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My house almost caught fire, and I had no idea of the danger until it was over, pieced together by burn marks on a wall and other clues around an old boiler system. I called a specialist to look at it, and he said bluntly: he's come to believe things happen for a reason, and our house is still standing for a reason. I always try to express gratitude to others and to God, but as we come into the holiday season I thought this story was especially worth bringing to you all. Faith Full is a Catholic podcast hosted by Tony Ganzer. In this short episode we hear from Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, translator of St. Aloysius Gonzaga's Meditations on the Holy Angels. Plus an excerpt from St. Thérèse of Lisieux's autobiography "The Story of a Soul." Visit our website: https://www.faithfullpod.com/ Donate: https://www.faithfullpod.com/support/ Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-full-podcast/id1363835811 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34sSHs8hHpOCi5csuTtiIv When you know what you're looking for the clues are obvious: burn marks on a wall, a tripped electrical breaker, and a broken boiler. In hindsight it's easy. But in day-to-day life, it's not. About a month ago I started to run my heating system before winter to make sure everything was working well. My house was built in the 1950s and part of the house has radiant floor heating. Essentially a gas-fired boiler heats up water that is sent through pipes under the floor. When it works, it works well! The boiler pilot light was out when I went to run my test, so I cleaned around the boiler and relit the light. The system kicked on, and for about two days it seemed to work well, until it didn't. I played with the thermostat trying to get the system back on but it didn't work. Around the same time, randomly, an electrical plug in my garage stopped working. It wasn't clear the problems were related…(foreshadowing). Ultimately I decided to call the heating repair company first to do a tune-up on the system and figure out what's wrong. It took just a minute to see the problem. One of the burners was off its rack, and old fire-proofing material had crumbled. Flames had been shooting out the back of the unit onto the wall, ultimately hitting the wiring harness to the thermostat. “I'm not sure why they wired it like that,” the technician told me. “But it's good they did.” The melted wiring tripped the breaker and shut down the boiler, cutting the flow of gas and stopping the fire. The malfunctioning outlet must've been on an adjacent circuit or something. It's still sinking in, just how fortunate we are that our home wasn't taken in a fire, and the way the system was built in the 1950s kept us safe. As Catholics, this brought a few things to mind for my wife and me: one about St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the other about angels. I've been given the gift of seeing a stone moved from my path: the fire threatened my home, the place that my family considers safe and secure. Even if the fire had started, we have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers–all things that would've likely kept us physically safe, but still would've lost property. I hope that in my journeying toward Heaven that I can use the time, talents and experiences God has given me to show my gratitude. It's a gratitude that extends beyond just the holiday season, of course, and is rooted deeply in what makes me, me. I'm just thankful to get to keep going, with a home that's intact. Thank you for listening to this short episode of Faith Full. Please share, like and subscribe if you find it worthwhile.
Re-air from 6/20/24 Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. TGIAF with Fr. Anthony, Tony, and Christina. After prayer they discuss navigating the storms of our lives and the life and quotes of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
Homily from the Mass offered on Friday, June 21st. To support the podcast financially, click here: https://stpiuscda.org/online-giving
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga by Dr. John Bergsma. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Second Kings 11: 1-4, 9-18, 20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 132: 11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3 Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To sign up for a St. Paul Center All-Access Membership and get a signed copy of Dr. Hahn's book, "Catholics in Exile: Biblical Wisdom for the Journey Home," please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/exile24/
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Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
Gospel Matthew 6:19-23 Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.” Reflection The treasures that Jesus is talking about is all those things that we have. They give us a sense of who we are. Our position, our title, or where we live. What we own, what we drive, our job. And he's really saying that all those things do not explain or capture the fullness of who you are. Who you are is a person whose eyes are being opened to the love of a God who accepts this exactly as we are, and gives us the dignity and the worth that we long for by simply entering into us and teaching us that every day. The darkness is when we think we have to be something in order to be important or valuable. The light is we are all we need to be. Closing Prayer Father, there are so many things that we can become anxious and worried about in life, but it's clear that you're telling us over and over again that you are not without a deep care and interest in everything that happens to us, and there is no scarcity. Everything that's not there is because we don't need it to be there. Everything that is there from God is what we need. Give us this confidence. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Lectionary: 369The Saint of the day is Saint Aloysius GonzagaSaint Aloysius Gonzaga's Story The Lord can make saints anywhere, even amid the brutality and license of Renaissance life. Florence was the “mother of piety” for Aloysius Gonzaga despite his exposure to a “society of fraud, dagger, poison, and lust.” As a son of a princely family, he grew up in royal courts and army camps. His father wanted Aloysius to be a military hero. At age 7 Aloysius experienced a profound spiritual quickening. His prayers included the Office of Mary, the psalms, and other devotions. At age 9 he came from his hometown of Castiglione to Florence to be educated; by age 11 he was teaching catechism to poor children, fasting three days a week, and practicing great austerities. When he was 13 years old, he traveled with his parents and the Empress of Austria to Spain, and acted as a page in the court of Philip II. The more Aloysius saw of court life, the more disillusioned he became, seeking relief in learning about the lives of saints. A book about the experience of Jesuit missionaries in India suggested to him the idea of entering the Society of Jesus, and in Spain his decision became final. Now began a four-year contest with his father. Eminent churchmen and laypeople were pressed into service to persuade Aloysius to remain in his “normal” vocation. Finally he prevailed, was allowed to renounce his right to succession, and was received into the Jesuit novitiate. Like other seminarians, Aloysius was faced with a new kind of penance—that of accepting different ideas about the exact nature of penance. He was obliged to eat more, and to take recreation with the other students. He was forbidden to pray except at stated times. He spent four years in the study of philosophy and had Saint Robert Bellarmine as his spiritual adviser. In 1591, a plague struck Rome. The Jesuits opened a hospital of their own. The superior general himself and many other Jesuits rendered personal service. Because he nursed patients, washing them and making their beds, Aloysius caught the disease. A fever persisted after his recovery and he was so weak he could scarcely rise from bed. Yet he maintained his great discipline of prayer, knowing that he would die three months later within the octave of Corpus Christi, at the age of 23. Reflection As a saint who fasted, scourged himself, sought solitude and prayer, and did not look on the faces of women, Aloysius seems an unlikely patron of youth in a society where asceticism is confined to training camps of football teams and boxers, and sexual permissiveness has little left to permit. Can an overweight and air-conditioned society deprive itself of anything? It will when it discovers a reason, as Aloysius did. The motivation for letting God purify us is the experience of God loving us in prayer. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is the Patron Saint of: Catholic YouthTeenagersSeminarians Click here for quotes from some of our favorite saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (Memorial)
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Lord, you alone are the holy one.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary TimeJune 21, 2024 – Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time.Today's reading is taken from the holy Gospel according to Matthew: Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be." The gospel of the Lord. In our gospel today, Jesus tells his disciples: “where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” We often think of a treasure as something material, like a pot of gold or a bank account, a shiny new car or a dream house. But it could just as well be a relationship, like a very dear friend or a significant other, or something less material, like ambition to power or status within a group. And it may happen that our lives seem so scattered all over the place, or so taken up with just getting my, that we lose sight of our treasure. Jesus warns that if we do not look for and choose our treasure well, we could end up losing it and everything else. That is what we see in the first reading. There we hear the story of Athaliah, the mother of the king, who could not bear the thought of losing her position and influence when the king died. Her ambition led her to try to kill the whole king's family and become herself the queen. She almost succeeded, but one of her grandchildren escaped, and when that child grew up, those officials who had remained faithful to God's covenant proclaimed him king to the joy of the people; and Athaliah lost not only her position, but her life as well. It's a story worthy of the Game of Thrones, but here the main point is not the intrigue, but God's faithfulness to God's people. The question of the treasure is not so much what we do with it, but what we become with it. What is the value system we take on to attain our treasure? As Jesus in another part of the gospels asks: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit one's life?” By life he means the full realization of our humanity in right relationship with God and with others. So, to choose the wrong treasure is to direct our lives toward something that will not help us grow as human beings and children of God. This is where Jesus' parable about our interior light comes in. We need to cultivate a sound conscience, otherwise it will be overgrown by the tangle of our desires and we will end up in darkness. We need a good eye to see our true selves and the true treasure that may lie hidden in our heart, overshadowed by the busyness of our lives. One way would be to examine where we spend our time. Outside of work or study, how much time to I spend paging through social media? How important is it to score or give “likes?” Do I go crawling through some dark places of the Internet? Does my use of the Internet help me grow as a person, or does it just feed my curiosity and my fears. Am I becoming a slave to it? And what about the other areas of my life? To cultivate a sound conscience and discover my true self, I need to spend time with Jesus in prayer and reflecting on the gospels; I need to invest myself in my relationships with my family, my work, and my church or neighborhood. This will help me to grow as a human being. Then I will know the value of the other things in my life, because my true treasure is God's gift of myself and the ability to relate myself in love to God and to the others God places in my life. Only then can I truly be me. May God bless you.Fr. Karl E. EskerBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY
St Aloysius Gonzaga and Purity *Get Into an Upward Spiral *Why Do Holy People Need to Do Penance *Thank God for Giving Us a Personal Knowledge of Himself *St Aloysius Gonzaga- The Angel Saint
ROSARY - SORROWFUL MYSTERIES today. DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET for Friday.
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga by Dr. John Bergsma. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Second Kings 11: 1-4, 9-18, 20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 132: 11, 12, 13-14, 17-18 Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3 Gospel: Matthew 6: 19-23 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com To sign up for a St. Paul Center All-Access Membership and get a signed copy of Dr. Hahn's book, "Catholics in Exile: Biblical Wisdom for the Journey Home," please visit https://stpaulcenter.com/exile24/
29 And Jesus answering, said to them: You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.Respondens autem Jesus, ait illis : Erratis nescientes Scripturas, neque virtutem Dei. 30 For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married; but shall be as the angels of God in heaven.In resurrectione enim neque nubent, neque nubentur : sed erunt sicut angeli Dei in caelo. 31 And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you:De resurrectione autem mortuorum non legistis quod dictum est a Deo dicente vobis : 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.Ego sum Deus Abraham, et Deus Isaac, et Deus Jacob? Non est Deus mortuorum, sed viventium. 33 And the multitudes hearing it, were in admiration at his doctrine.Et audientes turbae, mirabantur in doctrina ejus. 34 But the Pharisees hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together:Pharisaei autem audientes quod silentium imposuisset sadducaeis, convenerunt in unum : 35 And one of them, a doctor of the law, asking him, tempting him:et interrogavit eum unus ex eis legis doctor, tentans eum : 36 Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?Magister, quod est mandatum magnum in lege? 37 Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.Ait illi Jesus : Diliges Dominum Deum tuum ex toto corde tuo, et in tota anima tua, et in tota mente tua. 38 This is the greatest and the first commandment.Hoc est maximum, et primum mandatum. 39 And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Secundum autem simile est huic : Diliges proximum tuum, sicut teipsum. 40 On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.In his duobus mandatis universa lex pendet, et prophetae. St Aloysius is the patron of Catholic youth. Amid the seductions of court the young prince, full of merits and virtues, kept his first innocence by marvels of mortification . He entered the Society of Jesus in Rome at the age of sixteen, and died there seven years later a victim to the plague, June 21, A.D. 1591.
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Homily by Msgr. Tom Miller
The Community of St Gregory the Great sing the Gregorian Chant Mass for the Memoria of St Aloysius Gonzaga. Recorded live at Southgate House on 21 June 2024.
Memorial of Saint Aloysius GonzagaMt 22:34-40When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,they gathered together, and one of them,a scholar of the law, tested him by asking,"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God,with all your heart,with all your soul,and with all your mind."
Invitatory Antiphon: Come, let us worship God, wonderful in his saints. Hymn First Antiphon: He asked to share your life, O Lord, and you have heard his prayer; you have clothed him with glory and great beauty Psalm 21 Second Antiphon: The path of the just is like the passage of the dawn; it grows from first light to the full splendor of day. Psalm 92-I Third Antiphon: The just man will flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Psalm 92-II Verse: The Lord led this holy man along a sure path. Resp: He showed him the kingdom of God. First Reading: Phil 3:7-4:1,4-9 Response: You must be like men awaiting the return of their master from the wedding feast. Second Reading: From a letter to his mother by St. Aloysius Response: You let me stand in your sight for ever. Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975 YouTube Donate
Antiphon: Day and night I cry to you, my God. Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975
6/20/24 7am CT Hour - Laura DeMaria/ Fr. James Kubicki John and Sarah chat about Tropical Storm Alberto, college baseball, give an update on the NEC Pilgrimage and play What's That Sound with Matt Beardsley. Laura explains ordinary time and why it's a time to thrive in our faith. Fr. Kubicki shares the story of St. Aloysius and why we don't need to wait until we are old to become a saint.
Today is the longest day of the year and first day of summer. Its also the Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. TGIAF with Fr. Anthony, Tony, and Christina. After prayer they discuss navigating the storms of our lives and the life and quotes of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish
Free guide! https://quarryapps.gumroad.com/l/jojqau Lectio Divina: A Journey into God's Word.CONNECT WITH US:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5maE4Sy9syoeNuHHKP7apk?si=73876ed118be4519Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/lectio-divina-daily-reflections/id1637258440 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lectio-divina-daily/support
2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 (Saved from the massacre, the true king is anointed by the high priest) 1 John 5:1-5 (Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has already overcome the world)
19th June, 2024 – Deacon Don has a discussion with Fr Brendan McGuckian, who eloquently discusses the life and enduring impact of Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of youth, students, and those suffering from illness. Together, they explore the remarkable journey of this Jesuit saint, known for his deep spirituality, unwavering commitment to serving others, […] The post E47 | Can We Be Saints? – Deacon Don & Fr Brendan McGuckian – Saint Aloysius Gonzaga: Inspiring Virtue and Spiritual Legacy appeared first on Radio Maria Ireland.
Dr. Arielle Harms and Taylor Kemp share about the life of Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga. Raised by his father to be a soldier, an early awakening of his personal faith led him to renounce his familial right of succession and enter the newly formed Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit he soon realized that despite his radical service, bold evangelization, and strict prayers and asceticism, the only way to truly become holy was to relinquish control and allow his soul to be conquered by Christ. Watch Catholic Saints and other great content on FORMED.Sign up for a 7-day free trial of FORMED.Support this podcast and the Augustine Institute by becoming a member of the Mission Circle.
St Aloysius Gonzaga and Purity *Get Into an Upward Spiral *Why Do Holy People Need to Do Penance *Thank God for Giving Us a Personal Knowledge of Himself *St Aloysius Gonzaga- The Angel Saint
St Aloysius Gonzaga and Purity *Get Into an Upward Spiral *Why Do Holy People Need to Do Penance *Thank God for Giving Us a Personal Knowledge of Himself *St Aloysius Gonzaga- The Angel Saint
This blogcast explores “From Servants to Servitude—Aloysius Gonzaga," written by Alex Cranstoun and read by Patrick Hyland. “From Servants to Servitude—Aloysius Gonzaga,” by Alex Cranstoun. In his blog post, Alex describes the great witness of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, for whom the famous basketball school, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, is named, and how he desired to spread the Gospel to far and away lands. However, St. Aloysius Gonzaga missioned in Rome, caring for the sick and the dying. Alex reflects that we do not need to go far to witness the love of Christ. We can care for those in our family, in our home, our neighborhood and greater community. St. Aloysius Gonzaga was born as the eldest of seven children to an aristocratic family in Italy. At a young age, St. Gonzaga developed a deep spiritual life including devotions such as the Little Office of Our Lady and the psalms. After studying in Florence, St. Gonzaga returned to his hometown and received his first communion from the future St. Charles Borromeo. After receiving his first communion, he read a book on Jesuit spirituality and felt convicted to become a missionary. He joined the Jesuits and life an austere life. He died while still a scholastic. Links:Click here to learn more about St. Aloysius Gonzaga.Learn more about other favorite saints.Listen to On Mission episodes about accompaniment and corporal works of mercy. Contributors:Alex Cranstoun is the Production Coordinator for the Catholic Apostolate Center. Patrick Hyland is a program associate for the Catholic Apostolate Center where he assists with new and existing resources on the Center's website and contributes to the Center's marketing and consultancy efforts. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Patrick is a junior at The Catholic University of America pursuing a double major in Operations Management and Theology. On campus, Patrick is involved with the Office of Campus Ministry, planning events and accompanying undergraduate students as a Student Minister. Additionally, Patrick loves music, playing drums for various groups and working as a freelance DJ for weddings and other private events. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Blogcasts are produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank's weekly reflections, episodes of On Mission, and recent blogcasts. Follow us:The Catholic Apostolate CenterThe Center's podcast websiteInstagramFacebookApple PodcastsSpotify Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. also appears on the podcast, On Mission, which is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center and you can also listen to his weekly Sunday Gospel reflections. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources.
IN THIS PODCAST: In life we realize that some people possess an insatiable hunger for authority and power. We have no power of our own. Whatever authority we possess is only because God has permitted it. It is very clear in the scriptures that ‘a humble and contrite heart will see the face of God.' We should approach God in full faith, complete trust and humility in ways that appear narrow for it is these stringent and disciplined paths that lead us to eternal life. This homily was preached on the passage from Mt 7:6, 12-14 by Rev. Fr. Gerard Solomon, CSsR, on 21 June 2022. Let us reflect and pray to the Lord
The Cale Clarke Show - Today's issues from a Catholic perspective.
What did Generation X-ers (like CAle) do in the pre-smartphone age? Have we got a story for you. Plus: The short, funny passionate, and powerful life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, and how he speaks to our generation.
'Every blessing in abundance'
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga by Dr. John Bergsma. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Second Corinthians 9: 6-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 1bc-2, 3-4, 9 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
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Pastoral Reflections Finding God In Ourselves by Msgr. Don Fischer
GospelMatthew 6:1-6, 16-18Jesus said to his disciples: "Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” ReflectionJesus calls those who are trying to impress other people as hypocrites. Because it is not only that they're telling them that they're doing something and they should be honored, but they are actually not doing anything. So there's no real reward in that for them. The things that Jesus is asking us to do are classic things to pray, to fast, to be generous. He just says, look if you want the reward of those, if you want those things to become in you, that which they are intended to be, something that transforms you, lifts you to a higher level of consciousness. If you don't do them, you're not going to get any reward. So what He's really praying that we have is authenticity.Closing PrayerFather, give us authenticity. Help us to be honest with ourselves. If we do a practice that our religion calls us to, we need to do it with the intention that it transforms us and changes us. Not because it looks good that we're there or participating. Do this for us. We need this kind of help because the other is so easy to fall into and we ask this In Jesus' name, Amen.
Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Lectionary: 367The Saint of the day is Saint Aloysius GonzagaSaint Aloysius Gonzaga's Story The Lord can make saints anywhere, even amid the brutality and license of Renaissance life. Florence was the “mother of piety” for Aloysius Gonzaga despite his exposure to a “society of fraud, dagger, poison, and lust.” As a son of a princely family, he grew up in royal courts and army camps. His father wanted Aloysius to be a military hero. At age 7 Aloysius experienced a profound spiritual quickening. His prayers included the Office of Mary, the psalms, and other devotions. At age 9 he came from his hometown of Castiglione to Florence to be educated; by age 11 he was teaching catechism to poor children, fasting three days a week, and practicing great austerities. When he was 13 years old, he traveled with his parents and the Empress of Austria to Spain, and acted as a page in the court of Philip II. The more Aloysius saw of court life, the more disillusioned he became, seeking relief in learning about the lives of saints. A book about the experience of Jesuit missionaries in India suggested to him the idea of entering the Society of Jesus, and in Spain his decision became final. Now began a four-year contest with his father. Eminent churchmen and laypeople were pressed into service to persuade Aloysius to remain in his “normal” vocation. Finally he prevailed, was allowed to renounce his right to succession, and was received into the Jesuit novitiate. Like other seminarians, Aloysius was faced with a new kind of penance—that of accepting different ideas about the exact nature of penance. He was obliged to eat more, and to take recreation with the other students. He was forbidden to pray except at stated times. He spent four years in the study of philosophy and had Saint Robert Bellarmine as his spiritual adviser. In 1591, a plague struck Rome. The Jesuits opened a hospital of their own. The superior general himself and many other Jesuits rendered personal service. Because he nursed patients, washing them and making their beds, Aloysius caught the disease. A fever persisted after his recovery and he was so weak he could scarcely rise from bed. Yet he maintained his great discipline of prayer, knowing that he would die three months later within the octave of Corpus Christi, at the age of 23. Reflection As a saint who fasted, scourged himself, sought solitude and prayer, and did not look on the faces of women, Aloysius seems an unlikely patron of youth in a society where asceticism is confined to training camps of football teams and boxers, and sexual permissiveness has little left to permit. Can an overweight and air-conditioned society deprive itself of anything? It will when it discovers a reason, as Aloysius did. The motivation for letting God purify us is the experience of God loving us in prayer. Saint Aloysius Gonzaga is the Patron Saint of: Catholic YouthTeenagersSeminarians Click here for quotes from some of our favorite saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (Memorial)
Welcome to The Saint of the Day Podcast, a service of Good Catholic and The Catholic Company. Today's featured saint is St. Aloysius Gonzaga. If you like what you heard, share this podcast with someone you know, and make sure to subscribe!
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St Aloysius Gonzaga and Purity *Get Into an Upward Spiral *Why Do Holy People Need to Do Penance *Thank God for Giving Us a Personal Knowledge of Himself *St Aloysius Gonzaga- The Angel Saint Subscribe and Rate on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sermons-for-everyday-living/id1259945127