SAINT PHILIP NERI

If we wish to keep peace with our neighbor, 

we should never remind anyone 

of his natural defect.

Philip Romolo Neri (Italian: Filippo Neri), CO, (21 July 1515 – 25 May 1595), known as Apostle of Rome, was an Italian priest noted for founding a society of Secular clergy called the "Congregation of the Oratory".

In 1548 he founded (with his confessor, Fr Persiano Rossa) the confraternity of the Santissima Trinita de' Pellegrini e de' Convalescenti,[2] whose primary object was to minister to the needs of the thousands of poor pilgrims who flock to Rome, especially in years of jubilee, and also to relieve the patients discharged from hospitals but who were still too weak for labour. Members met for prayer at the church of San Salvatore in Campo where the devotion of the Forty Hours of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament was first introduced into Rome.

St Philip Neri was beatified by Paul V in 1615, and canonized by Gregory XV in 1622.[3] His memorial is celebrated on 26 May in the calendars of both the ordinary and extraordinary forms of the Roman Rite. His body is in the Chiesa Nuova. Wikipedia

HUMILITY
Humility is the safeguard of chastity. In the matter of purity, there is no greater danger than not fearing danger. When a person puts himself in an occasion of sin, saying, " I shall not fall", it is almost an infallible sign that he will fall, and with great injury to his soul. We must specifically and regularly pray for God's assistance and not rely on our own strength. (11/30/11-6:56AM)

The more blessings you receive, the more you should be humble. Simple living protects you from those who wish to take advantage of your position.

Jesus, so humble of heart, make our hearts like unto thine. Always open our eyes to the truth that who we are and what we are today is because of you. You are the source of all blessings and we give you back all the glory, honor, and praises.



Published:
January 04, 2013 - 6:02 AM

St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Pope of Alexandria; Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Saint Athanasius of Alexandria is an egyptian although others argued that he was of greek origin. His life of faith, dedication and service to the Lord as Bishop of Alexandria led him to various exiles because of his contradictions to the common belief regarding who the Lord Jesus Christ really is. He became known as "Athanasius Contra Mundum" (Latin for Athanasius Against the World) but nonetheless, St. Gregory of Nazianzus called him the "Pillar of the Church".

Who is Jesus Christ?

In Athanasius time, the Arian position is that "the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, is of a distinct substance from the Father. Christ was the divine Son of God, made, not begotten". This was the common Christological view in Alexandria at the time.

He held that not only was the Son of God consubstantial with the Father, but so was the Holy Spirit, which had a great deal of influence in the development of later doctrines regarding the Trinity.

At the Council of Nicaea, St Athanasius was quoted saying,  "Jesus that I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than God".

Both from the confession of the evil spirits and from the daily witness of His works, it is manifest, then, and let none presume to doubt it, that the Savior has raised His own body, and that He is very Son of God, having His being from God as from a Father, Whose Word and Wisdom and Whose Power He is.

He it is Who in these latter days assumed a body for the salvation of us all, and taught the world concerning the Father. He it is Who has destroyed death and freely graced us all with incorruption through the promise of the resurrection, having raised His own body as its first-fruits, and displayed it by the sign of the cross as the monument to His victory over death and its corruption. – The Incarnation of the Word, Chapter 5, The Resurrection (5:32)

"The Son of God became man so that we might become God. He became what we are, so that He might make us what He is...." [On The Incarnation of The Word, St. Athanasius, Section 54.3]

"Some may then ask, why did He not manifest Himself by means of other and nobler parts of creation, and use some nobler instrument, such as sun or moon or stars or fire or air, instead of mere man? The answer is this. The Lord did not come to make a display. He came to heal and to teach suffering men...." [On The Incarnation of The Word, St Athanasius, Chapter 7].


St. Athanasius was born around 293–298 and died 2 May 373. He was the twentieth bishop of Alexandria (as Athanasius I). His episcopate lasted 45 years (c. 8 June 328 – 2 May 373), of which over 17 were spent in five exiles ordered by four different Roman emperors. Athanasius is a renowned Christian theologian, a Church Father, the chief defender of Trinitarianism against Arianism, and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century. His episcopate began on 9 May 328 as the Alexandrian Council, elected Athanasius to succeed the aged Alexander.

In 361, Athanasius appealed for unity among all those who had faith in Christianity, even if they differed on matters of terminology. This prepared the groundwork for his definition of the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. However, the council also was directed against those who denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit, the human soul of Christ, and Christ's divinity. Mild measures were agreed on for those heretic bishops who repented, but severe penance was decreed for the chief leaders of the major heresies.

Athanasius put forward the belief that the Son of God, the eternal Word through whom God created the world, entered that world in human form to lead men back into the harmony from which they had earlier fallen away.


Source:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER

ST. JOSEPH WITH THE INFANT JESUS

Guido Reni (c. 1635)

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Joseph the Worker. Let us remember the plight of workers and laborers throughout the world, particularly those who are not paid a just wage for their labors. Justice in the workplace is a two-way reality: Owners must pay a fair wage and workers must do an honest day’s work. In economic terms, labor and capital must work together to create a fairer workplace and a better world.

We ignore the plight of those in need because we do not realize the significance of a person’s suffering. We should do all that we can to ensure that the goods we buy are not products that result from the exploitation of workers. Let us also consider whether paying ridiculous prices for designer products is morally acceptable or not, when so many people struggle to put food on their tables. Could the money we spend on fashion be put to a better use?

The first day of May, traditionally named Labor Day because of the emphasis on work and its intrinsic goodness, has also found its way in the life of the Church. The Church upholds Joseph the Carpenter — the father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Twice in the Church’s year, St. Joseph is celebrated — on March 19 he is honored as the spouse of Mary, and today, May 1, he is celebrated as a model for workers.

St. Joseph was born in  Bethlehem in 90 BC and died in Nazareth, July 20, AD 18. We celebrate his Feast day as "St. Joseph the Worker" every May 1. He is the patron saint of the Catholic Church, unborn children, fathers, immigrants, workers, carpenters, realtors, against doubt and hesitation, and of a happy death.

St. Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus and is venerated Saint Joseph in some Christian traditions. Christian tradition places Joseph as Jesus' foster father.

The gospels describe Joseph as a "tekton" (τέκτων). Tekton has been traditionally translated into English as "carpenter", but is a rather general word (from the same root that gives us "technical" and "technology") that could cover makers of objects in various materials.

The Greek term evokes an artisan with wood in general, or an artisan in iron or stone. But the specific association with woodworking is a constant in Early Christian tradition; Justin Martyr (died c. 165) wrote that Jesus made yokes and ploughs, and there are similar early references.

As we give our works to the Lord, let us ask Him to help us to be faithful and successful.

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us. Amen.


From:
Kerygma
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fr. Brian Steel, MGL