St Joseph Calasanctius

The Church, having just celebrated the Feast of the Assumption (August 15th), venerates on this day a Saint who had a special devotion to Our Lady.  St. Joseph Calasanctius was born in Aragon, of a noble family, and from his youth showed his charity towards children.  While studying theology at Valencia, he had to defend himself against the enticements of a powerful noble lady and made a vow to enter into Holy Orders.  Having become a Priest, he was apprised by Divine Revelation that he was destined to teach and to train children, especially those of the poor.  He founded, in consequence, the Order of the Poor Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools of the Mother of God.  Like Jesus, he let little children come to him and taught them to fear God (fear as in not wanting to offend someone you love).

As per the consoling words of Our Lord Jesus Christ:  “Whosoever shall receive one of these little ones in My Name, receiveth Me.” Matthew 18:5

St. Joseph Calasanctius died in 1648 at the age of 92.

Book of Heaven
8/26/22 – Vol. 14

Out of obedience, I was reviewing, in my writings, that which I had to mark so that it might be copied; and I thought to myself: ‘What is the purpose of so many sacrifices? What good will come from them?’ And while I was thinking and doing this, blessed Jesus took my hand in His, and squeezing it tightly told me: “My daughter, just as the flower, when touched, gives off its fragrance with greater intensity – so much so that, if it is not touched, it seems that it does not contain so much fragrance, and the air does not receive the balm by that scent – the same for my truths: the more one thinks about them, reads them, writes them, talks about them, and diffuses them, the more fragrance they give off, in such a way as to perfume everything and reach even into Heaven. And I smell the fragrance of my truths, and I feel like manifesting more truths, in seeing that the truths I manifested spread the light and the fragrance which they contain. On the other hand, if my truths are not touched, the fragrance and the light remain as though compressed and do not spread; the good and the utility which my truths contain remain without effect, and I feel defrauded of the purpose for which I manifested my truths. Therefore, if only to let Me smell the fragrance of my words and make Me content, you should be happy to make the sacrifice.”

 St. Mary Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament
was born the following year on August 25, 1905

+St. Faustina died in the odor of Sanctity the evening of October 5, 1938

Poland, the birthplace of the Divine Mercy message, and also of Saint John Paul II (Mary’s “Masterpiece” in a message of the Blessed Mother’s to Fr. Gobbie), points to a more positive sign of the times—the gradual reconciliation of the Eastern and Western Churches. The period between Luisa’s death and the opening of her cause for beatification coincided with a grace-filled movement toward reconciliation between the Church of Rome and the ancient Churches of the East, especially the Orthodox Church. Luisa’s Cause was opened during the Pontificate and approval of Saint John Paul II.

As a meeting place for the Latin Rite Catholics of the West, and the Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics of the East, Poland gave to the world the devotion to the Divine Mercy that combined the Trisagion prayer of the Byzantine liturgy “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world” (Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostrom), with the use of the Rosary. Luisa is also connected to this same prayer, which the Priest would say while at the same time making the sign of the Cross on her hand to command her soul to return to her body. This connection between Luisa and Poland, the home of Saint John Paul II, is made even more clear by the date of Luisa’s death on March 4, 1947—the Feast Day of St. Casimir of Poland.

St. Casimir of Poland—Feast Day March 4th. He was third of the 13 children of King Casimir IV of Poland and Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Emperor II of Germany. He was born at the royal palace in Cracow on October 3rd. Many miracles were reported at his tomb, and he was canonized by Pope Adrian VI in 1522. He is the Patron of Poland and Lithuania.

As Cardinal Archbishop of Cracow, Wojtyla ordered a theological review of St. Faustina’s diaries, which had been condemned by the Holy See. As a result of the inquiry, the prohibition against the spread of her writings was removed. Six months later, Wojtyla was elected to the Chair of Peter. As Saint John Paul II, he published one of his first encyclicals on the Mercy of God, and acknowledged the importance of Blessed Faustina and her writings by beatifying her on the Feast of Divine Mercy. The beatification of Saint Faustina attracted new interest in the prophetic content of her diaries, which predicted the Second Coming of Jesus.

Little Daughter of the Divine Will, Luisa Piccarreta

Volume 6; April 16, 1904
Jesus and God the Father speak about Mercy.

     Continuing in my usual state, I (Luisa) found myself outside of myself, and I saw a multitude of people, and in their midst one could hear noises of bombs and gun shots.  People were dropping dead or wounded, and those who were left would flee up to a building nearby; but the enemies would go up there and kill them, more surely than those who remained outside.  So I said to myself:  “How I wish I could see whether the Lord is there in the midst of these people, so as to say to Him:  ‘Have Mercy – Pity on these poor people!’”  So I made my Round and made my Round and I saw Him as a little Child; but little by little He kept growing, until He reached the perfect age.  I drew near Him and I said:  “Amiable Lord, don’t You see the tragedy that is happening?  You don’t want to make use of Mercy any more?  Do You perhaps want to keep this attribute as useless, that has always Glorified Your Incarnate Divinity with So Much Honor, forming a Special Crown on Your august Head, and Bejeweling You with a second crown, so Wanted and Loved by You – which are the souls?”
Now, while I was saying this, He (Jesus) told me:  “Enough, enough, do not go any further; you want to speak of Mercy, and what about Justice – what are we going to do with It?  I have told you and I repeat to you:  ‘It is necessary that Justice follow Its course’.”  So I replied:  “There is no remedy – why then leave me on this earth when I can no longer placate You and suffer in the place of my neighbor?  Since it is so, it is better if You let me die.”  At that moment I saw another Person behind the shoulders of Blessed Jesus, and He told me, almost making a sign with His Eyes:  “Present yourself to My Father and see what He tells you.”  I presented myself, all trembling, and as soon as He saw me, He (God the Father) told me:  “Why have you come to Me?”  And I:  “Adorable Goodness, Infinite Mercy, knowing that You are Mercy Itself, I have come to ask for Your Mercy – Mercy on Your very images, Mercy on the works Created by You; Mercy upon no other but Your creatures themselves.”…  

The Confessio believed to contain relics of the Crib of Bethlehem
St. Mary Major Basilica 

1/10/03 – Vol. 4

The most pleasing and consoling words for the sweet Mama: ‘Dominus Tecum’.

This morning, after I struggled very much, the Queen Mother came with the Baby in Her arms, and She gave Him to me, telling me to keep Him courted with continuous acts of love. I did as much as I could, and while I was doing this, Jesus told me: “My beloved, the most pleasing and most consoling words for my Mother are: ‘Dominus Tecum’ [‘The Lord is with Thee’]. In fact, as soon as they were pronounced by the Archangel, She felt the whole of the Divine Being being communicated to Her, and therefore She felt invested with Divine Power, in such a way that, in the face of the Divine Power, Her own dissolved; and so my Mother remained with the Divine Power in Her hands.”

***

Vatican Website:

The Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major reigns as an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman churches. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value, and represent the Church’s role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome. For nearly sixteen centuries, St. Mary Major has held its position as a Marian shrine par excellence and has been a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world who have come to the Eternal City to experience the beauty, grandeur and holiness of the basilica.

Among the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome, St. Mary Major is the only one to have kept its original structure, though it has been enhanced over the course of years. Special details within the church render it unique including the fifth century mosaics of the central nave, the triumphal arch dating back to the pontificate of Pope Sixtus III (432-440) and the apsidal mosaic executed by the Franciscan friar Jacopo Torriti at the order of Pope Nicholas IV (1288-1292). Other gems of the church include the Cosmatesque pavement donated by the Roman nobleman Scoto Paparone and his son in 1288, Arnolfo di Cambio’s Nativity scene from the thirteenth century and the coffered ceiling in gilt wood designed by Giuliano Sangallo in 1450. The numerous chapels, from the most ornate to the most humble, constructed by popes, cardinals and pious confraternities, the high altar begun by Ferdinando Fuga and later enriched by the genius of Valadier, the Baptistery and finally the relic of the Holy Crib complete the array of splendors contained within these walls. Every column, painting, sculpture and ornament of this basilica resonates with history and pious sentiment.

From the devout pilgrim absorbed in prayer to the studious art-lover, every visitor to St. Mary Major finds both spiritual and visual fulfillment in this holy place. A visit to the Liberian basilica, as it is also called in honor of Pope Liberius, enriches both the mind and soul. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see visitors rapt in admiration before the spellbinding beauty of the artwork nor, at the same time, to observe the devotion of all those engrossed in prayer in search of comfort and assistance before the image of Mary, who is venerated here under the beloved title of Salus Populi Romani.

Every August 5th, a solemn celebration recalls the Miracle of the Snows. Before the amazed eyes of the congregation, a cascade of white petals descends from the coffered ceiling, blanketing the hypogeum. From the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope (Now Saint) John Paul II requested that an oil lamp burn day and night under the icon of the Salus Populi Romani, as witness to his great devotion to the Madonna.

This same Pope, on the eighth of December 2001, inaugurated another precious jewel of the basilica – the museum, where a modern structure would house ancient masterpieces offering visitors a unique perspective of the history of the Basilica.

The numerous treasures contained in the museum render St. Mary Major a place where art and spirituality combine in a perfect union, offering visitors a unique experience in contemplating the great works of man inspired by God.

THE PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE

The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi is (for oneself or for a departed soul) is as follows: 

          The Portiuncula Indulgence is a grace not to be missed—not only for yourself but for the many suffering souls in Purgatory. … 

          Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days before or after.) … 

          Participation in the Holy Mass and Eucharist … 

          Recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and also a prayer for the Pope’s Intention (such as an Our Father, Hail Mary, etc.). 

Mark your calendar for the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels beginning at Vespers (Noon) on the First of August to August 2nd at Midnight.

Tell everyone of the magnitude of this gift. 

Once again, we see the unfathomable Divine Mercy of God!

St. Peter Chrysologus
Click here for website

In the fifth century, Ravenna, not Rome, was the capital of the Roman Empire in the West, and Ravenna itself became a metropolitan see. St. Peter Chrysologus was one of the most distinguished archbishops of that see.

Peter was born in Imola about the year 400 and studied under Cornelius, bishop of that city, who ordained him deacon. In 433, the archbishop of Ravenna died, and when a successor had been chosen by the clergy and people of Ravenna, they asked Bishop Cornelius to obtain confirmation of their choice from Pope Sixtus III. On his trip to Rome, Cornelius took his deacon, Peter, as his companion; upon seeing Peter, the pope chose him for the see of Ravenna instead of the one selected by the clergy and people of Ravenna.

Peter was consecrated and was accepted somewhat grudgingly at first by both the clergy and the people. Peter, however, soon became the favorite of Emperor Valentinian III, who resided at Ravenna and was also highly regarded by Pope St. Leo the Great, the successor of Pope Sixtus.

There were still traces of paganism in Peter’s diocese, and his first effort was to establish the Catholic faith everywhere, rooting out abuses and carrying on a campaign of preaching and special care of the poor. Many of his sermons still survive, and it is on the basis of these that he came to be known as “the golden word.”

In his concern for the unity of the Church, Peter Chrysologus opposed the teaching of Eutyches, condemned in the East, who asked for his support. Peter also received St. Germanus of Auxerre to his diocese and officiated at his funeral.

Knowing that his own death was near, Peter returned to his own city of Imola and after urging great care in the choice of his successor he died at Imola about the year 450 and was buried in the church of St. Cassian. In 1729, Pope Benedict XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church. — The One Year Book of Saints by Rev. Clifford Stevens

Familiar is his dictum: “If you jest with the devil, you cannot rejoice with Christ.” Some of his sermons are read in the Breviary. Ravenna, his episcopal city, still harbors treasures of ancient Christian liturgical art dating to his day.a