Hello John,
Reading today’s newsletter reminds me that nothing is impossible with God. God breaks through using unexpected people and situations to reveal the truth. In this case, a dogma of the Catholic faith: the Immaculate Conception of Mary. God often uses people we consider little, forgotten, or marginalized to humble and remind us that all people can be instruments of love. As we go about our busy day, let us be God’s instruments and offer a prayer or a helping hand for someone who needs a little support. Perhaps you will prayerfully consider supporting the friars to share this newsletter with more people. Donate today at https://www.franciscanmedia.org/newsletter. |
Christopher Meyer
Director of Development |
Saint of the Day for April 16: Bernadette Soubirous (January 7, 1844 – April 16, 1879)
Saint Bernadette Soubirous’ Story Bernadette Soubirous was born in 1844, the first child of an extremely poor miller in the town of Lourdes in southern France. The family was living in the basement of a dilapidated building when on February 11, 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in a cave above the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. Bernadette, 14 years old, was known as a virtuous girl though a dull student who had not even made her first Holy Communion. In poor health, she had suffered from asthma from an early age. There were 18 appearances in all, the final one occurring on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16. Although Bernadette’s initial reports provoked skepticism, her daily visions of “the Lady” brought great crowds of the curious. The Lady, Bernadette explained, had instructed her to have a chapel built on the spot of the visions. There, the people were to come to wash in and drink of the water of the spring that had welled up from the very spot where Bernadette had been instructed to dig. According to Bernadette, the Lady of her visions was a girl of 16 or 17 who wore a white robe with a blue sash. Yellow roses covered her feet, a large rosary was on her right arm. In the vision on March 25 she told Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” It was only when the words were explained to her that Bernadette came to realize who the Lady was. Few visions have ever undergone the scrutiny that these appearances of the Immaculate Virgin were subject to. Lourdes became one of the most popular Marian shrines in the world, attracting millions of visitors. Miracles were reported at the shrine and in the waters of the spring. After thorough investigation, Church authorities confirmed the authenticity of the apparitions in 1862. During her life, Bernadette suffered much. She was hounded by the public as well as by civic officials until at last she was protected in a convent of nuns. Five years later, she petitioned to enter the Sisters of Notre Dame of Nevers. After a period of illness she was able to make the journey from Lourdes and enter the novitiate. But within four months of her arrival she was given the last rites of the Church and allowed to profess her vows. She recovered enough to become infirmarian and then sacristan, but chronic health problems persisted. She died on April 16, 1879, at the age of 35. Bernadette Soubirous was canonized in 1933. Reflection Millions of people have come to the spring Bernadette uncovered for healing of body and spirit, but she found no relief from ill health there. Bernadette moved through life, guided only by blind faith in things she did not understand—as we all must do from time to time. |
The Beauty of the Beatitudes As Christians, the beauty of the beatitudes is that they remind us that this world is not our home. What we have in this life does not define our worth, nor does it represent anything that is lasting. The reason that Jesus says that those who are truly blessed are those who suffer (poverty, mourning, and the like) is not because he wants us to suffer; it’s because he wants us to realize that nothing in this world can ever fully satisfy. Only he can. And so, even though suffering may appear at first to be without benefit, if it helps us depend more on God, grow in empathy, and focus us on what really matters, how can it be anything but a blessing? —from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “Acting on the Beatitudes“
by Casey Cole, OFM |
"The addictive system, therefore, offers the illusion of power and freedom while holding back any real decision-making power. This is also why it must offer illusions of success—promotions, paychecks, and other symbols of prestige—to men who subconsciously know that moving to another section of the maze is no escape from the totally controlled game they are forced to play."
—From Wild Man to Wise Man |
The Giver of Life Reflect In the Nicene Creed, we recite, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.” Do we remember that in our daily lives? Do we thank the Lord for sustaining us? The Holy Spirit is our breath, and our lives cannot exist without this spiritual oxygen. Pray Holy Spirit,
You are the breath in my lungs, the air I breathe.
Let each of those breaths fill me with the peace and comfort
of knowing you are with me—in me, around me, and for me.
Let each breath remind me of your presence and love.
Amen. Act Sit quietly in an area free of distractions and concentrate on your breath. Don’t try to change or manipulate it; just watch it with your mind’s eye. Imagine the Holy Spirit as the air that flows in and out of your lungs, and feel the Spirit’s holy presence. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Colleen Arnold, MD. Learn more here! |
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