Contributor
- Michael Teixeira, SFO
- I am a professed Third Order Franciscan since 2002. I have dedicated my life to living and following the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. I have been the Vice-Minister and Minister of my local fraternity. Recently, my faith journey has taken me east to the Byzantine Catholic Church. I look forward to spreading the work of Saint Francis in my new found home. Even more recently I find that I am being called to walk more closely in the footsteps of Saint Francis. Our world is in desperate need a restoration of Faith, Hope and Charity. It is to this end that I devote my life.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Franciscan Thought for the Day: January 4th, 2011
In order that charity toward God be perfect, it is necessary that it be extended also to one's neighbor by assisting him in his needs and forgiving him his faults. Do this and you will live. - Saint Anthony of Padua.
Saints of The Day: January 3rd.
Eastern Rite:
Saint Malachias (d. 400 A.D.) & Saint Gordius (d. 320 A.D.)
Saint Malachias was a prophet in the Old Testament.
Saint Gordius died a martyr during the reign of Emperor Licinius.
Roman Rite:
Most Holy Name of †Jesus (Franciscan Feast Day)
The foundation for this feast can be traced back to 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of a 15th century Franciscan, St. Bernardine of Siena. Saint Bernardine was able to settle family fueds and class struggles through devotion to the Holy Name of †Jesus. The devotion spread thanks to Franciscan and Dominican preachers. The Jesuits began to use it during the 16th century, thus helping to spread the devotion even further.
Then in 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church.
Saint Malachias (d. 400 A.D.) & Saint Gordius (d. 320 A.D.)
Saint Malachias was a prophet in the Old Testament.
Saint Gordius died a martyr during the reign of Emperor Licinius.
Roman Rite:
Most Holy Name of †Jesus (Franciscan Feast Day)
The foundation for this feast can be traced back to 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns but especially through the preaching of a 15th century Franciscan, St. Bernardine of Siena. Saint Bernardine was able to settle family fueds and class struggles through devotion to the Holy Name of †Jesus. The devotion spread thanks to Franciscan and Dominican preachers. The Jesuits began to use it during the 16th century, thus helping to spread the devotion even further.
Then in 1530, Pope Clement V approved an Office of the Holy Name for the Franciscans. In 1721, Pope Innocent XIII extended this feast to the entire Church.
Franciscan Thought of the Day
It is necessary to accompany one's good works with heartfelt compassion, for he who gives with his heart, gives something of himself. - Saint Anthony of Padua.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Saints of the Day: January 2nd
Eastern Rite:
Silvester, Pope of Rome (d. 335 A.D)
Today we recall Our holy father Silvester, Pope of Rome. Under his pontificate was held the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea in the year 325 A.D.
Roman Rite:
Saint Basil the Great (329 A.D - 379 A.D.)
Today we recall Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia. Here is an excerpt from the book Saint of the Day
"Basil was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what St. Benedict is to the West, and his principles influence Eastern monasticism today.
He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea (now southeastern Turkey), and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of his suffragan bishops, probably because they foresaw coming reforms.
One of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church, Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great St. Athanasius died, the mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. "For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything."
He was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world (as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself) and fought the prostitution business.
Basil was best known as an orator. His writings, though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as "the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth."
Silvester, Pope of Rome (d. 335 A.D)
Today we recall Our holy father Silvester, Pope of Rome. Under his pontificate was held the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea in the year 325 A.D.
Roman Rite:
Saint Basil the Great (329 A.D - 379 A.D.)
Today we recall Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappodocia. Here is an excerpt from the book Saint of the Day
"Basil was on his way to becoming a famous teacher when he decided to begin a religious life of gospel poverty. After studying various modes of religious life, he founded what was probably the first monastery in Asia Minor. He is to monks of the East what St. Benedict is to the West, and his principles influence Eastern monasticism today.
He was ordained a priest, assisted the archbishop of Caesarea (now southeastern Turkey), and ultimately became archbishop himself, in spite of opposition from some of his suffragan bishops, probably because they foresaw coming reforms.
One of the most damaging heresies in the history of the Church, Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ, was at its height. Emperor Valens persecuted orthodox believers, and put great pressure on Basil to remain silent and admit the heretics to communion. Basil remained firm, and Valens backed down. But trouble remained. When the great St. Athanasius died, the mantle of defender of the faith against Arianism fell upon Basil. He strove mightily to unite and rally his fellow Catholics who were crushed by tyranny and torn by internal dissension. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, accused of heresy and ambition. Even appeals to the pope brought no response. "For my sins I seem to be unsuccessful in everything."
He was tireless in pastoral care. He preached twice a day to huge crowds, built a hospital that was called a wonder of the world (as a youth he had organized famine relief and worked in a soup kitchen himself) and fought the prostitution business.
Basil was best known as an orator. His writings, though not recognized greatly in his lifetime, rightly place him among the great teachers of the Church. Seventy-two years after his death, the Council of Chalcedon described him as "the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth."
Franciscan Thought of the Day
To believe without bothering to perform good works amounts to laughing in the face of God. - Saint Anthony of Padua.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Saints of the Day: January 1st
Happy New Year!
Today we celebrate two very important feasts in the Eastern and Western Catholic Church.
In the Roman Rite, today we celebrate the Feast of the Mother of God. We acknowledge †Mary as having an important role in the Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior, †Jesus Christ. The precise title "Mother of God" goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form †Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church's teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin †Theotokos. At the end of this particular session, crowds of people marched through the street shouting: "Praised be the †Theotokos!" The tradition reaches to our own day. In its chapter on Mary's role in the Church, Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls Mary "Mother of God" 12 times.
In the Byzantine Rite, we celebrate today the Circumcision of Our Lord God and Savior, †Jesus Christ. According to Jewish custom, Saint Joseph and †Mary brought the Christ child to the temple eight days after he was born for the naming of the child and circumcision. We, to this day, still keep this tradition (minus the circumcision) in the Byzantine Catholic Church. It is customary for parents to bring their new born baby to the temple for its naming and presentation.
Also today in the Byzantine Rite, we honor Saint Basil the Great archbishop and "Patriach of the Eastern Monks".
Today we celebrate two very important feasts in the Eastern and Western Catholic Church.
In the Roman Rite, today we celebrate the Feast of the Mother of God. We acknowledge †Mary as having an important role in the Nativity of Our Lord God and Savior, †Jesus Christ. The precise title "Mother of God" goes back at least to the third or fourth century. In the Greek form †Theotokos (God-bearer), it became the touchstone of the Church's teaching about the Incarnation. The Council of Ephesus in 431 insisted that the holy Fathers were right in calling the holy virgin †Theotokos. At the end of this particular session, crowds of people marched through the street shouting: "Praised be the †Theotokos!" The tradition reaches to our own day. In its chapter on Mary's role in the Church, Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church calls Mary "Mother of God" 12 times.
In the Byzantine Rite, we celebrate today the Circumcision of Our Lord God and Savior, †Jesus Christ. According to Jewish custom, Saint Joseph and †Mary brought the Christ child to the temple eight days after he was born for the naming of the child and circumcision. We, to this day, still keep this tradition (minus the circumcision) in the Byzantine Catholic Church. It is customary for parents to bring their new born baby to the temple for its naming and presentation.
Also today in the Byzantine Rite, we honor Saint Basil the Great archbishop and "Patriach of the Eastern Monks".
Franciscan Thought of the Day
Purity of heart is the altar on which burns the incense of devotion and on which God casts His loving and merciful glances. - Saint Anthony of Padua.
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