The Passion (Beheading) Of Saint John The Baptist Feast Day - 29 August

Quoted from Young Catholics [1]:

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him.

She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias’ own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.” He even swore many things to her, “I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom.”

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”

The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request, “I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

[1] https://young-catholics.com/4219/beheading-of-st-john-the-baptist/

Saint Augustine Feast Day - 28 August

Quoted from The Augustinians [1]:

Augustine was born in Tagaste, Souk-Ahras, Algeria on November 13, 354 to Patricius, a pagan, and Monica, a fervent Catholic. He was endowed with abundant human and intellectual gifts as well as an inquisitive mind and a passionate spirit, all of which brought him great pain at times, while leading him to great discoveries about himself, life, and God, as well. Through the generosity of a family friend he was able to do studies beyond the basic course in his hometown, and became an accomplished rhetorician and teacher in Africa and later in Rome and Milan. Though he had been admitted to the catechumenate of the Catholic Church by his mother as a child, he did not find satisfaction in the Church during adolescence and young adulthood, and instead was drawn to other forms of spiritual expression, especially in the Manichean sect and later in astrology. Finally, he embraced skepticism. In retrospect, however, he was able to discern various moments of spiritual growth or conversion until a final climactic moment when he decided to embrace Christ fully in the Catholic Church. He had already separated from the woman with whom he had lived for many years and who bore him a son, and was preparing for marriage with another, but his conversion, he felt, required that he abandon altogether any possibility of marriage and commit himself instead to a life of chastity as a celibate 'servant of God'. Following baptism in Milan in 387, together with his son and some friends, he returned with them to his hometown of Tagaste to begin a monastic life. Against his personal wishes, he was ordained priest in Hippo in 391, and became bishop of that See in 397, all the while continuing in his monastic lifestyle.

Augustine was a prolific writer, an accomplished preacher, a monastic leader, a theologian, pastor, contemplative, and mystic. He died on August 28, 430 at almost 76 years of age, as North Africa was being invaded by the Vandals and the Church there was being devastated. His remains were taken to Sardinia and later to Pavia, Italy, where they are now preserved in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro.  [italics  original].

[1] https://www.augustinian.org/news/feast-day-of-st-augustine-august-28

Saint Bartholomew The Apostle Feast Day - 24 August

Quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

[Saint] Bartholomew ... was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. He is said to have been martyred for having converted Polymius, King of Armenia, to Christianity. He has also been identified as Nathanael or Nathaniel, who appears in the Gospel of John when introduced to Jesus by Philip (who also became an apostle; John 1:43–51), although many modern commentators reject the identification of Nathanael with Bartholomew. 

...

Of the many miracles claimed to have been performed by Bartholomew before and after his death, two are known by the townsfolk of the small Italian island of Lipari.

The people of Lipari celebrated his feast day annually. The tradition of the people was to take the solid silver and gold statue from inside the Cathedral of St Bartholomew and carry it through the town. On one occasion, when taking the statue down the hill towards the town, it suddenly became very heavy and had to be set down. When the men carrying the statue regained their strength, they lifted it a second time. After another few seconds, it got even heavier. They set it down and attempted once more to pick it up. They managed to lift it but had to put it down one last time. Within seconds, walls further downhill collapsed. If the statue had been able to be lifted, all the townspeople would have been killed. 

During World War II, the fascist regime looked for ways to finance their activities. The order was given to take the silver statue of Saint Bartholomew and melt it down. The statue was weighed, and it was found to be only a few grams. It was returned to its place in the Cathedral of Lipari. In reality, the statue is made from many kilograms of silver and it is considered a miracle that it was not melted down.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartholomew_the_Apostle

Feast Of The Immaculate Heart Of The Blessed Virgin Mary - 22 August

Quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 to be celebrated on 22 August, coinciding with the traditional octave day of the Assumption. In 1969, Pope Paul VI moved the celebration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Saturday, immediately after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This means in practice that it is now held on the third Saturday after Pentecost.

Quoted from Aleteia [2] [italics  and bold  original]:

[Pope Pius XII] saw a close connection between Mary’s queenship and her heart, the heart of a mother.

“With a heart that is truly a mother’s,” to quote again Our Predecessor of immortal memory, Pius IX, “does she approach the problem of our salvation, and is solicitous for the whole human race; made Queen of heaven and earth by the Lord, exalted above all choirs of angels and saints, and standing at the right hand of her only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she intercedes powerfully for us with a mother’s prayers, obtains what she seeks, and cannot be refused.”

Above all, Pius XII believed that we should all go to Mary, the Queen of our Hearts, and beg for her assistance.

Let all, therefore, try to approach with greater trust the throne of grace and mercy of our Queen and Mother, and beg for strength in adversity, light in darkness, consolation in sorrow; above all let them strive to free themselves from the slavery of sin and offer an unceasing homage, filled with filial loyalty, to their Queenly Mother. 

 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Heart_of_Mary#:~:text=Pope%20Pius%20XII%20instituted%20the%20feast%20of%20the,the%20Solemnity%20of%20the%20Sacred%20Heart%20of%20Jesus., quoted without references and hyperlinks.

[2] https://aleteia.org/2021/08/22/the-queenship-of-mary-and-her-immaculate-heart/

Saint Joachim Feast Day - 16 August

Quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

The story of Joachim, his wife Anne (or Anna), and the miraculous birth of their child Mary, the mother of Jesus, is told for the first time in the 2nd century apocryphal infancy-gospel the Gospel of James (also called Protoevangelium of James). Joachim is a rich and pious man, who regularly gave to the poor. However, at the temple, Joachim's sacrifice was rejected, as the couple's childlessness was interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure. Joachim consequently withdrew to the desert, where he fasted and did penance for 40 days. Angels then appeared to both Joachim and Anne to promise them a child.

...

No liturgical celebration of Saint Joachim was included in the Tridentine Calendar. It was added to the General Roman Calendar in 1584, for celebration on 20 March, the day after the feast day of Saint Joseph. In 1738, it was transferred to the Sunday after the Octave of the Assumption of Mary. As part of his effort to allow the liturgy of Sundays to be celebrated, Pope Pius X (term 1903–1914) transferred it to 16 August, the day after the Assumption, so Joachim may be remembered in the celebration of Mary's triumph. It was then celebrated as a Double of the Second Class, a rank that was changed in 1960 to that of Second Class Feast. In the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar, it was joined to that of Anne, for celebration on 26 July.

...

 

Joachim is named as the patron saint of fathers, grandfathers, grandparents, married couples, cabinet makers, and linen traders.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim#:~:text=Joachim%20feast%20day%2026%20July%20%28Anglican%20Communion%29%2C%20%28Catholic,Calendar%2C%201738-1913%29%3B%2016%20August%20%28General%20Roman%20Calendar%2C%201913-1969%29, quoted without references and hyperlinks.

Hymn For The Vigil Of The Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary - O Prima Virgo Prodita - 14 August

O Prima Virgo Prodita, quoted below in Latin, is from app.neumz.com [1] - the hymn was chanted and uploaded by Gloriae Dei Cantores on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRJwjq3Qzr0):

1. O Prima, Virgo, pródita

E Conditóris spíritu,

Prædestináta Altíssimi

Gestáre in alvo Fílium;

2. Tu perpes hostis fémina

Prænuntiáta dǽmonis,

Oppléris una grátia

Intamináta orígine.

3. Tu ventre Vitam cóncipis,

Vitámque ab Adam pérditam,

Diæ litándæ Víctimæ

Carnem minístrans, íntegras.

4. Merces piáclo débita

Devícta mors te déserit,

Almíque consors Fílii

Ad astra ferris córpore.

5. Tanta corúscans glória,

Natúra cuncta extóllitur,

In te vocáta vérticem

Decóris omnis tángere.

6. Ad nos, triúmphans, éxsules,

Regína, verte lúmina,

Cæli ut beátam pátriam,

Te, consequámur áuspice.

7. Gloria tibi Dómine, [2]

Qui natus es de Vírgine,

Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu,

In sempitérna sǽcula.

Amen.

The hymn in English, quoted below is also from app.neumz.com [3]:

1. O You, first Virgin,

E Conditóris spíritu,

you made the Creator the breath

the Most High Son in his bosom.

2. It was predicted that a woman

that she would fight a demon,

she would be full of grace,

unblemished from conception.

3. You carried Life in your womb

that Adam had lost

by offering a pure body

to make the Lord a sacrifice.

4. The price of sin is

the inevitable death, that does not defeat you,

because you, companion of the Son,

you reach for the stars with your body.

5. Illuminated with great glory,

you have an exalted nature,

that, in all its splendor,

reaches unprecedented heights of beauty.

6. Direct your eyes to the exiles,

oh Queen, let your triumphs

give us the holy homeland in heaven,

we ask you to take care of us.

7. Glory be to you, O Lord,

Born of a Virgin,

With the Father and the Holy Spirit

World without end.

Amen.

[1] https://app.neumz.com/listen/vesperas-i-o-prima-virgo-prodita-2/14-08-2021

[2] The Roman Catholic Daily Missal, 1962, Angelus Press, page 1359, the line is "Jesu, tibi sit glória," these words were chanted on YouTube  by Gloriæ Dei Cantores, not those quoted from app.neumz.com.

[3] https://app.neumz.com/listen/vesperas-i-o-prima-virgo-prodita-2/14-08-2021

The Solemnity of Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day - 15 August

Quoted below is from Relevant Radio [1]:

August 15 marks the most important Marian feast day of the year: The Assumption [of the Blessed Virgin Mary]. This day commemorates when Mary was assumed into Heaven, body and soul. In 1950, Pope Pius XII made it a dogma of the Church, an unquestionable teaching that verified this undeniable truth. While the New Testament makes no explicit mention of Mary’s dormition or assumption into Heaven, it has been affirmed by Christian Tradition and the accounts of saints, and historical Scripture points to its veracity. Just as God brought Enoch and Elijah directly into Heaven, He has the power to bring Our Lady, who was conceived without sin.

Because of this flawless conception, Mary was not subject to the stains and scars of Original Sin, namely labor pains, sickness, and death. Therefore, when Pope Pius XII wrote the dogma for the Assumption of Mary, he did not specify whether she died or whether she “fell asleep.” Some say that she died, not because of sin, but to imitate the life and death of Christ, perfection in all things. Others say that because she was not subject to it, she merely entered a deep sleep before her assumption.

Quoted below is from Wikipedia [2]:

The Catholic Church teaches as dogma that the [Blessed] Virgin Mary "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory". This doctrine was dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950, in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus by exercising papal infallibility. While the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church believe in the Dormition of the Mother of God (Dormition of the Theotokos or "the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God"), whether Mary as the New Eve had a physical death has not been dogmatically defined. In Munificentissimus Deus (item 39) Pope Pius XII pointed to the Book of Genesis (3:15) as scriptural support for the dogma in terms of Mary's victory over sin and death through her intimate association with "the new Adam" (Christ) as also reflected in 1 Corinthians 15:54: "then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory"

[1] https://relevantradio.com/2021/08/the-feast-of-the-assumption/#:~:text=August%2015%20marks%20the%20most%20important%20Marian%20feast,an%20unquestionable%20teaching%20that%20verified%20this%20undeniable%20truth.

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary, quoted without references and hyperlinks.

Saint Clare Of Assisi Feast Day - 12 August (1255-1969) - 11 August (1970 - present)

Quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

Clare was canonized on 26 September 1255 by Pope Alexander IV, and her feast day was immediately inserted in the General Roman Calendar for celebration on 12 August, the day after her death, as 11 August was already assigned to Saints Tiburtius and Susanna, two 3rd-century Roman martyrs.... The 1969 calendar revision removed the feast of Tiburtius and Susanna from the calendar, finally allowing the memorial of Saint Clare to be celebrated on 11 August, the day of her death.

Quoted in part from Aleteia [2]:

Who was St. Clare?

St. Clare was born in Assisi in the year, 1192. Her parents, Ortulana and Favarone were one of twenty families known as Majors, that is, they were part of the noble, aristocratic class. She grew up in a castle, with servants, next to the cathedral of Assisi, San Rufino.

Her father, Favarone, was a knight. In the early biographies, he appears preoccupied with worldly pursuits. Clare’s mother, on the other hand, was devout and virtuous. With her mother, sisters, servants, and others in the district, the women dedicated themselves to prayer, works of mercy, and service to the poor.

Clare had heard Francis preach in San Rufino, and knew how he and the first brothers lived. She desired to join his movement based on total poverty.

Clare decides to follow Francis

On Palm Sunday, 1212, Clare decided to leave her home with its privileges of wealth and power to become the first woman to follow Francis with only one privilege: Poverty. 

That night, she fled her father’s home and all its earthly privileges, and met Francis and the brothers in a church known as St. Mary of the Angels, also called the Portiuncula. There, Francis gave her the tonsure and crowned her head with a veil – a sign of consecration. 

The same night, the brothers accompanied her to a Benedictine monastery for women known as San Paolo delle Abbadesse. With a Papal interdict prohibiting outsiders from entering the cloister, she would have sanctuary there and be safe from any attempts by her father to take her away. 

Clare’s first miracle

After about two weeks, she moved to a poorer community on the slopes of Mount Subasio known as Sant’Angelo in Panzo. There, she was joined by her sister, Agnes. After Clare’s sister, Agnes, joined her here, the knights of her family came for her, too, and dragged her away violently. Clare went into the chapel and prayed, and her sister’s body became so heavy the knights could not lift her. This was St. This was St. Clare’s first miracle. 

...

Clare’s life in San Damiano

Clare lived in San Damiano for forty years. There, more than fifty sisters joined her there, including her mother and other birth sister.

In San Damiano, Clare fully embraced the life she was called to. She left all the worldly privileges for only one, what she referred to as the Highest Privilege of Poverty. 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi, quoted without references and hyperlinks.

[2] https://aleteia.org/2021/08/11/a-pilgrimage-in-the-footsteps-of-st-clare-of-assisi/

Feast Of The Transfiguration Of Christ - 6 August

Quoted from Wikipedia [1]:

In the Syriac Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox, Revised Julian calendars within Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican churches, the Feast of the Transfiguration is observed on 6 August. In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration is observed on the fourteenth Sunday after Easter.

Quoted in part from Catholic News Agency [2]:

Before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ climbed to a high point on Mount Tabor with his disciples Peter, James, and John. While Jesus prayed upon the mountain, his appearance was changed by a brilliant white light which shone from him and from his clothing.

During this event, the Old Testament figures of Moses and the prophet Elijah also appeared, and spoke of how Christ would suffer and die after entering Jerusalem, before his resurrection.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record that the voice of God was heard, confirming Jesus as his son (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:6, Luke 9:35). Peter and John make specific reference to the event in their writings, as confirming Jesus' divinity and his status as the Messiah (2 Peter 1:17, John 1:14).

In his address before the Angelus on August 6, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI described how the events of the transfiguration display Christ as the “full manifestation of God's light.”

This light, which shines forth from Christ both at the transfiguration and after his resurrection, is ultimately triumphant over “the power of the darkness of evil.”

The Pope stressed that the feast of the Transfiguration is an important opportunity for believers to look to Christ as “the light of the world,” and to experience the kind of conversion which the Bible frequently describes as an emergence from darkness to light.

“In our time too,” Pope Benedict said, “we urgently need to emerge from the darkness of evil, to experience the joy of the children of light!”

 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_of_the_Transfiguration, quoted without hyperlink and reference,

[2] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/the-transfiguration-555

Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney Feast Day - 8 August (Tridentine) - 4 August (Novus Ordo)

 Quoted in full from Catholic News Agency [1]:

On August 4, the Church celebrates the feast day of [St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney] patron of priests.  

[St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney], also known as the [Curé d'Ars], was born May 8, 1786 in Dardilly, near Lyon, France to a family of farmers. He was ordained a priest in 1815 and became curate in Ecully. He was then sent to the remote French community of Ars in 1818 to be a parish priest.

Upon his arrival, the priest immediately began praying and working for the conversion of his parishioners. Although he saw himself as unworthy of his mission as pastor, he allowed himself to be consumed by the love of God as he served the people. 

Vianney slowly helped to revive the community’s faith through both his prayers and the witness of his lifestyle. He gave powerful homilies on the mercy and love of God, and it is said that even staunch sinners were converted upon hearing him.  In addition, he restored his church, formed an orphanage, “La Providence,” and cared for the poor.

His reputation as a confessor grew rapidly, and pilgrims traveled from all over France to come to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Firmly committed to the conversion of the people, he would spend up to 16 hours a day in the confessional.

Plagued by many trials and besieged by the devil, the St. [Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney] remained firm in his faith, and lived a life of devotion to God.  Dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament, he spent much time in prayer and practiced much mortification. He lived on little food and sleep, while working without rest in unfailing humility, gentleness, patience and cheerfulness, until he was well into his 70s.

[Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney] died on August 4, 1859. Over 1,000 people attended his funeral, including the bishop and priests of the diocese, who already viewed his life as a model of priestly holiness.

[Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney] was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925.  He is the patron of priests.  Over 450,000 pilgrims travel to Ars every year in remembrance of his holy life.

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI, commemorating the 150th anniversary of St. [Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney's] death, declared the Year for Priests.  The Pope wrote a Letter to Clergy, encouraging all priests to look to the [Curé d'Ars] as an example of dedication to one’s priestly calling. [2]

[1] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-john-mary-vianney-322

[2] Link to LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI PROCLAIMING A YEAR FOR PRIESTS ON THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE “DIES NATALIS” OF THE CURÉ OF ARS: https://www.reginamag.com/saint-jean-baptiste-marie-vianney-confessor/, located at end of the article entitled Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Confessor.

Speculations On Satan

How one can be protected from Satan:

First, by the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The Blessed Virgin Mary will protect Her children under Her mantle of motherly love.

Second, by Saint Michael the Archangel.  Saint Michael the Archangel will defeat Satan with the sword.  The defeated Satan will suffer temporarily but does not die because it is spirit, and will return again to lead souls to ruin.

Third, by the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Lord Jesus Christ will protect those who believe in Him, who choose to walk in His footsteps and leave Satan behind.  Verse from Matthew 4:10 [1]:

Jesus said to [the devil], “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve [H]im only.’”

 

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%204:10&version=NIV.  The verse has a footnote [a] that refers to Deut. 6:13: "Fear the Lord your God, serve [H]im only..."  See https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206%3A13&version=NIV

Saint Dominic Feast Day - 4 August (Tridentine) - 8 August (Novus Ordo)

Quoted from Suscipe Domine [1]:

In 1216, St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers for the express purpose of proclaiming the doctrine of the Church and defending it against errors. St. Dominic is also well known for meriting the reception of the Rosary from our Lady (though the Rosary’s origin is in apostolic times), the Ash Wednesday Miracle [2], and the admirable purity of his heart.

Saint Dominic is the only historical figure after whom two sovereign countries are named: Dominica and the Dominican Republic. The capital of the latter, Santo Domingo, also bears his name. [3]

Quoted from the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer and St. Catherine of Siena in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York [4]:

Our Holy Father Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, died on August 6, 1221.  To mark the 800th Anniversary, the Parish will have several days worth of special celebrations.

 

[1] https://www.suscipedomine.com/forum/index.php?topic=26001.0

[2] Link to St. Dominic's Ash Wednesday Miracle:

http://www.dominicanwitness.com/st-dominics-ash-wednesday-miracle/

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Dominic#:~:text=Saint%20Dominic%20feast%20day%208%20August%20%284,August%20in%20the%20pre-1970%20General%20Roman%20Calendar%29, quoted without hyperlinks.

[4] https://svsc.info/2021/07/23/800th-anniversary-of-the-death-of-st-dominic-august-2-8/