05 May Saints

Saints for the First Week of May

May 2, 2023 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May Saints Leave a Comment

Feastdays in the First Week of May

April 26 – SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH, Spouse of the BVM

May 1 – STS. PHILIP & JAMES, App
Within the Octave

May 2 – St. Athanasius, BpCD
Within the Octave

May 3 – FINDING OF THE HOLY CROSS
Octave Day of St. Joseph

May 4 – St. Monica, W

May 5 – St. Pius V, PC

May 6 – St. John, ApEv, before the Latin Gate

May 7 – St. Stanislaus, BpM

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In the ‘liturgical books of 1962’ the Solemnity of St. Joseph does not exist as it was suppressed in 1956 and replaced by ‘San Giuseppe Comunista’. The feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross was also struck from the 1962 calendar, kept as a IV class Paschaltide feria.

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Ways To Honor The Blessed Virgin Mary In Her Month Of May:

Have a Mary Crowning at home or participate at church

Participate in a May Procession

Create a Mary Garden

Pray the full Rosary – 15 decades

Pray the Litany of Loreto

Take a Marian Pilgrimage

Grow in First Saturday Devotion

Offer/renew a Total Consecration as prescribed by St. Louis de Montfort

Pray the Regina Coeli/Angelus at all 3 hrs/daily

Enroll in the Brown Scapular

Enroll in the Sodality of the BVM (Miraculous Medal)

Share a Marian Devotion with others

Sunday After The Ascension

May 16, 2021 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May Saints, Ascension of Our Lord, Fr. Leonard Goffine, Pentecost, The Church’s Year, The Liturgical Year Leave a Comment

Send us, O Lord Jesus! the Paraclete, that He may console and strengthen us in all our afflictions. Enlighten us by Thy Holy Spirit that we may learn and live in accordance with the truths of faith. Amen.

We continue to await the Holy Ghost on this Sunday after the Ascension.

“O King of Glory, Lord of hosts, who has this day mounted in triumph above all the heavens, leave us not orphans; but send unto us the Promise of the Father, the Spirit of truth, alleluia” (Magnificat antiphon of the Ascension).

Dom Prosper Gueranger gives us the following instruction for this Sunday Within the Octave of the Ascension.

It can be read in full, here and one can subscribe to receive it daily in their email.

On this Thy coronation-day, receive our devoted homage, O Jesus, our King, our Lord, our Judge! By our sins, we were the cause of Thy humiliations and sufferings; so much the more fervently, then, do we nite with the acclamations made to Thee by the angels when the royal diadem was placed on Thy head by the eternal Father.

As yet, we but faintly see Thy grandeur; but the holy Spirit, whom Thou art about to send upon us, will teach us more and more of Thy sovereign power, for we are, and wish to be eternally, Thy humble and faithful subjects!

*Picture of roses & sweet treats from recent First Holy Communion Celebration – May 8, 2021*

In the middle-ages, the Sunday within the octave of the Ascension was called the Sunday of roses, because it was the custom to strew the pavement of the churches with roses, as a homage to Christ who ascended to heaven when earth was in the season of flowers.

How well the Christians of those times appreciated the harmony that God has set between the world of grace and that of nature!

The feast of the Ascension, when considered in its chief characteristic, is one of gladness and jubilation, and spring’s loveliest days are made for its celebration. Our forefathers had the spirit of the Church; they forgot, for a moment, the sadness of poor earth at losing her Emmanuel, and they remembered how He said to His apostles: ‘If ye loved Me, ye would be glad, because I go to the Father!’

Let us do in like manner; let us offer to Jesus the roses wherewith He has beautified our earth: their beauty and fragrance should make us think of Him who made them, of Him who calls Himself the flower of the field and the lily of the valleys. He loved to be called Jesus of Nazareth; for Nazareth meaus a flower; and the symbol would tell us what a charm and sweetness there is in Him whom we serve and love as our God.

Archbishop Lefebvre gives us the following instruction; “

“This Sunday is a preparation for Pentecost. Before ascending to heaven, our Lord had promised, at the Last Supper, that He would not leave us orphans, but would send us the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete (Gospel, Alleluia); that in all things we might glorify God, through Jesus Christ our Lord (Gospel – John XV. 26-27., to XVI. 1-4).

Therefore, like the Apostles assembled in the Cenacle, we must prepare by prayer and charity (Epistle – 1 Peter IV. 7-11.) for the holy day of Pentecost, when Christ, who is our Advocate with the Father, will obtain for us from Him the Holy Ghost.

On Pentecost, by tongues of flame descending, the Holy Ghost will give His testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Apostles will bear witness of what they have seen and heard, and seal their testimony with their blood. They will go forth to convert the nations, teaching them by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.”

Fr. Leonard Goffine offers us pertinent and concise instruction on how we ought to be preparing for Pentecost.

INSTRUCTION ON PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST

1). We should withdraw, after the example ef the Blessed Virgin and the apostles, to some solitary place, or at least avoid, intercourse with others, as much as possible; speak but little, and apply ourselves to earnest and persevering prayer; for in solitude God speaks to man.

2). We should purify our conscience by a contrite confession, become reconciled to our neighbor, it we have lived in enmity; for the Holy Ghost, as a spirit of peace and purity, lives only in pure and peaceful souls. (Ps. IXXV. 3.) 3). We should give alms according to our means, for it is said in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts X.) of the Gentile centurion Cornelius, that by prayer and alms-deeds he made himself worthy of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

4). We should fervently desire to receive the Holy Ghost, and should give expression to this longing by frequent aspirations to God, making use of the prayer: “Come, O Holy Ghost, etc.”

Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi

December 30, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May, 05 May Saints, Patron Saint, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi 1 Comment

A little drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a whole vase of the choicest contemplation. ~ St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi

I’m renewed to call upon another saint to intercede on my behalf—St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi.

St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi chose me for the year.

On the occasion of the New Year 1935 Saint Maria Faustina made this entry in her spiritual Diary:
“Jesus likes to intervene in the smallest details of our life. And He often fulfills secret wishes of mine that I sometimes hide from Him, although I know that from Him nothing can be hidden. There is a custom among us of drawing by lot on New Year’s Day, special patrons for ourselves for the whole year…”

~ Saint Maria Faustina

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St. Mart Magdalen of Pazzi

Born in Florence in 1566, she had a religious upbringing and entered the monastery of the Carmelite nuns there. She led a hidden life of prayer and self-denial, praying particularly for the renewal of the Church and encouraging the sisters in holiness. Her life was marked by many extraordinary graces. she died in 1607.

Feast: May 25
Patronage: Against Bodily Ills; Against Sexual Temptation; Sick People

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Come! Consume in us whatever prevents us from being consumed in you. ~from the writings of Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

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Resources:

St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi General Info – SPQN
St. Mary Magdelen de Pazzi – Bob & Penny Lord
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi – Carmelite
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Bio – EWTN
St. Mary Magdelen de Pazzi Bio – EWTN
Video Homily on St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi
Come Holy Spirit – Audio from the writings On Revelation and On Trials by Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, virgin (1566-1607)
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Holy Card – Holy Card Heaven
St. Mary Magdelen de Pazzi Bio – Catholic Online
St. Mary Magdelen de Pazzi Gallery – Carmelites
Letter of His Holiness Benedict XVI – WF-F
Coloring Page of St. Mary Magdelen de Pazzi – Te Duem

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Saint Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, pray that we will make a commitment to seek the presence of God in prayer the way you did. Guide us to see the graces God gives us as gifts not rewards and to respond with gratitude and humility, not pride and selfishness. Amen

“Mother of Charity,” and “the Charity of the Monastery.” ~ Ora pro nobis

St. Joan of Arc ~ Obedience ~ Carnation

July 7, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May, 05 May Saints, Little Flowers, St. Joan of Arc, Wreath I 1 Comment

"Since God had commanded it, it was right to do it." ~ St. Joan of Arc

I held the last Little Flowers meeting of the 2010-2011 Session. I organized a day retreat. The first half of the retreat was for the traditional Little Flowers meeting. The second half of the retreat was for some faithfilled games and crafts.

I couldn’t have pulled off such a meeting without the help and support of the Little Flower community. The snacks and supplies were provided by LF families. I had two mom helpers and two sister helpers. Praise God!

Here was the schedule for the retreat.

9:00am – Arrival, prayer, intro

9:25am – Wreath I Saint game

9:50am – Saint & Virtue Study – St. Joan of Arc~Obedience, visit from Fr. L

10:20am – Snack

10:40am – Saint & Virtue Craft – ribbon/carnation bracelet

11:05am – LF housekeeping – pass out handouts and update binders

11:30am – clean up, set lunch, get ready for Mass, Angelus

12:15pm – Mass

1:15pm – Lunch followed by free-time

1:50pm – Tie-Dye

2:45pm – Crafts and Outdoor Rotation

3:45pm – Clean up

4:10pm – Free play and crafts (finish projects)

4:30pm – Rosary

5:00pm – Depart

We followed the schedule, for the first half of the meeting. The second half is another story. I’ll safe the details for another post.

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“My God must be first served.” ~St. Joan of Arc’s Motto

St. Joan of Arc

Traditional ~ May 31 – New ~ May 30

The life of Joan of Arc, who was born into a prosperous peasant family, took place in the context of the conflict between France and England known as the Hundred Years War. At the age of thirteen, "through the ‘voice’ of St. Michael the Archangel, Joan felt herself called by the Lord to intensify her Christian life and to act personally to free her people".
She made a vow of virginity and redoubled her prayers, participating in sacramental life with renewed energy. "This young French peasant girl’s compassion and commitment in the face of her people’s suffering were made even more intense through her mystical relationship with God. One of the most original aspects of her sanctity was this bond between mystical experience and political mission". said Benedict XVI.
Joan’s passion began on 23 May 1430 when she fell into the hands of her enemies at Compiegne and was taken to the city of Rouen. There a long and dramatic trial was held which concluded with her being condemned to death on 30 May 1431.
Joan died at the stake on 30 May 1431, holding a crucifix in her hands and invoking the name of Jesus.
"Joan saw in Jesus all the reality of the Church, the ‘Church triumphant’ in heaven and the ‘Church militant’ on earth. In her own words, ‘Our Lord and the Church are one’… "With her shining witness St. Joan of Arc invites us to the highest degree of Christian life, making prayer the motif of our days, having complete trust in achieving the will of God whatever it may be, living in charity without favouritisms or limitations, and finding in the Love of Jesus, as she did, a profound love for His Church".

~ Taken from VIS – JOAN OF ARC: BRINGING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL INTO HISTORY, based on Benedict XVI General Audience Address January 26, 2011.

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Patron: captives, France, imprisoned people, martyrs, opposition of Church authorities, people ridiculed for their piety, prisoners, rape victims, soldiers, Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service WEAVES, Women’s Army Corps WACs

Symbols: bareheaded girl in armor with sword, lance or banner

~ Saints.SQPN.com

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"I have been commanded to do two things on the part of the King of Heaven: one, to raise the siege of Orleans; the other, to conduct the King to Reims for his sacrament and his coronation." ~ St. Joan of Arc

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Fleur di Lis

The Fleur di Lis was also introduced to the girls. A Little Flower brought the banner that she created from the kit that she won from here.

Here are some of what the Fleur di Lis represents:

Joan of Arc carried a white banner that showed God blessing the French royal emblem, the fleur-de-lis, when she led French troops to victory over the English in support of the Dauphin, Charles VII, in his quest for the French throne.
The Roman Catholic Church ascribed the lily as the special emblem of the Virgin Mary.
Due to its three "petals," the fleur-de-lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity.

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We were blessed by a visit from Fr. L. He gave a brief talk on the Pope. He encouraged the girls to pray for Pope Benedict XVI on a daily basis but especially on the special anniversary of his priestly ordination.

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Obedience

Prayer for the Virtue of Obedience

Jesus, Almighty King of kings, You Who obeyed Your Father to the end, Teach me the meaning of obedience. My soul burns to comply to Your Will, Striving to charm Your Divinity. While my worldly nature seeks one way, My spiritual nature seeks another. Bless me with the strength to obey, That my soul may subdue both natures, Blending them as a fair aromatic bloom. I always seek favour in Your eyes, To always obey You until my last breath!

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Fr. Lasance, Catholic Girl’s Guide

…Teach Obedience, dearest Jesus,
Such as was Thy daily food
In Thy toilsome earthly journey
From the cradle to the rood.
Teach Thy Heart, to me, dear Jesus,
Is my fervent, final prayer,
For all beauties and perfections
Are in full perfection there.

…Do you, dear child, remain always a docile, obedient daughter of your father and mother. Your fulfillment of the fourth commandment will be as a sweet odor before the Lord, and wall make you one day a partaker in the bliss of heaven.

We discussed the virtue of obedience. The virtue that was exemplified by St. Joan of Arc’s following of God’s will.

Here are some additional reflections that were shared with the girls. They come from Fr. Lasance Catholic Girl’s Guide.

At Nazareth a mirror bright

Stands before the Christian’s sight;

Look therein and you will see

How obedient you should be.

– To whom do you owe obedience? To your parents before everyone else, according to His example of whom we read: “He was subject to them.” Your parents are for you the representatives of God on earth. Therefore always pay heed to their exhortation, never grumble or make a pert answer. I have already said a great deal as to what your conduct to your parents should be, when I spoke about the fourth commandment.

– But mark this well: do not regard obedience as a painful necessity; consider it rather to be Christian virtue. Obedience of this nature has its root in humility; faith sanctifies it, and love renders it sweet. For it is only Christian obedience, the obedience which springs from lobe of God, that will remain with you through life, whatever may be your circumstances. On the other hand, obedience which arises from compulsion, human respect, or a desire to please, is merely external, and therefore of no value. Obedience of this nature will never last long, and will not bring you true peace of mind.

– What is obedience? It consists in subjecting our own will to the will of another. This most precious virtue is termed by St. Augustine “the mother and root of all virtues.” St. Bonaventure calls it “a ship, in which one sails to heaven.” Hence we learn that obedience is a virtue, indispensably necessary for everyone, but especially for children and young people; for obedience is order and order must prevail in every place where God is and where He reigns. Disobedience, the offspring of pride, kindled the flames of hell, and peoples its dread abode. In regard to this St. Bernard says; “Abolish disobedience, and you will abolish hell.” Obedience is, according to St. Francis of Sales a sweet virtue. He says: “He who rightly obeys will live aright; he will live sweetly, as does the child in the arms of its mother, free from anxiety and care.”

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Craft

We made ribbon bracelets. We followed the directions posted here. We used pastel grosgrain ribbon and embellished the bracelet with a faux carnation flower (the flower that represents obedience).

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"In God’s name, the soldiers will fight and God will give the victory" "En nom De, les gens d’armes batailleront et Dieu donnera victoire" ~ St. Joan of Arc

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"I had a banner of which the field was sprinkled with lilies; the world was painted there, with an angel at each side; it was white of the white cloth called boccassin; there was written above it, I believe, ‘JHESUS MARIA;’ it was fringed with silk." ~St. Joan of Arc

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Resources

Handouts: (in order)

Obedience Divider Sheet (print on white paper)
Obedience Activity Sheet
St. Joan of Arc Coloring Page – Catholic Heritage Curricula-CHC
St. Joan od Arc Coloring Page – CHC
St. Joan of Arc Bio for Kids – Holy Spirit Interactive
Obedience Memory Verse
St. Joan of Arc – Obedience Info

Resources:

SAINT

St. Joan of Arc’s History for Kids – quick facts, stories, bio, pictures, movie, and more!
A Heroine of France: The Story of Joan of Arc
St. Joan of Arc Activity and Resource Book – NEST Complete Learning System – coloring pages, puzzles, matching games, word searches, and much more!
Joan of Arc Org
St. Joan of Arc Center
What is Obedience? Printing Worksheet

VIRTUE

Achieve Perfect Obedience of the Blessed Mother – Audio Sermon

Painting by Louis-Maurice Boutet de Monvel in 1911 of Joan of Arc kneeling before her Voices
Titled "The Vision and Inspiration"

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PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Composed by Louis, Bishop of Saint Dié

God, Who has given to Joan of Domremy to be valiant in the humble work of the house and the fields and generously faithful to all Your calls.

Grant to us, by her intercession, to accomplish with faith all the works of our lives and to serve You courageously in our labors on the land, that we may earn a place with Joan and all the saints of France, in the Kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

St. Joan of Arc, ora pro nobis

Our Lady of Fatima

May 14, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 05 May, 05 May Saints, FSSP, Marian, Our Lady of Fatima 2 Comments

May 13 ~ Our Lady of Fatima

On this day in 1917, Our Lady made her first appearance to three shepherd children, Jacinta (age 7), Francisco (age 9) and Lucia (age 10), at Fatima in Portugal. She appeared to them once a month from May through October. The lives of the three children of Fatima were entirely transformed by the heavenly apparitions. While fulfilling the duties of their state with the greatest fidelity, those children seemed now to live only for prayer and sacrifice, which they offered in a spirit of reparation to obtain peace and the conversion of sinners. They deprived themselves of water during the periods of great heat; they gave their lunch to poor children; they wore around their waists thick cords that even drew blood; they abstained from innocent pleasures and urged one another to the practice of prayer and penance with an ardor comparable to that of the great saints. ~more info can be found at Our Lady of the Rosary Library

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We were blessed to be able to celebrate Our Lady of Fatima.
The evening started with a procession.

A Mass followed.

Lastly, we were blessed to have a spiritually inspirational talk given by Fr. Berg, FSSP Superior General. He spoke of his travels around the world. He urged us to be thankful for what we have been blessed with at our parish because the times we live in are bringing many challenges. Fr. Berg sited his visit with Pope Benedict XVI. He emphasized the need for us to turn to Mary and heed her requests.