Weekend Edition - A Daily Spiritual Seed

Published: Fri, 05/16/14

Book of the Week

The Little Catechism of the Cure' of Ars, by St. Jean-Marie Baptiste Vianney. Tan Books, 1987.

This little pocket size book contains many of the Saint's words of wisdom on working for a pure and holy life and avoiding sin. The book is divided into 36 chapters, covering every basic aspect of the spiritual struggle to live the Christian way of life. Vianney presents the wisdom he learned in God's vineyard and is eager to pass it on to the world. One gem of wisdom is "I know two very certain ways of becoming poor: working on Sunday and taking the property of another."

The simple man, Jean Vianney, born in 1786 and died in 1859, had a difficult time seeking admission into a seminary because of his limited ability to learn. After his ordination, he became solely employed in the ministry of prayer and in the labors of the confessional. How could he possibly have the power of teaching like the greatest Fathers of the Church? Through his eloquence in teaching, he can easily be compared to St. Augustine, St. Bernard, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Teresa. His wisdom came from his continual union with God in devout prayer. People came to him from far and near for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Part one of this book consists of instructions on the catechism; it had such topics as these:
salvation, love of God, Holy Spirit, Blessed Virgin, prayer, priesthood, Mass, real presence, frequent communion, cardinal virtues, confession, suffering, hope, and sin.

Part two is concerned with explanations and exhortations on salvation, death, last judgment, temptations, avarice, anger, sloth, grace, prayer, paradise, pride, and grace.

"The mercy of God is like an overflowing torrent-it carries away hearts with it as it passes. The good God will pardon a repentant sinner more quickly than a mother would snatch her child out of the fire."

(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.)

Paperback

Saint of the Week

St. Rita of Cascia: (1381-1457) May 22

Like Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rita of Cascia was a wife, mother, widow and member of a religious community. Her holiness was reflected in each phase of her life.

Born at Roccaporena in central Italy, Rita wanted to become a nun but was pressured at a young age into marrying a harsh and cruel man. During her 18-year marriage, she bore and raised two sons. After her husband was killed in a brawl and her sons had died, Rita tried to join the Augustinian nuns in Cascia. Unsuccessful at first because she was a widow, Rita eventually succeeded.

Over the years, her austerity, prayerfulness and charity became legendary. When she developed wounds on her forehead, people quickly associated them with the wounds from Christ's crown of thorns. She meditated frequently on Christ's passion. Her care for the sick nuns was especially loving. She also counseled lay people who came to her monastery.

Beatified in 1626, Rita was not canonized until 1900. She has acquired the reputation, together with St. Jude, as a saint of impossible cases. Many people visit her tomb each year.

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Kyrie Places of Pilgrimmage and Renewal

Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street neighborhood, San Francisco.

The Sanctuary Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.

Philothea.net: promoting the love of God as expressed in The First Great Commandment

Hearts on Fire: a blog to spark inspiration, thought, wonder, laughter and prayer.

Stillpoint: Programs in spiritual direction, contemplative prayer.

The Ark: Providing a variety of scripture and lectionary study resources.

Contemplative Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: Teaching and support on contemplative practice.

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Weekend Readings

Saturday
ACTS 13:44-52
PS 98:1-4
JN 14:7-14

Sunday
ACTS 6:1-7
PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1 PT 2:4-9
JN 14:1-12

Lectionary

Spiritual Guidance

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Theology Note

Second Coming

The Second Coming is a term applied to the return of Christ. If there is a second coming, it follows that there must have been a first. The first coming of Christ was His incarnation when he was born. At the Second Coming of Christ every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7) as he descends from the heavens in the clouds (Matt. 24:30; Mark 14:6).

Christian Apologetics

Joke of the Week

Things that make you go "Hmmm. . . "

How come wrong numbers are never busy?

Do people in Australia call the rest of the world 'up over'?

Does killing time damage eternity?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why is it that night falls but day breaks?

Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand?

Why is it that when you're driving and looking for an address, you turn down the radio?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as "4's"?

Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations?

How can there be self-help "groups"?

Joke resource site