Murray Bodo, OFM, offers a lovely meditation on Mary for today. 🙏
Hello John,
Blessed Tuesday! "Every martyr realizes how to avoid execution but refuses to pay the high price of doing so. A clear conscience was more valuable than a long life." It's tempting to compromise our faith in challenging situations, convincing ourselves that we're simply being realistic. However, saints and martyrs throughout history show us that survival is not the ultimate value—rather, it's the unwavering commitment to our faith that shapes the pattern of our lives. Mary, the mother of Jesus is a perfect example and model for our lives. While Scripture offers limited insight into Mary's life, her presence looms large in the Tradition of the Church and continues to inspire devotion and reverence among believers. Together, let us seek the intercession of Cristòbal Magallanes and companions as we strive to spread the Good News in our world. And what better way of spreading the Good News than by supporting this ministry? To make a one-time or recurring gift please visit https://www.FranciscanMedia.org/Newsletter or contact me directly at [email protected] or 1-800-488-0488. |
With prayers and blessings, |
Fr. Dan Kroger, OFM
Franciscan Media CEO and St. Anthony Messenger Publisher [email protected] |
Saint of the Day for May 21: Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions (July 30, 1869-May 25, 1927; Companions d. between 1915 and 1937) Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions’ Story Like Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, SJ, Cristóbal and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools, and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristóbal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. He and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-28). All of these martyrs except three, were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. They all belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the Church that he established, to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico’s leaders had made it a crime to receive baptism or celebrate the Mass. These martyrs did not die as a single group but over 22 years time in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later. Reflection Every martyr realizes how to avoid execution, but refuses to pay the high price of doing so. A clear conscience was more valuable than a long life. We may be tempted to compromise our faith while telling ourselves that we are simply being realistic, dealing with situations as we find them. Is survival really the ultimate value? Do our concrete, daily choices reflect our deepest values, the ones that allow us to “tick” the way we do? Anyone can imagine situations in which being a follower of Jesus is easier than the present situation. Saints remind us that our daily choices, especially in adverse circumstances, form the pattern of our lives.
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Our Hearts Find Mary What know about her is a lot, considering how little we know of Mary from Scripture itself. We know a lot because Mary is writ large in the Tradition of the Church and in the testimony of the Fathers of the Church and in the proclamations of the ongoing doctrines by the Holy See. And she continues to reveal new aspects of who she is in private revelations to individual Christians throughout the centuries. The cloud is beginning to be less dense, and a whole theology of Mary continues to grow and enlighten her role in the history of salvation. But as with God and with Jesus, there remains a cloud of unknowing around Mary. It clouds the impenetrable sanctuary of the mystery of who she is in God that is never wholly transparent, but continues to draw us in as far as our human minds and hearts can go. —from the book Nourishing Love: A Franciscan Celebration of Mary
by Murray Bodo, OFM |
Experience St. Anthony's
gift of finding what is lost! Spend seven consecutive days letting St. Anthony of Padua guide you to finding yourself and your way to God! |
Fighting Racism Reflect Over the course of her life, St. Katharine Drexel focused her energy on the material and spiritual well-being of African Americans and Native Americans. Mother Katharine’s dedicated efforts can inspire us and be a model for us as we work to uproot systemic racist ideas in our Church and in the world. Pray Dear Jesus, you inspired and emboldened
Katharine Drexel to work for justice
for underserved groups of people.
Her life left a lasting legacy.
She is a model to all Christians
fighting against racist principles and ideas
alive in the world, our hearts, and the Church.
We ask St. Katharine’s intercession
for us in this important work.
Amen. Act Choose one or two resources–books, movies, TV shows, etc., to better educate yourself on how to fight the evils of racism right where God has placed you. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Patricia Breen. Learn more here! |
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