The month ahead.

August will come and go in haste like much the rest of the year, I'm sure. Here's a few things to note along the way.

Today is the feast day of St. Alphonsus Liguori, an eighteenth century Catholic Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He was a musician, painter, poet and author receiving classical training in all of these topics. He had a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary and wrote several pastorals on her life. He also founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or the Redemptorist order.

St. Alphonsus, Pray for us!

On August 4th we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney. He is also known as the "Cure d'ars" and is the Patron Saint of priests. He is widely known for his part in the spiritual transformation of his community and surroundings in France. He was an ardent supporter of the Sacrament of Confession and was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Philomena.

St. John Vianney, Pray for us!

One of my favorite saints also has his special day this month. On the 14th we celebrate the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Fr.Kolbe was a Franciscan Friar in Poland. During WWII he provided shelter to people under fear of Nazi persecution, including 2,000 Jewish people in his friary. For this he was arrested by the Nazi forces and imprisoned at the Auschwitz. During his stay there three other prisoners escaped, because of this the Gestapo forces decided someone would die. They lined up some men and began to make a selection. They chose Franciszek Gajowniczek to die. Franciszek cried out for his wife and children pleading for his life. Fr. Kolbe asked the Gestapo to let him replace the man chosen to die and they allowed it. He was sent to a cell and given death by starvation. While in the Starvation cell he celebrated Mass daily and sang hymns and prayed songs and gave hope to other prisoners. He stayed alive for two weeks and was the last remaining prisoner alive. The Nazis wanted the chamber emptied so they injected him with a lethal dose of acid. He was cremated on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th. 

Fr. Kolbe is a great example of charity, love, and compassion. He is also a great example of a modern saint, giving strength and hope to ordinary Christians to do great things in the name and power of Christ Jesus. 

 St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us!

Mother Mary also has a busy month in August. We celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, where we celebrate the belief that "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." On Wednesday the 22nd of August we also celebrate the Queen ship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a time to celebrate the closeness Mary enjoyed next to Christ the King.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us!

Below are some other feasts we will celebrate in the liturgies throughout the month.

Aug 1st- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Aug 4th- St. John Vianney

Aug 6th- The Transfiguration of the Lord

Aug 8th- St. Dominic

Aug 10th- St. Lawrence

Aug 11th- St. Clare

Aug 14th- St. Maximilian Kolbe

Aug 15th- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Aug 20th- St. Bernard

Aug 21st- St. Pius X

Aug 22nd- Queen ship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Aug 24th- St. Bartholomew

Aug 27th- St. Monica

Aug 28th- St. Augustine

Aug 29th- The Passion of St. John the Baptist

This month, in South Louisiana, we are also in the middle of the Hurricane Season. As temperatures rise both on land and in the gulf we will see more tropical storms and possibly hurricanes form. And while preparation is key, let us also call our brothers and sisters, both along the gulf coast and abroad to prayer. So throughout the month of August, when you have a second please pray that Lord will spare the Louisiana Coast (and the whole gulf coast) from the threat of storms, and that he protect human life and property throughout this hurricane season. A quick prayer will work, but if you prefer a pre-written one, here's the one we use down here!

Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this Hurricane season from all harm.  Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature.  Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us.          We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

In Christ,
+Chad

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