The Catholic Church

Saint Mark the Evangelist – Feast Day – April 25 Today is   Monday, April 24, 2023 St Mark the Evangelist was born in the early 1st century in North Africa. He is well known for being the author of the Gospel according to Mark and the founder and also bishop of the Church of Alexandria, Egypt. St. Mark died in the year 68 AD in North Africa. We celebrate his feast day on April 25 every year in the Catholic Church. He is recognized as one of the early bishops who became Saints.  Saint Mark the Evangelist Biography Date of Birth 1st Century AD Profession Author of the Gospel of Mark and founder and bishop of the Church of Alexandria Place of Work Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Libya Date of Death 68 AD Place of Death North Africa Feast Day April 25 Canonization Pre-Congregation Patron Saint of Barristers, Venice, Egypt, Mainar Saint Mark’s Life History Saint Mark is believed to be the cousin of Barnabas, a significant disciple in early Christianity who is mentioned in Acts 14:14. ...

Saint of the Day Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen April 24th 2023  Saint of the Day Image:  Painting of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen | photo by Andreas Praefcke Saint of the Day for April 24 (1577 – April 24, 1622) Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen’s Story If a poor man needed some clothing, Fidelis would often give the man the clothes right off his back. Complete generosity to others characterized this saint’s life. Born in 1577, Mark Rey became a lawyer who constantly upheld the causes of the poor and oppressed people. Nicknamed “the poor man’s lawyer,” Rey soon grew disgusted with the corruption and injustice he saw among his colleagues. He left his law career to become a priest, joining his brother George as a member of the Capuchin Order. Fidelis was his religious name. His wealth was divided between needy seminarians and the poor.  As a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, Fidelis continued his devotion to the weak and needy. During a severe epidemic in a city where he was g...

 APRIL 23: SHE ONLY SPOKE DURING CHRISTMAS EVE Blessed Elena Valentini del Cavalcanti Widow and Lay Tertiary Died: 1458 ---  She was an Italian widow and Augustinian tertiary. She got married at age 15 to a knight. They were happily married for 25 years, and she became the mother of several children. After becoming a widow, she became known for her charity and austerity. She took a vow of silence, speaking only on Christmas night. She had an ongoing fight with worldly temptation, and given to ecstatic trances. She had the gift of healing.

#Catholic Diocese Of Nsukka, Auchi, Tuscon INTRODUCTION  The Chrism Mass is a public celebration and display of the unity of the bishop to the priests of his diocese and the entire Church community as Members of the Body of Christ with Jesus Christ as the Head. It is one of the most holy and solemn Masses celebrated all year. What then happens during the Chrism Mass?  WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CHRISM MASS?  The Mass takes its name from the most eminent of the three holy oils which the bishop commissions for his local church's use over the following year. The Chrism Mass, ordinarily celebrated on Holy Thursday morning by the Bishop and concelebrated with the priests of the diocese, is the Mass when the bishop consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick.  Also, Priests are brought together and concelebrate this Mass as witnesses and cooperators with their bishop in the consecration of the chrism because they share in the sacred offic...

 In moments of doubt and confusion, I turn to you, Lord. You are forever my place of safety and hope. ✝️ 

 Saint Hugh of Grenoble’s Story Today’s saint could be a patron for those of us who feel so overwhelmed by all the problems in the world that we don’t know where to begin. Hugh, who served as a bishop in France for 52 years, had his work cut out for him from the start. Corruption seemed to loom in every direction: the buying and selling of Church offices, violations of clerical celibacy, lay control of Church property, religious indifference and/or ignorance. After serving as bishop for two years, he’d had his fill. He tried disappearing to a monastery, but the pope called him back to continue the work of reform. Ironically, Hugh was reasonably effective in the role of reformer—surely because of his devotion to the Church but also because of his strong character. In conflicts between Church and state he was an unflinching defender of the Church. He fearlessly supported the papacy. He was eloquent as a preacher. He restored his own cathedral, made civic improvements in the town, and...

 Tuesday of the Holy Week April 4, 2023   O LOVING JESUS, meek Lamb of God, I a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy Flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other Wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross.  OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY... (Pope Eugenius III, at the earnest request of St. Bernard, has granted three thousand years Indulgence to all who with a contrite heart, recite the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary 3 times, in honor of the Wound on the Shoulder of Our Blessed Redeemer.)

 

 APRIL 4: A PATRON OF THE INTERNET Saint Isidoro of Seville Archbishop and Doctor of the Church Died: 636 ---  He was a Spanish archbishop and is one of the 37 Doctors of the Church. He combated Arianism which taught that Jesus is not God. He converted the leaders in his area, including the Visigoths. He protected and supported monks. He wrote the "Etymologiae," a compilation of facts and learnings from the known world during that time. It was like a primitive encyclopedia. This is why he is a patron saint of the internet.