PSALM

Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Profile

Born to the nobility, Alphonsus was a child prodigy; he became extremely well-educated, and received his doctorate in law from the University of Naples at age 16. He had his own legal practice by age 21, and was soon one of the leading lawyers in Naples, though he never attended court without having attended Mass first. He loved music, could play the harpsichord, and often attended the opera, though he frequently listened without bothering to watch the over-done staging. As he matured and learned more and more of the world, he liked it less and less, and finally felt a call to religious life. He declined an arranged marriage, studied theology, and was ordained at age 29.

Preacher and home missioner around Naples. Noted for his simple, clear, direct style of preaching, and his gentle, understanding way in the confessional. Writer on asceticism, theology, and history; master theologian. He was often opposed by Church officials for a perceived laxity toward sinners, and by government officials who opposed anything religious. Founded the Redemptoristines women‘s order in Scala in 1730. Founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Liguorians; Redemptorists) at Scala, Italy in 1732.

Appointed bishop of the diocese of Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Italy by Pope Clement XIII in 1762. Worked to reform the clergy and revitalize the faithful in a diocese with a bad reputation. He was afflicted with severe rheumatism, and often could barely move or raise his chin from his chest. In 1775 he resigned his see due to ill health, and went into what he thought would be a prayerful retirement.

In 1777 the royal government threatened to disband his Redemptorists, claiming that they were covertly carrying on the work of the Jesuits, who had been suppressed in 1773. Calling on his knowledge of the Congregation, his background in thelogy, and his skills as a lawyer, Alphonsus defended the Redemptorists so well that they obtained the king‘s approval. However, by this point Alphonsus was nearly blind, and was tricked into giving his approval to a revised Rule for the Congregation, one that suited the king and the anti-clerical government. When Pope Pius VI saw the changes, he condemned it, and removed Alphonsus from his position as leader of the Order. This caused Alphonsus a crisis in confidence and faith that took years to overcome. However, by the time of his death he had returned to faith and peace.

Alphonsus vowed early to never to waste a moment of his life, and he lived that way for over 90 years. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871.

When he was bishop, one of Alphonsus’s priests led a worldly life, and resisted all attempts to change. He was summoned to Alphonsus, and at the entrance to the bishop‘s study he found a large crucifix laid on the threshold. When the priest hesitated to step in, Alphonsus quietly said, “Come along, and be sure to trample it underfoot. It would not be the first time you have placed Our Lord beneath your feet.”

What Can God Do Through You?

What Can God Do Through You?

Many people feel inadequate to do anything for God. But God doesn’t see you as inadequate. He sees you as complete, lacking nothing in Him! In the Scripture, Gideon was hiding out from his enemies. He was afraid and didn’t feel equipped to do what God called him to do. Gideon was focused on his circumstances and his limitations, but God was focused on what He could do through Gideon. Gideon felt weak; God saw him as strong. Gideon felt unqualified; God saw him as competent to do the job. Gideon felt insecure and full of fear; God saw him as fearless and full of boldness. Sure enough, when Gideon obeyed God, against all odds, he ended in victory! You may feel that you’re average. You may think you’re ordinary, but God sees you as a champion. He believes in you and regards you as a strong, courageous, successful, overcoming person. You may not see yourself that way, but that doesn’t change God’s image of you. God still sees you exactly as His Word describes you. Dare to start seeing yourself as God sees you—as a victor!

OPEN YOUR HEART

PRAYER

psalm

remain

Remain

In life, we all have ups and downs. There are seasons that are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials, and temptation where our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and then three steps backward. But if we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong. If you are controlled by your circumstances, if you’re up when things are up and down when things don’t go your way, life is going to be a roller coaster. God’s plan is for you to be stable, consistent, not moved by any of these things. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong; He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you! ******************************************** BRO. BRYAN ASUIT

come to me

prayer

Saint Camillus of Lellis

Profile

Son of a military officer who had served both for Naples and France. His mother died when Camillus was very young. He spent his youth as a soldier, fighting for the Venetians against the Turks, and then for Naples. Reported as a large individual, perhaps as tall as 6’6″ (2 metres), and powerfully built, but he suffered all his life from abscesses on his feet. A gambling addict, he lost so much he had to take a job working construction on a building belonging to the Capuchins; they converted him.

Camillus entered the Capuchin noviate three times, but a nagging leg injury, received while fighting the Turks, each time forced him to give it up. He went to Rome, Italy for medical treatment where Saint Philip Neri became his priest and confessor. He moved into San Giacomo Hospital for the incurable, and eventually became its administrator. Lacking education, he began to study with children when he was 32 years old. Priest. Founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sick (the Camillians or Fathers of a Good Death) who, naturally, care for the sick both in hospital and home. The Order expanded with houses in several countries. Camillus honoured the sick as living images of Christ, and hoped that the service he gave them did penance for his wayward youth. Reported to have the gifts of miraculous healing and prophecy. 

MARTYRS IN CHINA

Profiled Martyrs

• Franciscan Martyrs of China
• Martyrs of Zhaojia
• Martyrs of Zhujiahe
• Saint Agatha Lin
• Saint Agnes Cao Guiying
• Saint Alberic Crescitelli
• Saint André Bauer
• Saint Andreas Wang Tianqing
• Saint Anna An Jiaoshi
• Saint Anna An Xingshi
• Saint Anna Wang
• Saint Antonino Fantosati
• Saint Auguste Chapdelaine
• Saint Augustine Tchao
• Saint Barbara Cui Lianshi
• Saint Callistus Caravario
• Saint Cesidio Giacomantonio
• Saint Chi Zhuze
• Saint Elia Facchini
• Saint Elisabeth Qin Bianshi Elisabeth
• Saint Francesco Fogolla
• Saint Francis Ferdinand de Capillas
• Saint Francis Serrano
• Saint Francisco Díaz del Rincón
• Saint Franciscus Zhang Rong
• Saint Giovanni of Triora
• Saint Gregorio Grassi
• Saint Huailu Zhang
• Saint Iacobus Yan Guodong
• Saint Iacobus Zhao Quanxin
• Saint Ioachim Hao
• Saint Ioannes Baptista Luo Tingyin
• Saint Ioannes Baptista Wu Mantang
• Saint Ioannes Baptista Zhao Mingxi
• Saint Ioannes Baptista Zhu Wurui
• Saint Ioannes Wang Kuixin
• Saint Ioannes Wang Rui
• Saint Ioannes Wu Wenyin
• Saint Ioannes Zhang Huan
• Saint Ioannes Zhang Jingguang
• Saint Iosephus Ma Taishun
• Saint Iosephus Wang Kuiju
• Saint Iosephus Wang Yumei
• Saint Iosephus Yuan Gengyin
• Saint Iosephus Yuan Zaide
• Saint Iosephus Zhang
• Saint Jean-Pierre Néel
• Saint Jeanne-Marie Kerguin
• Saint Jerome Lu
• Saint Joaquín Royo Pérez
• Saint Joseph Zhang Dapeng
• Saint Juan Alcober Figuera
• Saint Laurentius Bai Xiaoman
• Saint Lawrence Wang
• Saint Léon-Ignace Mangin
• Saint Lucia Wang Cheng
• Saint Lucia Wang Wangzhi
• Saint Lucia Yi Zhenmei
• Saint Luigi Versiglia
• Saint Magdalena Du Fengju
• Saint Marcus Ji Tianxiang
• Saint Maria An Guoshi
• Saint Maria An Linghua
• Saint Maria Chaira
• Saint Maria Chi Yu
• Saint Maria Du Tianshi
• Saint Maria Du Zhauzhi
• Saint Maria Fan Kun
• Saint Maria Fu Guilin
• Saint Maria Wang Lishi
• Saint Maria Zhao
• Saint Maria Zhao Guoshi
• Saint Maria Zheng Xu
• Saint Maria Zhu Wushi
• Saint Marianna Giuliani
• Saint Marie Adolphine Dierks
• Saint Marie Amandine
• Saint Marie de Saint Just
• Saint Martha Wang
• Saint Martinus Wu Xuesheng
• Saint Mary Hermina Grivot
• Saint Matthias Feng De
• Saint Modeste Andlauer
• Saint Patricius Dong
• Saint Paul Denn
• Saint Paulus Chen Changpin
• Saint Paulus Ge Tingzhu
• Saint Paulus Lang Fu
• Saint Paulus Liu Hanzuo
• Saint Paulus Liu Jinde
• Saint Paulus Wu Anju
• Saint Paulus Wu Wanshu
• Saint Pere Sans Jordà
• Saint Peter Ou
• Saint Petrus Li Quanhui
• Saint Petrus Liu Zeyu
• Saint Petrus Wang Erman
• Saint Petrus Wang Zuolung
• Saint Petrus Wu Anbang
• Saint Petrus Zhang Banniu
• Saint Petrus Zhao Mingzhen
• Saint Petrus Zhu Rixin
• Saint Philippus Zhang Zhihe
• Saint Raimundus Li Quanzhen
• Saint Rémi Isoré
• Saint Rosa Chen Aijieh
• Saint Rosa Fan Hui
• Saint Rosa Zhao
• Saint Simon Chen
• Saint Simon Qin Chunfu
• Saint Teresia Chen Qingjieh
• Saint Teresia Zhang Heshi
• Saint Thaddeus Liu Ruiting
• Saint Thomas Shen Jihe
• Saint Yangzhi Lang

Canonized

• 1 October 2000 by Pope John Paul II

PSALM

NEED PROVIDER

PRAYER

NEW PROVISION

New Provision

When the people of Israel were in the desert on the way to the Promised Land, God gave them manna to eat. That was good. It sustained them for a while, but it wasn’t permanent provision. Eventually, the manna stopped coming. The people had to move forward, and then God gave them quail. They were so excited. That fed them for a while, but it was also temporary. See, God gave the Israelites temporary provision on the way to the Promised Land where they would have permanent provision. The fact that God had something much greater in store for their future is what kept them moving forward. God could have sustained them with manna or quail, but God is a God of increase. He works in seasons, and He always has something better in store. Don’t get stuck in a rut and think that one way is going to last forever. Instead, stay open and be willing to change, make adjustments, make corrections or try something new. If the “manna” stops coming, don’t get upset. Just keep moving forward and be on the lookout for the new provision God has in store for you! ************************* Bryan Asuit

PSALM

BLESSED

PRAYER

FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE

THE REWARD OF DILIGENCE

The Reward of Diligence

God longs to pour out His favour and blessing on you. He longs to show you His goodness and provision. He promises to do His part, but you have to do your part. You have to be diligent. First of all, be diligent in seeking His ways and following His commands. Then, be diligent with what you have in your hand, with your time and resources. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about three men whose employer entrusted them with some money called talents. Two of the men were diligent and invested the talents and received a great return. The third man was afraid and buried what he was given. The first two men were rewarded and praised for their diligence while the third man was rebuked. Follow the example of the first two men and look for ways to be diligent with what you have in your hand. Whatever you do, do it with excellence. Be the best you can be and go the extra mile even when you think it goes unnoticed. Understand that when people don’t notice, God notices and promises to reward the appetite of the diligent. ****************************** BRYAN ASUIT

prayer

Saint Processus of Rome

Saint Processus of Rome

Memorial

• 2 July

Profile

Prison guard at the Mamertine prison in Rome, Italy. Worked with Saint Martinian. Guarded Saint Peter the Apostle and Saint Paul the Apostle when they were imprisoned in Rome. Converted to Christianity and was baptized by them. Tortured and executed in the persecutions of Nero. Martyr.

Died

• beheaded on the Aurelian road outside Rome, Italy
• relics in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican, Rome

Canonized

• publicly venerated from the 4th century

I trust in the Lord

psalm

All things are possible with God

All Things Are Possible

Are you facing something today that seems impossible? With man, it may be, but with God, ALL things are possible. If you seem to be in an impossible situation, get “with God!” Sometimes it’s so easy to focus on our problems and try to solve them in our own strength. But remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. He has a plan for your victory. He has a plan to give you a way out. He is making the things that seem impossible, possible. You can trust Him today. The Bible says that He has plans for your good, not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Start believing and confessing today, “I am with God, and with God all things are possible!” Are your bills piling up? With God, all things are possible. Do your relationships need healing? With God, all things are possible. Is there sickness in your body? With God, all things are possible! As you meditate on God’s Word, His power is activated in your life. He will strengthen you and lead you forward into that place of victory He has in store for you. *************************************************************** Bryan Asuit.