Saint Anthony of Padua

F A I T H M A T T E R S

St. Anthony of Padua~Dayton, Ohio E-Brief

2/27/2015

Do you ever get on a self-improvement kick where you set about to fix your faults and try to become the best you can be? Do you view Lent as such- a period of self-improvement? If your answer is yes, then stop and reconsider because your going about it the wrong way. "So, what is the right way?" you may ask. The answer is simple and the proof for it lies in the examples of the lives of the saints. No two saints are exactly alike, yet they all have had one thing in common, and it was not to seek perfection through exercises in self-improvement. The simple truth is they wanted to know and love Christ better. To know Christ is to love Christ. To love Christ is to want to please Christ. To please Christ is to do God's will. God's will is perfect. Any and all perfection comes from living for Christ. So, follow the saints' examples- get to know Christ. Pray that he will fill your heart with the desire to know and love him better.

St. John XXII's Saintly Way

1. Live with a sacred optimism. John practiced a "cheerfulness at all times" and rejected voices of "those prophets of gloom, who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand."

2. Ask others to pray for you. When it became known that John was to be made a cardinal he wrote his family to share the news and request them to "ask (God) to make me a good cardinal, a peace-loving and gentle cardinal." Whenever you face a difficult decision or a major life challenge, ask those close to you for their prayers.

3. Curtail criticism. "See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little," was John's philosophy. Curtail criticism. You'll be happier. So will your family and friends.

4. Practice self-restraint. Follow John's lead: "It is my nature to talk too much. A ready tongue is one of God's good gifts but it must be handled with care and respect, with moderation, so that I may be welcome and not found to be a bore."

5. Read biographies of spiritual lives. One of the best ways to deepen your own spiritual life is to read about others who are models of spirituality. Pope John loved St. Francis de Sales, calling him the "gentlest of saints" and a "magnificent figure." He wrote, "I have read his life so many times!"

6. Practice what you preach. In all your relationships be a model of integrity by practicing what you preach. "I really must make sure that I never tell others to do what I do not try to practice myself," John noted in his journal.

7. Be kind. This was a lifelong goal of John. "My dealing with others must always be marked with dignity, simplicity and kindness, a radiant and serene kindness."

8. Observe yourself. John called this an examination of conscience, and it was something he did all his life. From time to time, take a deep and honest look at yourself so that any issues may be addressed before they enlarge. After one period of self-study John wrote, "Having made a general examination of my behavior during these recent days, I have found good reason to blush and feel humble."

9. Remember that you are a role model. We are visible to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and acquaintances. Be a positive influence. That's the sentiment John expressed. "One learns Christian behavior in social and economic matters by actual Christian action in those fields."

10. Don't take yourself so seriously. A few days after he was elected pope, John's family was granted a special audience. The Roncallis entered the papal apartments timidly and nervously dropped their gifts. Peasant bread, ham and wine, packed in brightly covered cloths tumbled to the floor. John eased their embarrassment. He smiled and said reassuringly, "Don't be afraid. It's only me." The lesson from John for us: lighten up. Don't take yourself so seriously.

-taken from Our Sunday Visitor at www.osv.com

St. John Paul II: Totally Yours

During his lifetime, especially his papacy, St. John Paul II lived out a special devotion to Mary the Mother of God. The writings of St. Louis de Montfort had a profound effect on him, and lead the saint to consecrating himself to the Virgin Mary with the inspirational words of de Montfort,"I am totally yours, and all that I have is yours."

From amazon.com:

Amidst the Nazi occupation of Poland and long days in forced labor at a quarry and chemical plant, young Karol Wojtyla - the man who would become Pope John Paul II - made a discovery that would change his life. He read the 18th century spiritual writings of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort and prayed St. Louis' thirty-three days of preparation for total consecration to Jesus through Mary. He understood anew that the purpose of a true devotion to Mary is to be directed into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Trinity. The consecration so marked his life that he would adopt St. Louis' phrase Totus Tuus (Latin for "Totally Yours") as his motto as bishop and later as pope.

Saint John Paul II's adoption of this radical commitment to Jesus through Mary ignited a new flame in the hearts of countless Catholics all over the world.

To read more about how to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary click here.

To read St. John Paul II's extensive writings on the Blessed Virgin Mary click here.

Message of the Week

"No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great."

~St. John Chrysostom

Upcoming Events

Sacrament of Reconciliation

February 28, 2015

3:30-4:00 PM

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

February 28, 2015

9:30 AM

CLOW

March 1, 2015

10:00 AM Mass

"Light Is On For You"