Tuesday, August 4, 2009

"Show me the way to Ars and I'll show you the way to Heaven."

Catholic Cuisine has everything you need to plan a nice celebration for this feast day in honor of St. John Vianney! Excellent - You'll want to bookmark this site for future celebrations.

St. John Vianney - August 4


This beloved priest, patron of parish priests and now of ALL priests, struggled as a student to complete his studies for the priesthood. When he was finally ordained he was sent to a remote village at Ars, France. In spite of the humbleness of his situation he became renowned. Thousands would flock to Ars to hear his homilies or go to confession. He would spend up to 16 hours in the confessional. It was said he would do battle with the devil. A man of extraordinary patience, St. John Vianney lived a life of extreme mortification out of love for Christ and for souls.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Reminder!

My friend Sam reminded me that tomorrow is the Feast of St. John Vianney! Plan on boiled potatoes for dinner - apparently that was all he ate.

Pray for Priests - Craft

"It would be easier for the earth to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass."
- Padre Pio
Under Her Starry Mantle has a terrific post about a craft that reminds kids to pray for priests!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Did you see them?

Franciscan Friars walked from Roanoke,VA to DC. It took them six weeks and they relied on the kindness of strangers. I think St. Francis would be proud. The Washington Post has the story.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Welcome Visitors

Welcome to the folks visiting from Catholic and Enjoying It! Have a look around. And if you have stories about vocations,priests or religious we'd love to hear from you. Just click on the email address in the sidebar and drop us a line. We'd love to publish your story. God Bless!

Vocations: A Gift to the Church, a Gift to the Family

Speaking of the Archdiocese of Washington (see below), the Catholic Standard is running another great story on seminarians. This covers a Seminarian Family Day in which Archbishop Donald Wuerl visited with the seminarians and their families. From the article:

During his homily, the archbishop noted the recent Ordination Mass marked the beginning of the Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Wuerl said in the Year for Priests, "We are reminded of the unique role and the identity of the priest." He added that the priest "continues the work of redemption on Earth."Archbishop Wuerl noted that the Seminarian Family Day also marked the feast of St. James, an early Christian martyr who understood what the priesthood is all about. The archbishop said, "What the priest brings to the world today...is surpassing power...nothing less than the presence of Christ."The archbishop also quoted St. John Vianney, who is the patron saint of parish priests. St. John Vianney said priests must be men of prayer, hear their calling, share their identity with Christ, and show and live that identity by caring for those entrusted to their care.Archbishop Wuerl said priestly formation makes it "possible for the earthen vessels to be strong enough, to hold that gift of surpassing power."

Then Msgr. Panke spoke about the role of families in the formation of priests:

Msgr. Panke said, "What God asks us to do makes us happy. If you say 'yes' to that, then your life is beautiful.""Parents play such an essential role" in the formation of the priest, Msgr. Panke said, and he added that the role of parents in a priest's vocation is lifelong. "When we (priests) become ordained, we bring our families with us." Likewise the commitment of the priest "oozes out into the family," he said.That point was illustrated by two sets of parents of future priests who gave testimonials during the picnic. In their testimony, Dan and Judy Wells -- the parents of Deacon Dave Wells, a seminarian for the archdiocese -- said his vocation to the priesthood has been an "invisible osmosis that's affected our family," noting that their son's vocation has had a good influence on their whole family.Tom and Cecilia Royals -- the parents of Father Andrew Royals, a parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie -- said although they have more than one son, for families who only have one son, it can be difficult for him to be "given up" to the priesthood. But the couple said instead of grandchildren, parents of a priest have "spiritual progeny."

Go read the whole thing.