The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8/15/2011

Our Lady, the Rosa Mystica, honored

in St. Anthony's Church (Kailua) on the

Feast of the Assumption.

Although the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption is normally not observed as a Holy Day of Obligation in America, our new priest, Fr. Clarence, decided to honor the Blessed Mother by celebrating a Mass for her on this evening.  My pilgrim statue was invited to be a part of the special Mass and it was a very meaningful addition to the liturgical festivities.

During the homily, Fr. Clarence spoke briefly about the Church's devotion to Mary and then did something that was different from the norm... but wonderful - he spent most of the time he allotted for his preaching in leading the congregation in various traditional hymns to Our Lady: Hail Mary, Gentle Woman... Immaculate Mary... O Sanctissima... Salve Regina, etc. I thought it was a beautiful and fitting way to honor the sublime virtue of the Holy Mother of God... and I commend our priest for expressing and sharing his heartfelt devotion to Mary with the rest of us.  Ave, Maria!

 

Our Pastor, leading us in hymns to the

Blessed Virgin... and parishioners honoring

Our Lady's statue and the relic of her veil.

"And a great sign appeared in heaven:

A woman clothed with the sun, and the

moon under her feet, and on her head a

crown of twelve stars..."

~ Revelation 12:1

First Saturday Parish Rosary at St. Anthony's Church, 8/6/2011

   

First Saturday Rosary Devotion at St.

Anthony's Church, Kailua: The Pilgrim

Statue & Our Lady's relics take their

usual place in front our chapel.

This month, our little group of faithful rosary-devotees offered the prayer specifically for FAITH... beseeching the Lord through the intercession of Mother Mary, for increased faith in the world... in our country... in our communities... in our homes... and most importantly, within our own hearts, as that is where it needs to grow first in order to spread outwards. I am a firm believer that we are all called by the Lord to be bearers of the Light of Faith, and that was the essence of our prayer this month.

The next First Saturday Rosary will be on 9/3/2011 at 4:30pm. The regularly scheduled Saturday evening Vigil Mass will follow at 5:00pm in the main church.  We invite you to join us!
   

Saint of the Month - August, 2011: Saint John-Marie Vianney

St. John-Marie Vianney

Patron of Parish Priests - Feast: August 4th

Born in 1786 to poor farmers in Dardilly, France, John was a pious child who shared his faith with other children by teaching them traditional prayers and basic catechism.  In his youth he made up his mind to become a priest and barely succeeded because of his poor learning skills and his inability to grasp Latin… but by the grace of God he was ordained a priest in 1815, and added the name "Marie" to his own in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary to whom he gave credit for his ordination.

"Through prayer we receive a

foretaste of Heaven and something

of paradise comes down upon us.

Prayer never leaves us without

sweetness."

- St. John-Marie

When Fr. John-Marie was first assigned to the obscure little town of Ars, Mass attendance was very poor and the parishioners were indifferent to the practice of the Faith, which prompted the new priest to take to the streets to ‘fish’ for souls.  He started home visits, especially to the sick and to the poor in the community, and also resorted to performing voluntary penances and sacrifices to draw down God’s blessings.  He fasted strictly and deprived himself of sleep by praying late into the evening... and the priest's extraordinary dedication moved Jesus's heart.  Fr. John-Marie's diligent prayer and good works started to bear fruit, as people began attending his masses in droves to hear his down-to-earth, inspiring sermons; to be encouraged by his wisdom and gentle kindness.

"A priest goes to Heaven or a priest goes to

Hell... with a thousand people behind!"

- St. John-Marie

Furthermore, God augmented Fr. John-Marie’s ministry by granting him the ability to "read hearts" and to work miracles.  Parishioners reported their priest would often tactfully remind them about specific, hidden sins when they neglected or forgot to confess them… or sometimes told them of future or distant events that always proved true.  His prayers also obtained remarkable favors from Heaven for those who asked for his help, and although he was undoubtedly a holy man, he attributed any graces received to the intercession of St. Philomena, to whom he was intensely devoted.

"It is always springtime in the

heart that loves God."

- St. John-Marie

As news of the priest's mystical gifts spread beyond Ars he became a much sought-after confessor.  Daily, a long line formed in the streets for at least a couple of blocks leading up to the church, and the poor priest was in the confessional anywhere between 12 to 16 hours a day(!) depending on the season of the year.

"Almighty God sends no trial

without consolation."

- St. John-Marie

The devil, infuriated by Fr. John-Marie’s work, often paid him visits at night during which he would keep the exhausted man awake by making noises in his bedroom, moving things around (e.g. shaking his bed), or by physically assaulting him.  The demonic attacks were especially vicious on the eve of a great sinner’s arrival to Ars, but despite his grueling schedule and his encounters with hellish forces, the priest maintained a supernatural calm.  God sustained him and his ministry lasted for almost 40 years through which many, many souls were brought back to a life of grace.

The main altar of the Basilica of Ars with

the shrine-tomb of St. John-Marie Vianney

 and a closer view of his incorrupt body.

 

The Cure’ (parish priest) of Ars died on August 4th, 1859, deeply mourned by all of France.  He was worn and thin at the moment of his death but almost immediately assumed a look of majestic beauty and peace after his body was exposed for the funeral.  St. John-Marie Vianney was Beatified in 1896 and Canonized in 1905 - not surprisingly, he is the designated patron of all parish priests.  The body of the Saint was discovered incorrupt after his burial and can be viewed above the main altar of the basilica dedicated to his honor in Ars.

St. John-Marie Vianney,

pray for us!