A founder of the Society of Jesus and patron Saint of foreign missions

 

    

St. Francis Xavier

  

 

Facts

Feastday: December 3
Birth: 1506
Death: 1552

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FRANCIS XAVIER, ST. (1506-1552). Born in the family castle of Xavier, near Pamplona in the Basque area of Spanish Navarre on Apr. 7, he was sent to the University of Paris 1525, secured his licentiate in 1528, met Ignatius Loyola and became one of the seven who in 1534, at Montmartre founded the Society of Jesus. In 1536 he left Paris to join Ignatius in Venice, from whence they all in tended to go as missionaries to Palestine (a trip which never materialized), was ordained there in 1537, went to Rome in 1538, and in 1540, when the pope formally recognized the Society, was ordered, with Fr. Simon Rodriguez, to the Far East as the first Jesuit missionaries. King John III kept Fr. Simon in Lisbon, but Francis, after a year's voyage, six months of which were spent at Mozambique where he preached and gave aid to the sick eventually arrived in Goa, India in 1542 with Fr. Paul of Camerino an Italian, and Francis Mansihas, a Portuguese. There he began preaching to the natives and attempted to reform his fellow Europeans, living among the natives and adopting their customs on his travels. During the next decade he converted tens of thousands to Christianity. He visited the Paravas at the tip of India. near Cape Comorin, Tuticorin (1542), Malacca (1545), the Moluccas near New Guinea and Morotai near the Philippines (1546-47), and Japan (1549- 51). In 1551, India and the East were set up as a separate province and Ignatius made Francis its first provincial. In 1552 he set out for China, landed on the island of Sancian within sight of his goal, but died before he reached the mainland. Working against great difficulties, language problems ( contrary to legend, he had no proficiency in foreign tongues ), inadequate funds, and lack of cooperation, often actual resistance, from European officials, he left the mark of his missionary zeal and energy on areas which clung to Christianity for centuries. He was canonized in 1622 and proclaimed patron of all foreign missions by Pope Pius X. F. D. Dec. 3.

A local good news story after a church was hit by burglars; a change of heart!

Prayers answered: Church burglars have change of heart

Church known for helping hungry, homeless

 UPDATED 8:11 PM CST Dec 02, 2015                           

                  

 

 

 

               

By Heath Allen

MANDEVILLE, La. —When burglars hit a Slidell church known for feeding the hungry and homeless, the community was stunned.

 

Thousands of dollars worth of equipment was stolen, and police began an investigation into the crime.
Watch the story
But church leaders called on the thieves to return what was stolen, and charges would not be pressed.
"Please do the right thing. Bring the equipment back. We really need it. You have no idea how hard we worked for that equipment," Mount Olive AME Church representative John Autry said.
Autry's plea apparently struck a nerve. Another church member received an anonymous call hours later about where the equipment could be found.
"When I got the call that morning, and they (were) telling me it was back, I was completely shocked," Autry said.
"It is unusual for somebody to break in and steal something of value and then return it, but I think the victims being a church here locally in Slidell, they are all about helping people," Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith said.
The church's kitchen seves about 90,000 meals a year, and some of them are delivered to shut-ins.
The equipment taken included a mower, and replacing the stolen items would have put a financial burden on the church.
"We just don't have $7,000 to $8,000 laying around every day that you can just go spend and ... buy new equipment," Autry said. "We are delighted."
"These individuals felt sorry for what they did and returned it, and the victim didn't want to pursue charges, so we are all happy at the end of the day," Smith said.
Slidell police urge residents and shoppers always be aware of their surroundings, and to lock their cars and homes. They also urged everyone to report suspicious activity.

Prayers, all I can do is pray

As we watch the latest massacre of human life in these hostile, dangerous United States of America, all I can do is pray.  In this small spot on the blogger sphere I ask readers to pray too.

As of this posting the death toll in San Bernardino California is 14 with 17 injured.  Lord have mercy on us.

The refrain heard during Advent is Maranatha; come Lord Jesus.  Tonight I'm thinking, Lord, do not delay!

Pope Francis calls for a Revolution of Tenderness

Pope: We Need a 'Tenderness Revolution' Amid the Cruel News

 

By The Associated Press

VATICAN CITY — Dec 2, 2015

 

Pope Francis on Wednesday called for more emphasis on tenderness, including in the Catholic church, in a world he said was marked by cruelty and atrocities.

He took his church to task in an interview published Wednesday in Credere, a Catholic magazine reporting on the Holy Year of Mercy, called for by Francis and starting Dec. 8.

Francis lamented that the church itself "falls into the temptation to take a hard line, the temptation to stress only the moral laws." He wondered "how many people are left outside" the church by that emphasis.

The pope says today needs a "revolution of tenderness" because, "from here, justice and all the rest derives."

He adds: "We are used to bad news, cruel news and to even bigger atrocities, which offend the name and life of God."

Extra pilgrims and tourists coming for the Holy Year, which runs through Nov. 20, 2016, pose challenging logistics for both Vatican and Italian security forces.

Italy's top armed forces official, Gen. Claudio Graziano, said Wednesday as many as 6,300 troops will be deployed in Rome and other Italian cities.

First estimates said some 30 million extra visitors could come to Rome for the Holy Year. But after the Paris attacks last month, Italian security officials lowered the estimate to 10 million.

At weekly general audience Pope Francis reflected on bringing hope to Africa

Pope at General Audience: I Brought a Message of Hope to Africa

Speaking Off-the-Cuff, Encourages Young People to Consider Being Missionaries

    

Vatican City, December 02, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Deborah Castellano Lubov              

 

'We praise the Lord together for this pilgrimage in Africa, and let us be guided by its key words: 'Be strong in faith, do not be afraid'; 'You will be my witnesses'; 'Let us cross to the other side.'"
The Holy Father made this exhortation to the faithful gathered at his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter's Square, as he discussed his recent Apostolic Visit to Africa, where he visited the capitals of Kenya, Uganda, and Central African Republic, Nov. 25-30.
Saying he brought a message of hope to each of the nation's he visited, Francis noted that each of his stops had a special place in his heart.
Kenya, as a country blessed with great human and natural resources, he said, makes us reflect on "the worldwide challenge of protecting the environment and creating equitable, inclusive and sustainable models of development" and "the need to form our young in the ways of peace and fraternity."
"I had the joy of bringing the word of hope of the Risen Jesus: 'Be strong in faith, not fear,'" he said, recalling this was the visit's motto, and remembered the tragic and heroic witness of those killed at the University of Garissa, on April 2, for being Christians.
"Their blood is the seed of peace and brotherhood for Kenya, for Africa and for the whole world," he said.
Turning to Uganda, which he referred to as the land of the martyrs, he expressed his hope that its Christian community perseveres in its witness of faith and charity, "and thus to be a leaven of hope for society as a whole."
He also spoke about the Ugandan youth, who, despite difficulties, preserve the gift of hope and "try to live the Gospel and not according to the world, going against the current." He also praised the example of the many priests, and consecrated men and women, who "renew daily their 'yes' to Christ and dedicate themselves with joy to the service of the holy people of God." He also lauded the nation's effective efforts to fight AIDS and welcome refugees.
Speaking on the final leg of his trip, the Pope reiterated that visiting the Central African Republic was the main point of his visit to the continent. With the country experiencing internal conflicts and great suffering, he reminded those present, that his opening of the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy is to be "as a sign of hope and strength for its people and for all our brothers and sisters in Africa."
The Pope, off the cuff,  spoke on missionaries who work and live in Africa and of their sacrifices. He also told the story of an 81-year-old Italian missionary who has been living there since about age 20, and invited young people to consider being missionaries, and to "never exclude" the possibility.
The Holy Father also asked those gathered to  join him in commending Africans and their aspirations to Jesus, "our peace, who is himself the door which opens wide to the merciful love of our heavenly Father."

Entered monastery at 11, lifelong service as nun, abbess, founder; beatified by St. Pope JPII

Bl. Maria Angela Astorch

Facts

Feastday: December 2
Birth: 1592
Death: 1665
Beatified By: 23 May 1982 by Pope John Paul II

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Maria Angela Astorch was born in Barcelona on September 1, 1592. In 1603, she entered the Capuchin Poor Clare monastery begun by Angela Serafina Prat. Because of her young age she waited five years as an aspirant before beginning the novitiate on 7 September 1608.
As novice master, she went to Zaragoza on 9 May 1614 to found a new monastery there. In 1624, she was vicar and three years later, abbess. On June 2, 1645, she went with four other sisters to found a new monastery at Murcia, under the title "The Exaltation of the Blessed Sacrament." The new monastery suffered frequent floods, especially in 1651 and 1653. Maria Angela remained abbess until 1661. Maria Angela Astorch died in 1665 at the age of 75

Advent Mission at St. Jane's; half way home

If all the recent changes at St. Jane's with the mass schedule and the introduction of the Mass in the EF were not enough, and all the normal ministries that make St. Jane's so awesome, we are also smack in the middle of our Advent Mission.  Fr. Jim Ward, a Vincentian Priest, real-life nurse and gifted speaker is presenting our Advent Mission.

After attending every Mass this weekend to introduce the Mission, Fr. Ward begin last night with his agenda of Mass, followed by his presentation, followed by questions & answers and finally, confessions until.  It makes for quite a busy night.  We begin at 6 with the Mass and end, depending on number of confessions, at nine.  Each night Fr. Ward presents a new topic.  We began last night with an overview of Mary's role in salvation history, stressing her experiences from the Gospel of Luke from the Annunciation, the Visitation, traveling to Bethlehem, the birth of her Son and our Savior and the flight into Egypt.  He also told us the story of St. Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal.  Tonight Fr. Ward explored 5 of the Sacraments and the economy of the Sacramental life of the Church.  We touched on every Sacrament but Reconciliation and Eucharist as those will be the sole focus of the next two evenings.  We explored Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders!

Fr. Ward is an easy presenter, commanding the subject matter with a style that puts the participants at ease, drawing us in to the presentation.  His insistent of beginning each night with Mass and ending with Reconciliation helps to place us in the true spirit of preparation and hope that is Advent.

Now some of you reading this live not far from beautiful Abita Springs so please come out tomorrow or Thursday night or both.  The manner in which Fr. Ward has structured this Advent Mission allows you to come by tomorrow and not really have missed a thing.  Spending the entire evening on Reconciliation tomorrow night will also prepare us for another evening of offering Confessions.

Advent Mission at St. Jane's is well underway but also waiting for you, even if you have not attending a session yet.  And remember, Mass starts at 6 PM!

Very disturbing news; pray for Pope Francis and Holy Mother Church

Italian Police Arrest Four Suspected Jihadists for Plotting Attack on Pope

 

The Associated Press

by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.1 Dec 2015

Italian Police have arrested four suspected Islamist terrorists Tuesday who were reportedly planning an attack on Pope Francis.

The arrests were a cooperative effort between the Italy’s Counterterrorism Agents and the Kosovo police, and took place both in Italy and Kosovo Tuesday.
Police conducted simultaneous raids in the Italian cities of Brescia, Vicenza and Perugia, as well as one raid in Kosovo. The four people arrested are being charged with participation in a terror network with specific intent to target the Pope as well as incitement of racial hatred. Along with the arrests, police confiscated written materials and weapons.
The man considered the leader of the cell, Imishiti Samet, a Kosovar citizen who lived for some time in Italy, was arrested in Kosovo, while the other three were arrested in Italy. Samet had posted on his Facebook page: “Paris is in mourning, lights out on the Eiffel Tower, 158 dead, this is only the beginning.”
According to a police report, the group of suspected terrorists were “highly dangerous” and had “established direct links with jihadist networks active in Syria,” including the deceased Islamic State terrorist Lavdrim Muhaxheri.
The terrorist team also “propagated jihadist ideology through social networks,” police said, as well as proclaiming on social media that Francis would be “the last pope.”
“They threatened Pope Bergoglio, praised the recent Paris bombings and threatened the former U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo,” said Carmine Esposito, the superintendent of Brescia.
In recent weeks the Italian government has added police and army units to patrol the streets in Rome, after Islamist terrorists carried out deadly attacks in Paris on November 13, leaving 130 dead and hundreds more wounded.
The Islamic State subsequently released a video announcing that Rome and Washington D.C. would be two of their next targets. “By Allah, if we brought down France in its homeland, in Paris, then we swear, by the command of Allah, we will attack America in its heartland, in Washington, Allah permitting, and we will invade Rome, Allah permitting,” militants said in a video released on November 16.
Follow Thomas D. Williams on Twitter @tdwilliamsrome

A good recap of Pope Francis journey to Africa

Prayers Answered: Pope Leaves Africa After Proclaiming Message of Peace

And 7 Memorable Phrases

    

Rome, November 30, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Staff Reporter              

 

Pope Francis left Africa today shortly after noon local time, completing his six-day apostolic visit to the “continent of hope,” after having given some 20 discourses and homilies in three nations.
One of his last activities was among the most significant: a visit to a mosque in war-torn Central African Republic. His stop in this country marked the first time in modern history that a Pontiff visits a conflict zone.
He exhorted Central Africans to work for peace, saying that “peace is not a document that is signed and then put up some place. Peace is made each day. Peace is a craft, a handiwork. It’s made with the hands.”
As well, he gave Central Africans an extra few days of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, opening the Holy Door in Bangui’s Cathedral on Sunday. (For the rest of the universal Church, the Jubilee starts Dec. 8).
The Pope also visited a pediatric hospital, bringing a box of medicines from Rome. He brought consolation to a refugee camp in CAR. He called on the world to learn from the poor, not just pity them, in a visit to a Kenyan slum. He thanked religious for their care of the disabled after visiting a charity home in Uganda. He added his voice to Jesus’ prayer for Christian unity in a stop with an evangelical community in Bangui.
And in message after message, he asked Africa, and the world, to learn from and follow Christ.
Here are a few lines from his various discourses:
Nov. 30, Homily: Each of us, in his or her heart can ask the crucial question of where we stand with Jesus, asking what we have already accepted – or refused to accept – in responding to his call to follow him more closely.
Nov. 29, Homily: Even when the powers of Hell are unleashed, Christians must rise to the summons, their heads held high, and be ready to brave blows in this battle over which God will have the last word. And that word will be love [and peace]!
Nov. 29, Address to evangelical community: God makes no distinctions between those who suffer. I have often called this the ecumenism of blood. All our communities suffer indiscriminately as a result of injustice and the blind hatred unleashed by the devil.
Nov. 28, Address to Ugandan youth: This isn’t magic. This is the work of Jesus. Because Jesus is Lord. Jesus can do everything. And Jesus suffered the most negative experience in history. He was insulted, he was rejected, he was killed. And Jesus, by the power of God, rose again. He can do the same thing in each one of us with each negative experience. Because Jesus is Lord.
Nov. 27, Address to Kenyan youth: Life is full of difficulties, but there are two ways of looking at difficulties: either a person looks at them as something that blocks him, destroys him, stops him, or he looks at them as an opportunity. It is for you to choose.
Nov. 26, Address at Africa headquarters of UN: In this international context, we are confronted with a choice which cannot be ignored: either to improve or to destroy the environment.
Nov. 26, To journalists, on flight to Kenya: Be careful of the mosquitos!