October 7 2019 - Our Lady of the Rosary and the Battle of Lepanto

Over the last 2000 years, there have been a number of authenticated apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And during these appearances, Our Lady has often exhorted the seers to pray the rosary. Why the Rosary? The Rosary, Our Lady, explained to St. Dominic is the spiritual weapon by which The Holy Trinity wishes to reform the world.” The rosary is a powerful means of intercession, a weapon against error and vice, as well as an avenue to sanctification that can be employed by the novice and the mystic alike.

Today’s Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, was established to honor the power of Our Lady’s intercession through the rosary at a decisive moment in history.

By the middle of the 15th century, the Turkish Ottoman Empire conquered the Byzantine Empire, plunging a large portion of eastern Christendom under Turkish rule. Over the next hundred years, the Turks expanded their empire further and further west, both on land and by sea. They terrorized the coasts of Italy and Spain, taking captive over 10,000 Christians, whom they used as slaves. By 1570, the Turks had captured the Island of Cyprus and amassed a naval fleet there, giving them virtual control of the Mediterranean.

Pope Saint Pius V now had grave and immediate concerns that within the year, the Turkish forces could invade any part of Christian Europe and bring it to its knees. So he financed a naval fleet and formed a coalition known as the Holy League to counter this threat and protect Christian civilization. This proved easier said than done, as many of the major powers in Europe were reluctant to enter into a war that could result in their financial ruin.

The Venetians were interested in finding a diplomatic solution, but when their diplomats, who had been promised safety, were attacked and murdered by the Turks, the immanence of this threat became more apparent, and they joined the Holy League.

On October 7th 1571,  the Holy League, outnumbered by the Turks, sailed to confronted the Battle of Lepanto. At the Pope’s insistence, all of Europe was asked to pray the rosary for the victory of the Christian fleet. When the smoke cleared that day, the majority of the Turkish fleet was decimated, while the Holy League lost very few ships. Over 10,000 Christian slaves who were serving as oarsmen on the Turkish galleys were freed.

The Western Mediterranean and Western Europe were liberated from the Turkish threat and the victory was attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A feast was instituted (the Feast of Our Lady of Victory) which was later renamed the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Today, it is clear that the powers of the world are reorganizing to confront Holy Church. There is external persecution in many places: Christians who are courageous enough to live their faith in the open do so at the threat of loss of employment, mockery from their families, disqualification from political office. Christians in some countries are enslaved and killed. And In many places, Holy Church is attacked from within, doctrine is criticized, Sacred Tradition and Scripture are disregarded, right faith is undermined.

May we entrust ourselves again to Our Lady and her Rosary. It is the weapon the Holy Trinity wishes to reform the world, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That, during this month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, many Christians will discover new and deep devotion to Our Lady’s powerful intercession and maternal care for the Church.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October, “that the breath of the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the Church.

For the health and sanctification of the members of our parish Altar and Rosary Society and Legion of Mary and for increased membership for these groups.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

January 7 2019 - St. Raymond of Penyafort - Outstanding Mercy and Compassion

Today’s saint was a Dominican priest who lived about 800 years ago.  He was born into the Spanish nobility and had an excellent education.  By age 20 he was teaching philosophy; by the age of 30 he had doctorates in both civil and church law. In his early 40 he joined the Dominicans about a year after the death of their founder, St. Dominic.  About a decade later, he was summoned to Rome by Pope Gregory IX to serve as the Pope’s personal confessor.  While in Rome, the Pope gave him the task of bringing together for the first time, in one volume, all of the laws and decrees of the popes and church councils.  For this, St. Raymond is known as the Father and Patron saint of Canon Law.

At age 60, Raymond was appointed an Archbishop, though he became sick and resigned in hopes of getting some peace.  But, peace in retirement Raymond would not receive.  At age 62, he was elected as head of the Dominicans.  Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominican Communities, and reorganized their constitutions.

In his last 35 years, (by the way, did I mention St. Raymond lived to be 100?), he promoted the study of Hebrew and Arabic, so that the Dominicans in Spain could preach the Gospel to Jews and Muslims.  He encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas, one of his contemporaries, to write an explanation of the faith to help missionaries in their work.

The Opening Prayer mentioned St. Raymond’s mercy and compassion for sinners and for captives.  During the 13th Century, Spain was partially controlled by the Muslims who enslaved many Christians, not only in Spain but across the Mediterranean in North Africa.  He set up an organization to liberate Christian slaves. Also, in his work in moral theology, he wrote a book for confessors helping to set sinners free from the slavery of sin through the Sacrament of Penance.

St. Raymond is a wonderful saint to honor and reflect upon in the Christmas season; for he shows us that the Son of God took on flesh to save even lawyers…ha ha…no, he shows us the amazing transformation, the newness of life, the energy and vitality of the saints who have allowed the Christ Child to be the Lord of their life, when we allow Christ to free us from our sinful attachments. Instead of keeping Christ on the peripheries of one’s life, the saints teach us to make Christ their “everything”. May we do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For faithfulness to the laws of God and the precepts of Holy Church, and that through the intercession of St. Raymond, all civil lawyers and canon lawyers may practice law with integrity and for the good of souls.

For our young people returning to school after Christmas break, that their own fidelity to Jesus may be deepened through the holy example of their parents and teachers.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, that many young people may respond generously to the Lord’s call to ordained and consecrated service.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord