Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

The Popish Plot
Make-it Monday: "Sacrifice Beads"

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Only love can enlarge my heart."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Pius V, Pope, O.P. (1504-1572; A.K.A. Antonio Ghislieri, Michele Ghislieri), two hundred twenty-fifth (CCXXV) Bishop of Rome; who implemented the reforms of the Council of Trent; organized the Holy League that won the Battle of Lepanto, which he celebrated by instituting the Feast of Our Lady of Victory; & excommunicated the English queen Elizabeth I through the papal bull Regnans in Excelsis: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff; Wikipedia-link Council; Wikipedia-link League, Wikipedia-link Lepanto, & Wikipedia-link Madonna of Victory; & Wikipedia-link Regnans in Excelsis.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Pope Saint Pius V, born Antonio Ghislieri, was head of the Catholic Church & ruler of the Papal States. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, & the standardization of the Roman Rite within the Latin Church.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Southerne, Priest & Martyr (circa 1569-1618), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marie of the Incarnation, Religious, O.S.U. (1599-1672, A.K.A. Marie Guyart): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Not to be confused with Bl. Marie of the Incarnation, O.C.D. [18 April].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, Priest, T.O.S.F. (1786-1842, Anglicized as Joseph Benedict), founder of the Little House of Divine Providence, nicknamed the "University of Charity:" Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter fourteen, verses five thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, verses one & two, three & four, & fifteen & sixteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-one thru twenty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to inspire, strengthen, and defend his followers. Speaking to his disciples the night before he dies, Jesus tells them that he and his Father will send another Parakletos. The word, from kaleo (to call) and para (for, or on behalf of) designates something like an advocate or a lawyer, someone who would plead on behalf of another, offering support and encouragement.

Jesus will depart physically from the scene, but he and his Father will send the Spirit as a friend. This is the supporter, the Advocate who will inspire Christians up and down the ages.

When the martyrs went to their deaths, it was with the help of the Holy Spirit; when the missionaries went to proclaim the faith in hostile lands, it was the Holy Spirit who pleaded on their behalf; when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, it was the Holy Spirit who lifted him up; and when Thomas Aquinas wrote his theological masterpieces, it was at the prompting of the Advocate.

What is the Advocate prompting you to do today?

Video reflection by Msgr. Jams Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Pius V
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one thru five;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verse four(b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"[The Virgin Mary] by her seed has crushed the head of the twisted serpent, & has alone destroyed all heresies, & by the blessed fruit of her womb has saved a world condemned by the fall of our first parent. From her, without human hand, was that stone cut, which, struck by wood, poured forth the abundantly flowing waters of graces."
—Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572, feast day: 30 April)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer."
—St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church (296-373, feast day: 2 May)