Brothers and sisters: Since through the Blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, and since we have "a great priest over the house of God," let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy. We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear." He also told them, "Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Feast of
the Holy Name of Jesus

Luke 2:21 "...Et vocatum est Nomen eius IESUS"
("And His Name was called JESUS")

Psalm 90:14 "Because he hoped in me I will deliver him:
I will protect him because he hath known My Name."

Zacharias 10:12 "I will strengthen them in the Lord,
and they shall walk in His Name, saith the Lord."

Apocalypse 3:8 "I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened, which no man can shut: because thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied My Name."

Apocalypse 15:4 "Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and magnify Thy Name?..."

Blessed be the most holy Name of Jesus without end!

January Devotion: The Holy Name of Jesus

The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. This feast is also celebrated on January 3. Here is an explanation of the devotion.

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has associated entire months to special devotions. The devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus has been traditionally associated with the month of January, due to its celebration on January 3. The name Jesus was given to the Holy Child at God's command (Luke 1:31). The Holy Name is all-powerful because of the Person who bears it; we honor it because of the command of Christ, that we should pray in His Name and because it reminds us of all the blessings we receive through our Holy Redeemer. Hence St. Paul was able to write to the Philippians: ". . . at the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil. 2:10). By means of this devotion we also make amends for improper use of the Holy Name.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Prayer/Hymn in Honor of the Most Holy Name of Jesus - Iesu, Dulcis Memoria

Iesu, Dulcis Memoria is a celebrated 12th century hymn attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Doctor Mellifluus. The entire hymn has some 42 to 53 stanzas depending upon the manuscript. Parts of this hymn were used for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, which was formerly celebrated on the Sunday between the Circumcision and Epiphany, or failing such a Sunday, on January 2. The part below was used at Vespers. In the liturgical revisions of Vatican II, the feast was deleted, though a votive Mass to the Holy Name of Jesus had been retained for devotional use. With the release of the revised Roman Missal in March 2002, the feast was restored as an optional memorial on January 3.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast!
Yet sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Jesus' name,
The Savior of mankind.

O hope of every contrite heart!
0 joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus! our only hope be Thou,
As Thou our prize shalt be;
In Thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity. Amen.

---Roman Breviary

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

O Divine Jesus, Thou hast promised that anything we ask of the Eternal Father in Thy name shall be granted.

O Eternal Father. In the name of Jesus, for the love of Jesus, in fulfillment of this promise, and because Jesus has said it, grant us our petitions for the sake of Jesus, Thy Divine Son. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil:2:10-11

The Most Holy Name
The Power of Jesus’ Name
What does IHS stand for? The meaning of the Holy Name of Jesus [Catholic Caucus]
Litany Of The Holy Name of Jesus
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
Jesus, The Name above all Names
Devotion to the Holy Name (of Jesus) [Catholic Caucus]
Lessons In Iconography : The Chi Rho - Christ
St. Francis de Sales on the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Excerpt from a Sermon) (Catholic Caucus)
St. Francis de Sales on the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

St. Bernard on the Most Holy Name of Jesus [Ecumenical]
Saving the day in His Holy Name: St. Genevieve gets a reprieve [Catholic Caucus]
The Holy Name of Jesus
Holy Name of Jesus [San Bernadino of Siena] Ecumenical
The Holy Name of Jesus
Devotion to the Holy Name [of Jesus]
The Name of Jesus: Its Power in Our Lives
The Holy Name of Jesus
Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus
The Holy Name of Jesus

Philippians 2
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of
our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.

Hail Mary . . .

And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary . . .

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb"
(Lk 1:42).

http://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnbosco.asp

Ordinary Time: January 31st

Memorial of St. John Bosco, priest

MASS READINGS
January 31, 2019 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. 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.

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Stuffed Raw Peppers
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Novena in Honor of St. John Bosco
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Nameday Prayer for St. John Bosco
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Don Bosco, Seeker of Souls | Msgr. Paul E. Campbell M.A., Litt.D., Ed.D.
Salesians: Protecting, Reviving Faithfulness to the Call | Pope Benedict XVI
» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

Old Calendar: St. John Bosco, confessor

St. John Bosco was the founder of the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. His lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title, “Apostle of Youth.” He had no formal system or theory of education. His methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator.

St. John Bosco
John Bosco was born near Castelnuovo in the archdiocese of Turin, Italy, in 1815. His father died when John was only two years old and it was his mother Margaret who provided him with a good humanistic and Christian education. His early years were financially difficult but at the age of twenty he entered the major seminary, thanks to the financial help received from Louis Guala, founder and rector of the ecclesiastical residence St. Francis of Assisi in Turin. John Bosco was ordained a priest on June 5, 1846, and with the help of John Borel he founded the oratory of St. Francis de Sales.

At this time the city of Turin was on the threshold of the industrial revolution and as a result there were many challenges and problems, especially for young men. Gifted as he was as an educator and a leader, Don Bosco formulated a system of education based on “reason, religion and kindness.” In spite of the criticism and violent attacks of the anti-clericals, he conducted workshops for the tradesmen and manual laborers, schools of arts and sciences for young workers, and schools of the liberal arts for those preparing for the priesthood. In 1868 there were 800 students involved in this educational system. To ensure the continuation of his work, Don Bosco founded the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), which was approved in 1869. Also, with the help of Sister Mary Dominic Mazzarello, he founded the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix.

In 1875 a wave of emigration to Latin America began, and this prompted the inauguration of the Salesian missionary apostolate. Don Bosco became a traveller throughout Europe, seeking funds for the missions. Some of the reports referred to him as “the new St. Vincent de Paul.” He also found time to write popular catechetical pamphlets, which were distributed throughout Italy, as was his Salesian Bulletin. This great apostle of youth died on January 31, 1888, and was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934. Pope John Paul II named him “teacher and father to the young.”

— Excerpted from Saints of the Roman Calendar by Enzo Lodi

Patron: Apprentices; boys; editors; Mexican young people; laborers; schoolchildren; students; young people.

Things to Do:

St. John Bosco at a young age learned how to juggle and do other tricks to attract children to him. This provided opportunities for him to give catechesis to these children. Think of different activities that you could do to attract children—perhaps juggling, putting on puppet shows, storybook time—and use that opportunity to teach a virtue, catechism lesson, or just to be a good example. Good clean fun or a wholesome activity is a lesson in itself in a world where there is so much corruption.

If you feel brave, try cooking the stuffed raw peppers suggested for today. Mama Margaret probably cooked Peperoni farciti à la Piemontaise (peppers stuffed with boiled rice), a speciality from Turin, for St. John Bosco’s boys.

Read this article from Catholic Culture’s library, Don Bosco, Seeker of Souls.

http://wau.org/meditations/current/

Meditation: Hebrews 10:19-25

Saint John Bosco, Priest (Memorial)

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

When Sheila started volunteering at a homeless shelter once a week, she couldn’t stop talking about it. She loved sitting down with the residents and chatting with them. She liked hearing their stories and praying with them. Sheila’s excitement was so striking that first one friend, and then another asked if they could come along. Soon they became regular volunteers as well. You might say Sheila was “rousing” her friends to love and good works.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. When you read this verse, you might think of someone standing on a soapbox telling you to go out and “do the right thing.” But the Greek word used here for “rouse” can also mean “excite.” We are supposed to get one another excited about the Christian life and all that it entails! That’s how we rouse one another, by our passion and our example, as much as by our words.

So what excites you about your life in Christ? Maybe you love the one-on-one time you spend with Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. Perhaps your passion is reading and studying Scripture. You might enjoy serving in a ministry like RCIA or teaching English as a second language. Whatever it is, your excitement is attractive and contagious. It may be just the thing that rouses another person to take up the same spiritual practice or join you in a good work.

If you haven’t been feeling much excitement about your faith lately, think about what has excited you in the past. You may need to get back to what you were doing then or find another avenue to channel your love. If you’ve been serving for a long time in one area, for example, making a change could help reenergize you. Find out what excites your brothers and sisters. Maybe God is calling you to do the same thing.

The author of Hebrews knew that Christians need one another. You might need a fellow believer to inspire you to do something you may have never even considered. And they might need you. So don’t be afraid to communicate your passion and excitement to someone else. You might just be rousing another brother or sister to follow Jesus more closely.

“Lord, thank you for all the times a brother or sister has roused me to love, prayer, and good works.”

Psalm 24:1-6
Mark 4:21-25

Daily Gospel Commentary

Vatican Council II
Ad gentes: Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, § 21

“May your light shine before others” (Mt 5:16)

For the gospel cannot be deeply imprinted on the talents, life and work of any people without the active presence of laymen...Their main duty, whether they are men or women, is the witness which they are bound to bear to Christ by their life and works in the home, in their social group, and in own professional circle. For in them there must appear the new man created according to God in justice and true holiness (Eph. 4:24). But they must give expression to this newness of life in the social and cultural framework of their own homeland, according to their own national traditions. They must be acquainted with this culture. They must heal it and preserve it. They must develop it in accordance with modern conditions, and finally perfect it in Christ. Thus the faith of Christ and the life of the Church will no longer be something extraneous to the society in which they live, but will begin to permeate and transform it. Let them be one with their fellow countrymen in sincere charity, so that there may appear in their way of life a new bond of unity and of universal solidarity, drawn from the mystery of Christ...This obligation is all the more urgent, because very many men can hear of the gospel and recognize Christ only by means of the laity who are their neighbors...

Let the clergy highly esteem the arduous apostolate of the laity. Let them train the laity to become conscious of the responsibility, which as members of Christ they bear for all men. Let them instruct them deeply in the mystery of Christ, introduce them to practical methods, and be at their side in difficulties...

While pastors and laymen, then, retain each their own due functions and their own responsibilities, the whole young Church should render one vital and firm witness to Christ, and thus become a shining beacon of the salvation which comes to us in Christ.

https://www.regnumchristi.org/en/january-31-2019-let-christs-light-shine/

January 31, 2019 – Let Christ’s Light Shine

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
Mark 4:21-25

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light. Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.” He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you, and still more will be given to you. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me today of my dignity as a Christian. By your grace in baptism and by your teaching in the gospels and in the Church, you have put light in my soul. Lord, you are my light.

Petition: Christ, help me to be a sincere witness of your light.

Transparency in Our Lives: God sees us. This is a simple truth—an extremely powerful truth. God looks at us with love. We cannot hide from God. We cannot hide from ourselves. We cannot even hide from others. We need to live in the presence of God. God lets light shine on our lives so that we can see the truth about ourselves, and so that we need not be ashamed that others see the truth about who we are. True happiness is preserved and increased by the tenacious living of sincerity.

Light for the World: Our life is not just for ourselves. We are called to be a gift for others, a gift that leads them to God. This is the greatest thing about our life: We are called to give life. We are called to participate in the fruitfulness of God. We give life by enlightening others. We help other people come to the light by trying sincerely to go clearly towards the light and by not fearing to show people the truth. The light shed by our lives produces a real effect in souls. Vatican II reminds us that modern man needs reasons for hope. A Christian carries hope. Will I keep it hidden; perhaps even kill it by being afraid to share it? Or will I let the world receive hope? Will I let the world see that we all can be much greater than we think because our Father is greater than we think?

Standing up for the Light of Truth to Be Lived: Moral relativism seems to be the norm for our times. Many people think that they can decide what principles they will live by, instead of seeking to form their consciences by principles in accordance with God’s loving design for the human person. Am I content merely to follow what I know to be right, or do I also look to enlighten the consciences of others, prudently and charitably? Have I ever given the impression of condoning actions that are wrong? Do I take an interest in promoting the value of life in all of its stages? Am I courageous in nobly defending others when people criticize them behind their backs?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for this calling. You have given light to my soul so that I can be a light for others. Lord, help me to have confidence in the power of your light: the power of your truth and grace. Let me be brave enough to allow this light to penetrate my soul even more today. Let me be brave enough to not hide from your light; let me be brave enough to give it to others.

Resolution: I will enlighten my conscience better about a point of our faith or morals by looking it up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (It can be found on-line at http://www.vatican.va if needed).

https://catholicexchange.com/207753-2

January 31, 2019
We sometimes say we listen with one ear and let it go out the other ear. This is not real listening but mere hearing. We do this when we don’t really like to listen to what is being communicated to us. In other words, we don’t even care for the one communicating with us.

Jesus in the Gospel reading of today is challenging his listeners when he says, “Listen if you have ears!” Jesus is teaching his disciples and the people who wanted to listen to him. His teaching would sometimes make the listeners come to a dilemma whether to keep on listening or just shrug their shoulders and go. For Jesus, to listen to him is to let his words penetrate our innermost being. It means to let his words transform our hearts, our life, our whole person – to become like him. And to be like him is to let our life be seen by others in our witnessing . . . our being made in the image and likeness of God, our being brothers and sisters of Jesus.

So when others see us, they see Jesus. This is real transformation when we know how to listen to his words and live it. It is like the lamp then that has to be placed where it can give light to others. Isn’t this beautiful! We let this light of Christ invade our whole being so we can be light for others.

Are we ready to listen not only with our ears but also with our hearts? Do we care about Jesus’ way of transforming us into his likeness? How can we make our light shine in the midst of people around us?

https://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=1/31/2019

One Bread, One Body
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All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 1

<< Thursday, January 31, 2019 >> St. John Bosco

Hebrews 10:19-25
View Readings Psalm 24:1-6 Mark 4:21-25
Similar Reflections

GOD’S WORD FOR YOU

“Is a lamp acquired to be put under a bushel basket or hidden under a bed? Is it not meant to be put on a stand?” —Mark 4:21

The above Scripture verse instantly transformed my life. While attending a retreat forty-two years ago, a friend wrote an encouraging note to me (see Heb 10:24-25) and concluded it with the above passage. I was intensely shy, attending the retreat only to gain solitude for prayer. My friend observed that God had given me spiritual gifts and a calling to share those gifts with a hurting world. The letter touched me, but it was the words of the Scripture that penetrated my timid heart (Heb 4:12). Rather than experiencing guilt and shame for gifts unused, Jesus’ words ignited my heart with the desire of putting His light on the stand for others to see and glorify Him (Mt 5:15-16). Simultaneously, His words infused me with power, giving me a new heart to love others rather than fear them.

Jesus has a Scripture passage for you as well. His Word for you is life-giving (Mt 4:4), liberating (Jn 8:31-32), and sustaining (Heb 1:3). His Word will guide (Is 30:21) and direct your paths (Ps 119:105). Read His Word and find it. Perhaps God has already led you to that special Scripture. Your lamp is lit and you have placed it on the stand. Ask God for more; give that Word to others, and still more will be given to you (Mk 4:24). God surely wants to use you as He used my friend: to sow His Word abundantly (Mk 4:14). The Scripture you sow will not return to God void, but shall achieve His purposes in this world (Is 55:11).

Prayer: Father, may Catholics increasingly hear, love, read, understand, live, and spread Your Word.
Promise: “Let us hold unswervingly to our profession which gives us hope, for He Who made the promise deserves our trust.” —Heb 10:23
Praise: St. John Bosco answered his call to lead youth to Christ. He is the patron of apprentices, school children, and juvenile delinquents.

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Feast of
the Holy Name of Jesus

January, 2019

The Holy Father's Prayer Intention

Evangelization – Religious Minorities in Asia, That Christians and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practice their faith in full freedom.