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NOTICE: I am a practicing Catholic, active and in good-standing with my local diocese, who professes faith and loyalty to the Church. This ministry - my "little work" - is strictly a personal expression of that faith and loyalty, and not an officially recognized ministry in the Diocese of Honolulu.

~ Peter, Ministry Administrator


Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Monthly Messages from the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje: July 2018


The Queen of Peace speaks...

Our Lady's Monthly Message to the World on July 25th:
   “Dear children! God called me to lead you to Him because He is your strength. That is why I am calling you to pray to Him and to trust in Him, because He is your refuge from every evil that lurks and carries souls far from the grace and joy to which you are all called. Little children, live Heaven here on earth so that it will be good for you; and may the commandments of God be a light on your way. I am with you and I love you all with my motherly love.  Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Our Lady's Special Message to Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo on July 2nd:
   “Dear children, I am the mother of all of you and, therefore, do not be afraid because I hear your prayers. I know that you seek me and that is why I am praying to my Son for you, my Son who is united with the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit—the Paraclete—my Son who leads souls to the Kingdom from where He came, the Kingdom of peace and light. My children, you are given the freedom to choose, but, as a mother, I implore you to choose the freedom for the good. You, with pure and simple souls comprehend—even if sometimes you do not understand the words—and within yourselves you feel what the truth is My children, do not lose the truth and true life so as to follow the false one. By life in truth, the Kingdom of Heaven enters into your hearts, and that is the Kingdom of peace, love and harmony. Then, my children, there will not be the selfishness which distances you from my Son. There will be love and understanding for your neighbors. Because, remember, again I repeat to you, to pray also means to love others, your neighbors, and to give yourself to them. Love and give in my Son, and then He will work in you and for you. My children, ceaselessly think of my Son and love Him immeasurably and you will have true life, and that will be for eternity.  Thank you, apostles of my love.” 

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Saint of the Month - July 2018: Blessed Francis Solanus Casey


Bl. Francis Solanus Casey 
An American Prophet
Memorial: July 30th

Fr. Solanus Casey - Priest, Mystic,
Prophet & Healer
Hooray - God has recently favored American Catholics with yet another Blessed! This time around it's a Franciscan priest from Wisconsin... and I couldn't help but fall for his spiritual charm after having read his biography - I had to share about his life.  Born Bernard Casey to a large family of immigrant [Irish] farmers, he grew up in a lively atmosphere of love and faith, along with 9 brothers and 6 sisters! "Barney", as he was nicknamed, was the 6th child born on November 25, 1870.

Early on, the pious example of the Casey couple, instilled in their children a routine life of hard work, prayer, and a devotion to the Holy Virgin. Barney, in particular, was deeply impressed by his family's devout home life and he was inspired from early childhood to pray the holy rosary every day.  As early as aged 13, he thought of becoming a priest, but it wasn't until he was 21 that he finally sought admission into a seminary in Milwaukee.  However, the fact that the lessons were taught in German was an obstacle that the young seminarian could not overcome.  Barney did poorly in his studies and was eventually advised to leave and join a religious order, instead, if he wanted to pursue a consecrated vocation. 

"What does it matter where
we go?  Wherever we go, won’t
we be serving God there?"

~ Words of Bl. Solanus

A bit discouraged but not defeated, Barney continued to pray for guidance. On December 8, 1896 - the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the last day of a novena he was praying - he heard the voice of the Blessed Virgin say to him, "Go to Detroit" where the Capuchin Order was headquartered in America. Without any hesitation, he set out for the Michigan city and reached Detroit on Christmas Eve where he attended Midnight Mass. Not long after in January 1897, he officially joined the Capuchins and was given the religious name of Bro. Francis Solanus (after a Franciscan Saint of the same name) or simply "Solanus".

Fr. Solanus was highly
devoted to Our Lady
As a member of the Capuchins, he studied for the priesthood but learning difficulties again resurfaced. On July 24, 1904, he managed to be ordained as a "simplex priest" - able to offer Mass, but not allowed to preach or hear confessions. Despite the seeming humiliation, Fr. Solanus showed no resentment towards his superiors but accepted their decision as the will of God for him.  He celebrated his first Mass on July 31, 1904.

The next two decades were spent in houses of his order in New York, Harlem, and Yonkers where he fulfilled the tasks of sacristan and porter. In particular, it was his humble role as doorkeeper that proved providential, as it put him in direct contact with the people. The ever-patient Fr. Solanus always took the time to hear-out the concerns of the many visitors; he counseled them; encouraged them to have faith in the Mass; prayed with them. Soon, he became immensely popular and people began flocking to him. More so, as reports of healing and other spiritual favors began circulating about the diminutive priest.

Fr. Solanus (center) serving in the
monastery soup kitchen

Other characteristics that marked the remarkable life of Fr. Solanus was his devotion to the Eucharist and to the Blessed Mother; his unwavering confidence and gratitude for God's goodness and power; generosity towards the sick and the poor; his spirit of self-sacrifice; his contagious spirit of joy; and his love for music (he played the violin).  In summary, he was a model priest.

"Thank God ahead of time."

~ Words of Bl. Solanus

Later in life this American holy man suffered from ill health and a severe form of eczema. He returned to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit to receive medical care and died on July 31, 1957.  Even during his stay in the city's St. John Hospital, he was sought after by people requesting his prayer and blessing, effecting miraculous cures while he, himself, was broken by infirmities.  After his death, his body was found incorrupt during the ritual exhumation conducted as a normal process during the canonization investigation.

Relics of Bl. Solanus Casey preserved
in Detroit, Michigan

Fr. Solanus Casey's Cause for Canonization was initiated in 1983 and his beatification was celebrated on November 18, 2017 after a healing attributed to his intercession was officially recognized as a miracle.  Please pray for his speedy Canonization.


For more information concerning Fr. Solanus Casey and his Cause for Canonization, visit the Solanus Center website by clicking here.