Beloved Family:
What a week! I realize this expression may issue forth from our lips, with some regularity, as a reaction to days that are hyper-activity-filled or wherein we have faced exceptionally challenging situations. In this instance, I would like to draw our attention to the richness of the liturgical calendar in this particular upcoming sequence of days.
First of all, on Monday we celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael—the Archangels named in Scripture. We invoke Saint Michael’s defense at the end of Mass. Far from being a downer, I find it an appropriate complement to our being directed, “Go in peace.” Yes, the peace of Christ is offered to us, so that we may maintain a deep inner security as we go forth. However, in my experience it is not in question that we will face opposition (and I’m not talking about driving out of the parking lot!). Spiritual allies are essential, dear ones. Some of us likely have been marking Saint Michael’s Lent during these preceding days.
Such allies are in abundance in the days following. On Tuesday, September 30, we honor Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church and passionate lover of Scripture. There is evidence that he was overall a man of intense emotion; rather than deny it, he embraced severe fasting as a resource for “cooling his jets” – no, he did not use that exact expression.
On October 1, providence brings us the Memorial of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, known as “The Little Flower.” 2025 marks the 100th year since her canonization. As noted on the Dynamic Catholic website:
Therese of Lisieux didn’t waste her life caught up in the self-importance of wondering what God’s specific will was for her. She knew clearly what his universal will was for all of us: to love others. By living what she knew to be the simple and universal will of God, she discovered his specific will for her days, weeks, months and life. Therese of Lisieux wrote: “Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will. And being just what God wants us to be.”
Saint Therese, teach us to keep it simple and saintly!
Next, on Thursday, October 2, the Church observes the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels. Moms and dads, do you remember the prayer to one’s guardian angel? It is included in the “My Daily Prayers” recording that comes from the Diocese of Cleveland. It’s a classic that is fitting for any child’s prayer list (and in this case, “child” does not have a cut-off age).
As in any month, the next day is marked as First Friday. If you are not fully aware of this devotion and the promises connected with it, the Fathers of Mercy website offers an excellent article on the subject and why it is needed in our day as much as ever it was. As a reminder, confessions are heard after morning Mass on first Fridays and first Saturdays.
In this month, the first Saturday is also the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi. The hymn, “All Creatures of Our God and King” is based on a canticle he composed. Unfortunately, Saint Francis is widely misquoted as saying: “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary.” While no one is going to deny that the credibility of our discipleship lies as much in our actions as in what we say, speaking the words of the gospels—and ALL Scripture for that matter— matters greatly. I believe we would all benefit from deleting a substantial portion of the trivia and pettiness in our speech and enrich conversations with the Word of Life. Take advantage of this rich liturgical week, dear friends in Christ.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
