Memorial of Saints (November 4)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Charles Borromeo, bishop
• Vitalis and Agricola, martyrs
• Pierius
• John Zedazneli and Companions
• Clarus, martyr
• Joannicus

Charles Borromeo (died 3 Nov. 1584 A.D.): at age 46; cardinal and secretary of state at age 22 for his uncle, Pope Pius IV; implemented reforms of Trent in his diocese of Milan; founder of seminaries; considered a model pastor by many bishops, including Francis de Sales; held five provincial councils and 11 diocesan synods; patron of catechists and of catechumens.

Prayer to St. Charles Borromeo

Most glorious Saint Charles, outstanding model to all of faith, humility, purity, constancy in sufferings, and of every best virtue, who devoted all the highest gifts received from God to promote His glory and the salvation of souls, even to the point of becoming a victim of your own zeal, we beseech you to obtain for us to be imitators of you as you were of Christ.

Obtain for pastors of souls a heart, like yours, full of charity; for missionaries, fortitude and courage; for us your children, firmness in our resolutions, spirit of sacrifice, an untiring zeal for the welfare of the emigrants; and for all Christians, fidelity to God, love for the Church, resignation in trials, and perseverance in doing good.

O God of mercy and Father of all consolation, who see the afflictions of the Christian family, and the dangers to which souls are exposed, be moved toward us; help us, save us. Do not look upon our unworthiness, but upon the merits of your servant and our protector Saint Charles. Hear his prayers in our behalf, now that he reigns triumphant in heaven, as You once heard the prayers he addressed to You for his people here on earth. Amen.

Memorial of Saints (November 3)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Martin de Porres, religious
• Winifrid, virgin and martyr
• Rumwald
• Hubert, bishop
• Pirminus, bishop
• Amicus
• Malachy, bishop
• Rupert Mayer

Martin: (died 1639 A.D.); born in Lima of a Spanish father and a black slave mother; O.P. lay brother who humbly ministered to the poor and the sick, especially African slaves; devoted to the Holy Eucharist; a close friend of Rose of Lima; patron of social justice and of peoples of mixed races.

Blessed Rupert Mayer, SJ, (1876-1945 A.D.) was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1899 A.D. He became a chaplain in World War I where he lost a leg in action while giving absolution to a German soldier. After the end of WWI he worked among the poor in Munich. Upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power, he was one of the first German clergymen to challenge the Nazis, declaring 'a true Catholic cannot be a National Socialist.' The Nazis arrested him many times. In 1939 A.D., his arrest led to solitary confinement for four years and was finally released by Allied forces in 1945 A.D. He returned to Munich, renewed his apostolate to the poor and died among them.

The Jesuits of the Philippines composed a song in honor of Blessed Rupert Mayer, SJ. The song is entitled, "Prayer of Rupert Mayer".

Lord, what You will let it be so
Where You will there we will go
What is Your will help us to know

Lord, when You will the time is right
In You there's joy in strife
For Your will I'll give my life

To ease your burden brings no pain
To forego all for You is gain
As long as I in You remain!

Because You will it, it is best
Because You will it, we are blest
Till in Your hands our hands find rest

Our hearts find rest
Till in Your hands our hands find rest

31st Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Sunday Reflections (from) Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

31st Sunday of the Year (B), November 4, 2012

Liturgical readings

Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Psalm 18
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 12:28b-34

"There is no other commandment greater than these."

A scribe went to ask the Lord about God's commandments. Jesus replied with two commandments that summarize what can be found in the Ten Commandments: first, to love God with our whole being (1st to 3rd commandments); and second, to love our neighbor as ourselves (4th to 10th commandments). Then Jesus added, "there is no other commandment greater than these." The scribe was pleased with the answer of Jesus, and confirmed that following these commandments "is worth more than any burnt offering or sacrifice."

To love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love our neighbor as ourselves. These commandments is one Christian ethic that cultivates reverence and respect for God and all He has created. We can test ourselves if we are obeying God by examining what fills up our hearts and minds, and how we treat others and ourselves. (The more official examination of conscience is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation). When we fill our souls with God's Word and the Sacraments, then we are strengthened in faith to continue to do the good we ought to do. Only in patience and in constancy do we do God's will and are directed to receive His promise of eternal life.

By experience everyone knows that following God's commandments is not always easy. It can be easy at certain times or stages in one's life, but it can be difficult at specific states of life. But practicing a devotion is a great help. Devotion to the Eucharist and reflection on the Scriptures is one. But a popular devotion that all Catholics can make, and one that is close to the hearts of many, is a devotion to the Blessed Mother. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort (member of the French school of spirituality which includes St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, St. Francis de Sales, and St. John Eudes) advices this devotion to Mary because:

The Blessed Virgin prevents virtues from fading away ... merits from being wasted ... and graces from being lost; she prevents devils from doing harm (True Devotion to Mary #174)

Together with a devotion to the Jesus in the Eucharist, both can anchor us well to God in difficult times. Through these devotions, the Lord will certainly sustain each of His children and keep their souls firmly rooted in His Life and teachings.