Feast of St. Wolfgang of Regensburg

San Volfango di Ratisbona, ora pro nobis

October 31st is the Feast of St. Wolfgang of Regensburg (San Volfango di Ratisbona), Benedictine monk, missionary, hermit, and reforming Bishop. He is the patron saint of paralyzed people, stroke victims, people with stomach ailments, and carpenters.

Born circa 924 in the Duchy of Swabia in southwestern Germany, he was educated at the abbey of Reichenau. Moving to the abbey of Einsiedeln in Schwyz (in present-day Switzerland), he was ordained a priest in 968 by St. Ulrich and became the director of the monastery school.

Traveling to Hungary with a group of monks he helped evangelize the Magyars, converting many to the faith. In 972 Emperor Otto II appointed him Bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria, where he initiated reforms, built churches, and tutored the future Emperor St. Henry II. Despite his prestigious station, he continued to wear a simple monastic habit.

A piece of the tree where
St. Wolfgang preached and
baptized in Thalmässing, Bavaria

Towards the end of his life St. Wolfgang briefly withdrew to a secluded cell in the Salzkammergut region of Austria to live the ascetic life of a hermit. However, deeply loved by his flock, the recluse was reluctantly called back to his episcopate. In 994 the holy man fell ill and died in the Chapel of St. Othmar in Pupping, Austria. He was canonized in 1052 by Pope Leo IX.

Though many healing miracles have been attributed to him, he is perhaps best remembered as the Saint who tricked the Devil into building a church.

According to legend, a ferocious wolf fleeing from a hunter refused to help the Bishop build a church. In pursuit of the beast, the huntsman also refused to help. The Devil then appeared and agreed to build it in exchange for the first soul that entered the church. Upon its completion, the wolf still looking for a place to hide from the persistent hunter rushed inside the new church, thus foiling the evil one’s plan to snare a human soul.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Wolfgang of Regensburg. The accompanying photo up top is my makeshift shrine devoted to the saint. The picture of the tree relic was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church rectory in Newark, New Jersey. Evviva San Volfango di Ratisbona!

Prayer to St. Wolfgang of Regensburg

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Regensburg, may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Look upon our Weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Wolfgang of Regensburg protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Around the Web — Blessed Charles of Austria: Emperor-Father-Saint with Charles Coulombe

From the Dr. Taylor Marshall YouTube channel

The inheritor of a tradition of Catholic monarchy dating back to the Roman Empire, Bl. Charles struggled to update it sufficiently to survive in the modern world. A brave soldier coming to the throne during a war whose start he had no part in, he risked everything to bring the bloody conflict to an end. Betrayed on all sides by allies, enemies, and subjects, his deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the Sacred Heart, and the Virgin Mary helped him to avoid hating those who wronged him. Devoted to his wife and children, Charles succeeded, with the help of his loving Empress, in leading a good Catholic family life despite everything. In a life filled with signs and miracles before and after his death, Bl. Charles managed to combine a life of deep piety with an intense practicality. After his death, his wife and children continued his work—her cause for beatification is now being considered.

Listen to podcast: Blessed Charles of Austria: Emperor-Father-Saint with Charles Coulombe

A Prayer for Nice

Jeanne d'Arc, Philadelphia, PA

Photo by New York Scugnizzo

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of the October 29th Islamic terror attack at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Nice, France. May Saint Réparata, Saint Denis, Saint Joan of Arc and the Martyrs of Nice protect and watch over you. Martyrs of Nice, orate pro nobis.

A Prayer to St. Joan of Arc

In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith. Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith. I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan. I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen.

Reflections on NYC's Mother Cabrini Monument

Mother Cabrini statue by Jill and Giancarlo Biagi at Battery Park City Esplanade

Thanks to the ongoing lawlessness and comrade de Blasio’s inane policies (to put it mildly), I’ve been avoiding the city as much as possible. Not since Dinkins have I felt this unsafe riding the subway or walking the muraled streets of Manhattan. Nevertheless, risking a visit last Sunday for the 119th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo Martire in Little Italy, I decided to make the most of it and finally go see the new St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Memorial in Battery Park City.

Unveiled on October 12th by Governor Andrew Cuomo for Columbus Day, the bronze statue depicts Mother Cabrini on a large paper boat with two young Italian American orphans and/or immigrants. In full view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the well kempt and squatter free location is befitting the patron saint of immigrants. Ideally it should have been erected in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, so the good people of Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen’s Parish who overwhelmingly voted for her could enjoy it in relative safety, but I digress.

While the monument is better than I expected (see my Thoughts on the She Built NYC Monument Debacle), I’m sorry to say I’m not a big fan. As far as contemporary art goes, it’s fine; it just doesn't suit my taste. That said, I have plenty of friends who disagree and absolutely love it. At least I think we can all agree that it's better than the heinous “Medusa with the Head of Perseus” monstrosity that was installed the following day outside New York County Criminal Court in Lower Manhattan.

Quite frankly, my real problem with the monument is not artistic or the location, it's the association with Cuomo. Sure, it was his brainchild, but the Governor’s stance on abortion alone should have precluded him from having anything to do with this project. Yes we are all sinners, but abortion is irreconcilable with Catholicism; and to me, there is something perverse about having this hypocrite’s name engraved on a statue of a Catholic Saint.

Also, the project wasn’t done in good faith. Far from any true devotion to Mother Cabrini (the bad blood between the Governor and Mayor is well documented), it was clearly green lighted to score some cheap political points and to spite Mayor de Blasio, whose wife Chirlane McCray failed to uphold the results of her own statue contest and snubbed the undisputed winner to suit her own biased political agenda.

Mother Cabrini is absolutely deserving of any and all recognition for her saintly life and I would love to see more monuments dedicated to her and other Catholic heroes. However, right now this city is dying and every single penny should be spent on policing and rebuilding New York City’s crumbling infrastructure. Stop squandering resources on noxious social projects, ridiculous street murals, and unnecessary monuments in these shameless self-promoting vanity projects. Our beloved patroness would be appalled by the insufferable misuse of funding and the godlessness of the corrupt buffoons in charge.

~ Giovanni di Napoli, October 28th, Feast of Saints Simon and Jude

Feast of the Holy Apostles Simon and Jude

Santi Simone e Giuda, ora pro nobis

Deus, qui nos per beátos Apóstolos tuos Simónem et Judam, ad agnitiónem tuo nóminis veníre tribuísti: da nobis eórum glóriam sempitérnam et proficiéndo celebráre, et celebrándo profícere. Per Dóminum.

October 28th is the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs. Born in Cana, Simon was a Jewish Zealot before his conversion to Christianity; and Jude, also known as Thaddeus (to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot), was the brother (or son) of St. James the Lesser, making him a relative of the Blessed Mother and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Both received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which is why they are often depicted with tongues of flame on their heads. They travelled widely throughout the Middle East and Western Asia to evangelize and were martyred in Roman Syria circa 65 AD. St. Simon was sawed into pieces, while Jude was either hacked to death with an ax or beaten with a club. St. Simon is the patron saint of curriers, woodcutters, and tanners. St. Jude is the patron saint of desperate situations and lost causes.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer in Latin and English. The accompanying photo of St. Jude was taken at the now-closed Saint Joseph’s Church (5 Monroe Street) in New York City. Evviva Santi Simone e Giuda!

Prayer

O God, Who hast granted us to come to the knowledge of Thy name through Thy blessed apostles Simon and Jude, grant us to celebrate their everlasting glory by advancing in knowledge and to improve by this celebration. Through our Lord.

Feast of San Nestore Martire di Tessalonica

San Demetrio slaying Lyaeus

In the Byzantine Synaxarion, October 27th is the Feast of San Nestore di Tessalonica, Hero and Martyr. Born in the third century in Constantinople or Thessaloniki, Macedonia, he was a disciple of the Holy Martyr San Demetrio di Tessalonica.

According to tradition, San Demetrio was denounced as a Christian and arrested, perhaps to be used in the gladiatorial games in Thessaloniki. At the time, Christian captives were being forced to fight the hulking Vandal Lyaeus in the arena if no-one dared to face him of their own accord. With a penchant for impaling his opponents on spikes, it wasn't always easy to find someone willing to do battle with the notorious gladiator.

Looking to prevent the murderous brute from killing any more Christians, San Nestore visited his master in prison to get his blessing. Signing his forehead and chest with the sign of the cross, San Demetrio prophesied, “You will defeat Lyaeus, but you will suffer for Christ.”

As Lyaeus entered the arena to thunderous applause, Emperor Maximian silenced the crowd and introduced his champion. Making his usual wager to entice would-be challengers, the Emperor offered a huge reward to anyone who could defeat the allegedly invincible warrior in hand-to-hand combat.

Stepping forward, San Nestore volunteered to fight Lyaeus. The crowd roared with laughter at the sight of the diminutive youth. Attributing the boy’s foolhardiness to poverty and desperation, Maximian tried to dissuade him, claiming the clash would be suicide for one so small and weak. Underestimating the stripling’s determination, he offered San Nestore the purse without having to fight or risk his life.

Undeterred, San Nestore repeated his challenge saying he did not need or want the Emperor’s money; he just wanted to prove that he was better than Lyaeus. Curious to see what would happen, the Emperor allowed the seemingly mismatched combatants to fight. 

Facing off on a large platform surrounded by a pit filled with stakes, spears and other sharp weaponry, San Nestore crossed himself and invoked the name of God, which greatly irritated Maximian.

Narrowly dodging the gladiator’s relentless attack, San Nestore found a brief opening and mortally wounded the barbarian. Crumpling to the ground at the boys feet, the crowd began cheering for the Christian, which further drew the ire of the Emperor. Casting Lyaeus down from the platform into the pit, the fiend was impaled on the blood-stained spikes he so often used to slay his Christian victims.

Mortified, Maximian stormed out of the arena bristling with rage. First he had San Demetrio run through with a spear then, instead of rewarding the victor, he ordered his guards to capture the Christian hero and had him beheaded with his own sword.

In celebration, I’m posting the prayers to San Nestore from Byzantine Catholic Prayer for the Home [link will open PDF file]. They are meant for private use. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Cav. Charles Sant’Elia, is a Greek terracotta tablet with bas-relief depicting San Demetrio on horseback slaying Lyaeus. Though San Demetrio did not physically slay Lyaeus, it was through his prayers that San Nestore was able to defeat the fearsome gladiator. San Nestore di Tessalonica, ora pro nobis.

Troparia
Troparion Tone 3 You took up the power of the cross from the great Demetrius and you ventured forth against the giant. His terrible strength did not save him, but he was struck down by you. They killed you for this, holy martyr, but your bravery ushered you in before Christ. O Nestor, pray for our peace and for mercy on us all!

Kontakion Tone 2 Having perfectly endured your martyrdom, you have inherited immortal glory. You have become a perfect soldier for the Master through the prayers of the great Demetrius. Join him, blessed Nestor, and pray without ceasing for us all. 

Stichera
O wondrous martyr Nestor, you girded yourself with the armor of Christ. Then you overcame Leo the emperor. By visible and invisible arrows you fettered Satan and put him to death, O greatly-gifted one. Because of that, Christ crowned you with the crown of victory. 

Glory be...now and ever...We implore you, our most pure Intercessor, never allow your sorely afflicted servants to perish. But hasten to snatch us from the forthcoming wrath and grief. O most holy and pure Theotokos, you are our rampart and invincible help.

Celebrating the 119th Annual Feast of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco, in Little Italy, New York

San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco, ora pro nobis

Sunday morning, members of the Craco Society celebrated the 119th Feast of San Vincenzo, Martire di Craco, at the Shrine Church of the Precious Blood (113 Baxter St.) in Little Italy, New York. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Monsignor Nicholas Grieco, who spoke at length about our beloved San Vincenzo, San Maurizio and the rest of the glorious Theban Legion. Evviva San Vincenzo!

(Above & below) The statue and relic of San Vincenzo beneath the "Guariglia bye-altar" with the society's original banner and flowers

The statue was crafted by Pasquale Marrese in 1901

(L) Reliquary with bone fragment. (R) Upright statue with votive offerings

Fred and Joe with beautiful antique image of San Vincenzo

(Above & below) After Mass, devotees venerate San Vincenzo

Photos by New York Scugnizzo

Photo of the Week: Equestrian Statue of HM King Ferdinando I di Borbone, Largo di Palazzo

Equestrian statue of HM Ferdinando I di Borbone, King of the Two Sicilies, by Antonio Canova (completed by Antonio Calì), Largo di Palazzo (Piazza del Plebiscito), Napoli. Photo by Andrew Giordano

Feast of San Gavino Martire

San Gavino Martire, ora pro nobis

October 25th is the Feast of San Gavino Martire (St. Gavinus), a Roman soldier martyred with his companions San Proto and San Gianuario in Porto Torres, Sardinia during the persecutions Emperor Diocletian in 304 AD. Widely venerated in Sardinia and neighboring Corsica, he is also the patron saint of Camposano near Naples.

In celebration, I'm posting a Prayer to Saint Gavinus. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Asbury Park. Evviva San Gavino!

Prayer to Saint Gavinus

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Gavinus may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his feast, we may also imitate his actions. Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Gavinus protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of San Vero di Salerno

San Vero Vescovo, ora pro nobis

October 23rd is the Feast of San Vero (St. Verus), third Bishop of Salerno. His patronal Feast is commemorated on October 15th. In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Verus. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, was taken at the Basilica Cattedrale SS. Matteo e Gregorio in Salerno. Evviva San Vero!

Prayer to St. Verus of Salerno

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Verus of Salerno may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Look upon our Weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Verus protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Paying Our Respects to the Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Ambrosio at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Newark, New Jersey

Rest in Peace Monsignor; you will be sorely missed

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Unable to attend the wake or funeral, a few of us visited Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church (259 Oliver St.) in Newark, New Jersey Tuesday morning to finally pay our respects and pray for the happy repose of the soul of the Very Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Ambrosio, Pastor and Knight Official of Ecclesiastical Grace of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George. Fortunately, we were given the opportunity to explore the church and rectory’s many treasures, venerate some of the relics, and recall our many fond memories with Monsignor. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Requiescat in pace.

(L) Santa Giovanna d'Arco (Jeanne d'Arc). (R) Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

 (L) Madonna di Constantinopoli. (R) Sant'Alfonso Maria de Liguori 

(L) A beautiful icon of Our Lady in the sanctuary.
(R) Sacred Heart of Jesus bye-altar with Madonna del Rosario di Pompei

(L) Monsignor's private shrine to the Madonna di Montevergine.
(R) Bejeweled icon of Our Lady of Montevergine in the sanctuary 

(L) Bye-altar with the Bambino Gesu di Praga. 
(R) Monsignor's private shrine to the Infant of Prague

Various Saints, including Santa Maria Goretti, Santa Lucia Filippini,
Sant'Antonio da Padova, and San Sebastiano

(L) Various Saints, including San Giovanni Bosco, Beato Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Sant'Ignazio di Loyola, and St. Marcellin Champagnat.
(R) Several Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

Various Saints, including Santa Teresa di Gesù Bambino (St. Thérèse of Lisieux), Santa Teresa Benedetta della Croce (Edith Stein), San Simone Stock,
Santa Filomena di Roma, and San Tommaso D'Aquino

(L) Relic of the True Cross. (R) Veil of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(L) San Gioacchino and Sant'Anna. (R) San Giuseppe

(L) San Gregorio Magno. (R) San Giacomo il Maggiore 

(L) Beata Maria Maddalena della Passione. (R) Beato Bartolo Longo

The church boasts several display cases filled with relics 

A collection of Carmelite relics

Blessed Andrea Calle González, Sister of Charity
martyred in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War

(L) Maria SS. del Carmine detta "La Bruna." (R) A piece of the tree
where St. Wolfgang preached and baptized in Thalmässing, Bavaria

Monsignor's private shrine to Blessed Emperor Karl I of Austria
and his beloved wife Servant of God Empress Zita

(L) Infant of Prague being restored in the church workshop.
(R) Monsignor's private statuette of the Bambino Gesu di Praga

Sacristan Eric Lavin was kind enough to show us Monsignor's
vestments with the coat-of-arms of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

Painted ceramic tiles from the Azores depicting St. Joseph with a young Jesus and San Michele Arcangelo in the church gardens

Photo of the Week: The Horse Tamer Outside the Gardens of the Royal Palace in Naples

One of two equestrian statues outside the entrance to the gardens of the Royal Palace in Naples. The statues are copies of the Horse Tamers from St. Petersburg, Russia, and were a gift to King Ferdinand II of Naples from Czar Nicholas I during a state visit to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1846

Photo by Andrew Giordano

Feast of Sant’Asterio (Eusterio) di Salerno

(L) Sant'Asterio, ora pro nobis. (R) Sant'Eusterio, ora pro nobis

October 19th is the Feast of Sant'Asterio (or Eusterio), a sixth century Bishop of Salerno who served as a papal legate for Pope Agapitus I during the Second Council of Constantinople (fifth overall). While some maintain (due to the similarity of their names) that Asterio and Eusterio are the same person, there are those who believe they are actually different saints. Seeing as the church has separate statues for each and only Sant'Asterio appears on their list of Bishops, I'm inclined to believe they are not the same person. Since there are other saints with the same names (e.g. Sant’Asterio di Ostia, who coincidentally shares the same feast day), it is possible that an older devotion, perhaps introduced by the conquering Langobards, was over time conflated with Salerno's glorious Bishop.1

 

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to St. Asterius of Salerno. A standard prayer for a saint's day, St. Eusterius (or any other saint's name for that matter) can be substituted. The accompanying photos, courtesy of Andrew Giordano, were taken at the Basilica Cattedrale SS. Matteo e Gregorio in Salerno. Evviva Sant’Asterio! Evviva Sant'Eusterio!

Prayer to St. Asterius of Salerno

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples of St. Asterius, sixth Bishop of Salerno, may effectually move us to reform our lives; that while we celebrate his festival, we may also imitate his actions. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Look upon our Weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our own deeds weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of St. Asterius protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Notes

(1) History of different saints and confused. San Eusterio vescovo and healthy Eusterio Martire by Carmelo Currò, Italia Medievale, Nov. 12, 2002

Announcing 'Blessed Charles of Austria: A Holy Emperor and His Legacy' with Charles Coulombe

Reprinted from Reconquest, with Brother André Marie

Episode 250: Emperor Charles, A Holy Emperor and His Legacy. Guest: Charles Coulombe

Episode 250 debuts on October 21, at 8:00 PM Eastern. Rebroadcasts will take place according to the Crusade Channel programming schedule (note: all times listed are Central time). The topic is Emperor Charles, A Holy Emperor and His Legacy. My guest is Mr. Charles A. Coulombe, historian and author.

Listen now! (Link will activate after the show’s premiere.)

“Reconquest” is a militant, engaging, and informative Catholic radio program featuring interviews with interesting guests as well as commentary by your host. It is a radio-journalistic extension of the Crusade of Saint Benedict Center. Each weekly, one-hour episode of Reconquest will debut RIGHT HERE on Wednesday night at 8:00 PM Eastern (7:00 PM Central). It will then be rebroadcast according to the Crusade Channel programming schedule (note: all times listed are Central time).

Feast Day Mass for Blessed Karl in Irving, Texas

Wednesday, October 21, 2020
12:15 PM — 1:45 PM
Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish
2030 East State Highway 356 Irving, TX,
75060 United States

Join the Mater Dei Latin Mass Parish in Irving, Texas, for Mass on the feast of Blessed Emperor Karl of Austria.

Immediately following will be a light reception in the parish hall sponsored by Emperor Karl League of Prayer U.S.A. and Canada (EmperorCharles.org) in lieu of another Bl. Karl Symposium this year.

The reception will include a promotion of the new book on the virtuous monarch, (currently stocked in the church bookstore) entitled Blessed Charles of Austria: A Holy Emperor and His Legacy by Charles A. Coulombe. There will be a reading of an excerpt from a chapter, followed by Q&A plus a single-copy book giveaway. Regular Mass sign-up rules still apply.

Sign-up information

Source: Blessed Karl of Austria, Emperor and King

Feast of Sant’Irene di Tessalonica, the Great Martyr

Sant'Irene di Tessalonica, ora pro nobis

October 16th is the patronal Feast of Sant’Irene di Tessalonica, Virgin and Martyr. She is sometimes called Sant’Irene Megalomartire (the Great Martyr), or Sant’Irene di Lecce, to differentiate her from the other Sant’Irene di Tessalonica who was martyred in 304 AD with her virgin sisters Agape and Chionia. 

Patroness of young girls and the town of Trentinara in Provincia di Salerno, she is invoked against storms, earthquakes, and lightning. The Trentinaresi also honor her on Easter Monday and February 24th, in remembrance of a terrible storm that struck the town in 1924. Widely venerated throughout Southern Italy, her Liturgical feast day is May 5th.

According to tradition, Sant’Irene (born Penelope) was the daughter of an overprotective Lord named Licinius (in some versions of the story he was a petty King in Persia). At the age of six, she was locked away in a tower by her father because of her great beauty. Secretly instructed in the faith by an angel, she converted to Christianity and destroyed the pagan idols in her bedchamber. Baptized by St. Timothy, he gave her the name Irene (Peace). 

Enraged, Licinius had his daughter bound and dragged behind a runaway horse. Miraculously, she survived the ordeal completely unscathed. When the horse was retrieved, it violently trampled Licinius to death. Praying for her father, he rose from the dead, causing the witnesses to convert en masse. Spreading the Word of God she healed the sick, exorcised demons and converted thousands of people.

Accusing Sant'Irene of sorcery, the city prefect summoned the girl to his court and demanded that she renounce her faith. When she refused to apostatize and make a sacrifice to the gods, he had her tortured and beheaded. Other accounts say she was burned at the stake or buried alive in a cave.

In celebration, I’m posting a prayer to Sant’Irene di Tessalonica in Italian. The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. Evviva Sant’Irene di Tessalonica!

Preghiere a Sant'Irene di Tessalonica

O vergine e martire Sant'Irene, che in cielo godi l’eterna beatitudine, volgi lo sguardo pietoso su di noi, Fa' che, seguendo il tuo esempio, non ci allontaniamo dalle massime cristiane e dal retto sentiero che conduce a Dio. Come te, vogliamo conoscere, amare e servire Dio; concedici quindi quella fede ferma per cui tu desti la vita; ardente carità verso Dio e verso il prossimo, fatta di opere e di bontà; speranza fiduciosa nei beni eterni del cielo. Ottienici dal Signore la grazia di sfuggire le insidie del demonio e tutto ciò che possa contristare il suo Cuore Divino e contaminare la nostra anima. Dopo Maria, sii per noi celeste avvocata, principale protettrice, valida difesa. Allevia le pene del nostro cuore e le ansie del nostro spirito; asciuga le lacrime dei nostri occhi, vieni in nostro aiuto. Impetraci da Gesù, tuo celeste sposo, che, compiuto il corso del terreno pellegrinaggio, giungiamo a vederlo e a godere con te quella gloria ineffabile preparata ai giusti per tutta l’eternità. Amen.

Novena to San Gavino Martire

San Gavino Martire, ora pro nobis

Pray novena to San Gavino Martire for nine consecutive days, October 16th to October 24th, in preparation for the feast of October 25th. Evviva San Gavino!

O glorious St. Gavinus you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of his beatific vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life. Remember now the dangers that surround me in the valley of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles (Mention your intentions here). St. Gavinus, pray for us.

The accompanying photo, courtesy of Anthony Scillia, was taken at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey.