Photos from October 13th Public Rosary Procession

Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch

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"Be intelligent like the serpent in all things and eternally innocent like the dove..."
St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

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To Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Saint Margaret Mary, thou who wast made a partaker of the divine treasures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, obtain for us, we beseech thee, from this adorable heart, the graces we need so sorely. We ask these favors of thee with unbounded confidence. May the divine Heart of Jesus be pleased to bestow them upon us through thy intercession, so that once again He may be loved and glorified through thee. Amen.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Margaret;
R. That we may be make worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst wondrously open the unsearchable riches of Thy Heart to blessed Margaret Mary, the Virgin: grant unto us, by her merits and our imitation of her, that we may love Thee in all things and above all things, and may be worthy to have our everlasting dwelling in the same Sacred Heart: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

- Indulgence of 300 days, once a day; plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if these prayers are said every day for a month.

The Prayer Book, The Catholic Press, Inc.

Novena for Homeschooling Moms

This very lovely novena can be found HERE

H/T to Anne

FEAST DAY OF SANTA TERESA DE JESÚS

by Peter Paul Rubens Picture Source
St. Teresa's Cell Picture Source


To Saint Teresa of Avila

O Saint Teresa, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of thy crucified Lord, thou who on earth didst burn with a love so intense toward thy God and my God, and now dost glow with a brighter and purer flame in paradise: obtain for me also, I beseech thee, a spark of that same holy fire, which shall cause me to forget the world, all things created, and even myself; for thou didst ever greatly desire to see Him loved by all men. Grant that my every thought and desire and affection may be continually employed in doing the will of God, the supreme Good, whether I am in joy or in pain, for He is worthy to be loved and obeyed everlastingly. Obtain for me this grace, thou who art so powerful with God; may I be all on fire, like thee, with the holy love of God. Amen.

- Indulgence of 300 days; plenary indulgence on the usual conditions, if this prayer is said devoutly every day for a month.

The Prayer Book, The Catholic Press, Inc.

Public Rosary on October 10th

Last Saturday there were many locations for a public rosary on the island of Oahu. Our family decided to attended the one in front of the Planned Parenthood. Thought it was a good idea considering we are at the 40 Days for Life midpoint. Although ours was a small group, we know our prayers were powerful. The entire Rosary was prayed as well as prayers to end abortion, the complete (long version) of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer which I understand is also a prayer of exorcism and the St. Louis de Montfort Act of Consecration.

Here are some photos.

October 13th

Our Lady of Fatima Statue, Honolulu, HI

To Our Lady of Fatima

Queen of the Rosary, sweet Virgin of Fatima, who hast deigned to appear in the land of Portugal and hast brought peace, both interior and exterior, to that once so troubled country, we beg of thee to watch over our dear homeland and to assure its moral and spiritual revival.

Bring back peace to all nations of the world, so that all, and our own nation in particular, may be happy to call thee their Queen and the Queen of Peace.

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our country. Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for all humanity a durable peace.

Amen.

- The Prayer Book, The Catholic Press, Inc.

Saint Damien Relic Travel Schedule

Check here to find out when your vicariate is scheduled to venerate St. Damien's relic.

THE ADMIRAL AND HIS LADY - Mary in the Life of Columbus

La Virgen de los Navegantes, by Alejo Fernández, 16th Century
Picture source

While a maelstrom of controversy and uncertainty concerning Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) has been unleashed in recent decades, there is no doubt of the admiral’s loving relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary and his loyalty to the Church. He was patently Mary’s devoted client and servant. This explorer may be a favorite target of self-appointed and erroneously informed critics, yet no one can deny that his insistence on bringing missionaries with him to the New World was pivotal to the implantation of Catholicism among the natives of North, Central, and South America and improving their lives.

Historical setting

Born into an Italian family in Genoa, Cristoforo Colombo (his name in Italian) became an outstanding sailor even in his youth. As a young seaman he dreamed of making a voyage to find a shorter route to the Far East because Marco Polo’s land route to China was becoming more dangerous and expensive. He knew the world was not flat, and so did most educated people of his time. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain were persuaded to sponsor the expedition to secure Spain’s wealth, Ferdinand’s goal, and to spread the Catholic faith, Isabella’s concern.

Remember that 1492 was still the Middles Ages. The Protestant Revolt did not erupt until 15 years later. And later, unlike Hernán Cortés, Columbus didn’t see Native Americans as slaves or enemies, but as children of God, and as potential converts, and allies of Spain.

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The admiral’s dedication to Mary

Columbus was a staunch champion of the doctrine of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. His veneration of the Mother of the Redeemer was clearly a symbol of his faith and a mainspring of his life’s work of discovery.

At the very outset of his grand adventure, he recorded his devotedness to Mary by giving her name to his flagship.

Spanish seamen of that era frequently referred to their vessels by two designations: one was formal and dignified; the other was informal and casual. The nickname was generally used more popularly than the official, often religious, name of the ship.

The Niña (“Girl”) derived her familiar name from her master, Juan Niño. Formally christened the Santa Clara, the caravel was almost always listed by her popular nickname. The Pinta (“Painted One”) most likely bore the name of a saint, but it was probably used so seldom that no extant document lists it.

Columbus’ third and largest ship had been built in Galicia and was called La Galléga. Crew members noticed her tendency to lurch when turning, and dubbed the vessel Marigalanta (“Frivolous Mary”). In May 1492, she was chartered from Juan de la Cosa of Santona. Columbus himself named her the Santa Maria.

Before setting sail from southern Spain Cristobal Colón (his name in Spanish) went to confession and received Holy Communion at Mass. His flagship was outfitted with a chapel, where Mass was offered daily. Today the altar of that chapel is in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, at the Christopher Columbus Museum. Mathilde DeLagarde Boal inherited the altar in 1908 from her aunt, Victoria Colón, a descendant of Columbus who had preserved it at the Colón Castle in Spain.



Each day at nightfall, the admiral gathered his crew to sing the Salve Regina to salute their Protectress. Christopher Columbus emphatically demonstrated that his devotion to the Christian faith and to Mary was vital and vigorous. This is attested by the names he bestowed on lands never before seen by European eyes.

New Lands

He called his first discovery in the New World San Salvador in honor of our Holy Savior. Next he expressed his devotion to the Immaculate Conception by naming an island Santa Maria de la Concepción.

On Subsequent voyages, Columbus called an archipelago east of Cuba “Our Lady’s Sea.” and an unusually circular island Santa Maria Rotunda. Neither of these names has been preserved in modern maps. And geographers have failed to identify the land he christened La Concepción in August 1498. Unfortunately, many names of religious and patriotic significance were later secularized.

On the return of the first voyage, difficulties multiplied. The hardships endured were much more severe than those of the westward sailing and tested the mettle of all crew members. Food was scarce and supplies rapidly diminished. More than one hurricane struck and battered the caravels mercilessly. The Santa Maria had already run aground.

Vows in times of distress

The end seemed imminent on Feb. 14, 1493. Columbus called together the crew and urged them to implore God’s help.

After praying for a time, each crew member made a solemn vow to make a pilgrimage if the lot should fall to him. Columbus directed that the first act of thanksgiving be a pilgrimage to the famous Marian shrine of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in southern Spain, and that the chosen representative carry a five-pound candle. Chickpeas were used to draw lots. One was marked with a cross. Columbus himself drew the marked pea.

The admiral selected a second renowned shrine of Our Lady for pilgrimage – Santa Maria de Loreto in Ancona, Italy. This time the cross-marked pea was drawn by seaman Pedro de Villa. Columbus promised to defray the expenses for this long pilgrimage.

Yet another lot was drawn, and this bound the admiral to spend a night in prayer at the church of Santa Clara de Moguer, home port of the Niña. To conclude this intense time of prayerful intercession, Columbus bound himself and the entire crew to go in their shirts in thankful visit to the first church of the Virgin Mary they encountered when they reached land.

Almost miraculously they rode out the storm, survived the damage and continued homeward.

But more danger awaited them. Two weeks later, on March 3, howling winds split their sails and threatened to rip them from the masts. Again the crew stormed heaven and drew lots for the pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Santa Maria de la Cinta in Huelva, the port from which they had departed on the historic and world-changing voyage. Again the lot fell upon Columbus. It appeared that Our Lady was intervening to bring the admiral to her shrines.

This was an age in which people were quick to take vows during times of distress, only to forget them when trouble subsided and calm was restored. Not so Columbus.

Landing at the Azores on Feb. 17 or 18, 1493, he reminded his men of their obligation. Walking barefoot in their shirts led by Columbus, they went in procession to a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Mass was celebrated for them by a local priest. For most of the day Columbus remained at the chapel in prayer.

The admiral’s faithfulness

When they reached Spain, Columbus was honored by the monarch and hailed by the common people. But in this hour of triumph he was faithful to his vows. Traveling south from Barcelona to Seville, he went by way of the monastery and shrine of Santa Maria de Guadalupe on the slope of the Sierra de Estremadura. Not only did Columbus make the promised pilgrimage, but on the second voyage he named an island Guadipea because its mountains resembled those behind Santa Maria de Guadalupe.

Until life’s end, Columbus actively promoted the honor of Mary and her veneration. In 1498, he executed a formal document for the disposition of his property and future income. One of the major bequests was made for the establishment of a church on Española to be named Santa Maria de la Concepción. Seven years later, he stipulated in his last will and testament the specific site for the proposed church. Sadly, the memorial to Mary was never erected. Spanish rulers failed to honor their contract with Columbus and his estate did not have enough funds to materialize his wishes.
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In his waning years, Columbus’ dedication to Mary was evidenced even more openly. Frequently, be wore the white cord of a Franciscan, and at least on one occasion appeared in the full habit of the sons of St. Francis of Assisi.

His ties with the Franciscans were close and genuine. He sought them out for their guidance and moral support, and the friars influenced his devotion to Mary and her Immaculate Conception.

In the 15th century, the theological opponents of the mystery of the Immaculate Conception were varied and vocal. But the Franciscans were early and ardent supporters of the doctrine. As early as 1263, the Franciscans celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Since 1484, Columbus enjoyed close relations with noted Franciscans. They had befriended him in his darkest hour, successfully interceded for him at court, and persuaded Isabella to sponsor his first voyage. It was the friary of Santa Maria de la Rábida in Huelva that offered him the strongest support.

In time of distress, the admiral turned to Mary for aid, and she responded. Is it too much to conjecture that a major motive in his unparalleled career of discovery was his desire to lay new treasures at the feet of his Lady?
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No wonder, then, that more than a century and a quarter ago the Servant of God, Father Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus, chose the intrepid navigator and admiral as model for the fraternal order of Catholic gentlemen. This is reflected in the page one report of the May 25, 1878, edition of the Connecticut Catholic: “As American Catholics, we do not know of anyone who more deserves our grateful remembrance than the great and noble man – the pious, zealous, and the faithful Catholic – the enterprising navigator, and the large-hearted sailor, Christopher Columbus – ‘the Christ-bearing dove’ as his name signifies.”

- Written by Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.

Note: Brother John M. Samaha, S.M. has been a Marianist for 60 years. After a variety of assignments in education in the United States and Lebanon, he is now retired at the Marianist Center in Cupertino, California.

Used with permission.

Saint Damien - Statement by Mayor Mufi Hanneman and Proclamation by Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor Duke Aiona

Mayor Hannemann statement on Father Damien

Damien Day Proclamation issued

Holy Mother

Performed by Eric Clapton and Luciano Pavarotti. Many thanks to Bernadette C.



Eric Clapton and Stephen Bishop

Holy Mother, where are you?
Tonight I feel broken in two.... Read More
I've seen the stars fall from the sky.
Holy mother, can't keep from crying.

Oh I need your help this time,
Get me through this lonely night.
Tell me please which way to turn
To find myself again.

Holy mother, hear my prayer,
Somehow I know you're still there.
Send me please some peace of mind;
Take away this pain.

I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait any longer.
I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait for you.

Holy mother, hear my cry,
I've cursed your name a thousand times.
I've felt the anger running through my soul;
Holy Mother can't keep control

Oh I feel the end has come,
No longer my legs will run.
You know I would rather be
In your arms tonight.

When my hands no longer play,
My voice is still, I fade away.
Holy mother, then I'll be
Lying in, safe within your arms.

Mahalo Melissa for sharing lyrics.