First Saturday Parish Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 7/5/2014

Bl. Maria Crocifissa Curcio

The Saint of the Month at our First Saturday Rosary served as a reminder of something very important - that we need be JOYOUS in the practice of our Faith.  Sure, it's sometimes tough being a Christian, but it doesn't mean we have to be discouraged or even "sour" about it, which we can easily be... but the Holy Bible, itself, is filled with many passages encouraging all Believers to be joyful - one example shown below is particularly exuberant, almost commanding:

"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to

God with cries of joy."

~ Psalm 47:1

A participant venerating a relic
of Bl. Maria Crocifissa

The holy woman I shared about for our July gathering - Bl. Maria Crocifissa Curcio (d. 1957), the Italian founder of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus - was a great example of a Christian who fully lived and radiated the Joy of God.  A joy that no adversity, illness, or suffering could extinguish (Bl. Maria Crocifissa suffered from diabetes)... and it shown so brightly on her features that it impressed many people profoundly.  Just look at the photo of the Blessed to the upper-left and see it for yourself.

So prior to beginning our Rosary Prayer for Peace, I encouraged the people present to also imitate Bl. Maria Crocifissa in practicing and radiating the same positive, holy energy as "missionaries" of God's Joy.

Hopefully, others who can't seem to find lasting happiness in their own lives will see and recognize in each of us what has eluded them... and then who knows after that?  They may just want to know more about the cause of our joy and we can then give vibrant testimony to another passage found in Scriptures:

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

~ Psalm 126:3