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     On this date 57 years ago, Saint Edith Stein, also known as Sister Theresa Bernadetta of Jesus died in the horrendous gas showers of the notorious Auschwitz death camp. She was born a Jew and converted to Catholicism and became a nun, giving her life for others at the hands of the Nazis. Pope John Paul II canonized her on October 11th last year at St. Peter's in Rome. For other pertinent events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for August 2:

257 A.D.


Death of Pope Saint Stephen 1, 23rd successor of Peter. He was beheaded during a religious function on his pontifical chair in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus.

640 A.D.


Death of Pope Severinus, 71st successor of Peter, who condemned the monoteletic heresy and because he did so, suffered the retaliation of Heraclius, Byzantine emperor who ordered the sacking of the Basilica of St. John Lateran's and the Lateran Palace.

686 A.D.


Death of Pope John V, 82nd successor of Peter, whose election was due to the interference of the Byzantine Court.

1191 A.D.


During the Third Crusade, the Saladin delivers the first installment of freed prisoners from Acre for the ransom money.

1552 A.D.


Death of Saint Basil the Blessed.

1942 A.D.


Death of Saint Edith Stein, who was canonized this last year on October 11th. Like Saint Maximilian Kolbe, she died in the horrific German prison camp of Auschwitz. This Jewish woman converted to Catholicism and became Sister Theresa Bernadetta of Jesus.

      Today is the Eighteenth Monday in Ordinary Time and the Feast of Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest and Religious Fouder while tomorrow is the Eighteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time. For the readings, liturgies, meditations, and vignettes, click on DAILY LITURGY.

Monday, August 2, 1999

Monday August 2:
Eighteenth Monday in Ordinary Time and
Feast of Saint Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop and
Feast of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Priest and Religious Founder

Green or white vestments

First Reading: Numbers 11: 4-15
Psalms: Psalm 81: 2, 12-17
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14: 22-36

This first Bishop of Vercelli, Italy was Saint Eusebius who was born around 283, was the first to suffer an "unbloody martyrdom" resulting from being exiled for refusing to sign the document which the Arians circulated after the Synod of Milan in 355 condemning the holy Saint Athanasius. While in exile, Eusebius journed to Palestine, Egypt, Alexandria and Antioch remaining always loyal to the Son of God and His Vicar on earth. With the Arian heresy suppressed, Eusebius was invited back with open arms to resume his episcopacy as the first Bishop of Vercelli where he passed on to his Heavenly reward on the evening of August 1, 371.

Tuesday August 3:
Eighteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

Green vestments

First Reading: Numbers 12: 1-13
Psalms: Psalm 51: 3-7, 12-13
Gospel Reading: Matthew 15: 1-2, 10-14

      In honor of the Feast of Saint Eusebius of Vercelli we present the Opening Prayer for the Mass in their honor:

Lord God, St. Eusebius affirmed the Divinity of Your Son. By keeping the Faith he taught, may we come to share the eternal life of Christ.

SIMPLY SHEEN: Leveling out through inner peace

      They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".

"The conditions of a happy life is to so live that the trials and vicissitudes of life do not impose their moods on us. Rather, we become so rooted in peace and inner joy that we communicate them not only to our surroundings, but also to others."

New Document found in Israel solidifies Pope Pius XII's innocence in respect to the Holocaust

      We have to wonder how the radical Jews who are trying to crucify Pope Pius XII and falsely blaming him for allowing countless Jews to die in the Holocaust will react to the news at a document has been uncovered in Israel written by Jewish leaders immediately after the war in which they extoll Pius XII's role in helping the Jews and even made generous contributions to the Church in gratitude. For more, click on Proof for Pius XII.

      ROME, JUL 30 (ZENIT).- Contrary to some recent historical readings, which tend to picture Pius XII as silent, if not condescending, on the question of Nazi anti-Semitism, a document has been discovered in Israel that not only confirms Pius XII's role in defense of persecuted Jews, but reveals that world leaders of the Jewish communities at the time were very aware of his action, to the point that after the war they came to Rome and gave the Catholic Church a very generous donation.

      The document was discovered by Lorenzo Cremonesi, the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera's" Jerusalem correspondent, who is completing a book on the history of Israel's relations with the Holy See. Cremonesi spoke about his discovery to the magazine "Tempi," sympathetic to the Communion and Liberation movement. While examining the Israeli archives, Cremonesi found a letter from the Vatican, dated October 27, 1945, signed by Monsignor Giovanni Battista Montini -- the future Paul VI, who at the time worked in the Secretariat of State; it was addressed to Raffaele Cantoni, President of the Italian Jewish communities. In the letter, Montini gave detailed information on a conversation between Pius XII and Leo Kubwitsky, secretary general of the World Jewish Congress. Montini wrote that during an audience, on behalf of his organization, Kubwitsky gave Pius XII more than one million dollars (at the present value) for "charity works" and expressed "his gratitude to the august Pontiff for his work in support of persecuted Jews."

      Montini added, moreover, that Pius XII decided that "the sum should go exclusively to needy persons of Jewish origin." The news has awakened some interest but, as Fr. Peter Gumpel, reporter for Pius XII's beatification cause and an expert in the history of the period, has pointed out, "This is nothing new. It is news that has been published before. And it is only one of hundreds of testimonials of affection and gratitude that different Jewish representatives expressed to Pope Pacelli."

      Fr. Pierre Blet, former professor of Ecclesiastical History at the Gregorian, who was one of four persons appointed by Paul VI to compile the "Holy See's Acts and Documents of the Second World War," recalled that in at least three of the twelve volumes of this monumental work, specifically in Nos. 8, 9 and 10, are to be found "all the official documents in which the Jewish communities, the Rabbis of half the world, and other refugees, thank Pius XII and the Catholic Church for all the help and work in their favor." ZE99073005

Archbishop of Cali officially excommunicates kidnappers in Colombia for the sacriligeous nature of their crime in May

      Despite promises direct to the Vatican that the National Liberation Army would release all the victims they kidnapped, specifically right from church during Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost, they have not cooperated. Thus, Archbishop Isaias Duarte had no choice but to formally decree the excommunication of the entire group and called for them to come to their senses. For more, click on Excommunication.

      CALI, 31 (NE) Archbishop Isaias Duarte of Cali formally excommunicated yesterday members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) that kidnapped faithful during a Mass held at La Maria church. The Archbishop had previously announced he would proceed with excommunication if people were not liberated by the end of this month.

      The decision was announced during a Mass held yesterday at 8:30 p.m. in La Maria church, attended by several friends and family members of the people kidnapped last May 30 by the guerrilla group.

      The main reason for excommunication, explained Archbishop Duarte, was sacrilegious kidnapping. The excommunicated can be withdrawn if members of the guerrilla group repent and liberate the 45 prisoners still held captive. During his homily, the Colombian Prelate explained the consequences of excommunication, urging ELN members to repair the damage done and begin true peace dialogues.

      "That is what we want: that they understand that they have acted wrongly, and that is why they are being set aside from the Church's communion. We hope they can understand they have committed a terrible mistake and that they must repair the damage and return to the Church's body," said Archbishop Duarte.

Jubilee 2000 to kick off with a special Jubilee Celebration for the children on January 2nd

      In the spirit of Jesus' words "Suffer the little children to come to Me," the Holy Father will host a special Jubilee Celebration on the day after New Year's especially for children. It will be the first major event of the new millennium. For more, click on Calling all children .

      VATICAN CITY, JUL 30 (ZENIT).- Children and adolescents from around the world are invited to come to Rome for the first major event of the Jubilee of 2000 -- the Children's Jubilee. This event will climax with a meeting with the Holy Father on January 2. At the festivities, these young people will renew their commitment to be "apostles of joy."

      The Organizing Committee suggests a twelve-stage preparation for the teachers and children who will come to Rome. "Receive an invitation, plan, leave, get to know one another, walk, meet, rest, find out where you are, arrive, celebrate, return, and tell others" are the proposed twelve steps of the Jubilee pilgrimage.

      The Committee explains that the children should receive a letter inviting them to come to St. Peter's Square to celebrate the Lord's coming into the world. The children's enthusiastic response should quickly become a plan.

      Ideally, the children will meet fellow pilgrims during their trip. They will walk together, learning that the true friends of Jesus are friends of the poor. A rest at the catacombs is planned to help the children live the brotherhood of the Christian family.

      The next morning, the children will have to find the right street to get to St. Peter's Square. Together, they will pass the Holy Door, renewing their profession of faith, thanking Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for his goodness and mercy.

      This is followed by the great celebration with the Pope, including the celebration of the Eucharist. After all these experiences, the Committee hopes that the children will return home to tell all their friends about their experiences, witnessing to the gift of newness of life that enlightens their existence. ZE990730

Father Malachi Martin, author of best-selling novels, died of a stroke last Tuesday at the age of 78

     Father Malachi Martin, the man who took on the Jesuit Company and eventually resigned from the Society of Jesus to write sensational novels about the Vatican and its inner workings, died of a stroke last Tuesday in New York. He was 78. He had written numerous best-sellers, but in recent years remained incognito both to avoid the controversial limelight and to devote full time to his first love - writing. He suffered a stroke a few years ago and it had slowed him down considerably. For more, click on Fr. Malachi Martin

      NEW YORK (CWNews.com) - Father Malachi Martin, a Catholic priest and bestselling author of 16 books, died in New York City on Tuesday following a stroke and was buried on Thursday.

      Father Martin was born in Ireland in 1921 and entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1939. He held numerous degrees from Trinity College in Ireland and the University of Louvain in Belgium. His early work included study of the newly-discovered Dead Sea Scrolls, publishing his first book on the subject. He then lived in Rome and served as a professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute and was a close associate of Pope John XXIII.

      The priest, who was released from his Jesuit vows by Pope Paul VI in 1964, moved to New York where he authored his most famous books, including "Hostage to the Devil," "The Final Conclave," "Vatican," "The Jesuits," "The Keys of This Blood" and "Windswept House."

      At his death, Father Martin was reportedly at work on what he said would be his most controversial and important book, entitled "Primacy: How the Institutional Roman Catholic Church became a Creature of the New World Order." He had said the book would deal with power and the papacy, and analyze the shift in the ancient dogma of primacy that lies at the heart of what he saw as the first breakdown of papal power in two millennia.

For more headlines and articles, we suggest Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.

   Dear children! Also today I rejoice with you and I call you all to prayer with the heart. I call all of you, little children, to give thanks to God here with me for the graces which He gives to you through me. I desire for you to comprehend that I want to realize here, not only a place of prayer but also a meeting of hearts. I desire for my, Jesus' and your heart to become one heart of love and peace. That is why, little children, pray and rejoice over everything that God does here, despite that satan provokes quarrels and unrest. I am with you and I lead you all on the way of love. Thank you for having responded to my call.

For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE

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August 2, 1999 volume 10, no. 143   DAILY CATHOLIC