Sunday

**This week Saints and Feasts of August from Loyola Press

August 5:  Feast of Our Lady of the Snow

Today’s feast focuses our attention on a church building, a basilica called St. Mary Major. Tradition says that in August 352 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a wealthy nobleman in Rome. She asked that a church be built on the spot where he would find snow. On that summer day, snow did mysteriously appear and a church was built on the spot and dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows.

Apart from the story, however, we know that a church was built on that spot in the fourth century and was rebuilt in 434. The church was also rededicated to Mary, the Mother of God. This title of Mary was protected by the ecumenical council of Ephesus. Today St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world dedicated to Our Lady. This church is called a patriarchal church, one where the pope officiates on certain occasions. There is a special altar in this church used by the Holy Father and by others with special permission. On a deeper level, this feast reminds us that Mary has been reverenced throughout the history of the Church as our Mother. As she foretold in her prayer, the Magnificat, “All generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48).

Prayer:  Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.

Monday
St. Sixtus  August 7:

In 257, when Sixtus became pope, being a Christian had suddenly become dangerous. For a while, Emperor Valerius had been appreciative of Christians, and many of his high officials were Christians. But suddenly he accused Christians of being enemies of the government. In the midst of this, Pope Sixtus struggled for a year to guide the Church through many difficulties, some dealing with false teachers, some with Baptism.

Christians in Rome gathered for the Eucharist in the catacombs—damp, dark tunnels used as underground cemeteries. They would change the location or time of their celebrations to try to keep from being found. One day during Mass in the catacombs, Valerius’s soldiers appeared. In view of the community, the soldiers beheaded Sixtus and four deacons who were assisting him. The men were killed simply because they were Christians.

Prayer:   I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
From St. Patrick’s ‘Breastplate’

Tuesday

St Vincent January 23:

Vincent was trained and ordained a deacon by Valerius, bishop of Saragossa, Spain, in the third century. The Roman emperors had made being a Christian punishable by death, so when Emperor Dacian discovered Bishop Valerius holding Christian services, he had him imprisoned. Vincent was soon caught visiting the bishop and was also imprisoned. The emperor refused them food. Both men were so cheerful and strong in suffering, however, that the emperor banished Bishop Valerius and had Vincent tortured on the rack. Vincent endured this suffering for love of Christ.

Dacian told Vincent he would spare his life if he would hand over the sacred books to be burned. Vincent refused, and in a fury, Dacian ordered that he be roasted on the gridiron. Again, Vincent suffered this patiently and survived. It is said that Dacian wept with rage and had Vincent thrown in a dungeon filled with broken pottery. Vincent was so calm and heroic that he converted the jailer. The emperor then had Vincent put in a regular prison. Friends came to console Vincent, cleanse his wounds, and pray with him. Vincent finally died there in a bed his friends had made for him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us!

Wednesday
St. Lawrence August 10:

“Where’s the money?” demanded the Roman official. “What money?” Lawrence asked. “The Church’s gold and silver,” answered the official. “We know that you’re in charge of the treasury, Lawrence. The government has a right to confiscate those funds. Hand them over.” The Roman official had seen that Pope Sixtus II and four other deacons had been executed, but he didn’t want to kill this deacon, Lawrence, until he had the wealth in his hands. Lawrence responded, “Yes, I will show you the real treasures of the Church, but give me three days.” Lawrence had already sold the gold chalice and other sacred items and had given the money to those who were poor.

In three days, the official returned. He saw rows and rows of people who were diseased, orphaned, blind, lame, and widowed. Lawrence’s comment was “These are the treasures of the Church.” This incident shows how well Lawrence had put on the mind and heart of Christ. Deacons were to serve others, especially those who are poor. Lawrence valued people more than his life.

The Roman official had a huge grill built and placed it over burning coals. This way, he hoped that Lawrence would die very slowly and painfully from the burning heat. But Lawrence is said to have laughed in the face of death. Soon he would see Jesus face-to-face.

Prayer:  With the Saints, give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sighing, but life everlasting.
*Kontakion of the Departed

 

Thursday
St. Monica August 27:

Monica was raised a Christian, but was given in marriage to a pagan official named Patricius. They had three sons. Patricius was not only a violent man, but he had a number of other bad habits as well. Monica remained patient. Other wives with marriage problems came to her for advice. A year before Patricius died, he was converted—due to Monica’s powerful example. In their early years of marriage Monica’s mother-in-law turned against her because of ugly rumors spread by unhappy servants. Through patient forgiveness, Monica was able to win her cooperation.

Another source of worry for Monica was her son Augustine. This brilliant and gifted young man rejected the faith his mother had taught him. Augustine lived an immoral life and had a son although he was not married. Monica was ready to disown Augustine, but in a dream it was revealed to her that eventually he would come back to the faith. She prayed and fasted for her son and stayed close to him, following him to Rome and Milan. In Milan, she met Ambrose, the bishop, who became her spiritual director. He promised her, “Surely the son of so many tears will not perish.”

It was St Ambrose who finally converted Augustine. Together, Augustine, Monica, Augustine’s son, and some other devoted people moved to the country to pray and write.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.

Friday

In Milan, Augustine often listened to the sermons of St. Ambrose, the local bishop. Through them, he first learned to read Scripture prayerfully. He enrolled as a catechumen but wavered back and forth about being baptized.

Then one day while Augustine prayed to be free from his sins, he heard a child’s voice chanting, “Take up and read.” Augustine opened the Bible and read the first thing his eyes fell upon, Romans 13:13-14, which told him to give up his life of sin. Augustine was baptized at Easter and began reforming his life. With his mother he planned to return to Africa, but Monica died.

Augustine reached home and gave away all he had. Then he lived a quiet, prayerful life with a group of friends. This changed when Augustine visited the city of Hippo in 391. Valerius, the local bishop, was preaching on the shortage of priests. The crowd began shouting, “Let Augustine be our priest.” Augustine became a priest and then took Valerius’ place when he died.

As bishop, Augustine worked tirelessly for his people. He fought false religious teachings, protected the people from corrupt officials and invaders, and cared for the sick, the poor, and those in prison. His many sermons, letters, and books reflect the ever-deepening love he felt for God. He wisely observed: “You have made us, O God, for yourself, and our hearts shall find no rest until they rest in you.”

Prayer:
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for Thy great  glory.

 

Saturday
Feast of the Assumption/Dormition of Mary  August 15  (today is the Octave of the Feast):    The Virgin Mary was told to prepare to be rejoined to her Son by the Holy Spirit who also miraculously gathered the Apostles from the far regions at which they were ministering.  Upon her passing she was laid in a tomb.   The Apostle Thomas providentially was late and requested to venerate her body.  Upon opening the tomb it was found to be empty as she has been taken ‘assumed’ up to  heaven after her dormition (‘falling asleep’).

Prayer:  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit,  grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord,  Amen.