Category: SATURDAY JULY 23, 2016

… Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You, And desire nothing save only You. Let me hate myself and love You. Let me do everything for the sake of You. Let me humble myself and exalt You. Let me think of nothing except You. Let me die to myself and live in You. Let me accept whatever happens as from You. Let me banish self and follow You, And ever desire to follow You. Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You, That I may deserve to be defended by You. Let me fear for myself, let me fear You, And let me be among those who are chosen by You. Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You. Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You. Let me cling to nothing save only to You, And let me be poor because of You. Look upon me, that I may love You. Call me that I may see You, And for ever enjoy You. Amen. … Prayer of Fr. John Schneider to Our Lady Oh Virgin Mary, with the highest reverence and humbleness I hurry to fall to Your feet and praise You as a daughter of God the Father, as the Virgin Mother of the Son of God, as the most venerable Bride...

COLLECT O God, who guided Saint Bridget of Sweden along different paths of life and wondrously taught her the wisdom of the Cross as she contemplated the Passion of your Son, grant us, we pray, that, walking worthily in our vocation, we may seek you in all things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. FIRST READING Galatians 2:19-20 A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians. Brothers and sisters: through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. The Word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, who answered me,...

The gate of mercy (The Jubilee Year of Mercy and the celebration of Eucharist as the Gate of Mecy) Feast of St. Bridget of Sweden, the nun, and a patron saint of Europe Personage of Day: Johannes SCHNEIDER Johannes Schneider was born on January 11, 1842 in Mieszkowice, Silesia, as the son of a poor farmer family. His parish priest made it possible for him to visit the college in Nysa. After he had accomplished his theological studies in Wroclaw he received the ordination to priesthood on the 1st of July, 1849. Johannes Schneider was very open social and charitable issues and 1854 the bishop entrusted him with the task to found an association which was supposed to halo socially endangered house maids. These young women and girls came into the cities looking for work. While searching for a job and accommodations they were often left without help and found themselves forced into prostitution. Johannes Schneider founded the Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary to help the young girls. The society developed into the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Sisters. His high expectations towards his Sisters and collaborators as well as the unstable situation of the Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary lead to a fluctuation of employees. Shortly before his death on the 7th of December in 1876, however, the society was given the permission by the government to...