Better Days BroDcast

In this episode, we're diving deeper into our previous topic on kindness. Let's reflect on how we are challenged to be kind in our world today. Cover art: AI-generated

Imagine a world where a simple act of kindness holds more value than money. (AI-generated cover art)

In this episode, we're going on a journey to explore the wonders of imagination. Episode cover photo by Adam Nemeroff on Unsplash

Today, I celebrate the first anniversary of this podcast called Better Days BroDcast. My first podcast was entitled: When Prayerful Silence Sets the Day and it was published last July 16, 2020. I would like to thank you for your continued support and invite you to keep on listening to this podcast. I welcome you if you are new to this podcast. And yes, happy anniversary to us! This podcast episode is in collaboration with my godchild (sacrament of confirmation) Mika Cruz. Mika is a musician/ artist; audio engineer and entrepreneur at Soundchick Productions (Podcasting Solutions) where she helps people and brands share their stories and connect with their audience through podcasting. Photo by Isabella and Zsa Fischer on Unsplash

Anthony of Padua was born of noble parents in Lisbon, Portugal, and entered the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine in that city at the age of 15. During the eight years that Anthony spent, in the more secluded monastery at Coimbra, which was a renowned center for biblical studies, he became a profound scholar. One biographer notes the irony in his popularity today, as a meek and sweet patron of petitions, to recover lost articles, which disguises his life as a remarkable scholar, a powerful preacher, and a worker of extraordinary miracles. (MTR) Photo by Louise Hill on Unsplash

Philip Neri was born in Florence, and from boyhood was noted for his combination of goodness and joy. At first, he led a quiet life of prayer, study, and penance. Philip is best known for founding the Congregation of the Oratory, which grew out of his use of a room for prayer, and for jovial entertainment of the young people of Rome. Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

Bernardine was born of the noble Sienese family Albizeschi at Massa Marittima, where his father was governor. Orphaned at the age of six, he was raised by aunts. At school in Siena, he was outstanding for his intelligence, his goodness, and his popularity. At the age of 17, he began a life of service to the poor, and quiet spirituality. Four years later, he joined the Franciscans, and became active in the reform group of the Order. Ordained in 1404, he led a hidden life for 12 years, and then began a career of itinerant preaching. (MTR) Photo by Pavel Nekoranec on Unsplash

De La Salle considers that the Apostle James, son of Alpheus, is the same James who was the first bishop of Jerusalem, martyred in 62 A.D., and the author of the Epistle. Some scholars however, hold that the Apostle bishop, and the author of the Epistle are two different people, but there is no confusion about Philip, as one of the first Apostles called by Jesus. The feast of these two Apostles was transferred to May 3 by Pope Pius XII in 1956, to allow for the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1. The feast of the other Apostle James, son of Zebedee, is on July 25. (MTR) Photo by Vaishakh pillai on Unsplash

Athanasius was born in Alexandria and received an excellent education in the classics and in the Scriptures. He was very influential in opposing the heresy of Arius at the Council of Nicea. Later, as Patriarch of Alexandria, he continued his staunch defense of the true faith and endured exile three times. He wrote the Life of Saint Anthony, which had a great influence on the development and spread of monasticism. He is a Doctor of the Church. (MTR) Photo by Robert Nyman on Unsplash

Catherine was born in Siena, the daughter of a wealthy wool dyer, Giacomo Benincasa. In adolescence, she was drawn to prayer and solitude, and became a problem for her mother, by resisting any suggestion either of marriage or of becoming a nun. A compromise was reached when she joined the Third Order of Saint Dominic at the age of 16. Catherine convinced Pope Gregory XI to leave Avignon in 1376, and to return the papacy to Rome. She lived only 33 years, but her influence was exceptional. Her writings, including over 400 letters, earned for her from Pope Paul VI in 1970, the title of Doctor of the Church. (MTR) Photo by Marcio Chagas on Unsplash

Saint Anselm was born at Aosta in Piedmont. After a period of neglect of religion, he entered the Benedictine Order at the monastery of Bec, in Normandy, the center of the monastic revival in that part of France. He is a Doctor of the Church because of his writings in philosophy and theology, and because of his spirituality, which focuses on the sufferings of Christ. No doubt this orientation, which affected subsequent Cistercian spirituality, was reflected in the gentle and compassionate nature of Anselm, which De La Salle mentions in this meditation. (MTR) Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

The date of this feast was determined by the relation, between the feast of Christmas, and the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, a period of nine months. From its inception, this feast was the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ, rather than the honor of the Most Blessed Virgin. This explains in part why Dela Salle focuses in his meditation more on the mystery of the Incarnation than on Mary. (MTR) Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

De La Salle had a special love for Saint Joseph, developed undoubtedly as part of his training in the seminary of Saint Sulpice. Photo by Manuel Asturias on Unsplash

It is significant that De La Salle wrote this meditation, during the time when the Pope's authority was being seriously challenged, over the issue of Jansenism, especially in France. The firm support of the Pope, illustrated by this meditation, is one of the chief characteristics of De La Salle's teaching to the Brothers, and through them, to the students in the Christian Schools. (MTR) Photo by Briana Tozour on Unsplash

Today this feast is referred to, as the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which was the original focus of the celebration. As such, De La Salle's meditation corresponds well in the second and third points. The day has also been called Candlemas Day from the time of the tenth century, because this was the day when candles were blessed and carried in procession, possibly a devotional practice based on Simeon's words in the Gospel, that Jesus is the light that reveals God to all nations. (MTR) Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Thomas Aquinas was born in the castle of Rocca Secca, near Naples. He began his education at the nearby abbey of Monte Casino, and later attended the University of Naples. His Summa Theologica, published after his death, along with his other writings in 17 volumes, earned him the title of Doctor of the Church in 1567. Pope Leo XIII declared him the patron of all Catholic schools. He died on March 7, but his feast is now celebrated on January 28, the day his body was transferred to Toulouse in 1369. (MTR) Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

A message for the Catholic Teachers Day / Lasallian Mentors Day: Who will be there for the students when they go online or go back to school? Photo by Joel Fulgencio on Unsplash

Originally, this feast was a celebration of the transfer of the body of the Apostle Paul from the Appian Way, to the Ostian Way or, more likely, the transfer of a relic of the Apostle, to some church in Gaul around the tenth century, when the feast was first celebrated. Apparently the notion of the change from one place to another became the idea of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. From the beginning, this celebration has been near the feast of Saint Peter's Chair in Rome, a fact that is not without significance. (MTR) Photo by Jonathan Bowers on Unsplash

Francis de Sales was born of a noble family at Annecy, in Savoy, France. While studying in Paris at the Jesuit College of Clermont, he made a vow of chastity. He studied law at the University of Padua from 1586 to 1591, earning a Doctor's degree. Overcoming his father's opposition, he became a priest in 1593, and six years later was appointed coadjutor to the bishop of Geneva. In due course, he became bishop of Geneva. He was highly regarded for his wisdom and kindness. (MTR) Photo by Alex Pasarelu on Unsplash

Saint Anthony is called the father of monasticism. The story of his life, written by his contemporary and friend, Saint Athanasius, is considered to be the first formal biography of a monk. (MTR) Photo by Connor Jalbert on Unsplash

This feast, now generally celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, is known as the Epiphany because it originated in the Greek-speaking Near East, where the word means a showing or a manifestation. It is the feast of the manifestation to the world at large, in the person of the three Wise Men, of the majesty and the divinity of the newborn Savior. (MTR) Photo by Sergey Pesterev on Unsplash

Originally, this feast had a penitential character, as if in mourning for the massacre of the children. Perhaps this is why De La Salle stresses self-denial and mortification in his meditation. The feast dates back at least to the fifth century. (MTR). Photo by Fallon Michael on Unsplash

Although this meditation does not allude to the apostolic work of the Brothers, there is a relationship with the Brothers' spirit of zeal in the meditation's focus on love for Jesus. This meditation might be considered as a companion to the previous one on Saint Stephen, which focuses on the spirit of faith, for zeal is the second element of the spirit of the Institute. This feast is of very early origin in the Church. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

De La Salle presents Saint Stephen to the Brothers as a model of the spirit of faith, which they had chosen under his guidance as the spirit of their Institute, not only for their own life but also as the purpose of their work with their students. This feast is of very early origin in the Church, at least as early as the fourth century. Photo by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash

Just as the previous meditation reflects the basic Christological orientation of De La Salle's spirituality, this meditation for Christmas, stresses the ascetical response to this Christology namely, the acceptance of poverty, and lowliness in imitation of the kenosis of Christ. However, De La Salle is careful to show the Brothers, how this spirit is wholly relevant to their educational work. Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash

The 1718 Rule of the Brothers states that on this vigil, at 10:30 p.m., the Brothers go to the oratory, where a subject of meditation is read, and afterward go to the church, to be there for the beginning of Matins. They make their prayer there until the time for Mass, at which they receive Holy Communion. No doubt De La Salle wrote this meditation for that occasion. It is a good example of the Christ-centric character of Lasallian spirituality. The mystery of the Incarnation is key to the prayer of De La Salle. Photo by Dan Kiefer on Unsplash

Mitch and Broden share the results of their informal survey on: "What's the first thing you will do when the pandemic is over?" Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

This feast was first celebrated in the Eastern Church, and was only gradually introduced into Europe during the ninth century. It was promoted by the Franciscans in the thirteenth century, and the Franciscan Pope Sixtus IV introduced it in Rome in 1477. Because Pope Clement XI extended it to the universal Church in 1708, it received a special impetus toward the end of De La Salle's life. This might have promoted a special devotion among the first Brothers, and influenced this meditation by Dela Salle. According to later regulations of the community of Saint Yon, this feast is kept with great solemnity throughout the Institute, for it was after vowing to fast on the eve of this feast every year, in addition to the Friday fast, and to celebrate the feast and its octave solemnly, as far as they were able, that the Brothers obtained Letters Patent from the king, and the Bull of Approbation of the Institute from the Holy See. Moreover, the Lord has provided the means needed to construct the chapel and other buildings at Saint Yon, and has given prosperity to this house in a seemingly miraculous manner. On this day, just as on Easter Sunday, everything that is most beautiful will be used in the chapel. Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Ambrose was born in Treves Germany. His father was governor of the Gauls, and a member of the Roman aristocracy. Ambrose was educated in Rome, and became a provincial governor with headquarters in Milan. While presiding at the election of the bishop of Milan, he was nominated by acclamation, even though he was not yet a Christian, although his family was. He was forthwith baptized, ordained a priest, and consecrated a bishop. He took his assignment seriously, prayed, studied, and became a great pastoral bishop, without losing his sense of the dignity and power of his office. His preaching contributed to the conversion of Saint Augustine, whom he baptized in 387. He introduced Eastern melodies into the Western Church. The Ambrosian rite is part of his influence on the liturgy. Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash

Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra Asia Minor, is known largely from legends and popular devotion, as the patron of sailors in the East and of children in the West. When the Saracens took possession of Myra, his relics were brought to Bari Italy, and he is often called Saint Nicholas of Bari. The stories recounted by De La Salle in the third point of his meditation, are the probable origins of his becoming the patron of children. De La Salle manifests this devotion in the Conduct of Schools, by making the feast of Saint Nicholas a special holiday for the students. The notion of Santa Claus was brought to America and from there to England by Dutch Protestants. The story in De La Salle's first point, of Saint Nicholas as a baby, is taken from the Second Nocturn of the former Office in the Breviary. Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Francis was born at Xavier, in the Spanish kingdom of Navarre. He was educated in Paris and became a professor of philosophy at the College of Beauvais. At the University of Paris, he met Ignatius of Loyola, a fellow Basque, and became one of the first Jesuits, in 1534. In 1542 he was sent to India as Apostolic Nuncio to the Far East. Seven years later, after having labored ardently in the south and in Malacca, he carried the Gospel to Japan. He died in 1552, at the age of 46, while waiting for permission to enter China. He was canonized with Saint Ignatius in 1662 by Pope Gregory XV and is the Patron of Catholic Missions. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by Greg Willson on Unsplash

Andrew, as the Gospel tells us, was the brother of Saint Peter, one of the first to be called by Christ, a fisherman by trade. He was the one who told our Lord about the boy with the five loaves and two fish, and about the Gentiles who had come asking to see Jesus. There are many conflicting stories about his mission after Pentecost. He has become patron of Russia and Scotland. The tradition of the X-shaped cross of Saint Andrew, part of Scotch heraldry, does not seem to have been associated with him before the fourteenth century. His cult began in the fourth century in Constantinople, one place where his body is said to be buried. His relics are said to have been transferred to southern Italy in 1210; his head to Saint Peter's in Rome, in 1462. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by David Paschke on Unsplash

Catherine, according to the legend written about her, was beheaded after an unsuccessful attempt to kill her on a spiked wheel during the reign of Emperor Maxentius. The story of her refuting 50 philosophers has led to her becoming the patron of Christian philosophers and being venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. She was popular among the crusaders, who did much to spread devotion to her. She is included in the Litany of the Saints. Saint Gertrude saw her on a throne in heaven. Saint Joan of Arc heard her voice. Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The feast of the Presentation of Mary, is based on a tradition that is without any biblical foundation for its historicity. It was first celebrated by the Pope when he was at Avignon in 1372, although the Eastern Church had celebrated it many centuries before. Pope Sixtus made it a feast for the universal Church in 1472. Pope Pius V suppressed it, but Pope Sixtus V restored it to the Roman breviary. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by Lewis Westwood Flood on Unsplash

Mitch and Broden share a secret never revealed to anyone, not even to their parents. Photo by Abi Hinchley on Unsplash

Elizabeth of Hungary (1207–1231), the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, was married at the age of 13 to the saintly Louis of Thuringia, Germany, for whom she bore a son and two daughters. As queen she combined great solicitude for the poor and an austere life for herself. When her husband was killed in Sicily on his way to a crusade, her brother-in-law, Henry, usurped the throne and expelled her. Eventually, she was restored as queen, and her son, Herman, succeeded to the crown. She, however, continued her life of prayer and poverty, dying at the age of 24. The feast is now celebrated on November 17. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Martin was born at Salaria Hungary, and became a catechumen at an early age, despite the fact that his father was a pagan. Conscripted in the Roman army, he became a Christian after a vision of Christ rewarding him for his generosity, to a poor beggar needing warm clothing. He left the army after a miraculous victory over the barbarians in which, unarmed, he led the Romans. Coming under the guidance of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, he built a monastery near that town. Later he was chosen to be bishop of Tours. Sulpicius Severus wrote a biography of Saint Martin, which has preserved the details of his life. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud. Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash

Two great friends since grade school years talk about what matters in life during these times. Recorded on Oct 26, 2020 and published the following Thursday. Photo by Frame Harirak on Unsplash

Charles Borromeo was born of a noble family in Arona, Italy. He earned a doctorate in canon law at Pavia in 1559 and forthwith was created a cardinal by his uncle, who had just become Pope Pius IV. He was made archbishop of Milan and Papal Secretary of State, and worked strenuously for the conclusion of the Council of Trent between 1560 and 1564. After that, he became the embodiment of the spirit and ideals of the Counter-Reformation inaugurated by Trent.He was strict in his efforts to reform the morals of his archdiocese, but even more committed to his own spiritual life of sacrifice and prayer. He was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V. (MTR) Music from Soundcloud. Photo by Evi Radauscher on Unsplash

This feast became part of the liturgy of the universal Church in the fourteenth century. Prior to that it was a long-standing practice of the Benedictines, begun during the tenth century at the Abbey of Cluny by Saint Odilon. At one time it was a practice for every priest to say three Masses on this day. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by Veit Hammer on Unsplash

This feast was inaugurated when the Pantheon in Rome, which had originally been dedicated to all the pagan gods by the emperor Agrippa in 273 B.C., was consecrated to the worship of God in honor of our Lady and all the Christian martyrs by Pope Boniface IV (608–615). Pope Gregory IV (827–844) assigned the feast to November 1. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud. Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Simon is unknown except for the mention of him as one of the 12 Apostles. He was called the Zealot by Christ, which could mean only that he was a man of zeal for the Law rather than a member of the Zealot party. There are many apocryphal stories about him, including his martyrdom in Persia with Jude. Jude cannot be positively identified as the author of the Epistle, that bears this name nor as the brother of James, despite the translation of the first verse of this epistle. What is certain is that he was one of the Apostles, sometimes called Thaddeus (which might mean deep-chested). Beyond that, none of the details of his life and death, as in the case of Simon, is more than apocryphal. - MTR. Music by SoundCloud. Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash

Hilarion is known to us from the biography of him written by Saint Jerome, who learned about him from Saint Epiphanius of Salamis, who knew Hilarion personally. Hilarion was born in Palestine and studied in Alexandria, becoming a Christian there at the age of 15. His life was a series of moves from one place to another in search of solitude, which was constantly thwarted by his reputation for miracles. He eventually found peace in Cyprus, where he died at the age of 80. - MTR. Music from SoundCloud. Photo by Finding Dan | Dan Grinwis on Unsplash

The Evangelist Luke, aAs author of the Gospel bearing his name and the Acts of the Apostles, he is the largest single contributor to the New Testament. We learn about him from passages in the Acts, together with a few references to him in Paul's epistles. From the style and content of his writings, we can deduce that he was well educated and knowledgeable in geography, the administration of the empire, and medical matters and that he was concerned about historical accuracy, care for the poor, and sensitivity toward women. Moreover, he was probably familiar with the mother of Jesus or at least greatly interested in all that concerned her. Music from Souncloud. Photo by Aaron Burden@aaronburden

Saint Teresa was born in 1515 near Ávila, Spain, partly of Jewish descent, and grew up in a large, upper middle-class family. When her mother died in 1528, she became a boarder in a convent school in Ávila and in 1536 entered the Carmelites there. After some years of mediocre living in the convent, she was favored with a spiritual conversion and received excellent guidance from her uncle and from Dominican and Jesuit priests. In 1562 she founded the first of her reformed convents, Saint Joseph at Ávila. She spent the next 20 years of her life in this reform movement, which included the Carmelite Friars with the help of Saint John of the Cross. Her spiritual writings, especially The Interior Castle, and her autobiography won for her the title of Doctor of the Church in 1970. (MTR) Music from Soundcloud.com and Photo from Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash

According to Saint Gregory of Tours, Saint Denis, the bishop of Paris, was sent to France by the Pope and martyred at a spot that was later named for him, Saint-Denis, near Paris. The Abbey of Saint-Denis became the burial place of the French kings. Dela Salle opened a school in Saint-Denis in 1708; a community of Brothers is still there today. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud.com. Photo by Ninaras. Wikimedia Commons

Saint Francis was born at Assisi around 1881 in Umbria. He was a son of a prosperous merchant, Peter Bernadone. Led by a deep religious experience, he abandoned a military life and the wealth of his family at the age of 28 or 29. He embraced a spirit of utter simplicity for the love of Christ and, with the approval of the Pope, led a small group of followers in a life of poverty and itinerant preaching. He also inspired Saint Clare to found a religious group, the Poor Clares. His followers soon became very numerous, and he was forced to write a Rule and to delegate the administration of the Brothers to others. He was saddened by the departure from his original simplicity necessitated by the different types of people attracted to his following. He was favored with the stigmata toward the end of his life, and he suffered also from ill health and near blindness. But his spirit of love and joy prevailed, as can be seen in the Canticle of the Sun, which he composed shortly before his death. (MTR) Music from SoundCloud. Photo from Grant Whitty

Not until 1670 was the feast of the Guardian Angels made a celebration for the whole Church, but devotion to these protectors of individual people was a much older practice among Christians. During Dela Salle's lifetime, the popularity of the devotion became widespread. That it meant much to the Founder can be noted by the fact that in two of his Meditations for the Time of Retreat, he calls on the Brothers to see in these angels a model for their service to the students in the Christian Schools. The school year in France began on or near October 2, a day on which, according to the Rule, the Brothers would all receive Holy Communion. Music from Soundcloud.com | Image: Ralf Skirr on Unsplash.com

The Archangel Michael was honored by the Jews as a special protector of Israel and became for Christians a special protector of the Church. Originally, September 29 was the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Michael on the Salarian Way, but since the reform of the liturgy by Vatican II, the feast is celebrated in honor of the three principal archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Music from SoundCloud

The only certain facts about Saint Matthew are those found in the Gospel. The details used by De La Salle concerning his mission and martyrdom are not historically certain.

Link to Arirang News: https://youtu.be/eROyHoLBEjk Link to Firm Foundation song: https://youtu.be/ta-pL48u_w8 I was the resource speaker for the Holy Hour event of young people from Regnum Christi. The theme of the online presentation was “Laying Our Foundations.” This is an edited version featuring only the part where I was asked to share a reflection with around 50 other young people who were online in Zoom at that time. Thanks to Lanz Sahagun and Regnum Christi for the opportunity to be with the group. Special thanks to Mai Saito for the Youtube link for the whole event. A Youtube version of this is available in this link: https://youtu.be/Bl698Uy1ji0 The original video is in this link: https://youtu.be/cqpVzBcjIek.