'Beginners in the service of God sometimes lose confidence when they fall into any fault. When you feel so unworthy a sentiment rising within you, you must lift your heart to God and consider that all your faults, compared with divine goodness, are less than a bit of oakum thrown into a sea of fire.'

St. Paul of the Cross

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.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3731096/posts

Saint of the Day — Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

Information: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

Feast Day: February 27

Born: March 1, 1838, Assisi, Italy

Died: February 27, 1862, Gran Sasso, Italy

Canonized: 1920, Rome, Italy by Pope Benedict XV

Major Shrine: San Gabriele, Teramo, Abruzzi

Patron of: Students, Youth, Clerics, Seminarians, Abruzzi

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Wednesday, February 27

Liturgical Color: Green

Today the Church honors St. Anne Line.
St. Anne lived in England during a time of
great Catholic persecution. She allowed
Catholics to gather at her house for Mass.
St. Anne was arrested for harboring
priests and hanged on this day in 1601.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: February 27th

Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time

MASS READINGS

February 27, 2019 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. 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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Recipes (1)

English Eggs and Bacon

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Activities (1)

Fun Pretzel Project

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Prayers (4)

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Library (1)

A Strong Sense of the Privilege and Duty of Living in Assisi | Pope Benedict XVI

» Enjoy our Liturgical Seasons series of e-books!

Old Calendar: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, confessor; St. Leander of Seville, bishop (Hist)

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows who was born in Assisi on March 1, 1838, the eleventh child of Sante Possenti and Agnes Frisciotti. His father Sante was a distinguished Italian lawyer. The boy was given the name of the city's illustrious patron, St. Francis, at baptism.

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows
On Ascension Day, 1920, Pope Benedict XV bestowed the honors of sainthood on a youth who is rightly called the Aloysius of the 19th century. He was Francis Possenti, known in religion as Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother.

Born in Assisi, March 1, 1838, he was given the name of the city's illustrious patron, St. Francis, at baptism. As a student in neighboring Spoleto, he led a good though rather worldly kind of life until God drew him closer to Himself through an illness. The decisive step was taken while seeing the highly honored miraculous picture of our Lady in Spoleto borne about in solemn procession. As his eyes followed our Blessed Mother, Francis felt the fire of divine love rising in his heart and almost at once made the resolve to join the Passionists, a religious congregation dedicated to the veneration of and meditation on the passion of Jesus Christ (1856).

After overcoming many difficulties, he carried out his resolution and received the religious name, Gabriel of the Mother of Sorrows. Even as a novice, he was regarded as a model of perfect holiness both within and beyond the cloister.

Saint Gabriel did not stand out from his community in any extraordinary way — his heroism lay in his obedient attitude. He conformed himself to his community in complete humility. Little is known of his life - only that he was blessed with an excellent memory and other gifts that made him an outstanding student. He also had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Sorrows of Mary. Pius X and Leo XIII especially desired that he be the patron saint of young people and novices in religious orders, as their model in the interior life. He died in the year 1862.

Saint Gabriel Possenti wrote: "Love Mary!... She is loveable, faithful, constant. She will never let herself be outdone in love, but will ever remain supreme. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She comes quickly and opens her merciful heart to you, embraces you and consoles and serves you. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity."

Patron: Abruzzi region of Italy; Catholic Action; clerics; students; young people in general.

Things to Do:

For more information about this Passionist saint visit: here, EWTN and the Passionist nuns

St. Leander of Seville
St. Leander was born of an illustrious family at Carthagena in Spain. He was the eldest of five brothers, several of whom are numbered among the Saints. He entered into a monastery very young, where he lived many years and attained to an eminent degree of virtue and sacred learning.

These qualities occasioned his being promoted to the see of Seville; but his change of condition made little or no alteration in his method of life, though it brought on him a great increase of care and solicitude.

Spain at that time was in possession of the Visigoths. These Goths, being infected with Arianism, established this heresy wherever they came; so that when St. Leander was made bishop it had reigned in Spain a hundred years. This was his great affliction; however, by his prayers to God, and by his most zealous and unwearied endeavors, he became the happy instrument of the conversion of that nation to the Catholic faith. Having converted, among others, Hermenegild, the king's eldest son and heir apparent, Leander was banished by King Leovigild. This pious prince was put to death by his unnatural father, the year following, for refusing to receive Communion from the hands of an Arian bishop. But, touched with remorse not long after, the king recalled our Saint; and falling sick and finding himself past hopes of recovery, he sent for St. Leander, and recommended to him his son Recared. This son, by listening to St. Leander, soon became a Catholic, and finally converted the whole nation of the Visigoths. He was no less successful with respect to the Suevi, a people of Spain, whom his father Leovigild had perverted.

St. Leander was no less zealous in the reformation of manners than in restoring the purity of faith; and he planted the seeds of that zeal and fervor which afterwards produced so many martyrs and Saints.

This holy doctor of Spain died about the year 596, on the 27th of February, as Mabillon proves from his epitaph.

The Church of Seville has been a metropolitan see ever since the third century. The cathedral is the most magnificent, both as to structure and ornament, of any in all Spain.

Excerpted from Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. [1894]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Mark 9:38-40

7th Week in Ordinary Time

In my name . . . (Mark 9:39)

John and the other disciples were missing the point. Alarmed that a stranger was using Jesus’ name to cast out demons, they tried to stop him. Why wasn’t their first reaction gratitude? Or joy? Or awe and wonder? Jesus’ power is so great that even someone who didn’t belong to their band of followers could perform a mighty deed just by calling on his name!

Sometimes we miss the point as well—but in a slightly different way. We miss out on the grace available to us when we pray in the name of Jesus. God has given Jesus authority over all of heaven and earth, and Jesus promised that in the authority of his name all of his followers can work wonders (Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:17-18). He even promised, “Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you” (John 16:23).

Just like the man in today’s Gospel, you can pray in the name of Jesus when you sense the presence of evil. Remember, the evil one loves to harass those who belong to Christ. As the father of lies, he can cause us to feel guilt and shame when we have already been forgiven. As the accuser, he is often behind our self-condemning thoughts. And as the enemy of everyone, he loves to cause division in relationships. So don’t underestimate his desire to wreak havoc.

When the seventy-two returned from their missionary journey, they told Jesus, “Even the demons are subject to us because of your name” (Luke 10:17). Evil quakes at the name of Jesus. Believe that demons flee at the mention of Jesus’ name, even when you’re the one speaking it!

So when you sense the evil one at work, go ahead and pray. You don’t need a lot of words. Just say, “Jesus, I come against this darkness in your name.”

Jesus’ name is truly “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). His authority to dispel evil and darkness is not just reserved for him alone. You have been baptized into his name, and that means you can call on that name. He has placed his name in your heart, so call on it!

“Jesus, may your name be ever on my heart and lips.”

Sirach 4:11-19
Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175

Daily Gospel Commentary

Commentary of the day : Pope Francis
Will he go with us?

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 9,38-40.

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us." Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for February 27, 2019:

Pope Francis called the family the “the first and most important school of mercy.” In what ways can you teach mercy in your family?

Regnum Christi

February 27, 2019 – The Zeal of Charity

27 Feb 2019

Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Father Edward Hopkins, LC

Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe in you and in all the expressions of your goodness and love in my life. I believe in your Eucharist, where you have made yourself my bread and a prisoner of love to teach me goodness of heart. I trust that you can train my heart to react more as you do, with forgiveness and blessing. I love you, Lord; I wish to love you with my prayer and increased charity. Mary, teach me to love with the heart of your son.

Petition: Make my heart more like yours, Lord.

A Son of Thunder: The young apostle says with uncontrolled fervor, “We tried to prevent him.” They obviously acted first and consulted Jesus only afterwards. What moved them? What so often moves us––a sense of righteous zeal! We know or think we know what is right. “Let no one step out of line, or we will let him know!” Moreover, this person “does not follow us,” so he should not be able to act in your name! What is this “Son of Thunder” missing? Is not the mightiest deed an act of charity? How often do I make rash judgments without really knowing the full picture and without consulting Jesus first?
Judgments of Gospel Charity: Jesus does not hesitate to offer a positive judgment. Mighty deeds in his name can be found only in one speaking well of him. Moreover, beyond logic, Jesus possesses a deeper insight. He reads all actions with a heart of charity. His judgments will always be colored by his looking to find the very best in each person. His every action will be interpreted by love. In such manner he interprets well the actions of the woman who wipes his feet with her tears and hair, of the paralytic lowered from the roof, of the tax collector who climbed a tree to see him. Do I judge others with a heart filled with gospel charity, or am I very quick to spot faults? Are my impulses modified by my experience of Christ’s love for me?
For or Against Him? Jesus presents a simple principle for judging. Unless a person shows himself to be against us, consider him for us. We should fight to help others be “for us.” “Believe all the good you hear and only believe the evil you see.” This supposition of goodness runs contrary to our tendency to judge and speak evil of others with a minimum of evidence while demanding disproportionate proofs to credit them for good. Is it my job to find deformities in a member of the Body of Christ? A good person sees with eyes of goodness. Why can I not find excuses for the weakness and failings I see in others? Why is it so easy to speak poorly of others, to point out their defects and to fall into slander or gossip? Would the answer be found in the narrow or stingy dimensions of my own heart?

Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, grant me a heart overflowing with your love. Make charity my first reaction, my constant hope and my irresistible tendency. Open my eyes in faith to see you working in people of all backgrounds and faiths. Help me to dismiss all personal, unnecessary judgments with an assumption of charity. May I win souls with my goodness and never be without charity in my fight for your Kingdom.

Resolution: I will counter every thought against charity with two thoughts of charity. I will counter every word against charity with two words of sincere charity for the one maligned.

Homily of the Day

February 27, 2019

In the first reading, Sirach explains how Wisdom educates those who seek her. She tests them with ordeals but in the end will lead them to the straight path. How many of us truly seek wisdom? Most people look for success, fame, fortune and a number of other things but very few seek wisdom. Why? Because to seek wisdom is to take the narrow but straight path. God does not abandon man to himself. Through events, good and bad, man starts to realize that he must seek wisdom. God gives all men a choice and many choose not to have wisdom. But when he gets older, he will realize he has made the wrong choice. But for those who from their youth have been seeking God, the fountain of wisdom, God will reveal Himself to them. God will teach them to be wise. And if they persevere on this path, their lives will be full of good things despite the hardships they may have to bear. They grow wiser and mature in the ways of God and in turn can teach others to be wise.

In the gospel, Jesus wisely tells his disciples not to stop other people from speaking in his name. As long as we have the same purpose, which is to serve God, we must not pick a fight or antagonize other people in the Church just because they belong to another group or have a different charism. We must embrace all men of goodwill and collaborate with them when the opportunity presents itself. What is important is that each person remains faithful to the calling he has received from God. The more workers in God’s vineyard, the better it will be for the growth and development of the Church.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espanol

All Issues > Volume 35, Issue 2

<< Wednesday, February 27, 2019 >>

Sirach 4:11-19
View Readings

Psalm 119:165, 168, 171-172, 174-175

Mark 9:38-40
Similar Reflections

MINED-FIELDS

"John said to Him, 'Teacher, we saw a man using Your name to expel demons.' " Mark 9:38

Because of past wars, large areas of several countries are still land-mined. These mines cause devastating injuries and death even years after a war is over.

Jesus' war on earth with the devil is over. "It was to destroy the devil's works that the Son of God revealed Himself" (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus is totally victorious. He "took His seat forever at the right hand of God; now He waits until His enemies are placed beneath His feet" (Heb 10:12-13). The war is over, but the spiritual land-mines of the evil one still remain and continue to harm those who are not walking with Jesus.

Therefore:

Don't take a step without checking with Jesus (see Is 30:21).
Warn others to watch their steps.
Sweep the mined fields clean by prayer and fasting (see Mt 17:21, NAB).
Lead others to walk with Christ � even in His footsteps (see 1 Pt 2:21).
Encourage others to pray and fast.
Thank Jesus for His victory and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see Jn 16:13).

Prayer: Father, thank You for victory, protection, healing, and hope.

Promise: "Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her. He who loves her loves life." �Sir 4:11-12

Praise: Charles noticed that the lifestyle he lived was literally killing his friends who lived that same lifestyle. Accepting the grace of conversion, he repented and turned permanently to Jesus.