The Gift of the Priesthood

Watch this vocation video.  Learn that the seminary is full of young men discerning a vocation.

Sunday Snippets

It’s time once again for Sunday Snippets. We are Catholic bloggers sharing weekly our best posts with one another.  Join us to read and/or contribute. To participate, go to your blog and create a post titled Sunday Snippets–A Catholic Carnival. Make sure that the post links back to here, and leave a link to your  snippets post on our host, RAnn’s, site, This, That and the Other Thing.This Sunday I'm calling attention to the Novena for the Spiritual Welfare of the Black Community.  Please pray with us.

Novena for the Spiritual Welfare of the Black American Community

Look what I found!  I was searching for sacraments and came across this post from 2013.  It's apropos to pray a novena in this Black Lives Matter atmosphere.

A little explanation for non-Catholics, a novena is a prayer said for nine days. Catholics tend to have different expressions that are shortcuts for longer explanations.  For example, when I say that this prayer is to Father Augustine John Tolton, I don't mean that I am worshipping him.  NO Catholic worships anybody, or thing, except God.  Praying to Father Augustine John Tolton, means asking his intercession.  Since Catholics believe in the Communion of Saints, we pray (talk) to those who have gone before us.  We are in communion with them and talk (pray) to them.  We pray and Father Tolton will pray.  So that's constant praying.  Get it?

Why Father Augustine John Tolton?  Father Tolton was the first black priest in America (ordained 1886)  The diocese of Chicago is promoting him for sainthood. Since the country is in turmoil over the Zimmerman trial, and we people seem divided by race, I think it is a good idea to appeal to Father Tolton for help.

Father Augustine John Tolton
First Black American Priest
Ordained 1886

                     NOVENA for the Spiritual Welfare of the Black American Community

 (This Novena was approved and Blessed by Bishop Joseph Perry on October 22, 2012) 

 Begin each Prayer with: - One ‘Our Father’ - One ‘Apostle’s Creed’, and - Three ‘Hail Mary’s’

 FIRST PRAYER: FOR THE SPIRITUAL ANCHORING OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY
O’ Father Augustus Tolton, whose faith was grounded in Christ Jesus at an early age, pray the same for all of the Black community in America, so that together they might be unified in one faith, one Lord, one Baptism, and God. Pray Father Tolton for the Black community to find and to love that same fullness of their faith that you found through the Catholic Church, and that Church would find a deeper fullness of itself in that community. Pray Father Tolton for the Holy Eucharist to become the source and summit of Christian life in the Black community and for that unique Presence of Christ Jesus to work to conform all peoples into His image before God the Father. Amen. 

SECOND PRAYER: FOR THE MORAL FORMATION OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
Pray O’ Father Augustus Tolton, teacher of truth, for the moral formation of the youth in the Black community in America. Pray for their moral grounding in the teachings of Christ our Lord, so that they might be living witnesses of the Beatitudes. Pray Father Tolton for a strengthening and fortification of the Holy Spirit in the Black community so that it might be guided and protected in all Truth, and thereby able withstand all assaults by the Evil One. Amen.

 THIRD PRAYER: FOR THE STABILITY AND STRENGTH OF MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
Strong families and marriages are the woven threads that have always proved to be most beneficial for all healthy societies. Pray O’ Father Augustus Tolton that all husbands will love their wives as Christ loved the Church and love their wives as their own bodies. Pray that each wife will embrace her role as a type of Church in the household and embrace her husband and children as members of her body. Pray Father Tolton for the sanctity and dignity of marriages in the Black community in America and to the end of the sexual impurity and promiscuity that has led to far too many fatherless homes. Pray for the restoration of true Christ-like masculinity for Black men, and for women to look upon our Blessed Mother as a beckon of faithfulness and womanhood. Amen.

FOURTH PRAYER: FOR PEACE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
O’ Father Augustus Tolton, servant of Peace, pray for an end of all forms of violence and for an everlasting peace in the Black community in America. Dear servant of the King of Peace, violence against each other betrays our progress and robs us of our future. Pray then Father Tolton that we all might know Christ Jesus enough so that we will see Him in each other. Pray then O’ Father Tolton that in the pursuit of peace we might go from seeing Jesus in each other, to loving each other through Him, and cooperating with all that grace empowers us to bring the in-dwelling of Christ more fully out of each other. Pray Father Tolton for the reign of Peace throughout the world, and even more especially in communities that are harmed by persistent violence. Amen.

 FIFTH PRAYER: FOR GOOD EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
The doors of opportunity in the world are open to all, and are open even more fully to those who have been educated. Pray O’ Father Augustus Tolton, teacher of children, for the Holy Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to pour out abundantly over the Black community in America, and that the schools and universities that service these communities will be blessed with the resources, staff, and faculty they need to achieve their goals. Pray for Catholic schools and universities’ fidelity to the teachings of the Church, and that they might open their doors to all, especially to the poor and to the disadvantaged. Amen.
 SIXTH PRAYER: FOR GAINFUL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
O’ Father Augustus Tolton, as we seek your intercession for the spiritual needs of the Black community in America, we also come to you dear servant of God to ask for your prayers for their material needs. Pray Father Tolton for those in the Black community to have good economic opportunities in their community to find gainful employment or to start a business, so that all might have the resources they need to provide for themselves, their family, and their Church. Pray Father Tolton that God might fill in all of us the spirit of a cheerful giver so that we might remember that all that has been given to us we will, in-return, give back. Amen

SEVENTH PRAYER: FOR THE END OF ABORTION IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Far too much treasure of the Black community in America has been lost through the tragedy of abortion. Pray O’ Father Augustus Tolton, for a quickening of the Holy Spirit in the Black community so that its conscience will be awakened to know that each child conceived belongs to God, and that God has given each child a plan and purpose for its life. Pray for an end of sexual objectification, adultery, and pre marital sex that paves the way to compounded bad decisions. Pray that medical professionals will learn to see and recognize the beauty of all pre-natal children, even those that may be born different than us. Pray Father Tolton for all women and men who have in some way participated in abortions for their forgiveness and healing. Pray for all pregnant women to have all of the help and support that they need to bring their child safely into the world, so that it might have the opportunity to know, love, and serve God in this life and in the next. Amen. 

EIGHTH PRAYER: FOR MORE CATHOLIC EVANGELISTS TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY
O’ Father Augustus Tolton, who always sought out new opportunities to reach out to the community, pray O’ faithful servant of God for the Lord to send more faithful evangelists of the Gospel into the Black communities in America. Pray Father Tolton that the Lord might send us more like you to point God’s children to the light and love of Christ Jesus through the lenses of the Catholic Church. And pray Father Tolton that wherever the faithful evangelist might go that he or she will have the courage to speak only what God has given them to say, and that their words will fall upon fertile soil. Amen.

NINTH PRAYER: FOR MORE VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD, DIACONATE, AND CONSECRATED LIFE FROM THE BLACK COMMUNITY 
O’ Father Augustus Tolton intercede for us and pray that as the Eternal Father sent you that He will send more from the Black community in America to serve God’s people as Priests, Deacons, and consecrated Religious. Pray Father Tolton for the Church’s cup to overflow with blessings from vocations of men and women responding to their call to serve God’s children in love. Amen.

Read more at: http://www.toltonnovena.org/novena/ | Father Augustus Tolton Novena

Why Adoration?

While treading water at Menauhant Beach, my friend and I were discussing Eucharist Adoration. (Doesn't everybody do that at the beach?)  Our parish has stopped Adoration, for the summer.  My friend expressed the opinion that she doesn't see, nor understand the reason for Adoration.  Why is it even needed, when Jesus is everywhere, and especially present, in the Tabernacle?

At the time, I couldn't think of a response.  (Getting sunstroke is as good a reason as any.)  However, I've been thinking and praying about an answer, ever since.  I even solicited help from my Facebook friends.  And their posts kept me thinking.

This is what I'm going to explain to her.  Appealing to the magisterium of the Church doesn't reach everybody.  Many find it difficult and are not inclined that way.  What does appeal to everybody is attaining a personal relationship with God.  A good teacher will use visual, auditory, and tactile means to get a lesson across.  Hence, to give the people a personal relationship with Jesus, visual, audio, and tactile means will work well.

Although anybody and everyone may enter a Catholic Church and pray before the Tabernacle, it isn't the same as a beautiful visual aid, known as Eucharistic Adoration.  That is obvious.  The Host in the monstrance is drawing all eyes to adore It.  Add benediction and the smell of incense will appeal to the senses.  Chant and song, and people are really participating in communal praise and glory to God.

What more could the people need?

Ah...a loving feminine touch would complete the devotion.  Praying the rosary  (fingering prayer beads) is a long established method of relating to Jesus, through His Mother.

I therefore conclude that Eucharistic Adoration is not more important than spending prayer time before the Tabernacle, but it is one very powerful devotion that has a unique importance all on its own. 

Litany to the Saints of Bethany

Litany to the Saints of Bethany

Martha, always willing to

welcome Jesus at your home    

                                                                                                           - teach us confidence

you have stuck to Jesus,

when your brother had died                                                                   - teach us confidence

you have tamed the dragon                  

                                                                                                           - teach us confidence

Mary, friend of understanding                                                                - teach us devotion

Mary, regardless of the talk of the others                                                 - teach us devotion

Mary, tender and lavish                                                                         - teach us devotion

Lazarus, friend of the Lord                                                                      - teach us friendship

Lazarus, having come alive through Jesus                                                  - teach us friendship

Lazarus, generous and inviting                                                               - teach us friendship

Siblings of Bethany                                                                                - teach us how to love

Mary, mother, who sticks by her child                                              - teach us how to believe

Mary, sister of all who are powerless,

who believe and struggle                                                                             - teach us how to believe

Mary, who loves chastely                                                                             - teach us how to believe

Magdalene, freed to love by

the Lord                                                                                    - teach us not to give up on anyone

Magdalene, who has followed

Jesus to the cross                                                                       - teach us not to give up on anyone

Magdalene, herald of

the risen Christ                                                                        - teach us not to give up on anyone

John, the Lord’s favorite disciple                                                                     - teach us reliability

John, who has stuck with Jesus,

when all others fled                                                                                       -teach us reliability

John, to whom the Lord could

entrust His mother                                                                                       - teach us reliability

You women and men under the cross                                                          - teach us how to love

Joseph, you protected Mary and her

child from all suspicions                                                                                - teach us loyalty

Joseph, you followed the hints of God,

even if they thwarted your plans                                                                - teach us loyalty

Joseph, full of concern to the vulnerable                                                 - teach us loyalty

Fr. Lataste, converted converter                                                           - teach us inner freedom

Fr. Lataste, you returned their dignity

to the prisoners                                                                              - teach us inner freedom

Despite so much resistance, you have

defended Bethany as God’s deed                                                         - teach us inner freedom

Fr. Boulanger and all friends and

benefactors of Bethany                                                                      - teach us solidarity

You have helped Bethany out of so

many difficulties                                                                                     - teach us solidarity

You have taken an interest by sharing                                                    - teach us solidarity

You, whom Bethany owes its existence to                                               - teach us how to love

M. Henri Dominique, mother and sister

of all who have been entrusted to you                                                    - teach us mercy

M. Henri Dominique, you have led

Bethany with much courage and

knowledge of human nature                                                                        -teach us mercy

M. Henri Dominique, you have trusted

in God in all difficulties                                                                              - teach us mercy

Sr. Noel, you have nearly despaired

in your powerlessness                                                                   - teach us, not to predefine anyone

Sr. Noel, justified, because you

were willing to forgive                                                       - teach us, not to predefine anyone

Sr. Noel, you symbol that a

new start is really possible                                                              -teach us, not to predefine anyone

You sisters, who have built up

Bethany, you committed yourself

for it with heart and soul                                                                               - teach us perseverance

You have suffered so much and

experienced so much joy                                                                                - teach us perseverance

You lived together and for each

other in the enthusiasm of Jesus                                                                       - teach us perseverance

You founders and sisters of Bethany                                                                 - teach us how to love

Jesus, God, who became a human

being, in order to live with us                                                                             - love in us

Jesus, human being, who became

bread so as we may live                                                                                     - love in us

Jesus, center of our community                                                                          - love in us

*  Credit to Sister Hannah Rita Laue, O.P., a Dominican Sister of Bethany, for her drawing used with this Litany.

Sunstroke

The sun got to me.  Yesterday, my friend and I swam, tread water, and just floated for over an hour, at Menauhant Beach.  I think I got sunstroke.

I was wearing a hat, when I was just sitting on the beach.  But I took it off, when I went into the water.  I thought I'd just dunk my head in the water, when I got hot.  I did.  However, the sun reflects off the water, so the sunlight was doubly burning my head.  Since my hair was thin, it was burning my scalp.  Dunking my head, made it worse, because then my wet hair was plastered together in places, and other places bare scalp was exposed.

I felt nauseous all day.  I had a head ache.  My skin felt tight.  The ends of my fingers tinkled.

I couldn't sleep all night, so I'm too tired to see how I feel.

Lord, have mercy.

A Suspicious Samaritan

My "cloistered brothers" and I were doing group Lectio Divina.  We were reading Luke 10: 25-37.  This is the parable of the Good Samaritan.  We shared our thoughts.

Most of the "cloistered brothers" identified with the robbers--at least for a part of their lives.  Some identified with the innkeeper, who probably wrestled with his conscience, regarding whether or not he could take advantage of the Samaritan.

Personally?  No matter how many times I read the story, I always identified with the Samaritan.  I could see myself coming across someone who needed help.  Upon my first reading, my thoughts were confused and rushed:

How can I help?
He's a Jew.
He may be repulsed by my being a Samaritan.
I can't take him home.
I can't take him to an inn, I have no money.
Who knows how much this will cost?
I have no other means to help him.

Then I listened to my "cloistered brothers" share their thoughts. This time, some said they were the priests; they never would have noticed the man in the ditch.  Custody of the eyes, you know.

I read it again.  This time I identified what my problem was.  Again, I was the Samaritan.  Again, I thought of excuses why I couldn't help the man.  I concluded that I couldn't take a chance that this entire scene wasn't a "set up."  If I went to help him, I would immediately be set upon by the robbers.  The wounded man was a trap.  And even if it wasn't, the wounded man might sue me for causing more damage to him than the original violence.

See, I was AFRAID to get involved.

And I justified my passing by the wounded man, by saying that I'd go for help.  I'd look for some Jewish people who could help a fellow Jew.  This is what I determined the intelligent answer.

Although my cloistered brothers and I, shared our thoughts, regarding the different roles we were playing, I don't think anyone identified with the wounded man, who needed help.

Isn't that odd?  We are all wounded.  We all have needed help, at one time, or another.