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FRI-SAT-SUN
June 25-27, 1999
SECTION TWO vol 10, no. 123
To print out entire text of Today's issue, print this section as well as SECTION THREE and SECTION ONE
18 Years of the Miraculous Mission of Medjugorje
Medjugorje Monthly Message for June 25th
Dear children! Today I thank you for living and witnessing my messages with your life. Little children, be strong and pray so that prayer may give you strength and joy. Only in this way will each of you be mine and I will lead you on the way of salvation. Little children, pray and with your life witness my presence here. May each day be a joyful witness for you of God's love. Thank you for having responded to my call.
For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE AND MORE
WEEKEND LITURGY
Friday and Saturday are Weekdays in Ordinary Time with Saturday also being the Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday while Sunday is the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time which will lead into the final week of June, one full of feasts starting with the Feast of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr on Monday.
Friday, June 25, 1999
Friday, June 25:
Twelfth Friday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Anniversary of the Apparitions in Medjugorje
Green vestments
First Reading: Genesis 17: 1, 9-10, 15-22
Psalms: Psalm 128: 1-5
Gospel Reading: Matthew 8: 1-4
Saturday, June 26, 1999
Saturday, June 25:
Twelfth Saturday in Ordinary Time and
Observance of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday
Green or White vestments
First Reading: Genesis 18: 1-15
Psalms: Luke 1: 46-50, 53-55
Gospel Reading: Matthew 8: 5-17
OBSERVANCE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ON SATURDAYS
Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary is a custom first promoted by the Benedictine Monk Saint Alcuin back in the days of Charlemagne (see archives December 23, no. 25 issue, volume 7). He composed different formulas for Votive Masses for each day of the week, with two set aside to honor Our Lady on Saturday. This practice caught on with great enthusiasm and eventually the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday became the Common of the Blessed Virgin. This Mass was a favorite with retired priests and those whose sight was failing for most had memorized this Mass and were able to say it by heart without having to read the Lectionary or Sacramentary. One reason Saturday was dedicated to Mary was that Saturday held a special meaning in Mariology. First of all, as Genesis accounts for, God rested on the seventh day. In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was Saturday. Jesus, Son of God rested in the womb and then, when He became incarnate, in the loving arms of Mary from birth until she held His lifeless body at the foot of the Cross. Thus the God-head rested in Mary. It was also on Saturday after Good Friday that Jesus gave His Mother a special gift and reward for keeping her faith in His Divinity intact by making an exceptional appearance to her. Thus, because of these reasons, the devotion spread by St. Alcuin and other liturgies that evolved within the Church, Saturday took on a special Marian significance. Saturday took on even more significance in honoring Mary when Our Lady imparted to visionary Lucia in her third apparition at Fatima on July 13, 1917, "Our Lord wishes that devotion to my Immaculate Heart be established in the world. If what I tell you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace; the war will end...I ask the consecration of the world to my Immaculate Heart and Communion of reparation on the First Saturday of each month...If my requests are granted, Russia will be converted and there will be peace...In the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph, and an era of peace will be conceded to humanity." As we draw nearer to that wonderful event, it is more important than ever to honor Mary's request on the First Saturday as well as each Saturday that her feast is commemorated in the Church calendar, not to mention responding to her call daily with the Rosary and attending Daily Mass, nourished by her Divine Son present body and blood, soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament. It is in the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary where she remains in the background in the liturgy of the Word so that her Divine Son's words and His Presence take the spotlight as He should while Mary remains the chief intercessor before the Holy Trinity as she should and serves as the ideal for all Catholics to strive for, as we should. The Dictionary of Mary states quite succinctly, "Through these liturgical acts, (honoring Mary on Saturday) Christians exalt the person of Mary in the action that renews the sacrifice of Christ and in the action that prolongs His prayer."
SUNDAY, June 27, 1999
First Reading: 2 Kings 3: 8-11, 14-16
Psalms: Psalm 89: 2-3, 16-19
Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11
Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 37-42
Though it is superseded by the Liturgy of Sunday, June 27 is normally the feast of Saint Cyril of Alexandria:
FEAST OF SAINT CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
A staunch defender of the Faith, Saint Cyril of Alexandria was born in Alexandria in the year 370 AD and died there 64 years later with the Church stronger for his efforts. He was officially proclaimed a Doctor of the
Church by Pope Leo XIII in 1883. He was the nephew of the Patriarch of Alexandria - Theophilus and, under his influence, was prejudiced against Saint John Chrysostom who was deposed at the synod of 403 in which Cyril was present. In 412 Cyril became Patriarch of Alexandria. Throughout his life he refuted all heresies, specifically Nestorianism which was promulgated by Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople in 428. Nestorius denied the divinity of Jesus and then that Mary was not truly the Mother of God. This infuriated Cyril so that he addressed the matter to Pope Celestine I who made it a priority to excommunicate Nestorius if he persisted. The Pope charged Cyril with the duty of informing Nestorius and the Syrian bishops in Ephesus. The letter Celestine had sent with Cyril was badly interpreted by the Syrians and they, in turn, thinking it was Cyril's own handwriting, charged Cyril with heresy. He was imprisoned and abandoned until the Council of Ephesus, convened by the emperor Theodosius in 431 in which the saint was exonerated. After this Cyril went on to write profound treatises on the Incarnation and the dogma of Mary's Divine Motherhood.
Monday, June 28, 1999
Monday, June 28:
Feast of Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr and
Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul
Red vestments
First Reading: Genesis 18: 16-33
Psalms: Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-11
Gospel Reading: John 21: 15-19
FEAST OF SAINT IRANEAUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Born in Smyrna in 120 AD, Saint Iraneaus was a disciple of St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna who had often listened at the feet of the Apostle St. John the Evangelist. Sent by Polycarp to France - then Gaul, Iraneaus became a priest in Lyons ordained by St. Ponthinus, Bishop of Lyons, during the terrible of persecution of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Upon Ponthinus' death, Iraneaus succeeded him as the Ordinary of Lyons. In this office, besides dodging Roman persecution, he fought the growing heresies of Gnosticism. Because of his training by Polycarp and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Iraneaus wrote a treatise against the Gnostics that has been handed down and contains the essence in systematic presentation of Catholic Doctrine. His preaching and evangelizing effected countless conversions throughout Gaul as he dispatched many missionaries to all parts of the country. In 203 he was captured by the Romans and the Emperor Severus ordered his execution along with hundreds of other Christians there in the city of Lyons where they all received their crowning glory through martyrdom.
Events this weekend in Church History
One thousand, three hundred and fifteen years ago Saturday is the anniversary of Pope Saint Benedict II becoming the 81st successor of Peter. This Roman-born pontiff's papal reign was only a year but during rhtis time he restored the privelge of Sanctuary that had been by and large ignored by the various fueding factions. Thanks to his intercession, he liberated the Church from the interference of Byzantine Emperor Justinian or else the Church could very well have succumbed to the Greek influence. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
Historical Events in Church Annals for June 25:
253 A.D.
Pope Saint Lucius I becomes the 22nd successor of Peter and would die less than a year later as a martyr. During his short papacy he forbade, under penalty of sin, men and women who were not married, to live together.
295 A.D.
Death of Saint Orientos and his six brothers, all members of the Roman legion headed by Emperior Maximian. When they revealed that they were not afraid to die in battle and gained their strength from the risen Christ, they were isolated from the rest and jealous soldiers in charge of guarding them starved the seven men on orders from the top out of fear they would convert other soldiers.
841 A.D.
Defeat of Lothair, bitter enemy of the former Holy Roman Emperor Louis I, son of Charlemagne the Great. Lothair was felled at Fontenoy-en-Puisaye by Louis' son, Louis the German, king of Germany and Austria, and Louis' brother Charles the Bald, who succeeded Louis as Emperor a year earlier after Louis' death. Pope Gregory IV had originally thrown his support behind Lothair, but the latter deceived the Pope and coronated Louis' son who established All Saints Day in France.
1080 A.D.
Cardinal Guibert is elevated to the papal chair as the antipope Clement IIIby the German king Henry IV who was a bitter enemy of the true Vicar of Christ during that time - Pope Saint Gregory VII, the monk known as Hildebrand who had promoted Henry's rival Rudolf I.
1513 A.D.
The Confessions of Augsburg which marked the official break between Catholics and the followers of Martin Luther and put into motion the Protestant Reformation.
1981 A.D.
The Mother of God appears and speaks to six visionaries in the tiny mountain village of Medjugorje, saying "I have come to tell you God exists." Since that day, Our Lady or "Gospa," as she is known in Bosnia, has appeared to one to four of the visionaries everyday with a special message for the world on the 25th of each month since 1985. The fruits of these apparitions and the messages imparted have reached every corner of the earth with countless conversions and nearly 20 million pilgrims making the trek to this rugged, but serene and inspiring Oasis of Peace. The Blessed Virgin Mary has proclaimed that when her messages end here, it will be her last visit to this earth in these times.
Historical Events in Church Annals for June 26:
684 A.D.
Pope Saint Benedict II becomes the 81st successor of Peter and would rule for less than a year. He restored the privilege of Sanctuary, no longer respected by the different fighting factions who even penetrated churches in search of their enemies. He succeeded in liberating the Church from the interference of the Emperor, introduced by Justinian.
1350 A.D.
The Bishop of Meaux, France allows an assembly of churchmen to set up reforms for the Church which eventually would clash with Rome.
1549 A.D.
The Dominican monk Padre Luis Cancer de Barbastro is slain by Seminole Indians in Tampa Bay.
Historical Events in Church Annals for June 27:
444 A.D.
Death of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. For more see LITURGY
PRAYERS & DEVOTION
In honor of the 18th Anniversary of the Medjugorje Apparitions, we present a special prayer composed by Father John H. Hampsch, C.M.F. in a Prayer of Healing for the people of the Balkans. For this special prayer, click on Prayer for Healing
PRAYER FOR HEALING IN THE BALKANS
composed by Father John Hampsch, C.M.F.
"Only by Prayer and Fasting can war be stopped."
Our Lady's message of April 25, 1992
O God of Peace, Father of all nations and lover of mankind, look with compassion on all sovereignties, and upon
their leaders through whom You extend Your Divine Authority to guide Your people to peace and prosperity. We especially ask for Your loving mercy and compassion on the Yugoslav regions and provinces, where Your children are distraught with turmoil and the effects of conflict, bitterness and bloodshed. Crush the power of satan, and all evil spirits of war, hatred, rage, torture and atrocity. In their suffering and poverty, make Your people aware of the presence and loving concern of Your Divine Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Who yearns for justice, peace and heartfelf reconciliation among Your children. To this end, we beg You, Heavenly Father, to heed the pleadings of Your daughter, Mary, Queen of Peace, the Mother of Jesus and spouse of the Holy Spirit. Grant her maternal yearnings for a loving harmony to flourish among all peoples, ethnic groups and religions, especially in that area of the world on which she looks with special concern. These and all of the needs of the world we fervently ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Recite devoutly seven Our Father's, Hail Mary's and Glory Be's with the Apostle's Creed for peace throughout this troubled world we live in and PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
"There are many who proclaim that soon I shall send My warning to all of mankind. This I solemnly assure you is truth. Yet you must not yield to speculation, My children, choosing this day or that, this hour or the next."
Those words above come from Our Lord in Message #572 on December 4, 1994 to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart in which Jesus warns all His little ones not to spend so much time in speculation but to put into action what He and His Blessed Mother have been imparting. Our Lord reaffirms that the Warning and all He has foretold will come to pass, but in His time, not ours. In this message and His previous message of December 2nd He reinforces that we all need to spend more time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament; in other words pray more, talk less. For Messages 571 and 572, click on "I SOLEMNLY TELL YOU..."
Messages 571 and 572
Message Five-Hundred-seventy-one, December 2, 1994
(Imparted to the Hidden Flower by the Sacred of Jesus)
(First Friday in Advent)
Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I love and bless you.
I speak now to all the world, for all, indeed, are Mine and I claim them.
Let those who have the eyes of faith see! Let those who have the ears of faith hear! Let all hearts melt before Me, the Savior of the world!
You, My children, journey in faith during this Advent season. I solemnly tell you, do not plod along as one who has despaired of the goal! Lift high your head as you move forward, for behold I come in an unprecedented way, so you must take heart and renew your watch.
Dear children, upon earth the evil wrought by mankind clings to his bones as chains of iron. You are imprisoned by the lies and clever wiles of satan, who seeks your eternal ruin. I solemnly tell you: The evil of mankind has reached new heights. The knowledge which I kept from you as to safeguard you in the path of obedience, satan opens up to you. Why, O My children, do you seek to manipulate the reproduction of the human race? Why do you seek to manufacture life when it is I, your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, create?
Woe to all who in pride and self-righteousness promote such knowledge. Look at the ugliness of your sin. On the one hand you seek to make life by altering the genetic codes I created, and at the same time countless, priceless souls of unborn children return to Me, bathed in the blood of abortion!
I solemnly tell you, My children, to examine yourselves well as you prepare for My Coming among you on Christmas Day - for surely I come! Put off all such evil from your lives. Do not justify it, because there is no justification in heaven or upon earth. Rather, come unto Me and seek forgiveness and amend your ways with a sincere and contrite heart. No longer tarry, for the time grows very short. Many events shall unfold now which Sacred Scripture foretells, and as they unfold you must seek Me, your True Refuge.
Hunger for Me at daily Mass and receive Me worthily in the Blessed Sacrament! Then shall My Peace come to you. Then shall My Mercy envelop you.
Hasten to My Arms. Permit My Holy Mother to help you, for before the Throne of God her immaculate intercession is most powerful.
I solemnly tell you: Do not put off the moment of your conversion. Daily be Mine, and you need not fear.
I love you. I bless you. Hear Me, My children, for I come!
Message Five-Hundred-seventy-two, December 4, 1994
(Imparted to the Hidden Flower by the Sacred Heart of Jesus)
(Second Sunday in Advent)
Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, I love and bless you, as I do all of My children.
I come today to instruct My little children who struggle so much on My behalf in this time of great sorrow.
My children, do not be afraid. Have I not told you this from Sacred Scripture? Have I not proven this to you over and over in the lives of those saints whom I have chosen as an example for you? Therefore, put aside anxiety, put aside wondering and idle curiosity in these end times. For I reveal only that which is necessary for you to know, but unto Myself are kept the fullness of all Scripture.
There are many who, in their struggle for complete conversion of heart, grow restless and faint of heart because in their humanity they feel I do not move with all haste to fulfill My promises.
Behold, I solemnly tell you that My promises are infinite, and shall be fulfilled in My time, not yours! Therefore, live each day in the manner you would wish to live it if you knew that My Hour had come. In this way, you live a holy, upright life and the light of faith is not diminished in you.
There are many who proclaim that soon I shall send My warning to all of mankind. This I solemnly assure you is truth. Yet you must not yield to speculation, My children, choosing this day or that, this hour or the next. This comes from your curiosity, and not from the Holy Spirit. Let all who hear listen and understand that My Warning shall be proceeded by an awakening of the Holy Spirit within the souls and hearts of many of My little ones.
To them it shall be announced that the moment of My Warning, which in all of its power is yet Divine Mercy, has come. To them is the duty to announce this to all the world, each according to his mission. Therefore, do not seek the false way of speculation, but the certain way of My Holy Spirit, which leads you along the path of Light and does not allow your foot to stumble.
I exhort all to speedily convert their heart, and to live a holy life filled with My grace, so as to live a life fully prepared for My Coming.
These are truly the end times, My children, and to many their impatience closes the door to My Grace. Therefore, wait and watch in patience. It is better to lift up your heart to Me, than to hunger for messages that you read but fail to live.
Hear Me, O world. The time of My Coming is not far off, yet many are the trials which yet are to come. Place all trust in Me, for I alone am God, your sure Refuge.
Pray much, My children. Pray daily for the simple faith of a child, and do not fear, for My Coming is indeed Mercy, and My Warning an even greater Mercy
Know I Am with you through It all, for I do not abandon My own.
Peace to men of good will. Prepare and Pray!
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June 25-27, 1999 volume 10, no. 123 DAILY CATHOLIC