Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: All
Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: August 16th

Optional Memorial of St. Stephen of Hungary

MASS READINGS

August 16, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant your Church, we pray, almighty God, that she may have Saint Stephen of Hungary, who fostered her growth while a king on earth, as her glorious defender in heaven. 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.

show

Recipes (8)

show

Activities (3)

show

Prayers (1)

show

Library (3)

Old Calendar: St. Joachim, Father of the Blessed Virgin Mary, confessor; St. Roch

Vaik, son of Geza, Duke of Hungary, was baptized about 985 by St. Adalbert of Prague who gave him the name of Stephen. He was chosen by God to bring his people to the Christian faith. With the assistance of monks from Burgundy he established bishoprics, founded several monasteries and re-organized the whole life of the country. Pope Silvester II offered him the privilege of being crowned king and the ceremony took place on December 25, 1000. His great zeal for the spread of the Catholic faith earned him the title of apostolic king and apostle of Hungary. He died on August 15, 1038, the feast of the Assumption of our Lady, to whom he had consecrated his kingdom.

Before the reform of the General Roman Calendar today was the feast of St. Joachim, now celebrated July 26. St. Stephen's feast was September 2. St. Roch, who is in the Roman Martyrology, was from France, near Montpellier. By the sign of the cross he delivered many cities of Italy from an epidemic. His body was afterwards transferred to Venice, deposited with great honors in the church dedicated under his invocation.


St. Stephen
St. Stephen was the first Christian king of Hungary. He was born in 975 at Gran, the son of Prince Geisa, and was baptized in 985 by St. Adalbert. While courting Gisela, the sister of Emperor St. Henry II, he was promised her hand in marriage provided that he remain firm in the Christian faith and lead the pagan Hungarians to Christianity. He kept his word though it cost him dearly. From the hands of Pope Sylvester II (999-1003) he received the royal crown and was solemnly enthroned at Gran on the feast of Mary's Assumption, 1001. (The alleged bull of Pope Sylvester granting to Stephen and his successors the privilege of having the cross carried before them, like metropolitans, is now regarded as a seventeenth-century forgery.)

Stephen was one of the wisest princes of his time. His royal generosity is shown in the establishment of the archbishopric of Gran and ten Hungarian bishoprics, and in his love toward the poor. Because he visited them in their houses and washed their feet, his right hand has remained incorrupt. Great was his zeal in prayer and meditation. From his marriage came a saintly son, the devout Emeric, an angel of purity, who died seven years before his father. By prayer and fasting Stephen sought the conversion of all Hungary; rightfully is he called the apostle of his nation. He chose the Mother of God as the patroness of Hungary.

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

Patron: Bricklayers; death of children; Hungary; kings; masons; stone masons; stonecutters.

Symbols: Cross and sword; model of a church.

Things to Do:


St. Roch or Rocco
Untrustworthy sources say he was probably born at Montpellier, France, son of the governor there. He was orphaned when he was twenty. He went on pilgrimage to Rome and devoted himself to caring for the victims of a plague that was ravaging Italy. He became a victim himself at Piacenza but recovered and was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing. On his return to Montpellier, he was imprisoned for five years as a spy in pilgrim's disguise when his uncle, who was governor, ordered him imprisoned. (His uncle failed to recognize him, and Roch failed to identify himself.) Roch died in prison and was only then identified as the former governor's son by a birthmark in the form of a cross on his chest. Another biographer says that he was arrested as a spy at Angers, Lombardy, and died in prison there. When miracles were reported at his intercession after his death, a popular cult developed, and he is invoked against pestilence and plague. He is known as Rocco in Italy and Roque in Spain.

Excerpted from the Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney

Patron: bachelors; cholera; diseased cattle; dogs; epidemics; falsely accused people; invalids; knee problems; plague; relief from pestilence; skin diseases; skin rashes; surgeons; tile makers; Barano, Italy; Castropignano, Italy; Constantinople; Istanbul; Orsogna, Italy; Patricia, Italy.

Symbols: Pilgrim's hat and staff; angel; dog with loaf in mouth; hat with crossed keys of with escallop; plague spot on his thigh.

Things to Do:


30 posted on 08/16/2017 3:09:37 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies ]


To: All
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Saint Stephen of Hungary (Optional Memorial)

Moses . . . died, yet his eyes were undimmed. (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Did you know that according to Scripture, Moses was eighty years old when he saw the burning bush? Talk about a late vocation! He was already advanced in years when he began his relationship with God, and yet, he still accomplished much. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, acted as their ruler, judge, and travel guide as they dwelt in the desert, and became Israel’s greatest lawgiver.

So now here is Moses, awaiting death. And even after all those years, his eyes and his faith remained “undimmed.” What a beautiful way to describe someone who walked with the Lord to the end!

Moses is a good example of the fruit that our older brothers and sisters can bear. He shows us that it’s never too late to start serving the Lord and that those who serve him in old age can find joy in their work and become a blessing for the people of God.

If you are an older person, know that you have a tremendous amount to offer. Just think about how you have learned to trust the Lord as you face the challenges of aging. Think about the way you have tried to pass on the faith to your children and grandchildren. Think about all the ways you have been able to contribute to parish life. Many of you are active in pro-life ministries. Many teach Bible studies. Many serve the poor and reach out to those who are suffering. A number of you attend daily Mass and adoration and pray the Rosary. By your faithfulness, you are reminding your fellow parishioners of God’s faithfulness.

In a world that treasures youthful energy and enthusiasm, it can be easy to overlook the wisdom of God’s older servants. Don’t let that happen!

Are you an older brother or sister in Christ? God loves you, and the Church needs you. There is an important place for you among the people of God, just as there was for Moses.

Are you a younger Catholic? When you meet older parishioners, make it a point to listen to them. Ask them about their journey in faith. Get to know them and see how much you can learn from them. With eyes “undimmed,” they have seen much!

“Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of older brothers and sisters.”

Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17
Matthew 18:15-20

31 posted on 08/16/2017 3:13:46 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson