Bible Verse
-- 2 Peter 3:10-14 --
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear
with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought
you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the
day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction
of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in
keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new
earth, the home of righteousness.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every
effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
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The day of the Lord is the day of God's judgement on the earth. Here it is
used in reference to Christ's return. Realizing that the earth is going to
be burned up, we should put our own confidence in what is lasting and
eternal and not be bound to earth and its treasure or pursuits. Do you spend
more of your time piling up possessions, or striving to develop Christ-like
character?
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November 16th - Bl. Martyrs of Almeria
(1936)
Especially in the early months of the Spanish Civil War that began in
1936, scores of Catholics were executed simply because of their profession
of Catholicism. Pope John Paul II had already declared a group of these
"blessed"; on October 10, 1993 he beatified eleven more: two bishops, one
priest, seven Christian Brothers, and one teacher, a laywoman.
Late in July 1936, agents of the anticlerical Revolutionary Committee
in the Province of Granada arrested and imprisoned the bishop of Almeria,
Diego Ventaja Milan, and the bishop of Guadix, Manuel Medina Olmos, (both
known for pastoral zeal); also seven Christian Brothers who staffed St.
Joseph College in Almeria: Aurelio Maria, Jose Cecilio, Edmigio Amalio,
Valerio Bernard, Teodomiro Joaquin, and Evencio Ricardo. The charge against
all was that they were "suspected" of not supporting the revolution,
particularly because they were priests and religious. They were kept in
detention for a month or more. On the night of 30/31 August, 1936, the two
bishops were taken out for execution with 15 other prisoners. Bishop Medina
asked permission to speak before the riflemen took aim. He said, "We have
done nothing to deserve death, but I forgive you so that the Lord will also
forgive you. May our blood be the last shed in Almeria."
During their own imprisonment, the seven Brothers showed similar
sentiments. Br. Aurelio Maria bespoke their views a few years before when he
declared, "What happiness for us if we could shed our blood for the lofty
ideal of Christian education. Let us double our fervor and thus become
worthy of such an honor." They were executed in groups between August 30 and
September 13.
The two other newly beatified Spanish martyrs were Father Pedro Poveda
Castroverde, founder of the Teresian Association, a Catholic Action group
for teachers; and a member of that lay Association, Victoria Diez y Bustos
de Molina.
Canon Poveda (born 1874) was one of the most influential priests in
Spain. After his ordination he worked among the "cave-dwellers" of Guadix,
founding a school for their children and workshops in which adults could
learn a trade and meanwhile be instructed in their faith. Then he went to
Madrid, where he opened St. Teresa of Avila Academy. His concern for
Christian education, about which he prayed and wrote much, led him to
establish the Teresian Association, intended to give spiritual and pastoral
formation to teachers. In 1914 he opened, in Madrid, Spain's first
university residence for women. In 1921 he was appointed chaplain of the
Royal Palace, Madrid, and in 1922 a member of the Central Board against
illiteracy. Most of his time, however, was devoted to the Teresian
Association, which was approved by the Holy See in 1924 and then spread to
Chile and Italy. Always devoted to simplicity of lifestyle and constant
study, Canon Poveda often wished he might sacrifice his own life for the
faith. His desire was fulfilled when he was executed on July 28, 1936.
Victoria Diez, born in Seville in 1903, was motivated by her deep
Christian devotion to commit herself to God and His children through
teaching. In the Teresian Association she found an ideal means of combining
her spiritual and professional life. Most of her teaching career she spent
at Hornachuelos, some 50 miles from Seville. Fired by her devotion to the
Blessed Sacrament, she devoted her whole strength to education, Catholic
Action, and works of charity, to the admiration of all who knew her.
On August 11, 1936, Victoria and other Catholics were arrested and
jailed. She spent the night calmly and in prayer. On August 12, she and 17
others were killed in the abandoned mine shaft of Rincon. Witnesses testify
that she encouraged the rest with the words, "Come on, our reward is waiting
for us!" Her last words were, "Long live Christ the King!"
Why does the Church beatify and canonize martyrs? To remind us that in
an ever-selfish world there are always some - indeed, many - whose
commitment to God remains firm. They are the human race's true jewels.
--Father Robert F. McNamara
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Martyrology
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rufinus, Mark, Valerius, and their companions.
On the same day, the holy martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, Eustochius, and their
associates. Elpidius, who was of senatorial rank, confessed the faith with
great firmness before Julian the Apostate. He, with his companions, was
first tied to wild horses and dragged by them; then he was cast into the
fire and thus completed a glorious martyrdom.
At Lyons in Gaul, the birthday of St. Eucherius, bishop and confessor. He
was a man of admirable faith and learning. Although he enjoyed the most
noble senatorial rank, he exchanged it for the religious life and the
religious habit. He had himself walled up in a cave where for a long period
of time he served Christ by prayer and fasting. Then, because of a
revelation made by an angel (to the faithful), he was solemnly made Bishop
of Lyons.
At Padua, St. Fidentius, bishop.
At Canterbury in England, St. Edmund, archbishop and confessor. He was
driven into exile for defending the rights of his church, and he died a most
holy death at Provins, a town near Sens. He was inscribed in the canon of
saints by Pope Innocent IV.
On the same day, the death of St. Othmar, abbot.
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St. Gertrude's Guardian Angel Prayer
O most holy angel of God, appointed by God to be my guardian, I give you
thanks for all the benefits which you have ever bestowed on me in body and
in soul. I praise and glorify you that you condescended to assist me with
such patient fidelity, and to defend me against all the assaults of my
enemies. Blessed be the hour in which you were assigned me for my guardian,
my defender and my patron. In acknowledgement and return for all your loving
ministries to me, I offer you the infinitely precious and noble heart of
Jesus, and firmly purpose to obey you henceforward, and most faithfully to
serve my God. Amen.
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