic missions of the Missionaries of Africa (commonly known as the White Fathers). Charles' predecessor as master of royal pages, also a Christian, had censured King Mwanga of Uganda for his cruelty and immorality. The vengeful king, determined to stamp out Christianity, ordered Charles and the other young Christian pages put to death. About 100 died during the persecution. Within a year of these deaths, however, the number of Christians had greatly increased, and by 1890 was estimated to be ten thousand. The 22 Martyrs of Uganda died on June 3, 1886 and were canonized in 1964. Charles Lwanga has been declared patron of Catholic Action and of black African youth. |
St. Stephen Catholic Parish
4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
ststephen102@gmail.com
Facebook: St. Stephen's Catholic Parish - Olds, Alberta
4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
ststephen102@gmail.com
Facebook: St. Stephen's Catholic Parish - Olds, Alberta
