Pope John XXIII's Encyclical on Penance

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ENCYCLICAL OF POPE JOHN XXIII ON THE NEED FOR THE PRACTICE OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PENANCE

Pope Francis Approves Sainthood Cause For Predecessors

 

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 Such wonderful news on this First Friday in July!!!

Pope Francis this morning received Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, where he approved the cause of several blesseds and venerables, most notably, Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII. 

 The Zenit article can be read HERE

Blessed John XXIII - On Simplifying Himself

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Pope John XXIII was always trying to sanctify himself, even as a young boy.  The following is an excerpt from his journal, during a Holy Week retreat, when he was the Papal Representative in France (1945).

"In order to simplify everything, I shall bear in mind the theological and cardinal virtues.  The first cardinal virtue is prudence.  This is what Popes, Bishops, king and commanders have found difficult, and it is in this that they frequently fail.  It is the characteristic quality of the diplomat, so I must cultivate it with particular care.  Every evening I must examine myself strictly on this point.  My ready tongue often betrays me into saying far too much.  Beware, beware!  Know how to preserve silence, how to speak with moderation, how to refrain from judging people and their attitudes, except when this is an obligation imposed by Superiors, or for grave reasons.

On every occasion say less rather than more and always be afraid of saying too much, remembering St. Isidore of Seville's praise to St. Fulgentius.  And be particularly careful to preserve charity. This is my Rule".

This is a good lesson for all of us.  It is always to say less than more.  You will not regret saying less.  It is always a good idea to think, and pray before speaking.  Think of all the saints.  They were very prudent in speech.

- Journal of a Soul

Saintly Advice - Blessed John XXIII

Saintly Advice from Blessed John XXIII - Imitating Christ

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"Jesus, when his teaching is distorted and he is slandered as a seducer, taunted with ignorance  exposed to the mockery and scorn of all, is meekly silent; he does not confound his slanderers  he lets himself b struck, spat upon, scourged, treated as a madman, and never loses his clam or breaks his silence.

So, I will let people say whatever they will about me, assign to me the lowest pl;ace, misunderstand my words and my actions, without ever trying to justify myself or find excuses, accepting cheerfully even the rebukes of my Superiors, without saying a word..."

Journal of a Soul by Pope John XXIII

Blessed John XXIII - The School of Jesus

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Even as a young boy in the seminary, Pope John XXIII tried to love God with all his heart and soul.  The following is from an entry he made before starting his vacation:

"In the vacation there are no more classes in science or literature, but in the Blessed Sacrament a heavenly school is open to me, with the best Teacher one can possibly imagine, Jesus Christ himself. And the two chief subjects taught in this school are:  humility and love.

So I will go to the school of Jesus; there I will learn to be always humble and loving. May God and the most holy Virgin help me and make me worthy to listen to these divine lessons and to learn from the.  The former students, my models, are the saints, my fellow students are those just souls who live only to serve the honour of God and to extend the boundaries of the kingdom of Jesus Christ...."

July 19th, Tuesday - Journal of a Soul