psalm 89

saint John

psalm

saint Catherine

saint Louis-Maria

Saint Frances of Rome

BLESSED THOMAS TSUJI

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.”

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

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

FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS THE APOSTLE

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

Saint Philip Neri

Profile

Though he was related to Italian nobility, Philip came from a poor family. His father, Francisco Neri, worked as a notary. Philip’s brother died in childhood, but his two sisters, Caterina and Elisabetta survived. Known as a pius youth, Philip was taught humanities by the Dominicans.

The family moved to San Germano in 1533 to help some relatives with their business, and while there Philip would escape to a local Dominican chapel in the mountains. Having received a vision that he had an apostolate in Rome, Philip cut himself off from his family, and went there.

He was befriended by Galeotto Caccia who took Philip in and paid him to tutor his two sons. Wrote poetry in Latin and Italian. He studied philosophy and theology, and when he tired of learning, he sold all his books and gave the money to the poor.

Philip began to visit and care for the sick, and impoverished pilgrims, and founded a society of like-minded folk to do the same. He became a friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. A layman, he lived in the city as a hermit. During Easter season of 1544, while praying in the catacomb of San Sebastiano, he received a vision of a globe of fire that entered his chest, and he experienced an ecstasy that physically enlarged his heart.

With Persiano Rose, he founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. He began to preach, with many converts. In 1550 he considered retiring to the life of a solitary hermit, but received further visions that told him his mission was in Rome. Later he considered missionary work in India, but further visions convinced him to stay in Rome.

He entered the priesthood in 1551. Father Philip heard confessions by the hour, could tell penitents their sins before they confessed, and had the gift of conferring visions. He began working with youth, finding safe places for them to play, becoming involved in their lives.

Pope Gregory XIV tried to make him a cardinal, but Philip declined. His popularity was such that he was accused of forming his own sect, but was cleared of this baseless charge. In 1575 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians, a group of priests dedicated to preaching and teaching, but which suffered from accusations of heresy because of the involvement of laymen as preachers. In later years he was beset by several illnesses, each of which was in turn cured through prayer.

 Readings

Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. – Saint Philip Neri

somebody's Rooting for You

Somebody's Rooting For You

I grew up playing sports, and I’ve experienced the difference it makes to have somebody in the stands cheering for you. When you know they’re watching you, you hear them calling your name, you see their hands up in the air, it does something on the inside. It causes you to jump a little higher and run a little faster. You’ve got a greater determination because you know somebody is rooting for you. Today, you have a great multitude in heaven cheering you on! They’re saying, “You can do it! You’re a winner! You are well able, strong and equipped. No weapon formed against you will prosper!” No matter what difficulty you may be facing, you always have the home-field advantage. You are always surrounded by the voice of victory. Let that sink down deep into your heart today. Let it build confidence in you and give you the strength you need to keep moving forward into the abundant, victorious life He has prepared for you!

"Heavenly Father, today I am releasing every negative thing that has happened to me. I’m forgiving every person who has hurt me. I’m forgiving myself for mistakes I’ve made and releasing every disappointment so that I can live in Your peace and victory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen."

Pope saint Gregory VII

Profile

Educated in Rome, Italy. Benedictine monk. Chaplain to Pope Gregory VI. In charge of the Patrimony of Saint Peter. Reformer and excellent administrator. Chosen the 152nd pope, but he declined the crown. Chief counselor to Pope Victor II, Pope Stephen IX, Pope Benedict X, and Pope Nicholas II. 157th pope.

At the time of his ascension, simony and a corrupt clergy threatened to destroy faith in the Church. Gregory took the throne as a reformer, and Emperor Henry IV promised to support him. Gregory suspended all clerics who had purchased their position, and ordered the return of all purchased church property. The corrupt clergy rebelled; Henry IV broke his promise, and promoted the rebels. Gregory responded by excommunicating anyone involved in lay investiture. He summoned Henry to Rome, but the emperor’s supporters drove Gregory into exile. Henry installed the anti-pope Guibert of Ravenna, who was driven from Rome by Normans who supported Gregory; the Normans were, themselves, so out of control that the people of Rome drove out them and Gegory. The Pope then retreated to Salerno, Italy where he spent the remainder of his papacy. 

Saint Giovanni Battista Rossi

Profile

One of four children born to Charles de Rossi and Frances Anfossi. Taken by a wealthy noble couple to Genoa, Italy for schooling. There he met some Capuchin friars who thought well of him, and helped him continue his education in Rome, Italy. Studied under the Jesuits at the Roman College at age 13. Member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin and the Ristretto of the Twelve Apostles. Epileptic. His self-imposed acts of austerity nearly broke his health, and he never completely regained his strength. Studied philosophy and theology under the Dominicans. Ordained on 3 March 1721, assigned to Rome.

Helped start a hospice for homeless women near Saint Galla’s hospice in Rome. Canon of Santa Maria, Cosmedin in 1737; he used his compensation from the position to purchase an organ for the church. Missioner and catechist to the teamsters, farmers, herdsmen, homeless, sick, beggars, prostitutes, and prisoners of the Campagna region. For many years, John was avoided hearing confessions for fear he would have a seizure in the confessional, but the bishop of Civitá Castellana convinced him it was part of his vocation. John relented, and soon became a sought after confessor in Rome; he once said that the shortest road to heaven was to guide others there by the confessional. Sought after preacher. Assigned as catechist to many government and prison officials, including the public hangman. Miracle worker. Always had a special devotion to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.