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We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin September 29, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate Priesthood Sunday to honor all priests especially, our dedicated roster of priests who are with us every Sunday for our 9:00 AM Mass.  This day is set aside to reflect and affirm the role of the priesthood in the life of the Church.  As the number of priests and ordinations in the United States has steadily declined in the past 50 years, the men who have answered the call to the priesthood are now working harder than ever before.  Please keep them in your daily prayers for strength and health as they continue to graciously serve not only our parishioners but the many churches they continue to serve within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  A Prayer for Priests on this Priesthood Sunday: “Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of priests.  Through them, we experience your presence in the Sacraments.  Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.  Set their soul on fire with love for your people.  Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Inspire them with the vison of your Kingdom.  Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.  Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.  Help them to become instruments of your Divine Grace.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.  AMEN.”

On Monday, September 30^th we honor St. Jerome, one of the greatest Biblical scholars of Christendom, considered one of the most learned men of the early Church.  He was born in 347 and at the age of 12 was sent to Rome to study grammar, philosophy, and rhetoric.  At the age of 19 Jerome decided to become a Christian and was Baptized by Pope Liberius and later was ordained a priest.  He visited Constantinople with his Bishop where he became friends with Saints Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa.  In 382, Jerome became the personal secretary of Pope Damacus who commissioned him to revise the Latin version of the psalms and the New Testament.  He translated the whole Bible into the Latin version for use by the common people.  When Pope Damascus died, his enemies forced Jerome to leave Rome, relocating to Bethlehem where he set up three Monasteries and spent the next 36 years translating the Old Testament.  He was a brilliant linguist and scholar who also translated many books before his death in 425.  Jerome was laid to rest under the Church of the Nativity with his remains later transferred to Rome.  St. Jerome is the Patron Saint of Archaeologists, Biblical Scholars, Librarians, Students and Translators. He wrote: “Plato located the soul of man in the head, Christ located it in the heart.”  

On Tuesday, October 1^st, we honor the life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, born Marie-Francoise-Therese in 1873.  She loved reading about the lives of saints, did kind deeds for everyone and prepared for her First Communion by making many little sacrifices.  When she was 15, told her father that she was so devoted to Jesus and wished to become a Carmelite nun. She became a special friend of Jesus saying, “From the age of three, I never refused our good God anything.  I have never given Him anything but love.”   Her Bishop and the Carmelites felt she was too young although Pope Leo XIII finally granted her permission to enter the Carmelite Monastery.  She was serious but, at times full of fun making happy jokes and at times was scolded for pulling up garden flowers instead of weeds, always thanking God for everything.  When she entered the order, she wanted to save souls, and to help priests save souls, by prayer, sacrifice, and suffering. She stated: “It is good to serve God in darkness and trial.  We have only this life to live by faith.”  She wanted to become a Carmelite Missionary to China in China but became ill in 1896 with tuberculosis and died in the convent infirmary on September 30, 1897.  Her last words were: “I love him, My God, I love you.”  Dying at the young age of 24, Therese would not be forgotten as her superiors had ordered her to write an autobiography called “The Story of a Soul”.   She wrote: “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, not even at the difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”  They published it along with the account of her death; the appeal of the book became immediate and astonishing.  Her attraction was her simplicity as she was no scholar, no great student of the Bible, she simply longed to be a saint.  Therese believed any ordinary person could also.  “In my little way, she wrote, are only very ordinary things.  Little souls can do everything that I do.”  Since her death, many have been inspired by her “little way” of loving God and neighbor with miracles attributed to her intercession. She was canonized in 1925.   She had predicted, “My Heaven will be spent doing good on earth.”  In 1997,100 years after her death, Pope John Paul II proclaimed her Doctor of the Church.  She is the 3^rd woman to be so named along with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila.  A Prayer Petition to St. Therese of the Child Jesus: “O little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the Heavenly Gardens and send it to me as a message of love.  O Little Flower of Jesus ask God to grant the favors I now place with confidence in their hands (MENTION PETITIONS).  St Therese, help me to always believe as thou didst, in God’s great love for me so that I might imitate thy “Little Way” each day.  AMEN.” 

On Wednesday, October 2^nd we honor the Holy Guardian Angels who are said to be with you from the very beginning of your existence.  The notion of Guardian Angels is part of our Lords’ own teaching and in His own earthly life, they are seen by the Gospel writers who are ready to serve and minister to Him.  They were there to care for Him as he agonizes in the Garden of Gethsemane and are present at His Resurrection.  He has charged His Angels with the ministry of watching and safeguarding every one of His creatures.   From the day of your Baptism, the doctrine of Guardian Angels is part of the Church’s tradition to guide us to good thoughts, works, and to preserve us from evil.  Pope Francis calls them “Traveling Companions” as no one journeys alone and no one should think they are alone and according to Church tradition, we all have Guardian Angels who guard us.   Our Lord says in the Gospel, “Beware lest ye scandalize any of these little ones, for the angels in Heaven see the face of My Father.” The protection promised by the Angels: “No evil shall befall you, nor shall affliction come near your tent, for to his Angels, God has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.  Upon their hands, they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”  The Feast of the Guardian Angels, October 2^nd, was first celebrated by the Franciscans in 1500 with Pope Paul V making it a universal feast in 1615. 

On Friday, October 4^th, we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) founder of the Franciscan Order in 1200.  Born Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, an Italian mystic, poet and Catholic Friar who was noted for his devotion to the Eucharist.  He became noted for his love of animals with his feast celebrated on World Animal Day.    From his birth everyone loved the happy good natured and charming Francis.  He was not a scholar rather a dreamer who became good at business like his father, Pietro, a silk merchant.  He was unsure of his future and thought is path was to become a knight ready for battle.  When the town of Assisi declared war on the neighboring town of Perugia, he joined the battle but was taken and held for ransom.  After spending a year imprisoned in a dungeon, on his release, Francis heard Our Lord calling him to leave the world and follow him.  When Francis visited the ancient Church at San Damiano, while praying, he heard God telling him: “Francis repair my Church.”  Francis went on to rebuild the old Church on his own begging for stones, to make those repairs building the Church from the ground up.   From there he realized it was not just the physical building but the Church as a whole.  He started visiting hospitals and served the sick and the poor, saying: “When one serves the poor, he serves Christ himself.”  He began to preach to the people about peace with God, peace with one’s neighbor, and peace with oneself.  He took the rule in St. Matthews Gospel that Christ’s Apostle should have nothing of their own while taking the Christian life of a beggar as an iterant preacher.   Francis looked on all people and things as his brothers and sisters as they were all created by the same God.  Francis loved all things in God’s universe saying “Brother Sun,” “Sister Moon,” even loving “Sister Death” as a gift from God, the sparrow was as much his brother as the Pope.  He went to Rome with 12 other men to get permission from the Pope to start a new religious order: “The Franciscans”.  He gathered followers and made out a simple rule of life for them and his Order spread throughout Italy as more followers became attracted to the holy man who acted from the heart, who practiced true equality by showing honor, respect, and love to every person no matter what their station was.  When he decided to go to Syria to convert the Muslims during the 5^th Crusade, he went straight to the sultan to make peace.  Francis and his companions were captured and taken to the sultan who became charmed by his preaching telling Francis, “I would convert to your religion which is a beautiful one, but both of us would be murdered.”   A movie about this was made in 2016 (the Sultan and the Saint).  On his return to Italy his Order had grown to 5000 in ten years with changes made, as his dream of radical poverty was thought to be too harsh, finally giving up his authority he became just another brother a position he had always wanted.  He also helped St. Clare start the order known as the Poor Clares.   In 1223, Francis arranged the first live Nativity Scene for the annual Christmas celebration in Greccio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.  Today, Nativity scenes will be present throughout the town with the live Nativity scene staged in front of the Sanctuary of Greccio.  In 1224, when Francis began a 40 day fast, he had a vison of a suffering figure so intense that he had a permanent imprint on his body.  He had the apparition of a Seraph (one of the angels present at God’s throne) when he saw Jesus hanging on the Cross when he received the stigmata on his hands, side, and feet; the scars that correspond with the wounds suffered by Christ.  For the next two years of his life, he kept the stigmata a secret.  A Franciscan Brother would announce them after his death in 1226 at the age of 44.  He was Canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228, and is portrayed wearing a brown habit with a rope tied around his waist with 3 knots, symbolizing poverty, chastity, and obedience.  He is considered as the first Italian poet who believed commoners should be able to pray to God in their own language, writing in the dialect of Umbria instead of Latin.  St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of Italy, animals, and ecology.  After his election on March 13, 2013, Archbishop and Cardinal, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina chose Francis as his Papal name to honor St. Francis of Assisi, to become Pope Francis.  The Basilica of San Francesco d’ Assisi is the Major Shrine dedicated to him.   

On Saturday, October 5^th, we honor Maria Faustyna Kowalska (1905-1938) the Polish Catholic religious sister and mystic.  She had an apparition of Jesus Christ that inspired the Catholic Devotion to the Divine Mercy, often referred to as the Secretary of Divine Mercy.  St. Faustina Kowalski was born on August 25,1905, northwest of Lodz, Poland into a deeply religious family.  At the age of 7 she felt a calling to religious life when she attended the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.  When she was 16 on the day of her Confirmation.  She longed to become a nun although her parents told her to wait until the age of 18.  In 1924, when she reached the age of 18, she took the train with only the clothes she was wearing to enter the covenant in Warsaw.  She needed funds so she took a job as a housemaid making deposits to the convent so she could be accepted by the Mother Superior.  Finally at the age of 20 on April 30, 1926, clothed in religious habit, she received the religious name, Maria Faustina of the Blessed Sacrament.  Two years later in 1928, she completed her novitiate and took her first religious vows as a nun with her parents traveling the 85 miles to witness her dream of serving God.  She was later posted at the convnet in Wilno serving as a cook in 1929 and in 1930, she was transferred to the convent in Plock, Poland for two years, becoming ill with tuberculosis.  After recovering at a nearby farm she returned to the convent in Plock where Jesus appeared wearing a white garment with rays emanating from his heart.  St. Faustina wrote in her diary that Jesus told her: “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: ‘Jesus, I trust in You,’ (Polish: Jezu ufam Tobie).  I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world.  I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.”  Jesus also told her that he wanted the Divine Mercy image to be, “Solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter Sunday, that Sunday is to be the Feast of Mercy.”  As she did not know how to paint, it took her three years to produce the first rendering of the image that was done under her direction.  In 1933, she took her final vows, becoming a sister of Our Lady of Mercy joining 18 other sisters working as a gardener and living in a community of small houses for 3 years in Vilnius.    When she went to confession, she told the priest about the vision and the plan Jesus had for her.  He was skeptical but soon believed she did have a request for the plan for image of Divine Mercy.  Faustina reported that Jesus said to her: “My daughter, do whatever is within your power to spread devotion to Divine Mercy.  I will make up for whatever you lack.”  Because she had no artistic skills, Faustina collaborated with an artist in 1934 to paint the image based on her direction; the Divine Mercy image would eventually be honored publicly.   In 1935, the image of Divine Mercy was displayed on April 28, 1935, at Mass on the 2^nd Sunday of Easter and in 1937, the 1^st Holy Cards with the image were printed.  A pamphlet was then produced with the signature “Jesus, I trust in You” and included the chaplet, the Novena, and the Litany of the Divine Mercy.  When she became ill in 1937, she had a vison that the feast of the Divine Mercy would be celebrated in her locale and at the same time in Rome, attended by the Pope.  The last year of her life was spent praying and writing in her diary and before her death in 1938, Faustina said: “There will be a war, a terrible war and asked the nuns to pray for Poland”.  She died on October 5, 1938, in Krakow, Second Polish Republic at the age of 33, buried two days later on October 7, 1938, and now rests at Krakow’s Basilica of Divine Mercy.  In 1939, public access was allowed to view the Divine Mercy image leading to the devotion that gave strength and inspiration to the people of Poland.  In 1941, the image reached the United Sates with millions of the Divine Mercy prayer cards distributed throughout the world.  In 1965, The Archbishop of Krakow (Pope John Paul II) with the approval of the Holy Father, opened the process for the Beatification process of Faustina with documents and interviews.  She was Beatified 28 years later on April 18, 1993, and Canonized 7 years later on April 30, 2000, in St. Peter’s Square by Pope John Paul II when he said: “The message she brought is the appropriate and incisive answer that God wanted to offer to the questions and expectations of human beings in our time, marked by terrible tragedies.”  Jesus said to St. Faustina: “Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to the Divine Mercy.”  Her Diary, “Divine Mercy in My Soul,” written by St. Faustina Kowalski is the only mystical text written in Polish.  The 700 printed pages reflects her thoughts, prayers, visons, and conversations with Jesus on “Divine Mercy”.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin September 15, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church honors all Catechists on Catechetical Sunday, the annual celebration that is observed on Sunday, September 15.  Every year, the Catholic Church in the United States designates the 3^rd Sunday in September as a day to celebrate and pray for the mission of the Church to teach the Gospel to all people.  The title, Catechist designates those who dedicate themselves to instruct others in the Faith.   Pope John Paul II stressed that the Catechist, whether cleric, religious or layperson shares the Gospel by personal witness and by teaching the Doctrines of the Church whose calling comes from God with the Holy Spirit inspiring and guiding you.  The Theme for 2024 is “Lord, when did we see You hungry” to recognize the gift that Catechists bring to a parish community.  St. John Paul reminded us: “Every member of the faithful is called to holiness and to mission.  We are called to be Eucharist by word and action to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our times cry out for this kind of holiness, one inflamed by the ardent determination to bring as many of our brothers and sisters as possible to Christ.”     

On Monday, September 16^th we honor St. Cornelius, a Pope who reigned for two years, before being excommunicated and dying while in exile.  He became the 21^st Pope of the Church, succeeding no one as persecutions prohibited the clergy of Rome from electing a successor.  He was chosen when the cruel Emperor Decius left Rome on a military campaign.  In the 3^rd Century of the Church of Rome, there were 46 Priests, 7 Deacons, & Sub deacons and around 50,000 Christians.  During his reign from 251-253, Pope Cornelius made important decisions especially for how to reintegrate Christians who had offered pagan sacrifice, regretted their actions, and desired to come back to the Church.  These acts were considered unforgiveable, the Church could not absolve them, as they were to be judged by God alone at death.  Cornelius along with St. Cyprian and of their Bishops thought they could eventually be reinstated into the Church by repentance and penance.  Cornelius and the Bishops felt there is no sin that cannot be forgiven.  When the new Emperor Gallus was in power, he banished Cornelius to a city near Rome where he suffered physical hardship until his death in 253 and was laid to rest near the Papal crypt in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus.  St. Cornelius was seen as a staunch defender of the Church although, he was seen as lenient to his fellow Christians who did not hold the same ideals and was thought of as a wise pastor and a brave martyr.  A Prayer to St. Cornelius: “St. Cornelius, our Lord said that it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world of he would lose his own soul.  You gained the papacy, not the whole world. Yet gave it up rather than bend to the will of the Church’s enemies.  Help us to persevere like you.” 

On Tuesday, September 17^th we celebrate and honor the life of St. Robert Bellarmine, an Italian Jesuit, and Cardinal of the Catholic Church.  He was born in Montepulciano, Italy on October 4, 1542, the third of ten children and was raised to live a life of dedication to almsgiving, prayer, fasting and meditation.  He entered the newly formed Jesuit Society of Jesus in 1560 and went on to teach becoming known for his sermon in Latin.  He became the Rector of the Roman College in 1592, Province of Naples in 1594, and Cardinal in 1598.  Robert was an outstanding scholar and servant of God who defended the Apostolic See against the anti-clerics in Venice and against the political tenets of James I of England as a point of principle for English Catholics.  He wrote on devotion and instruction and in 1598, he published a Catechism in two versions which has been translated to 60 languages that became the official teaching of the Catholic Church for centuries.  He was the Spiritual Father of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga and helped St. Frances de Sales get approval for the Visitation Order.  In 1602, Robert was made Archbishop of Capua and in 1605, he received some votes in the conclaves which elected Pope Leo XI and Pope Paul V.  In 1621, when Pope Gregory XV was elected, it was though Robert being a Jesuit counted against him in the judgement of many of the Cardinals.  He died on September 17, 1621, at the age of 78 after retiring to the Jesuit College of St. Andrew in Rome and was buried at the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome.  He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930 with his remains adorned in the red robes of a cardinal, are displayed behind glass under an altar next to the body of his student Aloysius Gonzaga in the altar of St. Ignatius.  He is the patron saint of Bellarmine University, Canon Lawyers, and catechists. 

On September 17^th we also honor St. Hildegard of Bingen, a writer, composer, philosopher, Christian Mystic, and German Benedictine Abbess.  As a young sick child, she had spiritual experiences and visions but was too shy to talk or boast about them.  She said: “I saw a light so great that it frightened me; she wrote when she was three, “But the shyness of a child stopped me from telling anyone about it.”  She had the gift of extremely vivid imagery.  She saw devils transformed from great sparkling light into black coals and insisted she saw everything perfectly awake, not in some dream.  The accounts of her visions were later submitted to the Bishop who would acknowledge them as being a gift from God.  Pope Eugenius III also came to a favorable conclusion about her visions with her fame spreading all throughout Europe.  People traveled many distances to hear her speak and seek help from her before she became a Benedictine nun, and Abbess moving her convent near Bingen, on the Rhine in 1147.  In 1165, she founded another convent at Eibingen.  She wrote many works on the meaning of her visions and also commentaries on the Gospels, the Athanasian Creed, the Rule of St. Benedict and the Lives of the Saints.  Hildegard also became known as an important composer with more chant compositions surviving.  Hildegard died on September 17, 1179, and was originally buried in the Church of Rupertsburg with her relics moved to Cologne and then to Eibingen.  St. Hildegard would become known for her immense knowledge of all things faithful, music, natural science, herbs, and medicinal arts although she never had any formal education or learning how to write.

On Thursday, September 19^th we honor St. Januarius who became Bishop of Benevento, Italy, the city of his birth.  While still young, he became a priest and at the age of 20, became Bishop of Naples at the time Christians were being persecuted by Emperor Diocletian.  At that time, Deacons and lay Christians who professed their faith were then taken prisoner and put in a dungeon.  Januarius went to visit and comfort them while jailed and he too was arrested. The Governor tormented Januarius and his three Christian friends until they were all held awaiting their death.  He was martyred on September 19, 305 with his relics transferred by order of St. Severus, Bishop of Naples to the Neapolitan catacombs outside the walls.  In the early 9^th Century, his body was moved to Benevento with his head remaining in Naples.  It was not   until 1480 that his body was rediscovered and transferred to Naples in 1497 where he became the city’s patron saint.  St. Januarius became famous for the annual liquefaction of his blood which according to legend was saved after the saint death. 

Over two centuries, official reports began to appear declaring that the blood spontaneously melted, first once a year, then twice and finally three times a year.  There are thousands of the faithful who will assemble to witness the event in the Naples Cathedral on September 19^th, St. Januarius Day to commemorate his martyrdom, on December 16^th to celebrate his patronage of Naples and its Archdiocese, and on the Saturday before the 1^st Sunday of May to commemorate the reunification of his relics.  The blood also spontaneously liquefies at the papal visit when Pope Pius IX visited in 1848, but it did not liquefy for John Paul II, or Pope Benedict.  Pope Francis venerated the dried blood during a visit to the Naples Cathedral in 2015 while saying the Lords’ Prayer and then kissing it.  During his visit, Archbishop Sepe declared “The blood has half liquified, which shows that St. Januarius loves our Pope and Naples.”  When exposed in the Cathedral, it liquifies and bubbles and no one is able to explain the miracle.  The blood is stored in two hermetically sealed small ampoules held since the 17^th Century in a silver reliquary with the ampoules kept in a bank vault with the keys held by local notables such as the Mayor of Naples.  There are also separate reliquaries that hold bone fragments believed to belong to St. Januarius that are kept in a crypt under the main altar of the Naples Cathedral.  Naples became known as the “City of Blood” with the vials of blood of St. Patricia, St. John the Baptist, and St. Pantaleon, with the Church recognizes the miraculous liquefying blood for, saints from Campania.  Besides the Naples Cathedral, the other major shrine for St. Januarius is the Most Precious Blood, Little Italy, Manhattan, New York.  Also on September 19^th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of San Gennaro who is also considered one of the 50 patron saints of Naples.  In New York’s Little Italy, the statue of San Gennaro will be carried through the streets during the Feast of San Gennaro.  This is the 98^th annual fest to be celebrated from September 12-22 with a solemn High Mass celebrated on September 19^th to honor the patron saint of Naples. 

On Friday, September 20^th we honor Korean Saints, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Paul Chong Ha-Sang and their Companions.  Andrew Kim Tae-gon was the first Korean priest and lay apostle who was Baptized at age 15 and then traveled 1,300 miles to the Seminary in Macao, a journey that took him 8 months.  He left China and after six years, returning to his country through Manchuria and was ordained.  He then arranged for missionaries to enter the country by a water route to evade the border patrol. There was no religious freedom in Korea and those caught were persecuted.   Andrew Kim Tae-gon was arrested, tortured, and beheaded at the Hab River near Seoul.  Paul Chong Ha -sang, his companion, was also persecuted during the reign of this feudal society.  Paul became a lay apostle and was a married man of 45 who   worked to promote Christianity in Korea.  During those turbulent times, they both had the desire to be faithful shepherds of God.   Evangelization became difficult as Korea refused all contact with the outside world except the exception for their countrymen to make a yearly journey to Beijing to pay taxes.  Later, Christian Literature obtained from Jesuits in China became available for educated Korean Christians to study.  A home church was established and after a Chinese Priest managed to enter the country, around 1883, religious freedom finally came.  In 1984, Pope John Paul II visited Korea and Canonized Andrew, Paul, 98 Koreans and those who were martyred between 1839-1867.  Among those who gave their lives for their faith were Bishops, Priests, and lay persons.  There are Korean Catholic Churches dedicated to St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, New York, and Seattle.   There was a special Mass celebrated in 2021 in Rome on the 200^th birthday of St. Andrew to honor the beginning of the Catholic Church in Korea.  That same year, a movie, “A Birth” about the saint and his mission was shown at the Vatican with plans to install a 12-foot statue of the Korean Martyr at St. Peter’s Basilica.    A Prayer for those Martyred during the persecutions in Korea: “O God, who have been pleased to increase your adopted children in all the world, who made the blood of the Martyrs St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon and his companions a most fruitful seed of Christians, grant that we may be defended by their help and profit always from their example.  Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  AMEN.”  

On Saturday, September 21^st, we honor the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist, and Martyr who was born in Capernaum, Gailee in the Roman Empire.  While living at Capernaum, Matthew was a collector of taxes for the Romans until Jesus changed his life.   Jesus called on Matthew while he was at work “at the customs post” and without hesitation, Matthew got up, left his responsibilities, and joined Jesus.  He became one of Jesus’ 1^st Apostles who wrote the first four Gospels of the New Testament beginning with Christ’s earthly ancestry, stresses, and His human and kingly character.  Matthew was the traditional author of the 1^st Synoptic Gospel, The Gospel according to Matthew.  He wrote for his fellow Jews and longed to show them how Jesus had fulfilled all the deepest hopes of the Jewish people.  Matthew wrote his Gospel to show that the Messias had come in the Person of Jesus Christ and brought the message that he was a Savior that would never desert His followers.  The last words of Matthew’s Gospel quote Jesus ‘s command that his followers must Baptize disciples from all mankind, with Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the world.” Even though Matthew meant his Gospel for his fellow Jews, Matthew alone tells us to worship the Savior, – the three Magi who followed a star that led them to the stable at Bethlehem, and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus.  Of all four Gospel writers, Matthew was the one writer who wrote the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount and after Jesus’ Ascension, Matthew withdrew to an Upper Room in Jerusalem proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah.  Matthew was most concerned with the rules for dealing with a fellow-Christian who was straying from the Church.  He preached the Gospel among Hebrews for 15 years and in the 3^rd Century, Jewish Christian Gospels attributed to Matthew were used by Jewish Christian groups such as the Nazarenes and Ebionites.  He is recognized as a Saint in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican Churches with his Feast Day celebrated on September 21^st in the West and November 16^th in the East.  He died in Ethiopia, around 68 AD, 1^st Century and was Canonized Pre- Congregation.  He is the patron saint of accountants, tax collectors, civil servants and Salerno, Italy where the relics of Matthew the Apostle were discovered in 1080 and where his shrine is located.  St. Matthew the Evangelist Prayer: “O God, You chose St. Matthew the Publican to become an Apostle.  By following his example and benefiting from his prayers, may we always follow and abide by Your will.  AMEN.” 

San Antonio Church will hold their 88^th annual spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Men’s and Ladies Sodality on Sunday October 13, 2024, from 12-7 P.M.  There will be a drive-through for curbside pickup and reservation only limited dine-in seating.  Adults $13, kids (under 12) $6. For dining reservations call Jimmy Capano at 513-364-8301 or drive through pickup call Dave Sabatelli at 513-405-6444.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin September 8, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Constantinople.  Since 1790, Our Lady of Constantinople has been honored in the town of Felitto, Italy where our grandparents came from before journeying to America and settling in the Little Italy section of South Fairmount.  As a part of our Italian heritage, a statue of Our Lady of Constantinople was commissioned from Italy and has been in a special place in San Antonio Church since 1922.  In Felitto, Italy there will be a procession throughout the town after Mass to honor her and in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, descendants from the original immigrants from Felitto will hold their annual three-day celebration on September 6^th through the 8^th to honor of Our Lady of Constantinople.  They will have a festival and after their 10:00 AM Mass on this Sunday, a procession with the statue of Our Lady of Constantinople will be carried from the Prince of Peace Church to the Chapel of Our lady of Constantinople on 3^rd Street in Old Forge.   Some of our original San Antonio Church parishioners who settled in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, their 1^st home in America, were the Ciuccio, Esposito, Fariello, Florimonte, Minella, and Sabatelli family.  The men from those families worked in the coal mines before coming to Cincinnati to raise their families; helped establish our church and along with the rest of the Italian immigrants from Little Italy, saved enough funds to purchase the statue of Our Lady of Constantinople.   At our 100^th Anniversary celebration, San Antonio Church welcomed back many generations of these original families.  Also on this Sunday, we highlight all grandparents on the observance of Grandparent’s Day.  Inspired by the efforts of Marian McQuade, President Jimmy Carter signed into law, National Grandparent’s Day in 1978.  The Presidential Proclamation was then designated to be celebrated on the first Sunday following Labor Day.  There is an official song by Johnny Prill “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa” and the official flower, the Forget-me-not to honor a family’s greatest treasure, Grandparents.  On this Sunday, we remember our grandparents who are no longer with us as we honor and pray for those Grandparents who are a strong driving force in today’s society.  A Poem by Catherine Pulsifer: “Remember when I held my darling child.  My heart so full of love and pride.  Smiles, laughter, and memories sweet.  Watching those little ones grow, nothing could be beat!  But now our children have their own kids galore.  What a blessing is a grandchild to adore!”

On Monday, September 9^th we honor St. Peter Claver, (1580-1654), known for his Missions Among People of African Descent.  He was born Pedro (Peter) Claver y Corbero, a native of Spain who was educated at the University of Barcelona and Montesione College in Palma, Majorca where he was known for his intelligence and piety.  He wrote “I must dedicate myself to the service of God until death, on the understanding that I am like an enslaved person.”  In 1610, he left Spain to become a Missionary in the colonies of the New World.  He was ordained in 1615 in Cartagena, a port city in the Caribbean.  Before his arrival, Jesuit Father Alfonso de Sandival had given 40 years of his life to the care of slaves.  Peter continued the work of ministering to the ill-treated and exhausted who were herded out of the ships that had journeyed across the Atlantic from West Africa.  He met each ship that arrived with men who were scarcely alive for the duration of the crossing, handing out medicine, food, bread, brandy, lemons, and tobacco and to the sick and dying, final unction.  He enlisted 7 interpreters who could speak to them and then was able to teach them the rudiments of the Christian Faith. Peter learned their languages and comforted them, teaching them that God loved them.  Many in Cartagena ridiculed and persecuted Peter because he treated slaves as human beings.  He also mentored to those of Cartagena, preaching in the city square to sailors, traders before sickness forced him to remain alone until he died on September 8, 1654, serving almost 40 years to the underserved.  His funeral was a public event with much pomp to show respect to the Jesuit who had served so many.  In 1888, Pope Leo XIII canonized Peter Claver along with Jesuit porter, Alphonsus Rodriguez.  He is declared patron of missionary work among all African peoples with the Knights of Peter Claver, and the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver continue the work he started. 

Tuesday September 9^th is declared Human Rights National Day in his honor by the Congress of the Republic of Columbia.  A Prayer to St. Peter Claver: “O God, You conferred on St. Peter Claver a remarkable love and patience to help Your enslaved people and bring them to knowledge of Your name.  Through his intercession, help us to seek equality for all races.  AMEN.” 

On Thursday September 12^th, we honor the Holy Name of Mary that venerates the name of Mary as she was the Mother of God.  This feast was established by Pope Innocent XI who made this feast universal and in 2003 Pope John Paul II reinstated it.  “We venerate the name of Mary because it belongs to her who is the Mother of God, the holiest of creatures, the Queen of Heaven and Earth and the Mother of Mercy.  Her feast commemorates all the privileges given to Mary by God and all the graces we have received through her intercession and mediation.”  St. Louis de Montfort wrote extensively about the popular devotion to Mary.

 On Friday September 13, we honor the life of St. John Chrysostom, born in Antioch, the second city of the Eastern part of the Roman Empire.  He was a Deacon, Priest, and the Patriarch of Constantinople in 403 was trained as a lawyer using his canonical powers to expound the Scriptures in a powerful series of sermons which earned him the title “Golden mouthed” or Chrysostom.  He became known as one of the finest preachers of all time with many of his sermons surviving.  He said to be a believer, “Death is a rest, a deliverance from the exhausting labors and cares for this world.  So, when you see one of your family departing, do not fall into despair.  Think deeply.  Examine your conscience.  Cherish the thought that soon this end awaits you too.  Remember, “Think to whom the departed has gone-and take comfort.”  A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom:  “Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three gathered together in the name thou wilt grant their requests:  Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of the servants, as may be most expedient for them:  world knowledge of the truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.”  St. John Chrysostom died in the City of Comana, Diocese of Pontus in the Roman Empire where his relics remained until 438.  Thirty years after his death, his relics were transferred to Constantinople until they were looted in 1204 by Crusaders and taken to Rome.  In 2004, Pope John Paul II returned some of the relics to the Orthodox Church and since that time, they have been enshrined in the Church of St. George in Istanbul.  The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him as a Great Ecumenical Teacher with several feast days celebrated on January 27^th, January 30^th, September 14^th, and November 13^th.  In the Catholic Church, he is celebrated as a Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  He was canonized pe-congregation and in 1908, Pope Pius X named St. John Chrysostom the patron saint of Preachers.  Many widely used editions of his works are written in Greek, Latin, English, French containing 700 sermons, 246 letters, biblical commentaries, theological treatises, especially “Against Those Who Oppose The Monastic Life”, were attributed to St. John Chrysostom.  His writings have survived to this day more so than any of the other Greek Fathers.  

On Saturday September 14, we honor the Feast of the Exaltation Of the Holy Cross, celebrating the Cross as the sign of Salvation.  In the 4^th Century, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, St. Helena journeyed to Jerusalem to search the holy places of Christ’s life.  During her visit, she had the 2^nd Century Temple of Aphrodite razed as it was thought to be the tomb of Our Savior.  St. Helena’s workers uncovered 3 Crosses during the excavations with one identified as the one on which Jesus died and its touch is said to have healed a dying woman.  This Cross became an object of veneration when it was displayed at a Good Friday Observance in Jerusalem.  The wood Cross was taken out of its silver container and placed on a table with the inscription Pilates ordered placed above Jesus’ head.  As the faithful gathered to pay their respects, they passed by one by one, bowing down, touching the Cross, then the inscription to their forehead, then their eyes, and after kissing the Cross they moved on.  After the razing of the Temple of Aphrodite, Emperor Constantinople built the Basilica of the Holy Sepucher on the site of the Three Crosses.  The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica in 335.  This historic feast was added to the Western calendar in the 7th Century after Emperor Heraclius obtained the Cross from the Persians who had carried it off in 614.  He intended to carry the Cross back to Jerusalem but was not allowed until he took off his imperial garb to become a barefoot pilgrim.  The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross recalls three events on this feast day:  1. The finding of the True Cross by St. Helena.  2.  The dedication of churches built by Emperor Constantine on the site of the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Calvary.  3. The restoration of the True Cross to Jerusalem in AD 629 by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, after it had fallen into the hands of the Persian Emperor Chosroes II in the AD 614 Sasanian Conquest of Jerusalem.  By the 5^th Century, pieces of the True Cross relic were distributed across the empire and venerated as far away as Italy.

Our Annual Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Sunday October 13^th, 2024, in our hall downstairs.  We will have dine-in and takeout available and we are now selling ads for the placemat that will be used at the dinner.  Please see Harry Panaro for info or to purchase a spot on the placemat to honor your family or business.

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin September 1, 2024

by Terrie Evans

On this 22^nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, we celebrate The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation annually on September 1^st.  It is a call to Christians of all denominations to join together to pray and work for the care of our common home.  Creation is the activity of God by which He brought all things into existence.  Creation is said to be ex nihilo (out of noting) because there was no pre-existing material from which things are made.  This day introduces us to the Season of Creation that will conclude on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on Friday, October 4, 2024.  The Theme for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is “Hope and Act with Creation” from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25).  The theme is for us to focus on the hope of Salvation that is born of Faith as we renew ourselves in the life of Christ.  In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI stated: “The harmony between the Creator, mankind, and the created world, as described by Sacred Scripture, was disrupted by the sin of Adam and Eve, by man and woman, who wanted to take the place of God and refused to acknowledge that they were his creatures.  As a result, the work of ‘exercising dominion’ over the earth, ‘tilling and keeping it’ was also disrupted, and conflict arose within and between mankind and the rest of creation.  Human beings let themselves be mastered by selfishness; they misunderstand the meaning of God’s command and exploited creation out of a desire to exercise absolute domination over it.”

On this day, families can make a Pledge of Commitment to Protect and Heal God’s Creation be realized: “We have come to renew our covenant with God and with one another in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  We have come to help protect God’s creation.  We have come as followers of Jesus to commit ourselves anew to one another and to heal injustice and poverty.  We have come to stand together against all threats to life.  We have come to discover some new beauty every day in God’s creation: The sunrise and sunset, birds, flowers and trees, rainbows in the sky, the stars, the many forms of life in the forest.  We have come to listen to the ‘Music of the Universe’ water flowing over rocks, the wind, trees bending in the wind, raindrops patterning the roof.  We will remember always that God speaks to us through the beauty of His creation, and we will try our best to answer God’s call to reverence all that He has created.”  In Pope Francis’ Message, he said, “United in Faith and Action, we can make a difference.  Caring for creation is not only an ethical responsibility, but a theological commitment that involves the whole of creation.  Together we can witness to God’s love through concrete gestures and help build a world where humanity and nature live in harmony.  It is special time for us to reflect on our role as stewards of the natural world.”

On Monday, September 2^, Labor Day, we honor and recognize the American Labor movement and the contributions of those early laborers who helped in the development of the United States.   Also called the Workingman’s Holiday, this day was created by the labor movement in the late 19^th Century for a day set aside to celebrate labor.  In 1887, Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to make Labor Day an official public holiday. By 1894, there were 30 states throughout the U. S. who were officially celebrating Labor Day and, in that year, Congress passed a bill recognizing the 1^st Monday in September Labor Day and an official Federal Holiday.  On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law but, only making it a holiday for federal workers.  Years later, by the 1930’s unions encouraged workers to strike to make sure they would get the day off.  It was not until the Pullman Strike that it became a Federal Holiday.  Many events are organized in major cities and small towns for Labor Day.  In New York, the Labor Day Carnival and fireworks are held at Coney Island and in Washington, D.C. the United States Capital will hold the Labor Day Concert that features the well-known National Symphony Orchestra.  Here is a Blessing for the Products of Human Labor: “Almighty and ever-living God, You have made us stewards over the created world, so that in all things we might honor the demands of charity.  Graciously hear our prayers, that Your blessing may come upon all those who use these objects for their needs.  Let them always see You as the good surpassing every good and love their neighbor with upright hearts.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.”  

On Tuesday, September 3^rd we celebrate the life of St. Gregory the Great (540-604) known as a reformer, excellent administrator and founder of the medieval papacy that exercised both secular and spiritual power during his reign from 590 until his death in 604.  He is the personal patron of the popes although 15 other Gregorys followed him.  Gregory was born in Italy during a time when commerce had declined, famine, the plague and war he would witness during his lifetime.  He came from an aristocratic Roman family who owned properties throughout Rome and held estates in Sicily. Gregory was well educated, having legal training before entering public service as a magistrate in Rome.  In 574, at the age of 34 he converted to a monastic life and established a Monastery on Caelian Hill, on family property in Rome, with his own money.  He founded 6 more monasteries on family estates in Sicily while making sufficient property endowments for the Church.  Pope Pelagius II made Gregory a Deacon in 579 and in 590, he unwillingly became Pope when he was elected after Pope Pelagius died from the plague that was rampant throughout Rome.  During the plague, Pope Gregory the Great led a Penitential Procession to Sanat Maria Maggiore for the protection of Rome.  When a vison of the Michael Archangel appeared to him, Pope Gregory was convinced Roem would be spared.  A statue depicting Michael the Archangel was placed in the Castel Sant’ Angelo, the place where he saw the vison.  Gregory’s 14 years as Pope were filled with many diplomatic triumphs.  He strengthened the Church, sent missionaries to England, wrote about pastoral care and morality, encouraged monasticism, and transformed the liturgy.  Without Gregory, Europe would have emerged more slowly from the Dark Ages that were caused by the barbarian invasion.  He was a tirelessly energetic pope who believed that the Gospel was meant to be “Preached to all parts of the world.”  Gregory was known as a charitable pope who abolished fees for burials and looked after those suffering from famine who would not allow injustice toward Jews.  He reformed the Church’s worship, introduced the Gregorian Chant, wrote Hymns and was given the title, “Father of Christian Worship.”  He was influenced by St. Augustine of Hippo, St. John Cassian, The Dessert Fathers, and St. Jerome.   He wrote the rules for the life of a Bishop, a commentary on the Book of Job, and on the lives of many Italian Saints.  Gregory is the only Pope between the 5^th and 11^th Centuries whose correspondence, writings and over 830 letters have survived.    His writings offered practical wisdom for the Christians of his day saying: “Compassion should be shown first to the faithful and afterwords to the enemies of the Church.”  Pope Gregory’s major worries and concerns during his reign were the city of Rome, the Roman See and Southern Italy.  In Pope Gregorys’ official documents, he made extensive use of the term “Servants of the Servants of God” when describing the office of a Pope to be “The Servants of the Servants of God.”  Pope Gregory the Great was declared a saint by popular acclaim immediately after his death in 604 with his relics enshrined in the Altar of St. Gregory housed at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  At the Church San Gregorio Magno al Celio in Rome, an ancient marble chair, the throne of Pope Gregory has been placed near the altar for the many visitors who honor the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers on his feast day.  A Prayer to St. Gregory the Great: “O God, You look upon Your people with compassion and rule them with love.  Through the intercession of Pope St. Gregory, give wisdom of the leaders of Your Church that the growth of Your people in holiness may be the everlasting joy of our pastors.  Amen.”

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 18, 2024

by Terrie Evans

Onthis 20^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, our parishioners send many thanks to the Men’s and Ladies Sodality for supplying the main dish, fried chicken, and organizing and sponsoring the annual San Antonio Church picnic held on August 11^th at Kuliga Park.  Everyone had a wonderful time, sharing dishes and making new church friends.  Thanks to all who worked to make this event special.

On Monday, August 19^th, we honor and celebrate St. John Eudes, the farmer’s son from Normandy who became a Jesuit and conceived the desire to care for women who have fallen into dire situations while on the streets.  Born in 1601 into a Catholic family, John made his 18^th Communion in 1613 on Pentecost.  He went to study under the Jesuits, joining the Oratorian’s on March 1623, ordained in 1625, celebrating his first Mass on Christmas.  During the severe plagues that took place in 1627 and 1631, he cared for the stricken throughout his diocese while dedicating himself to the promotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.  When he was 32, he became a parish missionary, preaching throughout France in over 100 parish missions.  While working to promote his Catholic Faith, John realized that seminaries were needed. The new General Superior would not approve of his plan, so John decided it was best for everyone if he left the religious community, resigning as a Jesuit.  He founded another order of priests, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, called the Eudists; but was attacked on all sides even though it was approved by some Bishops.  The approval he needed came on his third try from Rome.  During this time, John Eudes never ceased to preach powerful sermons, especially to those outside the churches.  While doing mission work, he became very disturbed about the conditions for those prostitutes who wanted to escape the life on the streets.  John founded the “Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge;” with three Visitation Nuns who came to help him find a refuge for those seeking penance and in 1644, a house for these women was opened at Caen.  In his 79^th year, he preached in the open air every day for nine weeks.  He died on August 19, 1680, with his cause for canonization commencing on August 19, 1868; with the formal introduction on his way to Sainthood on February 7, 1874, under Pope Pius IX who titled him as Servant of God.  In 1903, Pope Leo XIII named him as Venerable and he was Beatified on April 25, 1909, in Saint Peter’s Basilica.  St. John Eudes was canonized on May 31, 1925, by Pope Pius XI, 245 years after his death.  In Saint Peter’s Basilica there is a statue portraying St. John Eudes located on the right side of the central nave constructed by Silvio Silva in 1932.  On August 19, 2009, Pope Benedict praised St. John Eudes as a “Tireless apostle of the devotion of the Sacred Hearts”, during the celebration during the Year of Priests.  Pope Benedict XVI described him as having “Apostolic zeal” in the formation of seminaries for priests as well as the fact the Eudes was a model for evangelization and witness to the “Love for Christ’s heart and Mary’s Heart”. St. John Eudes is credited with authoring the famous book, “The Devotion of the Adorable Heart of Jesus.”

On Tuesday, August 20^th, we honor the feast of St. Bernard Clairvaux, (1091-1153), an Abbot, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church.  Born in 1090 near Dijon, France he developed an interest in literature and had a special bond with the Virgin Mary, writing about the Queen Of Heaven.  He studied theology and the holy scripture before becoming a Monk in the Cistercian Order.  So impressive was the young Bernard’s commitment to the reformed monastic ideals that after two years, the Abbot of Citeaux sent him to establish another house at Clairvaux in Champagne where he was appointed Abbot.  Bernard always emphasized the importance of a contemplative life for monks with the life of praying and sacrificing for oneself and for the world.  Every day Bernard asked this question of himself: “Why have I come here?”  He never wanted to forget that his main duty in this world was to lead a holy life and to save his soul.  Bernard had the power and influence on more matters than many could ever anticipate and had the authority to decide between rival popes and persuade the wayward rulers to support the Church.  He inspired countless Europeans to follow Emperor Konrad III and King Louis to join the 2^nd Crusade.  Bernard of Clairvaux took no joy or pride in his successes, he was doing God’s work.  He helped found 163 monasteries in different parts of Europe before his death in 1153; and is venerated in the Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Churches.  He was canonized on January 18, 1174, in Rome by Pope Alexander III.  His Major Shrine is Troyes Cathedral and the Convent et Basilique Saint-Bernard that is dedicated to him located in St. Bernard, Clairvaux’s birthplace, Fontaine-Les-Dijon.  He stated in his writings, “Take away free will, and there is nothing left to be saved.  Take away grace, and there is no way of saving.  Salvation can only be accomplished when both cooperate.”  St. Bernard of Clairvaux is the Patron Saint of Candle Makers.

On Wednesday, August 21^st, we honor the life of Pope Pius X on his feast day.  He was born Jospeh Sarto in 1835 and was elected Pope from 1903 until his death in 1914.  By the age of 10, he was attending his village school after mass every morning before breakfast.  A local priest helped him to study Latin and other advanced classes, with him walking four miles to the gymnasium located in Castelfranco Veneto, for his studies.  Joseph would often carry his shoes so they would last longer as he came from a family with three brothers and six sisters.  He wanted to become a priest at an early age and with the help of two parish priests, he entered the Seminary in Padua with a scholarship, where he finished his classical, philosophical, and theological studies with distinction.  After his ordination, in 1858, he was made an Assistant to the Pastor in a small Italian town in the mountains where he said: “Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven”.  He spent the next 17 years in faithful parish work before being appointed Chancellor of the Diocese of Treviso in 1875.  As Chancellor of the Diocese of Treviso, he made it possible for public school students to receive religious instruction and worked to bring religious instruction to rural children who had no opportunity to attend Catholic School.  In 1880, he was teaching dogmatic and moral theology at the Seminary in Treviso and a few years later he was offered the dilapidated Diocese of Mantua as the Bishop of Mantua by Pope Leo XIII when he said, “I shall spare myself neither care, nor labor, nor earnest prayers for the salvation of souls.  My hope is in Christ”.  His devotion and work in the diocese revived its spiritual and pastoral life.  In 1891, Joseph Sarto was appointed to the honorary position as an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne and on June 12, 1893, Pope Leo XIII made him a Cardinal, receiving his red galero on June 15^th, assigning him to the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme, and appointing him as the Patriarch of Venice.  After being named a Cardinal, and before going to his new post in Venice, Sarto paid a visit to his mother who was overcome with joy and sadness when she asked, “My son, give your mother a last blessing” as she sensed this might be the last time they would see each other.  With this position, Sarto avoided politics with time spent on social works and strengthening parochial credit unions.  In his 18^th Pastoral letter to the Venetians, Sarto argued matters regarding the Pope saying, “There should be no questions, no subtleties, no opposing personal right to his rights, but only obedience”.  He was elected Pope and began his Papacy on August 4, 1903, after the death of Pope Leo XIII on July 20, 1903.  He was considered by the time of his Papal election as one of the most prominent preachers in the Church despite his lesser fame globally.  He chose his Papal name Pius X after respect for Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) who during his tenure, had fought against theological liberals and for the papal supremacy, saying: “As I suffer, I shall take the name of those Popes who also suffered.”        

Pope Pius X said in 1903: “The primary and indispensable source of the true Christian Spirit is participation in the most Holy Mysteries and in the public, official prayer of the Church”.  He sought to modify papal ceremonies and in November 1903, when he entered for his first public consistory for the creation of cardinals, the Pope chose to arrive on foot instead of being carried above the crowds.  He was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Marian image of Our Lady of Confidence.  Pope Pius X encouraged the frequent reception of Holy Communion and lowered the age for First Communion from age 12 to 7.  He was known for his sense of personal poverty that was reflected in his membership of the Third order of Saint Frances once saying: “I was born poor, I have lived poor, and I want to die poor”.  When he was criticized by the social leaders of Rome by refusing to make his peasant sisters papal countesses, Pope Pius X responded, “I have made them sisters of the Pope, what more can I do for them?”  He became the Pope who loved children; and during his papal audiences, would invite children to gather around him and would also teach Catechism to the street urchins in Venice.  As a Pope, he beatified 131 individuals and in 1908, made St. John Chrysostom a Patron Saint of Preachers.  He also created 50 Cardinals in seven consistories and in 1911, Pope Pius X increased the American representation in the Cardinalate as the Catholic Church in the United States was expanding.  Pope Plus X suffered a heart attack in 1913 and in 1914, he fell ill on the Feast of The Assumption as his condition worsened with the events leading to World War I (1914-1918).  He died on August 20, 1914, the day when German Forces marched into Belgium and just a few hours after the death of the leader of the Jesuits, Franz Xavier Wernz.  His sister Anna was praying by his bedside when Pope Pius X said: “Now I begin to think the end is approaching. The Almighty in His inexhaustible goodness wishes to spare me the horrors which Europe is undergoing”.  His body was buried in the unadorned tomb in the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica after his coffin laid in state in the Sistine Chapel.  The original inscription on his tombstone read: “Pope Pius X, poor and yet rich, gentle and humble of heart, unconquerable champion of the Catholic Faith, whose constant endeavor it was to renew all things in Christ”.  In 1944, his body was exhumed for the start of the Beatification which took place on June 3, 1951, at St. Peters Basilica by Pope Pius XII.  He was Canonized on May 29, 1954, by Pope Pius XII in Vatican City.  In 1959, his remains were sent to Venice via train for the veneration of the faithful at St. Marks Basilica for one month before being returned to the late Pope’s original resting place.  After his death, the Society of St. Pius X, the traditional Catholic Fraternity, formed years after his passing, was named in his honor.  He has been celebrated as the “Pope of the Blessed Sacrament” with Pius X also named as the Patron Saint of emigrants from Treviso and is honored at parishes in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.  In 2003, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was asked if the 100-year-old Catechism of Saint Pius X was still relevant, he said: “The faith as such is always the same.  Hence, the Catechism of Saint Pius X always preserves its value. Whereas ways of transmitting the contents of the faith can change instead.  And hence one may wonder whether the Catechism of Sain Pius X can in that sense still be considered valid today”.

On Thursday, August 22^nd, we honor the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast instituted by Pope Pius XII on October 11, 1954.  In the 4^th Century, Saint Ephrem referred to Mary with the titles of Lady and Queen.  She is seen as the Queen of All saints because her Son is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity and as a man, He is King and the Lord of all creation. Jesus is our King because He redeemed us. The Blessed Virgin is our Queen because she played a special part in our redemption, in our Lord’s struggle with his enemies and in His victory over them; she therefore has a share in His royal dignity.  As Mary took part in the Incarnation and Redemption by her Divine Motherhood and her sorrows on Calvary, she now helps in giving to people the graces merited by her Son.  St. Bernard said: “It is the will of God that we should have all things through Mary.”  The saints have also received the graces they would need to become saints through the prayers of Mary.  All the virtues they practiced are to be found in her wonderous way.  A Prayer to Our Lady Queen of All Saints:  “O God, You have given us the Mother of Your Son to be our Mother and Queen. Through her intercession, grant that we may attain the glory destined for Your adopted children in Your heavenly Kingdom. AMEN.”

On Friday, August 23^rd, we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Rose of Lima (1586-1617) a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic in Lima, Peru.  She was born Isabel Flores de Olivia one of 11 children whose father, Gaspar Flores, originally from Spain a Harquebusier (Cavalry) in the Imperial Spanish Army and mother, Maria de Oliva y Herrera, was a Criolla native of Peru.  As a young girl, Isabel developed a devotion to Catherine of Siena, of the Dominican Order as she sought to live in Christian perfection in accordance with the spirit of a religious order.  She was nicknamed Rose because of her beauty and formally took the name Rose at that time.  She spent many days contemplating the Blessed Sacrament and was determined to take a vow of virginity; opposed by her parents as they wished she would marry and have a family.  When a rich young man wanted to marry her and offered Isabel a large home with servants, she only wanted to love and serve God.  Rose became focused on the way her life should be.  Her father built a room just for prayer and reflection.  She would also help the sick and hungry of her community.  To supplement funds for her work, Rose sold lace, embroidery, and sewing for the care of those in need.  She became a recluse, only leaving her room to attend church.  The next step would be for her to take solemn vows and become a nun; her father strongly forbade it, so she chose instead to enter the Third Order of St. Dominic as a lay member of the Dominican Order while still living in her family’s home.  At the age of 20, she was devoting her day to prayer while wearing a crown with small spikes to emulate the Crown of Thorns.  Rose visited homes of the poor and brought them food while offering all her sufferings and good works to God for the sinners.  After a long illness, Rose died on August 24, 1617, at the age of 31, with her funeral held in the cathedral with many dignitaries and those from her good works in attendance.  Her remains are placed at the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo in Lima, Peru.  Rose of Lima was Beatified by Pope Clement IX on May 10, 1667, and Canonized by him on April 12,1671; as the first person born in the Americas to be Canonized a Saint.  There are 95 parishes throughout the world dedicated to St. Rose of Lima with the largest parish located in Maywood, California.  St. Rose of Lima is the Patroness of Peru and the people of Latin America with her image displayed on the highest denomination banknote in Peru.  A Prayer to Saint Rose of Lima: “0 God, You filled St. Rose with love for You enabled her to Leave the world and be free for You through the austerity of penance. Through her intercession, help us to follow her footsteps on earth and enjoy the torrent of Your delights in Heaven. AMEN.”

On Saturday, August 24^th, we honor the life of St. Bartholomew on his feast day, born in the 1^st Century AD in Galilee and died 71 A.D. in the Kingdom of Armenia.  He was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus, identified as Nathanael and mentioned in the Gospel of John.  Jesus said that Bartholomew was a man without deceit.  The future disciple asked, “How do you know me?” and Jesus answered, “Before Philip called you, when you were sitting under a fig tree, I knew you”.  Bartholomew and Philip were friends who came upon John the Baptist who told that the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Lamb of God is the one who takes away the sins of the world.  When Jesus saw Bartholomew, he spoke to him saying, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no evil”.  Bartholomew made an act of faith saying, “Master, You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel”.  The Lord considered him noble, pure “without evil”, honest, simple, and strong in his faith.  Bartholomew persevered as an apostle and was granted a vision of the Risen Lord.  After the Ascension, Bartholomew journeyed to India on a missionary tour preaching the Gospel where he left behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew before going to Armenia.  Bartholomew and his fellow Apostle Jude “Thaddus” are credited for bring Christianity to Armenia in the 1^st Century with both considered Patron Saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.  The Saint is said to have been martyred in Armenia for having converted the local king to Christianity with the king’s brother ordering Bartholomew’s torture and execution.  The Saint Bartholomew’s Monastery, a prominent Armenian Monastery from the 13th Century was constructed at the presumed site of his martyrdom in Vaspurakann, Greater Armenian, present-day Turkey.  In 1892, St. Bartholomew’s Church was built from donations from the local Christian population near the place where Apostle Bartholomew was crucified and killed by pagans around 71 AD. The church continued to operate for 44 years until it was demolished in 1936 as part of the Soviet campaign against religion.  On his feast, August 24^th, St. Bartholomew the Apostle is remembered in the Church of England with a Festival.  His relics were eventually transported to Benevento, Italy.  A Prayer to St. Bartholomew: “Lord, strengthen in us that Faith by which Your Apostle St. Bartholomew adhered to Your Son with sincerity c mind. Through his intercession, grant that Your Church may become a sacrament of saltation for all nations. AMEN.”

We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.

Weekly Bulletin August 11, 2024

by Terrie Evans

   On this 19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we welcome the Minella Family to San Antonio Church for the Christening of Andrew Christian Minella.  He is the son of Andrea (Alkire) and Christian Minella and the Grandson of Melissa (Morressey) and Dan Minella.  Deacon John Gerke will Baptize Andrew after our 9:00 AM Mass. 

Our San Antonio Church Community sends condolences and prayers to the Sisters of Charity Community on the passing of Sr. Barbara Padilla, S.C. who died on July 27^th, 2024, at the age of 95.  Barbara was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one of 12 children, graduated from St. Mary high School and went on to earn her R.N. Certificate while working at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Joining the Sister of Charity, Sr. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at the College of Mt. St. Joseph in 1964 and became a Nurse Supervisor at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, and then transferred back to St, Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1963-1968 as a Supervisor.  She then worked at Mount San Rafael Hospital in Trinidad, Colorado 1968-1969, at St. Joseph Hospital in Albuquerque, from 1969-1971, and then back to Cincinnati, for her work at the St. Joseph Infant Home from 1971-1975.  In 1975, Sr. Barbara relocated back to New Mexico where she was a School Nurse at the Tierra Amarilla Elementary for 3 years and then as a Parish Nurse at St. Joseph Parish in Los Ojos, New Mexico until 1980.  Sr Barbara always longed to be a missionary and in 1980, she started working in the clinic, the Dispensary Elizabeth Seton for the next 10 years serving the health needs of the poor in Duran, Ecuador before taking a much-needed year off for renewal in Spokane, Washington.  When she returned to continue her work in Ecuador, Sr. Barbara was able to use her nursing skills while teaching English to high school juniors, seniors and in the evenings to adults.  In 2003, she was working at St, Michael Parish in Tybee Island, Georgia, before returning back to the Motherhouse to volunteer at St. James White Oak, the Women’s Connection in Price Hill and as a translator for track employees at River Downs Racetrack.  She was preceded in death by sisters, Francis Padilla, Eliza Duncan, Dolores Inge, Leonilla Padilla, Juanita Jaramillo, Guadalupe Revalcava and brothers, Ted, Simon 1^st and Simon 2^nd Padilla.  Sr. Barbara is survived by Elena Duncan Pauline Duran and the Sisters of Charity Community at Mount Saint Joseph.  As we remember the life work of Sr. Barbara Padilla (66 years as a nun), remember the works of our beloved Sr. Blandina Segale, Servant of God also a Sister of Charity, who founded convents, school, and hospitals throughout the Southwest.

On Monday, August 12^th we honor the life of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641) a wife, mother, nun, and founder of a religious community.  Losing her mother, Margaret de Berbisey, at 18 months old, Jane’s father became the main influence in her life and her future.  Her father, Benigne Fremyot played a prominent role in politics as the head of Parliament at Dijon, France and instilled in Jane the importance of education.  After completing her studies, Jane married Baron de Chantal at the age of 21, welcoming six children with three dying in infancy.   During the difficult times in their marriage, they restored the custom of having a daily Mass at the Castle of Bourbilly and engaging in various charitable works.  When the Baron was killed after they celebrated seven years of marriage, Jane sank into a deep state of depression for many months.  Her vision and her outlook changed when at the age of 32, she met the Bishop of Geneva, Francis de Sales and knew she wanted to become a nun.  He soon became her Spiritual Advisor and asked her to take a vow and remain unmarried.  A few years later, Francis de Sales confided to Jane about his plan to establish an institute for women.  It would be set up for those whose health, age or the many circumstances that would prevent them from entering those already established religious communities.  The Order would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of mercy and were to exemplify the virtues of Mary of the Visitation. 

During the first eight years, the new order of Visitation Nuns was unusual in its public outreach in contrast to other female religious orders who remained cloistered while following strict rules and practices.  Although later she was obliged to follow the Rule of St. Augustine making it a cloistered community after he wrote his Treatise on the Love of God for them.  Jane continued to accept women of all ages or with health issues with many criticizing her decisions she said “What do you want me to do?  I like sick people myself; I am on their side.”  Jane Frances de Chantal had many donations and much support from aristocratic women with the Order founding 13 houses by Frances de Sales before his death and 86 houses established before the passing of Jane Frances de Chantal.  After the death of Frances de Sales, the Spiritual Director became Vincent de Paul who was with her until her passing in 1641.  Her favorite devotions were to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sacred Heart of Mary.  Francis de Sales and Jane Frances, de Chantal are buried next to each other in the Annecy Convent.  She was Beatified on November 21, 1751, in Rome by Pope Benedict XIV and Canonized on July 16, 1767, by Pope Clement XIV.  In 1767, the year of the Canonization of St. Frances de Chantal, there were 164 houses for the Visitation Order.  She is the patron of forgotten people, loss of parents and widows and in 1867, a medal was produced with the likeness of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. 

On Tuesday, August 13^th we honor the Saints, Pontian – Patron Saint of Carbonia Italy and Montaldo – Patron Saint of Scarampi, Italy and Hippolytus – Patron Saint of Horses.  St. Pontian, a Roman Christian who was the Pope, Bishop of Rome from 230-235.  Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus were alive during a tumultuous time the history of the Church, they defended the true nature of the Holy Trinity and died for their faith.  St. Hippolytus accused Pope Zephyrinus of being too lenient concerning heretics that denied the distinct persons of the Trinity.  He also saw Pope Callixtus as too lax concerning adulterers, murderers, and legitimizing invalid marriages.  He also accused the Pope of Modalism, a 3^rd Century heresy concerning the Holy Trinity regarding the Three persons as three modes or functions of the one God, so making the Godhead a single Person.  Pope Hippolytus thought the Church’s practices were forgiving sinners and he came into conflict with Pope St. Zephyrinus, Pope St. Callistus, and Pope St. Pontian about these issues.  At this time, Hippolytus elected himself as the leader of a separate church becoming the 1^st anti-pope.  In 235, Maximus Thrax became the Roman Emperor seizing power with the help of his army and then ordering the arrest and imprisonment of all Christian leaders.  In 235 Pope Pontian and Antipope Hippolytus were banished to the island of Sardinia by the Roman Emperor to toil in the harsh conditions of the mines.  The conditions were so severe, both men became martyrs dying as a result of their fate.  While in exile Pope Hippolytus’ last words “Lord, they break my body; receive my soul.”   Pope Fabian who would lead the Church for the next 14 years, he returned their bodies to Rome a year after their deaths.  St. Hippolytus’ is buried in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina and in 1551, a headless statue of Hippolytus was found just outside Rome during excavations of the Via Tiburtina.  Inscribed on either side of the chair are tables for working out the dates of Easter.  The statue, showing the saint as a teacher, was carved during his lifetime.  St. Pontian was laid to rest in the Papal Crypt in the Catacomb of Callixtus.  St Hippolytus left a detailed description of the early ordination rites, Apostolic Traditions, which includes the reception of catechumens into the Church and the celebration of the Eucharist.  He also left a commentary on the Prophet Daniel, the Song of Songs, a treatise on Christ and the antichrist found in the books of Daniel, Revelations, and various sermons.  They were Canonized pre-congregation.   A Prayer: “Saint Pontian and Hippolytus, you both served the Church during a difficult period in which the nature of the Most Holy Trinity was called into question.  You defended the truth and taught it tirelessly.  As a result of your fidelity, you both died for the faith, reconciled to God and to each other.  Please pray for me, that I will always seek reconciliation, especially with other Christians, and will always remain faithful to the one true faith.  Saints Pontain and Hippolytus, pray for me.  Jesus, I trust in You.  AMEN.”

On Wednesday, August 14^th, the Catholic Church honors the life of martyr, Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1940) Polish catholic priest, Franciscan Friar who volunteered to die in the death camp of Auschwitz during World War II.  He was born in the Kingdom of Poland, at that time part of the Russian Empire on January 8,1894.  His life became strongly influenced by the Virgin Mary when he had a vision at the age of 12 in 1906.  He would describe the incident: “That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me.  Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red.  She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns.  The white one meant that I should persevere in purity and the red one meant that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.”  In 1907 along with older brother Francis, he joined the Conventual Franciscan Monir Friary and in 1910, Kolbe entered the novitiate taking the name, Maximilian.  In 1911, he professed his first vows and in 1014 he took his final vows, adding the name Maria.  In 1912, he attended the Pontifical University in Rome earning a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1915, continuing his studies, he earned a Doctorate in Theology between the years 1919-1922 all taking place during World War I.  During his studies, his father Julius Kolbe was actively fighting against the Russians for the independence of Poland was caught and hanged as a traitor by the Russians at the age of 43.  While Maximilian was a student, he witnessed demonstrations against the Popes, Pius X and Benedict in Rome saying: “They placed the black standard of the “Giordano Brunisti” under the windows of the Vatican.  On this standard the Archangel, Michael, was depicted lying under the feet of the triumphant Lucifer.  At the same time, countless pamphlets were distributed to the people in which the Holy Father (the Pope) was shamefully attacked.”  Kolbe organized the Army of the Immaculate One in 1917 to work for the conversion of sinners and enemies of the Catholic Church through the Intercession of the Virgin Mary adding to the Miraculous Medal Prayer: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.  And for all those who do not have recourse to thee; and all those recommended to thee.”  He was ordained in 1918 and in 1919, he returned to Poland promoting the veneration of the Immaculate Virgin Mary while opposing leftist and communist movements while teaching at the Krakow Seminary until 1922.  Kolbe went on to start the monthly periodical, “Knight of the Immaculata” and operated a religious publishing press until 1926.  He founded a new Conventual Franciscan Monastery near Warsaw in 1927 which became a major religious publishing center.  During the years 1930-1936, Kolbe journeyed to China, Japan, and India to establish missions.  He first arrived in Shanghai, China but his work was not successful and then journeyed to Japan founding a Franciscan Monastery on the outskirts of Nagasaki.  He had the monastery built on a mountainside that survived when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.  In 1932, he left Japan for India where he founded another monastery that has since closed.  He would return to Poland in 1933, travel to Japan and finally return in 1936 as guardian of Niepokalanow monastery in Poland.  There he started a radio station with his amateur radio license call sign SP3RN.  When World War II broke out, Kolbe remained in the monastery organizing a temporary hospital before the town was captured by the Germans.  In 1939, he was arrested then released three months later refusing to sign the Deutsche Volkliste giving him the rights similar to those of German citizens in exchange for recognizing his ethnic German ancestry.  After his release, Kolbe and the other friars continued to shelter refugees along with 2,000 Jews whom they hid from German persecution in the Niepokalanow Friary all while publishing anti-nazi publications.  On February 17, 1941, Kolbe and four others were arrested, and the Monastery was shut down by the Gestapo.  They were imprisoned in Pawiak prison.  Kolbe was transferred to Auschwitz on May 28^th, 1941as prisoner number 16670.  Kolbe continued to practice his faith as a priest even though he was beaten and suffered harassment in his cell in Block 11.  When a prisoner escaped from the camp in July 1941, the deputy commander ordered that 10 men would be chosen to starve to death to deter other escape attempts.  One of the selected men Franciszek Gajowniczek cried out, “My wife! My children!” Kolbe volunteered to take his place saying: “I am old and useless.”  While in his cell, Kolbe led the 10 other prisoners into prayer as they battled starvation and dehydration for two weeks with only three others and Kolbe surviving.  The guards then gave the four remaining prisoners lethal injections of carbolic acid as Kolbe comforted each one as they died.   Kolbe raised his left arm composed as he was the last one to die on August 14, 1941, with his remains cremated on the Feast of the Assumption on August 15^th.  His Beatification was opened on June 3, 1952, and he was recognized as a Servant of God on May 12, 1955.  Pope Paul VI declared Kolbe Venerable on January 30, 1969, and Beatified as a Confessor of the Faith in 1971 by Pope Paul VI.  He was Canonized as a Saint by Pope John Paul II on October 10, 1982, and declared as a confessor and martyr of charity.  The man Kolbe saved at Auschwitz, Franciszek Gajowniczek survived the Holocaust and was present at the Beatification and Canonization ceremonies.  Maximilian Kolbe is also remembered in the Church of England with a commemoration of August 14^th.  Kolbe is one of ten 20^th century martyrs who are depicted in statues above the great West Door of Anglican Westminster Abbey in London.  In 1963, a play influenced by Kolbe’s life, “The Deputy”, was published by Rolf Hochhuth and dedicated to St. Maximillian Kolbe.  In 1998, a Museum of St. Maximilian “There was a Man” opened in Niepokalanow and in 2000, the National Shrine of St. Maximillian Kolbe designated the community of Conventual Franciscan Friars, Marytown – the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe located in Libertyville, Illinois.  In Western Australia, Kolbe Catholic College was founded in 1989 with the motto “Courage, Faith, and Excellence.  On the 25^th Anniversary of the College in 2014, the staff and students went on a pilgrimage to Poland and Italy to follow the footsteps of the saint.  The trip included Auschwitz to connect with “Courage,” Niepokalanow to connect with “Faith” and Rome to connect with “Excellence.”  The college made the pilgrimage again in 2016 for World Youth Day in Krakow and made the journey again in 2018.  A Prayer to St. Maximilian Kolbe: “Heavenly Father, You inflamed Blessed Maximilian the Priest with love for the Immaculate Virgin and filled him with zeal for souls and love for neighbor.  Through his prayers rant us to work strenuously for Your glory in the service of others, and so be made conformable to Your Son until death.  AMEN.”

On Thursday, August 15^th we honor the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is defined as a Doctrine of the Faith, regarding faith and morals given by her founder, Jesus Christ to the Apostles for the salvation for all.  On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII stated that Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven after the completion of her earthly life (In theological terminology, her dormition, or falling asleep in the Lord) since, by reason of her Immaculate Conception, she should not suffer the consequences of Original Sin.  Pope Pius XII stated: “We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”   The Feast of the Assumption has been celebrated by Christians as early as the 7^Th Century and at present is considered a Holy Day of Obligation.  The Solemnity of the Assumption has been celebrated in the Eastern Church since the 6^th Century and Orthodox Christians fast for 14 days prior to the feast.  Religious Parades and popular festivals will be held to celebrate the Assumption and in Canada, The Fete Nationale of the Arcadians is an annual festival.  In Malta, the Basilica of the Assumption also known as Mosta Rotunda will be decorated on this day. 

On Friday, August 16^th we honor the life of Stephen I of Hunga, also known as King St. Stephen, the last Grand Prince of the Hungarians, and the 1^st King of Hungary until his death in 1038.  He has been considered one of the most important persons in the history of Hungary.  He was the first member of his family who became a devout Christian before marrying Gisele of Bavaria, a marriage that established the first family link between a Hungarian Ruler and a Western Ruling House.  Their ceremony officiated by St. Adalbert took place at the Scheyern Castle.  King Stephen was credited with the establishment of a Christian state that ensured that the Hungarian population survived in the Carpathian Basin, the large sedimentary basin situated in southeast central Europe during the 9^th and 10^th Century.  The Hungarians strengthened their control over the Carpathian Basin by defeating the Bavarian Army on July 4, 907, then launched campaigns between 899-and 955 and also targeting the Byzantine Empire during the years 943-971.  Due to their success, the Hungarians settled in the Basin establishing the Christian Monarchy, the Kingdom of Hungary around 1000.  King Stephen went on to establish an Archbishopric, the territory under an Archbishop, six Bishoprics, under authority of each Bishops diocese, and the Benedictine Monastery.  His work led the Church in Hungary to develop as an independent entity away from the Archbishops of the Holy Roman Empire while he worked to encourage the spread of Christianity.  King Stephen changed the rules about concerning severe punishment for not obeying Christian customs.   He was considered as one of the most important statesmen in the History of Hungary during his reign.  When he led the country, Hungary enjoyed a long era of peace with the country becoming a preferred route for pilgrims and merchants who traveled between Western Europe, the Holy Land and Constantinople.  He died on August 15, 1038, at the age of 63, surviving all his children who passed before him.  King Stephen was buried in his new Basilica dedicated to the Holy Virgin and was Canonized by Pope Gregory VII along with his son, Emeric, and Bishop Gerard of Csanad Hungary.  He is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches with his Major Shrine, St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, Hungary.   Since the 13^th Century, King St. Stephen has become a popular theme in Hungarian Poetry, described by poets as the symbol of National Identify and Independence.   He is also seen as the Apostle of the Hungarians in religious hymns especially in the choral piece, Hymn to King Stephen written in 1938 by Zoltan Kodaly.