Every Mass: St. Perpetua, St. Felicity, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes. St. Cecilia, St. Anastasia

The Church Has Been Saying These Women's Names at Mass for Over 1,500 Years, and Most Catholics Don't Know Who They Are

Most of us recite the prayers. Few of us know the lives behind them. That's about to change.

One was nine months pregnant in a Roman prison.

One was twelve years old.

One was a servant. One was a noblewoman.

They came from different centuries, different places, different lives.

But they all faced the same choice.

And they all answered the same way.

Their names are spoken in the Roman Canon, one of the most ancient prayers of the Mass. Not as a ritual gesture, but as a real prayer, with real names, for real people who lived and died.

St. Perpetua. St. Felicity. St. Agatha. St. Lucy. St. Agnes. St. Cecilia. St. Anastasia.

You've heard those names. Probably dozens of times. But do you know their stories?

Perpetua was a young mother from a noble family. Felicity was her pregnant servant. They were imprisoned together in Carthage in 203. Felicity gave birth in prison just days before they were both sent into the arena.

Agnes was about 12 or 13 years old when she was martyred in Rome.

Agatha refused a Roman official who wanted her to abandon her vow to God. She was tortured and died for her faith.

Lucy, according to tradition, gave away her goods to the poor and remained faithful to Christ until she was killed during the Diocletian persecution.

The Church did not forget them. It kept saying their names for centuries.

Here is the question their lives keep asking:

If your faith actually cost you something, not your comfort but your safety, your freedom, your life, would you still hold on to it?

That is not a rhetorical question. It is the one they answered.

Next time you are at Mass, listen for their names. You will hear them differently now.

Source: Thy Flame of Love (Dana Rachel)

St. John Henry Newman AND St. John Neumann

St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)    OR   St. John Nepomucene Neumann (1811-1860) 
Hmmmmm, which is which?

This wonderful rabbit hole journey began as I was doing research for my book. I was trying to learn more about the saint whose Feast Day is January 17.

First, I found this wonderful video via my alma mater's Newman Center's website.  I was confirmed a Catholic because of the Newman Center at UH. 

These two saints have such similar names!  I was trying to figure out who was who. 

St. John Henry Newman born in England in 1801.  St. John Henry  Newman understood the need for Catholics to be educated in a Catholic environment and for laity to have a good understanding of their faith.

On the other hand . . . 

St. John Nepomucene Neumann, who was born in the Bohemian mountain village of Prachtice in 1811 to a German father and a Czech mother, ended up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .  

To make a long story short, the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Francis Kenrick found in his new confessor, the Redemptorist Father John Neumann, the perfect candidate to replace him in Philadelphia – much to the horror of Neumann.

Bells and whistles are pinging in my memory and things are falling into place for me . . . . Bishop Kenrick High School, the Catholic school I begged my Mom to send me, was named after Archbishop Francis Kenrick!  Side note: I did not go to Kenrick HS -- by the time my mom (a widow working very hard to support us) could swing it, I was fully ensconced on the Varsity Cheerleading team, had a boyfriend, and was as happy as a clam  to be a Trojan at Wissahickon High School. 

St. John Neumann  like his British namesake, Bishop Neumann understood the need for Catholics to be educated in a Catholic environment and for laity to have a good understanding of their faith. He was the first ecclesiastic to organize a diocesan school system in the United States. Canonized in 1977, Bishop John Neumann was the first American man to be named saint. 

St. John Henry Newman (1801-1890)    Feast Day October 9

St. John Nepomucene Neumann (born: March 28, 1811- died: January 5,1860) Feast Day January 5

sources:

https://slmedia.org/blog/telling-them-apart-you-mean-theres-another-john-newman-neumann

https://uhcatholic.org/about-us

https://www.littlewithgreatlove.com/saint-john-neumann/

Letter from St. Teresa of Calcutta to Dorothy Day

 Newly discovered note (2023) from St. Teresa of Calcutta to Servant of God Dorothy Day:

"If you go to Jesus first, tell him I love him.
If I go, I will tell him you love him."

My friend Kevin Ahern, director of the Dorothy Day Center at Manhattan College discovered this note tucked between the pages of a Bible owned by Dorothy Day, in the midst of their project to preserve Dorothy's room and move some items to the Center.

St. Joseph of Cupertino

September 18 is the Feast Day of St. Joseph of Cupertino.

St. Josephi de Cupertino Confessoris ~ III. classis

JOSEPH DESA was born the 17th of June, 1603, at Cupertino, a small village of the diocese of Nardo, between Brindisi and Otranto, six miles from the coast of the gulf of Tarento. His parents were poor, but virtuous. His mother brought him up in great sentiments of piety; but treated him with great severity, punishing him frequently for the least fault, to inure him to an austere and penitential life.

From his infancy he gave signs of an extraordinary fervour, and everything in him seemed to announce that he already tasted the sweets of heavenly consolations. He was very attentive to the divine service, and in an age when the love of pleasure is generally predominant, he wore a hair shirt, and mortified his body by divers austerities. He was bound apprentice to a shoemaker, which trade he applied himself to for some time.

When he was seventeen years of age he presented himself to be received amongst the Conventual Franciscans, where he had two uncles of distinction in the Order. He was, nevertheless, refused because he had not made his studies. All he could obtain was to be received amongst the Capuchins in quality of lay-brother; but after eight months he was dismissed as unequal to the duties of the Order.

Far from being discouraged he persisted in his resolution of embracing a religious state. At length the Franciscans, moved with compassion, received him into their convent of Grotella, thus called from a subterraneous chapel dedicated to God under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin. This convent was situated near Cupertino. The saint having finished his novitiate with great fervour, he made his vows, and was received as lay-brother amongst the Oblates of the Third Order.

Though employed in the meanest offices of the house, he performed them with the most perfect fidelity. He redoubled his fasts and austerities; he prayed continually, and slept only three hours every night. His humility, his sweetness, his love of mortification and penance, gained him so much veneration, that, in a provincial chapter held at Altamura in 1625, it was resolved he should be admitted amongst the Religious of the Choir, that he might thus qualify himself for holy orders.

Joseph begged to go through a second novitiate, after which he separated himself more than ever from the company of men, to unite himself more closely to God by prayer and contemplation. He looked upon himself as a great sinner, and imagined it was through mere charity that the religious habit was given him. His patience made him bear in silence and with joy the severest rebukes for faults which he had not committed; and his obedience was such that he executed without delay the most difficult duties enjoined him. So many virtues rendered him the object of universal admiration.

Being ordained priest in 1628, he celebrated his first mass with inexpressible sentiments of faith, of love, and respect. He chose a retired cell that was dark and incommodious. He would often go to pray to the most unfrequented oratories, that he might give himself up more freely to contemplation. He divested himself of every thing that was allowed him by his rule; and when he saw himself thus naked, he cried out, prostrate before his crucifix: “Behold me, O Lord, bereft of all earthly things: be thou, I beseech thee, my only good; I look upon every other thing as a real danger and as a loss to my soul.”

After having received the priesthood he passed five years without tasting bread or wine; during which time he lived only on herbs and dry fruits; and even the herbs that he ate on Fridays were so distasteful that only himself could use them. His fast in Lent was so rigorous that for seven years he took no nourishment but on Thursdays and Sundays, except the holy eucharist, which he received every day. His countenance in the morning was extremely pale; but after the communion it became florid and lively. He had contracted such a habit of fasting, that his stomach could no longer bear any food. His desire of mortification made him invent different instruments of penance. During two years he suffered many interior trials which tormented him exceedingly; but to this storm a profound calm succeeded.

A report being spread that he had frequent raptures, and that many miracles were wrought by him, the people followed him in crowds as he was travelling through the province of Bari. A certain vicar-general was offended at it, and carried his complaints to the inquisitors of Naples. Joseph was ordered to appear; but the heads of his accusation being examined, he was declared innocent, and dismissed. He said mass at Naples, in the church of St. Gregory the Armenian, which belonged to a monastery of Religious. The holy sacrifice being finished, he fell into an ecstacy, as many eye-witnesses attested in the process of his canonization.

The inquisitors sent him to Rome to his general, who received him with harshness, and ordered him to retire to the convent of Assisium. Joseph was filled with joy at this news, on account of the great devotion he had to the holy founder of his Order. The guardian of Assisium treated him also with roughness; but his sanctity shone forth more and more, and persons of the highest distinction expressed an ardent desire to see him. He arrived at Assisium in 1639, and remained there thirteen years.

At first he suffered many trials both interior and exterior. His superior often called him hypocrite, and treated him with great rigour. On the other hand, God seemed to have abandoned him; his religious exercises were accompanied with a spiritual dryness that afflicted him exceedingly; the impure phantoms which his imagination represented to him, joined to the most terrible temptations, cast him into so deep a melancholy, that he scarcely dare lift up his eyes. His general being informed of his situation, called him to Rome, and having kept him there three weeks, he sent him back to his convent of Assisium.

The saint, on his way to Rome, experienced a return of those heavenly consolations which had been withdrawn from him. At the name of God, of Jesus, or of Mary, he was, as it were, out of himself. He would often cry out:

“Vouchsafe, O my God, to fill and possess all my heart. O that my soul was freed from the chains of the body, and united to Jesus Christ! Jesus, Jesus, draw me to yourself; I am not able to live any longer on the earth.”

He was often heard to excite others to the love of God, and to say to them:

“Love God; he in whom this love reigns, is rich although he does not perceive it.”

His raptures were as frequent as extraordinary. He had many, even in public, to which a great number of persons of the first quality were eye-witnesses, and the truth of which they afterwards declared upon oath. Among those, John Frederick, duke of Brunswick and Hanover, was one. This prince, who was a Lutheran, was so struck with what he had seen, that he abjured his former tenets, and embraced the Catholic faith. Joseph had also a singular talent for converting the most obdurate sinners, and quieting the minds of such as laboured under any trouble. He used to say to some scrupulous persons who came to consult him:

“I neither like scruples nor melancholy; let your intention be right, and fear not.”

He explained the most profound mysteries of our faith with the greatest clearness; and this sublime knowledge he owed to the intimate communication he had with God in prayer.

His prudence, which was remarkable in the conduct of souls, drew to him a great concourse of people, and even of cardinals and princes. He foretold to John Casimir, son of Sigismund III., king of Poland, that he would one day reign for the good of the people, and the sanctification of souls, and advised him not to engage in any religious Order; but this prince having afterwards entered among the Jesuits, took the vows of the scholars of the society, and was made cardinal by Pope Innocent X. in 1646. Joseph dissuaded him from the resolution he had taken of receiving holy orders.

What the saint foretold came to pass; for Uladislas, eldest son of Sigismund, dying in 1648, John Casimir was elected king of Poland; but after some time resigned his crown and retired into France, where he died in 1672. It was this prince who himself afterwards disclosed all the circumstances of the fact which we have here related.

His miracles were not less remarkable than the other extraordinary favours he received from God. Many sick owed their recovery to his prayers. The saint falling sick of a fever at Osimo, the 10th of August, 1663, foretold that his last hour was near at hand. The day before his death he received the holy viaticum, and after it the extreme unction. He was heard often to repeat those aspirations of a heart inflamed with the love of God:

“Oh! that my soul was freed from the shackles of my body, to be reunited to Jesus Christ! Praise and thanksgiving be to God! The will of God be done. Jesus crucified, receive my heart, and kindle in it the fire of your holy love.”

He died the 18th of September, 1663, at the age of sixty years and three months. His body was exposed in the church, and the whole town came to visit it with respect; he was afterwards buried in the chapel of the Conception. The heroism of his virtues being proved, and the truth of his miracles attested, he was beatified by Benedict XIV. in 1753, and canonized by Clement XIII. in 1767. Clement XIV. inserted his office in the Roman Breviary.

See the Life of St. Joseph of Cupertino, written in Italian, by Count Dominic Bernini in 1722, and dedicated to Innocent XIII. Agelli has given an abridgment of it in 1753, with an account of twenty-two new miracles.

We have another abridgment of the life of this saint by Pastrovicchi, also in 1753. See also F. Suysken, Comment. et Not. p. 992.

~Rev. Alban Butler (1711–73). Volume IX: September.

The Lives of the Saints. 1866.

--- Adoremus in Aeternum

 (Deleted from the Roman calendar by Paul VI, Mysterii Paschalis, 1969)

The Legend of St. Valentine

 

St. Valentine

by

Soutenus

2000 years ago, the most powerful army in the world belonged to the Romans. The Romans were so strong that they had conquered almost all of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. Under the rule of Claudius II, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor, also known as Claudius the Cruel,  needed to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Life in the army was harsh, and many of the soldiers wanted the comforts of home. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To get rid of the problem, Claudius the Cruel banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. 

By that time, many of the Romans were Christians - and one of the church leaders was a Bishop called Valentine. Bishop Valentine knew that this decree was not just. He believed that if a man and woman fell in love with each other, they should be allowed to get married. Bishop Valentine  defied Claudius  and performed marriages  in his church, even though it was against the law. The soldiers’ weddings were meant to be kept secret, but as you know, all secrets are hard to keep, and soon the word got out. Valentine was arrested and brought before the emperor who demanded that he stop helping soldiers to marry, and that he pray to the gods of Rome. 

When he refused, the emperor sentenced him to death. Claudius ordered Bishop Valentine to be beaten to death with clubs and then to have his head cut off. But first, Valentine was put into prison. 

While Valentine was in prison, the jailer’s daughter used to bring him his food. She was a young woman who unfortunately was blind. She and Valentine used to spend long hours talking to each other. One day, Valentine put his hand through the bars of his cell and touched the lids of her closed eyes. When she opened them again, she could see. It was a miracle.

Valentine’s execution was set for February the 14th.  He was a martyr or "witness" of the Christian faith. On his last night on earth, he wrote his final message to the girl. He signed his love letter, “From your Valentine.” This took place in the year 270, and ever since, lovers have sent each other messages on February the 14th with the same signature.

word count 412

sources:

 https://www.storynory.com/st-valentine/

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/st-valentine-beheaded

Blessed Carlo Acuti and Eucharistic Miracles

More about St. Carlo Acutis

Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, & St. Raphael -Archangels (September 29)

"The word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature . . . . Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform . . . ". 

Michael means: Who is like unto God
Gabriel means: God is my strength
Raphael means: God Heals

~St. Gregory the Great (excerpt from a homily on the Gospels)

St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit,' from what they do, 'angel.'" With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (CCC 329; Mt 18:10).

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St. Michael the Archangel - The name Michael means "one who is like God". His will is focused, immovable, and entirely driven toward accomplishing goodness; he is the protector of souls, and wields his powerful sword against the poisonous and vindictive aspirations of he who is known as a liar from the beginning.

During a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, John Paul II said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."

Scripture relates such a truth: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him" (Rev 12:7-9).

Michael the Archangel said to the three children at Fatima, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Then he prostrated himself, and repeated three times: "My God; I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!"

In mind of the powerful experience related by Lucy, the above prayer of St. Michael brings tears to our eyes when we contemplate the utter serious nature of this committed warrior who strives after peace with all his being. Too, we can fathom the seriousness of our situation in regards the reality of life, of good and evil, of the battle that rages around us, and of God's wondrous love in giving us such a vigilant and magnificent protector.

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St. Gabriel is an angel who serves as a messenger for God to certain people. He is one of the three

archangels. Gabriel is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. First, in the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. Gabriel is described as, "one who looked like man," as he interprets Daniel's visions. He speaks to Daniel while he is sleeping. After Gabriel's first visit, Daniel becomes tired and sick for days. Gabriel later visits Daniel again providing him with more insight and understanding in an answered prayer.

In the New Testament, Gabriel, described as "an angel of the Lord," first appears to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. He tells him, "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:13.

After Elizabeth conceived and was six months pregnant, Gabriel appears again. The Book of Luke states he was sent from God to Nazareth to visit the virgin married to a man named Joseph. Gabriel said to Mary, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28.

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St. Raphael is one of the seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord, and one of the

only three mentioned by name in the Bible. He appears, by name, only in the Book of Tobit. Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story that claims he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch.

Disguised as a human in the Book of Tobit, Raphael refers to himself as "Azarias the son of the great Ananias" and travels alongside Tobit's son, Tobiah. Once Raphael returns from his journey with Tobiah, he declares to Tobit that he was sent by the Lord to heal his blindness and deliver Sarah, Tobiah's future wife, from the demon Asmodeus. It is then that his true healing powers are revealed and he makes himself known as "the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" Tobit 12:15.

The demon Asmodeus killed every man Sarah married on the night of the wedding, before the marriage could be consummated. Raphael guided Tobiah and taught him how to safely enter the marriage with Sarah.

Raphael is credited with driving the evil spirit from Sarah and restoring Tobit's vision, allowing him to see the light of Heaven and for receiving all good things through his intercession.
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The Celebration of the Eucharist (Saint Justin, martyr)

From the first apology in defense of the Christians by:
~Saint Justin, martyr
The Celebration of the Eucharist

No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ.

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Saviour became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the prayer of thanksgiving.

The apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread, gave thanks and said: Do this in memory of me. This is my body. In the same way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: This is my blood. The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray.

On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give assent by saying, “Amen.” The Eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent.
The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need.

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your consideration.

Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río (March 28, 1913 – February 10, 1928)

My son was recently asked to write about a person that he considers to be his hero. This is who he wrote about:

 

Blessed José Luis Sánchez del Río (March 28, 1913 – February 10, 1928) was a young Mexican Cristero who was put to death by government officials because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith. He has been declared a martyr and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2005.

. . . . At times they stopped him and said, 'If you shout, "Death to Christ the King" we will spare your life.' José would only shout, 'I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!'". . . .  Moments before his death, the boy drew a cross in the dirt and kissed it.

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

February 5th is the Feast Day of one of my favorite Patron Saints - St. Agatha!

“Portrait of a Young Woman as Saint Agatha” by Cariani (Giovanni Busi), 1516 - 1517

(Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time)

Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Agatha

Readings for Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]

Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Readings and Commentary:[3]

Reading 1: Hebrews 12:1-4

Brothers and sisters:

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

and persevere in running the race that lies before us

while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,

the leader and perfecter of faith.

For the sake of the joy that lay before him

Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame,

and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.

Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,

in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin

you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.

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Commentary on Heb 12:1-4

Hebrews returns to its principle theme in this selection.  The author encourages the faithful to redouble their zeal for the faith.  It is interesting that the author mentions specifically how the community (cloud of witnesses) strengthens the faith. The reading goes on to place Christ’s passion as a model of steadfastness, encouraging the faithful to resist against all opposition.  This resistance, says the author, should include shedding one’s own blood for the faith.

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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32

R. (see 27b) They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.

The lowly shall eat their fill;

they who seek the LORD shall praise him:

"May your hearts be ever merry!"

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

All the ends of the earth

shall remember and turn to the LORD;

All the families of the nations

shall bow down before him.

To him alone shall bow down

all who sleep in the earth;

Before him shall bend

all who go down into the dust.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

And to him my soul shall live;

my descendants shall serve him.

Let the coming generation be told of the LORD

that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born

the justice he has shown.

R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.

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Commentary on Ps 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32

In this song of praise the psalmist gives the response to God’s covenant.  It supports the idea from Hebrews 12:1-4 that this act of worship is done in community by the individual.  In fact the song presumes a communal worship of God. (“Let the coming generation be told of the Lord that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born the justice he has shown.”)

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Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side,

a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea.

One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward.

Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying,

"My daughter is at the point of death.

Please, come lay your hands on her

that she may get well and live."

He went off with him

and a large crowd followed him.

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years.

She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors

and had spent all that she had.

Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.

She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd

and touched his cloak.

She said, "If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured."

Immediately her flow of blood dried up.

She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,

turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?"

But his disciples said to him,

"You see how the crowd is pressing upon you,

and yet you ask, Who touched me?"

And he looked around to see who had done it.

The woman, realizing what had happened to her,

approached in fear and trembling.

She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth.

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you.

Go in peace and be cured of your affliction."

While he was still speaking,

people from the synagogue official's house arrived and said,

"Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?"

Disregarding the message that was reported,

Jesus said to the synagogue official,

"Do not be afraid; just have faith."

He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside

except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official,

he caught sight of a commotion,

people weeping and wailing loudly.

So he went in and said to them,

"Why this commotion and weeping?

The child is not dead but asleep."

And they ridiculed him.

Then he put them all out.

He took along the child's father and mother

and those who were with him

and entered the room where the child was.

He took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum"

which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"

The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around.

At that they were utterly astounded.

He gave strict orders that no one should know this

and said that she should be given something to eat.

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Commentary on Mk 5:21-43

This selection from Mark’s Gospel begins with Jesus continuing his journey of healing.  The passage relates two interwoven examples of the power of faith in healing.  First the Synagogue Official’s plea to Jesus to heal his daughter is presented.  This is important from the standpoint that it is recognition of Jesus status by the local faith community.  An official from the Synagogue would only consult with one widely recognized as an authority in spiritual matters.

On the way to the little girl, a woman with a hemorrhage that had been incurable by local physicians pressed in close and touched his cloak.  She was cured and it was as if her faith reached out and touched Jesus unlike the others crowded around because he felt her touch among all the others.  He turned and was able to specifically identify her.  The Lord’s words to her were; “…your faith has saved you.”

Arriving at the Synagogue Officials house Jairus’ faith was tested a second time as he was informed his daughter had died.  Jesus ignored these reports and proceeded to reward Jairus’ faith by bringing his daughter back from death; a sign of his mission to all mankind.

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Reflection:

One of the many rewards of faith in a loving and merciful God is the consolation of Christ in times of grief.  The Holy Father, Pope Benedict expresses this much better than I could in his recent encyclical Spe Salvi:

“Indeed, to accept the “other” who suffers, means that I take up his suffering in such a way that it becomes mine also. Because it has now become a shared suffering, though, in which another person is present, this suffering is penetrated by the light of love. The Latin word con-solatio, ‘consolation’, expresses this beautifully. It suggests being with the other in his solitude, so that it ceases to be solitude. “[4]

In simple language, the grief or sorrow we experience, especially at the loss of a loved one, a friend, or even a relationship is indeed the feeling of being alone, deprived of the person whose loss we have suffered.  Into this void comes Jesus, his loving hand outstretched, bridging the gap between life and death.  In Him we are never alone.  It is his consolation that lifts us out of hopelessness and gives us grace to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.

As the Holy Father says, Christ’s consolation is expressed most visibly though his followers (that would be us).  Our compassion for those who suffer becomes a miracle in itself.  It is not easy to accept another’s suffering though is it?  Accepting that burden necessarily means to experience the pain felt by the one who suffers.  That pain, we submit, is quantifiable.  That is there is only so much to go around and the more who share in that suffering, the less burdensome it becomes to the group within which it is shared.  It is Christ’s (con-solatio) consolation – we are no longer alone.

Today as we think about the grief of Jainus, who briefly was stabbed with the pain of losing a daughter, let us remember those who grieve the loss of those they love; husbands, wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters.  May all those who suffer the loss be blessed with Christ’s steadfast presence and our offer to share their suffering so it might be lessened though the consolation and mercy of God.

Pax

[1] ALTRE

[2] The picture used today is “Portrait of a Young Woman as Saint Agatha” by Cariani (Giovanni Busi), 1516 - 1517

[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL).  This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

[4] Spe Salvi, II, 38.