Jan/Feb/Mar 2017                                                                                                     Newsletter 123

His mother [Mary] said … “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5)

          “The Holy Hour is not a devotion; it is a sharing in the work of redemption . . . He [Jesus] asked for an hour of reparation to combat the hour of evil; an hour of victimal union with the Cross to overcome the anti-love of sin” (Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen). Evil must be overcome with good. Greater evil must be overcome with greater good. The extraordinary evils of the world today must be overcome with the extraordinary good of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration!

          In response the question “What can I do—if I am a Catholic?” Ven. Archbishop Sheen wrote: “If the duty of my state of life permits and if it is physically possible, I can make a daily Holy Hour in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for blasphemies and irreverences and that Christ may reign in the hearts and souls of men. ‘Could you not watch one hour with me?’” (Matthew 26:40).

Solemnity, Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God & World Day of Peace—Feast, Jan. 1:

“Above all, let us listen to Mary Most Holy, in whom the mystery of the Eucharist appears, more than in anyone else, as a mystery of light. Gazing upon Mary, we come to know the transforming power present in the Eucharist. In her we see the world renewed in love.” (Pope St. John Paul II)

Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops, Doctors, Cappadocia (4^th c.)—Feast, Jan. 2:

St. Gregory Nazianzen, wrote “When I was about to die, the immaculate table [the Eucharist] saved me.” This was also true of his sister, Gorgonia. When suffering from a serious illness, she went before the Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration and prayed that he would heal her. Gorgonia told our Lord that she would not leave until she was well. After spending much time at the feet of Jesus she was completely healed!

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus: Blessed be His holy name!— Feast, Jan. 3:

May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most incomprehensible and ineffable Name of God be forever praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified, in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Amen. (An Act of Praise and Reparation, dictated by Jesus to Sr. Mary of St. Peter)

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Widow, Mother, Convert, Religious, U.S. (1774-1821)—Feast, Jan. 4:

St. Elizabeth, foundress of the Sisters of Charity, started the first parochial school in the United States, and was the first native born citizen to be canonized. It was St. Elizabeth’s belief in the real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament which led to her conversion to Catholicism. She wrote beautifully of her love of the Holy Eucharist.

St. John Neumann, Redemptorist Priest, Bishop, Bohemia (1811-1860)—Feast, Jan. 5:

Promulgator of 40 Hours (of Eucharistic Adoration) in the U.S., St. John wrote: “How much I love You, O my Jesus! I wish to love You with my whole heart; yet I do not love You enough. My lack of devotion and my negligence still haunt me. I have one desire, that of being near You in the Blessed Sacrament. You are the sweet bridegroom of my soul. My Jesus, my love, my all, gladly would I endure hunger, thirst, heat and cold to remain always with You in the Blessed Sacrament.”

St. Br. Andre Bessette, Miracle Worker, Holy Cross Brother, Montreal, Canada (1845-1937)—Feast, Jan. 6:

“O Holy angels, make me see God on the altar as you see Him in heaven.” (St. Br. Andre)

Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord—Feast, Jan. 8:

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before You, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all-powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O Little King, grant the treasures of Your Divine Mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your Love! Amen.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord—Feast, Jan. 9:
(Jn 1:29-33): John the Baptist saw Jesus and exclaimed: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."  "It is He who will baptize with The Holy Spirit.” When we go to “The Lamb,” Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, we ask for grace to live out our Baptismal calling as faithful children of the Father. With each Hail Mary we pray—to be open to receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit (from our A-13 Rosary pamphlet).

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care. Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection. Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new Culture of Life.
St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor of the Church, Italy, (c. 1225-1274)—Jan. 28:    

St. Thomas was known as “the sun of theological schools” and for his great love of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, he wrote many prayers and hymns which the Church continues to use  to honor Our Lord in The Eucharist. “I firmly believe that Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is present in this august Sacrament.”

St. John Bosco, Priest, Salesian Founder, Patron of Editors, Italy (1815-1888)—Jan. 31:

St. John proclaimed the importance of holding fast to the Two Pillars, the Holy Eucharist and Our Lady. “I beg you to recommend to everyone, first adoration of the Blessed Sacrament then reverence for the most holy Mary.”

The Presentation of the Lord—Feast, February 2: 
“Simeon gave back Jesus to His Mother, he was only suffered to keep Him for one moment. But we are far happier than Simeon. We may keep Him always if we will. In Communion He comes not only into our arms but into our hearts” (St. John Vianney).

St. Blase, Bishop and Martyr, Armenia (d. 316)—Feast, February 3 
Invoked for the healing of throat diseases, St. Blase wrote: “Father of mercy and God of all consolation, graciously look upon me and impart to me the blessing which flows from this Holy Sacrament [The Eucharist].  Overshadow me with Your loving kindness, and let this divine Mystery bear fruit in me.”

St. Paul Miki, Priest and Martyr, Japan (1564-1597)—Feast, February 6 
St. Paul’s family converted to Christianity when he was a child. As a Jesuit, empowered by the Eucharist, he proclaimed and defended the Catholic faith. St. Paul and 25 other Catholics were brutally tortured and crucified during a persecution. While hanging on the Cross, St. Paul encouraged spectators, saying, “Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. 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.”

St. Josephine Bakhita, Religious, Africa (1869-1947)—Feast, February 8 
Kidnapped at 9 from Sudan, St. Josephine was enslaved, beaten and tortured. She was freed from slavery at 21 and joined the Canossian Sisters. The Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament attracted her to the Catholic faith. St. Josephine spent hours in Eucharistic Adoration and, when one Sister asked if it tired her, she said, “Not at all! I have been having a wonderful time with Him. He has waited so long for me.”

St. Scholastica, Benedictine Nun, Abbess, Italy (480-547)—Feast, February 10
Scholastica, was the first abbess of the order of nuns founded in Monte Cassino by her twin brother St. Benedict. She was a devout and dutiful religious who spent many hours daily in prayer before Jesus Eucharistic. Scholastica was also very close to her twin brother Benedict. When she died, St. Benedict saw her soul rise to heaven in the form of a dove!  

Our Lady of Lourdes, France—Feast, February 11:

“The first ever person reportedly healed at Lourdes had previously fallen from a tree while pregnant. Her hand broke her fall and saved the baby. But she dislocated her upper arm, tearing through a major bundle of nerves and paralyzing two of her fingers—permanently, or so people presumed. During the very early morning hours of March 1, 1858, Catherine visited Lourdes, still pregnant. She met Bernadette, and the two prayed together. When Bernadette discovered the stream there for the first time, Catherine bathed her hand in it, and her fingers could move as they had before the accident. She returned home later that evening and gave birth to the son she was carrying. In 1882, 24 years later, that son was ordained a priest.” (M.J. Szimanski)

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Co-patrons of Europe, Thessalonica (9^th century)—Feast, February 14:

Sts. Cyril and Methodius “were brothers in blood but even more so in faith” (St. John Paul II). They evangelized Crimea and Moravia. St. Cyril designed an alphabet for the Slavs and St. Methodius translated numerous Greek texts into their language. This enabled them to promoted culture while translating sacred books (e.g., for the Mass) into the vernacular. Additionally, they promoted ecumenism, uniting the faith of their Byzantine Greek heritage with their fidelity to the Roman Catholic Church.

St. Claude de la Colombiere, Priest, France (d. 1682)—Feast, February 15:
Jesuit Spiritual director of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Claude was inspired during his adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to promulgate the message of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as revealed to St. Margaret Mary.  He spent many Holy Hours in Eucharistic Adoration.

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Patron of Clerics & Youth, Italy (1838-1862)—Feast, February 27:

As a teen, St. Gabriel spent much time with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. It was through these visits and devotion to Our Lady that he received his calling to the religious life. St. Gabriel was handsome, popular, and loved to dance. He became a Passionist Brother, taking the name of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows and died at the age of 24.
Bl. Angela of Foligno, Widow & Mother, Secular Franciscan, Italy (1248-1309)—Feast, February 28:
“Burning with love for us, [Jesus] You desired to give Yourself to us and took up Your dwelling in the consecrated Host, entirely and forever, until the end of time. And You did this, not only to give us a memorial of Your death which is our salvation, but You did it also, to remain with us entirely and forever” (Bl. Angela of Foligno, Third Order Franciscan).

St. Toribio Romo Gonzalez, Priest, Martyr, Mexico (1900-1928)—Feast, February 28:
Fr. Gonzalez reverently and secretly offered the Holy Mass. He zealously worked to spread Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and to administer the Sacraments.  Father was victimized, persecuted and martyred because of his faith and priesthood.

 Ash Wednesday: “Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12)—March 1:

“Oh! Yes, Lord Jesus, come and reign! Let my body be Your temple, my heart Your throne, my will Your devoted servant; let me be Yours forever, living only in You and for you!” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

St. Katharine Drexel, Religious, Foundress, Philadelphia, PA, United States (1858-1955)—Feast, March 3:

St. Katharine Drexel, of Philadelphia, gave up her wealth to spend her life for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist in prayer and work for the poor.  She founded the order of  Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to serve Native and African Americans.  St. Katharine wrote:  “I adore You, my Eucharistic God. You are there exposed in the ostensorium [monstrance].  The rays are the rays of Your love for me, for each individual soul.  If it wasn’t for Your love, I would be in hell.  I return You thanksgiving through Mary, through St. Joseph, through all the Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins and Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in heaven.  And lastly, I thank You through the sacred host on all the altars throughout the world.”

St. John of God, Rel., Hospitallers Founder, Patron of Heart Patients, Portugal (1495-1550)—Feast, March 8:
St. John was a holy youth and spent the first part of his life as a shepherd. As a young man St. John joined the military and veered from his faith, but later converted and dedicated his life totally to God. St. John founded the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God who tirelessly care for the sick. St. John wrote, “Love our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist above all things in the world.” He is the patron of those suffering from heart disease.

St. Patrick, Bishop and Patron of Ireland (d. 461)—Feast, March 17:
I arise today through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me From snares of the devil, From temptations of vices, From everyone who desires me ill, Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude . . . Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through a belief in the Threeness, Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation (From St. Patrick’s Lorica)

St. Joseph, Patron of Universal Church, Spouse of B.V.M.—Feast, March 20:
“The Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph.  Behold our hope in these perilous times!”  (Bishop Pichenot)  “Aside from the Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph was the first and most perfect adorer of our Lord.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)

 Go to Joseph in thy joys, thou wilt rejoice the more. 
Go to Joseph in thy grief, when death knocks at thy door. 
Go to Joseph no matter when, thy refuge he will be. 
He holds the key to Jesus' Heart, Its treasures are for thee!

Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord—March 25:
“In an instant the Holy Spirit overshadows her [Mary], making her a living ciborium privileged to bear within herself for nine months the Guest who is the Host of the world” (Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen).

Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

JESUS, EUCHARISTIC SAVIOR, WE ADORE YOU!

Prayer Intentions: Please send us the names of your family, relatives, loved ones, friends and any special intentions you would like us to pray for throughout these holy days before Jesus, Our Eucharistic Lord!
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