We are in the midst of a number of really wonderful feast days this week and next. These saints remind us of the beauty of holiness and call us to strive to become saints ourselves. As Nicolette wrote in a recent post, the desire for holiness is the same as the desire to become saints. The saints that we are celebrating each day in the Church are examples of real people who are very different from one another. Foe each one, however, the path to sanctity is marked by the Cross and by the laying down of their lives for Christ in whatever way God calls. Let us celebrate these feasts with joy, filled with hope that these comrades of ours have finished the race and received the glorious crown!
September 23: St. Padre Pio, Friar & Priest - "Don't worry about taking up my time, because the time I like best is that which I spend for the sanctification of souls."
September 26: SS. Cosmas & Damian, martyrs - Collect of the Mass, "May you be magnified, O Lord, by the revered memory of your Saints Cosmas and Damian, for with providence beyond words you have conferred on them everlasting glory, and on us, your unfailing help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever."
September 27: St. Vincent de Paul, priest - "We cannot better assure out eternal happiness than by living and dying in the service of the poor, in the arms of Providence, and with genuine renouncement of ourselves in order to follow Jesus Christ."
September 28: St Wenceslaus, martyr - Collect of the Mass, "O God, who taught the Martyr St. Wenceslaus to place the heavenly Kingdom before an earthly one, grant through his prayers that, denying ourselves, we may hold fast to you with all your heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen"
St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions, martyrs - "I am a Christian, and this I profess until the hour of my death and for God I shall give my life, although I did not come to Japan to be a martyr, nevertheless as a Christian and for God I shall give my life."
September 30: St. Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church - "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ."
October 1: St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church - "Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love."
October 2: Holy Guardian Angels - "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." Mt 18:10
October 4: St. Francis of Assisi - "If we endure things patiently and with gladness thinking on the sufferings of our blessed Lord, and bearing all for the love of Him: herein is perfect joy."
All you holy men and women, pray for us!
Written by Kristen
