Feast Day of Saint Lydwine Schiedam

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Saint Lydwine was filled with sorrow because she could not stand the pain but the pain increased
each day.She soon was frustrated and bitter.She wondered,"Why had God let this happen to her?
What did he want from her? And what could she still give to him anyway?" One day,the parish priest,
Father John, came to visit and pray with her.He saw that she needed help to gain her trust in Jesus
and to see through her sufferings the great glory that she is going to earn for having to suffer this way.
She began to realize the beautiful gift that she would give to Jesus: she would suffer for him.She
learned to offer her sufferings to console Jesus,who had suffered so much on the cross.Her suffering
became a beautiful prayer to God. Little by little, she began to understand her sufferings.

The Celestial Holy Hosts appeared before Lydwine and her family.All were shocked that they knelt down in amazement before her.

She soon learned that through her agony,she must remain devouted to Jesus.She prayed almost
constantly and continued experiencing visions, with a number of miracles being reported at her bedside.
This happen because the Lord was pleased with her offerings and He made her strong through her sufferings.For 38 years, Lydwine suffered. It seemed impossible that she could remain alive in such
serious condition but God comforted her in many ways. She was good to everyone who came to her
poor little room.She prayed to God and suffered for their special intentions.They knew God would
listen to her. Lydwine's special love was for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.For many years, she seemed
to live only on Holy Communion.

At the end of her life, Lidwina said,

"If I live to be healthy by Ave Maria again

 I would not want to." 

During final sufferings,Saint Lydwine was given the gift of visions.One of the visions was,she said she saw a rosebush and an inscription that read: "When this shall be in bloom, your suffering will be at an end." In the spring of 1433, she said  she saw the roses bloom in her vision.On Easter morning of that year, she had a vision of Jesus giving the Last Sacrament to her.She died on the 14th of April of that year.There were several miracles recorded by those that visited her in her bedroom during her suffering.Pope Leo XIII of the Roman Catholic Church canonized the skater and made her a saint. 


PRAYER TO SAINT LYDWINE:
O Glorious Saint Lydwine of Schiedam,you were chosen by Christ to suffer immense pain for poor sinners and to offer up all your sufferings to Him.Intercede on our behalf and help us through our small sufferings that cannot be compared to yours.Grant us the grace to trust completely in Jesus even during times of deep sorrow and confusions.Help us to always place our petitions in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary who on our behalf will offer up our petitions to Jesus like how she did kindly for you.May we be given the grace to persevere in sufferings until the Lord calls us home to enjoy the Glory of Heaven.Amen.
Saint Lydwine, whose life was filled with intense sufferings for poor sinners,pray for us!

Feast of the DIVINE MERCY

HELL: The place where evil people are cast down.Evil people are cast down because they themselves chose to go there and to be damned by God.God is upset with the way people choose their way of living but He gave everybody the "FREEDOM TO CHOOSE".May we together with Saint Faustina,pray for the salvation of poor sinners so that their souls may not be damned to Hell but rather lean on the compassion of Jesus Merciful Heart!         

PURGATORY: The place where poor souls go to be purified by fire in order to cleansed.This is their final stop before entering Heaven.They must repair their soul by praying for poor sinners on earth.They must do charity by praying for others and suffering the burning fires of purification.By doing so,they will be made pure and the Angels and Saint Michael together with Our Lady,will bring them to Heaven.There are billions of souls suffering at there but they cannot escape the burning fires easily,they need our prayers to escape the terrible torture.We need to pray for the souls in Purgatory so that they may receive pardon from God.We need to cool down God's anger by praying for these poor souls,by offering Jesus Blood to the Eternal Father.By saying this prayer:

" Eternal Father,I offer you the Body and Blood,Soul and 

Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son,Our Lord,Jesus Christ,in 

atonement for our sins and those of the whole world ".

When we pray for this poor souls,always remember that they are always praying for us.They will never forget us once they are in Heaven and they will continue to plead to the Father for our sakes if we help them.  

HEAVEN: This place is our Eternal Home.Our real home which Jesus has prepared for us.It is beautiful and filled with rewards for all eternity.Here is where the faithful ones join in prayer with the Father to love and praise Him for all eternity.The place of Eternal Joy and Laughter filled with peace.The place of of TRUE HAPPINESS,where we can live with Jesus and He shall wipe every tear from our eyes,and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.All these things will be gone forever.In order to achieve our final destination,we need to pray and be strong in our faith.We need to do 7 things in order to achieve Heaven and that is:

* Pray the Rosary DAILY

* Regular / 1 Month Confessions

* Receive Jesus frequently during Holy Mass

* Pray frequently the Novenas to the Saints

* Read a few pages of the BIBLE

* Use SACRAMENTALS which are blessed by Priests

* Recite the DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET

May we save our souls and the souls of others through the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy! 

Feast Day of Saint Marguerite d'Youville

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Saint Marguerite d'Youville was a French Canadian, widow who founded the religious order the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, commonly known as the Grey Nuns of Montreal.Marguerite was an independent woman who did not allow the world to tear her dreams away in living for Jesus.She provided good education for her 2 sons,who later by the grace of God became priests.She was known for the woman who brought the poor to her home.She made her home theirs and they blessed her for her kindness.Marguerite was then joined by 3 young women who shared her love and concern for the poor. December 31,1737, they consecrated themselves to God and promised to serve him in the person of the poor and needy.She without even realizing it, had become the Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal,best known as the "Grey Nuns". 

Marguerite always taught the sisters of Charity to focus a lot on prayer and spending time with Jesus.She made sure that all their prayers come first before serving the poor.In that way,the poor will be able to see Jesus in them and they will be able to see Jesus in the poor.She always put Jesus first before anything and that is how she achieved the first degree of perfection.Even when fire destroyed the hospital, it could never destroy Marguerite's courage and faith in Jesus.She was a mountain of faith that could not be moved!

She lived a life of total self-giving,and will always be remembered as a loving mother who served Jesus Christ in the poor.Pope John XXIII beatified Marguerite on May 3, 1959 and called her "Mother of Universal Charity." She was canonized by Pope John Paul II, December 9, 1990.

Words of Mother d’Youville, 14 December 1771:

“My dear Sisters, be constantly faithful to the duties of the state that you have embraced.Walk always in the path of regularity,obedience,and mortification.But above all,let the most perfect union reign among you.” 

Quote of Saint Marguerite: 

• "All the wealth in the world cannot be compared with the happiness of living together happily united."

PRAYER TO SAINT MARGUERITE  D'YOUVILLE:

O Saint Marguerite,Mother of the Poor,please help us to see Jesus in the poor.Give us the courage to stretch out our hands to help the poor and may we not hold back our hands;for God gave us hands to help.Give us grace not to be afraid of what others will say but be mindful only of the words of Jesus,who said,'Truly,I say to you,as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me.'May by serving the poor with a sincere heart bring us to Jesus arms like how it brought you to the arms of Jesus who embraced you and rewarded you with the Crown of Charity.Amen.

Mother of the Poor,intercede for us and the world to be more charitable towards the poor!  

Feast Day of Blessed Diego Luis De San Vitores

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Blessed Diego Luis was unafraid to die and was well prepared to die because he knew it was a great grace to die as a Martyr.The Glory of a Martyr is the greatest in Heaven because the Martyrs in Heaven has been given a great reward for their sufferings and the shedding of their blood which they offered up to Christ.

The GREATEST GRACE is to be Martyred but few are called to this grace.

Remember if we are ever called to be Martyrs of Christ,do not think twice but rather be prepared like Blessed Diego Luis and pray for the grace of martyrdom and seek Mother Mary by reciting the rosary to her.For Mother Mary can turn all your recitations of the rosary into comforting blankets that will cover you during your martyrdom.By that,you will able to earn the Martyr's Crown.

**Pope John Paul II,October 6,1985 beatified Father Diego Luis San Vitores for such bravery and courageous act of love for Jesus and his Faith   

Blessed Diego Luis trusted in Jesus and Mary all his life and never worried about the day of his martyrdom instead prayed fervently to Jesus and Mary.His martyrdom proves the words of Jesus who said,

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."- Deuteronomy 31:6

PRAYER TO BLESSED DIEGO LUIS DE SAN VITORES:
Almighty God,through the prayers of Blessed Diego,grant us the grace to be brave and courageous if we are called to be martyrs and even if it is not your will for us to be martyrs,may we be faithful to you until our death.Blessed Diego pray for us to continue to spread the faith to those who are lost despite the darkness of this world;may we bring light to them like how you did during your stay on earth.Amen
Blessed Diego,Apostle of the Marianas,pray for us!

Feast Day of Saint Pedro Calungsod

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Symbols of Saint Pedro:

* A  ROSARY

* CRUCIFIX pressed to his breast

* Holds the DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA( The Teachings of the Church) 

* MARTYR's PALM

* SPEAR & CUTLASS( Instruments of his death) 

Witnesses claim that Pedro could have escaped the attack,but did not want to leave Father San Vitores alone.Those who knew him personally meanwhile believed that Pedro could have defeated
the enemies with weapons;Father San Vitores however banned his companions to carry arms.

Mata' pang(The Enemy) who wanted to kill the missionaries,went away and enlist another villager,
Hirao was the name of the other enemy. Hirao was not Catholic and he was innocent but was
brainwashed by Mata' pang.During the brief absence of Mata' pang from his hut,Father San Vitores
and Pedro baptised the baby girl,with the consent of her Catholic mother.Father San Vitores,gave
Pedro his last blessing before he too was killed..After killing Father San Vitores and Pedro,
Mata' pang took the Father's crucifix and pounded it with a stone whilst cursing God.Both of the
enemies then stripped the corpses of Pedro and Father San Vitores,tied large stones to their feet,
brought them out to sea on their sail boat and threw them into the water.Those remains of the
Martyrs were NEVER to be found again.

On October 6,1985: After years passed by, Father San Vitores's details finally came clear and
Pope John Paul II beatified him at Saint Peter's Square as " BLESSED DIEGO LUIS de SAN VITORES "

On March 5, 2000 :Then after many years of difficultly to get Pedro's details,he was finally
beatified by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square as " BLESSED PEDRO CALUNGSOD "

The cause of Canonization of Blessed Pedro was recognised from 2002,and so,on 26 March,when a Leyte woman was pronounced clinically dead by authorized physicians 2 hours after a heart attack but was revived when a Doctor invoked the aid of the Visayan teenage martyr saying,

"Blessed Pedro Calungsod,please save the life of this patient! Perform a Miracle!" 

On October 21,2012: The CANONIZATION of Blessed Pedro Calungsod at Saint Peter's Square.

Finally Blessed Pedro Calungsod was known as " SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD "

In the Roman Catholic Church,Pedro's martyrdom is called " In Odium Fidei " or 

"In Hatred of the Faith",referring to the Religious persecution endured by the person in Evangelisation.

The Roman Martyrology celebrates Pedro’s feast along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores every 2 April.

PRAYER TO SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD :
O Saint Pedro,intercede for poor sinners here who are weak and fragile.Help us with your prayers to be faithful Catholics and never to forsake our faith for all the world can give.May we always focus on Jesus
like how you did until the very end of your martyrdom.May we be constant in praying the rosary daily
and seeking the help of Mary,Our Mother who did help you during the time of your persecution.
O Holy Martyr,Faithful Friend of Christ,stay with us until our last breath here on earth and then
take us to meet Jesus in Heaven with Mary and all the Angels and Saints!Amen. 

Palm Sunday( The beginning of Holy Week)

QUICK FACTS on PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday or the "Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem", marks the beginning of the Holy Week. From Jericho to Jerusalem,Jesus"goes up" with the people who will celebrate the Feast.Jesus was sent by God for all people,but above all he came as Saviour of the Jewish people.He came precisely when this people needed to be saved, because things were not working out well for them.The prophets had announced a king who would visit his people on a donkey as peaceful people did,not on a horse, like the generals of that time.The symbolism of the donkey may refer to as an animal of peace. A king would have come riding on a horse when he was bent on war and riding upon a donkey when he wanted to point out he was coming in peace.That was why Jesus wanted to enter Jerusalem this way.

The Jews did not think that their Saviour would be so meek and humble. Throughout their history,God saved them from oppression,hunger,and irresponsibility of their famous leaders. This time he came in person,to show them the real path to salvation through pardon and mercy and non-violence but they did not recognize him.The people of Galilee who spontaneously mounted a triumphant entrance for Jesus hoping for a political announcement from him would later deny him.

"Life is a precious gift, but we realize this only when we give it to others." – Pope Francis

The Donkey Jesus Rode On...

Palm Sunday

Quote of Saint on Palm Sunday:

"God in His infinite goodness sometimes sees fit to test our courage and love by depriving us of the things which it seems to us would be advantageous to our souls; and if He finds us earnest in their pursuit, yet humble, tranquil and resigned to do without them if He wishes us to, He will give us more blessings than we should have had in the possession of what we craved." — St. Philip Neri

Feast Day of Saints Perpetua & Felicity

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Perpetua was a kind hearted girl.Loved learning the Catholic Faith and was in love with Jesus.She lived her life with Jesus and praised Him in the rain and in the sun but one day was arrested along with 4 other Catechumens, including Felicity, her slave woman, who was about to give birth to a child.That day too,she praised Jesus and thanked Him in her heart.In prison,Perpetua and the rest prayed daily and increased in love for Jesus.

Perpetua had a vision too,in which she saw herself ascending a ladder leading to green meadows, where a flock of sheep was browsing, assured her of her approaching martyrdom.She saw Jesus and was consoled about the day of her martyrdom.Jesus promised her the 'MARTYR'S CROWN'

She was so happy that she shared this vision with the rest and they rejoiced with her and praised Jesus for His goodness.After this vision,she did have another vision and in that vision Perpetua saw her brother Dinocrates, who had died at the early age of  7,at first seeming to be sorrowful and in pain.She was sad and was assured by Jesus that through her prayers,her brother will be in Heaven.Shortly thereafter,she dreamt of him and he was happy and healthy in Heaven. 

Another day,she had another vision in which she saw herself fighting with a savage Ethiopian,whom she conquered,Jesus made it clear to her that she would not have to battle with wild beasts but with the Devil.She prayed more daily and though afraid,she asked Jesus for comfort.While they were awaiting death,Perpetua and her companions were baptized. That day,they were overjoyed and praised Jesus again! 

On 7 March,the day of their execution, the martyrs left their prison “joyfully as though they were on their way to heaven” and entered the arena, where they were killed before the cheering crowd. Perpetua and Felicity were then put to the sword; the others were killed by wild beasts.

Perpetua love little children with her heart.That is why it was difficult for her to leave her infant son.Felicity on the other hand,was a brave mother and she was not worried about leaving her child because she knew the Lord will take care of her child.She prayed daily to deliver as soon before her martyrdom and her prayer was heard!They both became the darlings of Jesus for their great love for Jesus.

"If people come to me and are not ready to abandon their fathers,mothers,wives,children,
brothers,and sisters as well as their own lives,they cannot be my disciples" (Luke 14:26)

The Martyrdom of Perpetua & Felicity

Quote of Saint Perpetua:

• “We were in the hands of our persecutors, when my father, out of the affection he bore me, made new efforts to shake my resolution. I said to him: ‘Can that vessel, which you see, change its name?’ He said: ‘No.’ I replied: ‘Nor can I call myself any other than I am, that is to say, a Christian.’” 

PRAYER TO SAINT PERPETUA AND FELICITY:
O Holy Martyrs,Perpetua and Felicity,intercede for us poor sinners.Obtain for us the grace to keep faithful to Jesus all the days of our life.Help us to obtain a first degree of perfection in Heaven like how you both did during your stay on earth.Saint Perpetua and Felicity,guide us in our life until we arrive at the Golden Stairs of Heaven to meet you both,together with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven.Amen.
Saint Perpetua and Felicity,lead us to Heavenly Glory!