Angels' Week

 The feast day of St. Michael the Archangel is September 29th, a Sunday this year, and the feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2nd.

Bless the lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength,that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.(Psalm 103:20)

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray! And do thou, prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl about the world, seeking the destruction of souls. Amen.

Stress

 

Thou hast made the earth to tremble, thou hast broken it; heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh….Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. (Ps. 60:2,11)
 

"How precious to Him is the oversight of his flock!...Wherefore did God not spare His only begotten Son, but yield him? That He might reconcile us even when we were enemies to Himself, and make us his peculiar people. Wherefore did He pour out His blood? Surely that He might gain those very sheep which He committed to Peter....I know the magnitude of the ministerial office, and the great difficulties which attend it. More are the tempests that assail the soul of a bishop, than those storms which agitate the ocean."--St. John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood.

Today is the feast of St. John Chrysostom (d. 407), Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church. Do not read the above, and think how wonderful you are, and how you deserve better priests; rather, pray for the priests you have, and learn from them, for each has something to teach you.

"Beseeching Christ on behalf of one's friend...the attention and affection are all directed to the friend; but suddenly and unawares love changes its object, and being so near touches the sweetness of Christ and begins to taste and feel how sweet he is.Thus rising from that holy love which reaches the friend to that which reaches Christ, he will joyfully pluck the rich spiritual fruit of friendship."--St. Ailred of Rievaulx.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light."--Matthew 11:28-30