June 22 2026 - St. Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons

 

One of my favorite films of all times is “A Man for All Seasons” the historical drama about St. Thomas More who is honored today along with the English martyr, bishop John Fisher. The film does an amazing job presenting the political and religious tension in England when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and amazingly captures the wit, intelligence, courage, and holiness of St. Thomas More, played by Paul Scolfield, who also portrayed the saint in the original stage version by Robert Bolt.

If you have a few free hours, check out “A Man for All Seasons”. And the title of the film and play raises an interesting question? Why does the author refer to St. Thomas More as “a man for all seasons”? Thomas More despite tremendous pressure from his friends, from his family, probably from a number of clergy, from the king of england, not to mention the threat of torture and martyrdom, remained true to his principals and Catholic religious convictions throughout all the seasons of his life.

Whenever I watch the film adaptation, I am so deeply impressed by Thomas More’s spiritual leadership in his family and community. He is a loving husband, a provident father, a fair employer, a lawyer who does not bend to corruption and bribes, a sound counselor, a learned man who saw through the empty philosophies of his day, whose convictions informed his decisions. He is depicted as “man fully alive” as Irenaeus would say, a man whose mind has been shaped and fortified by reason and the Gospel, a man whose moral compass is firmly set on Christ, a man who stands for Truth even when bishops and priests cower in fear. Every time I watch this movie, I think, that’s the sort of man I want to be.

The title “man for all seasons” also, no doubt, is a reference to the King James Bible translation of 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 2. St. Paul urges, the bishop Timothy “to proclaim the Word of God in season and out of season”…” convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.”

The Christian is to preach and teach the truth in every season, when the world is farily tolerant of us, and when the world hates us, when you are being pressured by the king, and when you are teaching your children, our your flock. The Christian is not to alter or water down, or ignore the Truth of Christ, and we are to witness to it, and live it out publicly, in every season.

That’s what makes St. Thomas more a man,  not just for 16th century England, but a man for all seasons of history. His virtues are for every age. His stance for Truth is needed in every age. We need Thomas More’s in every season. We need Thomas More’s now. We need Catholics who will remain true to their faith despite the pressures of the world, their families, their peers. Catholics of rightly formed conscience.

May St. Thomas More inspire us by his life and assist us with his prayers, especially when it is our time to stand for Truth, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

That our bishops and clergy may be zealous in preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel.

That through the intercession of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, people of faith may remain vigilant in defending religious liberty and preaching the Gospel courageously.

That our young people on summer vacation may be kept safe from the poisonous errors of our culture, and that their families may be places where the faith is practiced and cherished.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 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, and for X for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

 

June 5 2026 - St. Boniface, martyr - Courage to pick up your axe

 

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Boniface, who is known as the apostle to the Germans. Boniface was born in what is now England in the 7th century, at a time when Western Europe was still rebuilding itself after the fall of Roman Empire.

 

By the time he was about forty years old, Boniface was known as a gifted scholar and preacher, and was abbot of a Benedictine monastery. At the request of the Pope, Boniface traveled from England to mainland Europe to spread the Gospel in places unevangelized or only partially converted, in what are now the Netherlands, Austria, and Germany. His initial efforts were unsuccessful.

 

One of the obstacles Boniface faced was the people’s attachment to their false gods like Odin and Thor. There’s a famous story that Boniface learned of a giant oak tree where the germans gathered to offer false worship to the God Thor.  So Boniface, took an axe, and he begins chopping down this Thor’s Tree.

 

The pagans cursed Boniface and waited for him to be struck dead by their gods for his sacrilege. But when Boniface had chopped just a small notch into the tree, God finished the job: the tree was blast apart from above.  And the germans who had before cursed Boniface now began to believe in the One True God.  This is why you’ll often see stained glass windows and statues with St. Boniface in his bishops attire, holding an axe, standing on a tree trunk.

 

In his 80^th year, Boniface was preparing candidates for confirmation when they were attacked by barbarians and massacred, martyred for the faith.

 

In a letter written to a Benedictine abbess, Saint Boniface wrote: “Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial…let us be neither dogs that do not bark, nor silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf” referencing the Gospel used for today’s feast.

 

Like Boniface, each of us are called to do what we can for the spread of the Gospel, and to do so with faith and courage.

 

Working for the spread of the Gospel in our modern world seems like daunting work, but remember that Boniface only needed to take those first courageous swings with the axe before God did the rest of the work. Boniface saw through the errors of the pagan culture, how those errors were keeping souls from Faith in Christ. And he took a stand.

 

He left his homeland, he went to a people who spoke differently, had different customs, had confused beliefs, and met them where they were with the Truth of the Gospel. He could have stayed in the comfort of the monastery, but was filled with missionary zeal.

 

What would your life look like if you allowed yourself to be filled with missionary zeal? Consider how the faith might spread, if each of us, in our own way, was little more courageous in witnessing to Christ, just in this neighborhood.

A parish church is much more than a place where the faithful gather for worship, it is our barracks, for training in the outward mission of the Gospel. May St. Boniface help us and intercede for us in our share in the Gospel mission for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

That our bishops and clergy may be zealous in preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel, and for an increase in Courage for all Christians in the task of evangelization.

 

That St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, may enliven the faith of the German people and those of Germanic descent who have made their home in this land.

 

For our young people beginning summer vacation, that they may be kept close to the truth and heart of Jesus.

 

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland and all those who labored for the faith we now profess, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

 

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

 

Reading 1ACTS 26:19-23

Paul said:
"King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem
and throughout the whole country of Judea,
and then to the Gentiles,
I preached the need to repent and turn to God,
and to do works giving evidence of repentance.
That is why the Jews seized me when I was in the temple
and tried to kill me.
But I have enjoyed God's help to this very day,
and so I stand here testifying to small and great alike,
saying nothing different from what the prophets and Moses foretold,
that the Messiah must suffer and that,
as the first to rise from the dead,
he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Responsorial PsalmPS 117:1BC, 2

L  (Mark 16:15)  Go out to all the world and tell the Good News..
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R.    Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R.    Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

AlleluiaJN 10:14

R.    Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord,
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R.    Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 10:11-16

Jesus said:
"I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd."

 

January 21 2026 - St. Agnes (school mass) - Treasuring Christ

 Today, we celebrate one of the beloved martyrs of the Church, who was killed for being a Christian at a very young age. When she was martyred, St. Agnes was just thirteen-years-old, the age of our eighth graders. By then, though, Agnes had already given her heart to Jesus in a profound way. She had made a special commitment to God, a religious consecration, vowing never to marry, but to spend her life in total dedication and prayerful service to Jesus and the Church.

She was arrested and killed because the world hated that she loved Jesus more than anything. Can you imagine? She was a holy soul, a pure soul, a soul devoted to God. And she was hated for it. The world can be an evil place. The hearts of those who hate the message of Jesus can be selfish, prideful, twisted and cruel. 

But Agnes reminds us of the beauty of belonging to Jesus without hesitation. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells two short stories. He says the Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, and like a pearl of great price. In both stories, when the person discovers how valuable the treasure really is, they do something very important: they give up everything else so they can have it.

That is exactly what St. Agnes did. Agnes discovered something far more valuable than popularity, comfort, or even her own safety. She discovered that loving Jesus, belonging to Him, and following Him was the greatest treasure anyone could ever have. And no one could take that away from her, not even when they threatened her life. 

Now, Jesus is not telling us that we aren’t real Christians unless we are martyred…But He is asking us an important question, the most important question there is: What matters to you most? If the answer is not Jesus, you’ve chosen poorly. 

Sometimes we treat other things like they are more important than following Jesus--fitting in, worldly success, earthly possessions, having the newest things, or getting our own way. But those things don’t last. They disappear, break, and often disappoint us. Jesus never does.

St. Agnes shows us that even a young person can make Jesus their greatest treasure. She teaches us that holiness is not about how old you are—it’s about how much you trust and love God. When we choose what is right, when we pray, when we are kind even when it’s hard, when we are generous, and seek wisdom, we are choosing the treasure of the Kingdom.

May St. Agnes help us to recognize how precious loving Jesus and following Jesus truly is. And may she help us to have the courage to choose Jesus—again and again—as our greatest treasure, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

To God the Father almighty, dear brothers and sisters, may every prayer of our heart be directed, for his will it is that all humanity should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

That during this season of Ordinary Time, Church leaders and all Christians may grow in the practice of the virtues and make use of their spiritual gifts in service to God. 

That faith, hope, love and Christian courage, patience, and generosity may flourish in our school community.

For all those preparing for baptism and full initiation: that they may be open to the grace of conversion and the joy of the followers of Christ.  

For those who struggle because of addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they may be healed and strengthened in Christ. And for the victims of the fires in California. 

For the repose of the souls of our departed loved ones…

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain.  Through Christ our Lord.

December 13 2024 - St. Lucy - The light of the consecrated virgin martyr

 

The Church has honored Saint Lucy for almost fifteen hundred years.  Her name, Lucy, Lucia, comes from the latin word “Lux” which means, light of course, and her light continues to shine for us in many ways.

There are a few different legends about St. Lucy’s martyrdom. maladies. In one story, Lucy, arrested for her Christian faith, had her eyes gouged out by soldiers prior to her death. In another story, it was Lucy herself who removed her own eyes, as a way to protect her virginity which she had consecrated to Christ. No matter which version of her martyrdom is accurate, it is not hard to difficult to understand why St. Lucy is the patron saint of eye maladies and blindness.

Like St. Cecilia, St. Agnes, and St. Agatha, we honor St. Lucy as a consecrated virgin.  

As a consecrated virgin, Lucy gave her life entirely to God, consecrating her heart and body to Him. Her purity was not simply an avoidance of sin but an active, joyful embrace of a life wholly directed toward God’s will. In Advent, we, too, are called to purity—not only in body but in mind, heart, and intention. This purity allows us to see God more clearly and reflect His light to the world.

The light of St. Lucy’s martyrdom reminds us, too, that true discipleship often requires sacrifice. Her willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the faith shows us that the light of Christ shines most brightly in acts of self-giving love. According to legend, St. Lucy brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible. During Advent, we are called to shine with the light of charity in acts of selflessness in our daily lives.

In a world often marked by spiritual blindness and moral confusion, St. Lucy radiating with the light of Christ shines in our present darkness. 

Purity, discipleship, courage, self-sacrifice, self-giving are the lights our world desperately needs. May her example inspire us to live as children of the light, preparing our hearts to welcome Christ, the true Light of the World, this Christmas, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - -  

Trusting in God’s light, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Church, that she may be a radiant beacon of Christ’s light in the world, guiding all people toward truth and salvation.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties guided by the light of truth, justice, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  

For all who suffer for their faith, that they may find strength in the courage of the martyrs and remain steadfast in their love for Christ.

For those struggling with physical or spiritual blindness, that through the intercession of St. Lucy, they may be healed and come to see the light of Christ more clearly.

For consecrated virgins and all who have dedicated their lives to God, that they may be strengthened in their vocation and shine as witnesses to His love and purity.

For those experiencing darkness or despair, illness, or affliction, that they may be comforted by the hope of Advent and the promise of Christ’s coming.

For our departed loved ones, especially those who have lived lives of faith and service, that they may rejoice forever in the light of God’s presence. 

Heavenly Father, You are the source of all light and life. Through the intercession of St. Lucy, hear and answer our prayers, that we may walk always in Your light and prepare our hearts to welcome Your Son. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

April 23 2024 (school mass) - St. George and the Dragon and Christ's Easter Victory

Since the time I was a boy, I have enjoyed reading and watching the films based on the stories of the author JRR Tolkien. You may have read or seen them. He wrote a book called “The Hobbit” in which Bilbo Baggins goes on a long journey with a group of dwarves to recover a magical treasure from the clutches of the evil dragon Smaug. And they succeed, not because they are physically stronger than the dragon, but because they are courageous and use their minds to outwit the evil beast.

Today on the calendar of the Church is the feast day of a saint named St. George. And there is an ancient legend were St. George overcomes a dragon. According to the Legend a dragon was terrorizing a village in modern day Libya, demanding tribute of trinkets and livestock, and when the people ran out of treasures and animals to feed the dragon, the cruel creature demanded the blood of a princess. The valiant solider George, a Christian came to the rescue and slew the dragon. The town and the grateful young lady were saved.

St. George was later martyred by the Roman Emperor Diocletian around the year 303 for refusing to renounce his Christian faith and offer sacrifice to the Roman gods.

St. George is a wonderful saint to celebrate—he courageously defended the weak and the poor from the powers of evil, and he courageously witnessed to our Christian faith that Jesus Christ was crucified and is risen, and the eternal life is obtained by becoming Jesus’ disciple.

George is a fitting saint to celebrate during the Easter season when we celebrate Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead. Because in the story of St. George we see an echo of Jesus’ own triumph.

For as St. George triumphed over evil through the power of good, courage, and self-sacrifice, it is a reflection Jesus' own triumph—his crucifixion and resurrection are the ultimate triumph of goodness over evil. He has defeated the greatest of dragons—saving all of humanity from the clutches of Satan who desires the corruption and eternal damnation of our souls.

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. He has defeated death through the power of self-sacrifice and love, and we, like St. George are called to imitate Him. For each of us have dragons to face—dragons such as selfishness, impulsiveness, laziness, resentment, disordered desires and ideas, like greed, and foolishness. And the Wisdom of God, and the Love of God, and the Power of God, Jesus Christ risen from the dead will help us to slay those dragons, that we may walk with God in this life and live with God forever in heaven, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

 

Gospel

Lk 9:23-26

Jesus said to all,

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself

and take up his cross daily and follow me.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world

yet lose or forfeit himself?

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words,

the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory

and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

February 6 2024 - St. Paul Miki and martyred companions - Courageous Preaching

 Yesterday, the liturgical prayers for the memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr spoke of the courage of her martyrdom. The collect for today’s memorial for St. Paul Miki and his companion martyrs also speaks of courage—holding to the faith we profess until death with courage.

In 1596, the emperor of Japan intensified the persecution of Christians in Japan, seeking to wipe out the Christian faith from the land. He called for the wholesale arrest of Christians in the entire south-central region of Japan called the Kansai region. Christians there were rounded up and forced to march 600 miles to Nagasaki. There they underwent some of the most brutal tortures in Church history. Those who did not apostatize were hung upon crosses and then skewered with spears. St. Paul Miki had his chest pierced with a lance while tied to a cross on 5 February 1597

While hanging upon a cross, Paul Miki, a 34 year old native Japanese Jesuit, preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The only reason for my being killed”, he said, “is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ… I thank God it is for this reason I die… After Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.”

In the Gospel, today, Christ commands us to preach the Gospel and make disciples. St. Paul Miki took serious that missionary mandate. Prior to his arrest his was known for his preaching. Those who were marched to their deaths with him were no doubt people who had converted in response to his preaching. And he continued to preach the Gospel while hanging on the cross.

Nagasaki, the place of those gruesome tortures and martyrdoms, today has the largest Catholic population in Japan. 

We must have the courage to preach the Gospel, in season and out. It is the mandate given to us by Christ himself. To be courageous in preaching means to be fearless in expressing the whole Gospel, not simply those parts of it that are attractive to the worldly. It means not allowing the fear of criticism or rejection to hinder the clear communication of these truths, even when Christian truth contradicts societal norms, cultural values, or individuals who may disagree with or challenge Christian beliefs. Courageous preaching involves the willingness to endure social, professional, even physical suffering, if it would further the mission. 

Courageous preaching involves trusting that God will preserve you throughout those sufferings, and that’s hard for folks who have a superficial relationship with God. To preach the Gospel with Courage, first the Gospel must take root in our souls—for true courage cannot exist without genuine faith and a living relationship with Christ. Unless we have a living relationship with Christ, unless Christ truly lives in us, there will be no real courageous and effective preaching. 

Through the intercession of St. Paul Miki and companions, “may we hold with courage even until death to the faith that we profess”, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

- - - - 

Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them:

The martyrs freely embraced death in bearing witness for the faith, may we receive the true freedom of the Spirit. 

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure. 

The martyrs followed in your footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

That all missionaries may have courage and strength in their witness to the Gospel, for an increase in vocations, and that more men and women will take up the missionary call.

For the sick and suffering among us, for those who care for them, and for all of our beloved dead, especially 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

December 29 2023 - St. Thomas Becket - The crib, the cross, and the world

 A little over 850 years ago, the Catholic archbishop of Canterbury England was martyred in his own cathedral while praying vespers. 

From his youth, Thomas Becket had been a good friend of King Henry II and had been named by the king as both chancellor of England in 1155 and Archbishop of Canturbury in 1162.

The King no doubt hoped that Becket would use his ecclesiastical office to benefit the crown, but the Archbishop recognized that his first loyalty was not to the world, but to God. When the King began to overstep his authority and infringe upon the Church, Thomas dutifully opposed the king.

The rift escalated when the king confiscated church property in retribution and the archbishop issued the king’s excommunication. 

According to one account, one day the king publicly denounced the archbishop "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?"

On the 29th of December in the Year of Our Lord 1170, four of the king’s knights, set out for Canterbury to confront the archbishop and bludgeoned him to death.

Within 4 days of Christmas, we have the celebration of St Stephen, martyred for the faith, St. John the Apostle, not martyred, but excruciatingly tortured for the faith. We have the slaughter of babies, on the Feast of the Holy Innocents yesterday, and then today, we have the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket, a bishop of England who was assassinated on his Cathedral steps. It is almost as though the red Christmas poinsettias decorating the sanctuary witness to blood—blood spilt for Christ.

These faithful ones, celebrated in proximity to the birth of our savior, remind us that loving the one born on Christmas has consequences. He was opposed by Herod, by his own people, by the powers of sin and death, and by Satan the accursed one. And those who love Christ and follow him will also know and experience the hostility of those same powers and principalities. 

For it is not just archbishops and apostles who are called to stand up for the Truth of the Gospel, but all Christians. Kneeling before the crib, carrying our cross, and standing against evil are all the same thing. 

Thomas Becket, when those four knights with weapons drawn approached him in his Cathedral said, “I am ready to die for God.  I am ready to die for the defense of justice. I am ready to die for the freedom of the Church. Would only that my lifeblood might purchase Her peace and freedom”.

Where did he get that courage and readiness? He loved Christ more than anything. May we do the same. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - -  

We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

That the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth may bring renewed conviction for Christ’s truth to the Pope, all bishops, clergy, and lay faithful.

That our President and all leaders of nations may protect and promote religious liberty for all. 

For Christians who are persecuted throughout the world, especially those who face martyrdom, that they may have a faith that is constant and pure.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body. 

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

April 24 2023 - St. Fidelis of Signaringen - Poor man's lawyer turned Capuchin Franciscan martyred by Calvinists

 Have you ever become so fed up with the corruption in the world, that you just wanted to leave everything to become a monk? Well, that’s kind of what our saint today did.

His birth name was Mark, like the evangelist, whom we celebrate tomorrow, and he was born in the southern German town of Sigmaringen. Mark studied law and philosophy at the University of Freiburg, earning his Doctorate in Law. During his time at university, he was already known for his modesty, meekness, sobriety, chastity, and for wearing a hair-shirt as a penance. 

After achieving his law degree, he traveled throughout Europe, where his piety became more evident. He spent hours in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, was generous to the poor, even giving away the clothes his was wearing.

At the end of six years of travel, he came to Alsace, France, where he came to be known as the ‘poor man’s lawyer’ offering his services to the poor at a vastly reduced rate or for free, but he became so disenchanted with the evils associated with his profession that he became determined to enter the religious life. I think many good pious young people today, experience a similar disgust with our modern culture, and find in the priesthood or religious life the fulfillment they long for.

So Mark entered the Capuchin Franciscans where he was given the religious name, Fidelis, which in Latin means, “faithful one”. He was ordained a priest, and in addition to his Sacramental work, he cared much for the weak and needy. 

A bishop in Switzerland invited the Capuchins to come preach to the people who had abandoned Catholicism for Protestant Calvinism. Father Fidelis was asked to head this dangerous mission—dangerous, because religious tensions were high.

The preaching mission was almost immediately successful, which the people attributed to the prayers and penances of Fidelis. Calvinists were being brought back into the fold back to the faith and new converts were being made.

In the spring of 1622, Father Fidelis was approached by a group of Calvinists. They called for him to renounce Catholicism to which he responded: "I am the one who made every effort to fight against your errors; I am he who has proclaimed to you the Catholic faith, to which I adhere with utter conviction and affection, I have come to you to root your sad heresies, not to adopt them myself; see to it that you will not regret this act." The Calvinists then stabbed and bludgeoned the holy friar to death.

What a model of Easter faith for us! Devotion to charity, evangelization, and courage. He was truly Fidelis, faithful unto death. May his heroic faith and heavenly intercession increase our faith, hope, and love for the building up of the body of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 - - - - - - 

God the Father was glorified in the death and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to him with confidence.

God the Father bathed the world in splendor when Christ rose again in glory, may our minds be filled with the light of faith.

Through the resurrection of His Son, the Father opened for us the way to eternal life, may we be sustained today in our work with the hope of glory.

Through His risen Son, the Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world, may our hearts be set on fire with spiritual love.

May Jesus Christ, who was crucified to set us free, be the salvation of all those who suffer, particularly those who suffer from physical or mental illness, addiction, and grief.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

September 28 2022 - St. Lawrence Ruiz - The life offered to God

Saint Lawrence Ruiz is the first canonized Filipino martyr.  He was born in Manila around the year 1600 to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, who were both Christians.  As a young boy he was educated by Dominican priests and served as an altar boy.  He became a professional calligrapher, transcribing documents in beautiful penmanship, and he was a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary.  He married and was a devoted husband and father of two sons and a daughter. He was a man of faith.

His life took an abrupt turn when he was unjustly accused of murder.  The threat of arrest led Lawrence to flee his home.  He sought asylum with several Dominican priests who were going to Japan to do missionary work.

As God’s mysterious providence would have it, Lorenzo along with the missionaries were arrested shortly after arriving in Japan. Catholics were being persecuted heavily in Japan at that time, and those who professed the Catholic faith, especially missionaries, were being jailed by the Japanese government, subjected to unspeakable tortures in attempt to force them to renounce their faith. Those who refused to apostatize were sentenced to death by the Japanese.  

As he faced his persecutors, St. Lorenzo said, “If I had a thousand lives to offer, I would offer them to God. So, do with me as you please."  He was killed by being hung upside down and exsanguinated. 

The world thinks (many Catholics think) that the purpose of life is escape a fate like St. Lorenzo’s—to do anything we can from being arrested, tortured, and murdered for our faith. But we must offer our lives to God no matter what that means.

The life offered to God might mean a long life, surrounded by grandchildren—helping your family to become strong in the faith. It might mean being the victim of a false accusation, like St. Lorenzo, and then tortured for your faith. It might mean to have the hatred of the worldly powers bent on your demise. But, the martyrs show us that offering our lives to God, whatever that means, will always bring about a greater good. 

The Courage of the Martyrs comes from a passivity, an acceptance, and surrender to the Holy Will of God. And that’s something that every Catholic is called to imitate no matter our state in life or our circumstances. Surrendered to God, the slave becomes free, the poor becomes rich, the weak becomes strong in bearing witness to God, the crucified becomes an instrument of grace. 

May the martyrs help us to seek and surrender to the Holy Will of God with courage and love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - 

That religious indifference and hatred in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.

For the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering. 

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

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said: "What do you expect to achieve by questioning us? We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors." 

At the point of death, the second brother said: "You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life, but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever. It is for his laws that we are dying."

After him the third suffered their cruel sport. He put out his tongue at once when told to do so,

and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words: "It was from Heaven that I received these; for the sake of his laws I disdain them; from him I hope to receive them again." Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage, because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died, they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way. When he was near death, he said, "It is my choice to die at the hands of men with the hope God gives of being raised up by him; but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

Jn 15:18-21

Jesus said to his disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me."

August 24 2022 - St. Bartholomew - Without duplicity

 Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was a pious Jew who lived in daily expectation of the coming of the messiah. His home was at Cana. And even though Cana was twelve miles away from the Sea of Galilee, it is likely that Bartholomew, was a fisherman. For when St. Peter stood on the Sea of Tiberias after the Resurrection and announced he was going fishing, Bartholomew called out with the other apostles, “we are going with you”.

Bartholomew was evidently a close friend of Phillip. The two of them seemed to be actively looking for the Messiah, and had initially thought that John the Baptist was the Messiah. But after Philip had encountered Jesus at Galilee, Philip, as we heard in the Gospel today, runs to announce to his friend Bartholomew, that it wasn’t John, but Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth, who was the fulfillment of the law and the prophets 

We can only wonder what Bartholomew meant when he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nazareth was just a couple miles—just nine miles—from Bartholomew’s hometown of Cana. Perhaps he was speaking with a bit of mockery so often found between two neighboring villages. But his small-town prejudices did not keep Bartholomew from venturing with Philip to see Jesus.

And in this encounter, Jesus himself gives us an insight into St. Bartholomew’s character and faith, “there is no duplicity in him”. The Lord peered into his heart and found him to be a man of impeccable honesty, forthright, open, plainspoken, straightforward, upfront, earnest, innocent, and unpretentious. “Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” says Psalm 32.

All Christians are to be without deceit, without duplicity. We are to live for the Lord and die for the Lord. We cannot serve two masters. 

After the resurrection, the apostle Bartholomew labored in the master’s vineyard, spreading the Gospel throughout the Iranian Empire and along the Persian Gulf. Around the year 69 he was martyred, skinned alive and crucified. He is sometimes depicted in Sacred Art, holding a knife, which was used to flay him, and sometimes even carrying his skin over his arm, like in Michaelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Due to the nature of his martyrdom, Bartholomew is patron saint of those with skin diseases, dermotologists, leather workers, tanners, and butchers.

Honesty, guilelessness, is not a popular trait. Many people prefer comfortable lies. Many act one way in public and another in private. Some live double-lives. But Christians are to be people of Truth, for our Lord says, “I am the Truth” honestly acknowledging our faults and vices and sins, that they may be healed. We are to speak the truth and live the truth in love for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -  

May we join the Holy Apostles in our prayer for the world and the Church.

As the Apostles witnessed to the Resurrection of the Lord, may we be his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.

For the bishops, the successors of the apostles: That they may be courageous in stirring up the flame of faith and defending the Church from error.

For all of the sick and suffering, especially victims of skin diseases, natural disaster, poverty, and addiction, may they be comforted and supported by God’s healing love. We pray to the Lord.

For all who long to see the face of the Father, for all our departed loved ones and all of the souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered. We pray to the Lord.

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

June 22 2022 - St. Thomas More - A Man for All Seasons

 One of my favorite films of all times is “A Man for All Seasons” the historical drama about St. Thomas More who is honored today along with the English martyr, bishop John Fisher. The film does an amazing job presenting the political and religious tension in England when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and amazingly captures the wit, intelligence, courage, and holiness of St. Thomas More, played by Paul Scolfield, who also portrayed the saint in the original stage version by Robert Bolt.

If you have a few free hours, check out “A Man for All Seasons”. And the title of the film and play raises an interesting question? Why does the author refer to St. Thomas More as “a man for all seasons”? Thomas More despite tremendous pressure from his friends, from his family, probably from a number of clergy, from the king of england, not to mention the threat of torture and martyrdom, remained true to his principals and Catholic religious convictions throughout all the seasons of his life. 

Whenever I watch the film adaptation, I am so deeply impressed by Thomas More’s spiritual leadership in his family and community. He is a loving husband, a provident father, a fair employer, a lawyer who does not bend to corruption and bribes, a sound counselor, a learned man who saw through the empty philosophies of his day, whose convictions informed his decisions. He is depicted as “man fully alive” as Irenaeus would say, a man whose mind has been strengthened by reason and the Gospel, a man whose moral compass is firmly set on Christ, a man who stands for Truth even when bishops and priests cower in fear. And it happened. It’s not just a fiction. He was that great.

But that’s what also makes him a man, not just for 16th century England, but a man for all seasons of history. His virtues are for every age. His stance for Truth is needed in every age. We need Thomas More’s in every season. We need Thomas More’s now. We need Catholics who will remain true to their faith despite the pressures of the world, their families, their peers. Catholics of rightly formed conscience.

And when you watch it, you think, that’s the sort of man I want to be, in every circumstance, making him truly, a man for all seasons.

May St. Thomas More inspire us by his life and assist us with his prayers, especially when it is our time to stand for Truth, for the glory of God and salvation of souls. 

That our bishops and clergy may be zealous in preaching and teaching the truth of the Gospel.

That through the intercession of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, people of faith may remain vigilant in defending religious liberty and preaching the Gospel courageously.

That our young people on summer vacation may be kept safe from the poisonous errors of our culture, and that their families may be places where the faith is practiced and cherished.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 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, and for X for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ our Lord.

June 03 2022 - St. Charles Lwanga - Love of Chastity

 o many of us, the name of the Ugandan Martyr St. Charles Lwanga is unfamiliar.  But, he is well-known and revered in much of tropical Africa and is honored throughout the universal Church as a patron saint of young people and chastity. 

Evangelization of Uganda only began in the mid-1800s by the Society of Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers because of the white cassock they wore). At that time Uganda had a very vicious, lustful king named Mwanga who forced himself on the young boys and young men of his court.  Charles Lwanga, who had become a Catechist for the Christian community, encouraged the young boys to preserve their chastity. For opposing the King’s lusts, Charles was arrested and burned to death on June 3.

St. Charles Lwanga’s witness reminds us that chastity is part of God’s plan for all people, but the culture is not always receptive to that message. Especially as “National Pride Month” is celebrated by many in our land, Christ’s call to chastity needs to joyfully resound in his Church.

Chastity involves self-mastery, self-control, self-knowledge, developing the virtue of temperance, and learning to rely on God’s grace in times of temptation. Chastity brings freedom from our baser, fallen, and disordered impulses, and the joy of bringing one’s life more under the dominion of the Holy Spirit. Chastity is largely a personal journey, though Christian parents certainly have a pivotal role in protecting the innocence of their children from the perversions of the culture. Indeed, the Church has a role in promoting chastity in the larger culture. 

The proliferation of pornography, the confused gender ideologies which are pushed in public schools and in the media, the cultural-acceptance of sex before marriage, are certainly signs that we have a lot of work to do in this area. 

In the Gospel for today’s feast of St. Charles we heard the Lord’s beatitudes, in which he proclaims, “blessed are the pure of heart.” The “pure of heart,” according to the Catechism, “refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God’s holiness, chiefly in three areas: charity; chastity or sexual rectitude; love of truth and orthodoxy of faith."

Through the intercession of St. Charles Lwanga and his martyred companions, may we seek that purity of intellect and will, that chastity, and the love of the truth that St. Charles lived and died for, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -  

That the witness, sufferings, and death of the  martyrs may bring about rebirth of Christianity and civilization, in those places where faith and morals have diminished.

Through the intercession of St. Charles Lwanga, patron of youth, may our young people be protected from the perversion of our culture and be infused with virtue.

That religious indifference in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, 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 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 those who have fought and died for our freedom, and…

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.

Christ the King 2021 - Viva Cristo Rey

 “Viva Cristo Rey!” “Long live Christ the King!” These were the last words Fr. Miguel Augustin Pro uttered before he was executed by firing squad by the virulently anti-Catholic government of Mexico on November 23, 1927.

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in the 19th century, the government also sought to divorce itself from Catholicism. Mexico’s 1917 Constitution brought the seizing of church property, the outlaw religious orders, and the government’s insertion into internal Church affairs. The Constitution prohibited priests from voting or offering any comment on public policy. Priests were also banned from wearing their clerical attire or vestments outside churches. Public displays of faith like the Corpus Christi Procession or praying the rosary publicly were strictly forbidden. 

Some Catholics rebelled against the government persecution; the Cristeros movement fought against the anti-Catholic regime, which by the 20s was executing priests and even young people who practiced their faith. 

Pope Pius XI wrote three encyclicals denouncing the persecution in Mexico, calling upon faithful Catholics to defend the Church when possible. The persecution finally ended when a Catholic president, Manuel Avila Camacho, was elected in 1940. Yet, when Pope St. John Paul visited Mexico in 1979 it was still illegal for him to celebrate Mass in public.

The most famous martyr of this persecution is the Jesuit priest Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro. When Churches were closed by the government, Fr. Miguel would celebrate Mass in secret to provide the Eucharist for Mexico’s faithful. He became known throughout Mexico City as the undercover priest who would show up in the middle of the night, dressed as a beggar or a street sweeper, to baptize infants, hear confessions, distribute Communion, or perform marriages. Several times, disguised as a policeman, he slipped unnoticed into the police headquarters itself to bring the sacraments to Catholic prisoners before their executions.

Eventually, Fr. Pro was captured and arrested and sentenced to death. The President of Mexico ordered his execution to be photographed in great detail, hoping to incite fear amongst the Cristeros Catholics. You may have seen the photographs of Fr. Pro, dressed in a suit, facing the firing squad, with arms outstretched like Jesus on the Cross. The photographs, instead of inciting fear had the opposite effect, and Catholics began to show great devotion to the martyr—soon the government forbade the distribution of the very photos it had publicized!

When Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King for the universal Church in 1925, Christians were facing grave difficulties: the Mexican persecution of course, the rise of National Socialism which would become Nazism in Germany, Atheistic Communism in Russia, and the rampant Materialism, Consumerism, and Racism of the roaring 20s here in the States. The Pope instituted this feast for one, to show “the deplorable consequences” produced when individuals and governments rebel against and reject the Gospel. Godless governments are always anti-life governments, they emphasize power over peace, the state over the individual, and they censor and persecute religion. And it can and is happening again in this country. 

Pope Pius XI also wanted to strengthen and encourage Catholics facing persecution, like the Cristeros Catholics in Mexico. This feast of Christ the King, gave Fr. Pro and so many others, the courage to continue to work for the spread of Christ’s reign, despite formidable hostilities. 

This feast is also a reminder to all Catholics: that amidst all the trials of life, our faith in Christ can and will sustain us in the most difficult moments of life, it can and will transform our fallen world, if we let it. And to those who allow Christ to reign in them and through them, our Good King will speak the words we long to hear: “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

On this last feast, this last week of the liturgical year, we consider what in the end really matters, not our status in any political party, not the esteem of our superiors or friends, but whether in the end we have allowed Christ to reign as king in our hearts and minds and wills.

In the Gospel, we hear of Pilate asking Christ, are you a king? Notice that Jesus does not answer Pilate’s question directly. Why? Because You have to answer this for yourself. On one level, Pilate washed his hands of this question because he was unwilling to face the political and professional ramifications for allowing Christ to be his king. The truth that Christ is King will set you free if you let it.

But on a deeper level, what kept Pilate from acknowledging Christ as king was his pride. Pride always keeps us from Christ as King because pride does not acknowledge a king outside of one’s self. Pride says, “I need be the one in charge, I need to lord power over others, I determine what truth is for myself” But this sort of pride is a rebellion and rejection of God-- the sort of rebellion and rejection of God that leads to broken friendships and families, even gulag’s and concentration camps. History shows this over and over again. Godlessness leads to violence towards one’s fellow man and self-destruction. 

But pride can be shattered, and it must be shattered, in order to belong to that the kingdom of truth and life, the kingdom of holiness and grace, the kingdom of justice, love and peace, the kingdom of Christ that we know we long to be apart of.

The upcoming month of December, and the season of Advent, we know is filled with many demands on our time. So during all of the busyness of the month ahead, we must remember our deepest duty is to Christ: not to contribute to the growing godlessness of our culture, but to bring about his Kingdom through faith, hope, and charity.

The changing of a liturgical season is always a good time to do some self-examination: to examine whether selfishness, pleasure, lust, control, pride, reign in our lives, or Christian generosity, self-control, humility, and prayer. And it is a good time to make a good confession of the times we let sin reign in us, rather than Christ. 

This week, I encourage you to plan ahead for Advent, which begins next sunday; plan additional daily prayer time, additional spiritual reading, additional acts of mercy and charity. Get to weekday Mass during Advent. So that you can hear and reflect upon the beautiful advent scriptures and lessons, and to pray and celebrate Eucharist for those souls who have lost focus of the reason for the season. 

Make a good sacramental confession prior to Christmas—acknowledge those times when pride has taken the place of the love of Christ the King.

“Viva Cristo Rey!” “Long live Christ the King!” in us. In our minds and hearts, our relationships with family, friends, strangers, neighbors and enemies. 

When we allow Christ to reign in us, he transforms us into instruments of his justice and his goodness. We become partners with Christ in reuniting divided humanity, in extending God’s mercy, truth, and love to all, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

November 12 2021 - St. Josaphat, martyr - Unity with God, Church, and Neighbor

 At the last supper, the Lord prayed for his followers—he prayed for the Apostles present with him in the upper room, and he prayed for the Church—that through the ages she would remain united in faith and love. "Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may be one.” While his death was looming, the most terrible of sufferings anyone had ever or would ever suffer, he was thinking of us and praying for us, for our unity in the truth of the Gospel, ““Your word, father, is truth…consecrate them in the truth”

The unity of the Church is always threatened by sin and error. And so we find the holy saints throughout history seeking unity with God through mortification, unity in the Church through right teaching, and unity with neighbor through charity. There can be no sanctity without mortification, right teaching, and works of charity.

St. Paul, of course, often wrote to the fledgling communities about avoiding anything that led to division. “With diligence preserve unity” he writes to the Ephesians, for “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

St. Josephat spent his life laboring for the unity of the Church and was a martyr for Church unity because he died trying to bring part of the Orthodox Church into union with Rome.  He’s known as the apostle of union because he gave us life working for the unity of the Church. 

He was born into an orthodox family in 1580, but as an adult he joined one of the eastern churches that had recently returned to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Through education, reform of the clergy and personal example, Josephat succeeded in winning over the majority of the Orthodox in his diocese to full communion with Rome.  But those who opposed Church unity and communion with Rome plotted his death, and he was martyred in 1623. With furious cries of “Kill the Papist!”, He was struck on the head and shot and thrown into the river— killed by a mob who opposed his efforts.  

Like his Lord, Josephat died for unity. For the Lord indeed died that our unity with God destroyed by sin might be restored, and that the wounds of sin and division in the human family might be healed. As we know there are great divisions in our nation, there are many family members estranged from one another, there are many who have set themselves at odds with God through sin. Division caused by sin and pride always brings unneeded suffering, sadness and diminishment.

Through the intercession of St. Josephat and all the saints, seek that unity God desires for us, unity with Himself, unity with the Church, unity with neighbor for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -  

For the healing of the wounds of all Christian division and for success in the work of evangelization.

For perseverance in carrying our crosses in fidelity to the Lord Jesus.

For safety for travelers and for the homeless and destitute affected by cold and inclement weather.

That we may be attentive to the needs of the sick, the poor, and the despairing in our midst.

We pray in a special way during this month of November for all the faithful departed, for those whose names are written in our parish book of the names of the dead, all deceased members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, and our deceased family members and friends, deceased clergy and religious, for those who fought and died for our freedom and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

October 19 2021 - St. Isaac Jogues & Martyred Companions - Our single endeavor

 In 1636 the Jesuit Priest Isaac Jogues traveled to Quebec to preach the Gospel to the Huron Indians.  The Hurons were a pretty peaceful group, and many Hurons converted to Christianity through Father Isaac and his companions missionary activity.  However, the Hurons were constantly attacked by the Iroquois, and during one attack, Father Isaac and his missionaries were captured by the Iroquois and imprisoned for 13 months.  They were led from village to village, beaten, tortured, and forced to watch as the Huron Christian converts were mangled and killed by the Iroquois.

Fr. Isaac was able to escape from imprisonment and returned to France. And, he had to receive special permission from the Pope to continue to celebrate Mass because several of his fingers had been cut, chewed, or burnt off.  

Fr. Isaac could have stayed in Europe to live safely and die peacefully. But he burned with zeal for the Gospel. In 1646, the Iroquois signed a peace treaty with the Hurons, and Fr. Isaac thought it a good opportunity to begin preaching now to the Iroquois.  However, on his way to evangelize the Iroquois he was captured by a war party of Mohawk Indians, and on October 18, 1646, Father Isaac was tomahawked and beheaded.  His companions were killed the next day.

Many Iroquois saw his courageous faith as proof of the authenticity and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many Iroquois converted to Christianity and welcomed missionaries with open arms.  Moreover, the faith began to grow amongst the Mohawks as well.  Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks, could trace her faith to the preaching of Isaac Jogues.

St. Isaac wrote a letter before his death.  He wrote: “Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work of the spread of the Gospel and faithfulness to God, and to not let our own desires get in the way of doing God’s work.” Our single endeavor. At every moment, doing the Lord’s will, doing the Lord’s work…it’s not our first priority, it’s our only priority. 

What would my prayer life need to look life, in order to support that belief? How might I need to better discipline my time? What would I need to cut out of my life, in order to make the work of the spread of the Gospel my single endeavor? 

May St. Isaac Jogues help us to pursue this endeavor, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - 

That religious indifference in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.

For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.

For the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, the religiously indifferent, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.

“That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be a place where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering. 

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

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

July 20 2021 - St. Apollonaris, martyr - Witness matters

 My final year of college seminary, I was able to spend a semester studying abroad in the Holy City of Rome.  Not only were we able to soak up the culture, piety, and religious history of Rome, but we were able to travel to many of the other important cities to Catholicism, at least in Italy.  

Our Church architecture professor took us to the city of Ravenna, known for its beautiful mosaics and ancient churches.  In the Cathedral of Ravenna, behind the altar is a beautiful mosaic of that city’s first bishop, the saint whom the Church celebrates today, Apollinaris.  Apollinaris was a disciple of the Apostle Peter and was famous for the gift of healing.  In fact, that’s what started to get him into trouble.  

Sent by Peter to Ravenna, Apollonaris began preaching in the town. A certain, Roman Tribune impressed by the man, welcomed the new bishop to his home. The tribune brought the bishop to the bed of his blind son who Bishop Apollonaris immediately healed.  The Tribune and his family converted on the spot, and even offered their home as the new headquarters for the bishop. 

The faith flourished in Ravenna in the 26 years Apollonaris was Bishop there, until the Imperials had enough of him. He was imprisoned and tortured, exiled after he miraculously survived his tortures, including being plunged into boiling oil. He continued to win converts even in exile, so he was captured and imprisoned again, and finally beaten to death in the year A.D. 79. 

Whenever we celebrate the martyrs, we are challenged by them in a number of ways.  Would I have the strength of faith to witness with my life?  But also, the perhaps more pressing question, do my words and deeds mark me as a Christian?  Do I make people like the Roman Imperials concerned because souls are becoming Christian or taking their faith more seriously because of my efforts?  

Now the beautiful ancient churches and famous mosaics of Ravenna were not fashioned for about 400 years after the martyrdom of her first bishop. But without men like Apollonaris there wouldn’t have been Christians in Ravenna whose great great grandchildren would go on to build those churches and mosaics. What we do in this life matters. The example of our faith and the perseverance through difficulty matters. 

May the Martyrs preserve us, inspire us, and strengthen us for the witness and work God has for us in our own time, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - -  

Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them:

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure. 

The martyrs followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July: That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests. We pray to the Lord.

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