Saints + Scripture: Allhallowtide

The Popish Plot
"Catholic Traditions: Allhallowtide"

Gracefully Catholic
"Soul Cakes"

'Tis All Hallows' Eve (also spelt Hallowe'en, A.K.A. All Saints' Eve), the vigil of the Solemnity of All Saints: All Saints' Eve-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Allhallowtide.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Quentin of Amiens, Martyr (died 287), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 924-994, the "Great Almoner"), Bishop of Regensburg (Anglicized as Ratisbon): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Regensburg & Wikipedia-link Bishops.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Tommaso of Florence, Religious, T.O.S.F. (1370-1447, A.K.A. Tommaso Bellacci): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez, Religious, S.J. (1532-1617): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Irene Stefani, Religious, M.C. (1891-1930, "Nyaatha" ["Merciful Mother"], A.K.A. Aurelia Mercede Stefani): Blessed-link ūna, Blessed-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Romans, chapter eight, verses thirty-one(b) thru thirty-nine;
Psalm One Hundred Nine (R/. twenty-six[b]), verses twenty-one & twenty-two, twenty-six & twenty-seven, & thirty & thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

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

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus compares himself to a mother hen who longs to gather her chicks under her wing. As the theologian N.T. Wright points out, this is much more than a sentimental image. It refers to the gesture of a hen when fire is sweeping through the barn. In order to protect her chicks, she will sacrifice herself, gathering them under her wing and using her own body as a shield.

On the cross, Jesus used, as it were, his own sacrificed body as a shield, taking the full force of the world’s hatred and violence. He entered into close quarters with sin (because that’s where we sinners are found) and allowed the heat and fury of sin to destroy him, even as he protected us.

With this metaphor in mind, we can see, with special clarity, why the first Christians associated the crucified Jesus with the suffering servant of Isaiah. By enduring the pain of the cross, Jesus did indeed bear our sins; by his stripes we were indeed healed.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Wisdom Books
The Book of Sirach, chapter twenty-one (verses one thru twenty-eight).

Commentary: Various Sins & Foolishness (Sirach, 21:1-28).

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 39
The Book of Joshua, chapter twenty-two, verses ten thru thirty-four.

Commentary: An Altar of Witness by the Jordan (Joshua, 22:10-34).

Proverb o' the Day (Sirach, 21:14)

The mind of a fool is like a broken jar;
it will hold no knowledge.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"The persons who does not feel indebted to God remains entangled in restless inclination toward self. But to the heart of the truly humble believer the Lord reveals His presence, His sovereignty in saving power, His justice in the infinite greatness of His mercy."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Love the Madonna & pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother."
—St. Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968, feast day: 23 September)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"A physical duel can only leave you a little more dead. A mental duel can only leave you a little more alive."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)