[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: May 20, 2013
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: O God, who gave the Priest Saint Bernardine of Siena a great love for the holy Name of Jesus, grant through his merits and prayers, that we may ever be set aflame with the spirit of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• Chicken Tetrazzini

ACTIVITIES

• Art in the Christian Home
• Feasts of Our Lady in the Home
• Salve Regina

PRAYERS

• Ordinary Time, After Pentecost: Table Blessing 1
• Roman Ritual Blessing Before and After Meals: Ordinary Time (1st Plan)
• Novena to St. Rita

Ordinary Time: May 20th

Optional Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena, priest

Old Calendar: St. Bernadine of Siena, confessor

Born in 1380, St. Bernardine of Siena left the world at an early age in order to lead a hermit's life. When he was twenty-two, he entered the Franciscan Order, one of whose glories he is. Having been made General of the Order, he resigned this charge in order to devote himself to preaching. He preached the name of Jesus with such love that it wrought the transformation of many souls. He was instrumental in effecting many conversions. He died at Aquilea, in the midst of his missionary labors, on May 20, 1444, and was canonized six years later.

This feast is celebrated today both in the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

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St. Bernadine
Bernardine was born in Carrara, Italy, in 1380. Even as a boy he nursed the sick during a time of pestilence in Siena. During a severe illness he decided upon entering a monastery and becoming a Franciscan. His superiors assigned him the task of preaching, and he submitted humbly despite a throat affliction. God heard his petition, and the ailment was miraculously cured.

A powerful and eloquent preacher (Pius II called him "a second Paul") and a zealous apostle, Bernardine traveled the length and breadth of Italy, inculcating love and reverence toward the holy Name of Jesus. He exerted a powerful influence upon his contemporaries, inaugurating a genuine reformation within the Church. Seldom has a saint had so many and so distinguished followers (including St. John Capistran). Upon entering a city, Bernardine had a standard carried before him upon which was the holy Name of Jesus (IHS) encircled with twelve golden rays and surmounted by a cross.

When he preached, this symbol was placed alongside the pulpit; or he would hold in his hand a tablet bearing the divine monogram in letters large enough to be visible to the entire audience. It was also his zealous appeals that induced many priests to put the Name of Jesus on the altars and walls of their churches, or to have little cards with the inscription distributed among the people. At his instigation the public buildings in many cities of Italy were adorned with the monogram suitably enlarged, as can still be seen in Siena. At the Council of Florence St. Bernardine labored strenuously to end the schism (1439).

— Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch.

Symbols: IHS within a circle of golden rays; open book; pile of vanities in flames;
Often portrayed as: A Franciscan holding a sun upon which the Name of Jesus is inscribed.

Patron: advertisers; advertising; against hoarseness; communications; compulsive or uncontrolled gambling; gambling addicts; lungs; public relations; chest, respiratory, or lung problems; Aquila, Italy; diocese of San Bernardino, California; Italy;

Things to Do:

• Our saint's glowing love for the holy Name of Jesus fills us with admiration. Keep this blessed Name on your lips, and more so in your heart. It is a Name that always arouses love for Christ. Never use it lightly or irreverently.

• From the Catholic Culture Library: St. Bernardino Fostered Holy Name Devotion

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 9:14-29

Saint Bernardine of Siena

“If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22)

Imagine today’s scene: a dad reaches out to Jesus’ disciples, because he needs a miracle. A crowd gathers. The disciples huddle around his son and command an evil spirit to leave. And then … nothing. Someone from the crowd comments on their lack of power, and it touches off a heated debate. And all the while, hope fades from the dad’s face.

Isn’t it sad how this desperate plea for healing degenerated into an argument between Jesus’ disciples and some religious teachers? The situation called for action, but the disciples were more concerned with winning a debate. It’s no wonder that when Jesus arrived and asked why they were arguing, they didn’t respond.

Now look at how Jesus entered the father’s world: with a question showing compassion. How long has he been like this? He reassured the man that everything was possible through faith, then cast out the evil spirit. Finally, he reached down to gently grasp the boy’s hand and help him to his feet.

What a contrast! The disciples let themselves get caught up in disputation, but Jesus was concerned with showing love. Love made the difference then, and it still does today! Every day we encounter people who need to experience Jesus’ love for them. What they need more than theoretical knowledge of God is to see that he cares for them. And they need to see it through us.

Think of how God has revealed his love to you and how he does so even now. He doesn’t just inform you from the comfortable distance of heaven. He enters into your world and shows you in tangible ways. As a man, Jesus walked into the desperate situations of the people he wanted to reach. He felt the pains, hungers, and needs we all feel, and he won our salvation in his own body.

Today, Jesus is inviting you to join him in entering the lives of the people he wants to reach. Is there anyone he might be pointing out to you? Be available to that person. Be ready with an encouraging word. Be ready to walk alongside him or her and be a part of his or her life. Do this, and you will be showing Christ to another one of his children.

“Lord Jesus, lead me to the people whose lives that I can touch with your love.”

Sirach 1:1-10; Psalm 93:1-2, 5