Jesse Tree: 1st Tuesday- Adam & Eve, The First Sin

First Tuesday of Advent
Adam and Eve, The First Sin

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

Today we place on the tree the symbol of the apple. The apple recalls the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

Jesus' family tree's first human ancestors are Adam and Eve. The story of God creating Adam and Eve brings to mind the question from the historical Baltimore Catechism: "Why did God make you?" and the answer, "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him, and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven."

God created Adam and Eve to live in happiness. The story of the first sin reminds us of our daily struggles to live as God wants, to work toward the good and happiness of all, in spite of our failings and sins. We remember that God does not abandon us in our sinfulness, but instead sent His son to show us the way and to save us from our sins. The story of Adam and Eve depicts sin as the inciting incident of the story of salvation.

Take some time today to make an examination of conscience and ask God's forgiveness. 

Today's Focus: Adam and Eve, The First Sin

Symbol: Apple

Scripture: Genesis 2:4 through 3:24 

Yesterday's Focus: God the Creator

Tomorrow's Focus: Noah and the Flood

Jesse Tree: 1st Monday, God the Creator

First Monday of Advent
God the Creator

Image credit: Carolyn Pikoulas and the Diocese of Erie

The first symbol placed on the Jesse Tree is that of the dove. The dove reminds us of God, and is symbolic of the peace and harmony that God intended for his creation when He made the world.

Take some time to meditate on the beauty of creation, and give thanks to God for all He has made. 

Today's Focus: Creation

Symbol: Dove

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-3

Yesterday's Focus: Introduction to the Jesse Tree
Tomorrow's Focus: Adam & Eve, The First Sin

First Sunday of Advent-Introduction to the Jesse Tree

First Sunday of Advent
Introduction to the Jesse Tree

Image credit: thetuckerbunch.typepad.com

One educational and meaningful Advent tradition is the remembrance of the family of Jesus through the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree is a countdown to Christmas using scripture and symbols to recall the ancestors of Jesus. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom."

A Jesse Tree can be a poster on a wall, or it can be incorporated on to your Christmas tree. Each day of Advent, a symbol is placed upon the tree, and a scripture reading is read. For the four weeks of Advent, we will be looking at each day of the Jesse Tree.

Today's Symbol: The bare tree
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10
                              1 Samuel 16: 1-13

Advent is here!

Did Advent sneak up on you?

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. If you haven't picked yours up yet, Reilly's still has Advent candles, wreaths, calendars, and meditation books in stock. Pick yours up and take a few moments each day to remember the true reason for the season.






12 inch Advent tapers available in 3 Purple, 1 Rose and 3 Blue, 1 Rose. $6.15 per box

3" x 12" Advent pillar candles $64.50 per set.
Available in 3 Purple, 1 Rose
3 Blue, 1 Rose- sold out











Links of Interest:
Symbolism of the Advent Wreath
The Advent Conspiracy 

Patron Saint of the Day- St. Cecilia

November 22nd
St. Cecilia

Patron Saint of Musicians

While the historical accuracy of St. Cecilia is up for debate, her story is touching and inspiring.

Cecilia was a young woman in Rome in the third century. Betrothed against her will, she fasted and prayed that she would be able to keep her virginity. She told her betrothed, Valerian, that she was able to see an angel, who protected her from harm. She told Valerian that if he was to become a Christian, he would be able to see the angel as well. He believed her and when he returned saw an angel with flaming wings who then crowned the two with flowers. Valerian and his brother were so inspired by this they made it their mission to bury Christians who had been martyred by the emperor.

Cecilia meanwhile converted hundreds through her preaching. Over four hundred people are said to have been baptized because of Cecilia. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to death. The original sentence of being suffocated by the steam and heat in the baths failed, Cecilia was unharmed. She was then ordered to be killed by beheading. The executioner tried three times, but only succeeded in fatally wounding Cecilia. It took her three days to pass.

Reilly's has a selection of medals, statues, and holy cards of St. Cecilia, as well as other loved saints.

Patron Saint of the Day- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

November 18th
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

St. Rose was born in Grenoble, France in 1769. She wanted to be Visitation nun, but the French Revolution ended those plans when the Visitation nuns were expelled from their home in 1788, before Rose could make her profession. During the Revolution, Rose hid fugitive priests, visited prisons, and taught. When she could not reorganize the Sisters of the Visitation after the Revolution, she offered the house to the Society of the Sacred Heart and joined that order herself.

At the age of forty-nine, Rose was sent to America. She traveled to St. Charles, Missouri and established a convent, orphanage, and the first free school west of the Mississippi. She was renowned for her courage and fortitude through pioneer conditions. At seventy-one she established a school for the Native Americans, who called her "The Woman Who is Always Praying". She continued to teach and nurse the sick until her death in 1852.

Thought for the day from EWTN.com: "Setback after setback after setback, even into old age! This woman of bronze—St. Rose Philippine Duchesne—let nothing stop her, nothing discourage her, nothing slow her down. We can do almost anything for God if we refuse to be discouraged and are willing to pay the price: the price is something called holiness."


Links of Interest:
Food on the Frontier from Missouri Department of Conservation
The Society of the Sacred Heart

Patron Saint of the Day- St. Hugh of Lincoln

November 17th
St. Hugh of Lincoln

St. Hugh and the Swan of Stowe

St. Hugh of Lincoln was a Carthusian in the 12th century. He had a reputation for wisdom, justice, holiness, and sanctity. He often rebuked leaders when they were acting inappropriately. He admonished Henry II for keeping Sees empty in order to keep money in the royal treasury, and he spoke out vehemently against the Jewish persecutions in England in 1190-91. There are stories of him speaking with armed mobs and convincing them to release their prisoners. 

A whooping swan appeared at his ordination as bishop. He befriended the swan and kept it as a pet for the rest of his life. There are tales that the swan watched over St. Hugh as he slept. 

St. Hugh was the first Carthusian to be canonized a saint.

Links of interest:

Carthusian Monks from Chartreux.org

The York Pogrom from BBC

St. Elizabeth of Hungary from Catholic.org (whose feast day is also today)

Patron Saint of the Day- St. Gertrude the Great

November 16
St. Gertrude the Great

St. Gertrude of Helfta

St. Gertrude was a Benedictine nun who lived in the 13th century. She is renowned for her overpowering visions of Christ, and for her spiritual writings and exercises. She is one of the leading women monastic writers and visionaries. Her focus was the unconditional love of God for us. 

St. Gertrude is invoked to pray for the souls in purgatory. Her prayer is said to help release 1000 souls from purgatory every time it is said. 

St. Gertrude's Prayer:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Link of interest:
St. Gertrude's Monastery in Cottonwood, Idaho

Patron Saint of the Day-St. Albert the Great

November 15
St. Albert the Great

Patron saint of scientists

St. Albert was a man of remarkable intellect. One of the first natural scientists, Albert was skilled at biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geography, metaphysics, mathematics, Biblical study, and theology. He studied at the University of Padua and received his doctorate from the University of Paris. He was a professor at several colleges in Europe.




Links of Interest:
University of Padua
University of Paris from Catholic Encyclopedia
Prayer to St. Albert the Great from Catholic Prayers

Patron Saint of the Day- St. Martin of Tours

November 11

St. Martin of Tours

Since today is Veterans Day, it is fitting that the saint of the day is the patron saint of soldiers.

Martin was born in 315 or 316 in Pannonia, in what is now Hungary. From an early age he desired to be a Christian, even though his family worshiped the traditional Roman gods. He was made a catechumen at the age of ten, but due to his forced conscription into the Roman army, was not baptized a Christian until he was 18.

Martin performed works of mercy in every aspect of his life. During his forced service in the army, he refused to take a life. He spent much of his service as an imperial guard, rather than in battle. When approached by a homeless man freezing from cold, Martin cut his cloak in two, to share with the beggar. He was later visited by a vision of Jesus wearing half of the cloak.

Martin worked throughout his life Martin spoke out for those in prison. He protested state sanctioned torture and the murder of criminals. He spoke to leaders and prison keepers and convinced them to free their prisoners. While he went door to door evangelizing people for Christianity, he spoke fervently against capital punishment and imprisonment for heresy, maintaining that it was a spiritual matter and should be left to the church.

St. Martin’s monastic life style and prayerful meditation led him to have many visions. For a more detailed account of his life visit: Catholic.org

Links of Interest:

St. Martin's Bags from Catholic Cuisine

An explanation of St. Martin's Day celebrations in Germany from Travels Through Germany

Patron Saint of the Day-St. Leo the Great

November 10th
St. Leo the Great

Raphael's painting The Meeting between Leo the Great and Attila

St. Leo the Great was the first pope ever to be bestowed with the title "The Great". He was pope from 440-461, and is the tenth longest-reigning pope. 

Pope Leo was born in Tuscany in the year 400. He is best known for his meeting with Attila the Hun and persuading Attila to turn back from invading Italy. Raphael's depiction of this meeting can be seen in the image above. He also convinced the Vandals who had lay siege to Rome to cease looting and pillaging the city under their occupation. St. Leo the Great was instrumental in cementing the papacy as the ultimate authority of the Catholic Church, citing that the Church was built on Peter (Matthew 16:16-19). He left many significant writings and documents and is considered a father of the Church.

Links of Interest:

St. Leo and the Petrine Doctrine from Fordham.edu

More information on St. Leo the Great from doctorsofthecatholicchurch.com

Related Books at Reilly's:

Church Fathers and Teachers:
From Saint Leo the Great to Peter Lombard
By Pope Benedict XVI

Hardcover
211 pages
$16.95

The Fathers of the Church:
An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers
By Mike Aquilina

Paperback
289 pages
$13.95

Honoring Veterans

Thursday, November 11th is Veterans Day. We honor and remember those who serve their country in the military, and those who served but have passed away.

In the store, Reilly's has a large selection of gifts and books perfect for those who serve in the military, those who have retired from active duty, or those who have passed. Below is a small selection of our stock. Come in to see our full inventory.

For ways to support veterans you can visit the the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"
16" x 36"
$115.00

18 x 22
$74.99

Available in Air Force, Army, Navy, National Guard, and USMC
$29.95

$9.99

$9.95

Patron Saint of the Day- November 8th

November 8th

St. Castorius

Quattro Santi Coronati (The Four Crowned Saints) by Nanni di Banco

St.  Castorius was one of a group of martyred artisans sometimes called the Four Crowned Saints. The others were named Symphorian, Claudius, and Nicostratus. They were a group of sculptors and carvers that lived under the rule of Emperor Diocletian.  They were commissioned to do carvings for the Emperor, however they refused to make a carving of the Greek god, Aesculapius, god of medicine and healing. While Diocletian accepted this, when the four refused to make sacrifices to the god, Diocletian had them killed by locking them in lead coffins and throwing them in a river.

Castorius is the patron saint of sculptors.

Links of interest:

Emperor Diocletian from roman-emperors.org

More information on Diocletian and the Diocletian persecutions from Catholic Encyclopedia 

Patron Saint of the Day- November 5th

November 5th
Sts. Elizabeth and Zachariah

Elizabeth and Zachariah are Biblical saints and the parents of John the Baptist. Elizabeth was descended from the line of Aaron, and Zachariah was a priest. Both were good people who wished for a child, even into advanced age.

The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah and announced that he and Elizabeth would have a son and name him John. Zachariah questioned and did not believe the angel, and so was struck dumb until John's naming day when he insisted that they call the boy John, even though he had no relatives with that name. He prophesied John's mission as the Baptizer by saying,

" And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us to shine on those who sit in darkness and death's shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:76-79

Elizabeth was the first to hear of the Virgin Mary (her kinswoman) being pregnant with the Messiah. Her words to Mary are now part of the Hail Mary prayer. Mary's response to her is a beautiful prayer of joy that we now call the Magnificat.


Links of Interest:
The Hail Mary Prayer from About.com
The Magnificat Prayer from Women for Faith and Family

Patron Saint of the Day- November 4th

November 4th
St. Charles Borromeo

St. Charles was born in Italy to Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici. His uncle was Pope Pius IV. He began his studies at the Benedictine abbey of Sts. Gratian and Felinus when he was twelve years old.

When he was older, St. Charles served as a legate on diplomatic missions for Pope Pius the IV and was instrumental in reconvening the Council of Trent. When the Count died, Charles declined to take his place as leader of the family, choosing instead to be ordained a priest. That same year he became Bishop of Milan, and oversaw the creating of the catechism, breviary, and missal called for by the Council of Trent.

He eventually became Bishop of Trent and made drastic changes there to improve the manners and morality. He reorganized the diocese to make it one of the most effective in the area, instituting seminaries, confraternities, and aiding colleges. He created a society of secular priests (now called the Oblates of St. Charles) and brought many lapsed Catholics back to the faith.

His feast day is November 4th, and he is the patron saint of learning and the arts.

Links of Interest:
Explanation of the Council of Trent at the Catholic Encyclopedia
Canons and decrees of the Council of Trent at Hanover College

Prayer of St. Charles from St. Charles Borromeo Church in Picayune, MS

Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of

your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and
teaches.
Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without
ostentation, and without personal gain.
Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the
knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me.
Amen.

November New Releases

November 2010
New Books

The Face of God
The Rediscovery Of The True Face of Jesus
Best-selling journalist, historian & author Paul Badde embarks on an exciting quest to discover the truth behind the Holy Face of Manoppello, a relic recently rediscovered & rumored to be the "veil of Veronica". 
Illustrated with 16 pages of color photos.

Looking for the King
Weaving his fast-paced narrative with actual quotes from the works of the Inklings, David Downing offers a vivid portrait of Oxford & draws a welcome glimpse into the personalities & ideas of Lewis & Tolkien, while never losing sight of his action-packed adventure story & its two very appealing main characters.

Spirit of Father Damien
The Leper Priest-A Saint for Our TimesFr Damien, famous for his missionary work with exiled lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, is finally St Damien. His sanctity took 120 years to become officially recognized, but between his death in 1889 & his canonization in 2009, Fr Damien never faded from the world's memory.

Come Lord Jesus
Meditations on the Art of WaitingThese Advent reflections focus our attention on the coming of Jesus into our lives. Though written for Advent, the wisdom of Mother Mary Francis collected by her sisters is profitable at any time because a Christian life is one of constant growth into the very likeness of God.

Wisdom of Desert Fathers and Mothers
This volume contains Athanasius' famous The Life of St. Anthony, St. Jerome's The Life of Paul the Hermit, & the collected sayings of many of the desert fathers & mothers. Encouraging humility, patience, prayer, introspection, & love, they teach that contemplative practice opens the door to eternal wisdom for daily life.

Walking Together
Discovering the Catholic Tradition of Spiritual FriendshipAddressing a growing modern hunger for deep soul friendships, Mary DeTurris Poust looks honestly but hopefully at today's culture, where people feel increasingly isolated despite the advent of myriad gadgets designed to keep them "connected."

May You Rejoice
A Blessing for Your BirthdayThis delightful blessing is the perfect birthday gift for cherished friends & family members. Its 12 expressive verses, each accompanied by an evocative image, call to mind the many ways that God's sustaining and supportive care is present each day.

Seven Sacred Pauses
Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the DayUsing scripture, poetry, reflections, personal stories, & quotes from a rich array of spiritual teachers for many religions, Wiederkehr helps readers become more attuned to living in the present moment & develop a kindred spirit with the rich tradition of the sacred hours.

Things Seen and Unseen
A Catholic Theologian's NotebookThis window into the mind & heart of an exceptional theologian reveals insightful, spirited, & often wickedly funny commentary on the messy, comic, tragic, & ultimately beautiful realities of the diverse landscape of contemporary Catholicism.

Thomas Merton:A Life
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was one of the most influential spiritual writers of modern times. A Trappist monk, peace & civil rights activist, & widely-praised literary figure, Merton was renowned for his pioneering work in contemplative spirituality, his quest to understand Eastern thought &; integrate it with Western spirituality, & his firm belief in Christian activism.

Worldwide Adventure
In this book, Robert Abel will show you how to fulfill your calling in Christ through a simple 3-part process. By surrendering your life into the Lord's service, listening to the softly spoken voice of the Holy Spirit & proceeding forth in obedience, you will have the opportunity to embark on the adventure of a lifetime—advancing God's kingdom here on earth.



 

Patron Saint of the Day- Martin de Porres

November 3rd

St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru in 1579. His mother was a former slave from Panama, his father from Spain. St. Martin's greatest desire was to be a missionary and martyr, initially he was not even allowed to be a full friar, due to the racial constraints of his order. Martin joined the Dominicans as a servant at the age of fifteen and performed many tasks at the Dominican friary in Lima. He cared for animals, the sick, and orphans. He did farm labor and his work there as a barber is why he has been named the patron saint of barbers.

Martin fasted and did penance constantly. He could fly, bi-locate, and pass through locked doors to heal the sick. Eventually his piety and miracles surrounding him convinced the friars to make him a full Dominican brother, in spite of his skin color. At one point when his friary was in debt, Martin urged them to sell him as a slave to earn the money they needed. They did not. 

From Wikipedia: "One day an aged beggar, covered with ulcers and almost naked, stretched out his hand, and Saint Martin, seeing the Divine Mendicant in him, took him to his own bed. One of his brethren reproved him. Saint Martin replied: “Compassion, my dear Brother, is preferable to cleanliness."

St. Martin De Porres Prayer From mycatholictradition.com
O GOD, 
Who has given us
In Your humble Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
The model of all virtue
And perfection,
Grant to us
The virtue of humility.

We think so little of You
Because we are
So full of ourselves.

We cannot love You more
Until humility shows us
Our own nothingness
And makes us rejoice
In our complete
Dependence upon You.

You have given to the world
a glorious apostle of humility:
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES.

Guide us by his example
And strengthen
Us through his intercession
In our efforts
To conform our hearts
To the humble Heart
Of Your crucified Son.

May the glory of sainthood
Which you have
Deigned to bestow
Upon Brother Martin
Draw the world closer
And closer to You.

Renew, O Lord, in these days
When pride and forgetfulness
Of You are so widespread,
The wonders which You performed
Through Your humble servant
During his lifetime.

Through the same Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (3 times each.)

You can order the icon pictured above, and other icons of the saints at Reilly's. 

Call 1-800-635-5190  for information.

All Souls' Day

November 2nd
All Souls' Day
November 2nd is the Feast of All Souls, or All Souls' Day. While on All Saints' Day we remember those who have gone before and are in Heaven, on All Souls' Day we pray for and remember the departed who are in Purgatory. These are souls who died in God's good graces, but may need to be purified of lesser faults and the temporal effects of venial sin.

All Souls' Day is a time to visit the graves of those who have died. Many people tidy up around the sites, or bring flowers, similar to the remembrances on Veteran's Day. Because this is a day to pray for those who are undergoing purification for their sins while in Purgatory, there are many prayers that can be said for those we love and have lost.

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead for adults is also celebrated today. While the two days are similar and somewhat connected, there are many differences as well. For more information, visit these sites:

The Day of the Dead at Wikipedia
An explanation of Purgatory from The Catholic Encyclopedia
Prayers for All Souls' Day from Churchyear.net

The Feast of All Saints

We've had a few technical issues over the last few days, but we have them resolved. Sorry for the lapse. We will try to get the patron saint of the day for the days we have missed posted shortly.

November 1st
The Feast of All Saints
Today, rather than focusing on a particular saint, we would like to focus on today as the Feast of All Saints. This feast is a day on which we remember all the saints recognized or not, who have gone before us. It is also a day (fittingly enough, after our lost blogging days) on which we can honor those saints whose feasts we missed during the year.

Since today is Monday, this All Saints' Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation, however it is a wonderful day to visit  your parish and write the name of loved ones who have passed in remembrance books, and to attend Mass, keeping them in mind. It also is a great opportunity to talk to children and family about saints whose lives have been particularly meaningful to you, or your patron saint. If you do not have a saint near to your heart, Reilly's has dozens of books about the lives of the saints to pique your interest.

There are so many confusions and misconceptions about All Saints' Day and its eve, Halloween. For some interesting facts and discussion points you can visit the following sites:

The Truth About Halloween at the Crossroads Initiative
Fasting and Feasting During Hallowtide from Catholic Cuisine