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October 2020
The month of August is dedicated to The Immaculate Heart of Mary. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time. The Holy Father's Intentions for the month of August The Maritime World: The Maritime World: We pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families |
Focus of the Liturgy
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Highlights of the MonthAugust is often considered the transitional month in our seasonal calendar. It is the time of the year we begin to wind-down from our summer travels and vacations and prepare for Autumn — back to school, fall festivals, harvest time, etc. The Church in her holy wisdom has provided a cycle of events in its liturgical year which allow the faithful to celebrate the major feasts in the life of Christ and Mary. Most notably, during August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the feast of the Assumption (August 15).
The other main feasts of this month are: St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1) St. John Mary Vianney (August 4) Dedication of St. Mary Major (August 5) Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6) St. Sixtus II and Companions and St. Cajetan (August 7) St. Dominic (August 8) St. Lawrence (August 10) St. Clare (August 11) St. Jane Frances de Chantal (August 12) St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14) St. John Eudes (August 19) St. Bernard (August 20) St. Pius X (August 21) The Queenship of Mary (August 22) St. Bartholomew (August 24) St. Louis of France (August 25) St. Monica (August 27) St. Augustine (August 28) and the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (August 29). The feasts of St. Eusebius of Vercelli and St. Peter Julian Eymard (August 2), St. Teresa Benedicta (August 9), St. Stephen of Hungary (August 16), and St. Rose of Lima (August 23) fall on a Sunday so they are superseded by the Sunday Liturgy. |
Food for ThoughtBELIEVING THAT “WE CONQUER OVERWHELMINGLY” IN JESUS CHRIST
In all these things we conquer overwhelmingly. (Romans 8:37) Julius Caesar. Alexander the Great. Napoleon Bonaparte. Genghis Khan. What do these men have in common? They were among the world’s greatest conquerors. They waged military campaigns that took them far and wide, forming mighty empires along the way. Would you include Jesus in that list? Or St. Paul? Or yourself, for that matter? We don’t think of Christ, or Christians in general, as conquerors. Jesus died an ignoble death at the hands of the Romans. St. Paul was beheaded by the same empire. They looked more like the conquered than conquerors. Even today many Christians are martyred by those in power. And yet through his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, Jesus conquered the greatest enemies of all: sin and death. And because of our baptism into Christ, that’s a victory we all share in—no matter what befalls us in this life. Paul’s words must have comforted the early Christians whenever they experienced persecution for their faith. Even when it looked like they were “losing,” they knew they were actually “winning.” They trusted that not even the worst calamity could separate them from Jesus (Romans 8:39)! These verses can bring you comfort as well. You may be experiencing the kind of anguish and distress that St. Paul described. Or maybe you are repeatedly “losing” to a certain temptation. Whatever the case, know that as you cling to the Lord, you will “win” in the end. One day Jesus will welcome you into his heavenly kingdom, and everything will be made right and beautiful. Until then, remember that God will never separate himself from you; his love is too strong, too real and solid. And through that love, you too will triumph over sin, death, and all the trials of life. You too will be a conqueror. “Jesus, may I never be separated from your love!” |