St Clare of Assisi, ora pro nobis!

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When, in 1234, the army of Frederick II was devastating the valley of Spoleto, the soldiers, preparatory to an assault upon Assisi, scaled the walls of San Damiano by night, spreading terror among the community. Clare, calmly rising from her sick bed, and taking the ciborium from the little chapel adjoining her cell, proceeded to face the invaders at an open window against which they had already placed a ladder. It is related that, as she raised the Blessed Sacrament on high, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward as if dazzled, and the others who were ready to follow them took flight. It is with reference to this incident that St. Clare is generally represented in art bearing a ciborium.

When, some time later, a larger force returned to storm Assisi, headed by the General Vitale di Aversa who had not been present at the first attack, Clare, gathering her daughters about her, knelt with them in earnest prayer that the town might be spared. Presently a furious storm arose, scattering the tents of the soldiers in every direction, and causing such a panic that they again took refuge in flight.

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St. Peter Julian Eymard, ora pro nobis!

In the providence of God, different saints are raised up by Him in different periods of history to provide the world with solutions to the deepest problems of their age. The deepest problem of the modern age is alienation from God. Call it separation from God or indifference to God; call it unawareness of God or disinterest in God. By whatever name, in so-called developed countries of the Western world, God has been replaced by Self as the focus of attention and, I would not hesitate to say, adoration.

That is why an unlikely saint like St. Peter Julian Eymard should have arisen to alert the world that the Incarnate God is in our midst in what we may casually call the Blessed Sacrament.

 -Fr John Hardon

continue at The Real Prescence

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St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, ora pro nobis!

 "Know also that you will probably gain more by praying fifteen minutes before the Blessed Sacrament than by all the other spiritual exercises of the day. True, Our Lord hears our prayers anywhere, for He has made the promise, 'Ask, and you shall receive,' but He has revealed to His servants that those who visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament will obtain a more abundant measure of grace."

"Certainly amongst all devotions, after that of receiving the sacraments, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament holds first place, is most pleasing to God, and most useful to ourselves. Do not then, O devout soul, refuse to begin this devotion; and forsaking the conversation of men, dwell each day, from this time forward, for at least half or quarter of an hour, in some church, in the presence of Jesus Christ under the sacramental species. Taste and see how sweet is the Lord."

"The sovereigns of the earth do not always grant audience readily; on the contrary, the King of Heaven, hidden under the eucharistic veils, is ready to receive anyone…"

- St. Alphonsus Liguori

It also happens to be the 8th anniversary of Bishop Morlino’s installation as 4th bishop of Madison.

PS> Is anybody else worried Bp. Morlino might go to the vacancy in Denver?

What's the best way to receive Holy Communion?

From a reader:

There are many reasons why receiving communion on the tongue is superior. First, reception on the tongue is the universal norm. Places, such as the United States, that are allowed to receive in the hand are only allowed by an indult, which is an exception to the law, and as such, may be withdrawn at any time. In no way does this indult make communion in the hand required for anyone, but it simply allows it for those who wish to take advantage of it.

There are also some serious issues with reverence when Holy Communion is received in the hand. The Catechism of the Council of Trent explains this well (emphasis mine):

Nor should it be forgotten that Christ, whole and entire, is contained not only under either species, but also in each particle of either species. Each, says St. Augustine, receives Christ the Lord, and He is entire in each portion. He is not diminished by being given to many, but gives Himself whole and entire to each. ¹

The rest from Mr. Yanke

Those homeschoolers are crazy! :)

If you are interested in giving this a try for the first time, here's a few tips from Canterbury Tales.

HT SG

Vatican Exhibit of Eucharistic Miracles a success in Hayward, WI

From a reader:

The Vatican International Exhibit of the Eucharistic Miracles of the World was a big success here at St. Joseph Church in Hayward (June 30-July4). This also included the display of 17 relics of the saints in the Adoration chapel which were on loan to us from the Sisters of the Servants of Mary in Ladysmith. We had 600 visitors which was very encouraging.

Menominee Indian Reservation

Church procession, Menominee Indian Reservation, Keshena, Wisconsin (1915?)

Flickr; Marquette University Archives