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CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES
For Our STELLA MARIS
Family of Parishes
including:
St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,
St. Mary's, St. Peter's
JUNE 11
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MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
“For every Catholic there lies ready an immeasurable treasure:
the proximity of the Lord in the holy sacrifice
and in the most holy sacrament of the altar.
Whoever is imbued with a lively faith in Christ
present in the tabernacle, whoever knows that a friend
awaits here constantly –
always with the time, patience, and sympathy to listen to complaints, petitions, and problems, with counsel and help in all things –
this person cannot remain desolate and forsaken
even under the greatest difficulties.
He always has a refuge where
quietude and peace can again be found.”
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
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WHO WAS
ST. TERESA BENEDICTA
OF THE CROSS?
Born Edith Stein on October 12, 1891
– the date coincided with her family's celebration of Yom Kippur,
the Jewish “Day of Atonement.”
Her father died when she was just two years old,
and she stopped practicing her Jewish faith as an adolescent.
As a young woman with profound intellectual gifts,
Edith's studies gravitated toward philosophy,
becoming a pupil of the renowned professor
Edmund Husserl in 1913.
Through her studies, the non-religious Edith met several Christians whose intellectual and spiritual lives she admired.
After earning her degree with the highest honors
from Gottingen University in 1915,
she was a nurse in an Austrian field hospital during World War I.
Returning to academic work in 1916, Edith earned her doctorate, having written a highly-regarded thesis on the phenomenon of empathy.
Interested in the idea of religious commitment, she did not yet make
such a commitment herself.
While visiting friends in 1921,
Edith read through the night the autobiography of the 16th century Carmelite nun St. Teresa of Avila.
“When I had finished the book,” she later recalled,
“I said to myself: This is the truth.”
She was baptized into the Catholic Church
on the first day of January, 1922, and eventually
became Sister Teresa Benedicta.
After completing her final work,
a study of St. John of the Cross entitled “The Science of the Cross,”
on August 7, 1942, the Nazis
the Nazis arrested her, her sister Rosa
(who had also become Catholic)
and the rest of her religious community.
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St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross died
in the concentration camp at Auschwitz
on August 9, 1942.
Blessed John Paul II canonized her in 1998.
Click below for a more detailed biography of this remarkable saint:
MORE ABOUT ST. BENEDICTA OF THE CROSS
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UNDERSTANDING
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST CELEBRATION
The solemn feast of Corpus Christi is this Sunday, THREE feasts in one!
Feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice
Feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist
Feast of the Real Presence of Jesus in this Sacrament
This doctrinal feast day was established for three purposes, to:
1) Give God collective thanks for Christ’s abiding presence
with us in the Eucharist and to honor Him there;
2) Instruct the people in the Mystery, Faith and devotion
surrounding the Eucharist
3) Teach us to appreciate and make use of the great gift
of the Holy Eucharist, both as a Sacrament and as a sacrifice.
Click below to read how the primary purpose of this Feast Day
is to focus our attention on the Eucharist:
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Click below to watch a short video highlighting the importance of this Feast Day:
THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
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RETREAT GUIDE ON THE EUCHARIST
The sacrament of our Lord’s Body and Blood
in the Eucharist,
what we celebrate on Corpus Christi,
brings God near to us in a truly wonder-full way.
The infinite and eternal Divinity actually comes to dwell in us,
sacramentally, in the tiny, fragile, plain host.
We can hold Him the palm of our hands.
We can receive Him into our very lives.
In the Eucharist, the infinitely distant God
—the eternal “Other” of so many religious traditions—
makes Himself wildly present, graspable, available!!
Click below to gain access to this FREE online retreat guide:
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY
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INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY
by Pope Benedict XVI
Since his death was announced
December 31, 2022,
Catholic commentators around the globe have rightly
called attention to the fact that
Joseph Ratzinger/ Benedict XVI
was one of the most brilliant theological minds of the 20th century.
Some rank him among the best theologians
in the entire history of Christianity
and calling for him to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
You are invited!
Journey through Pope Benedict XVI’s
most famous work,
"Introduction to Christianity."
Written by Fr. Advani Sameer, LC, this five-part Meditation Novena
will walk you through this dense text in an approachable way –
with the heart of Pope Benedict.
Click below to sign up for a weekly email (every Sunday)
with an excerpt from "Introduction to Christianity,"
a short commentary, and questions for reflection.
WISDOM OF POPE BENEDICT XVI
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GROWING IN FAITH THIS SUMMER
Summer is normally the time we take a
break from things.
School is over, the weather is nice,
and most people take at least some time off work.
Even the liturgical calendar seems to reflect
this yearly sabbath,
moving out of the spiritually “busy” seasons
of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter
... into the mundanely named “Ordinary Time.”
Find here, then, 10 SIMPLE
Click below to read 10 simple ways that you can open yourself
to the growth God desires for you:
10 WAYS TO GROW IN FAITH
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HOW TO MAINTAIN CHRISTIAN JOY
In the brand new series Choose Joy,
you will learn
practical ways to maintain your joy and peace,
... following the example of Our Lady.
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Reflect on the Joyful Mysteries and how they teach us to choose joy
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Foster a deeper relationship with the Blessed Mother
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Discern what's holding you back
Achieve the incredible peace and joy that God wants for you!
This series launches on June 20th!
Click below to sign up:
CHOOSE JOY!!
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FEAST DAY OF THE
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
FRIDAY, JUNE 16
In 1675, Jesus told St. Margaret Mary that He wanted
the Feast of the Sacred Heart to be celebrated
on the Friday after the Corpus Christi octave.
In 1856, the Feast of the Sacred Heart became a universal feast.
St. John Paul II, a great devotee of the Sacred Heart, said,
“This feast reminds us of the mystery
of the love of God for the people of all times.”
PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore you, I love you, and with lively
sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure and
wholly obedient to your will.
Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you.
Protect me in the midst of danger.
Comfort me in my afflictions.
Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs,
your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Amen.
Click below to read where the Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotion came from:
DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS
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LITANY FOR
CORPUS CHRISTI
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
(Response for the following: Have mercy on us.)
God the Father of Heaven …
God the Son, Redeemer of the world …
God the Holy Spirit …
Holy Trinity, One God …
(Response for the following: Save us.)
Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father …
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God …
Blood of Christ, of the new and Eternal Testament …
Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony …
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging …
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns …
Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross …
Blood of Christ, Price of our salvation …
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness …
Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls …
Blood of Christ, river of mercy …
Blood of Christ, Victor over demons …
Blood of Christ, Courage of martyrs …
Blood of Christ, Strength of confessors …
Blood of Christ, bringing forth virgins …
Blood of Christ, Help of those in peril …
Blood of Christ, Relief of the burdened …
Blood of Christ, Solace in sorrow …
Blood of Christ, Hope of the penitent …
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying …
Blood of Christ, Peace and Tenderness of hearts …
Blood of Christ, Pledge of Eternal Life …
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory …
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor …
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy blood.
R. And made of us a kingdom for our God.
Let us pray:
Almighty and Eternal God, thou hast appointed thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world, and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beseech thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation, and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of this present life, so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ Our Lord.
R. Amen.
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And for inspiration through
our Family of Parishes' Patron...
Click below to read the:
AVE MARIS STELLA PRAYER
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA in GREGORIAN CHANT
Click below to hear:
AVE MARIS STELLA SUNG IN ENGLISH
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NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL
NEW WEEKLY INFO
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Let’s Be Holy Together
“It is in the sun of the Eucharist that Ricardo Arguello
and Maria Laura Restrepo’s relationship
has developed in these past few years.”
Br. Nathaniel Muñoz, SCTJM, shares the testimony
of this young couple who, through their
frequent encounters with Jesus in the Eucharist,
seek God’s will in their lives.
Click the link below to read:
LETS BE HOLY TOGETHER
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Eucharistic Revival is on the Horizon
with Tim Glemkowski
Tim Glemkowski, Executive Director of the National Eucharistic Congress,
sits down for a conversation with Dr. Richard Ludwick,
president of the University of St. Thomas-Houston.
They discuss the National Eucharistic Revival,
the impact of a movement like this,
and how the Church in the United States
is on mission for Jesus through this three-year journey.
Click below to watch now:
EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL ON THE HORIZON
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Pentecost and the Eucharistic Revival
How is the Holy Spirit connected to the Eucharist?
Fr. Landry offers some insights on the work
of the Holy Spirit through the Mass
and provides a beautiful template for how to
pray the Mass in union with the Holy Spirit.
Click below to read more:
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE EUCHARIST
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In the Streets
Another major moment in the Revival:
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
one of the largest Eucharistic pilgrimages in history!
We will process with our Eucharistic Lord on 4 routes,
departing from our nation's north, south, east, and west edges.
These branches will meet in Indianapolis in July 2024
for the National Eucharistic Congress.
To see the four routes, and intercessor for each, click below:
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE ROUTES
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Registration for the Congress
With all the grace Our Lord wants to pour over the U. S.
through this Congress,
the devil wants to disrupt it in big and little ways.
Please pray - even just a quick prayer -
for everyone involved, especially:
• The technology that will process registrations
• Congress volunteers
• Event organizers and administrative staff
• All those considering attending
• All who God is calling to the Congress, especially sacrifice to be there
• The pilgrims as they prepare for the National Eucharistic Procession
Thank you for being a Prayer Partner of the Revival.
Your intercession makes a real difference!!!
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WILL YOU BE THERE, TOO?
You can join us in July, 2024 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.
Directly experience the fruits of your intercession and
see its impact around the country.
Click the link below to REGISTER:
REGISTRATION FOR 10TH
NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE
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QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK
WHO WAS THE FIRST INCORRUPTIBLE?
Scroll down to find the answer!
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HUMOR HIGHLIGHT
ONE IN EVERY ROOM
One Sunday our priest announced he was passing out
miniature crosses made of palm leaves.
"Put this cross in the room where your family argues most," he advised.
"When you look at it, the cross will remind you that God is watching."
As I was leaving church,
the woman in front of me walked up to the priest,
shook his hand, and said, "I'll take five."
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GOSPEL READING REFLECTION
For JUNE 11, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI
Gospel: Jn 6:51-58
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THE EUCHARIST
- The Chosen People received bread from heaven, to sustain them in life during their forty-year sojourn in the desert when God tested them to see if they really intended to follow his commandments.
- Christ promises us bread from heaven which will give us eternal life. This bread is Christ himself. To receive him, we must do something seemingly impossible and abhorrent: to “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood.”
- How this could be true and how it could be done was not known until the Last Supper when Christ said of the bread and wine: this is my body and this is my blood.
- This is how we get the life of God: “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
- The truth about the Eucharist, which we celebrate today, is too vast to do much more than summarize, which the sequence does poetically.
- Here is a very brief definition of the Eucharist from Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
- The Eucharist is “the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.”
- Christ “is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine.”
- He makes himself present “in order to offer himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion.”
- This reality “is called Eucharist, or ‘thanksgiving,’ because at its institution at the Last Supper Christ ‘gave thanks,’ and by this fact it is the supreme object and act of Christian gratitude to God.”
- “Although the same name is used, the Eucharist is any one or all three aspects of one mystery, namely the Real Presence, the Sacrifice, and Communion.
- “As Real Presence, the Eucharist is Christ in his abiding existence on earth today;
- “as Sacrifice, it is Christ in his abiding action of High Priest, continuing now to communicate the graces he merited on Calvary;
- “and as Communion, it is Christ coming to enlighten and strengthen the believer by nourishing his soul for eternal life.”
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ANSWER TO QUIZ
St. Cecilia
1,400 years after her death, St. Cecilia's body was still intact.
Born around the year 200 as the
daughter of a noble Roman family,
she wished to remain a virgin
but was given in marriage to the nobleman Valerian.
At her request, he respected her vow of virginity,
and was converted to the Faith, along with his brother Tiburtius.
After her husband and brother-in-law's deaths,
the authorities tried to kill Cecilia
by smothering her with steam in a bath house.
She was miraculously saved,
so an executioner was sent to behead her.
He struck her three times but failed to decapitate her.
She lay seriously wounded for three days before dying,
her head turned to the floor, her hands symbolically
expressing her faith in the Holy Trinity:
pointing three fingers of one hand,
and one finger of the other—three Persons in one God.
It was in this position that Cardinal Sfondrati
and his witnesses found Cecilia’s incorrupt body
when they uncovered her casket.
Out of reverence, they left her body in that position.
After allowing pilgrims to come venerate this holy virgin-martyr,
miraculously preserved from corruption,
they reinterred her.
Stefano Maderno’s famous sculpture
—now displayed in front of the altar where she is buried—
illustrates the posture in which she died.
See below...
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BOOK
RECOMMENDATION
We need to be armed for battle!
At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,
we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.
Order though your favorite book dealer.
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This week's recommendation is:
The Science of the Cross
by Edith Stein
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To help celebrate the fourth centenary of
St. John of the Cross's 1542 birth,
Edith Stein received the task of preparing a study of his writings.
Using her skill as a philosopher, she entered an illuminating reflection
on the difference between the two symbols of cross and night.
Noting how entering the night is synonymous with carrying the cross,
Stein concisely presents
John's thought on the active and passive nights,
as discussed in his
"The Ascent of Mount Carmel and The Dark Night."
All of this leads Edith to speak of
the glory of resurrection that the soul shares,
through a unitive contemplation
described chiefly in The Living Flame of Love.
In the summer of 1942, without warrant, the Nazis took Edith away.
The nuns found this profound study's manuscript lying open in her room.
Through its wise words, God waits for you.
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We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful
spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,
Christ centered life.
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