Saints + Scripture

The Popish Plot
"Why We're Catholic Book Club: Truth & God (Part 1)"

'Tis the festival of Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, Bishop (circa 99-216): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Abraham Kidunaia, Priest & Hermit (circa 296-366; A.K.A. the Great, of Kidunja): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Colman mac Duagh, Bishop & Abbot (circa 560-632, A.K.A. of Kilmacduagh), founder of the Kilmacduagh Monastery: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Monastery.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gaetano Errico, Priest (1791-1860), founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Missionaries.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Chiara Badano (1971-1990, "Luce"): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verse thirty-two thru chapter five, verse eight;
Psalm One, verses one & two, three, & four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses ten thru seventeen.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel gives us a wonderful story Jesus of performing a miracle, something he still does today. I want to draw your attention to an extraordinary book by Protestant scholar Craig Keener titled Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts. The most surprising section of the book contains his reports of some of the millions of miracles that come, even today, from all over the world.

I’ll relay to you just one case from Keener’s book. Ed Wilkinson’s eight-year-old son was found to have two holes in his heart. Surgery was scheduled and, while he was waiting, Ed prayed, but he was struggling with doubts. When his son asked whether he was going to die, his father was honest with him.

Ed’s pastor decided to hold a prayer service for the boy, during which hundreds gathered to pray for his recovery. The day of the surgery arrived, and Ed was told the surgery would take four to six hours. After about a half hour, the surgeon entered the waiting area, and Ed feared for the worst. Instead, the doctor had inexplicable news: there were no holes in the boy’s heart. They had simply closed up.

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

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Wherever God does not have pride of place,… human dignity is at risk. It is therefore urgent to bring our contemporaries to 'rediscover' the authentic face of God, who revealed Himself to us in Jesus Christ."
—Pope Benedict XVI (born 1927, reigned 2005-2013)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"My God, by how many different ways you lead souls!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Only Christ's law, only Christ's grace can renew & restore private & public life. He alone can redress the true balance of rights & duties, check unbridled self-interest, control passion, implement & perfect the course of justice with His overflowing charity."
—Pope Venerable Pius XII (1876-1958)